Easy DIY Sand Art Candles

If you loved doing sand art as a kid, here’s a grown-up-friendly twist on this easy craft you’ll want to try. Just add a votive candle, and you’ve got a stylish centerpiece or accessory for your home. You can customize the colors to complement any decor or occasion.

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights.
Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand.
Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle.
Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand.
Light the candles and enjoy!

HGTV Summer Camp: Sand Art

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights. Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand. Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle. Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand. Light the candles and enjoy!

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

Materials Needed

  • Sand in various colors
  • Glass vases in various sizes
  • Glass votive candles
  • Funnel
  • Wooden skewer
  • Spoon

Colored Sand: Buy or DIY?

You can find decorative sand at your local craft store; the kids' crafts section will have bright, saturated colors, while the floral section will have more neutral hues. You can also dye your own sand using food coloring.

Pour Layers of Sand Into Vase

HGTV Summer Camp: Sand Art
Jason Kisner
HGTV Summer Camp: Sand Art
Jason Kisner

HGTV Summer Camp: Sand Art

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights. Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand. Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle. Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand. Light the candles and enjoy!

Photo By: Jason Kisner

HGTV Summer Camp: Sand Art

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights. Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand. Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle. Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand. Light the candles and enjoy!

Photo By: Jason Kisner

Pour your first layer of sand into the vase. Don't worry about making the layers even or uniform — in fact, uneven layers will look more interesting in the end. Continue layering sand in various colors. Use a spoon or your fingers to create ridges and valleys in the sand.

Add Votive Candle

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights.
Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand.
Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle.
Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand.
Light the candles and enjoy!

HGTV Summer Camp: Sand Art

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights. Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand. Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle. Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand. Light the candles and enjoy!

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

Once you've added several layers of sand, place your votive candle in the center of the vase. You want the rim of the candle to sit about half an inch below the rim of the vase.

Pour Sand Around Candle

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights.
Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand.
Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle.
Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand.
Light the candles and enjoy!

HGTV Summer Camp: Sand Art

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights. Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand. Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle. Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand. Light the candles and enjoy!

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

Using a funnel, continue pouring sand around the candle. Stop when the top layer of sand sits about half an inch below the rim of the candle.

Add Patterns in Sand

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights.
Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand.
Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle.
Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand.
Light the candles and enjoy!

HGTV Summer Camp: Sand Art

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights. Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand. Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle. Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand. Light the candles and enjoy!

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

You can leave your layers as they are, or use a wooden skewer to create patterns in the sand. Insert the skewer vertically into the sand as close to the side of the vase as possible, then pull it out. Repeat around the entire vase for a chevron-like pattern.

Display Them

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights.
Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand.
Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle.
Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand.
Light the candles and enjoy!

HGTV Summer Camp: Sand Art

Pour layers of sand into a glass vase, alternating colors with each layer. For a more interesting look, try uneven layers in various heights. Keep layering sand until you’re a few inches from the top of the vase. Place your votive candle in the center of the sand. Continuing layering sand around the outside of the candle. (This is where the funnel may come in handy.) Keep going until you’ve reached the top rim of the candle. Optional: Using a wooden skewer, create patterns in the sand. Light the candles and enjoy!

Photo by: Jason Kisner

Jason Kisner

These candles look best when grouped together. Make several in various sizes and colors and play around with different arrangements until you find one you like.

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