11 Fun Basketball Games for Kids 

There are plenty of ways for kids to enjoy the sport of basketball besides the standard team games they see on TV or in their local gyms.

This hand-picked list of basketball games for kids is great because they can all be played on an official basketball court with coaches overseeing, or they can be played wherever kids just like to shoot hoops with their friends. And all of them can help develop a number of basketball skills.

The rules may vary slightly for some of these games depending on where you live or the age groups that are playing. And it could be fun to add some twists of your own.

Here are 11 fun basketball games for kids to check out next time there's a hoop nearby.

Knock Out

This fast paced shooting game is also great for rebounding, cardio and time/pressure management.

It involves two basketballs and two or more players standing in line behind the free throw line (or three point line).

The first two players in line each have a basketball. The first player shoots, and if it goes in they retrieve the ball and pass it to the third person in line and return to the back of the line. 

If the first player misses the shot they must rebound the ball and try to put it through the hoop from anywhere on the court as fast as they can, while the second player begins shooting upon the first player's miss. If player two can make a shot before player one makes a shot, then player one has been “knocked out” and has to sit out. 

This repeats with the next remaining players in line until the last player standing wins.

Around the World

This competitive game can help with shooting accuracy and getting kids comfortable with shooting from different spots on the floor.

Set up a series of 3-5 shooting areas surrounding the hoop from corner to corner and using spots like the free throw line and elbow, adjusting the distance from the basket according to age and skill level.

The first shooter will start at the first corner spot and shoot, moving to the next spot with every made basket. If they miss a shot at any point, they have to head to the back of the line at the starting point as the next person in line begins. 

You can also add a second try for the shooter and/or allow them to remain at the missed spot until their next turn, and then resume from there.

The first shooter to go “around the world” and make all of the shots from corner to corner and back again is the winner.

Sharks and Minnows

This fun basketball game is great for defensive and dribbling skills, and can be played on a full or half court.

Start off with one player (or the coach) as the shark, with the remaining players as the minnows.

The minnows line up at one end of the court, each holding a ball. The sharks stand about halfway between the minnows and the other end of the court. 

When the game starts, the minnows’ objective is to dribble to the other side (baseline to baseline) of the court without the sharks stealing their ball or knocking it away.

If a minnow loses their ball to a shark, they become a shark in the next round.

The last minnow standing is the winner.

Red Light, Green Light

This is another fun game for dribbling skills, focusing on stopping and starting at different speeds.

Every player stands with a ball at one end of the court, while the coach stands between them and the other side.

The players want to dribble to the other side as fast as they can, but only advancing when the coach says “green light,” and stopping when the coach says “red light.” Players go back to the starting point if they dribble during a red light.

The game continues until the first player to make it to the other side during only green lights is the winner.

H-O-R-S-E

This shooting game is fun for basketball players at every skill level, from beginners to NBA pros, and helps with shooting accuracy and creativity.

With two or more players, choose an order via coin flip or rock paper scissors. 

The first shooter can choose any shot they want, from a layup to a shot at the half court line and everything in between. If they make the shot, the next shooter has to attempt the exact same shot. If the second shooter misses, they get a letter starting with H. If the second shooter makes it, the next shooter in line must attempt it, and so on.

Spelling HORSE means you’re out of the game, and the last player standing is the winner. 

You can also play the game with words of varying length, such as IT, PIG, or HOPS.

Golf

This is another one of those fun basketball games that integrates ideas from a different fantastic game, in this case golf.

With one basketball and two or more players, the idea is that the lowest score wins – just like in golf.

After choosing a spot to shoot from on the floor, each player has a turn shooting from there. If the shooter makes it on the first try it’s a “hole-in-one” and their score for that hole is 1. If they miss the shot, they must shoot from where they rebounded the ball. Their score then becomes the number of shots it took to make the basket.

You can do this from numerous spots on the court (9 or 18 to be most like golf!) and the player with the lowest score at the end is the winner.

Twenty-One 

This fun shooting game helps to sharpen speed and concentration skills.

It involves three or more players with one ball and a basket.

All the players line up behind the free throw line. The first player shoots and if they make the shot, they get one point and the chance to shoot again for a second point. If a shot is missed, the player gathers the rebound and takes a second shot, which is worth two points if it goes in. If no shots are made, the player receives no points and goes to the back of the line.

The first player to score exactly 21 wins the game. If a player goes over 21 points, their score reverts back to 13.

Another variation of this game involves everyone fighting for the rebound when a free throw is missed, and then having to make a contested shot from somewhere around the basket to earn free throw attempts.

Musical Basketballs

Musical basketballs, which is similar to musical chairs, can help with shooting skills and overall hustle.

Put enough basketballs for every player in a circle at center court. Have the kids walk around the balls while music plays or while waiting for a whistle. When the music stops or whistle blows, the players grab a basketball and shoot from anywhere they want. 

Once a player makes a basket they immediately sit down to show they are finished, or run the ball back to the circle.

The last player standing or back to the circle is out. Repeat until one kid remains, and that is the winner.

Freeze Tag Basketball

This fun dribbling game combines basketball with the classic game freeze tag.

Start with everyone dribbling a basketball. One player is designated as “it” and must go around and try to tag the other players.

Once tagged, a player must freeze with their legs apart and holding the basketball above their heads. Tagged players can be unfrozen if one of the other players dribble a basketball through the tagged player’s legs.

The game is over once everyone is frozen or a time limit has been reached. You may start again with a different “it” person.

A more basic version of basketball tag can be played as well without the freezing/unfreezing.

 

Dribble Limbo

This activity incorporates basketball into a classic game, and is good for dribbling and body control.

Set up a limbo stick or have two players / coaches hold a limbo stick.

The players will line up and, one at a time, need to dribble their ball under the stick without touching it. The stick should be lowered a little after everyone has had a turn, repeating that process until there is only one person left standing.

Basketball Relay Races

This game is great for dribbling, team building and operating under pressure.

Divide the kids into lines of two or more teams, with one basketball per team.

Set up a cone at the opposite end of the court – or a series of cones for more dribbling agility practice – and have the first person in line for each team dribble down and back as fast yet controlled as they can, and then pass the ball to the next player in line who will then do the same thing.

The first team to complete the relay wins.