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7 Best Soccer Balls & Other Equipment for Kids (2025 Reviews)

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Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. Kids of all ages love kicking around a soccer ball. Soccer is also a great way to teach your child coordination and balance, increase their physical activity, and teach them teamwork and sportsmanship.

If your child wants to learn to play this game, they’re going to need a good soccer ball and other equipment to practice. To help you figure out which is best for your child, I’ve created this list of the 7 best soccer balls and equipment for kids.

Best Soccer Balls & Other Equipment for Kids

  • 1. Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball

    (Best Value — $$)

    Why it’s great: Wilson is the top brand when it comes to sports equipment. This soccer ball is the traditional style, with black and white panels. You can also choose an all-black version or blue and black. It’s made of synthetic leather for increased durability and has a butyl rubber bladder for the best shape and air retention. It can stand up to the regular wear and tear that comes with training, and it works great on the grass, street, or pitch. It comes in sizes 3, 4, and 5, so it works for almost any age. This ball is high-quality at an affordable price. 

    Keep in mind: This ball is not soft, so it may hurt if your child gets hit with it. 

    Good for: Kids who want a traditional soccer ball at an affordable price.

    Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. Franklin Sports Kids Mini Soccer Goal Set - Backyard/Indoor Mini Net and Ball Set with Pump

    (Best for Beginners — $$)

    Why it’s great: This little mini soccer ball and mini goal is the perfect set for younger kids to start learning the sport. The net folds down compactly for storage, making it great for the backyard and trips to the park. It’s super lightweight and easy to carry too. The ball is much smaller than a regular ball at only 5”, making it easy for toddlers and preschoolers to kick around. This set also comes with a pump, so you can make sure the ball is inflated properly. 

    Keep in mind: This is recommended for kids ages 1-6 years old, but the ball is tiny, so you may want to consider buying a bigger size to use with the net if your child really loves to play soccer.

    Good for: Toddlers and preschoolers who want to play soccer.

    Franklin Sports Kids Mini Soccer Goal Set

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Champion Sports Extreme Series Composite Soccer Ball: Sizes 3, 4, 5

    (Most Durable — $)

    Why it’s great: This soccer ball was built to last. It’s made of premium TPU, which is a combination of soft and hard silicone, that’s super durable and can withstand any weather conditions. It’s soft enough to prevent injuries but hard enough to offer better performance. The stitches are machine-stitched and reinforced for added durability. This ball comes in sizes 3, 4, and 5, so you can find one for every age. It also comes in nine different solid color options. 

    Keep in mind: This ball comes deflated, so you’ll need a pump.

    Good for: Kids who want a soccer ball that will last a few seasons at least.

    Champion Sports Extreme Series

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. Franklin Sports I-Color Sports Ball

    (Most Fun — $$)

    Why it’s great: This is another mini soccer ball, but it’s 8”, so a little bigger than the previous mini option. It’s made of plastic with black panels and a fun design that your child can color and decorate however they’d like. It also comes with ten markers in bright colors. This ball is soft and durable, making it a great choice for younger kids since it won’t hurt as much if they get hit with it. This is a great choice for kids who just want to play around kicking a soccer ball.

    Keep in mind: This one is a mini ball, so it’s best for toddlers and preschoolers. 

    Good for: Younger kids who love art and want to decorate their own soccer ball.

    Franklin Sports I-Color Sports Ball

    View on Amazon.com ➜

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  • 5. UNICLI Sports Soccer Cones Training Equipment

    (Best for Agility Training — $$)

    Why it’s great: These training cones are perfect for kids who want to practice agility drills. You can set them up however you’d like and have your child practice kicking the ball between and around them. They come in a set of 50 in bright colors that are easy to see. They also come with a stand and mesh bag for storage and portability. These cones can also be used for training in other sports, and your child can get creative and make up their own games to play with them. 

    Keep in mind: These are pretty thin and flimsy, but they do the job, especially for kids. 

    Good for: Kids who want to work on their agility to improve their soccer skills.

    UNICLI Sports Soccer Cones

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 6. JOGENMAX Portable Soccer Goal, Pop Up Goal Nets with Aim Target, Set of 2, with Agility Training Cones, LED Lights, and Carry Case

    (Best Training Set — $$$)

    Why it’s great: This soccer set comes with two goals, two targets, and six cones. The goals are made with fiberglass poles and reinforced netting for durability. They also have LED lights, which allow your child to see the goal well enough to play in the evenings when the sun goes down. The training cones provide agility training, and the target helps your little one learn how to aim their kicks straight into the goal. The goals fold up, and the set comes with a carrying case for easy portability. 

    Keep in mind: This set doesn’t come with a soccer ball, so you’ll need to purchase that separately. 

    Good for: Kids who are serious about soccer and want to improve their skills in the game.

    JOGENMAX Portable Soccer Goal

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. SKLZ Star-Kick Hands-Free Adjustable Solo Soccer Trainer - Fits Ball Sizes 3, 4, and 5

    (Best for Solo Passing & Receiving Training — $)

    Why it’s great: This unique tool attaches to your child and their soccer ball with a stretchy cord that’s about 18 feet long. The neoprene belt is adjustable to give your child a perfect fit, and the ball glove fits soccer balls sizes 3, 4, and 5. This tool returns the ball to your child, allowing them to practice passing, receiving, and much more all by themselves. It comes in five different color options, so you can choose your child’s favorite. With this belt, your child won’t have to keep chasing after the ball, and they’ll be able to improve their kicking skills. 

    Keep in mind: The harder your child kicks the ball, the harder it’s going to return, so make sure your child is prepared for that, or they could get hurt. 

    Good for: Kids who want to improve their soccer kicking skills

    SKLZ Star Solo Soccer Trainer

    View on Amazon.com ➜

Best Overall

Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball

The Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..

Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball

View on Amazon.com ➜

FAQs about Soccer Balls & Equipment for Kids

  • 1. What’s the difference between a regular soccer ball and a kids’ soccer ball?

    Since kids are smaller, it stands to reason that they’ll need a smaller soccer ball to be able to play the sport properly. Kids’ balls come in different sizes for different ages. They’re usually less expensive but made of more durable materials to stand up to wear and tear. There are many for toddlers and preschoolers with bright colors and designs as well.

  • 2. What size soccer ball is best for kids?

    This will depend on their age, as there are different sizes for different age groups. Here’s a quick guide:

    • Size 2: All ages for skills training
    • Size 3: Kids 7 and under
    • Size 4: 8-11 years old
    • Size 5: 12 years old and up

  • 3. What’s the difference between a training ball and a match ball?

    Training balls are usually cheaper but also more durable. They’re built to take a lot of kicks and will last longer. Match balls are more expensive, but they perform much better. They’re usually only used for games so as to avoid all the wear and tear from practice.

  • 4. What material is best for a kids’ soccer ball?

    For kids under the age of 12, the material isn’t as important as it would be for teens and adults. The most common materials you’ll find are plastic, PVC, or synthetic leather. The first two are cheaper and durable, while the last is better quality and will give better performance.

  • 5. What other equipment is necessary for kids to play soccer?

    This varies based on skill level and what kind of play you’re talking about. If your child just wants to kick around a ball, they may not really need any other type of equipment. However, if they actually want to play the game, you’ll need goals. You may also want to keep a pump handy to fill your ball when it becomes deflated. There are other things that will help your child train for the game as well, like those included in this list.

Conclusion

Whether your child is playing for fun or is serious about the sport, soccer is a great pastime. It gets your kid active and allows them to learn new skills like teamwork and cooperation. 

This list should help you figure out which of these balls is a good fit for your child. If your child is serious about the game, you may want to invest in some of the other equipment as well.