Padel for Kids: Getting Started (UK 2026)

Beyond being easy to start, padel has features that make it a good fit for kids. It is played in pairs, so it is sociable and less exposed than a one-on-one sport, which suits children who are nervous about competing alone. Because the walls keep the ball alive, beginners get long, fun rallies almost immediately, and that early success is what keeps children coming back.

It is also a good all-round activity: padel mixes short sprints, changes of direction, hand-eye coordination and teamwork. As a low-contact sport on a forgiving surface, the main injury risks are the usual racket-sport ones (twists, slips and overuse), which a proper warm-up and sensible session length keep low. As with any new sport, check with your GP first if your child has a health condition that affects exercise.

The good news is that padel needs very little kit, and most clubs will lend rackets and provide balls for a first session, so you do not need to buy anything to try it.

When you are ready to buy, the priorities for a child are:

• A junior or lightweight racket. The single most important factor is weight. A heavy adult racket is hard for a child to swing and can strain a young arm. Look for a lighter frame with a round shape and a soft core, which is more forgiving and easier to control than a heavy, head-heavy adult diamond. Several brands make dedicated junior padel rackets; ask the club or a specialist retailer to match the weight and grip size to your child rather than buying on looks. Our guide to choosing a padel racket explains weight, balance and shape in more detail.
• Court shoes with grip. Trainers with good lateral grip are fine to start. Dedicated padel or clay-court shoes help once a child plays regularly.
• Comfortable sportswear and water. Nothing special is needed; just clothes they can move in and a water bottle.

Eye protection is not standard in padel, but some parents like their child to wear sports glasses; it is a personal choice. There is no need to spend a lot at the start. A child's grip, strength and preferences change quickly, so a modest first racket usually makes more sense than a premium one.

Padel in Great Britain is governed by the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), which has run the sport since taking it on at the start of the decade. The LTA's website has a padel court and club finder, which is the most reliable way to locate venues near you and see which run junior programmes. Search for your area, then contact the club directly to ask about:

• Junior group sessions or after-school clubs, usually grouped by age or ability.
• Holiday camps, which are a low-commitment way to try the sport over a few days.
• Family or parent-and-child sessions, so you can play alongside your child.

If your nearest club has limited junior padel, many tennis coaches now also coach padel, and some leisure centres and tennis clubs have added courts. A group session is usually the best and most affordable starting point; one-to-one coaching can come later if your child wants to take it more seriously.

A first junior session is usually relaxed and game-based rather than drill-heavy. Expect a coach to start with simple rallying, basic positioning, and learning the underarm serve, often through games rather than formal technique. Children typically pick up the idea of the walls quickly once they realise a ball that goes past them is not lost.

For a fuller picture of how a first padel session runs, our first padel session guide walks through the format, and the padel glossary explains any terms your child comes home using. The main thing as a parent is to keep it positive: praise effort and rallies, not just winning points.

A few simple habits keep junior padel enjoyable and injury-free:

• Warm up first. A few minutes of gentle movement and easy rallying before full play protects young joints and muscles.
• Keep sessions appropriate to age. Shorter sessions hold a young child's attention better than a long, tiring one. Build up gradually.
• Stay hydrated and take breaks. Especially on warmer days or indoors.
• Let them lead the pace. Avoid over-coaching from the sideline. The fastest way to put a child off is to make a fun game feel like an exam.

Get the enjoyment right and the skills follow. Plenty of UK juniors now start with padel rather than tennis precisely because the early experience is so positive.

Padel is one of the easiest and most sociable racket sports for children to start. From around age 6 to 8, with a lightweight racket and a fun, game-based first session, most kids are rallying and enjoying themselves quickly. Use the LTA's club finder to locate a venue with junior coaching, keep early sessions short and positive, and let your child's enthusiasm set the pace. The technique can wait; the love of the game comes first.