Youth Basketball Gifts

Some kids fall in love with basketball, and that's all they want to do or talk about. Getting a basketball-related gift will only enhance the child's enjoyment of the sport. He also might even pick up a few tips on how to play better. It's important, however, to tailor the basketball gift to the child's needs and interests.

  1. Tickets

    • Kids get wide-eyed when they see their professional or college heroes play. Taking a child to a live game gives him an opportunity to view a high level of play in person. Hundreds of teams are scattered throughout the country. The choices include 12 Women's National Basketball Association (NBA) teams, 16 NBA Development League squads and 30 National Basketball Association teams. Additionally, there are 347 men's NCAA Division I teams and 345 women's teams.

    Team Gear

    • Kids like to show off who their favorite team and players are. Team apparel makes for a gift that will likely get well worn. The choices include jerseys, hats, socks, backpacks, key chains and dozens of other items. A kid can also decorate his room with pennants and posters.

    Videos

    • Gift-givers can provide two kinds of videos. One kind is for enjoyment. Those DVDs highlight a particular team or show a compilation of clips showcasing a popular player. Or, you can give an instructional DVD as a present. Nearly all aspects of the game are taught, including shooting, passing, vertical jumping, and dribbling and ball handling. A kid can observe the tips, then try it out at in his driveway or at the playground.

    Books

    • Getting a basketball-themed book can help a kid learn about the sport, while practicing his reading skills. Books exist for preschoolers up through high school-age, and teach lessons such as teamwork and persistence.

    Equipment

    • A child needs the proper equipment if he's going to play the sport. A regulation-sized basketball is often too big for small hands. Fortunately for kids, age-appropriate, lighter balls are available as gift items, as are portable and mini hoops.