Imagine a place where the sun never shines in the winter nor sets in the summer. The Land of the Midnight Sun refers to the northern most parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland, as well as other places that lie above the Arctic Circle.
Here the sun never goes down in June and July. Imagine playing night games with your friends until midnight or later. Go hiking in the middle of the night or jump in a chilly lake. It’s a good thing the sun shines so much in the summer, because winters here are long, dark and harsh. Of course, there are things to do in the winter too. Everyone knows how to ski and you might even visit Ice Hotel – a hotel made almost entirely out of ice.
Ice Hotel Facts For Kids
- Made entirely of ice and snow.
- Melts and gets rebuilt every year.
- Found in cold regions like Sweden.
- Beds are made of ice blocks.
- Temperatures inside are below freezing.
- Often feature intricate ice sculptures.
- Guests wear thermal clothing to sleep.
- Ice bars serve drinks in ice glasses.
- Lighting effects enhance ice’s beauty.
- Open only during the winter months.
Ice sculptures
Ice hotels, entirely constructed from ice and snow, offer a magical wonderland experience, especially for children. These impressive structures are not only architectural masterpieces but also house a myriad of stunning ice sculptures, adding to their enchanting appeal. Artists from around the globe congregate at these locations, transforming blocks of ice, usually harvested from frozen water bodies, into awe-inspiring pieces of art.
These sculptures take on various forms, including animals, mythical creatures, intricate designs, and even functional furniture like beds and tables. However, due to fluctuating temperatures, these sculptures occasionally melt or distort, requiring regular maintenance and re-carving. Consequently, each visit to an ice hotel promises a unique encounter, presenting guests with an ever-changing array of ice sculptures to discover.
Arctic Circle
Primarily located within the Arctic Circle, a zone characterized by its severe cold, ice hotels offer a mesmerizing experience akin to entering a winter fairyland. Constructed entirely from ice and snow, these captivating structures, such as the renowned Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, are reassembled annually using ice sourced from the proximate Torne River.
These icy accommodations not only provide bedrooms but also boast a range of chilly amenities including ice sculptures, ice bars, and even ice chapels. However, a stay in these icy havens demands certain preparation – given the indoor temperatures consistently remain below freezing, guests are required to sleep in thermal sleeping bags on beds carved from ice!
Reindeer hides
Did you know that the unique experience at ice hotels is significantly enhanced by the essential use of reindeer hides? These hotels are architectural marvels made entirely of ice and snow, a concept that could potentially make them uncomfortably cold without special insulation. To counter this, each ice bed is covered with several thick, warm, and snug reindeer hides, making them ideal for the purpose.
The hides, with their dense fur and natural oils that repel water, provide the necessary warmth. They are sustainably sourced from the local Sami people, who have been herding reindeer for centuries. Therefore, when you embark on an adventure to an ice hotel, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a touch of Arctic life, sleeping on a comfortable and warm bed made from reindeer hide, enhancing your unique icy adventure.
Ice bar
Ice hotels, unique structures composed entirely of ice and snow, are reconstructed annually during the winter season. They house an exciting feature known as the Ice bar, which is a captivating spot where children can relish a variety of non-alcoholic drinks served in ice glasses.
The bar’s temperature is consistently regulated to prevent the ice from melting, and its design and theme are modified each year, offering a fresh and enthralling experience. The entire interior, inclusive of furniture and wall artwork, is meticulously carved from ice, enhancing the enchanting winter wonderland experience of residing in an ice hotel.
Kiruna, Sweden
The Icehotel, located in Kiruna, Sweden, is a unique and fascinating destination, particularly for children. Completely constructed from ice and snow harvested from the Torne River, this awe-inspiring hotel is rebuilt annually from December to April.
Aside from offering frosty accommodations with ice-made furniture and stunning ice sculptures, the hotel also features a bar serving drinks in ice glasses. In addition to its icy allure, the hotel offers an array of exciting activities such as ice sculpting classes, snowmobile tours, and the opportunity to witness the stunning Northern Lights. However, visitors are advised to dress warmly as the hotel’s interior temperatures can plunge below freezing.
Temporary structure
Ice hotels, captivating transient structures crafted entirely from ice and snow, are typically found in colder regions during winter when the freezing temperatures ensure the stability of the structures. The hotels are ephemeral, as the arrival of spring’s warmer weather initiates the melting of the ice.
The construction utilizes large ice blocks, occasionally procured from nearby water bodies, and ‘snice’, a blend of snow and ice used for insulation. The interiors, encompassing furniture and even beds, are also sculpted from ice and snow. Despite their icy composition, these hotels offer surprising comfort, maintaining a temperature range of -5 to -8 degrees Celsius.
Snow architecture
Ice hotels, engrossing demonstrations of snow architecture, are completely designed and constructed from ice and snow. Typically found in colder regions, they are built during the winter months when low temperatures ensure structural stability. Each year, they are often reconstructed due to melting during warmer seasons.
Everything from their walls and fixtures to furniture, including beds, chairs, and tables, is made of ice. Additionally, many ice hotels boast elaborate ice art and sculptures, adding to their allure. Despite their icy composition, they offer surprisingly comfortable accommodations, complete with snug fur blankets and thermal sleeping bags to keep guests warm. These hotels present a unique, enjoyable opportunity for children to experience and comprehend the aesthetic appeal and adaptability of snow architecture.
Igloo
An ice hotel, akin to a child’s fascination with an igloo, is a unique accommodation experience constructed entirely from ice and snow, offering visitors an exciting adventure. These structures, typically built in colder regions during winter, feature intricate ice sculptures, stunning chandeliers, and even furniture made from ice.
They provide an immersive experience, complete with thermal sleeping bags or fur blankets to ensure guests stay warm through the night, in contrast to traditional igloos. The thick icy walls of these hotels serve as excellent insulation, maintaining an interior temperature that’s warmer than the outside. As the spring season arrives, these architecturally captivating ice hotels gracefully melt away, just like the transient nature of the igloos created by the Inuit people.
Ice chiseling
Ice chiseling, a critical technique used in the construction of ice hotels, fascinates many, particularly children, due to its uniqueness. These special structures are entirely crafted from ice and snow, with every aspect, including walls, furniture, and intricate sculptures, shaped using ice chisels.
Professional artists and architects employ these unique tools to meticulously cut and mold large ice blocks into the desired designs. The ultra-clear ice, typically sourced from nearby rivers and lakes, is so transparent that one can read a newspaper through it. Hence, while exploring an ice hotel, one should appreciate that every single detail was intricately hand-chiseled.
Sub-zero temperatures
Ice hotels are remarkable structures entirely made of ice and snow, typically built in frigid climates where temperatures remain below freezing. This sub-zero environment is vital to prevent the ice from melting, with the hotel interior usually maintained around -5 to -8 degrees Celsius.
Even with the cold surroundings, guests can comfortably stay in these unique hotels, bundled up in special sleeping bags on beds crafted from ice.
However, these hotels are seasonal, only lasting as long as the freezing temperatures persist. When warmer months arrive, they melt away, only to be reconstructed once winter returns.
Fun Facts about Ice Hotel for Kids
- The Ice Hotel has beds made of wood and stacked ice blocks. Guests sleep in thermal sleeping bags topped with reindeer skins. Brrrr.
- Walpurgis Eve is one of the most beloved holidays of the year. It happens on April 30 as people celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. People build huge bonfires and throw all their old stuff on the fires.The northern parts of these countries are known as Lapland. Here, people herd reindeer, fish and try to stay warm. Laplanders have their own culture and language. They yoik, which is a traditional folk music that falls between chanting and yodeling.
Ice Hotel Vocabulary
- Midnight: 12:00 a.m.; the middle of the night
- Harsh: rough, fierce
- Stacked: placed one on top of another
- Thermal: designed to trap and hold heat
- Bonfire: huge fire
All About Ice Hotel Video for Kids
Here’s a great video for kids on Ice Hotel:
This is a video documentary on facts about the Ice Hotel.
Ice Hotel Q&A
Question: Is the sun bright 24 hours a day during the summer?
Answer: During the night, the sun hangs low in the sky, creating a pink, hazy look.
