If you quickly want to know what my top pick is for the best toddler basketball hoop, then I’d recommend the Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set as the best one.
Are you looking for a new toy for your children to keep them active and entertained? A kid’s basketball hoop will give them hours of play and will develop their motor and cognitive skills at the same time. Who knows? This toddler basketball hoop may be the start of their interest in a sport that will keep them fit in the long run.
In this article, I will share with you my top picks for the best kids’ basketball hoops:
- Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set
- Step2 Shootin’ Hoops Junior Basketball Set
- Little Tikes Adjust and Jam Pro Basketball Set
- Costzon Kids Basketball Hoop
- Best Choice Products 3-in-1 Toddler Basketball Hoop
- LotFancy Basketball Hoop
Why Buy A Little Kids Basketball Hoop?
Once children start to walk and recognize things around them, it is good to keep them stimulated and active. A toddler basketball hoop will be bright and colorful which makes it attractive and easy for young children’s eyes to perceive and recognize.
Getting a kids’ basketball hoop for your child will develop their interest in the sport and is a fun way for them to explore new things. An added bonus is the development of their cognitive and motor skills. Learning to pick up a ball and shooting it in a goal help to develop their hand and eye coordination and give them a sense of achievement.
What To Look For When Choosing A Toddler Basketball Hoop?
Basketball hoops come in an array of sizes, colors, and features. You should consider the following when buying a toddler basketball hoop.
- Safety
Among all the factors, this is the most important one to look into. Do not compromise on safety. Start with a sturdy base. A sturdy base is important to ensure the hoop doesn’t topple over and hurt your child. Most basketball hoops can be filled with sand or water to keep the base secure. Follow instructions carefully on how you should fill the base to avoid leakage and other issues.
Avoid basketball hoops that have sharp edges. A very young child can easily get injured since they won’t be aware of the dangers of sharp edges.
Plastic material would be preferable to metal and glass. While metal and glass look more professional, reserve these for later when your child is of the right age for more competitive basketball.
- Fun Factor
A young child will enjoy and get more use out of a basketball hoop that is appropriate for his height and has a colorful and vibrant color scheme.
Start with a height of 2.5 feet if you are getting this hoop for a 1.5 to 2 year old child. This makes it easy enough for him to shoot his first few baskets. For a 5 year-old, a 4 feet high hoop would be ideal.
The size of the rim is another thing to keep in mind. A large opening on the hoop will work best for a child who is just starting to play.
- Size and ergonomics
The width and overall space required to store the hoop is an important consideration if you have limited space at home and you intend to keep the hoop indoors. Pay attention to the measurements and look for a hoop that fits the space you have available.
You should definitely get a height adjustable hoop. This prolongs the use of the toddler basketball hoop. You can increase the height as your child grows or as he progresses with his shooting skills.
- Other Features
These are additional things or special options that come with kids basketball hoops. These give you added convenience or give you more variety in usage.
The most useful perhaps would be the inclusion of basketballs. Most kids basketball hoops already come with a ball or balls. This is really convenient as you don’t need to spend time and additional money to get them.
A ball holder at the base of the basketball hoop is another handy feature. Having a place for the ball near the hoop makes it easy to find and pick-up whenever your child wants to start playing.
There are kids basketball hoops that come with breakaway rims. This is a feature on most regulation basketball hoops and allows players to slam dunk safely. Definitely a nice thing to have but not a deal breaker especially if your child is too young.
I do want to mention the multi-sports toys which are not exactly basketball hoops. These are toys that have two or more games and sports built-in to them. These usually come with a basketball hoop that is just as good as a standalone one. This gives your child several options for playing. This type will be a good buy for those looking to expose their toddler to several sports or give them a larger variety of activities.
Progression Into Other Basketball Hoops
Studies have shown that getting kids into sports not only helps with their physical development and fitness, it also benefits them psychologically, socially and intellectually.
If your child shows interest and exhibits early potential in the game, then you may think of advancing his development by getting more advanced hoops. A child from age 7 can start to participate in youth basketball. I would recommend looking into mini basketball hoops from age 7 until early teens or 13 years. The wall-mounted or freestanding mini hoops are good to keep them challenged and are still in the affordable range. Bonus: adults can also get a lot of fun out of mini basketball hoops!
Take a look at this video of a toddler who is killing it with both little kids basketball hoops and mini basketball hoops:
If your child shows serious potential then you can start looking into specialization. According to the Youth Basketball Guidelines, the age of 14 is the earliest age recommended to start specialization. You can even delay until the age of 16. At this age, a proper regulation size basketball hoop will be your best bet. Look into a portable basketball hoop or an in-ground basketball hoop. These are definitely more expensive but a worthwhile investment.
6 Best Kids And Toddler Basketball Hoops
Now let’s take a look at the top options for the best kids basketball hoop that you can buy.
1. Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set
A sturdy base, rounded edges and clean lines make this Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set one of the safest toddler basketball hoops for your child. I recommend filling the base with sand for added stability and peace of mind. You do have to purchase the sand separately.
The pole height is adjustable from 2.5 to 4 feet which is perfect for a 1.5 year-old to start with and can be used until the child is 5 years of age. There are 6 height adjustments from the lowest to the highest setting which gives you a lot of flexibility. The rim is large which makes it easy for very young ballers to get shots in while they are new to the game. It comes with 3 balls which are already inflated so little ones can start playing after assembly.
One quick tip: pay attention to the hoop during assembly and ensure that it snaps into place to ensure it doesn’t wobble or fall off.
If you are looking for a pink toddler basketball hoop, then this same hoop comes in pink but with a single ball.
Pros
- Very safe for toddlers
- Comes with 3 inflated basketballs
- Height-adjustable with 6 different height settings
- Good value for money
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Cons
- The hoop requires a bit more attention during assembly
2. Step2 Shootin’ Hoops Junior Basketball Set
This is another good choice for a kids basketball hoop. Like the Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set, the Step2 Shootin Hoops Junior Basketball Set is also height-adjustable starting from 2.5 until 4 feet. The difference lies in the number of adjustments. This hoop only allows 4 different heights so there is less flexibility.
Nonetheless, it offers the same safety features with a large sturdy base and rounded edges. You can rest assured that your little one will be safe playing with this hoop. The base can be filled with sand or water. I would personally recommend sand to avoid leaking. It has 2 built-in drink holders which can double as ball holders to keep things tidy.
This hoop comes with a deflated basketball. Buy a pump if you don’t have one to avoid inconvenience.
Pros
- Safe for your child
- Height adjustable with 4 different height settings
- Has built-in drink or ball holders
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Ball is deflated so some extra work required
3. Little Tikes Adjust and Jam Pro Basketball Set
A kids basketball hoop suitable for children ages 2 until 15 years of age. The Little Tikes Adjust and Jam Pro Basketball Set has 5 height adjustments ranging from 4 feet until 6 feet. Little Tikes recommends this for children ages 2 until 15 years of age.
If your child is already 2-3 years of age then consider this over the other options so you can keep it around for longer. I would also recommend this basketball hoop if your child is looking for a more challenging game but not quite ready for a wall-mounted or freestanding mini basketball hoop. One unique feature of this is the breakaway rim which is great if your child wants some slam dunking action.
The base should be filled with sand for stability. The base has a slot where you can tuck the included basketball away when you are not playing.
Pros
- Sturdy base and rounded corners. Safe for children.
- Height-adjustable from 4 feet to 6 feet. Suitable until age 15.
- Breakaway rim
- Base comes with a ball holder
- Comes with a basketball
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Cons
- May be too challenging for very young kids
- Ball may deflate quickly
4. Costzon Kids Basketball Hoop
Bright-colored and cheerful are the words to describe this kids basketball hoop by Costzon. It has 5 height adjustments ranging from 4 to 5.5 feet and is suitable for little kids 1.5 to 8 years of age. The sturdy base can be filled with sand or water for added stability. A 5.5 to 7 feet height adjustable hoop is also available from the same manufacturer if your child has outgrown the 5.5 feet version.
Unlike the other options that I reviewed, this basketball hoop does not come with balls so you have to purchase them separately. If you are buying for a toddler then I recommend getting these foam balls for added safety.
Pros
- Safe for children
- Height-adjustable from 4 to 5 feet. Suitable until age 8.
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Cons
- No ball included
5. Best Choice Products 3-in-1 Toddler Basketball Hoop
This 3-in-1 Sports Center from Best Choice Products will give your toddler hours of active play. It comes with a basketball hoop, a soccer goal and a ring toss game. Your little one can easily switch from one game to another and not get bored. This is best for kids ages 3 and above.
Unlike single purpose basketball hoops, the base on this sports center is a soccer goal. You do not need to fill it with sand or water. The soccer goal base is solid enough to keep it stable.
I did notice that the pole of this basketball hoop is flimsier compared to the ones on single purpose basketball hoops. This is a good option if you want variety for your kid’s activities. If you prefer to focus your child on basketball then you are better off getting the single purpose hoops. The height of the basketball hoop can be adjusted between 10 to 19 inches.
It comes complete with 1 basketball, 1 soccer ball, 4 throwing rings and 1 air pump. Your child can start playing immediately after assembly. You will encounter some challenges with the instructions but it is easy enough to assemble by looking through the product photo.
Pros
- 3 different activity options: basketball, soccer, ring toss
- No need to fill the base with sand or water
- Comes with everything you need
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Cons
- Basketball hoop pole is thinner compared to single purpose basketball hoops
- Assembly instructions are not very clear
6. LotFancy Basketball Hoop
The LotFancy basketball hoop is suitable for children ages one to three years of age. This is a fun little hoop that is great for stimulating your child’s senses and enhancing their motor skills. The backboard lights up playfully to capture your baby’s attention. It plays clapping sounds whenever the balls get into the hoop.
Apart from shooting, your toddler can also roll the ball around the base of the hoop or slide it down the small ramps. The height of the hoop can be increased from 18 inches to 21 inches. This allows your child to use it even if they have not learned to stand up and walk.
The package includes the hoop, two soft balls and batteries. Assembly is simple so your child will be ready to play in no time.
Pros
- Suitable for babies and toddlers
- Musical sounds and lights keep babies entertained and stimulated
- Height-adjustable from 18 to 21 inches
- Comes with two soft basketballs and batteries
Cons
- Can only be used indoors
- Your child will outgrow this quickly due to the small size
The Awesome Choice
My choice for the best toddler basketball hoop would be the Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set. What won me over was the no-frills design and the good value that you get for your money. While it does not come with many bells and whistles, the assembly is pretty simple and it comes with 3 inflated basketballs. Your child can enjoy playing immediately without any challenges getting in the way. For someone looking for a great starter basketball hoop for a very young child, this one ticks all the boxes.
If you have an older child who is looking for a more challenging game then consider the Little Tikes Adjust and Jam Pro Basketball Set for the taller height setting and the breakaway rim.