When the form is mold is filled, lift it slowly while tapping the base with a mallet or another tool. You can create the upper form directly on top of the base form.

When your rough structure is ready for carving, start from the top, working your way down, and always carving outward to retain structural integrity. Remove unwanted sand from all sides of the sculpture. Do not attempt to complete one side at a time, and concentrate first on building a simple shape as the main structure. You can add sand later to make other structures.

Cut away the tops from empty aluminum cans to form smaller structures, such as outposts, turrets, and whatever other can-shaped structural additions you can devise for sandcastles.