By Dr. Mark Gould, PhD in Psychology
Hello parents! Are you ready to serve up some fun with toddler and preschool tennis? Teaching tennis to young children is all about keeping things light-hearted, active, and engaging. At this age, it’s less about technique and more about having a great time while building basic skills. Here are my top 10 tips for making tennis an absolute hit with the little ones. Let’s get swinging!
1. Start with Ball Games, Not Racquets
For young kids, controlling a racquet can feel tricky. Begin with games that involve just the ball—bouncing, catching, or rolling it around. Once they’re comfortable with the ball, they’ll be more ready to introduce racquets. It’s all about building confidence first!
2. Use Lightweight, Colourful Racquets and Balls
Kids love bright colours, and they’re naturally drawn to things that look fun. Choose lightweight, child-sized racquets and brightly coloured foam or inflatable balls. These softer balls bounce slower, giving toddlers more time to react and engage with the game. We recommend 17 or 19” tennis rackets for toddlers and pre-schoolers respectively, and also ZSig foam tennis balls for judging movement as they get a little older. Balloons can also be a great way to teach hand – eye – racket coordination in the early years.
3. Focus on Big Movements
Toddlers don’t need to worry about perfect swings just yet. Start with big, simple movements like swinging a racquet like a magic wand or using it as a “bat” to tap the ball. Keep it exaggerated and silly to make the practice enjoyable and accessible. The first part of development is just being able to enjoy hitting a ball or balloon with the racket.
4. Get Them Running with Races and Chases
Young children have lots of energy, so get them moving! Set up mini-games where they chase after balls, race around cones, or try to beat you to the net. Activities like these help develop coordination and fitness while keeping them entertained.
5. Turn Practice into an Adventure
Introduce stories and themes into your lessons. Perhaps they’re knights saving a castle, and the ball is the “magic orb,” or they’re pirates trying to find hidden treasure (the tennis balls, of course!). Imaginative play helps them stay engaged and makes learning tennis more memorable.
6. Celebrate Every Swing
Whether they make contact with the ball or not, celebrate every swing! A big part of teaching toddlers is building confidence. Encourage and cheer for their efforts, as this positive reinforcement keeps them excited to try again.
7. Teach Balance and Footwork with Fun Drills
Help them practice balance by playing games like “Walk the Tightrope,” where they move along a line or path as if it’s a tightrope. For footwork, try hopping or side-stepping drills. These skills are foundational to tennis, and they’re much more fun as little games.
8. Make Target Practice into a Game
Toddlers love challenges, so try setting up targets for them to hit with the ball. Use cones, hoops, or even stuffed animals to create targets. Turn it into a game where they score points for each hit—it’s a great way to introduce aiming and accuracy.
9. Use “Follow the Leader” for Learning Swings
Demonstrate simple swings and let the kids mimic you. Use slow, exaggerated motions, like swinging the racquet as if it’s a giant spoon stirring a big pot of soup. This keeps things playful while helping them pick up the basics.
10. End with a Relaxing Cool-Down
Finish each session with some stretching or a gentle cool-down game like “Sleeping Butterflies,” where everyone lies down and pretends to rest. Cool-downs are a great way to calm things down and wrap up the lesson on a peaceful note, leaving everyone smiling.
Teaching tennis to toddlers and pre-schoolers is all about creating a positive, exciting environment where they can explore, move, and feel successful.
If you fancy popping along to one of our toddler tennis or kids tennis classes, just click here to find your location centre.
With a little creativity and a lot of enthusiasm, you can nurture a love for tennis that just might last a lifetime. Enjoy every moment, and happy coaching!
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