I’ve always wanted my kid to get into basketball. It’s a great way to stay active, and honestly, I just want him to have a hobby that doesn’t involve staring at a screen all day. So, I figured, let’s get a basketball ring!
First, I had to decide where to put it. We’ve got a decent-sized backyard, but I didn’t want to take up the whole space. After walking around the yard about a hundred times, measuring, and imagining the basketball hoop in different spots, I decided on a corner spot. It seemed like the best use of space and wouldn’t get in the way of our usual backyard activities.
Next up, shopping for the hoop. I checked online and it seems like there are a ton of options! There are the portable ones, which seemed easy to move around, and the in-ground ones, which looked more stable. Prices were all over the place, too. Some were like 40 bucks, and others were over 2000! I saw some for kids that could go from 3.5 feet to over 6 feet. Those seemed pretty cool. I also saw some with LED scoreboards, which I thought would be fun for the kid.
Decisions, Decisions
After a lot of back and forth, I went with an in-ground one. It just felt more… permanent, you know? More like a real basketball court. The one I picked was adjustable, so it could grow with my kid. It was also in the middle of the price range, something like 699 bucks, so it didn’t completely break the bank but still seemed decent quality.
Then came the fun part: installation. Let me tell you, digging that hole was no joke. I thought, “How hard could it be?” Turns out, pretty hard. I ended up enlisting the help of a neighbor who, thankfully, had an auger. That made things a lot easier. We got the pole set in concrete and let it cure for a couple of days. The instructions said 24 hours, but I figured an extra day wouldn’t hurt.
Putting the backboard and the ring was easier, but still a two-person job. We had to lift the heavy backboard and make sure it was aligned properly. After a few adjustments, we got it up there, nice and secure.
Game Time!
Finally, it was time to test it out! My kid was super excited. We started with the hoop at its lowest setting, and he was making baskets like a pro. It was awesome to see him so into it. We played for hours, and I have to say, it was pretty fun for me, too.
Now, the basketball hoop is a regular part of our backyard routine. My kid plays almost every day, and sometimes I join in for a quick game. It’s been a great way for him to get some exercise, and honestly, it’s been good for me, too. Plus, it’s nice to have something we can do together that’s not just sitting on the couch.
So, if you’re thinking about getting a basketball ring for your kids, I say go for it! It’s a bit of work to set up, but totally worth it in the end. Just make sure you have enough space, and maybe get a friend to help with the installation.
