Soccer doesn't always have to be competitive. When it comes to entertaining kids with soccer, there are plenty of games that build skills while letting them loose to have fun.
Here are our five favourite soccer games for kids:
1. Ouch
This is a fun game that lets kids get some revenge on the grown-ups!
Start by giving each kid a ball and marking off a 20x30-yard grid. You can make the grid bigger or smaller depending on how many kids are playing, their ages, and skill levels.
The coach or another adult goes into the middle of the grid and starts running around. The kids dribble their soccer balls around the grid and try to hit the coach with a ball. For extra fun, the coach should yell "Ouch!" whenever a ball hits them.
Kids will enjoy practicing dribbling while learning to keep their heads up as they look for the coach.
2. Sharks and Minnows
Another fun soccer game that builds fundamentals for young players, Sharks and Minnows requires a grid of about 20x25 yards.
Every player gets a soccer ball except for two "sharks." The minnows dribble their balls around the grid while the sharks try to kick those balls out of it.
If a minnow's ball gets kicked out, that minnow must run one lap around the grid before coming back in. Each minnow gets two chances before being out for good. The last two minnows left become the sharks for the next round.
3. Clean Your Room
This game is a variation of Sharks and Minnows. Lay out a 15x15-yard grid and give a ball to each player—except for one—inside the grid. The player without a ball is the designated "room cleaner."
The room cleaner's job is to get every ball out of the grid at once. When a ball gets kicked out, its owner can retrieve it and dribble back in. The game continues until the room cleaner has kicked out all the balls out from the grid at the same time.
4. Simon Says
This kids' soccer game is a great way to have fun while developing listening skills and body awareness.
Each player gets a ball to dribble and listens for instructions from "Simon," who in this case is the coach or parent. Commands can vary, but popular choices include:
- Change direction
- Stop the ball
- Put your foot on the ball
It's also fun to mix in random tricks and commands, such as skipping, jumping, clapping, or kicking the ball as far as they can. The variety keeps kids listening closely and helps them become more aware of their bodies.
5. Red Light, Green Light
This is a soccer spin on a classic schoolyard game.
Have the kids line up at a starting line while the coach or another adult stands 15 to 20 yards away with their back to them. When the coach yells "Green light!", the kids start dribbling toward the coach. When the coach yells "Red light!", the kids must stop in their tracks.
The coach then waits a moment and turns around, and anyone still moving has to go back to the start. This fun game teaches ball control and the importance of keeping the ball close.
Keep the fun going
These soccer games are perfect for younger kids who are still learning the fundamentals. They also work well as a break during regular practice, or as a way to just goof off and have fun with the team.
Of course, keeping kids on the field takes more than just a love of the game. Registration fees, uniforms, equipment, and travel are costly and add up fast. That's where FlipGive comes in.
With FlipGive, your team can earn cashback on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, dining out, and online shopping, and that money goes straight toward the costs of the season, so kids can keep playing the sport they love.
Ready to make soccer more affordable for your team? Start a free FlipGive program today to turn everyday spending into funds for the season.
