Den or Foxhole
Excavate a hideout and disappear
A wide, comfortable sitting hole — deep enough that a child sitting in it is at ground level or below. It becomes their base, their den, their headquarters. Can be expanded into a two or three-person dugout with bench seats carved into the walls. One of the most satisfying holes to actually inhabit.
Quick Facts
| Best for ages | 5 and up |
|---|---|
| Time to build | 45–90 minutes |
| Tools needed | spade, bucket |
| Water needed? | No |
When to Dig It
Best Conditions
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How to Dig It
- Choose a spot well above the high tide mark.
- Mark out a rectangle roughly 1m x 80cm (larger for multiple children).
- Dig down steadily, throwing all spoil forward to build a windbreak wall.
- When 40–50cm deep, start carving bench seats into the long walls.
- Round off the base so it's comfortable to sit in.
- Decorate the windbreak wall — shells pressed in, a flag on a stick.
Variations
Extend to a trench for multiple children. Add a connecting tunnel to an adjacent hole. Cover the top with a towel weighted by spades for a fully enclosed den.
Seasonal Tips
Spring
Good conditions. Aim for a south-facing spot to catch spring sun down in the hole.
Summer
A below-ground den is cooler than the surface — practical as well as fun on hot days.
Autumn
Build the windbreak high — the den provides good shelter from autumnal winds.
Winter
A deep den is remarkably sheltered. Sitting below ground level cuts the wind dramatically — genuinely useful on a cold beach day.
Try This Hole on Every Beach Type
Flat Sandy Beach
Den or Foxhole on a flat sandy beach →
Steep Shingle Beach
Den or Foxhole on a steep shingle beach →
Tidal Flat Beach
Den or Foxhole on a tidal flat beach →
Rock Pool Beach
Den or Foxhole on a rock pool beach →
Shell Beach
Den or Foxhole on a shell beach →
Tropical Coral Sand Beach
Den or Foxhole on a tropical coral sand beach →
Estuary Beach
Den or Foxhole on a estuary beach →
Sheltered Cove
Den or Foxhole on a sheltered cove →