| Croquet Set |
From "DIY Kids"
episode DIK-201 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Materials for mallets: Two 1-liter plastic bottles that match
Ruler
Scissors
Tempera or acrylic paints
Drill and bits
Vise
2 wooden dowels (1/2"x3')
Hot glue
Contact paper
Colored tape or markers
Scrap wood that the bottle will fit over
Materials for wickets and balls: 9 wire coat hangers
Pliers with wire cutter
Paint and brushes
Tennis balls
- Cut the tops off of two 1-liter matching bottles (figure A). Measure in approximately 1 1/2" on first bottle.
- With the board in the vise, slide the bottle over the board and drill a half-inch hole. Use the board to give you something to drill against (figure B). Let the drill do the work.
- Trim excess pieces of plastic with scissors so the hole is as neat as possible. Repeat with the second bottle.
- Insert the first bottle inside the second, matching up holes (figure C). You may have to pinch inner bottle together to help it go into the outer one.
- Insert the dowel in holes to check for a smooth fit, and trim more if needed.
- Cut a length of Contact paper to cover the center of your bottles. Measure the width, leaving 2" exposed on each end and the diameter about 1" to 3" longer so that the ends will overlap.
- Wrap Contact paper around the middle of the bottles, peeling backing as you go. Be careful not to create air bubbles.
- Using the tips of a pair of scissors, punch a hole in the Contact paper over the bottle's hole. Don't peel tabs off.
- Place a bead of hot glue on the end of the dowel. Carefully insert the dowel all the way into the bottles so that the glue will set up on the bottle opposite the hole. Check to make sure dowel is straight.
- When the glue has cooled, place a heavy bead of glue all the way around the dowel on top of the bottles to really secure it (figure D).
- Decorate the handle with markers or paint. Blue, red, yellow and green are the traditional croquet colors, but you can use any colors you want (figure E). Mark mallet ends with two strips of colored tape.
- Color tennis ball with markers or paint to match your mallet. Now you have a set.
- Straighten wire coat hangers and cut them to approximately 30" lengths. Bend to form a perfect U shape for your wickets (figure F).
- Cut the second dowel in half and color stripes (or use colored tape) at the top. These are the pegs and indicate the order in which players go, from top to bottom.
Tips: - Safety first when handling a glue gun and any power tools. Always have an adult present.
- Always have an adult around when using tools (wire cutters).
Products: Items can be purchased at any craft, hardware, grocery or general-purpose store nationwide. No special products needed.
GUESTS :
Audrey Mershon
Mecklenburg County Government
700 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-366-3777
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
