Fun basketball games for kids can spark interest, make the game more enjoyable, and encourage players to practice longer and with more enthusiasm. The following games can be used on your own driveway or park hoop and in organized youth basketball practices.
One of the great things about most of these games is that they can be played – or at least practiced – with just one player.
So, if you have sons or daughters interested in basketball, introduce one of these games to them. Encourage them to teach friends. And, have them practice to improve their skills and just have fun!
1.) Around the World
This is a shooting game where players compete by shooting from 7 selected spots on the basketball court. Select spots that are within a player’s shooting distance, e.g. for 12 year-olds, shots are within a 12 feet to 18 feet distance.
The goal of the game is to move “around the world” in a counter-clockwise direction by making shots from the first spot to the last spot.
To start the game, the first player shoots from the first spot. If the player makes the basket, the player moves to the next spot. If the player misses the shot, the player can call, “Chance.” If the player misses the second shot (the Chance shot), she moves to the end of the line, and the next player starts their turn shooting.
For the early spots, “chancing it” is a common strategy. But, as you progress and make shots from a few of the spots, players are faced with the dilemma of knowing that a missed shot will wipe out their progress. Not chancing it, and staying in place, keeps your progress but forces you to give up your turn.
The first person to successfully make all of their shots from the selected spots wins the game.
Number of Players:
1 – 10+
Variations:
- Around the World and Back — Players must make all of the shots in one direction and then repeat the shots going the other direction.
- Add a more difficult shot for the last shot of the game, e.g. a three-pointer.
- Reduce the number of shooting spots from seven to five.