Tennis Games for Kids: 8 Easy Park and Garden Ideas
Your child has spotted a tennis racket in the shop, or watched a match on telly, and now they want to “play tennis”. You take them to the park, they swing wildly, the ball goes over the fence, and ten minutes later everyone is cross. The good news is that a few simple tennis games for kids fix most of it. They build the hand-eye coordination, footwork and patience that make proper lessons far easier later, and they work in a small garden, a park or even a hallway.
Why start with games, not “proper” tennis
A full-size court and a fast tennis ball are hard for a young child. The ball bounces too high, moves too quickly, and the racket feels heavy. So kids miss, miss again, and decide they are “bad at tennis”. Games fix this by shrinking the problem:
- Use a softer, slower ball. A foam ball or a low-compression “red” ball gives them time to react.
- Use a shorter racket, or no racket at all to begin with. Hands first, then a paddle or short racket.
- Make the space small. Two metres between you is plenty at the start.
- Count wins, not mistakes. “How many can we do in a row?” beats “Watch the ball!” every time.
If your child already loves other throwing and catching games, my guide to active games for kids in the park pairs well with everything below.
8 tennis games for kids you can play anywhere
Each game takes 3 to 5 minutes. String three or four together and you have a 20-minute session that leaves everyone happy and a bit sweaty.
1. Balloon rally (ages 3+)
Indoors on a rainy day, blow up a balloon and keep it in the air with open hands, then with a paper plate taped to a lolly stick. The balloon is slow, so even toddlers succeed. Count touches out loud. Aim to beat your record each round.
2. Ball on the racket walk
Place a foam ball on the strings and walk from one end of the garden to the other without dropping it. Then try walking backwards, then sideways. This teaches a still, steady wrist, which is exactly what kids need for later volleys.
3. Bounce and count
Your child bounces the ball down onto the ground with the racket, like dribbling a basketball. Start with 5 in a row, then 10. Next, bounce it upwards on the strings. Switch hands for a laugh.
4. Drop and hit
You stand a couple of metres away and drop (not throw) the ball so it bounces once next to your child. They swing gently to send it back to you. Ten goes on the forehand side, ten on the backhand. Keep the target big: “anywhere near me counts”.
5. Bucket target
Put a washing basket or bucket a few steps away. Kids feed themselves (drop, bounce, hit) and try to land balls in it. Score 3 points for in, 1 point for hitting the side. It teaches control rather than power, which is the opposite of what most kids naturally do.
6. Cone shuffle rally
Set two markers (shoes work) about two metres apart. After every hit, your child shuffles sideways to touch one marker, then comes back to the middle. This builds the side-step footwork coaches spend ages on in lessons, and it gets heart rates right up.
7. Over the line
Lay a skipping rope or a line of jumpers on the grass as a “net”. Rally over it, letting the ball bounce once on each side. When you reach 10 in a row, take one big step back each. This is the closest to real tennis and the moment kids usually get hooked.
8. King of the court (for groups)
Great for siblings. Whoever wins the point stays “king”. For younger kids, the king feeds an easy ball and the challenger just has to return it.
A simple 20-minute park session
If you want a plan, here is the one I give parents:
- Warm-up (3 minutes): jog to a tree and back, 10 star jumps, 10 arm circles each way.
- Ball on the racket walk (3 minutes), forwards, backwards, sideways.
- Bounce and count (3 minutes), try to beat yesterday’s score.
- Drop and hit (5 minutes), alternating forehand and backhand.
- Over the line rally (5 minutes), with the cone shuffle between shots for older kids.
- Finish (1 minute): one big race back to the bench.
Twice a week is plenty. The NHS physical activity guidelines for children and young people suggest an average of at least 60 minutes of activity a day across the week, and these sessions are a fun chunk of that. For ideas on hitting that target without stress, see how much exercise children need.
Where to play tennis games for kids near Archway
You do not need a court for most of these. A patch of flat grass or your garden is enough. When your child is ready for a real court, many North London parks have public courts you can book online. Check the booking rules before you go.
For a list of green spaces close by, my guide to parks in Archway covers the best flat spots for ball games.
How this helps you, too
Feeding balls, chasing them and doing the cone shuffle alongside your child is real exercise. Many parents tell me it is the most they have moved all week. But if you want a dedicated session just for you, that is what my bootcamp classes are for. Lots of the parents in my SYP Recharge energy class come because they want to keep up with their kids at the park instead of standing on the side with a coffee.
FAQs
What age can a child start tennis?
Kids can start simple racket games from around 3 or 4, using balloons and foam balls. Most clubs run beginner group lessons from about 4 or 5. There is no rush: good coordination from games makes lessons easier whenever they start.
What size racket does my child need?
A rough guide is that when your child stands with the racket by their side, the tip should be just above the ground, not touching it. Too long and it feels heavy and slow. Junior rackets are labelled by length, so try one in the shop if you can.
Which balls are best for beginners?
Foam balls for the youngest, then low-compression balls (often coloured red, orange or green dots) as they improve. They bounce lower and slower than adult balls, so kids get more hits and fewer frustrated chases.
My child gets frustrated and quits. What helps?
Make the game easier straight away: shorter distance, slower ball, bigger target. End while they are still enjoying it.
Book your first class
If chasing tennis balls has reminded you how much fitter you would like to be, come and try a class. SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group sessions in a church hall in Archway N19, with a maximum of 10 people and every exercise offered in an easier or harder version. It is £15 a class and the timetable is sent when you book. Book my £15 class, or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215. If you would rather train with your partner while the kids are at a club, I also offer partner personal training in Archway.
About the author
Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.
