Pickleball for Kids: How to Get Started with Dink
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At Dink, we’re on a mission to make pickleball accessible for the whole whānau. That’s why we offer a Kids Play range, complete with child-sized paddles designed just for smaller hands.
Why kids love pickleball
There’s a lot to love about this sport:
- It’s active without being too intense – great for developing coordination, balance, and agility.
- It’s simple to pick up – no complicated rules or tricky equipment.
- It’s social and inclusive – kids can play with friends, parents, or even grandparents.
- It’s just good fun – quick rallies, easy wins, and lots of laughs.
What you’ll need to get started
We’ve made it super easy to bring pickleball into your home or local park with our Family Bundle, which includes:
✅ A portable pickleball net
✅ 4 paddles (we can swap out any paddles for child-sized paddles)
✅ 4 balls
✅ A carry bag for easy setup and storage
Set it up in your backyard, driveway, school court, or local park – no club membership required.
How to teach kids the basics
You don’t need to be a coach to teach your kids pickleball. Just focus on fun and go with the flow.
1. Start with the dink shot
A “dink” is a soft shot that lands just over the net in the kitchen (the no-volley zone). It’s a great starting point because it teaches control over power.
2. Rally for fun
Challenge each other to see how many dinks you can get in a row. Keep it light, celebrate the effort, and enjoy the laughs.
3. Let them make the rules
Kids are natural game-makers. Let them create their own pickleball challenges, points systems, or court boundaries.
Game ideas to keep it playful
- 🎯 Target time: Set up cones or draw chalk targets in the kitchen zone.
- 👣 Move and dink: Step to the left, then dink. Step to the right, then dink. Great for footwork!
- 🏆 Mini matches: First to 5, 7, or 11 points – bonus points for good sportsmanship.
We’re proud to support the next generation of Kiwi pickleballers. Our Kids Play range includes specially designed child-sized paddles that are lightweight, durable, and made for young hands – helping kids build skills and confidence from their very first game.
Ready to get started?
Pickleball is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to keep kids active and connected – and at Dink, we’re here to help you make it happen.
Got questions about getting started or running a pickleball session for your school, holiday programme or community group? Get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.
Let’s get more Kiwi kids playing pickleball!