Tanya’s DIY Igloo Playhouse

• Styrofoam Rectangle Sheets
• Bamboo Skewers
• Expanding Spray Foam
• White exterior paint
• White Glitter or Craft “Snow”
• Hot Glue Gun and Hot Glue
• Marker
• Kitchen Cleaver
• Wire Cutters
• House Paintbrush

Making the body of the igloo:

1. Each “wall” of the igloo is comprised of 3 blocks. There will be 8 “walls” total.
2. You can make your blocks any size you like to create a larger igloo. We cut our Styrofoam rectangle sheets into 2” x 12” x 18” blocks.
3. 3. Using our templates below cut out eight of each tier block. Trace the template onto the Styrofoam blocks with a marker for guidelines if needed. You will need 8 bottom tier blocks, 8 second tier blocks, and 8 top tier blocks.
4. Use a common, non-cerated kitchen cleaver to cut the Styrofoam. Make sure it is sharp, and the cleaver should cut right through the Styrofoam without any problems.
5. We suggest putting each individual “wall” together first, and then connecting the walls together to form the igloo.
6. Cut your bamboo skewers into 3-inches in length. Placing three skewers equidistant from one another in the 2” side of the bottom block.
7. Using the lowest setting possible on your hot glue gun (this is important so you don’t burn the Styrofoam), apply a generous amount of hot glue all over the side of the Styrofoam and the bamboo sticks.
8. Connect the bottom tier with the 2nd tier by pushing the hot glue coated skewers into the corresponding 2” side of the 2nd tier block. You will do the same technique to attach the 2nd tier block to the top tier block.
9. Repeat this 7 more times with the rest of your blocks until you have 8 “walls”.
10. Using the same technique connect the sides of the “walls” until you have formed the basic igloo shape. There should be a circle open at the top of the igloo.
11.  Don’t worry if the blocks don’t match up perfectly. We will fill in the gaps later with the Expanding Spray Foam.
12. Let the hot glue set completely before moving on to the next step.
13. Using the Expanding Spray Foam, fill in the gaps in between the “walls”. Use white or off-white spray foam so that it matches the Styrofoam blocks. This will not only fill in the natural gaps in between the block, but will also reinforce the sturdiness of the structure.
14. The Styrofoam will be dry to touch in 2-3 hours, and will take 24 hours to fully cure.
15.  NOTE: DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN PLAY IN THE HOUSE UNTIL THE SPRAY FOAM IS COMPLETELY DRY. It is toxic to breath until it is fully cured.

Making the igloo “door”:

1. Now construct the “door” to your igloo. Taking five 2”x12”x18” blocks, you will want to make an arch. With your clever cut one of the long sides of each of the blocks at a 45-degree angle. Using the same bamboo skewers/hot glue technique that we used to make the igloo house, connect the angled edge with the flat edge of the following block. Continue to do this until all five of your blocks create an arch.
2. Choose one “wall” for you to attach your door. Hold your “door up against the “wall” and with a marker trace where you will attach it.
3. Using a sharp, uncerated kitchen-pairing knife, cut out the “door” hole.
4. Using the same expanding spray foam bond the “door” to the igloo.
5. Fill in any cracks with the spray foam.

Making the Spray foam look like “snow”:

1. Using a normal house paintbrush (between 2-4 inches wide) brush on the white exterior paint onto the fully dried spray foam. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle a generous amount of white glitter or craft “snow”.
2. Work in sections so that the paint is still wet enough to apply the glitter or craft “snow”.
3. Allow to dry completely and the igloo is ready for your little Eskimos to play in!

Download the Igloo Walls template

Download the Polar Bear Pattern >>
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