star of wonder—star of bright starfish

STUFF YOU'LL NEED

This sprawling starfish is easy to build. It should take a few people about an hour to complete. Scout the beach for shells to use as texture on the arms.

Pick a spot near the high tidemark. The sand does not need to be level. Using your tape measure, mark out a circle 2 feet in diameter, or take a giant step in four directions from a central point. It doesn't need to be a perfect circle.

Start digging sand from an area about 6 feet away from the circle. Use the flatmountain method for the main body section. Fill the circle with sand about 2 feet high. At the same time the body is being formed, the arms can be built: with your foot, draw 5 lines—each about 4 feet long—extending from the outer edge of the body. These will be your guidelines, marking the center of each arm. Using the brick method, build up the sand over each line, starting wide at the body and narrowing as you get to the end of the line.

Place the shells on the tops of the arms to add texture. If you can't find any shells, use the back of a spoon to create texture. Keep the spray bottle or watering can handy to wet the sand as you add the finishing touches.

When you've finished the sculpture, use the rake to clear the sand of footprints and other telltale signs of human activity.

pail or bucket

carving tools: trowel, putty knife

fan rake

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