Basketball is one of the greatest sports, simply because of its accessibility. Children of all skill levels can enjoy the advantages of camaraderie and the thrill of competition, all thanks to a little orange ball.
Your toddler will benefit from the exercise and the excitement of sinking half court—no, FULL court jump shots. But, in order to do that, you’re going to need a hoop! Thankfully, we’ve got you covered.
Now the hoops listed here are not regulation size, meaning your littlest ones won’t feel they’re trying to land threes up the side of a skyscraper. They won’t have to worry about that until they’re starting in the NBA.
For now, let them practice their motor skills on one of these shorter, lightweight hoops that will be sure to keep them (and even you) entertained for hours on end.
There are many different features to be aware of when deciding on yours, including physical size, built-in LCD/LED screens, and even music.
Trust us, and we’ll help you choose the best toddler basketball hoop for you and your family!
Before we show you the results of our in-depth research, get an overview of our favorites from the table below.
Quick comparison: Best toddler basketball hoop
Basketball hoops | Features we love | Rating | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
VTech Smart  | - Basketball hoop and soccer goal, | ||
Fisher-Price Grow-to-Pro Junior Basketball  | - 4 height positions | ||
Little Tikes Adjust  | - Assembly is a cinch | ||
Little Tikes Easy  | - Adjusts to 6 heights | ||
Step2 Shootin' Hoops Junior Basketball Set  | - Adjusts to 4 different heights |
You're going to have to read to the end if you want all the details on our top picks!
VTech Smart Shots Sports Center
First up is the Sports Center by VTech, which will undoubtedly make the time fly by, thanks to its versatility.
Not only is there a basketball hoop, but there's also a miniature soccer net that will guarantee hours of fun, with respective their balls included.
An animated LED screen tracks goals and baskets up to 10 points, while cheerful animations and phrases play out, encouraging your toddler to keep shooting!
But this toy isn't just for sports, it's also an educational learning center, equipped with various shapes and sounds to help early memorization and thought development.
Your child will be able to learn numbers and rhymes from the sing-a-long songs (don’t worry, parents, they aren’t going to annoy you too much!), and to fine-tune his attention spans thanks to the colorful, inviting display, which makes this one of the best toddler basketball hoops available.
The scoreboard tracking promotes the concept of cause and effect. It all adds up into one convenient, worthwhile bundle that will serve many purposes in your child’s beginning stages.
Best of all, there are no small parts, which means no choking hazards. You can be at ease knowing your little one is safe at play time. The recommended age is one to three years old.
Pros
- No choking hazards
- Promotes developmental abilities/motor skills
- Blends learning with play
- Fun, inviting setup and display
Cons
- Batteries are not included
- Not easily stored
- Non-adjustable
Our favorite feature
The LED scoreboard is a great way to help with counting, while also making the whole experience more exciting. Even though it only goes up to ten, it is still a unique feature that other brands do not have.
Fisher-Price Grow-to-Pro Junior Basketball
If you believe that your toddler already has the makings of an elite NBA star, consider this Fisher-Price adjustable basketball hoop, as its name suggests.
As your kid grows, so can the height of this hoop. In turn, the value for your money is higher, as you’ll get more than a few years out of its use. There are four different settings with a maximum height of 40 inches. Feel free to use it indoors, outdoors, anywhere.
A unique addition to this brand is the “Sure Score” rim, to help even the smallest sharpshooters make it in. And if you don’t feel like using it, it easily snaps off without much of a hassle. See their confidence grow once you take off the proverbial training wheels.
Lightweight and durable, this hoop is a welcome addition to any home. Weighing the base down with water or sand is recommended, but not necessary.
Like any children’s hoop, use will hone motor skills and physical ability—just without any extra, distracting frills.
Finally, it comes with a ball and you should have no problem getting right into the action!
The recommended age of use varies, but it generally sits at around 18 months to 3 years.
It's easily one of the best toddler basketball hoops out there, so make sure to keep it in mind in your search.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable, it is able to “weather” the outdoor elements
- Adjustable
- "Sure Score" rim
- Longevity due to adjustable height
Cons
- Backboard can be tricky to adjust
- Pretty basic
Our favorite feature
The “Sure Score” rim is something we would need even now, so we're sure it's very encouraging for a young toddler just getting his feet wet shooting the ball. It will help boost his confidence and improve his skills even more once it's taken off.
Little Tikes Adjust and Jam Pro Toy Basketball Hoop
Here's another adjustable basketball hoop, this time from Little Tikes. While the price tag might be a bit higher compared to the previous two listed, it's warranted. Instead of four height adjustments, there are five, with a maximum height of 6 feet.
We personally like the design of this hoop the best, with its lime green rim, light grey finish and deep blue base. Keeping it indoors would preserve its aesthetics, but it can also stand up to the most adverse of weather conditions outside. Even a hurricane wouldn’t take this hoop away (don’t quote us on that).
Using sand or water in the base keeps it exceptionally stable. The breakaway backboard allows for easier storage and rewarding slam dunks without snapping or breaking it. And as always, a ball is included, made of plastic, as well as a real net.
It's made of very high quality material, almost to the point of an actual regulation hoop, and assembly is quick and easy. If you find yourself using it more than the kids, we won’t judge you. We totally understand.
The recommended age of use is 2 years and up.
Pros
- Assembly is simple and quick
- Breakaway backboard adds versatility to play and allows for more convenient storage
- Visually-appealing design
- Five height settings
- Durable
Cons
- The price is higher than the former hoops reviewed
- The height-adjustment latch doesn't always hold
Our favorite feature
The breakaway hoop, while aptly named, is also a nice feature that will make the whole set-up much easier to store in your garage or basement. Slam dunks will also not be able to break this rim as a result.
Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set
To find the right basketball hoop for kids, it takes a little bit of luck and some trust in the product you choose. Little Tikes makes our list again and for good reason. This hoop is ranked first in sales for toy basketball products on Amazon. All of those happy parents can’t be wrong!
It's adjustable, from 2 to 4 feet in height, and includes three extra balls, just in case. The oversized rim is a nice touch, and will make sure that most of the shots taken will be made, increasing confidence and the desire to keep playing. Like the others on the list, it can be weighed down with sand (not included.)
The large nature of the backboard and net encourages children of all personalities and skill levels to engage in its use, whether it's competitive or solo. The price is about what one can expect when looking to purchase an adjustable basketball hoop, and it offers great value for money.
The recommended age of use is 18 months to 5 years, so there should be a relatively long-lasting “shelf life.”
Pros
- Very popular among parents
- Adjustable heights
- Includes extra plastic balls
- "Oversized" rim and backboard
- Relatively inexpensive
Cons
- Can’t use water for the base
- The rim has been known to bend
Our favorite feature
We really enjoy the idea of the oversized rim, as these hoops are more about fun rather than intense competition. Being able to make trick shots and deep balls from any distance is a rewarding feeling, especially for the young ones.
Step2 Shootin' Hoops Junior Basketball Set
Finally, our list would not be complete without the Step2 Shootin’ Hoops set, which looks like your standard basketball hoop for kids, but there is more to it than meets the eye.
The backboard and rim are the most durable that we’ve seen, the net is actually hand-woven, and the base even holds your drinks! So it is obvious why the adults enjoy it so much, but the kids will get a thrill out of the variations in height, as well as the ability to dunk without causing harm to the rim or to themselves.
Height varies from two 2 ½ feet at its lowest, and up to 4 feet at its highest. The cup holders can also be used to store extra basketballs.
Assembly is easily accomplished through a simple connecting of parts. The price is again middle-of-the-road, so it will not only fit your living room, driveway, or even poolside, but also your budget!
The recommended age of use is for kids 1.5 years or higher.
It is indubitably one of the best toddler basketball hoops for your dollar!
Pros
- Height is adjusted in 6” increments
- Cup/ball holders
- Can be used in many environments
- Simple assembly
Cons
- Height, while adjustable, doesn’t expand farther than 4 ft.
Our favorite feature
Our favorite part has to be the cup holders. It is one of the most unique and quirky features we’ve seen from products such as these.
There are lots of great toys out there that will keep your toddler active while also teaching her important skills. This includes everything from scooters and trampolines to balance bikes and, of course, basketball hoops.
And there you have it! We hope that this list was a slam dunk, providing you with enough information and self-deprecating humor to make the right choice of hoop that will meet the needs of you and your family.
Featured image: JD Hancock
