A family activity plan

Build a three-hole indoor putting course with soft balls, clear turns and a scorecard that records clever course design as well as completed holes.

Allow about 90 minutes for making three holes, a practice round, a game and dismantling. One well-designed hole can make a shorter session.

Use clean packaging, paper targets and suitable toys you already own. No new spending is required; the Cardboard Cup does not insist on matching clubs or a clubhouse membership.

Choose a clear floor area away from stairs, breakables and main walking routes. An adult checks footing and any equipment. Mark three starting points and finishing targets, leaving room between players. Decide that strokes or rolls stay gentle, with no raised swings. A short course can be more entertaining than a tour that requires moving the dining table twice.

Make one straight tunnel, one route around a cushion and one target circle. Let children contribute a feature each, with an adult checking stability and edges. Leave generous gaps for the ball. Give the holes names and draw their routes, so the design offers an interesting choice rather than relying on an obstacle that is simply impossible to pass.

Try each hole using the actual soft ball and chosen movement. Widen anything frustrating and move targets closer where needed. Agree whether players will roll or putt, and whether each person can choose. Set a friendly maximum number of attempts per hole, after which the ball can be placed at the target and the next player begins.

Take turns with other players safely outside the ball’s route. Record attempts if the group wants scores, or use a completion mark instead. Notice creative approaches and helpful course repairs. Let people practise a favourite hole between rounds when space allows. Keep any rivalry affectionate; an imaginary tournament committee can rule that encouragement is compulsory and technical appeals are very short.

Ask each designer which feature worked well and choose one improvement for a final round. Compare the experience rather than demanding a lower score. Name a favourite hole, then gather balls and dismantle cardboard obstacles. Keep the scorecard or route sketch for a rematch, checking the real floor is clear before the unofficial clubhouse closes for the day.

Use a broad tunnel and close targets, with hand-rolling as an equal option. Keep turns predictable and skip scoring if it distracts from play. An adult can help prepare cardboard while children choose names and decorations.

Offer a design brief: one curve, one tunnel and a target with two approach routes. Let them test fairness and record attempts. Challenge the course designer to explain what makes a hole interesting rather than merely difficult.

Place starting points within comfortable reach and adjust targets to the player’s chosen movement. Roll or gently push a ball with suitable equipment. Use individual starting distances so everyone has a worthwhile route.

Print one card for the group. Record attempts, completion marks or design notes as you prefer.

These prompts are included when you print the plan and checklist.

Tell us which step helped, what needed explaining or what you would do differently. A small, specific suggestion is more useful than a gold star—though we do enjoy a gold star.

Your email app opens so you can choose what to send. Please leave out private details, children’s names and photographs of other people.

Choose activities your family would enjoy and let a little mystery settle the final decision. The sample game lets you try it before creating your own board.

Big smiles. Brighter days.