6 Best Pickleball Paddles for Kids

Updated: 5/4/2026

I have 4 young daughters that I have been teaching pickleball, and I also own 65 pickleball paddles with kid(s) paddles in the mix. My oldest girls ages 6-9 have been getting pickleball lessons, and I have rotated many paddles through their hands.

Firstly, I do not recommend to my friends a kids paddle for many reasons, including a much smaller sweet spot. For example, I have a 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.

We will cover the best kids paddle and runner up, and then I will share some best kids cheap pickleball paddles as the top 2 options are both a $100 investment.

1. Best Kids Paddle

The Vatic V-Sol Pro is a fantastic paddle for kids. I have had many of my kids play their lessons with the Vatic Paddles, including the Vatic Prism Flash, Vatic V-Sol Pro, and Vatic V-Sol Power.

Firstly, the grip is skinny, so my kids hands are easily able to wrap their fingers around the grip. The paddle is also a decent weight although it’s not as light as some of the “kids” paddles.

Secondly, the paddle has a great sweet spot and is a control paddle, which is necessary for a kid while they are getting used to the game. Too often “kids” paddles lack any power, so it’s hard for them to transition into a better player. The Vatic V-Sol Pro is a control paddle, but has some power to allow them to learn how to serve across the net.

I believe the Vatic V-Sol Pro is the best of the lineup, and it is pricier at $99 before the discount code BEPICKLEBALLER, but the paddle is a foam core paddle which can be great for controlling the paddle. It also comes with a paddle cover, which is extremely rare for a paddle under $100. This is perfect to make sure that your kids take care of the paddle.

$10 Discount Code: BEPICKLEBALLER

2. Runner Up Paddle

I didn’t originally test the Ronbus Quanta thinking it would be a “kid-friendly” paddle, but after playing with it, I honestly think it deserves to be in the conversation as a runner-up for the best kid’s pickleball paddle, especially for older kids or juniors who are starting to take the game more seriously.

The first thing that stood out to me was the weight. At around 7.6 ounces, it’s definitely on the lighter side, and I could feel that immediately during play. My hands felt faster, reactions were quicker, and everything from resets to quick exchanges at the net just felt easier.

For kids who are growing into their game and want something that doesn’t feel bulky or hard to swing, this is a huge advantage and something I think gets overlooked way too often.

If you are going to get this for a kid or youth, you may want to opt the widebody Quanta R2.16 as the wide body will allow a slightly larger sweet spot. Finally, I really like the grip of this paddle as it’s an elongated shape that will allow your kids to learn the two handed backhand easily and it’s an investment paddle as this paddle is durable.

This paddle is $119.99 before the discount code, but you can copy the $20 off discount code RCBEPICKLEBALLER and this paddle comes down to $99.99.

$20 Off Discount Code: RCBEPICKLEBALLER

Both the paddles above are investments, but let’s talk about one of my kid’s favorite cheap pickleball paddle.

3. Best Cheap Kids Paddle

If you are going to get a cheap kids paddle, 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.

4. 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.

5. Fifth Place

I have an 8 year old, and she can now use paddles effectively with a larger sweet spot, and a small grip handle. I really like Vkoksa pickleball paddle is under $10, carbon fiber, and has a nice protective case.

As such, my favorite kid’s pickleball paddle is this inexpensive carbon fiber pickleball paddle. Firstly, when you play with kids, you know that you need a cheap paddle because they rub it on the ground and mess the paddle up.

That said, you still want a carbon fiber face, so they can actually practice, and you need a sizeable sweet spots to make sure your kids are having some “wins” and not missing the ball every time.

The paddle comes in a nice box, is colorful, and here are some pictures.

Here’s a picture with the carbon fiber face.

Here’s a side view.

If you have multiple kids, let’s talk about an inexpensive set that works just fine.

6. Sixth Place

The Pelard paddle a great introductory kids paddle and is often under $10 on Amazon for 2 paddles, 4 balls and bag.

This is great for kids especially if they break one of the paddles, as 2 paddles for $10 makes this around ~$5 per paddle. In addition, this pickleball paddle is lightweight, which is great for kids. It also has a smaller handle size, which makes it easy to grip for my 5 year old.

Finally, kids love the design of the paddle, including the different shades of blue.

7. Seventh Place

For girls under 7, I like the Qyntelix kids pckleball paddle. The brand has two styles including a astronaut-themed and a mermaid paddle as you can see below.

Designed specifically for kids, it combines a design with a kid-friendly size and ultra-lightweight feel, which is important to learn the game. At just 6 oz with a soft, sweat-absorbing grip, it’s easy for kids under 8 to swing confidently while learning the game.

The paddle features a durable fiberglass face and a polymer honeycomb core, giving young players the balance they need between control and power.

Your child can easily bring this to school, play in the backyard, or at a local court.

When my kids play pickleball, they tend to scruff up the paddle, so I finally appreciate that the paddle comes with a 3-year warranty for peace of mind.

Here’s the link to check the price for the Mermaid paddle.

Here’s the link to check the price on Amazon for the Galaxy 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.

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.