Easy Quidditch/Kidditch Hoops for Under $40

Quidditch is my families favorite sport. We love all of the magic that the Harry Potter books inspired and we totally love the real world magic of the muggle version. I make it a goal to get out and on our pitch (front yard) at least a couple times a week with my daughters. So, with the Quidditch World Cup happening this weekend in Frankfurt Germany (check it out, here's the Live Stream for the Quidditch World Cup 2016), I decided to build my kids (and I) a proper set of Quidditch goals for our evening matches.

I hope you enjoy the build!

***In case you missed it, they still have the matches from this weekend streaming. I won't spoil who won, but there were some really fantastic matches!!

(Borrowed from the official USQ Web Site...The photo's were taken by my wife at the US Cup in April 2016. The blonde in the Hufflepuff shirt is my daughter and regular teammate)

Real-life Quidditch was created on a sunny Sunday afternoon in 2005 by Xander Manshel and Alex Benepe, students at Middlebury College in Vermont, US. Their idle Sunday pastime laid the foundations for the full contact and gender inclusive sport played today. They began playing regular intramural games, and in 2007 played the first intercollegiate match.

About the USQ:

US Quidditch is the national governing body for the sport of quidditch. USQ advances the sport by organizing events and programs that build community and empower all genders to compete together.

Inspired by the Harry Potter novels and founded in 2010, we serve over 4,000 athletes on almost 200 teams nationwide and provide a range of services, from hosting nine major tournaments and supervising regular season competition, to training and certifying referees, snitches, and tournament directors, offering grants, running the bi-annual QuidCon leadership conference, and working to expand the sport into younger age groups through outreach programs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. US Quidditch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Membership in USQ is open to teams and individuals in any age group in the United States.

CORE VALUES

We establish the foundation for long-term sustainability through regulations, innovation, and expansion.We provide competitive opportunities for every level of athlete.We build a safe, inclusive, and respectful community.We strive to be a leader in gender inclusivity for all age groups, we create meaningful community partnerships and we develop and empower future leaders.

VISION STATEMENT

We envision a future where every person in the United States is aware of Quidditch as a sport and has opportunities to play and engage at all levels.

Kidditch!!!!!

It’s very important for kids to be active and for adults to support this activity. Regular physical activity helps to improve strength and endurance, reduce stress and anxiety, boost self-esteem, build muscles and healthy bones, control weight, and improve overall health. If children can pick up healthy habits now, they can carry the habits with them into a healthy adult life.

In recent years, the Quidditch community has started including little kids more and more in the sport. Teams have reached kids with summer camps, Kidditch workshops, and after-school programs. Other teams have been invited to birthday parties to teach Quidditch. Organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Boys and Girls Clubs have paired up with teams to introduce the youth to Quidditch. More specific information on starting a team or establishing youth Quidditch programs can be found here.

*** Also check out the IQAs web site for more info on the International Quidditch Association. There are hundreds of teams, all around the world!!!

*** Major League Quidditch is on the way...http://mlquidditch.com/

For the build I tried to keep it as simple and light weight as possible, while still staying close to the USQ Rulebook (page 30). Because these are only being built for fun, I used a smaller gauge PVC pipe, so my younger daughters could set up the pitch when they want to play.

Parts List (all of which came from Lowes except the Hula Hoops which I found at The Dollar Tree::

6 x Hula Hoops @ $1.00 ea = $6

7 x 1/2-in x 10-ft 600-PSI Schedule 40 PVC Pipe @ $2.01 ea = $14.07

24 x 1/2-in Dia 90-Degree PVC Sch 40 Tee Connectors @ $.35 ea or 10 for $2.55...

I bought 2 packs of 10 for $5.10 and 4 singles for $.35 ea for a total of $1.40 = $6.50

48 x 20-Count #6 x 0.5-in Zinc-Plated Interior/Exterior Sheet Metal Screws @ $1.24 per 20 = $3.72

(I bought 5 packs in case I needed extras)

The total for the build came to $30.29 before tax, which isn't bad considering Regulation/Official Quidditch Goals typically run $250-$300 for a full set.

Tools:

Drill w/ 1/8" Drill Bit and Phillips Head Screw Driver bit

Hacksaw

Hammer

Phillips Head Screw Drive

Measuring tape

A Sharpie

The first thing you will need to do, is cut the pipe. I used a sharpie, a hacksaw, a tape measure, and the following measurements:

2 x 6 ft sections of pipe (for the the tallest vertical pipes)

2 x 4.5 ft sections of pipe (for the the shorter vertical pipes)

2 x 3 ft sections of pipe (for the the shortest vertical pipes)

12 x 1" sections of pipe (to act as an insulator between the 1/4" hoop and the 1/2" tee connector)

12 x 18" sections of pipe (for the base of the 2 tallest goals)

24 x 1 ft sections of pipe (for the base of the 4 smaller goals)

Keep in mind these measurements equal out to exactly 70 ft, so be careful how you cut the pieces. You may want to buy an extra pipe just in case.

***You may notice in the photo's, there is only one set of 18" pipes for a base. It was a last minute change and I had already cut the 12" pipes for the original bases. I'll be picking up an extra pipe this weekend and upgrading the other goal.

***I will also note that the goals are holding up great regardless of base. None have tipped and we've been having a blast with them. We've even got my mother-in-law to play to play a couple rounds with us!!

Now that all of the pipe is cut, its time to assemble the goals!!!! The first thing to do is to construct the bases. To do this, you'll need 4 Tee fittings and 6 x 12" pipes per base (6 x 18" Pipes on the larger bases).

Each of the goal assemble exactly the same, so repeat this step for each. Also, be sure to tap each pipe connection with a hammer or mallet to make sure the pipes are fully inserted. This will matter when you secure the possible points of rotation.

Start by inserting 1 x 12" piece of pipe into both ends of 1 x 1/2-in Dia 90-Degree PVC Sch 40 Tee Connectors. Repeat this step a second and third time with additional 12" pieces of pipe and 2 x 1/2-in Dia 90-Degree PVC Sch 40 Tee Connectors. This will give you the parts for the "H" shaped base. Finally, insert each end of one of the assembled base pieces into the open receptacles on each of the remaining base pieces, being sure to leave the 1 x 1/2-in Dia 90-Degree PVC Sch 40 Tee Connectors in the middle of he "H" shaped base standing vertically.

On to the hoops! Take 2 x 1" pieces of pipe and insert them into either side of 1 x 1/2-in Dia 90-Degree PVC Sch 40 Tee Connector. Next separate 1 x hula hoop at it's breaking point. Open the Hula hoop, empty the contents, and insert either side of the hula hoop into the open ends of the assembled tee and reconnect the hula hoop inside.

Ok, because these are going to be vertical and taking a bit of a beating, you'll needed to secure each of the points that can rotate. I used 8 x 20-Count #6 x 0.5-in Zinc-Plated Interior/Exterior Sheet Metal Screws per goal to secure each of these points.

First, I drilled a 1/8" pilot hole into each of the connection points on the base that affected the vertical positioning of the hoops. On the hoops, I drilled completely through the 1/2-in Dia 90-Degree PVC Sch 40 Tee Connectors, the 1/2" PVC inserts, and the 1/4" Hula Hoops.This allowed me to secure both sides of the hoop.

I then screwed in 1 x 0.5-in Zinc-Plated Interior/Exterior Sheet Metal Screw, into each of the pilot holes on the bases and then into each side of the hoops.

Now it's time to assemble the Quidditch goals.

Insert 1 x each of the vertical posts (6ft, 4.5ft, & 3ft) into the opening on each of the 1/2-in Dia 90-Degree PVC Sch 40 Tee Connectors on the bases and then place the hoops on top (pushing down to secure it)

And with that...the goals are done.

And now it's, time for QUIDDITCH!!!!!

In tonight's match, we had my daughters Grandma as keeper on Ivy's team, while Lucy and I split duties. We both played Keeper and Chaser, depending on what was needed.

As a whole we all love the goals and look forward to many many matches on our pitch.

I really hope you enjoyed this Instructable and I truly hope you check out the wonderful world of Muggle Quidditch. It may vary well be the next best thing since sliced bread.

Also, if you're curious, we are all using Peterson Brooms the Official Brooms of the USQ and IQA. You can find them here https://www.petersonsbrooms.com/.

They also look super cool all lit up during the holidays!