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Jan 26, 2024

26 Fun Products To Introduce Sports To Your Kids

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Some fun and easy ways to have your favorite sport (hopefully) become your child's favorite, too.

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Promising review: "If you want your toddler to start practicing his/her baseball skills, this is the toy for you! Super compact and easy to set up and put away. The bat telescopes when you put it away, and it comes with a small net bag to put the balls away. The stand itself isn’t the strongest; one hit and it’ll bring the whole stand down, BUT it’s the perfect height for swinging practice! Would definitely recommend it." —Gracie

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

Promising review: "This tee is very durable, easy to assemble, and worth it. Those complaining about the smell must have lived quite the sheltered life if they aren’t familiar with what rubber smells like — which is what this product is comprised of. The first tee I purchased wasn’t durable at all (Rawlings), but this one is great. If the top part seems bent or out of position, very easy to bend back into place." —Eloy S.

Get it from Amazon for $21.84.

Promising review: "This basketball hoop is a beloved toy in our house! One of the standout features is its adjustability, allowing both my 19-month-old and 4-year-old to join in on the fun. It's fantastic to see them play together and develop their motor skills. With three basketballs included, there's no need to worry about any fighting over who gets to shoot next. However, I did find that adjusting the height can be a little difficult at times. But this basketball hoop is an absolute blast for toddlers and even brings out the inner child in parents! It's a versatile addition to playtime that appeals to kids of all ages. Whether your little one is just starting to explore or you're feeling nostalgic and want to join in on the fun, this toy has got you covered. It's a win-win for everyone involved!" —R

Get it from Amazon for $35.99.

Promising review: "This junior football is roughly 10 inches long in size, a little smaller than a full-size adult football. My kids really like the raised rubber laces on this football, as these make it easy for their small hands to hold the ball and throw it. We have been playing in the backyard and on paved roads, and this football has been working pretty well." —Jack Chu

Get it from Amazon for $5+ (available in five colors).

Promising review: "When I first saw this toy, I thought my baby wouldn’t be interested because she prefers to play with dolls and her little house/kitchen set. I was so wrong! She just laughs and giggles when she plays basketball and soccer. Dad loves it too. It’s not too bulky, so it’s a great addition to our space." —Kim

Get it from Target for $39.99.

Promising review: "If there is a way to break something, my kids will find a way to do it. Fortunately, this has withstood their constant stick slapping, and the netting has withstood objects other than the red ball being shot into it. For the price and the fact that they continue to play with this hockey set, I can say that I have not been happier with a purchase. Everything was put together with ease and within minutes. One thing to note is the black stick is meant for a left-handed person, and the white stick is for right-handed shooters." —ReiterAMG

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available for all NHL teams).

Promising review: "My son is 1-and-a-half-years-old, and I wanted to teach him a sport I knew really well. He loves to swing and hit things, so might as well transfer his energy to something fun and positive. Love the bright colors! Plus, my son loves abusing it. Takes a good beating too." —AlyCTv

Get it from Amazon for $25.99.

Promising review: "Perfect goggles for a beginner swimmer! Our child refuses to swim without these goggles. The bright colors are a plus to find at the bottom of the pool and stand out from everyone else's. We actually have had to buy them twice though, because they ended up at the bottom of a lake. The goggles fit perfectly and suction to the head. They even stay on without leaks when jumping/diving in!" —Melissa Brookshire

Get it from Amazon for $12.35+ (available in 9 colors).

Promising review: "I bought this since my 2-and-a-half-year-old son loves baseball. Already taught him how to hit off a tee; the next stop is teaching him defense. This glove is perfect; anything you throw, he catches, or it attaches to the glove. Great fundamentals on the concept of catching a ball inside a glove. He loves it so much that he sleeps with it. Would definitely recommend it to any parent that either loves the game of baseball or just wants their kid to have something active to do. We are very pleased with our purchase." —Jay

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

Requires two AA batteries.

Promising review: "We got this for my 5-year-old's birthday. He requested a bow for himself and one for his little brother (cute, right?). I was really worried about ordering a set of bows and having them end up crappy; I was especially worried about the quality of the arrows. I actually had a second set of arrows ready just assuming the ones coming in this pack would be crappy. Happy to say I was wrong. The arrows are surprisingly durable! They're large, thick, and actually stick to things when shot! The bows are also nice; they seem sturdy and shoot pretty accurately. I will say the strings came already pretty loose, so we tightened the strings, and that like, doubled the distance the arrows would go. My kids are rough on their toys, and these bows have held up beautifully." —Jonathan Castellanos

Get it from Amazon for $17.84+ (available in three size options).

Promising review: "Keeps my son’s laundry off the floor, and that is exactly what we needed it for!" —Momof1

Get it from Amazon for $33.

Promising review: "Bought because of my son (10) who gained an interest in tennis. My daughter (6) and I had more fun with it. We played outdoors because I like my indoor stuff to be un-broken and not knocked over. We played for hours, for a few days. Then we got bored of it. But I'm sure we will play again. Kids are so quick to move from one thing to the next nowadays. I remember playing with the same toys for years. Not like that anymore. Anyways, 5 stars. Gets kids active. Had no issues with anything. No complaints." —Chelsea Koehler

Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in two sizes and two color options).

Note: Goals pictured are 4 feet by 3 feet.

Promising review: "My son had such a surprise when he saw these as he had been asking for years for some. He puts them up and away whenever he decides to play soccer. I was so happy to buy these, and they hide well where you place them. And have a strap to carry if needed." —Sabrina

Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in five colors, also available in smaller and larger sizes).

Promising review: "Great quality! My son plays lacrosse. This allows him to throw and catch while in the pool. Always keep a stick and ball in their hand! Helps him enjoy the game and putting in the work a little more fun!" —HeatherBP

Get it from Target for $12.

Promising review: "This was a great buy! My son and his dad have been having so much fun with this. It didn’t take long to blow up (with an electric air pump), and we decided to put water in the bottom. Filling it with water was a little tricky because you have to hold the flap open so the water will go in. As long as you have enough water in the bottom, the thing will stand when blown up. Make sure to fill it with water or sand before blowing it up. Nice quality footballs that came with it." —brenda

Get it from Amazon for $23.87.

Promising review: "My toddler was throwing around an old foul ball we had, which hurt because it was a real baseball, so we knew it was time to get some useful toy balls. These are great because they have the look your kid will appreciate thanks to the painted stitching and logos, along with enough weight to toss across the room or yard, but soft and light enough that they don't hurt if someone gets beaned or a line drive gets sent back to the pitcher (you). They can really rebound too, so when your kid connects with the ball, they won't be met with a disappointing result. We use them indoors, and they seem pretty harmless so long as you put away any drinks, picture frames, vases, etc." —J. Dawson

Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

Promising review: "First of all, this is one of the cutest products that I have purchased in a long time. It is absolutely adorable and works really well. So I had this sent to my office so I could put it together for my son (not knowing how easy this would be) and then started playing with it. It is so much fun and so gratifying when the gator's chompers close down and his tail kicks the ball back. So much fun that it is still in my office (not at home with my son as intended), and I use it as a great way to break up the day and relieve some stress (everyone in the office comments on how cute it is, too). The only thing to note is that the tail will not kick back a 'real golf ball' as it is too heavy. So bottom line, I ordered another one so that both my son and I can have one. I have to give it 5 stars!" —Happy Dad

Get it from Amazon for $17.28.

Promising review: "I split this order between two households, both having second-grade grandsons learning footwork and ball control for soccer. These are perfect for practicing change in direction, left foot/right foot set close or far. Price was right, too!" —Meredith

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

Promising review: "Aside from having to look up how to use a ratchet strap (thank goodness for YouTube), these were a piece of cake to install. They feel sturdy, and the foot/hand holds are made of very durable plastic. We’ve only had them up for a few weeks, but they seem to be holding up really well with a lot of use. I can see having to tighten the ratchet strap over time, as they may stretch with more use. Very happy with this purchase, and all of my kids and the neighborhood kids love to use them. My youngest is five and uses it easily." —M. Levy

Get it from Amazon for $38.04+ (available in two color options).

Promising review: "My 4-year-old is obsessed with his board!! He’s very rambunctious, and the board is very sturdy and durable!! It’s so lightweight he can carry it all on his own. This made our beach adventure so much more fun!" –Nikki

"Paying as much as I did for the product, I had high expectations. Those expectations were met. This board is solid. It's made of good material and upheld well against much abuse. Took this thing on two beach vacations so far, and there is no sign of deterioration or excessive wear. Great product." —Jessica Morales

Get it from Amazon for $42.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).

Promising review: "Easy to assemble and break down. My 10-year-old uses this for batting off the tee as well as tossing balls to him from the side, practicing and learning pitching fundamentals, and we place it at first base to 'catch' balls as I hit grounders at him as he practices playing second base. An all-around sturdy and versatile tool worth the investment!" —Jami

Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in three styles).

Usage: Woom bike riders can start riding at 18-months (out of the womb, ha) and up to 14-years-old.

This is the bike that everyone (re: parents) seems to be raving about! I've seen them all around my neighborhood, on the sidewalks, and at the park, and they are gorgeous (and I say that as someone who generally detests bikes, it's a long story)! They've thought of everything to make your child's first riding experiences the best they can be with safety-first features like color-coordinated brakes, a steering limiter to prevent handlebars from overturning, and kid-friendly, ergonomically designed grips, pedals, and seat. Also, and this is kind of a big deal, Woom doesn't offer training wheels with their bikes because they believe starting with a balance bike is an easier and more positively effective way for kids to learn how to ride. Can't wait for one of my kids to give one of these a test ride! Let's roll!

Get it from Woom for $249+ for a balance bike and $399+ for a pedal bike (available in seven bike sizes and eight color options depending on model). Matching helmets are also available for $69.90 (available in three sizes and six colors).

Promising review: "I bought this for my 8-year-old. I was worried it might be a little small but no issue there. He has never hit a golf ball before, and this is helping him learn. He has missed the ball a few times, and the bottom piece goes flying, but it hasn't broken." —Chelle

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in two colors).

Maximum weight up to 250 pounds (so fun for adults, too). Whirly Board is a small, family-owned business run by a husband-and-wife duo.

Promising review: "We bought this for our kids ages 4–7. They all love it. Hubby and I use it, too. Great for core and stability work. Currently use it on the carpet in the basement, but will eventually switch to the hard floors as that will be more challenging." —colsus

Get it from Amazon for $149.95 (available in two styles).

Promising review: "This ball is amazing!! It has helped my 4-year-old so much learn how to position his hands while shooting. I also used the ball with the 5–7-year-old basketball team I coach. I love that it has hand placement for left- and right-handed shooters. It does lose a little air over time, but not enough to make that much of a difference. My son does use this ball for practice, where he dribbles up and down the court. In the end, this ball does what it is supposed to: help with hand placement when shooting." —Kristen

Get it from Amazon for $15.17 (available in two sizes).

Promising review: "My sons were complaining that when the basketball goes through the hoop, it would often hit the base of the basketball system, and the ball would kick out into the street really fast. So I purchased this, and the boys love it. It slows the ball just enough and directs it in the direction it's pointed at. The ball bounces back to the shooter, and he can keep taking shots without much hassle." —@rGRAYphotog

Get it from Amazon for $59.99.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.