It’s snow time!

Construction projects for little architects

The snowman was yesterday. Now it’s time for really exciting projects! From igloos to marble runs – here are three ideas for your next family construction project in the snow.

Hurray, it’s snowed! There’s no stopping now, the snow construction season has begun. Forget the classic snowman – sorry, Olaf! – and become real snow architects with our three ideas.

The igloo – a cool hideout
Grab a plastic box that is roughly the shape and size of a brick. Fill it with snow, press it down firmly, and then tip the block out. Lay the first bricks in a circle, about one and a half metres in diameter. Place each additional row slightly offset and a little further inwards to create a dome shape. Stuff the cracks with loose snow. For the entrance, leave a gap on one side that is big enough to crawl through. Your cool hideout is ready!

The marble run – the perfect racetrack
Use your hands or a spade to dig a channel in the snow, about three fingers wide, and smooth it out with the back of your hand. Now comes the tricky part: on bends, build the outside wall up higher – just like a real bobsleigh run. Do you want a tunnel? Heap the snow over it, carefully hollow it out, and hope that it doesn’t collapse (it usually does, but that’s what makes it so exciting). Now all that’s missing is a jump: a mini ramp at the end of a straight section. Once it’s all ready, put the marble in at the top, let it go, and watch it roll towards the goal. A few adjustments (or ten), and your racetrack will be perfect.

The throne of snow kings and queens
Who’s in charge here? What a question! Whoever’s sitting on the throne, of course. Form a large block of snow, at a comfortable height for your kids to sit at. Give it a good pat to make sure it’s firm. Then dig a seat with your hands and hollow out the backrest towards the top. Shape two thick cylinders of snow for the armrests and attach them to the sides. Now all that’s left to do is decorate it, and your throne is ready! Whoever sits here decides what to build next. Royal privileges, you see.

Even more winter construction adventures await you at the Familienhotels Südtirol!

The Nestl family
Hotel Familiamus

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