Regular exercise is very important for children. Active children are healthier, happier, and less likely to grow up into adults with weight issues. They will also sleep more soundly and be better able to cope with the emotional upheavals of school. Unfortunately it’s not always easy to persuade kids to spend time outdoors. Most of them prefer to be locked in a bedroom, glued to a screen!
Basketball hoops are great for encouraging kids to be more active. Children can practice shooting hoops alone or develop their social skills as part of competitive games with friends. It’s an easy way to teach hand-eye coordination and motor skills, especially in younger children. But most of all, shooting baskets is fun, which should make it easier to persuade your kids to spend time outdoors.
Kids of any age will enjoy playing with basketball hoops, but do make sure you buy an age-appropriate hoop with the rim set at the right height. Shooting baskets needs to be a little bit challenging, but if it’s too difficult, your kids will soon give up!
To make it easier for you to buy the right product for your kids, here are nine of the best basketball hoops for children of all ages.
Also Check Out:
Basketball Hoops for Kids
 | Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set | Check price at |
 | Step2 Shootin Hoops Junior Basketball Set | Check price at |
 | Lifetime 5818 Classic Basketball Rim | Check price at |
 | Fisher-Price I Can Play Basketball | Check price at |
 | Little Tikes Adjust and Jam Pro Basketball Set | Check price at |
 | SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop Lowest Price | Check price at |
 | Lifetime 90022 Youth Height Adjustable Portable Basketball System | Check price at |
 | Little Tikes Attach ân Play Basketball Set | Check price at |
 | Jump Slammer Trampoline Basketball Hoop by Trampoline Pro | Check price at |
1. Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set
Introduce your kids to competitive play from a young age. The Little Tikes EasyScore basketball set is ideal for children aged between 18 months and 5 years. The set comes with a junior-sized basketball, which is perfect for small hands. The basketball hoop is height adjustable, so it can grow with your child and provide just the right level of challenge for wannabe basketball pros.
2. Step2 Shootin’ Hoops Junior Basketball Set
The Step2 Shootin’ Hoops basketball set is great for kids aged 2-8 years. The basketball rim can be adjusted from 2.5 to 4 feet, so it will grow with your child. The base is large and sturdy and can be weighted down with sand or water for extra stability. The backboard is nice and large and there is even a drinks holder built into the base, so kids can stay hydrated while they shoot baskets.
3. Lifetime 5818 Classic Basketball Rim
If you’re looking for a classic basketball hoop to fix to the side of your house, look no further. The Lifetime 5818 basketball rim is made from solid steel and comes with an all-weather net, so it is sturdy enough to withstand some aggressive, super competitive play from older kids and teens – or adults if you fancy your chances! All hardware is included.
4. Fisher-Price I Can Play Basketball
The Fisher-Price I Can Play Basketball is designed to grow with your kids. The basketball hoop is fully adjustable, starting at 3 feet and increasing up to 6 feet, so even teenagers can play. The base can be weighted down and there is a ball return scoop so your kids don’t have to chase after the ball when they score a basket. It’s a great activity toy for encouraging competitive play, but kids can also play solo if they have some spare time and their friends are unavailable for a game.
5. Little Tikes Adjust and Jam Pro Basketball Set
The Adjust and Jam Pro Basketball set by Little Tikes can be adjusted to suit kids of different ages. The set can be used indoors or outside in the yard and it comes with a junior-sized basketball. It is suitable for toddlers up to teenagers and is the perfect introduction to competitive basketball. The set is nice and sturdy, but the base does need to be weighted down with sand or water.
6. SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop
Lots of basketball hoops are designed for outdoor use, but the SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop is perfect for indoor installation in a basement, garage or gym. The easy to assemble basketball hoop frame can be mounted over a door or on a wall. The pro-grade steel rim is fitted with a tough nylon net and it snaps down and back up when kids slam a basket in. The extra-large backboard is made from shatterproof polycarbonate, so shooting baskets is that bit easier for younger kids.
7. Lifetime 90022 Youth Height Adjustable Portable Basketball System
The Lifetime 90022 portable basketball system for teens comes with a 15-inch folding basketball rim made from solid steel, fitted with an all-weather nylon basketball net. The telescopic stand is fully height adjustable, so it can be used by kids of different ages. The set is rust-resistant, so you can leave it out all year round, no matter what the weather throws at it. The ten-gallon base can be filled with water or sand for extra stability.
8. Little Tikes Attach ‘n Play Basketball Set
The Little Tikes Attach ‘n Play is the ideal accessory for an impromptu basketball game. This basketball hoop fixes to doors with an adjustable strap, so your kids can play anywhere – even on vacation! It can also be attached to a standard basketball post. The basketball hoop and net can be folded away for easy storage between games. A junior basketball is included with this set so kids can start playing immediately.
9. Jump Slammer Trampoline Basketball Hoop by Trampoline Pro
If your kids like a challenge and a standard basketball hoop has lost its allure, you need to buy them a Jump Slammer trampoline basketball hoop to up the ante and introduce a whole new level of fun into trampoline activities. This super cool basketball hoop is designed to fix on to a trampoline enclosure pole via bracket mounts. It should fit any standard enclosure pole, including curved and arch-type poles. The frame is made from powder coated steel for extra durability and the foam ball included with the set is safe to use on a trampoline.
This is a pretty comprehensive list of the most popular brands and designs of basketball hoops you will find in the stores today, but if you have any great suggestions for best-buys, let us know in the comments section!
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, ecastro.