For Parents
3 Fun Tennis Games You Can Play With Your Child (Even Without a Court!)
No tennis court? No problem! These simple games help children develop coordination, confidence and racket skills — while having fun with you.
4 minute read
Does your child love tennis but only gets to play during their weekly lesson? Or perhaps they're curious about tennis, but haven't tried it yet?
You don't need to be a tennis coach, know the rules or even have a tennis court to enjoy the game together.
A little space, a soft ball and a few minutes are enough to get started.
Here are three fun tennis-inspired games you can play at home, in the garden or in a safe outdoor space.
And the best part? Your child will be practising useful tennis skills without it feeling like a lesson.
Choose a clear, safe space away from roads and breakable objects. Supervise younger children and use suitable soft balls and junior equipment where needed.
Pick a game to play together
Game 1: Balloon Tennis — Keep It in the Air!
How to play
- Blow up a balloon and find a clear space away from furniture and anything breakable.
- Gently tap the balloon into the air using your hand.
- See how many times you can keep it in the air before it touches the ground.
- Take turns with your child and try to keep the balloon going together.
- If your child is comfortable, try using a junior racket instead of a hand.
Rhino Challenge
Can you keep the balloon in the air for 10 taps?
Start with three, then five, then ten.
You can even create a pretend net using a line on the ground and see whether you can gently send the balloon over it.
What children practise
- Hand-eye coordination
- Tracking a moving object
- Gentle control
- Timing and movement
Rhino Tip: Don't worry about technique yet. Let your child experiment with different ways of reaching and tapping the balloon.
For younger children, use hand taps first and supervise balloon play. Keep uninflated or broken balloons away from young children because they can be a choking hazard.
Game 2: Tennis Target Island
How to play
- Place three flat markers on the ground to create your own target islands.
- Stand a short, comfortable distance away.
- Ask your child to roll a soft ball towards one of the targets.
- Give each island a name, such as Rhino Island, Tennis Island and Champion Island.
- Take turns trying to reach different islands.
When your child gets comfortable, let them gently push the ball along the ground using a junior tennis racket.
Rhino Challenge
Can you reach all three islands?
Try changing the distance or making one target slightly smaller.
For a cooperative version, work together to reach every target rather than competing against each other.
What children practise
- Aiming and direction
- Racket control
- Judging distance
- Concentration
Rhino Tip: Start with large, nearby targets. Success builds confidence, and you can make the game more challenging as your child improves.
Game 3: The Rolling Rally
How to play
- Sit or stand facing your child a short distance apart.
- Roll the ball gently towards them.
- Ask them to stop the ball and roll it back.
- Once they're comfortable, use junior rackets to push the ball back and forth along the ground.
- Count how many successful returns you can make together.
This isn't quite the tennis you see on television — but it's a fun way to begin understanding how to send a ball towards another player.
Rhino Challenge
Can you complete 10 returns without losing control of the ball?
If that's too easy, increase the distance a little.
If it's too difficult, move closer together or use a larger, slower-moving ball.
What children practise
- Racket and ball control
- Coordination
- Direction and accuracy
- Cooperation and turn-taking
Rhino Tip: Try to keep the ball moving gently and steadily. The goal is to work together and create a longer rally, not to beat your partner.
How long should you play?
You don't need a full hour of organised activities.
Even five or ten minutes can be an enjoyable opportunity to move, practise and spend time together.
You might play one game after school or try all three on a relaxed weekend afternoon.
Follow your child's interest. If they're having fun, you can continue. If they're getting tired or frustrated, finish on a positive note.
Remember, you're there to play with your child, not to become their tennis coach.
What if your child has never played tennis before?
That's absolutely fine.
These games don't require previous tennis experience, and most can be played without a racket.
Children can begin by practising movement, catching, aiming and controlling a ball.
When they're ready, a tennis racket becomes another fun way to explore those skills.
There's no need to rush towards perfect technique.
From playful games to the tennis court
Playing together at home can introduce children to some of the movements and coordination skills used in tennis.
But there's also something special about stepping onto a real tennis court — meeting other children, learning new skills and discovering the excitement of a rally.
At Rhino Tennis Academy in Estepona, Costa del Sol, we want children to feel welcome as they explore tennis and develop their skills.
Whether your child is completely new to the sport or already enjoys playing, our team would be happy to discuss suitable coaching options.
Ready to discover tennis together?
And remember: The best tennis game is one your child wants to play again!