Indoor Basketball Games for Kids

If you are unable to obtain an outdoor space for your basketball team, there are plenty of indoor games available. The most effective games for kids are those that reinforce shooting fundamentals while still giving everyone involved an enjoyable time. These games work best with kids who are familiar with the basic rules of basketball.

  1. Knockout

    • Have players line up behind the free-throw line, giving the first two players a basketball each. The first players shoots, immediately followed by the second. If the first player makes the shot, he or she grabs the rebound and passes it to the next player in line (who should shoot it right away). After making the shot, the first player returns to the end of the line. If the first player misses, he or she must grab the rebound and make a layup before the second player makes a shot. If the second player makes it before the first, the first player is out of the game. Whenever a player behind another player makes a shot, the preceding player is out. The game continues until one player remains (Reference 1).

    21

    • This game can be played with three or more players at one hoop. Have each player take three shots to see who has first possession. The player who makes the most shots starts. This player attempts to score. All baskets are worth 2 points in front of the three-point line and 3 points behind it. When a player makes a shot, he or she gets the ball back. When a player misses, any other player can get the rebound and dribble it back out past the three-point line. The first player to 21 (winning by at least two) wins (Reference 2).

    Shooting Contest

    • This game can be done with one rack of basketballs or with up to five racks of basketballs. Place the rack or racks outside of the three-point line. Put five balls on top of each rack. Give a player two minutes or less to either shoot five or all 25 balls to score as many as possible. The player who scores the most baskets in less than two minutes wins (Reference 3).

    Circle Shot

    • For this game, make 10 paper circles 1 to 2 feet in diameter. On two of the circles write the number one, on two of the circles write the number two and so on until you have two circles with the number five. Tape the numbers to the court with the “one” circles closest to the basket and the “five” circles the farthest. The number on the circle corresponds with how many points each spot is worth. Each player has two minutes to score as many points as possible by shooting from the marked spots. The player with the most points wins.