Recent Comments

How to Build an Igloo

SAFETY FIRST: Ask an adult to help with tools you haven't used before.

igloo-feature

The best-known snow shelter is the igloo. A brilliant use of engineering and resources, this simple dome made out of snow blocks is both strong and versatile.

Arctic cultures such as the Eskimo and the Inuit developed it, and over time they came up with a hundred tricks to make the shelter more comfortable and sturdy, including making the entrance small (to help keep heat in) and melting the inside of the dome and letting it refreeze (for increased strength).

BUILDING AN IGLOO

igloo-1

Diameter: Not to exceed 10 feet. Anything bigger would require a perfect dome, which is next to impossible to construct in the field.

igloo-2

Materials: Top layers of dry powder won’t work. Pack mounds of snow until they harden, or cut blocks of snow from the depth where your feet stop sinking.

igloo-3

Entrance: Build a door in the ground, about 18 inches lower than the ground inside the igloo, and tunnel below the wall into the igloo. For proper ventilation, never seal or close the entrance.

igloo-4

Walls: Cut the blocks into a spiral layer, leaning one block against the next. Keep the interior wall smooth so moisture can run down the side of the wall, instead of dripping from the ceiling. Include a vent hole to allow for better circulation.


Submit a Photo of Your Project

Important Note: Please only upload photos of your project. Because of privacy rules, we can't post any photos that show people's faces. Always ask for your parent's permission before uploading anything to a website.

50 Comments on How to Build an Igloo

  1. cool

  2. This is awsome it works

  3. it works

  4. awsome

  5. I can’t wait to make one….

  6. scoutsislife // May 26, 2009 at 3:26 pm // Reply

    why is the first layer start out with a slant i know it makes the other layers spiral. why does the spiral help with the moisture

  7. rocketman // May 26, 2009 at 2:54 pm // Reply

    awesome, just plain awesome!!!!

  8. i love it

  9. This Igloo Rocks!

  10. no snow here! but cool…

  11. We no have no more snow in NC.

  12. ninersfannatic // April 17, 2009 at 11:35 am // Reply

    lots of snow in colorado today! I’ll give it a shot cause it’s that wet heavy snow

  13. me and my friend are going to try these in canada

  14. I think it is Relly cool!

  15. it makes a good clubhouse to hide ur stuf in

  16. the snow already melted here in alpine NY

  17. This Really doesn’t work I tried it the sides were not next to eachother it looked terrible.

  18. sweet info

  19. weirdcollector // March 26, 2009 at 8:32 pm // Reply

    i’m going to use this for a school project. thanks Boy’s Life!

  20. wear some warm gloves and be safe

  21. to bild a igloo you need to have thick snow to bild a igloo. have good luck

  22. I want to try but my sister has to make a snow man SO I’ll get up eary.

  23. we never get snow in hawaii!!!

  24. if only texas got snow…

  25. i want snow

  26. First i need a lot of snow that is only if there is a snow storm in Ohio.

  27. It worked great, the under ground door was so cool, i even made some
    shelfs because i made my snow wall, brick things a foot thick

  28. It just snowed again and we already have tons of snow. We’re going to try this in a week or two.

  29. im just need to finnish the top

  30. wish i lived were there was snow

  31. I am making a igloo right now outside because in minnesota we are getting a snowstorm right now.

  32. I live in MN we get tons of snow tough night we are supposed to get 6-8 inches of snow 4 days ago we got 6 inches this will work great

  33. I made one of ice last year.

  34. i wish that my troup could do that

  35. if you get 2-4″ of snow.. snow blow all the snow to a 15′ x 15′ area.. you should have about 3′ of snow then.. pack this down and lightly mist with water.. let this freeze a few hours… Then cut the blocks to build using the snow from the inside of the igloo

  36. I do not get much snow where i live but i’ll try it!

  37. this looks so cool. we don’t have any snow in pennsylvania rite now though

  38. scuba dude 642 // February 14, 2009 at 1:32 pm // Reply

    bummer, this will never work in houston! last time we had snow was 2 years ago and it only stayed on cars!

  39. That looks cool! I’ll have to try it later.

  40. I don’t have anymore snow outside.

  41. my snow JUST meted!!!!!!

  42. Cool!!!

  43. i’ll try this someday but too bad i live in a part of Pennsylvania where i almost get no perfect snowstorms

  44. thats wikid

  45. i tried this too and cant make one because there is not a very deep depth of snow

  46. also are there instructions 4 building a igloo with a above ground door

  47. hi this is so cool

  48. it works!

Leave a Reply to igloo man Cancel reply

Please don't use your real name.