How to Make a Mini Igloo

Igloos have a simple but instantly recognizable shape.

Perhaps the most recognizable aspect of Inuit culture, the igloo is also a quintessential symbol of all things cold and icy. Build a model igloo for use as a winter decoration or as a study in structure and Inuit fishing culture. 

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups air-dry clay
• Clay rolling pin
• Bamboo skewer
• White acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes
• Snow frost spray

Instructions

1. Soften the clay by kneading it between your wet hands. Form it into a ball, rolling it on the table to make the smoothest and most perfect sphere shape you can.

2. Cut the ball in half to make two half-spheres. Set one aside to reuse the clay.

3. Hollow the ball to form the igloo's dome. Hold the dome flat side up in your hand; insert a finger into the center of the flat side. Dig your finger in a stirring motion. Use more fingers to shape and dig the clay into a hollow dome.

4. Cut out the igloo's entry door using a craft knife. Make the hole two inches high and shaped like a semicircle. Cut the hole at the base of the upside-down dome.

5. Create the entrance. Roll out the remaining clay into a 1/4-inch sheet using a clay rolling pin. Cut a 3-by-6-inch rectangular piece with the craft knife. Wrap the 6-inch edge of the rectangular piece around the edge of the door with the 3-inch edge extending out to form the doorway. Smear the clay at the joint between the two pieces with a little bit of water to join them firmly.

6. Use the toothpick to draw rows of horizontal lines around the igloo. Draw short, vertical lines to finish the individual blocks of snow.

7. Let the clay dry overnight. It has fully hardened when it is dry to the touch and lighter in color.

8. Paint the igloo white. Let the paint dry. Spray with the snow frost spray.

References

• "The Big-Ass Book of Crafts;" Mark Montano and Auxy Espinoza; 2008