Which football is best for my kid?
If your child has decided they want to learn to play football like Patrick Mahomes, you may need a child-size football. A regulation-size football is too big for smaller hands to grip properly, and if your child can’t grip the ball properly, it will affect their game.
Investing in a smaller football can help your child develop an early love for the game.
Kids’ football considerations
Sizes
Youth-sized footballs are fairly easy to find online and in stores, and they don’t cost very much. The biggest factor to consider before purchasing a football for your child is what size is appropriate for them.
Kids’ footballs come in four sizes:
Peewee footballs are for kids aged 6-9 years. These footballs weigh around 10 ounces and have a circumference of 17-17.5 inches.
Junior footballs are best for kids aged 10-12. Junior footballs are 17.5-18.5 inches around and weigh about 11 ounces.
Youth footballs are made for kids aged 12-14. Footballs in the youth category are about 19 inches around and weigh around 12.5 ounces.
Official footballs can be used by anyone aged 14 and up. These footballs weigh 14-15 ounces and are about 20 inches around.
Other features
Most footballs, regardless of size, feature the same characteristics, including all-weather material and a tacky grip for handling. Most practice footballs are made of synthetic leather, even though footballs used in the NFL are made from cowhide leather. Youth practice footballs typically range in price from $10 to more than $100.
The best kids’ footballs
Best value kids’ football
Wilson NFL MVP Football: available at Amazon
You can’t go wrong with this football for the price. This peewee-size football is great for kids in the 6-9 age bracket and is tackified for easy grip for everyday use.
Best training tool kids’ football
Passback Official Composite Football: available at Amazon
If your child wants to work on their passing skills but doesn’t always have someone to throw the ball with, the passback football is a great training tool. Throw the flat end against a hard, flat surface (such as a brick wall) and it comes bouncing right back.
Best football with your team’s logo
NFL Downfield Youth Football: available at Amazon
Pick up this football to show off support for your favorite NFL team. This football features Rawlings’ patented HD grip to get a firmer grasp on the ball.
Best splurge-worthy kids’ football
Under Armour 395 Football: available at Amazon
Under Armour Gripskin technology ensures that kids get a strong grip on this football for strong passes. Note that this ball is official size.
Other quality options for kids’ footballs
Franklin Sports Junior Size Football: available at Amazon
Made of synthetic leather, this football costs less than $10 and is easy for young kids to grip as they work on throwing and catching. The coating is weather-resistant so kids can practice in sunshine or rain.
Nike Vapor 24/7 2.0 Junior Football: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods
This faux leather football offers a unique shape for throwing spirals. The synthetic outer layer will hold up well over time and enable your child to practice throws and catches for years.
Baden Composite Football: available at Amazon
The cushioned composite cover on this football offers a comfortable grip and lasting durability. Available in multiple youth sizes, this football is great for throwing around the football in the backyard.
XEdge Composite Leather Indoor/Outdoor Football: available at Amazon
This football is made to retain air well so it stays properly inflated no matter how often it’s used. The composite leather exterior offers a soft and tacky feel for small hands.
Wilson NFL The Duke Replica Football: available at Amazon
Designed to look and feel like an official NFL game ball, this football lets your child feel like they’re Tom Brady on the football field.
Wilson NCAA Supreme Junior Football: available at Amazon
This football comes with a stand so your athlete can practice kicking field goals at home. It also comes with a pump to ensure your football is always properly inflated.
SportimeMax Hands-On Junior Football: available at Amazon
This football was designed by a 9-year-old and is meant to help teach proper grip technique to kids just learning the rules of the game.
Stephanie Jarrett is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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