8 Tennis Games for Kids
Tennis is a fantastic sport for children of all ages and abilities, not only for its physical benefits but for the social and cognitive skills it develops too. Whether you’re a PE teacher, parent, or running an extracurricular club, introducing tennis-based activities can support children’s balance, agility, coordination, concentration, and teamwork. The beauty of tennis is that it doesn’t always require a full tennis court or advanced equipment. With a tennis ball or two, some cones, and a bit of creativity, you can build a whole session that delivers tennis skills disguised as a fun game.
Tennis games are also highly adaptable, making them inclusive for children of all confidence levels. With simple tweaks, many drills can be made more challenging for older children or more skilled young players, ensuring every child remains engaged and improving. Whether indoors or outdoors, in large halls or small playgrounds, here are eight simple tennis games for kids packed with movement, development, and most importantly, great fun.
1. Balloon Tennis (Ages 4-7)
Ideal for very young players or complete beginners, this game introduces the basics of striking and tracking without the pressure of a fast-moving ball.
How to play: Each child gets a balloon and a racket substitute. This could be an actual racket, a paper plate taped to a stick, or just their hands. The goal is to keep the balloon in the air as long as possible. Challenge children to see how many taps they can make before it touches the floor. You can pair them up for gentle rallies or make it a team activity where two players alternate hits.
Good for: Indoor spaces, hand-eye coordination, confidence building, working in pairs or solo.
Challenge Tip: Older children can use a light tennis ball instead. Add a movement zone to test balance and spatial awareness.
2: Target Tennis (Ages 5–9):
This simple tennis game introduces direction, control, and aim- foundational tennis skills for all players.
How to play: Create targets using chalk circles or hoops. Each child stands behind a line and aims to hit their ball into the targets using underarm throws or gentle player hits with a racket. Add point values to each target to increase competition.
Good for: Aim and accuracy, solo development, and scoring awareness.
Adaptation: Add a bounce requirement before hitting the target to improve their next shot accuracy.
3. Rally Challenge (Ages 6-11)
Great for small groups, this drill focuses on rallies and consistency.
How to play: Pair up two players with soft balls and tennis rackets. They rally the ball back and forth, aiming for as many hits as possible. To see who is winning, why not set a time to see how many goals they can score? Top tip: counting aloud helps with concentration.
Good for: Rhythm, teamwork, timing, and core tennis skills.
Challenge Tip: Add rules like alternating forehand/backhand or requiring the ball to pass over a cone.
4: Cone Knockdown (Ages 6–10)
This activity builds power and accuracy in a fun, competitive format.
How to play: Set up cones across the tennis court. Children take turns hitting the ball to knock cones over. Rotate turns so each player plays equally. Points are awarded for each knockdown.
Good for: Power, timing, and forehand/backhand strength.
Variation: Use smaller cones or increase distance for skilled players. Add a rule like “must bounce once before hitting.” The coach can track scores and encourage improvement.
5. Around the World (Ages 8-11)
Fast-paced and fun, this is a hit with large groups.
How to play: Divide into two teams. Each player hits the ball once, then runs to the opposite team’s line. If a shot is missed, the player is out. The final two compete in a head-to-head game to win.
Good for: Reaction time, teamwork, and quick movement across the court.
Challenge Tip: Switch hitting styles between rounds or add a second ball for chaos and fun.
6: Wall Rally (All Ages):
Perfect for solo practice, this one player activity improves rhythm and control.
How to play: With a tennis racket and wall, players aim to rally the ball against a marked target zone. Add a bounce limit or time challenge.
Good for: Racket control, consistency, and tennis skills in tight spaces.
Challenge Tip: Have one player use their non-dominant hand or try volleys. The coach can provide progression steps to keep players engaged.
7. Bounce & Catch Relay (Ages 5-9)
This engaging relay-style game enhances bounce tracking and hand-eye coordination.
How to play: In teams, children bounce the ball to a cone and back, passing it on. Include catching or use zig-zag cones to increase complexity.
Good for: Balance, tracking, and teamwork.
Variation: Older players can bounce with their non-dominant hand. The coach can shout commands mid-activity to keep attention sharp.
8: Mini Match Madness (Ages 7–11):
Introduce gameplay with simplified scoring, making it ideal for future matches.
How to play: On small courts, children play tennis to 5 points. Rotate partners after each match. Rallies must bounce once before being hit. Use rules like “volley to win” or “backhands only” for variation.
Good for: Scoring systems, applying tennis skills in context, and growing match confidence.
Coach Tip: The coach can monitor progress and give tips to refine shot selection and game awareness.
Why Tennis? The Bigger Benefits
Tennis supports children’s overall development through fun, engaging activities that build physical, social, and mental skills. It enhances agility, coordination, speed, and strength, while simple activities like bounce and catch improve fine motor skills and reaction time. It also fosters focus, patience, and problem-solving through strategic games like Target Tennis, and helps build resilience with scoring challenges. Team-based games such as Around the World Tennis develop communication, empathy, and cooperation, while varied activities boost confidence, keep children motivated, and ensure everyone stays engaged, regardless of ability.
Tennis is also an excellent sport for encouraging goal setting, as players play points with purpose and strive for personal improvement. Whether in singles or as a team game, tennis teaches valuable life lessons like respect, perseverance, and dealing with pressure. Young tennis players learn how to win and lose graciously, support one another, and celebrate progress. Coaches can use tennis games to help one player improve confidence or challenge two players in a fun rally. The social interaction, structure, and competitive spirit tennis brings makes it a powerful tool for growth on and off the court.
Coaches can easily adapt tennis games to suit any skill level, making sessions enjoyable and accessible for all children. When the coach calls out commands, such as “forehand,” “backhand,” or “volley”—players must react quickly, improving their listening and reflexes. In games where one player throws and another returns, children develop tracking and timing skills. Kids love activities that involve quick decisions and physical movement, especially when there’s a challenge to get the ball over the net. Whether using a low net, makeshift cones, or a full-size net, these variations keep energy high and ensure everyone gets involved in the action.
Bring Tennis and More to Life This Summer
Looking for more ways to energise your pupils this summer? Our Summer of Sport programme is designed to bring the joy of movement to schools across the UK through expertly delivered, confidence-boosting sessions.
Whether you’re planning a sports week, enrichment day, or themed PE lessons, our qualified coaches are ready to support you. They bring everything needed—including equipment, energy, and enthusiasm to deliver structured, active sessions that align with your school’s needs and create lasting memories for your pupils.
Get your school moving this summer. Learn more and register your interest today.
