Basketball is a fantastic sport that not only promotes physical activity but also fosters teamwork and coordination among kids.
From shooting challenges to creative drills, there are plenty of enjoyable activities that can enhance their basketball experience.
Here we’ve compiled a plethora of exciting basketball games for kids that will make their time on the court both entertaining and educational.
Let’s get dribbling and shooting for some hoops fun!
Obstacle Course Dribble:
Set up a thrilling obstacle course using cones, hula hoops, and other items that challenge kids to showcase their dribbling skills. Create a zigzag path for them to navigate through while dribbling the basketball. Encourage them to control the ball closely and maintain their dribble technique as they maneuver around the obstacles. Time each participant and see who completes the course with the fastest time. This game not only enhances their dribbling abilities but also adds an element of excitement and competition.
Musical Hoops:
Put a basketball spin on the classic musical chairs game with “Musical Hoops.” Arrange basketball hoops in a circle and lay one less basketball than the number of participants inside the hoops. Start playing music and have the kids dribble around the circle. When the music stops, they must quickly find a hoop to shoot the basketball. The player without a hoop is eliminated, and one hoop is removed for the next round. Continue until only one player remains, and they become the winner. This activity improves shooting accuracy and adds a playful twist to the usual shooting drills.
Related: 20 Easy Stem Activities for 3 5 Year Olds
Around the World Relay:
Gather the kids in teams of two or three and form a line behind the free-throw line. Place a marker or cone at different spots around the court, representing different shooting locations. The first player from each team attempts a shot from the first spot. If they make it, they move to the next spot, and if they miss, they must retrieve their rebound and pass the ball to the next teammate in line. The relay continues until all spots have been completed. The first team to finish the “Around the World” course wins. This game enhances shooting skills under pressure and adds a sense of teamwork as players cheer on their teammates.
Related: 20 Wonderful Wall Games for Kids
Dribble Knockout:
“Dribble Knockout” is a fast-paced and competitive game that hones dribbling skills and quick thinking. Have all the kids form a circle on the court, each with a basketball. One player starts as the designated shooter in the center of the circle. The other players dribble around the circle while the shooter tries to knock their basketballs out of bounds using their own balls. If a player’s ball is knocked out, they’re out of the game. The last player remaining wins and becomes the next shooter. This game encourages dribbling proficiency, evasive maneuvers, and friendly competition.
Source: kidactivities.net
Hotshot Challenge:
Transform shooting practice into an engaging challenge with the “Hotshot” game. Set up a series of shooting stations at different spots on the court, each with a designated point value (e.g., closer shots are worth 1 point, and farther shots are worth 2 or 3 points). The kids take turns shooting from each station and keep track of their points. You can also add a time limit to increase the excitement. At the end of the challenge, the player with the most points wins. The “Hotshot Challenge” improves shooting accuracy, encourages strategy, and injects an element of friendly competition.
Source: hottshotchallenge.com
Capture the Ball:
This game is a basketball-themed twist on the classic game of Capture the Flag. Divide the kids into two teams and assign each team a home base on opposite ends of the court. Each team has a hoop with a ball on it representing their flag. The objective is to sneak into the opponent’s territory, capture their ball, and return it to their own hoop without being tagged by the defenders. Players must dribble the ball while moving around the court. If a player is tagged while holding the ball, they must return to their own home base and start again. The team that captures the opponent’s ball the most within a time limit wins the game. “Capture the Ball” combines strategic thinking, teamwork, and dribbling skills in an exciting and action-packed activity.
Source: verywellfamily.com
Freeze Dribbling:
Incorporate some freeze dance fun into basketball practice with “Freeze Dribbling.” Play music while the kids dribble around the court. When the music stops, they must come to a complete stop and freeze in place while still dribbling. To add a challenge, you can call out specific dribbling moves (e.g., crossovers, behind the back) that the players must perform when the music is playing. If a player fails to freeze or execute the correct move, they sit out until the next round. The last player dribbling wins the round. This game improves dribbling control, and coordination, and adds an element of excitement to traditional dribbling drills.
Source: ozswoosh.com
Basketball Relay Race:
Divide the kids into teams and set up relay stations at different points on the court. Each station represents a basketball skill or challenge. For example, the stations can include dribbling through cones, making a layup, passing to a teammate, and shooting a free throw. The first player from each team starts at their respective station and completes the task before tagging the next player in line. The relay continues until all players from one team have finished the course. The team that completes the relay first wins the race. The “Basketball Relay Race” not only reinforces fundamental basketball skills but also encourages teamwork and cooperation.
Source: stack.com
Hot Potato Passing:
This game focuses on passing accuracy and quick decision-making. Have the kids form a circle, with one player starting as the “Hot Potato” in the middle. The players in the circle pass the ball to each other while the player in the middle tries to intercept the passes. The goal is to make accurate and swift passes to avoid becoming the “Hot Potato.” Set a time limit, and when the time is up, the player holding the ball becomes the new “Hot Potato.” This game improves passing skills, and reflexes, and keeps the kids engaged in an energetic and interactive passing exercise.
Source: empoweredparents.co
Balloon Basketball:
For a lighthearted and entertaining twist on basketball, play “Balloon Basketball.” Instead of a regular basketball, use a large balloon filled with air. Divide the kids into two teams and set up hoops on opposite ends of the court. The objective is to use the balloon to score baskets in the opponent’s hoop. Since the balloon moves more slowly than a basketball, it allows for a different approach to shooting and defending. The team that scores the most points within a designated time wins. “Balloon Basketball” encourages creativity, and adaptability, and provides lots of laughter and fun.
Source: empoweredparents.co
Dribble Tag:
This game is a basketball-themed version of tag. Select one or two players to be the “taggers,” while the rest of the kids dribble basketballs around the court. The taggers must try to tag the other players by touching their basketball with their hands. Once tagged, a player becomes a tagger as well. The game continues until all players are tagged. It’s a fast-paced and enjoyable way to improve dribbling skills while having fun with friends.
Source: activekids.com
H-O-R-S-E:
A classic basketball game loved by all ages, H-O-R-S-E is perfect for kids to challenge their shooting abilities. One player starts by attempting a unique shot from anywhere on the court (e.g., a behind-the-back shot or a bank shot from the baseline). If they make the shot, the other players must replicate it. If a player misses the shot, they receive a letter (starting with “H”). The first player to spell out “H-O-R-S-E” is out, and the game continues until there’s one player left standing. It’s a great game to inspire creativity in shot-making and boost shooting accuracy.
Source: hoopsbeast.com
Passing Pairs:
Pair up the kids and have them stand facing each other at a designated distance. The objective is to pass the ball back and forth, increasing the distance with each successful exchange. If a pair drops the ball or makes an inaccurate pass, they must start again from the original distance. The game promotes passing skills, communication, and coordination between teammates. You can also make it a team competition to see which pair can pass the farthest without any mistakes.
Source: basketballforcoaches.com
Dunk Contest:
For an exciting and fun activity, organize a mini dunk contest for kids. Set up a lower basketball hoop (adjustable hoops work well for this) and let each child take turns attempting creative dunks. Encourage them to showcase their jumping abilities and invent their own dunk moves. You can have judges rate their dunks, or simply make it a lighthearted competition where everyone cheers for each participant. This game adds a touch of basketball stardom and encourages kids to explore their vertical leaps.
Source: wayfair.com
Basketball Bowling:
Transform the basketball court into a bowling alley with “Basketball Bowling.” Set up bowling pins (plastic bottles or cones work well) at one end of the court. The kids take turns rolling a basketball from the other end, aiming to knock down as many pins as possible. The player who knocks down the most pins in one roll wins the round. This game not only practices shooting accuracy but also introduces some friendly competition as kids aim for that perfect strike!
Source: playworks.org
Colorful Dribble:
Add a splash of color to the dribbling practice with “Colorful Dribble.” Use colored chalk to draw different shapes and patterns on the basketball court. Each shape represents a specific dribbling move (e.g., circles for crossovers, squares for between the legs dribbles). The kids must dribble their basketballs around the court, making sure to follow the designated paths for each shape. You can also call out specific shapes and dribbling moves for them to perform. This game not only enhances dribbling skills but also encourages kids to pay attention and think quickly on their feet.
Source: ssww.com
Star Shooting:
Create a shooting challenge that mimics stars in the night sky. Attach glow-in-the-dark or brightly colored tape to the basketball hoop to form a star pattern. Each section of the star represents a shooting position (e.g., corners, wings, top of the key). The kids take turns shooting from these different positions, earning points for each successful shot. You can assign different point values to each position based on its difficulty. The player with the most points at the end of the round wins. “Star Shooting” adds an element of excitement and uniqueness to regular shooting practice.
Source: about.underarmour.com
Crazy Cones:
Set up a course with cones in various formations and sizes on the basketball court. The kids must dribble through the course, weaving in and out of the cones, and performing different dribbling moves as they navigate through the obstacles. You can create different levels of difficulty for different age groups. The aim of the game is to complete the course as quickly as possible without knocking over any cones. “Crazy Cones” improves dribbling skills, agility, and concentration.
Source: elitebasketballsecrets.wordpress.com
Basketball Simon Says:
Put a basketball twist on the classic “Simon Says” game. One player acts as “Simon,” giving commands related to basketball actions (e.g., “Simon says dribble with your left hand,” “Simon says shoot a layup,” etc.). The other players must follow the instructions only when the command is prefaced with “Simon says.” If “Simon” gives a command without saying “Simon says,” and a player follows it, they are out of the game. The last player remaining becomes the next “Simon.” This game helps reinforce basketball skills and keeps the kids engaged in a fun and interactive way.
Source: ozswoosh.com
Dunk Sponge Relay:
Create a dunking challenge using a sponge and a bucket of water. Divide the kids into teams and place a bucket filled with water at one end of the court. At the other end, hang a hoop lower than usual (using an adjustable hoop if available). Each player takes turns dunking the sponge into the water bucket and then racing down the court to shoot the soaked sponge into the hoop. The team that successfully dunks the most sponges within a time limit wins. It’s a wet and wild game that combines shooting, dribbling, and teamwork.
Source: playtivities.com
