How to Make a DIY Mini Desktop Basketball Hoop 🏀

Ever get bored during homework breaks or want something fun on your desk? This easy DIY project shows you how to build your own mini basketball hoop using simple materials like a cereal box and a paper cup. It’s cheap, quick to make, and super fun to play with — whether you're challenging your friends or just aiming for trick shots alone.

You don’t need fancy tools or a 3D printer — just your hands, some cardboard, and creativity. Let’s shoot some mini hoops!

you need these supplies:

1 empty cereal box or sturdy cardboard

Scissors

Ruler

Pencil or pen

Hot glue gun or strong glue

Paper or plastic cup (for the hoop)

Rubber band (for launching balls)

Ping pong ball or paper ball

Markers, paint, stickers (optional, for decoration)

Cut a rectangle from your cereal box or cardboard, about 6" wide by 8" tall. This will be your backboard.

Here's a PDF for better more detailed instructions and kinda trashy templates, sorry 😅

Cut the bottom off your paper or plastic cup to create a ring. This is your hoop!

Glue it to the bottom center of the backboard. You can also add a net by taping string around the ring (optional).

Cut another piece of cardboard, about 6" x 6" — this will be the base your hoop stands on.

Glue the backboard upright to the back edge of the base, so it stands straight up.

Cut a triangle or rectangular strip of cardboard and glue it between the base and backboard to make it strong and stable.

Paint or color your hoop with your favorite team logo, flames, lightning bolts — anything you like!

Wrap a rubber band around two pencil tips to make a slingshot. Use it to launch paper balls or ping pong balls into the hoop!

Or just shoot by hand like mini basketball ✋🏀.

Place your hoop on a table. Try shooting from different distances. Play against friends or time yourself for trick shots.

Make it taller and add a net to catch the ball.

Add a scoreboard!

Use LED lights or paint it with glow-in-the-dark paint.

Make it a double hoop for 2-player mode!