How to Make a Mini Golf Course Out of Cardboard: A Rainy Day Project
A step-by-step guide to building an indoor mini golf course from cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, and stuff you already have at home.
May 10, 2025
What You'll Need
Cardboard boxes (any size—shoe boxes, shipping boxes, cereal boxes all work), paper towel and toilet paper rolls, scissors or a box cutter, tape (painter's tape works best), markers or paint for decoration, a golf ball or tennis ball, and a putter. A wooden spoon or wrapping paper tube works in a pinch for the putter.
Supply Checklist
- Cardboard boxes (shoe, shipping, cereal—any size)
- Paper towel and toilet paper rolls
- Scissors or box cutter
- Painter's tape (less residue than duct tape)
- Markers or paint for decoration
- Golf ball or tennis ball
- Wooden spoon or wrapping paper tube as putter
That's it. Every item is either already in your house or costs almost nothing. Raid the recycling bin first—you'll be surprised how much you can build from "trash."
Building the Holes
Each hole is basically a cardboard box with the top removed and a cup-sized hole cut into one end. Flatten the bottom to create the playing surface. For longer holes, tape multiple boxes end-to-end. Cut arches in the sides to create entrances and exits. Stand boxes upright to make walls and borders.
The beauty of cardboard is that you can prototype fast—if a hole doesn't work, flatten it and start over. Aim for 6–9 holes to make a full game. Keep holes short enough that a gentle roll can reach the cup; if the ball has to travel more than 2–3 feet, add a ramp or funnel to help.
Creative Obstacle Ideas
Paper towel roll tunnels—tape them at an angle so the ball rolls through and changes direction. A ramp made from a folded piece of cardboard propped up at one end. A "drawbridge" obstacle using a hinged flap that swings when the ball hits it. A maze inside a large box.
A loop made from a curved piece of poster board is tricky to build but incredibly satisfying when the ball makes it through. Stack small boxes to create a multi-level hole where the ball drops from one level to the next. The key is testing as you go—obstacles that look cool but don't actually work will frustrate players.
Kid-Friendly Obstacles
- Simple tunnel (one paper towel roll)
- Ramp with a soft landing
- Gate that swings open when ball hits it
- Target zone (circle drawn on the back wall)
Making It Look Good
Let the kids decorate each hole with markers, stickers, and paint. Give each hole a theme—the volcano hole (paint it red), the ocean hole (blue with paper fish), the space hole (black with silver stars). Number each hole and make a par sign from an index card.
Build a scoreboard from a large piece of cardboard. The decoration phase is where this project goes from "engineering exercise" to "memorable afternoon." Don't rush it. Kids will remember the volcano hole they painted more than the physics of the ramp.
Setup and Gameplay Tips
Lay holes out in a circuit through your living room, hallway, or basement. Use painter's tape on the floor to mark pathways between holes. Place heavy books behind each hole to keep them from sliding when the ball hits the back wall.
Set par at 2–3 for short holes and 4–5 for longer ones. For the putter, a wooden spoon with a flat head works surprisingly well. A pool noodle cut in half also works for younger kids who need something lighter. Play multiple rounds—kids will want to rearrange and rebuild after the first game. That's part of the fun.
When the Rain Stops, Hit the Real Course
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