by Joseph Liau

Created on: January 23, 2008   Last Updated: August 13, 2008

Here in Canada, we are well-learned in the art of snow construction. Having lived in an igloo for most of my life (as most of us Canadians do), I have developed a fine skill in making homes, shelters, and forts out of snow.

The following instructions for building a "Children's Igloo" is a tradition that has been passed down through many years.

A Children's Igloo is not unlike a traditional igloo in that the dome shape is the predominant feature of the structure. However, instead of carving out blocks like us adults do, the Children's Igloo uses a simple tool to assist in the building process. The name "Children's Igloo" is a little bit misleading, since it can definitely be built to house adults or in-laws or what have you; however, it is common practice to have children build the structure regardless of the occasion.

Equipment and Materials:

1. Snow
2. Shovel
3. Ice Cream bucket(s)*
4. Children who are willing to work for ice cream.

* The ice cream bucket is the secret to building the Children's Igloo. I don't even know if they make these anymore, but it is a round bucket that is about 20cm (8in for Imperials) deep and the opening has a larger diameter than the base. It is important that the bucket is tapered in that way so that the dome can be constructed.

Method

1. Eat all of the ice cream in the bucket(s) (You don't have to tell the kids)

2. Make sure that there is enough snow in the area to build the igloo (lots)

3. Use the shovel to form the base of the igloo: a circular wall of about 40cm (16in) high. You can also form the base of the "tunnel" if you wish.

4. Start making snow "bricks". Pack snow into the ice cream bucket(s) and pop out the bricks just like you would for making a sandcastle, except we are making a snow "castle".

5. Begin to retrace your igloo base with the bricks on their sides. The smaller-diametered part of the brick should be facing inward so that as you stack the bricks, they naturally curve to make a dome. You will have to fill in the spaces between bricks with snow from both sides since the circular shapes do not fit seamlessly together. Once of you have re-done the outline of the igloo, do it again by stacking the bricks on top of the previous ones. Do this one layer at a time, and be sure to do the entire circle or the walls will cave.

6. Continue to stack and pack the bricks until the igloo is done. You may wish to leave a hole in the roof for the smoke to exit.

7. Reward the children for their efforts; child labour laws demand it.

If the Children's Igloo is made properly, then it should last for quite a while even if the surrounding snow melts.

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