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Icy Fun The Whole Family Can Enjoy
By Rachel Webb
There are a wide variety of winter recreational opportunities you can enjoy
as a family that require no money, only warm clothes and an adventurous
attitude! Here are some ideas for snow fun that can be enjoyed as close to
home as your own backyard where you can have a snow sculpture contest, build
an igloo or make a snow cave that kids will love using as a backyard fort.
SNOW SCULPTURES
To build a snow sculpture, start by making a sketch on paper. Choose a
design with a basic shape for your first project. Figure out the
approximate dimensions you will need to cut. You will want to use snow that
is wet and can pack or shape easily. You will need several kitchen utensils
and gardening tools to help carve and shape your sculpture including a
spatula, knife, garden hoe and shovel.
After you have formed your shape you can embellish your sculpture with color
and shading techniques by dissolving food coloring or fabric dye in water
and them painting it on your sculpture with a foam crafting brush. When you
are finished, use a spray bottle or clean brush to add a thin coat of water
to your sculpture. The water will freeze and add a nice glaze to your
sculpture evening out any rough area's. Don't forget to take a picture of
your snow masterpiece!
BUILD AN IGLOO
An igloo can take many hours to construct because each snow block could
weigh up to 40 pounds and will require a machete or ice saw to use to cut.
This activity is for families with older children or energetic dad! Blocks
should be cut approximately 1/2 x 1/2 x 2 1/2 foot rectangle. Place your
blocks in a circle and trim them to form a spiral ramp that continuously
winds up to the top of your igloo. Trim the inside of your blocks so that
they tilt inward and overlap the blocks so that the vertical seams do not
lie on top of each other.
When the walls are 3 or 4 feet high cut a temporary opening for your doorway
and slide the block out. The dome can be closed in using a wedge shaped
block that serves as the keystone. Next you will need to chink all of the
holes between the blocks with snow, both inside and out. Or you can leave
the top of the igloo open to use it as a fort for snowball fights. Help the
kids make a colorful flag or family crest fly from your fort.
SNOW CAVE CONSTRUCTION
A snow cave is very similar to an igloo but instead of being made out of
blocks of snow, a snow cave is hollowed out of a snow bank. Snow caves are
faster to make than an igloo and the only tool you will need is a shovel.
I remember making a snow cave as a little girl living in Huntsville, Utah.
We made lots of tunnels and would travel through the maze laying flat in our
red wagon.
Building a traditional snow cave can also be a good way to teach kids about
emergency winter shelters. To build a snow cave, choose a location with a
steep hillside and deep snow. Your roof must remain at least 2 feet thick
after your cave is completed. A snow cave is made up of three parts, the
main cavity of the cave, the entrance hole and a ventilation shaft.
The smaller you can keep the entrance to your cave, the warmer the cave will
stay. After hollowing out the cave, use the handle of your shovel to add an
angled ventilation shaft to the roof of your cave. Last, you will want to
compact and smooth the snow walls to turn the inside layer to ice. As long
as your ventilation shaft is not blocked you can use candles or a lantern to
light your cave and provide additional warmth.
About the Author
Author Rachel Webb designs large write-on/wipe-off Fridge Calendars that are
entirely Magnetic - Guaranteed not to slide off when the kids slam the
fridge door! Visit: http://www.Note-Ables.com For a $2 off coupon E-Mail:
Rachel@Note-Ables.com
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
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Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling
Growing and Using Garlic Chives
The Perfect Porch Swing