SEVIERVILLE — Though it's been an unusually warm winter, things were cooling down inside Lil' Kings and Queens Child Care Center in Sevierville on Tuesday, where students and employees enjoyed the igloo they created — constructed completely of recycled materials like cardboard and milk jugs.

"We wanted the older kids to do something for the younger ones," assistant director Marsha Smith explained. "It's something for them to do and gives them a sense of involvement. (But) the older ones like it just as much as the younger ones."

In the second week of December, parents, businesses, church officials and other community members began dropping off their empty milk jugs at the daycare. For the last two weeks, every day after school for an hour or two, students age 3 and up worked on the project. On average, 70 kids participated each day.

"The older groups cut the cardboard, learned how to make a complete circle and counted all the milk jugs," Smith said.

Adults used hot glue to adhere the jugs to one another. In all, around 700 jugs were used to create the igloo — a structure large enough for an average-size adult to stand up inside it.

"It came out larger than expected," Smith said.

After viewing a YouTube video about a similar project, Smith and other employees thought it would be a good idea to tie the design and construction process into a unit on recycling.

"The 3- and 4-year-olds did a subject on recycling," Smith explained. "We explained it to them. We told them the older kids were making it. We saved milk jugs from lunch every day. (The students) and their parents brought in milk jugs, too.

Director Tabita Vincent added, "Starbucks (on Hwy. 66) helped us a lot with the jugs."

The business uses 40 to 50 jugs each day, Smith said.

Though it's their first time taking on a project of this magnitude, the center is no stranger to using recyclables in their everyday activities. In August, Smith and Vincent requested paper towel and toilet paper rolls; tissue and shoe boxes; and coffee cans to be used throughout the year.

They received an overwhelming response, with parents completely filling one of the center's supply closets. These items will be used for creating play drums, bracelets, binoculars, rain sticks, blocks, butterflies and valentine's containers.

"We do so many projects with recyclables," Vincent said. "We do a lot of arts and crafts with them. (They're) used for a lot of different things."

That's something the kids really seem to enjoy. As the area outside the classrooms filled with children, they quickly gathered in their new hideout.

"I love the igloo so much!" 4-year-old Tasen Bowling yelled.

"They love it," Smith said. "They couldn't wait until it was finished."

rosborn@themountainpress.com