Christmas gift guide
Gifts for playing more, not for leaving in a drawer.
The best football gifts for kids aren't the most expensive ones, but the ones still out of the box in February. We all know the other kind: the shirt they outgrow in six months, the gadget that gets used for two afternoons and ends up in a drawer.
A kid who plays football doesn't need to be surprised. They need to play more: a ball that bounces properly, something to train with when there's nobody around to pass to, a plan for Saturday with their mates.
This guide to football gifts for kids is written for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who want to get it right at Christmas or for a birthday, whether or not they know anything about football. A word of honesty: we sell training equipment and we have our favourites, but plenty of the ideas here are things we don't sell. What matters is that the present hits the mark.
Before you choose: three questions that save a bad gift
Before you start looking at football gifts for kids, two minutes thinking about this saves a lot of returns.
Where will they play? What works in a garden won't work in a flat with a balcony or in the park round the corner.
Do they play alone or with others? If they spend a lot of afternoons on their own, look for something that sends the ball back or gives them a target.
How old are they and what size? The ball, the boots and the kit all depend on it. If you don't know, ask discreetly.
Football gifts for kids by age
What thrills a seven-year-old bores a fifteen-year-old. These are the gifts for young footballers that work best at each stage.
Ages 6 to 8: play, play and play
A ball in their size. Size 3, good quality. It's light, bounces well and doesn't hurt their foot like a full-size one.
It gets used every day, rain or shine.
Coloured cones and hoops. Enough to invent circuits, skittles or races. Cheap and almost indestructible.
With four cones, the hallway becomes a pitch.
Shin pads with their name. Their team's or personalised. At this age, having something of their own means a lot.
They'll take them to every training session and show them to everyone.
Ages 9 to 12: the age of technique
A rebounder. It sends the ball back so they can practise passing and control without depending on anyone. Our guide on how to train football at home has routines to break it in.
The teammate who never gets tired of passing back.
An agility ladder. For quick feet and coordination. It takes up little space and rolls up for storage.
It fits under the bed and sets up in a minute.
Their club's shirt. The team they actually play for, not just the one on TV. Few things excite them more.
You'll see them wearing it to school too.
Ages 13 to 15: with their mates
A football tennis net. It goes up in the garden or the park and gives whole afternoons of fun with friends. If you don't know the game, here we explain what football tennis is and how to play it.
The perfect excuse to meet up without screens in the way.
A match ball. They're moving towards 11-a-side and the ball at home feels too small.
With a proper match ball at home, the step up feels smaller.
Tickets to a match. A top-flight game, a lower-league side or the local team. Going together matters more than the seat.
A match together is remembered longer than any object.
Ages 16 to 18: training seriously
A goal for the garden. For working on shooting and accuracy at home. Better still if it has panels with gaps that force them to aim for the corners.
Shooting improves through repetition, and at home they can repeat as much as they like.
A foam roller. For loosening the legs after training.
It looks like nothing, but with three or four sessions a week they'll thank you for it.
A summer camp or clinic. A week of football with coaches different from the usual ones.
Given in winter, enjoyed in July.
Football gifts for kids by budget
If you already have a figure in mind for the Christmas present, start here. Prices are approximate.
Under €30
- Cones, hoops and bibs to invent games.
- Agility ladder.
- Shin pads or a kit bag with their name on it.
- Foam roller for the older ones.
€30 to €100
- Euribia, our 4-in-1 football tennis and multi-sport net: portable, for the garden or the park.
- Kairós, the 4-in-1 football rebounder: 100 × 100 cm, four angles and foldable.
- A good match ball or their club's shirt.
Over €100
- Hércules, the football goal measuring 240 × 160 cm with interchangeable panels for working on accuracy.
- Kairós and Euribia together, if there are siblings or friends who'll join in (and delivery is free).
- A summer camp or a season ticket to watch their team.
Dates worth putting in the calendar:
Couriers are flat out in December. Order at least two weeks ahead and check the delivery time before paying. If you celebrate Three Kings' Day in Spain, the same applies.
The best football gift is the one that sends them out into the garden without anyone asking.
Common mistakes when choosing football gifts for kids
Buying a ball that isn't their size. One that's too big is heavy, hard to strike and ends up forgotten. There's a rough guide below.
Not measuring the space first. A goal or a net needs room to play around it, not just room to set it up. Measure the garden or patio before buying.
Buying for the player you'd like them to be. If what they love is playing with their mates, a football tennis net will make them happier than a training plan.
Choosing something that only works with a partner. Lots of kids spend their afternoons alone, and what can be used with nobody else around is what gets used most.
Which ball size to buy (approximate):
| Age | Size | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 | 3 | Small-sided games |
| 9 to 12 | 4 | 7-a-side and 9-a-side |
| 13 and over | 5 (some leagues use 4 until 14) | 11-a-side |
Every league has its own rules, so if in doubt, ask their club which ball they use on match days.
An idea for Christmas morning: attach a note to the present that says "we're trying this out together this afternoon". The object turns into time with them, and that's what they really remember.
Frequently asked questions about football gifts for kids
What should I give a kid who plays football if I know nothing about football?
A ball in their size or something they can train with on their own, like a rebounder. These gifts don't fail and you don't need to understand tactics. If you can, ask their parents about the size first.
What football gift works if we live in a flat?
Kit that takes up little space and can go to the park: a good ball, cones or an agility ladder. A portable net or a foldable rebounder also work if there's a balcony, a garage or a park nearby.
How far ahead should I order for Christmas?
The sooner the better. Couriers are swamped in December, so order at least two weeks ahead and check the delivery time before you pay.
What if the gift isn't right?
At Mainake Sport you have 14 calendar days from receiving your order to return it, as long as it hasn't been used. If you're buying well in advance, bear that in mind and keep the packaging.
From what age does training equipment make sense as a gift?
From age 6, if it's presented as a game. Up to 9 or 10, fun comes first; after that they start enjoying technique and accuracy challenges.
A gift that gets used every afternoon
In the end, the best football gift for a kid is the one that gives them more time with the ball. It doesn't matter whether it costs €20 or €150: if they're out in the garden with it on Christmas Day and still going out in March, you got it right.
If you're looking for something to keep them company all year, have a look at the training equipment in the Mainake Sport shop.
Free delivery over €100 · 14-day returns
To break in the gift
TRAIN.IMPROVE.PLAY.