The Top 5 Basketball Hoops for Kids

Got a little baller on your hands? Chances are, if you've got a little one interested in tossing around a basketball, you've been thinking about purchasing a basketball hoop. Excellent for gross motor development, hand-eye coordination, social-emotional development, and more, playing basketball from a young age encourages natural learning in an active environment. Plus, it just allows your youngster to let off some excess energy...a bonus we can all get behind come bedtime. If your kiddo is still growing into their Air Jordan's, you don't want to go straight to the legal size hoops. Instead, opt for a smaller version. Basketball hoops for kids are specifically built with their smaller frames, and developing skills, in mind. And while there are of course plenty of options out there, not all are created equal. When it comes to basketball hoops for kids, you don't want tippy and dangerous. You want sturdy, durable, and easily accessible so that your little one can develop a sense of confidence on the court. These are the top 5 basketball hoops for kids that we are loving.

Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set

Time-Tested

This Little Tikes Basketball Hoop is the go-to when it comes to a child-friendly basketball hoop...and for good reason.

Best Overall

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Little Tikes mini basketball hoop is basically synonymous with basketball hoops for kids. We’ve all seen them kicking around someone’s house or backyard. Turns out, there’s a good reason: these little hoops are sturdy, adjustable, and accessible for your budding basketball player.

Hitting all the key points, let’s talk about what makes this such a fantastic option. First up, sturdy. With a base that’s meant to be filled with sand, you don’t have to worry about stability or tipping. Next, adjustability. With a simple adjusting pole, this basketball hoop goes from 2.5 feet to 4 feet, making this hoop appropriate for kiddos 1.5 to 5 years of age. And finally, the accessibility of this basketball hoop. With included 3 junior size basketballs, the attached hoop and rim is oversized. This helps to build confidence right from the start–key for keeping your little one engaged.

Pros:

Rewarding set-up that can easily accommodate a growing interest and skill level.
Lightweight for easy portability, yet can be weighted with sand for stability.
Durable.

Cons:

The hole at the base for the sand is a bit tricky to fill.

SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop Basketball System

Grows with Your Youngsters

Ideal for poolside play (3.5 ft, at its smallest height) or for more competitive play (7 ft, at its highest), this is a fully adjustable mini basketball hoop that's ideal for outdoor play.

Most Adjustable

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Here’s the thing with this basketball hoop for kids: it is super adjustable. This is important because you can use this from a young age all the way up through teenage-hood. Made with an adjustable backboard, rim, pole, and base…you can literally set this basketball hoop up for any kind of game that’s appropriate for pretty much any age. Sure, it requires a mini basketball, but that’s part of the fun anyway.

The backboard itself is made of shatterproof clear polycarbonate, which means you can practice dunks, have full-on competitive games, and even keep this hoop poolside for some pretty intense water play. The mobile base can be filled with sand or water for extra stability, as well.

Pros:

Spring-loaded basketball hoop that’s ideal for practicing dunks.
Durable net that’s made to withstand year-round elements and all types of weather.
Includes a 7″ rubber basketball that’s the perfect size for this basketball hoop.

Cons:

Although this basketball hoop can adjust to 7-ft, the game itself requires a mini basketball. For older kiddos wanting to practice on the real deal, this can be a bit of a letdown.

Pop-A-Shot Home Dual Shot Basketball Arcade Game

Bring the Arcade Home

Built just like your favorite arcade game, this basketball arcade set-up is meant for your home.

Best for your Home Arcade Room

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Love arcades but sort of hate the crowds? Yeah, us too. This arcade basketball hoop set-up is the ultimate basketball arcade game…but meant for home. And with 16 different games, six audio options, and the Home Dual Shot interactive system, your kiddo will happily play for hours.

Made with incredibly sturdy 1.5″ steel tubing and a durable nylon ramp, your at-home arcade game will withstand even the most intense shoot-outs. And to keep the games fair, the scoreboard is nearly 100% accurate. The 3-digit scoreboard and an audio jack that can power external speakers make this entire set-up feel authentic to an arcade.

Pros:

Updated features, including enhanced, stronger rims, redesigned Home Dual Shot, and 16 game options.
Easily mobile, and height adjustable as well.
Includes wheels for easy transportation.
Comes with seven basketballs.

Cons:

Bulky arcade-style game that’s really only ideal for larger indoor spaces.

SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop

For the Basketball Obsessed

Have a kiddo who just can't get enough of playing basketball? These door hoops are our favorite bedroom-appropriate basketball hoops.

Best Door Basketball Hoop

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Everyone loves a good game of backdoor basketball. The problem? Most of these super-mini basketball hoops are flimsy and easily break. Not so with this SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop. Made much like the SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop Basketball System, above, this clear polycarbonate backboard is shatter-proof with a spring-loaded and highly durable net and steel hoop. The back of the backboard is padded with foam, and the entire system easily slides onto door mounts.

With four different style options, there’s a backdoor basketball game for everyone. Our personal fave? The Glow in the Dark basketball hoop.

Pros:

Ball included.
Made similar to a real, outdoor full-size hoop. You can even (gently) dunk on it without fear of breaking the hoop.
Professional-style replica, but made to fit virtually any door.

Cons:

To attach to your door, you’ll need to screw it in. This will create holes in your door, so it might not be an ideal situation for everyone.

Swimline Giant Basketball Swimming Pool Game

Swim and Swoosh

This inflatable, floating basketball hoop provides hours of endless basketball fun.

Best for the Pool

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Come summertime, we’re pretty much obsessed with all things water. Give us a few fun games, and we’ll likely just stay put until our skin has long turned to raisins and we’re feeling water-logged and thoroughly tired. If you’re wanting to add to your pool game arsenal, this Giant Basketball Swimming Pool Game is loads of fun. Fully inflatable, this 45-inch x 36-inch floating basketball hoop has multiple ports of entry for multiple shooters…ideal for pool parties.

This basketball hoop is best for kids aged 7 years and older. Younger kids will become frustrated by the moving target, as well as needing to be confident swimmers.

Pros:

Hours of fun for the entire family…and neighborhood!
Comes with one ball.
Made of heavy gauge vinyl, which is durable enough for pretty intense games of water basketball.

Cons:

You’ll need to store this in a cool area, as the harsh sun can deflate this hoop if left out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are basketball hoops for kids dangerous?

With sports, it’s pretty much guaranteed that they all carry some level of risk. But the thing with risky play that is easily overlooked: it’s actually a really important developmental tool for kiddos. Risky play, and this can include sports games such as basketball, allows for testing of their own skills and environment, figuring out their own comfort level, and a more thorough development of risk-management skills. Over time, this actually helps to reduce the risk of injury.

So just because your kiddo might crash and burn, it doesn’t mean that you should eliminate the game. In fact, we’d argue the opposite. And with basketball specifically, the engagement in a game helps to get that gross motor development in, the energy burned off, and hours of independent or group play. Basketball hoops for kids are a great addition to risky play.

What should you look for in a basketball hoop for kids?

You’re going to want stability, durability, and accessibility. We’ve talked about that in this list, we know. But without those three key factors, you risk injury, limited play, and without accessibility, a lack of skill development. With time, your kiddo will grow into a larger, full-size basketball hoop. Starting with ones built specifically with their small frames in mind allows for all three of those listed factors to be considered.