Engage your little basketball fans with our creative, easy, and fun Basketball Craft for kids. This hands-on activity combines the excitement of basketball with the joy of crafting.
Sports enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy decorating their very own mini basketballs at school, at home, or at community programs, such as library storytime.
Our step-by-step instructions ensure a simple and enjoyable crafting experience for children of all ages. So grab your craft kit and let’s get started!
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Basketball Craft for Kids
An easy craft is always a slam dunk in my book, and it doesn’t get easier than this dot art basketball craft. We’ve even included a free printable basketball template for kids to personalize, complete with basketball lines.
Coloring and cutting are important fine motor skills for young kids to master, and this is the perfect craft for exercising the smaller muscles in your child’s hands and fingers.
Plus, the repetitive motion of “dotting” the basketball is relaxing and will soothe your child’s nervous system, making this a great activity for quiet time.
Whether it’s a rainy day indoors or a group activity at a basketball-themed party, our craft guarantees smiles, laughter, and a sense of accomplishment for every budding artist and athlete. Get ready to score big with our basketball craft and create lasting memories of fun-filled creativity.
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Craft Supplies Needed for This Project
Before you start this fun activity, make sure you’ve got all the right supplies:
Watch the Video Tutorial
Watch the video below to be walked through every step of this craft.
How to Make This Craft
This free printable basketball craft is perfect for little hands. Follow the instructions below to learn how to make it.
STEP 1: Download and print the craft template. The basketball template for this project is available for free on our website. Download it by clicking the link in the craft supplies list. The PDF file includes a large basketball outline for kids to color and decorate.
If you are looking for additional sizes, please check out our collection of basketball templates in our Teachers Pay Teachers shop.
STEP 2: Color the basketball. We used an orange dot art marker because the round, spongy texture emulates the dimples on a basketball! If you don’t have a dot marker or BINGO dauber, you could use:
- Dyed, torn coffee filters
- Ripped construction paper
- Tissue paper squares
- Cotton swabs dipped in paint
- Pom poms
- Crayons, Kwik Stix, or colored pencils
- Circles from a paper cup dipped in paint
- Buttons
- A wine cork dipped in paint
- Fingerprints dipped in ink or paint
- A small toy basketball dipped in orange paint
The possibilities are endless!
STEP 3: Cut out the ball. When the basketball is completely colored and dry, use scissors to cut it out. Our template boasts a thick black line, making it great cutting practice for preschoolers.
STEP 4: Enjoy the craft. Your basketball craft is complete! Hang the basketball on a bulletin board or your refrigerator, or thread yarn through several basketballs to make a banner for March Madness. It will be the perfect sporty addition to your home or classroom!
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Take it Further
- Pair this craft with a book about a basketball legend, such as Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, or Lebron James. You may enjoy Basketball Goats: The Greatest Athletes of All Time by Bruce Berglund.
- Make this craft while watching your favorite college basketball team.
- Cheer for your home team at a high school basketball game.
- Invite your child to write a poem about basketball.
- Tape a popsicle stick to the back of the basketball to make a puppet.
- Trace the lines of the basketball with glue, then sprinkle black-dyed kosher salt over them.
- Press the paper basketball over a real basketball. Use a crayon to rub the texture of the basketball onto the paper.
- Instead of coloring this basketball orange, invite your child to design their own basketball. Offer additional craft supplies such as glitter or fabric so they can really make it their own!
- Make a rainbow of basketballs!
- Cut out an extra circle to turn this craft into a card for Father’s Day. Pair it with a game ticket to Dad or Grandpa’s favorite team!
- Use this craft as a station or center in your classroom while learning about the letter “B.” Invite kids to say the sound of the letter “B” with each press of their dot marker.
- Enjoy this craft while exploring the color orange.
- Research why basketballs have a pebbled texture and black lines.
- Tape the paper basketball to the ground and challenge your child to dribble a basketball directly on top of it.
More Basketball Crafts for Kids
Looking for more ideas? You may also enjoy:
- Coffee Filter Basketball Craft via Look! We’re Learning!
- Basketball Cup and Ball Craft via Exploring Domesticity
- Basketball Team Earrings via Mama Likes This
- Handprint Basketball via Fun Handprint Art
- DIY Basketball Game via Meaningful Mama
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