You’ll need plenty of things to keep the kids busy this summer. During the hottest part of the day kids can be indoors creating new games, and when it cools off in the evening, they can go outside and play with the new games. One of those games can be a crazy new golf game that’s made just for kids. It’s not like traditional golf but it’s just as much fun. The game is made from pop bottles and other things you have around your house. Gather some three-liter soda bottles and you’ll be ready to get started.
Ordinary games of golf consist of cups in the ground that catch the balls. Your child won’t be digging up the yard, though. Instead of holes and cups this new golf game will have goals instead. The goals are made from plastic three-liter bottles. Leave the lids screwed on to the bottles but cut off the bottom. Parents should do this part for young kids. Use a craft knife or scissors to cut the bottom of the bottle and throw it away or save it for another craft.
Use a fingernail file or sandpaper to smooth the edges of the bottle if needed or desired. The bottoms of the bottles will be pushed into the ground to make the goals for the golf game. The only reason to file it would be to ensure young children don’t get hurt. After cutting away the bottom of the bottle cut an arch on one side. The arch should be approximately 3-1/2″ x 4″. This allows the golf balls to easily enter the goal.
Use colored electrical tape to make stripes and other designs on the bottles. Plastic pieces, like strips cut from trash bags, make it easy to create additional designs on the bottle. Use tape to mask off the archway and smooth the edges. Use white or black trash bag strips to make wide stripes against colored tape strips.
Put a number on each bottle. You can make as many “holes” as you want. Use stickers or plastic cutouts to make the number for each goal. Use other stickers to embellish each bottle. Butterfly, fish, puppies or other themes can easily be created by using sticker sheets. If you want, you can create a different color scheme and theme for each bottle, so that each goal will look completely different. Or, make the whole set look the same with the only difference being the numbers.
Putters can be made from sticks or other things you might have. An empty wrapping paper roll makes a great club. The roll should be very sturdy and long. It will be used as the handle of the club. Now cut a section from a similar roll, fold it in half, and staple it over the end of the wrapping paper roll. Paint the clubs or use them as-is.
Use an ordinary stick to make a different club. The stick should be fairly straight and free of loose bark. As above, cut a section of cardboard tube, fold it over the end of the stick, and staple it in place. Instead of a wrapping paper roll you can use a wide strip of thick cardboard to make the end of the club. Wrap the entire club with colored tape or even ordinary duct tape. This will make it more sturdy and hide the staples and seams of the cardboard.
When kids are ready to play with the new golf game simply position the bottles outside in the yard. Use a twisting motion to screw the soda bottles down into the ground. Make sure the archway is above ground enough to allow the balls to roll right in. Use the handmade clubs to knock the balls into the various bottles around the yard. The person who gets his ball into each bottle with the least amount of strokes is the winner.
Instead of numbering the bottles kids can make flags instead. Use long dowel rods to make the flag stands. Cut a triangle of plastic or foam to create the flat itself. Kids can use stickers or cutouts to make a number on the flag. Kids will enjoy playing the new golf game with their friends for hours on end. Grab a putter yourself and make it a family fun day!
Reference:
- Purchase the small balls here: www.orientaltrading.com
