End the Summer with Sandcastles

Labor Day weekend is typically a time for unwinding with family and friends, and celebrating summer’s joys just one more time. This year, you can easily turn your typical barbecue into one themed after a favorite summer icon – the sandcastle! Little sandcastle details will give your beach or backyard BBQ an extra dose of fun in the sun!

Fill beach pails with fresh flowers and place them on tabletops, or along a walkway to your summer retreat -- Real Simple

Fire up the grill and enjoy sweet corn on the cob discs and crunchy kebabs -- Corn via Martha Stewart, kebabs via Coastal Living

Spread large beach towels on the sand or grass for casual seating, or use them as tablecloths on picnic tables -- Crate&Barrel

Kids will find this sandcastle craft to be so much fun. Simply supply empty paper towel rolls, paper plates, glue and sand! -- Crafts-For-All-Seasons

Fill these sandcastle bucket shaped bowls with ice cream, chips, or candy -- Retro To Go

This beach cabana shaped invitation is a great choice for your Labor Day weekend bash -- Invitation by Putnam House, available at FineStationery.com

If your party is on or near the beach, host a sandcastle building contest. Have the children judge the creations after they are all complete. Be sure to have plenty of sandcastle building tools available -- Sandcastle image via Martha Stewart, tools via Coastal Living

End the party with a sweet sandy treat! This sandcastle pound cake is made from a mold, and decorated with fresh summer fruit and whipped cream -- Williams-Sonoma