How to Make an Igloo Model
Igloos are the traditional winter hunting home of the Canadian Inuit people. The igloo is not a permanent home, as it melts with warmer weather, but it provides a strong, safe place to live in the winter. Built entirely of snow and ice, the inside of the structure is so hard and strong that a polar bear can climb on top of an igloo without collapsing it. You can make a model igloo from simple craft items or even food such as marshmallows or sugar cubes. Determine the size of the finished structure before beginning construction.
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Things You'll Need
- Round balloon
- Marker
- Newspaper
- White glue -- 1 cup
- Warm water -- ½ cup
- Mixing bowl
- Plastic spoon
- Safety pin
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Styrofoam cup
- White paint
- Cardboard sheet
- Aluminum foil
Instructions
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1
Blow up the balloon to the size of igloo desired. Tie off the end of the balloon. Tear the newspaper into strips 2 inches thick. Mix the white glue with the warm water and stir until mixed. Dip the strips of newspaper into the mixture and apply one layer to the balloon. Do not cover the tip of the balloon where it is tied. Apply additional layers of newspaper to the top half of the balloon only. Set aside to dry.
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2
Pop the balloon with the safety pin and remove it from inside the newspaper. The top half of the globe will be the igloo house. Cut the bottom half of the newspaper globe off with the scissors. Trim the bottom edge of the igloo until the structure sits flat on a level surface.
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3
Measure 1 inch down from the top edge of the Styrofoam cup and mark with a pen. Cut all the way around the edge of the cup to create a ring 1 inch wide. Cut the ring in half to create a half circle. Bend the half circle slightly to create an arc. Dip a strip of newspaper into the glue mixture and apply it to the arc to help hold the shape. Place the arc on the front of the igloo to represent the doorway. Apply additional strips of newspaper dipped in the glue mixture to attach the doorway to the igloo and hold its shape. Allow the structure to dry overnight.
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4
Paint the entire structure with white paint to mimic snow. Set aside to dry. Cut a section of aluminum foil large enough to cover the cardboard sheet and fold over to the back. Cover one side of the cardboard sheet and glue in place. This represents a sheet of ice. Set the dry igloo on top of the aluminum-covered cardboard and glue in place.
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Tips & Warnings
You can store the glue and water mixture in the refrigerator overnight in a sealed bag.
Add other items to the model such as seals or Eskimos as desired.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit igloo image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com
