Igloos

Here are some hints for making homemade igloos:
  1. Think about the design, bearing in mind the size of cubes and plate before getting the cubes out of the freezer.
  2. Make the igloos on a chilled ceramic or glass plate - that will prevent the bottom ones melting before the top ones are put in place.
  3. To stick them together, use some fine salt - either have a plate of salt and quickly dip the next one in on one side before sticking it on the lower layer or sprinkle a little salt over the top of the previous one. The salt makes the ice melt slightly, then freeze again, but don't add too much or it won't re-freeze.
  4. Alternative sticking method (slower but easier to rescue the results if you leave it too long rather than add too much salt). Put some boiled water in a heavy pan (for safety), put a plate on top, put the ice cubes on the plate for a short time before using for building.
If your freezer needs defrosting, take some of the sheets of ice that fall off and use them to make a snow scene to put your igloos on.

Be sure to take a photo ... and then put the lot outside or in the bath before everything gets wet!

Contributed by:
Amanda Kerr-Munslow
10th North Oxford Guides, Oxfordshire, UK

Alternatively, use eggshells for igloos (draw on bricks with a black felt tipped pen), and cotton wool for snow, to make an 'igloo scene'.

Contributed by:
Liz Watts
Former Brownie Guider and County Hillwalking Adviser, UK
Cadette Leader, Girl Scouts of Tres Condados, California, USA

Do you have any other ideas for activities? Contact The GuideZone Team with your comments or suggestions!

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This page last updated January 20th, 2000