The Best Soccer Goals for Kids

Whether you're out on your lawn kicking a ball around with your kiddo or having a full-on neighborhood scrimmage, having a soccer goal is a great idea for your at-home outdoor play area. Soccer is an excellent cardiovascular workout, as well as a strength builder for your kid's entire body – for both their muscles and their bones. It builds gross motor skills, social-emotional intelligence, decision-making skills, and has a myriad of other benefits. So if your youngster has expressed an interest in soccer, or you want to expose them to the fun of kicking a ball around, getting a quality soccer goal for your yard is a must. These are some of our favorites on the market today.

Intey Soccer Goal

Portability, Stability, and Quality

For the best in soccer goals for kids who simply love to play, this soccer goal net is incredibly durable, stable, and is made with the highest quality materials for a lifetime of fun.
Best Overall

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With an unfolded size of 6’6″ x 3’3″, this soccer goal is a great all-around option for goalie practice, offensive play, or simple fun in your backyard. Made with a thicker style fiberglass rod, this durable net and frame will withstand defensive goalie blocks and offensive drill shots fired at the net without breaking down or losing its shape. With a compact carry bag and an easy installation, you can bring this goal wherever you’d like to play a game of soccer.

Pros:

  • Folds into a small size for compact storage.
  • Lightweight yet large size for multiple ages and skill sets.
  • Extremely durable netting.

Cons:

  • This is just one goal. For a game with opposing ends, you’d need to purchase an additional goal.

Sport Squad Portable Soccer Goal Net Set

Collapsible and Lightweight Set

With two goals for full-field soccer fun, this kit can be set up anywhere for hours of soccer play.
Best Set

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This lightweight, totally collapsible set of goals is ideal for a spontaneous game of soccer, whether it’s just among the kids or with the entire neighborhood. At 4′ x 3′, the goals are a great size for both children and adults playing together. And although they are definitely lightweight and portable, they’re durable, too. With heavy-duty steel support stakes and a net that can take some high-powered shots, this goal net set is about to make your yard into the neighborhood hang-out spot.

Pros:

  • Set comes complete with two goals, steel stakes, and a compact carrying bag for easy, on-the-go, spontaneous soccer games.
  • Full assembled, each net is 4 x 3 feet. In storage, it collapses to a small 16.5 x 2.5 inches.
  • Easy set-up, allowing for games wherever you are: at a campground, your backyard, at the park, or even the beach.
  • Budget-friendly price point.

Cons:

  • Although strong and durable, it’s best to put these nets away after use rather than leave them set up outside.

AmazonBasics Soccer Training Pop Up Goal Collection

From the Beach to the Backyard

Love a random game of soccer for some casual fun? This pop-up goal set can be used virtually anywhere.
Best for Casual Play

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These soccer goals probably won’t withstand rough-and-tumble games with fierce kicks and dives, but that’s the entire point: they’re made for casual fun on a makeshift soccer field. Whether that field is in your backyard or the local park is totally up to you. They’re easy to pack, and ready for play wherever you find yourself. Wondering about the set-up? Similar in style to a pop-up beach tent, these soccer goals just twist to open. With poles made of high quality solid fiberglass, the net is a reinforced oxford fabric and a tough but lightweight netting for durability and packability.

Pros:

  • Ideal for young kiddos 3+, or for practice drills and skill-building games.
  • Stakes included for soft ground.
  • Two size options available: 2.5 feet and 4 feet.

Cons:

  • This is definitely a lightweight net that will not hold up to strong kicks or defensive moves.

Jogenmax Portable Soccer Goal with Aim Target

Skill-Building Soccer Fun

With drill cones and target practice, your little Rapinoe will love this soccer goal set.
Best for Skill-Building

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Have the next Rapinoe in your fam? This soccer goal net comes with an aim target and agility training cones for skill-building and practice drills. These surprisingly strong goals are made of lightweight fiberglass poles with reinforced netting, and they’re virtually indestructible. After inserting the poles into the net’s sleeves, there are sturdy ground pegs that’ll hold your goal steady despite rounds of fierce kicks directed at the target.

Pros:

  • Portable and easy to set up.
  • Great for target practice and drill sets.
  • Small enough to be set up in an indoor play space for year-round practice.
  • LED strip lights.

Cons:

  • Not ideal for goalie practice, as the net and frame is on the small side.

AmazonBasics Steel Soccer Goal Frame with Net

Sturdy, Durable, and Long-Lasting Soccer Fun

For a more permanent family soccer goal, this is an excellent choice.
Best Permanent

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Have a few kiddos who absolutely love soccer? Have a fantastic backyard space that’ll allow for a more permanent soccer goal to be set up? Then you’re going to want to go for a larger, more permanent steel soccer goal. Its weather-resistant, powder-coated steel can be left outside under the sun, wind, and rain without breaking down. The netting is attached to the steel pole frame by weather-resistant, totally durable Velcro. And despite the fact that this is a larger soccer goal frame, the set-up is a breeze. Simply construct the steel frame, attach the netting, and ground the entire frame using the secure anchors. Need to move it or put it up for storage? It comes with a compact transport/storage bag, as well.

Pros:

  • Just a tad smaller than a full-size goal, with a measurement 6′ x 3′ x 4′ with a weight of 13.64 pounds.
  • Steel frames are made of 1.25 inch tubes. It’ll hold its shape and withstand weather, rough kicks, and whatever else gets kicked its way.
  • Netting is durable enough for high-power kicks.

Cons:

  • Although this comes with a transport bag, it’s not the most portable of soccer goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size soccer ball is appropriate for a child?

While it depends on the age and size of your child, there are youth soccer balls that are great for a wide range of children. For children ages 8-12, a youth size 4 is appropriate. As they grow in skill and strength, they’ll want to move on from this size, but a youth size 4 is definitely a great starting point for this age range.

What type of protective gear is necessary for young soccer players?

For starters, your kiddo will want cleats and shin guards regardless of their position on the field. In fact, shin guards are the only protective gear that is actually required in leagues, so it’s a good idea to get a couple of quality pairs. If your young soccer player is interested in playing goalie, they’ll need a bit more. For goalies you’ll want gloves, a helmet with a throat guard, a mouth guard, a chest protector, arm and leg pads, as well as a cup or a pelvic/abdominal protection.

What are some important features for a soccer goal for kids?

Stability is key. You don’t want a soccer goal that could topple over on any youngsters kicking the ball around. Otherwise, look for what’s important to you. Do you want one that is foldable for easy and quick storage? Do you have a small yard and just want a basic but small soccer goal? On the contrary, larger goals are great for children who play soccer on a league, want some extra practice, or are trying to build upon their goalie skills. There are a variety of soccer goals for kids on the market; therefore, your specific needs will be the driving force behind which type of goal you get.