I have 4 young daughters that I have been teaching pickleball, and I also own 49 pickleball paddles with kid(s) paddles in the mix.
I do not recommend to my friends a kids paddle for many reasons, including a much smaller sweet spot. For example, I have this Helium kid’s paddle, and none of my girls preferred it.
As I have done so much research, understand so much about paddles and found out my pickleball drills for kids article was a hit, I thought it would be helpful to write about the best pickleball paddles for kids.
Also, this paddle has a lot of inexpensive paddles, and the reason for that is that the paddles often hit the ground.
Finally, I get a small commission for some of these paddles that help support this website, and allow me not to add ads to the website.
Here’s the list.
1. Best Overall Kids Pickleball Paddle: PELARD Pickleball Paddle
The Pelard paddle a great introductory kids paddle and is often under $10 on Amazon.
In fact, this paddle can get down as low as ~$5 on Amazon. In addition, this pickleball paddle is lightweight, which is great for kids. It also has a smaller handle size, which made it easy to grip for my 5 year old.
Finally, multiple of my kids loved the design of the paddle, including all of the colors.
2. Best Kids Set: XS XSPAK Pickleball Paddles Set
If you are going to get a kids set, then this paddle series might be the best for you. One of my daughters preferred this paddle over many of my other paddles.
The paddle my daughter has in the picture below is unfortunately no longer available, but they have a set that has a father and daughter playing with that looks great as well.
I really like that the paddle has a nice sweet spot, allowing my daughter to hit the ball with some accuracy.
In addition, you can see how her grip can fit fine around the paddle’s grip.
Here’s a picture from Amazon that showed a father and daughter playing with the paddle together. In addition, these paddles come with covers, which is nice.
Let’s talk about the best youth pickleball paddle.
3. Best Youth Pickleball Paddle: Pbvmurtg Carbon Fiber
The Pbvmurtg Carbon Fiber is one one of the top budget pickleball paddles and a top paddle for a youth.
What makes this paddle stand out? For under $50 on Amazon, you get a carbon fiber paddle (yes, carbon fiber!), a paddle cover, grip tape, and even a carbon fiber cleaning bar. Deals like this don’t come around often—my previous favorite paddle, the Anything Sports Carbon Fiber model, was discontinued. But side by side, I prefer the PBVMURTG paddle for its performance and feel.
Honestly, I’m still scratching my head on how this brand is making money at this price. I even wrote a full review article because I was so impressed. If you’re looking for an affordable paddle for your youth that doesn’t compromise on quality, this is the one to grab.
Here’s a picture of the accessories that come with the paddle.
Pickleball Paddles To Consider When Your Kid Improves
Once your kid becomes a better player, then there are some best pickleball paddles that I get more excited for. Firstly, I prefer carbon fiber pickleball paddles for my kids because it gives the kids both power and control.
That said, I may purchase a pickleball paddle that is still economically affordable. Here are my best 2 pickleball paddles that I would recommend to anyone
Here’s my overall favorite carbon fiber pickleball that you can automatically get a $10 discount by using the code: bepickleballer –
Let’s chat about my kid’s experience with a kid’s build pickleball paddle.
My kid’s experience with a kids paddle.
3 of my daughters preferred a pickleball paddle that has a cut design based instead of a kid’s padle. The one that may have preferred a kids pickleball paddle was my 2 year old.
That said, if your kid definitely prefers a lightweight paddle then maybe it makes sense to purchase a kid’s paddle.
4 Thing You Need to Know When Researching Kid’s Pickleball Paddles
1. Smaller Sweet Spots in Kids’ Pickleball Paddles
When I first tried a kid-sized pickleball paddle, I noticed one major drawback: the sweet spot was surprisingly small. The sweet spot is the optimal area on the paddle face where the ball makes perfect contact, delivering the best shot. For kids, a smaller sweet spot can make hitting the ball consistently more challenging, often leading to frustration. I’ve found that lightweight adult paddles, with their larger sweet spots, are a better choice. They help young players gain confidence and improve their skills without the added difficulty.
2. Tough Transition to Adult Paddles
Starting kids with a paddle designed just for them might seem logical, but it can create challenges down the road. Kid-sized paddles have different weight, grip, and balance than adult paddles. I’ve seen how this can make it hard for young players to adapt when they’re ready to level up. Starting with a lightweight adult paddle allows kids to get comfortable with the feel of what they’ll eventually use. This smoother transition can keep their progress on track as they grow.
3. Lightweight Adult Paddles Are Often More Affordable
Here’s something that surprised me: some lightweight adult paddles cost less than many kids’ paddles. While you might expect smaller paddles to come with smaller price tags, that’s not always the case. Investing in a lightweight adult paddle can be more budget-friendly, and it’s a smarter long-term investment. These paddles grow with your child, sparing you from buying upgrades every time they outgrow their current gear.
4. Kids’ Paddles Usually Aren’t USAP Approved
If your child dreams of playing competitively, this is an important consideration. Most kids’ paddles aren’t approved by the USA Pickleball Association (USAP), which means they can’t be used in official tournaments. Lightweight adult paddles, however, are often USAP-approved, giving you peace of mind. You won’t need to purchase another paddle if your child decides to pursue competitive play, making this an easier choice for parents.
Conclusion
You love pickleball, and you want to share your love of pickleball with your kids by purchasing them the best kids pickleball paddle.
Hopefully, this guide helps you understand what the best paddles provide, and also what to look for in a kids pickleball paddle.
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