How to Build Your Own Croquet Set

Croquet is a fun outdoor game that is easy to play. The object of the game is to hit a wooden ball through wire hoops that are positioned in a specific location on the lawn. You will need six mallets, four balls, nine wickets, and two stakes for equipment.

Step 1 - Cutting the Mallet

Measure and cut a thirty-six inch length from a three quarter inch piece of dowel. This will be the handle to one of the mallets. Measure and cut five more handles to make six total. Measure and cut a nine-inch length from a two inch piece of dowel. This will be the head of the mallet. Measure and cut five more heads for six total.

Step 2 - Connecting the Mallet Heads and Handles

Use a drill and a drill bit to put a hole in one of the mallet heads. The hole should be positioned in the center. Apply a small amount of wood glue to the end of one of the mallet handles. Fit the handle into the mallet head. Continue drilling holes and connecting the other mallet heads and handles.

Step 3 - Painting the Mallets

Apply a one inch line of blue paint around each end of one of the mallet head. Apply a one inch line of red paint around each of the second mallet head. Continue painting lines on the two other mallet heads with black and yellow paint. Allow the paint enough time to dry completely. Apply a layer of varnish to the mallet head and handle of one of the mallets. Allow the varnish on the mallet enough time to dry completely. Continue varnishing the other mallets.

Step 4 - Painting the Balls

You will need either wooden or polymer balls. The four balls should be three and a half inches in diameter. Apply one of the paint colors: blue, red, black or yellow to each of the four balls. Allow the paint enough time to dry completely. Apply a coat of varnish over the paint. Allow the varnish to dry completely.

Step 5 - Forming the Wickets

Cut the wire into nine lengths. Each piece of wire should be three feet long. Form each of the wire pieces with the pliers into a U shape. This will be one of the wickets for the game. The wicket should be five inches wide and one foot high. Be sure the croquet ball can fit through it.

Step 6 - Making the Croquet Stakes

Cut two twenty inch lengths of dowel that is two and a half inches in diameter. Chisel the bottom of the stakes so that they will be easy to push into the ground. Paint a two inch ring of each of the four colors of paint around the dowel. The paint should be applied two inches from the bottom of the stake. Apply a coat of varnish to the wooden stake. Allow the varnish enough time to dry completely.