How to Make an Igloo Project
Making an igloo project is an interesting way to spend a hot summer afternoon or anytime when your children are studying about igloos, Eskimos and frigid northern climates. Constructing this igloo project will be an educational experience for the entire family or group of students and you only need a few simple supplies. This would also make a wonderful Christmas craft project for your family.
Things You'll Need
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Two boxes of sugar cubes
- Two egg whites
- Confectioners' sugar
- Butter knife or plastic spoon
Instructions
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1
Measure a 7-inch diameter circle onto a sturdy piece of cardboard and cut it out with scissors.
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2
Mix a mortar for your igloo project by combining two beaten egg whites and 3 cups of confectioners' sugar in a medium-size bowl, according to the Disney Family Fun website.
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3
Lay the foundation for your igloo project by placing sugar cubes along the outer edge. Make sure to leave a small opening at the front of the igloo that is about the width of two sugar cubes for the entrance.
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4
Use a butter knife or plastic spoon to apply the mortar between the sugar cubes. It will only take a small amount to act as glue to hold the cubes together.
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5
Continue making a circular shape by building onto the base sugar cubes. You will lay the sugar cubes on top of each other just as a bricklayer lays bricks. To do this start each new row with a sugar cube in the middle of the bottom cube and stagger each additional cube and follow an alternating pattern on each new row. You want to gradually slope the walls toward the center of the circle to give the igloo a rounded shape.
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6
Stop work on your igloo walls when you have five rows completed. Allow the walls to dry completely before finishing your project. This will prevent the igloo from toppling over due to the weight of the sugar cubes.
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Finish the walls by adding the additional five rows of sugar cubes, getting closer to the center portion of the circle with each new row.
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8
Cut out a smaller circle template by using another piece of cardboard. Hold it over the roof of your igloo to see approximately how big you will need your roof diameter. The size will vary with each igloo depending on how much of a slope you made in your walls. Place the smaller cardboard template onto your workspace and build your rooftop by placing the mortar in between each sugar cube. Allow it to dry before placing it on top of the igloo.
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9
Complete the passage way into the igloo. Start with four sugar cubes in a line horizontally. Mortar them together. This is the first row of one wall of the passage way. Create another four-cube row for the other wall of the passage way and set it parallel to the first just shy of two cube-widths away. Start another row on top of the first wall, off-set the cubes slightly toward the second wall, applying mortar between the rows as you go. Do the same on top of the second wall. Repeat the process for both walls one more time. Now, scoot the walls together to form a low, fat U-shape tunnel. Apply mortar to the insides of the top rows of each wall and joint the two pieces together.
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10
Attach the roof and arched portion onto the completed igloo with a bit of mortar and allow it to dry. You can place a toy action figure or penguin in the entrance of your igloo.
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