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10+ Best Kids Tennis Racquets for Juniors + Sizing | Parent's Guide

10+ Best Kids Tennis Rackets for Juniors

A Parent’s Guide

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By Jon Crim
TennisCompanion

Tennis is a lifetime sport. Introduce your kids early, and they’ll be able to enjoy the game for many years to come.

As a parent, you may be wondering what’s the best tennis racquet for your child or toddler and how to choose the right size. To help, I’ll share my picks of the best kid’s tennis racquets, but I’ll also walk you through all the factors to consider so you can set them up for success.

If you’re in shopping mode and looking to jump straight to my top picks, then check out the table below.

RacquetAvailable Sizes (Inches)
Wilson US Open Junior19, 21, 23, 25
Dunlop Nitro Junior19, 21, 23, 25
Street Kids Tennis Racquet17, 19, 21
Minions Junior19, 21, 23, 25
Wilson Burn Pink Junior19, 21, 23, 25
Wilson Blade Junior19, 21, 23, 25
Gamma Junior Tennis Racquet19, 21, 23, 25
Marvel Spider-Man Junior19, 21, 23, 25
Head Speed Djokovic Junior19, 21, 23, 25
Babolat Aero Nadal Junior19, 21, 23, 25, 26
Head Instinct Blue Racquet21, 23, 25
Weierfu Kids Racquet17

I’ll start by diving into the essential details of kids’ tennis racquets and follow that up with a detailed review of each racquet listed above.

Article Contents

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1

Racquet Index

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2

Age to Start Kids in Tennis

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3

Evolution of Kids Tennis

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4

Racquet Sizing Chart

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5

Testing Racquet Length

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6

Grip Sizes

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7

Kids Tennis Strings

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8

Racquet Materials & Weight

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9

Boys vs Girls Racquets

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10

The Best Kids Tennis Racquet

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11

Buyers Guide & Reviews

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12

Common Questions

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Racquet Index

Kids Racquet Index

To learn more about each racquet and why they made it on my list of the best tennis racquets, click any of the following links:

  1. Wilson US Open Junior
  2. Dunlop Nitro Junior
  3. Street Kids Tennis Racquet
  4. Minions Junior
  5. Wilson Burn Pink Junior
  6. Wilson Blade Junior
  7. Gamma Junior Tennis Racquet
  8. Marvel Spider-Man Junior
  9. Head Speed Djokovic Junior
  10. Babolat Aero Nadal Junior
  11. Head Instinct Blue Racquet
  12. Weierfu Kids Racquet
  13. Hello Kitty Pink Junior

Otherwise, keep scrolling to learn everything you’ll need to know to set your child up with the perfect tennis racquet.

What’s the Right Age for Kids to Start Tennis?

What's the Right Age for Kids to Start Tennis?

Before diving too deep, you may be wondering if there’s an ideal time to get your child started playing tennis.

Life StageAges
Toddler1-3 years
Preschool3-5 years
Gradeschooler5-12 years
Teen12-18 years
Young Adult18-21 years

I recommend that parents start their kids in group tennis lessons as early as preschool, at roughly 3 or 5 years old, or as soon as they express interest. To get them involved, they need to have the right equipment, and the emphasis should be on getting them out on a court to be active and have some fun.

Of course, if your child is older than 5, don’t get discouraged. It’s never too late to get kids involved in tennis. Roger Federer didn’t start playing until he was eight years old, and things worked out just fine for him.

It’s also worth checking with your local club or instructor to confirm what ages they accept for lessons because some instructors don’t teach all ages of players or have the appropriate equipment to do so.

The Evolution of Kids’ Tennis

The Evolution of Kids Tennis

There has been a push to make tennis a kid-friendly sport that nurtures growth and maximizes the fun factor in recent years.

In the past, children were taught on the same size courts as adults, with equal size tennis balls. Furthermore, instructors paid significantly less attention to ensuring the appropriate size tennis racquet.

Luckily, through research and the efforts of organizations like the USTA, the sport of tennis has significantly evolved for children.

In 2010, the USTA introduced 10 and Under Tennis to help promote the sport ensure the success of children learning tennis at an early age. The general premise is to provide kids with the right size racquet, court, and balls to match their age range, which aids in their development and enjoyment and subsequently increases the likelihood of sticking with it.

Below are the four stages of 10 and Under Tennis, along with general recommendations for the correct size tennis racquet. As you can see, they express ranges for selecting an appropriately sized racquet.

StageAgesSize
Red stage 14-6 years23 inches or less
Red stage 26-8 years23 inches or less
Orange7-10 years23-25 inches
Green11-12 years25-27 inches

Although these recommendations get us in the ballpark, they’re not quite specific enough, so let’s dive a bit deeper with more detailed guidance.

A Racquet Sizing Chart for Kids

A Racquet Sizing Chart for Kids

While selecting the right size tennis racquet for kids is less complicated than for adults, it’s still not an exact science.

Every child is unique and develops at a different pace, so it’s important to match each child with the appropriate racquet to help ensure they stay injury-free and have a blast on the court.

With that said, there are some simple guidelines that we can use to determine which tennis racquet will be a great fit.

The following chart outlines the approximate racquet length that is appropriate for kids of a certain age and height, which is a great starting point and should narrow things down for you.

Inches

AgeHeightRacquet
4 or younger40 in or less19 in
4-5 years40-44 in21 in
6-8 years45-49 in23 in
9-10 years50-55 in25 in
10 or older55+ in26 in

Centimeters

AgeHeightRacquet
4 or younger102 cm or less48.3 cm
4-5 years102-113 cm53.3 cm
6-8 years114-126 cm58.4 cm
9-10 years127-140 cm63.5 cm
10 or older140+ cm66.0 cm

As the chart suggests, the most critical measurements for selecting a junior tennis racquet are the length of the racquet and the height of your child.

The length of a tennis racquet is one of the main adjustments manufacturers make to ensure they are kid-friendly, while the height of your child will help determine which racquet length they should be using.

The guide above will be sufficient for choosing the right size racquet for most parents. However, you might find your child doesn’t fit perfectly into the table above, so I have a quick test you can run to make sure you have the perfect fit.

Testing Racquet Length for Your Child

Testing Racquet Length for Your Child

First, you’ll want to start by getting your hands on the two sizes your child will most likely fit based on the chart above. You can order the racquets online with a plan to return one or head to your local tennis shop or sporting goods store to do it in person.

Once you have the two racquets on hand, start with your child standing tall in front of you. Next, place one of the tennis racquets to their side with the head of the racquet resting on the ground and the butt cap of the racquet handle pointing up toward the sky or ceiling.

Now, have your child place the palm of their hand on the racquet’s butt cap (the very bottom of the handle) like a cane.

If your child’s arm comfortably extends and rests on the butt cap of the tennis racquet, then you’ve found the right length racquet. However, if your child has to bend their arm to comfortably rest their hand on the butt cap or their hand doesn’t reach the butt cap, then you’ll probably want to move up or down a size.

If you’re looking to make your purchase online and don’t want to deal with the hassle of returning a racquet, then you can measure for the right fit. Again, with your child standing tall and their arm extended downward, measure from the floor to your child’s hand to find the right fit.

If it’s practical to do so, I’d still recommend you order two size racquets and then return the one that didn’t fit as closely, so there’s no question you have the right size, but I understand that’s not realistic for everyone.

With that said, it’s important to note that there isn’t always going to be a perfect fit for every child. If you find your child is between two sizes and you aren’t sure which direction to go, I’d recommend the smaller size. It will be easier for them to handle and gentler on their arm.

It may be tempting to buy a larger junior racquet that your child can grow into to save money. However, I’d recommend against this approach and encourage you to match your child with the appropriately sized racquet for two reasons. First, they’ll have more fun with a racquet designed for their age and height. Second, moving to a racquet that’s too big too soon can put children at risk of injury, which isn’t worth the small savings.

Helpful Tip
As a parent, it can be beneficial to listen and watch for signs from your child while they’re playing tennis. If they’re out hitting on the court and you see them shaking their wrist or arm while playing or between points out of discomfort, or they complain about a sore wrist or arm, then it might be worth taking another look at their racquet size.

Often, this happens when a child moves to a larger racquet size prematurely, so you shouldn’t feel the need to rush yours into a larger racquet solely because of their age or height.

Grip Sizes for Kids

Tennis Racquet Grip Sizes for Kids

A racquet’s grip size refers to the circumference of its handle and measures in inches or millimeters. For kids, selecting the appropriate grip size is made easy because most manufacturers produce a single grip size for each children’s tennis racquet they offer.

In other words, the grip size will correspond with the racquet’s length, so the larger the racquet, the larger the grip size. Here’s a quick table that outlines common grip sizes for children’s tennis racquets.

Racquet Size (in)Grip Size (in)Grip Size (mm)
173 1/289
193 1/289
213 1/289
233 5/892
253 7/898
264102

Unfortunately, these sizes aren’t standard across all kids’ racquets. As a result, you may come across a bit of variation, but you shouldn’t have any issues as long as you get the length right for your child.

Helpful Tip
If you’d like to see how these compare to adult grip sizes for a bit of extra context, you can check out my guide here.

In some cases, a racquet grip may be too large or too small for your child. If that’s the case, you can make some adjustments to customize the fit.

Making the grip smaller tends to be a little more challenging, so the best recommendation would be to speak to your instructor or take your racquet to your local tennis shop. They’ll likely have the tools to make changes while maintaining a comfortable feel.

If you think the grip size is too small, the easiest way to build up a grip is to add an overgrip, which will increase the grip size by about 1/16 of an inch. It’s unlikely that you’d need to increase the grip size too much, but your local tennis shop can help you build up your child’s grip with a more permanent fix if necessary.

Tennis Strings for Kids

Tennis Strings for Kids

Generally speaking, the manufacturer will pre-strung kids tennis racquets, which they do for a good reason. Strings aren’t an essential factor in the early stages of learning how to play tennis.

The difference in performance that strings offer is nuanced and will come into play once your child has developed sufficient skills to detect those differences and reap the performance advantages.

My general recommendation for parents is not to worry about the strings until your child uses at least a 26-inch tennis racquet, which tends to happen once they hit their teens. At that point, the types of strings and their tension may start to become a factor worth considering.

Some parents may find the skillset of their children advancing significantly faster than their peers. If that’s the case, and your child is spending many hours on the court, I would encourage you to begin experimenting with string selection, primarily to ensure comfort. A great place to start is my guide on selecting tennis strings.

Kids Racquet Materials & Weight

Kids Tennis Racquet Materials and Weight

Like strings, advanced racquet materials aren’t crucial in selecting a tennis racquet for kids. Except for weight, kids won’t be able to tell the difference in feel comparing one material with the next.

Typically, junior tennis racquets are made of affordable and lightweight aluminum and sometimes a mix of graphite. For parents, this is good news because these are inexpensive materials that make kids’ tennis racquets significantly more affordable than performance tennis racquets.

The most crucial factor regarding material and a kids’ tennis racquet is durability, and all of the racquets in my list of the top racquets for kids stand up to the test.

Boys vs. Girls Racquets

Boys vs. Girls Racquets for Kids

As a parent, you may be curious about what, if any, differences there are between boys’ and girls’ tennis racquets.

Fortunately, there isn’t any difference between the two. All kids’ tennis racquets are unisex, which is also true for adult tennis racquets.

With that said, there are styles and colors that manufacturers gear towards boys and girls, e.g., the Spiderman and Hello Kitty racquets on my list. However, we’re purely talking design differences to appeal to boys or girls, so they’re entirely interchangeable.

The Best Kids Tennis Racquet

The Best Kids Tennis Racquet

When it comes to buying children’s tennis racquets, the best racquet is one that meets the following criteria:

  • Appropriately sized
  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Pre-strung
  • Affordable

If you combine these attributes with a racquet your child is excited to play with, then you’ve got a slam dunk. The tennis racquets in my guide below meet the above criteria to make things easy.

Once you make a selection, all you’ll have to do is make sure the size is available and accurate for your child.

Buyers Guide & Reviews for Kids Tennis Racquets

Now comes the fun part! Once you’ve nailed down the right size tennis racquet for your child, it’s time to find one they’ll love.

For kids, I find it typically comes down to a few simple factors:

  • Color: I find toddlers and younger children tend to pick a tennis racquet based on the color, and there are plenty of options.
  • Theme: From Hello Kitty to Spiderman, a few kids’ tennis racquets are themed, which may be something to consider.
  • Favorite player: When your child is old enough to recognize players consistently, I tend to find they want the brand of racquet their idol uses. In some cases, brands even have a children’s version of their top sponsored players’ racquets, like Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, or Rafael Nadal.

Below, you’ll find my selection of the 13 best kids’ tennis racquets for juniors. Many of these recommendations come in different sizes and colors, so I’ve listed those specifics when available.

Furthermore, all of the racquets on the list are made from sturdy aluminum and come pre-strung, so your child can start hitting right away.

Wilson US Open Junior Tennis Racquet

The Wilson US Open tennis racquet is one of the most popular racquets for kids getting started with tennis. One of the great things about this tennis racquet is that it comes in four different sizes and colors, so as your child grows, you can just move them up to the next size without having to change the type of racquet they are using.

Each racquet features the red Wilson logo on the strings and throat of the racquet, the size in inches printed on the frame’s edge, and the words US Open printed at the top of the racquet’s head.

SizesAges
19 inches4 years or younger
21 inches4-5 years
23 inches6-8 years
25 inches9-10 years

Dunlop Nitro Junior Tennis Racquet

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Wilson US Open kids tennis racquet, then the Dunlop Nito racquet is worth checking out.

The tennis racquet comes in a few sizes ranging from 19″ to 25″. Each racquet comes pre-strung with white strings that include the Dunlop logo printed boldly on them for a bit of flair.

Finally, the racquets feature “Dunlop” printed on the top of the racquet’s head while the top of the throat features the word “Nitro.” The racquet’s colors include yellow, white, and black.

SizesAges
19 inches4 years or younger
21 inches4-5 years
23 inches6-8 years
25 inches9-10 years

Street Tennis Racquet for Kids

This fun kids’ tennis racquet stands out from the crowd with a giant smiley face printed on the strings, and it comes in three different sizes.

Its primary colors are black and yellow, but it also has pops of red, green, and blue graffiti-style print on the edge of the racquet and uses a white grip.

With the available 17-inch racquet, it’s a perfect racquet to start your child with at a young age.

SizesAges
17 inches4 years or younger
19 inches4 years or younger
21 inches4-5 years

Minions Junior Tennis Racquet

This minions-themed tennis racquet is a favorite among children ages 4-10 years old. Its bold yellow color along with black minion graphics at the sides of the racquet’s head ensure your child will hit the court in style.

Opposite the Wilson logo printed on the racquet’s throat, you’ll find minions printed. Plus, this racquet even offers matching yellow strings with the Wilson logo printed on them. Finally, the racquet comes with a black grip that’s soft and comfortable to hold.

SizesAges
19 inches4 years or younger
21 inches4-5 years
23 inches6-8 years
25 inches9-10 years

Wilson Burn Pink Junior Tennis Racquet

If your child is looking for a pink tennis racquet, then this one is sure to be a winner.

This racquet’s bold pink paint job draws inspiration from the popular tour-level Wilson Burn tennis racquet, and it features white strings with a red Wilson logo. At 3 and 9 o’clock on the racquet’s head, it has white geometric highlights. Finally, at the racquet’s throat, you’ll find “Wilson” printed on one side and “Burn” on the opposite side.

SizesAges
19 inches4 years or younger
21 inches4-5 years
23 inches6-8 years
25 inches9-10 years

Wilson Blade Junior Tennis Racquet

As an alternative to the pink version of the Wilson Burn kids tennis racquet, this version features a sleek black and grey paint job with green highlights and classic white strings that include a red Wilson logo.

Wilson prints the racquet size on the racquet’s throat along with the “Blade'” logo. On the other side, the throat features the Wilson logo.

Last but not least, “Blade” is displayed on the inner edge at the top of the racquet’s head for a stylish look.

SizesAges
19 inches4 years or younger
21 inches4-5 years
23 inches6-8 years

Gamma Junior Tennis Racquet

Gamma is a long-standing brand in the tennis world, and they offer a range of four tennis racquet sizes for kids.

Similar to the Wilson US Open line of kids tennis racquets, theirs are color-coded by size, including 19, 21, 23, and 25-inch models colored blue, red, orange, and green, respectively.

Each aluminum tennis racquet is lightweight, easy to use, and a perfect fit for boys and girls.

SizesAges
19 inches4 years or younger
21 inches4-5 years
23 inches6-8 years
25 inches9-10 years

Marvel Spider-Man Junior Tennis Racquet

If your child is into Spider-Man, then this tennis racquet from Marvel is a no-brainer for a variety of ages, as it comes in four different sizes.

It has a red, black, and blue paint job with white strings that feature a bold Spider-Man graphic. It also includes a fun red grip that will be sure to stand out from the crowd.

SizesAges
19 inches4 years or younger
21 inches4-5 years
23 inches6-8 years
25 inches9-10 years

Head Speed Djokovic Junior Tennis Racquet

Inspired by Head’s tour-level Speed tennis racquet, this frame is perfect for kids who idolize Novak Djokovic, one of the biggest names in tennis.

Like the Wilson US Open kids tennis racquet, this one comes in four different sizes and a different color for each size.

On all four versions, it features the Head logo stenciled on the strings and printed on the side and bottom of the racquet’s head.

SizesAges
19 inches (green)4 years or younger
21 inches (red)4-5 years
23 inches (yellow)6-8 years
25 inches (blue)9-10 years

Babolat Aero Nadal Junior Tennis Racquet

If your child can’t get enough of Rafael Nadal, look no further than this racquet, which has a paint job to look just like his professional model. With four different sizes, a wide range of children can enjoy this tennis racquet.

It features an updated black and yellow color scheme, with pink and orange highlights, just like the model he uses on tour. Top it off with black strings and a grip, and your child will be channeling their inner Rafa and having a blast out on the court.

SizesAges
19 inches4 years or younger
21 inches4-5 years
23 inches6-8 years
25 inches9-10 years
26 inches10 years or older

Head Instinct Blue Tennis Racquet for Kids

Another option from Head for kids who love the color blue is the Instinct tennis racquet.

It’s painted a neon blue with pink and white highlights and white tennis strings that display the Head logo printed in black. There are three sizes available for this racquet, and I love the color!

SizesAges
21 inches4-5 years
23 inches6-8 years
25 inches9-10 years

Weierfu Kids Tennis Racquet

A brand that you may not have heard of, Weierfu has been around since 1990 and offers three different size kids’ tennis racquets.

Each racquet has a base color of white with either yellow or red highlights, and all of them come with a white grip. The inside edge of each racquet’s head reads Tornado and then the size, i.e., Tornado 17. Both are great starter racquets for young children.

SizesAges
17 inches4 years or younger

Hello Kitty Pink Junior Tennis Racquet

This Hello Kitty themed tennis racquet is a kid favorite! It’s pink and white with the Hello Kitty logo printed on the strings.

Hello Kitty is written on the racquet’s throat and the inner edge of the racquet’s head. It even features a fun pink grip with the logo and words Hello Kitty printed on it, which is a nice touch.

With four different sizes available, this is an excellent racquet for a wide range of children.

SizesAges
19 inches4 years or younger
21 inches4-5 years
23 inches6-8 years
25 inches9-10 years

Common Questions

How much do kids’ tennis racquets cost?
Most kids’ tennis racquets will fall in the $20-30 range. You’ll find a few tennis racquets priced lower and some larger tennis racquets priced higher, but parents should be able to find a racquet at these price points.

Click here to learn more about tennis racquet pricing.

Where can I buy kids’ tennis racquets?
Kids tennis racquets can easily be found online, at big box stores, and at your local tennis shop. Here are a few where you’ll typically have luck:

  • Amazon
  • Target
  • Walmart
  • Dicks Sporting Goods

If you’re looking for some in-person advice, you’re most likely not going to find that at the above stores, but your local tennis club or retailer will be more than happy to lend a helping hand.

Of course, feel free to comment at the bottom of this article if you have any questions, and we’ll be happy to help there as well.

What else do I need for my child to play tennis?

For many kids, the only thing you’ll need to get them started in tennis is a racquet. However, depending on where they’re learning or taking lessons, you may find they need non-marking shoes as well.

Kids require non-marking shoes when instruction occurs on full-sized hard courts, where footwear can leave undesired marks or skids on the court. It’s worth checking with your child’s instructor or tennis club beforehand to see if this is a requirement.

Luckily, top shoe brands all offer non-marking soles, so it’s not particularly challenging to find a pair that will be suitable.

Can you demo kids’ tennis racquets?
Typically, you’re not going to find demo racquets for kids. Your local tennis club may have a few on hand to help you find the right size, but it’s not common because of the simplicity of kids’ racquets and low price points.

What are the differences between kids’ and adults’ tennis racquets?
There are a host of differences between kids’ and adults’ racquets, but here are some of the key differences:

  • Price: While affordable adult racquets are on the market for beginners, most popular racquets for adults are significantly more expensive.
  • Size: Adult tennis racquets are full size or 27 inches in length. Some extended-length adult racquets can be as long as 28 inches. On the other hand, kids’ tennis racquets can be as small as 15 inches.
  • Materials: Racquet manufacturers use advanced materials to provide adults with a selection of different racquets that each offer unique attributes and feel. Kids’ tennis racquets are typically made of inexpensive aluminum to keep the price down.

At what age should a child use a full-size tennis racquet?
Most kids won’t graduate to a full-sized 27-inch tennis racquet until they’re age 13 or older and roughly 60 inches or five feet tall.

With that said, it’s important not to rush your child into a full-sized racquet. I find it’s the kids that are eager to upgrade their racquet, so it’s good to know when it’s time to make the transition.

Of course, every child progresses differently, so this is a great decision to make with the help of your child’s tennis instructor.

Final Thoughts

With a bit of effort, you can have your child matched up with a great racquet in no time at all. Doing so will help prevent injury caused by using a racquet that’s too large and keep your child out on the court having fun for hours.

Do you still have questions? I’m here to help! Feel free to ask in the comments below.

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8 replies
    • TennisCompanion
      TennisCompanion says:

      Thanks for your note Vikas – glad you found it useful and thanks for visiting :)

      ~ All the best, Jon

      Reply
  2. Marge Skipper
    Marge Skipper says:

    I’m not getting the email from you to allow me to see the 3 hints for buying kids tennis racquets, despite 2 tries. I used the same email for the tennis racquet recommendation and it worked. What’s up?

    Reply
    • TennisCompanion
      TennisCompanion says:

      Hi, Marge! I apologize that you had trouble accessing the 3 tips for buying a kids tennis racquet – I imagine that was a bit frustrating. I’ve just sent you an email with a link to this content. Of course, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to let me know. Otherwise, enjoy the free content :)

      ~All the best, Jon

      Reply

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