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How to Make a Cardboard Basket Hoop

Many children long to have their own basketball hoop and small court. For families that can't afford a professional-style hoop, there's always the do-it-yourself approach. In "Basketball: A History of Hoops," Mark Stewart notes that "the earliest basketball hoops were simple and homemade." Using some cardboard and a few other items, kids and parents can construct a working basketball hoop that will facilitate hours of cheap entertainment. By putting in a small amount of work, along with some elbow grease and a bit of ingenuity, little dribblers can achieve their hoop dreams.

Things You'll Need

Large cardboard box
Rubber cement
Duct tape
Wood post
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Leave the box intact. Cut out the flaps from the top and the bottom. Run the edge of the scissors around each end of the box to leave an open top and bottom.
- 2
  Reinforce the rest of the box with duct tape. Wrap duct tape around each of the box's corners from end to end. Also wrap all of the exposed edges. Repeat the process several times to increase strength and thickness.
- 3
  Cover the box in rubber cement or another hardening agent. Leave it to dry overnight before touching it.
- 4
  Dig a large dowel rod or wooden post into the ground. Stick it in until it is sturdy enough to support the box.
- 5
  Use the duct tape to mount the box on the post. Wrap the duct tape through the box and back around the post several times.
- 6
  Test the hoop out with a ball. Lighter balls should work well. Make any changes necessary to the hoop and add reinforcement duct tape for strength.

Backyard Toys