Summer Igloo

I tried this out after seeing Summer Igloo by Instructables user fungus amungus. I changed some things around, but all credit goes to him for the idea.

Step 1: Materials

For this project you will need: a few jumbo garbage bags (6 in this case), some tape, some heavy objects, and a box fan. Note that a sheet will work in place of the garbage bags. Although since we wanted it to be larger, the sheet was not big enough.

Step 2: Put Together the Bags

Cut the bags along the side and bottom so that they unfold into a big sheet. Then arrange them all together into a bigger sheet. Use the tape to tape up all of the seams. We flipped ours over and taped all the back seams too. This produces a very large sheet of plastic.

Step 3: Tape to Fan...

Next, you need to tape one end of the plastic all around the box fan. Then you need to fasten the plastic to the ground. We tried to use duct tape, but the floor was too dirty, so it didn't stick. So, we found pieces of wood (2x4's should do) and other heavy objects to lay along the sides. It is important to keep some slack in the middle so that it can inflate.

Step 4: Be Cool

Turn on the fan and watch as it inflates! Depending on your entrance size, it will stay inflated. If it doesn't puff up very much, the scrunch up some of your entrance material and tape it so that the hole is smaller (refer to picture below).

Now you have a fun place to sit and read a book, play a game, or even sleep! It is pretty easy and a lot of cool fun!

Thanks to fungus amungus for the idea!

Comments

[lsheldon]

I would actually do this with bed sheets and a box fan while I was building forts as a kid.

[srabel10]

Exactly!! We also used phonebooks and about everything else to keep the sides down lol

[Derin]

I remember that we did sonething like this in preschool.We had a HUGE,colored tarp and we flinged it to get air under it then we went in and sat on the corners to seal it.It stayed inflated until we got out.Man,this really brings back memories.

[firefliie]

omg yeah we did that in gym class up until i was in about 3rd grade i rememeber that!

[Allowance10]

This is like mine. Check it out!
https://www.instructables.com/id/Air_Fort/

Great Instructable by the way!

[dulciquilt]

Years ago I made one in the shape of a large fish for vacation bible school to represent the big fish that swallowed Jonah. We had it inside on a very hot day, so our spot was the favorite place to hang out. Instead of tape, I used an iron and heat sealed the edges.

[TheCheese9921]

this is awsome but it made me think what if instead of filling it up with air you filled it up with hydrogen (through electrolosys). Then put a remote control lighter on it with a range of 5-6 miles mabey. Let it float of hit the ignightor. FIRE IN THE SKY!!!

[SacTownSue]

I am so very relieved you don't live in CA. Everything is tinder dry here and will be til nov/dec.

[TheCheese9921]

Dude that gave me an Idea, I live in Michigan so all I have to do is go to a lake (we have like 947840957349057) then just do it over one of those!!! Now all I need is smoking water lololol

[shadowgravity]

i like that song. i can sing it. not really.

[Mr. Squiggles]

You can modify this into a castle shape big enough for a couple dozen people with a few adjustments.

[stranoster]

Painters drop sheets would do just as well and they are as cheap as chips. Look in your local hardware store.

[chuckr44]

Neat. I made one of these with a friend around 1981. We used a large piece of painter's plastic (very light weight) and a smaller biscuit fan (about 8 inches on a side). We played in that thing for hours at a time.

[KoolKat]

Now that's imaginative! Looks like the kind of fan we need to keep our garage cool. How long will it stay inflated?

[fungus amungus]

Awesome! Thanks for making one and taking photos. Man, you interns love those garbage bags. This is your second one this week.