How to make Cardboard Basketball Game | NBA Basketball Board Game – DIY
Dear all! π Are you a fan of basketball and looking for a fun DIY cardboard project to tackle? Why not create your own NBA basketball board game out of cardboard! This simple and affordable cardboard craft is a great way to bring the excitement of the game into your home, and it’s a perfect activity for children and individuals of all ages.
Creating a DIY Cardboard Basketball Game is not only a fun activity, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to develop valuable skills like problem-solving and teamwork. It’s a great way to improve your hand-eye coordination and can even serve as a stress-reliever after a long day. π
Our step-by-step tutorial takes you through each stage of the process, from designing and cutting the cardboard to assembling and decorating the game. So, letβs get started! π
Please scroll down for step-by-step tutorial of how to make Cardboard Basketball game:

HERE IS THE TUTORIAL:
To make this board game, you will need the following materials:
- Porous two-layer cardboard
- Glue gun
- Ping pong balls
- Cardboard cups
- Rubber band
- Pencil
- Marker
- Utility knife
- Ice cream stick
- Wooden sticks
- Plastic bottle cap
STEP 1 of how to make Cardboard Basketball Game
Take a 30 by 55-centimeter sheet of porous two-layer cardboard

This will be the base of the game’s body
Draw dotted lines on the cardboard sheet with a marker, as shown in the picture below


Cut cardboard strips that are 5 centimeters high
The cardboard strips should be the same length as the previously drawn dotted lines
Take the glue gun and glue the cardboard strips along the dotted lines on the base of the game’s body


Now let’s make the side parts of the game’s body
For this, you will need two pieces of cardboard
The required shape and size are shown in the picture below

The dotted lines show how to glue the side parts to the base of the body
Glue the side parts to the base of the body using the glue gun

Note that as a result of gluing, the base of the body should be at an angle to the surface
This is necessary so that the balls roll down during the game



STEP 2 of how to make Cardboard Basketball Game
Let’s move on to making the balls for the game
Take ping pong balls and draw them to look like basketballs


You can make as many balls as you want

You can try throwing the balls on a basketball field and see how they roll down

If all the balls roll down, then you did everything right!

STEP 3 of how to make Cardboard Basketball Game
Now you need to make the back wall for the game’s body
Take a sheet of cardboard that is 50 by 30 centimeters
You can make the top of the back wall rounded to give it an aesthetic look

For convenience in performing the next steps, do not glue the back part to the body yet
In the future, glue it to the base and side parts of the body, as shown in the picture below

Now cut a piece of cardboard in the shape of a rectangle 30 by 10 centimeters
This will be the front part of the body
Glue it as shown in the picture below

After gluing the front part, make a square hole in it that is 5 by 5 centimeters
Through this hole, the balls will return to you after a throw

Now let’s glue the receiver, into which the balls will roll down
Glue it at an angle, as shown in the picture below

It will look like this

STEP 4 of how to make Cardboard Basketball Game
In this step, let’s make a platform for the catapult
Prepare a piece of cardboard of the following shape and size

Mark the place for attaching the catapult
Approximately here

Cut off a small piece of the pencil

Glue it in the previously marked place

STEP 5 of how to make Cardboard Basketball Game
Let’s make the catapult
Cut out a 10 cm diameter circle with a taper end from cardboard

Make a hole in the center of the circle using a pencil

Cut out 4 squares, each measuring 3 by 3 centimeters
Make a hole in the specified location in each square as shown in the picture below

Glue these squares together
The holes should match
Cut out 4 more identical squares and glue them together as well

Now you need to glue the squares onto the circle as shown in the picture below

Measure the top of the squares and cut out 2 pieces of cardboard of the required size
Glue them over the squares

You may also like: How to make Cardboard Game Super Mario. No electronic components required! Anyone can make!
STEP 6 of how to make Cardboard Basketball Game
Prepare 3 wooden sticks, each 3 centimeters long

Insert one stick into the holes through both squares

Insert the second stick into the cavity between the layers of cardboard in one of the squares
The location is indicated in the picture below

Insert the third stick in the same location in the second square


Apply glue using a glue gun to the stick that connects the two squares

Take an ice cream stick and glue it

Now the stick can move
It will be a catapult


Apply glue to the ice cream stick in the specified location

Glue the plastic bottle cap where the glue is applied

Now, we need a rubber band
Put it on the sticks inserted into the squares

Lower the free end of the ice cream stick under the rubber band

The catapult is ready

STEP 7 of how to make Cardboard Basketball Game
Now it is time to attach the catapult to the platform prepared earlier
The little piece of pencil (which was glued to the platform) should match the hole in the center of the catapult
No need to glue it because the catapult needs to rotate around the pencil

Apply glue using a glue gun at the specified location in the picture below

Cut a small piece of glue stick
Glue it onto the catapult

This will be a handle that you can use to rotate the catapult


Attach the platform with the catapult to the prepared game body

Make a hole in the specified location on the catapult platform

Cut out a circle with a hole in the center
Apply glue to the hole
Insert a wooden stick into it


Cut a small piece of glue stick
Glue it on top of the stick


Insert the free end of the stick into the previously prepared hole

This stick, when inserted into the hole, will stop the balls from rolling out of the game body
When removed, the balls will roll out to the container outside the game body

STEP 8 of how to make Cardboard Basketball Game
Now we need cardboard cups
Using a pencil or marker, mark the future holes in the basket

Cut out the holes and bottom with a utility knife

Make 5 more baskets the same way

Cut out a piece of cardboard 7 by 10 centimeters.
Stick a small white rectangle on it

Apply glue to the cardboard in the specified location

Carefully attach the basket

Repeat this step with the remaining baskets
STEP 9 of how to make Cardboard Basketball Game
Attach 3 baskets to the back wall of the body using glue.

Attach the remaining 3 baskets to the base of the body
Cut out 3 cardboard pieces of the specified shape and 16 CM height – these will be the stands for the remaining baskets.
Glue them to the back of the shield with the basket

Apply glue to the body base

Glue the remaining 3 baskets

The game is almost ready, let’s decorate it
Add beautiful drawings




Letβs start the game! π
I Love This Game! π
Explore the variety of CARDBOARD GAMES in our paper crafts collection π

In conclusion, this cardboard craft is both affordable and eco-friendly. Cardboard is a readily available and recyclable material, making it an excellent choice for DIY projects. By choosing to make your own tabletop game instead of buying a pre-made one, you’re not only saving money but also reducing your carbon footprint.
Moreover, building a DIY cardboard NBA basketball tabletop game is a great way to get your family and friends involved. You can work together to create the game, and once it’s finished, you can enjoy playing against each other and even hosting tournaments.
Creating a Cardboard Basketball Game is a fantastic way to combine your love of basketball with a fun and engaging DIY project. With a little time and effort, you can build a game that you and your loved ones will enjoy for years to come.
So why not give it a try and see where your imagination takes you! π
You can also watch a video tutorial of how to make a Cardboard Basketball Game: