A Parent’s Guide to Kids’ Racquets
+ My Top 13 Picks
A Parent’s Guide to Kids’ Racquets + My Top 13 Picks
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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 wonder how to go about selecting a high-quality racquet for your child or toddler, including narrowing down the right size.
To help, I’ll walk you through all the factors to consider and share my top picks for kids’ racquets that will set them up for success.
If you’re in a hurry and want to jump straight to my top picks, check out the links below.
Racquets We’ll Cover
To learn more about each racquet I’ve selected and why they made it on my list, click any of the following links:
- Head Speed Djokovic Junior
- Dunlop Nitro Junior
- Street Kids Tennis Racquet
- Gamma Junior Tennis Racquet
- Babolat Aero Nadal Junior
- Wilson US Open Junior
- Minions Junior
- Wilson Burn Pink Junior
- Wilson Blade Junior
- Marvel Spider-Man Junior
- Head Instinct Blue Racquet
- Weierfu Kids Racquet
- Hello Kitty Pink Junior
Otherwise, keep reading to learn the details you’ll want to consider before purchasing.
Ideal Age To Start Kids
Before diving too deep, you may wonder if there’s an ideal time to get your child started playing tennis.
| Life Stage | Ages |
| Toddler | 1-3 years |
| Preschool | 3-5 years |
| Grade-Schooler | 5-12 years |
| Teen | 12-18 years |
| Young Adult | 18-21 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. They need to have the right equipment to get them involved. However, the emphasis should be on getting them out on a court to be active and have fun when first starting.
Of course, don’t get discouraged if your child is older than 5. It’s never too late to get kids involved in tennis. Roger Federer started playing when he was eight, 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 not all instructors teach kids or have the appropriate equipment for the best results.
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, many instructors paid little attention to ensuring the appropriate size tennis racquet, which is crucial.
Luckily, through research and the efforts of organizations like the USTA, tennis has significantly evolved for children.
In 2010, the USTA introduced 10 and Under Tennis to help promote the sport and 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.
| Stage | Ages | Size |
| Red stage 1 | 4-6 years | 23 inches or less |
| Red stage 2 | 6-8 years | 23 inches or less |
| Orange | 7-10 years | 23-25 inches |
| Green | 11-12 years | 25-27 inches |
Although these recommendations get us in the ballpark, they need to be more specific, so let’s dive deeper with more precise guidance.
Racquet Sizing Chart
While selecting the correct 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 matching each child with the appropriate racquet is important to help them stay injury-free and have a blast on the court. We can use simple guidelines to determine which tennis racquet fits best.
The following chart outlines the approximate racquet length appropriate for kids of a certain age and height, which is a great starting point and should narrow things down for you.
Inches & Centimeters
| Age | Height | Racquet Size |
| 4 or younger | 40 in or less / 102 cm or less | 19 in /48.3 cm |
| 4-5 years | 40-44 in / 102-113 cm | 21 in / 53.3 cm |
| 6-8 years | 45-49 in / 114-126 cm | 23 in / 58.4 cm |
| 9-10 years | 50-55 in / 127-140 cm | 25 in / 63.5 cm |
| 10 or older | 55+ in / 140+ cm | 26 in / 66.0 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 your child’s height will help determine which racquet length they should be using.
The guide above will be sufficient for most parents to choose the right size racquet. However, you might find your child doesn’t fit perfectly into the table above, so I have a quick test you can run to ensure you have the perfect fit.
Testing Racquet Length
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 want to purchase online and avoid the hassle of returning a racquet, 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 unrealistic for some.
That said, it’s important to note that there won’t always be a perfect fit for every child. If your child is between two sizes and you’re unsure 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 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
A racquet’s grip size refers to the circumference of its handle and measures in inches or millimeters. Selecting the appropriate grip size is easy for kids because most manufacturers produce a single grip size for each children’s tennis racquet.
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 standard grip sizes for children’s tennis racquets.
| Racquet Size (in) | Grip Size (in) | Grip Size (mm) |
| 17 | 3 1/2 | 89 |
| 19 | 3 1/2 | 89 |
| 21 | 3 1/2 | 89 |
| 23 | 3 5/8 | 92 |
| 25 | 3 7/8 | 98 |
| 26 | 4 | 102 |
Unfortunately, these sizes aren’t standard across all kids’ racquets. As a result, you may encounter a bit of variation, but you should be fine 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 context, you can check out my guide here.
Sometimes, 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 is 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, increasing the grip size by about 1/16 of an inch. It’s unlikely that you’d need to increase the grip size much, but most local tennis shops can help you with a more permanent fix if necessary.
Tennis Strings for Kids
Generally speaking, the manufacturer will pre-string kids’ tennis racquets, which they do for a good reason. Strings won’t impact a child’s success 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 their 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 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 spends several hours on the court weekly, I recommend you experiment with string selection to ensure comfort. A great place to start is my guide on selecting tennis strings.
Racquet Materials & Weight
Like strings, advanced racquet materials aren’t crucial in selecting a tennis racquet for kids. Besides weight, kids won’t be able to tell the difference in feel by comparing one material with the next.
Typically, brands make junior tennis racquets from affordable, lightweight aluminum and sometimes a mix of graphite. The use of this material is good news for parents because it’s inexpensive, making 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
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 Spider-man and Hello Kitty racquets on my list. However, we’re talking about design differences that appeal to boys or girls, so they’re interchangeable.
Essential Racquet Criteria
When it comes to buying children’s tennis racquets, the best options will meet 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, you have a slam dunk. To simplify things, the tennis racquets in my guide below meet the above criteria.
Once you make a selection, you’ll only have to ensure the size is available and accurate for your child.
My Top 13 Picks
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: Toddlers and younger children often pick a tennis racquet based on the color, and plenty of options exist.
- Theme: From Hello Kitty to Spider-man, a few kids’ tennis racquets offer familiar themes worth considering.
- Favorite player: When your child is old enough to recognize players consistently, they commonly want the brand of racquet their idol uses. In some cases, brands have a children’s version of their top sponsored players’ racquets, like Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, or Rafael Nadal.
Below are my picks for the 13 highest-quality 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 the racquets on the list are made from sturdy aluminum and come pre-strung, so your child can start hitting immediately.
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 racquet, this one comes in four 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.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 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 |
Dunlop Nitro Junior Tennis Racquet
If you’re looking for an alternative to the Wilson US Open racquet for kids, 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 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.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 19 inches | 4 years or younger |
| 21 inches | 4-5 years |
| 23 inches | 6-8 years |
| 25 inches | 9-10 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 the perfect racquet to start your child with at a young age.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 17 inches | 4 years or younger |
| 19 inches | 4 years or younger |
| 21 inches | 4-5 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.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 19 inches | 4 years or younger |
| 21 inches | 4-5 years |
| 23 inches | 6-8 years |
| 25 inches | 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 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 channel their inner Rafa and have a blast out on the court.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 19 inches | 4 years or younger |
| 21 inches | 4-5 years |
| 23 inches | 6-8 years |
| 25 inches | 9-10 years |
| 26 inches | 10 years or older |
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 move them up to the next size without changing the type of racquet they are using.
Each racquet features the red Wilson logo on the strings and throat, the size in inches printed on the frame’s edge, and the words US Open displayed at the top of the racquet’s head.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 19 inches | 4 years or younger |
| 21 inches | 4-5 years |
| 23 inches | 6-8 years |
| 25 inches | 9-10 years |
Minions Junior Tennis Racquet
This minions-themed tennis racquet is a favorite among children ages 4-10. Its bold yellow color and 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. This racquet also 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.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 19 inches | 4 years or younger |
| 21 inches | 4-5 years |
| 23 inches | 6-8 years |
| 25 inches | 9-10 years |
Wilson Burn Pink Junior Tennis Racquet
If your child is looking for a pink tennis racquet, this one will surely be a winner.
This racquet’s bold pink paint job draws inspiration from the popular tour-level Wilson Burn tennis racquet, featuring 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.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 19 inches | 4 years or younger |
| 21 inches | 4-5 years |
| 23 inches | 6-8 years |
| 25 inches | 9-10 years |
Wilson Blade Junior Tennis Racquet
As an alternative to the pink version of the Wilson Burn, this version features a sleek black and grey paint job with green highlights and classic white strings with a red Wilson logo.
Wilson prints the racquet size and the “Blade'” logo on the racquet’s throat. On the other side, the throat features the Wilson logo.
Lastly, “Blade” is displayed on the inner edge at the top of the racquet’s head for a stylish look.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 19 inches | 4 years or younger |
| 21 inches | 4-5 years |
| 23 inches | 6-8 years |
Marvel Spider-Man Junior Tennis Racquet
If your child is into Spider-Man, this tennis racquet from Marvel is a no-brainer for various 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 stand out from the crowd.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 19 inches | 4 years or younger |
| 21 inches | 4-5 years |
| 23 inches | 6-8 years |
| 25 inches | 9-10 years |
Head Instinct Blue Tennis Racquet for Kids
Another option from Head for kids who love 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. Three sizes are available for this racquet, and I love the color!
| Sizes | Ages |
| 21 inches | 4-5 years |
| 23 inches | 6-8 years |
| 25 inches | 9-10 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 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.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 17 inches | 4 years or younger |
Hello Kitty Pink Junior Tennis Racquet
This Hello Kitty-themed tennis racquet is a kid’s favorite! It’s pink and white with the Hello Kitty logo 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.
| Sizes | Ages |
| 19 inches | 4 years or younger |
| 21 inches | 4-5 years |
| 23 inches | 6-8 years |
| 25 inches | 9-10 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 ones 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 local tennis shops. 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 unlikely 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, a racquet is the only thing you’ll need to get them started in tennis. However, depending on where they’re learning or taking lessons, you may find they also need non-marking shoes.
Non-marking kids’ tennis shoes are required 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 required.
Luckily, top shoe brands all offer non-marking soles, so it’s relatively easy to find a pair that will be suitable.
Can you demo kids’ tennis racquets?
Typically, you won’t 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 rare 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 will graduate to a full-sized 27-inch tennis racquet when 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. Kids are usually eager to upgrade their racquets, so as a parent, 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
You can have your child matched up with a great racquet in no time with minimal effort. 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.
5-Point Friday
A brief recap of the five most interesting things I’m enjoying or thinking about in tennis.
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Great Tips. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for your note Vikas – glad you found it useful and thanks for visiting :)
~ All the best, Jon
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?
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
Great tips!!!
Thanks for the feedback, Arjun!
Very helpful!
Thank you, Dee! Glad it was helpful :)