Tabletop Basketball Craft for Kids
By: Highlights Editorial
Help your kids get in the spirit of the game of basketball by making this mini basketball hoop and ball launcher. Transform cardboard into a backboard and hoop. Then bring on the clutch combo: the paper cup and the balloon. Together they’re a high-scoring duo—and one that’s a ton of fun to play with.
What You'll Need
What to Do
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Cut off the top and bottom of the paper cup, leaving a 2-inch-tall section.
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Cut off the neck of a deflated balloon. Stretch the remaining balloon around the open bottom of the cup. Tape it in place.
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For the backboard and hoop, cover a square of cardboard and a square tissue box with colored paper. Decorate them with paper (try adding an orange rim around the hoop) and a marker (draw the net). Glue the hoop to the backboard.
To Play
Place a large pompom in the cup. Pull the balloon to launch your “ball” into the hoop.
Extend the Fun
Younger kids: As your child plays with the basketball launcher, use location words to describe where the pompom ball lands. Try words like under, over, up, down, near, next to, above and behind. These words set the stage for learning math!
Older kids: Make more launchers and play with friends. Grab a bunch of pompoms and give each player 10 pompoms in one color. Then start a timer and see how many baskets players can make in 1 minute.
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