Prop Roque/Croquet Mallet

     Need a prop roque/croquet mallet?  The head on this design is a little small, but if you're looking for an inexpensive prop for a play or costume that doesn't have to be true to life, this may be what you need.

Materials:
*Paper tube (e.g. toilet paper, paper towel)
*Dowel
*Wood grain duct tape
*Black duct tape
*X-acto knife
*Scissors

Directions:
*Use an X-acto knife to cut "+" shape into the center of the paper tube.  The "+" shape should be about as long and wide as the dowel's diameter.
*Gently push the dowel into the "+" shape.  Once you're done, the two pieces should fit together snugly, like in the photo below:

*Remove the dowel from the tube and cover the ends of the tube with wood grain duct tape.
*Wrap wood grain duct tape around the remainder of the tube.
*Find where the hole for the dowel is and cut the same "+" shape in the tape and then push down with the dowel, like before.

*Remove the dowel and wrap that in wood grain duct tape.
*Reinsert the dowel in the hole.  I found that it stayed on fine without any adhesive, but you can always glue it down if you want to make it a little sturdier.
*Decorate the ends of the tube and part of the dowel with some black duct tape for a finishing touch.