How to Make a Paper Igloo
Igloos are temporary homes for Greenland and Canadian Inuits. The word, also written "iglu," comes from the Inuit word "igdlu," meaning "house," according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Igloos usually are constructed in a dome shape from snow blocks. Teach your children about the function of igloos and the winter lifestyles of Inuits through this paper machè igloo art project. Start saving your daily newspaper, and find the rest of the materials you need for this project around your house.
Things You'll Need
- 2 large bowls
- Several editions of a newspaper
- Child-safe scissors
- 2 cups of water
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 bottle white craft paint of your choice
- 1 sponge brush (2-inch brush head)
- 1 tube silver glitter glue or 1 can of spray glitter (optional)
Instructions
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1
Cover your workspace with a disposable, plastic tablecloth. You want a large space to work, so consider working directly on the floor. You may also want to consider working outside if it is a pleasant day.
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2
Cut the newspaper into long strips, about one-inch in width. Use child-safe scissors, and make sure you heed the age limit prescribed on the scissors package. Keep an eye on children cutting with scissors. You may want to cut these strips ahead of time to eliminate this step for the children.
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3
Mix two cups of water and two cups of flour in one of your bowls. Mix until smooth. Add one tablespoon of salt to the mixture, and mix again. This is your paper machè base. Later you can mix up more of this concoction if you need it.
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4
Place newspaper strips into the mixture "until it is good and sloppy." Turn over the second bowl so that the bottom is facing you. This is your igloo "mold." Pick up the strips and begin laying them across the bowl. If the strips are too long, then you can tear them off with your fingers. Wrap the entire bowl with newspaper strips. Consider laying the strips in a crisscross pattern to get the igloo snow block effect.
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5
Set aside to dry for about an hour. Then, gently pry the igloo from the bowl. Use the scissors to cut out a door in the front. Finally, use the white paint and sponge brush to paint the igloo. Adorn with glitter glue or a dusting of silver glitter spray.
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