Padel for Kids: Age, Equipment & Where to Play in the UK
By Gary · 8 min read · 5 March 2026
By Gary, founder of RacketRise. Playing padel in the UK and tracking the sport's explosive growth.
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Last Updated: March 2026
Quick Summary
- Kids can start padel from age 5-6 — the smaller court and underarm serve make it much easier to learn than tennis
- Junior rackets weigh 280-320g and cost £30-£60 — don't buy adult rackets for children
- Most UK padel venues offer junior coaching — group sessions typically cost £8-£15 per child
- Find venues with junior programmes using the RacketRise Court Finder
Padel is arguably the best racket sport for children to start with. The enclosed court keeps the ball in play (no chasing balls into car parks), the underarm serve removes the most frustrating part of tennis for young players, and the doubles format means kids always play with friends. It's social, it's active, and the learning curve is gentle enough that most children can hold rallies within their first session.
Quick Answer: Children can start padel from age 5-6, though most junior programmes target ages 7-14. Junior padel rackets cost £30-£60 and weigh 280-320g — significantly lighter than adult rackets. Most UK padel venues now offer junior coaching and school holiday programmes. The only essential equipment is a junior racket and proper court shoes — everything else can wait.
Table of Contents
- What Age Can Kids Start Padel?
- Why Padel Is Great for Kids
- Junior Padel Equipment
- Where to Find Kids' Padel in the UK
- Padel vs Tennis for Children
- Tips for Parents
- Related Articles
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Age Can Kids Start Padel?
Most children can start padel from age 5-6 with soft balls and simplified games. Structured junior coaching programmes typically start from age 7, and by age 10-12, kids can play on standard courts with regular balls using junior rackets.
Here's a rough guide:
| Age | Stage | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 | Mini padel | Soft balls, simplified rules, fun games, developing hand-eye coordination |
| 7-9 | Junior beginner | Junior rackets, regular balls, learning basic shots and positioning |
| 10-12 | Junior intermediate | Developing technique, understanding tactics, playing points and matches |
| 13+ | Junior advanced | Full-size rackets possible, competitive play, club leagues |
The key advantage padel has over tennis for young children is the underarm serve. In tennis, the serve is technically the hardest shot and causes enormous frustration for beginners. In padel, you simply bounce the ball and hit it below waist height — most 6-year-olds can do this comfortably within minutes.
Why Padel Is Great for Kids
Physical Benefits
Padel develops agility, coordination, and reaction time without the repetitive strain risks associated with more intense sports. The court is small enough that children don't need to cover huge distances, but dynamic enough to keep them moving constantly. A typical 45-minute junior session involves hundreds of changes of direction, improving footwork and balance naturally.
For more on the fitness benefits, see our guide on whether padel is good exercise.
Social Benefits
Padel is always doubles. There's no solo practice, no hitting against a wall alone — every session involves teamwork, communication, and socialising. For children who find individual sports isolating, padel offers the social element of team sports within a racket sport framework.
The enclosed court also creates an intimate, fun environment. Kids play close to each other, they can hear each other, and the glass walls bouncing balls back into play keep rallies going longer — which means more fun and less standing around.
Low Barrier to Entry
Unlike tennis, where beginners can spend entire sessions missing the ball, padel's enclosed court and slower ball speed mean children experience success quickly. Most kids can hold short rallies within their first 30 minutes. This early success builds confidence and keeps them coming back.
If you want to understand the basics before taking your child, read our complete beginner's guide to padel.
Junior Padel Equipment
Junior Rackets
Children should use junior padel rackets, not adult ones. Adult rackets (350-375g) are too heavy for children under 12 and will cause poor technique and potential injury.
| Age | Recommended Racket Weight | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| 5-7 | 260-290g | Round |
| 8-10 | 290-320g | Round |
| 11-13 | 310-340g | Round or teardrop |
| 14+ | Consider adult racket if physically mature |
Budget: £30-£60 for a quality junior racket. Decathlon's Kuikma junior range offers excellent value. Head and Bullpadel also make dedicated junior models.
Don't spend more than £60 on a child's first racket — they'll outgrow it within 12-18 months. Many venues hire junior rackets for £3-£5, so try before you buy.
Shoes
Proper court shoes are the most important investment for junior players. Running trainers don't provide the lateral support needed for padel's side-to-side movement, and kids are particularly prone to ankle rolls on slippery surfaces.
Look for junior indoor court shoes or tennis shoes with non-marking soles. Budget £30-£50 for a pair from Asics, Nike, or Adidas. For more on choosing court shoes, see our padel shoes guide.
What They Don't Need
- Expensive rackets — a £30 junior racket is fine for the first year
- Padel-specific clothing — comfortable sportswear they already own works perfectly
- Their own balls — the venue provides these
- Gloves or overgrips — unnecessary for juniors
Where to Find Kids' Padel in the UK
Junior padel is growing fast across the UK. Here's how to find sessions:
- Use the RacketRise Court Finder — browse venues in your area and check their websites for junior programmes
- Check LTA-affiliated venues — the LTA is actively promoting junior padel through their network
- Ask at local tennis clubs — many clubs with padel courts run junior sessions during school holidays
- School holiday camps — padel is increasingly included in multi-sport holiday camps
Most junior group sessions cost £8-£15 per child for a 45-60 minute session. Private coaching is available at £25-£40 per hour for those who want to develop faster.
Padel vs Tennis for Children
| Factor | Padel | Tennis |
|---|---|---|
| Learning curve | Gentle — rallies happen quickly | Steep — serving alone takes months |
| Court size | Small — less running, more manageable | Large — tiring for young children |
| Social aspect | Always doubles — built-in teamwork | Often singles — can feel isolated |
| Serve difficulty | Underarm — easy for all ages | Overhead — frustrating for beginners |
| Equipment cost | £30-£60 for junior racket | £30-£80 for junior racket + dampeners |
| Rally length | Long — walls keep ball in play | Short — beginners hit out constantly |
| Injury risk | Low — less overhead motion | Moderate — serve puts strain on shoulder |
Neither sport is objectively "better" — they develop different skills. But for children under 10 who are new to racket sports, padel offers a faster path to enjoyment and confidence.
Tips for Parents
- Let them try first — book a taster session before committing to coaching blocks or buying equipment
- Don't coach from the sideline — let qualified coaches teach technique. Your job is encouragement
- Prioritise fun over competition — for under-10s, the goal is enjoyment and basic skills, not winning
- Play with them — padel is a family sport. Book a court and play doubles together
- Start with group sessions — kids learn better (and have more fun) with other children than in private lessons
- Be patient with technique — junior coaching uses games and drills disguised as fun, not repetitive drilling
Related Articles
- Find Padel & Pickleball Courts Near You
- What Is Padel? Complete UK Beginner's Guide
- How to Play Padel: Rules & Scoring
- Is Padel Good Exercise?
- How Much Does Padel Cost?
- Best Padel Rackets: UK Buyer's Guide
- Best Padel Shoes UK
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can kids start playing padel?
Children can start padel from age 5-6 with soft balls and simplified games. Structured coaching programmes typically begin at age 7. By age 10-12, most children can play on standard courts with regular equipment.
How much does a junior padel racket cost?
Junior padel rackets cost £30-£60. Decathlon's Kuikma junior range offers the best value. Don't buy an adult racket for a child — they're too heavy and will cause poor technique.
Is padel safer than tennis for children?
Padel has a lower injury risk than tennis for children, primarily because there's no overhead serve (the main cause of shoulder injuries in junior tennis). The smaller court also means less intense running. However, proper court shoes are essential to prevent ankle injuries.
Can kids play padel and tennis?
Absolutely. The skills are complementary — padel develops volleys, reflexes, and tactical awareness, while tennis develops baseline play and serving. Many junior players enjoy both sports. Some coaches actually recommend starting with padel to build confidence before transitioning to tennis.
Where can I find junior padel coaching in the UK?
Check the RacketRise Court Finder for venues near you, then visit their websites for junior programme details. The LTA website also lists padel venues with junior coaching. Most sessions cost £8-£15 per child for a group class.
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