20 Fun Basketball Games for Kids: Creative Drills & Activities

The primary role of a youth basketball coach is to impart the fundamentals of the game to their growing players. They also have a responsibility to keep youth basketball practices creative and fun. 

Drills are ideally repeated weekly. But this can quickly become monotonous for Fun Basketball Games for kids. Therefore, a coach must strike a balance between teaching basketball skills and having fun.

Of course, both these goals can be achieved simultaneously. But doing so requires the coach to be active while teaching the necessary skills. 

My List of 20 Fun Basketball Games for Kids for basketball practices 

Here are some drills, exercises, and activities that will increase the fun factor during your practice sessions: 

Here are some drills, exercises, and activities that will increase the fun factor during your practice sessions: 

1. Basic Shooting Drill 

This is a sample drill that can be done by players of all ages and skill levels. You could even utilize a mini-hoop for younger players. 

How to play: 

1. Begin by having all the players line up in a single set behind the foul line. The first players in each line should have a basketball.
2. The first player in the line starts the game with a free throw. If successful, the player collects the rebound and passes the ball to the next person, while moving behind the goal line.
3. If the shooter misses the free throw, they must perform a lying motion or a short jump.
4. The game ends when all the players have been knocked out and only one is left standing. 

Related: How To Plan A Good Basketball Practice

2. Timed Shooting Drill

This is a variation of the basic shooting drill.  

How to play:

1. Place sticky tape or small cones on the ground in different places.
2. Give each player 30 seconds to line up on either side of the basket.
3. Each player takes a shot at the basket, with one point awarded per successful shot.

3. Steal the Bacon

This game is an effective way to break up repetitive drills. It also lets you know how your players have developed their basic skills.  

How to play:

1. Group your team into two, with each group facing the other along the touchline. The players of each team should be given a number beginning from “one”. 
2. A basketball is placed at the center of the court. You call out a number, and the players assigned that number on each group gets ready. 
3. At your whistle, the players race each other to get the ball. Whoever gets the ball first plays offense, while the other player plays defense. 
4. You can also call out more than one number to have more players compete against each other. 

Here’s a Video of Steal The Bacon Drill:

4. X-Out

This is a layup drill that teaches players to get the hoop with least number of dribbles. It also helps them figure out how to sink their shot at the end of the run. 

How to play:

1. Players begin at the right elbow, with the passer/rebounder in possession of the ball in the paint.
2. The player receives the pass and takes a shot from the elbow.
3. The player then runs out and touches the half court line. From there, they run back to the left elbow and receive another pass and take another shot. 

Here’s a video that you can follow for X-out drill:

5. Puzzle Game

This is a shooting drill that incorporates a puzzle board. It adds an element of fun and added challenge that should make it more fun for younger players. 

How to play:

1. Buy a cheap 20- or 30-piece jigsaw puzzle.
2. Have each player take a shot at the basket. 
3. Award a puzzle piece every time a player scores. A hit from outside the key could be worth two pieces.
4. The first player to complete the puzzle wins the challenge. 

6. Knockout or Bump

Knockout or Bump is a fun and challenging game that allows players to test their skills while competing against each other. It requires players to sink shots before the previous player to ‘bump’ them off the line. 

How to play:

1. Have all the players form a single-file line in front of the free-throw line. 
2. The first two players are given one ball each. 
3. Have the first player take a shot from the free-throw line. If successful, the ball is passed to the next player without a ball. If it misses, the player will have to rebound and try to sink the ball.
4. The second player with the ball takes a shot after the first player has taken theirs. If they sink before the first player sinks the rebound shot, the first player is bumped off.
5. If both players miss their first shots, they may try to sink their subsequent rebound shots.
6. The game continues until only one player is left.

7. Dribble Knockout

This is a variation of Knockout, in which players dribble toward the hoop before taking the shot. It’s an excellent skill builder and is a lot of fun. This game probably helped my kids with the ball more than anything we did.

How to play:

1. Have all the players form a single-file line in front of the free-throw line. 
2. The first two players are given one ball each. 
3. Have the first player dribble toward the hoop and take a shot. If successful, the ball is passed to the next player without a ball. If it misses, the player will have to rebound and try to sink the ball.
4. The second player with the ball takes a shot after the first player has taken theirs. If they sink before the first player sinks the rebound shot, the first player is bumped off.
5. If both players miss their first shots, they may try to sink their subsequent rebound shots.
6. The game continues until only one player is left.

8. One-on-One 

This drill teaches players to incorporate defensive moves into real game situations.

How to play:

1. The first offensive player starts out at the block. The defending player moves into a three-quarter denial position from the high side. 
2. The offensive player makes a break toward the three-point line to receive a pass as the defender closes out. 
3. The game continues until the offensive player scores or the defensive player gets the rebound.
4. The sequence is repeated with the same defender assigned to guard each succeeding offensive player. 

9. Pass and Go Circle

This is an excellent drill for new players to learn passing and going after passes.

How to play:

1. Have the players form a 4-meter circle at midcourt, with one player in the middle. 
2. The first player passes the ball to the middle player and runs after the pass. 
3. The middle player passes the ball to the next player in the circle and moves into the spot occupied by the previous player. 
4. Instruct the players to use chest passes and keep the ball from touching the ground.

10. Dribble Tag  

This drill helps develop dribbling and ball-handling skills. It is based on the traditional children’s game of tag. 

How to play:

1. Every player is given a ball and is instructed to remain within a half court area. All players should keep dribbling the ball throughout the exercise.
2. One player as assigned as the “it”. They should try to tag another player while dribbling the ball. Tagged players become the new “it”, and must tag other players in turn. 
3. Players that leave the half-court area, stop dribbling or double-dribble become the “it”.

11. Sharks and Minnows

This drill teaches players to keep their heads up while dribbling and evade defenders in their paths.

How to play:

1. All players except for taggers are given a ball and lined up along the baseline. These players are referred to as “minnows”.
2. Assign one or two players as taggers or “sharks”, and have them stand midcourt.
3. At your signal, all the minnows should make their way to the other end of the court while dribbling. They should avoid being tagged by the sharks.
4. Tagged players must stand at the spot where they were tagged as the game continues. They may tag a passing minnow to get back into the game. 
5. The game ends when only one minnow is left untagged. 

12. Bank 

This drill tests shooting and counting skills. Younger players can benefit from learning how to keep track of scores, while older players can compete with each other to see who lasts the longest. 

How to play:

1. Have all the players form a line on front of the free-throw line. Each player starts with a bank of 21 points. 
2. Have the first player take a shot. If successful, they continue to take shots until they miss. 
3. The second player takes their turn at the basket. If they sink their first shot, they add the number of consecutive successful shots of the previous player to their bank. If they miss their first shot, they will have to deduct the number of consecutive successful shots of the previous player from their bank. 
4. Players that deplete their bank are knocked out of the game. 
5. The game ends when only one player has points left in the bank. 

13. Basketball Obstacle Course

This game is a creative way to get everyone engaged. Obstacle courses can be as simple or as complex as you can make them with the equipment you have available to you. If you don’t have a lot of equipment, you can incorporate physical exercises such as skipping rope or pushups. 

How to play:

1. Create an obstacle course leading to the basket using available gym or training equipment. 
2. Have all the players from a line in front of the first obstacle. If there is enough equipment to form two matching courses, the team can be divided into two lines. 
3. Each player goes through the course and takes a shot at the end of it. 
4. The two groups compete to see who can go through the course first. Points are deducted for missed shots. 
5. If there is only one group, each player can be timed to see who goes through the course the fastest. 

14. Mini-Dunk Contest

This is the ideal game for younger players that aren’t able to dunk a regulation ring. Remember to add cushions or pillows around the base of the ring to prevent injury. 

How to play:

1. Set up a low hoop suitable for young players. 
2. Have the team form a line in front of the hoop. 
3. Each player is given three chances to sink a dunk. 
4. Points are awarded for each successful shot and also for form and complexity. 

15. Follow The Leader

This is a great way test each player’s skills and to learn new moves. It can even be simplified for younger children by doing away with the shot at the basket at the end. 

How to play:

1. Players form a line in front of the basket. 
2. The first player takes a shot at the basket, performing whatever move they want. 
3. The next player attempts to replicate the move made by the previous player. 
4. If any one player is unsuccessful at replicating the previous player’s shot, the next player is free to perform whatever maneuver they wish. 

16. H.O.R.S.E. or P.I.G.

This is a classic basketball game that can be incorporated into a training session for added fun. Use it as a break or to work on shooting skills. “P.I.G.” is a shorter variation of “H.O.R.S.E.” that lets players get through the drill more quickly. 

How to play:

1. Decide which player gets to take a shot first.
2. The first player executes any type of shot they wish and takes note of the spot where the move begins. If the attempt is unsuccessful, the player gets the first letter of “Horse” or “Pig”. If successful, the player takes more shots until they miss, in which case they get a letter.
3. The next player attempts to execute the same type of shot as the previous successful attempt, from the same starting point. 
4. If the second player misses the shot, they get the first letter of “Horse” or “Pig”. If the shot is successful, the player gets to take another. 
5. Players that spell out the full word are eliminated and the other players continue until only one is left. 

Here’s a video of H.O.R.S.E Game:

17. Twenty One (21)

21 is another well-loved favorite that lets players work on their shooting and layup skills. It is especially effective at developing free-throw shooting skills. 

How to play:

1. Players take turns taking shots at the basket. 
2. Players first take a standing shot from the free-throw line and are awarded two points if successful. 
3. Players then rebound the ball and perform a lay-up for a second shot. If successful, this shot is awarded one point. 
4. Players that sink both shots get another turn. 
5. Players should go for the rebound whether or not the first shot is successful. 
6. The first player to make 21 points wins and the other players continue until only one is left. 
7. Players should make exactly 21 points. This means that if they take a turn with 20 points, they must miss the first 2-point shot but still hit the rim. They should then successfully rebound the ball and sink the second shot to reach 21.

18. Break The Ice

This is a variation of 21 that adds extra challenge. Apart from the first “ice-breaker” shot, it is played pretty much the same way as 21 and develops the same skills. 

How to play:

1. Players take turns taking shots at the basket. 
2. Each player should first take an “ice-breaker” shot from the free-throw line. This is worth one point. 
3. Players that have broken the ice again take a shot from the free-throw line and are awarded two points if successful. 
4. Players then rebound the ball and perform a lay-up for a second shot. If successful, this shot is awarded one point. 
5. Players that sink both shots get another turn. 
6. Players should go for the rebound whether or not the first shot is successful. 
7. The first player to make 21 points wins and the other players continue until only one is left. 
8. Players should make exactly 21 points. This means that if they take a turn with 20 points, they must miss the first 2-point shot but still hit the rim. They should then successfully rebound the ball and sink the second shot to reach 21.

19. Around The World

This is an excellent shooting game that helps players develop precision. The beauty of this drill is that it can be played with just one hoop. 

How to play:

1. Five shooting spots around the hoop are assigned: the left and right corners, both foul lines, and in front of the rim. 
2. Players take turns taking shots, beginning from the corner to the right of the rim. 
3. If successful, the player advances to the next shooting position. If not, they will have to take their shot from the same position on their next turn. 
4. Players that miss their shot have the option to “challenge”. If their subsequent attempt is successful, they may advance to the next position. If not, they move back one position. 
5. The first player that makes it all the way around and back wins. The game continues until all the players have gone “around the world”. 

Here’s a video:

20. Five Spots

This is a variation of Around The World, in which players compete against each other to see who makes the full round with the least number of shots. 

How to play:

1. Use the same spots as in Around The World. 
2. Players take turns trying to sink shots from every spot. After a successful shot, the player moves to the next spot. If unsuccessful, the player has to shoot from the same spot in their next turn. Players may have the option to “challenge”, as in the directions for Around The World described above. 
3. The player that manages to sink every shot wins. 
4. The game proceeds until only one player hasn’t completed the round.

Here’s the video:

Also Read: How To Plan A Good Youth Basketball Practice Plan?

Final thoughts on keeping youth basketball practices creative and fun

A youth basketball coach’s job is to teach young players the fundamentals of the sport. But coaches should also strive for a more positive and supportive environment that encourages children to learn. This can be done by adding some element of fun to the weekly drills, exercises, and activities. 

We’ve found that young basketball players tend to perform their best when receiving encouragement. A more supportive environment also drives young players to continue improving their abilities. 

Perhaps one of the most effective ways to keep players engaged is to incorporate periodic breaks into training and practice sessions. By devoting some time to fun and creative activities, coaches will likely see better results and quicker improvement from their players.

Hoping my 20 Fun Basketball games for kids will help you keep them engaged and inspired to learn and practice.