Tennis Related Activities for Children

In between games, instill the love of tennis to young players with tennis related activities for children. According to the United States Tennis Association, the key to keeping children interested in tennis is to keep it fun. Spontaneous playing, games, fun drills and ball throwing activities improve tennis skills while allowing children to enjoy the game.

  1. Spontaneous Play

    • Tennis is usually played between two or four players but children can easily have spontaneous play by themselves against a wall or garage door. Using a modified foam ball, children hit with their normal racket. Draw a chalk line on the wall 3 feet above the ground as a net line. Children can play alone or with a friend. More advanced children should draw another line on the ground and create a rule about hitting the ground line after the ball hits the wall. Also, play closer to the wall to practice volleys, or shots hit before they reach the ground.

    Games

    • Use a beanbag or softball to play a tennis related game with your child. Hold your racquets facing upwards to hold the beanbag. Gently toss the beanbag to your child with your racquet. As your child successfully passes it to you back and forth, each player should take one step away for a greater challenge. Be creative with the game. Toss high balls or do tricks like throwing the bean bags while standing on one leg.

    Fun Drills

    • Ring around the Rosie is one drill for young players. A group of children should circle another player or instructor. Balls are hit gently to each child from the center player. After the ball bounces once, the child must hit it back allowing for one bounce in front of the center player. Balls are hit randomly to the children around the circle. If a child misses or bounces the ball behind the center player, the child sits down. The drill is over when all the children are sitting down.

    Ball Throwing

    • Tennis related activities for children include those without a racquet. Develop tracking skills by throwing a playground ball. Toss the ball into the air so your child catches it after it bounces. While the ball is in the air, announce one, two or three so the child catches the ball after those number of bounces. Another activity is throwing the ball over a net or rope. Throw the ball back and forth with two hands similar to a tennis match. Practice with and without ball bounces.