Ice Cube Igloo Challenge

Make this cool igloo from kitchen materials!

Materials & Equipment:
• Access to freezer
• Flat-bottomed, round Tupperware, filled with water and frozen into a circular block
• Rectangular ice cubes (approximately 20 small ice cubes)
• Plate or tray to build igloo on
• Bowl of cold water
• Q-Tips
• Gloves to handle ice (optional)
• Small action figures or plastic toys to go inside the igloo (optional)
• Food coloring (optional)

Directions:
1. A day or two before you build the igloo, please freeze a circular brick of ice to be the base of your igloo. You can do this by pouring water into a round Tupperware and freeze it. Remove from the Tupperware to build the igloo.
2. If you plan on having any toys “live” inside your igloo, measure the length of the toys standing up. You will need to build an igloo at least that high to fit them, unless the toys are “sleeping.”
3. Dip each ice cube in the cold water, and press it into the circular base until they stick together. Continue adding ice cubes most of the way around the ring’s perimeter, but leave a space (at least one ice cube wide) for the opening.
4. Put the sculpture back in the freezer for a few minutes before proceeding to the next layer.
5. Repeat Step #3 as many times as you would like.
6. To build an archway, freeze two ice cubes together in a T shape. Support these by freezing each side to another ice cube, turned to stand vertically, and adding another across the top. Adhere to the opening of the structure using a Q-Tip dipped in water if you need any extra "glue."
7. To change the color of your igloo, take a small cup of water and add a few drops of food dye to it. Paint the outside of your igloo using Q-Tips! CAUTION: food dye will stain fabric!
8. Freeze your igloo solid, especially in between uses!