Gravity Wagon Basketball Hoop for a Farm School Playground
Have you ever looked at an old gravity wagon and thought, there’s still life left in that?
Most people park them behind a barn and let them rust. I decided to do something different.
Today’s mission wasn’t about my kids. It wasn’t even about basketball. It was about building something simple that adds joy, movement, and connection to the place we’re creating here on the farm—our kids school and playground.
By the end of this build, you’ll know exactly how to turn an old gravity wagon into a functional, farm-style basketball hoop you can build at home.
Let’s dive in.
More Than a Hoop: Why This Matters
The space I’m standing in will be a primary-age school where core skills meet life skills on a working farm.
Think math, reading, and writing—paired with responsibility, teamwork, problem-solving, and movement. Kids need places to run, compete, miss shots, laugh, and learn how to lose and win together.
That’s what this hoop is really about.
And if you’re a homesteader or educator with experience teaching kids ages 6–12, I’m currently looking for a founding partner to help run the day-to-day of this full-time farm school. It will serve up to 15 children and blend education with real life on the land.
If that’s you, I’d love to talk—apply and let’s see if it’s a fit.
Step 1: Measuring the Wagon Braces
The first thing I needed to know was how wide the gravity wagon braces were.
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Brace width: 4¼ inches
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Height from bottom to top brace: 17½ inches
I wanted the hoop to sit 48 inches above the side of the wagon, so we did a little quick math:
48 inches + 17½ inches = 65½ inches
That meant cutting six 2×4s, all to the same length.
Two down. Four to go.
Step 2: Building the Backboard
Next, I measured how wide I wanted the wooden backboard to be.
From the back of one 2×4 all the way across to the other side, we landed at:
119¼ inches
That gave us a wide, farmhouse-style backboard that fits the scale of the wagon and the playground.
Once the first row was installed and leveled, everything else got easier. The first row is always the hardest—mostly because nothing exists yet to guide you.
Once it’s straight, the rest follows.
And honestly? For a home-swung wooden backboard, I think it looks pretty great. These kids are going to love it.
Step 3: Hardware That Will Last
For mounting the hoops, I went with:
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½-inch bolts
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Flat washers
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Lock washers
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Nuts
The boards are about an inch thick, which leaves just enough bolt sticking out the back for a secure, long-term hold. Simple. Strong. Repairable.
Once everything was marked, it was time to drill the holes and mount the rims.
Step 4: Placing the Hoops
Now came the fun decision—where to put them.
Standing the wagon on the ground, two spots immediately felt right. So we went with two hoops.
Why two?
Because when I was in elementary school, we played bump all the time. If you know, you know.
I’m really looking forward to playing it again—with these kids, right here on the farm.
Mission Complete
Once the bolts were tightened on the back side, the job was done.
A forgotten gravity wagon now has new life.
A playground has one more reason to exist.
And a farm school is one step closer to opening its gates.