Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Football
Article in collaboration with adidas, who have gifted me products in return for a feature.
Finding the perfect gift for a football-mad kid can feel like a real challenge. You want something they’ll love and actually use, not just another toy that gets forgotten after a week. If the child in your life eats, sleeps, and breathes football, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of brilliant gift ideas that are sure to score big points.
This guide is packed with presents for every budget and every type of young football fan. From gear that will help them play better to fun items that let them show off their love for the game, we’ve got you covered. You’ll find ideas that encourage them to get active, spark their imagination, and connect them with their favourite sport. Let’s get started and find a gift that will make their day.
Essential Football Gear
Every young player needs the right gear to feel like a pro on the pitch. These gifts are practical, exciting, and will get plenty of use.
The Perfect Pair of Football Boots
A new pair of football boots is one of the most exciting gifts a young player can receive. The right boots can help them run faster, kick harder, and feel more confident on the pitch. It’s like giving them a superpower for football. They are always much better than boys’ trainers and will last longer too! Girls’ trainers are also never ideal for football, especially as they are usually light colours and styled to be pretty rather than functional!
When you’re buying football boots for kids, the most important thing to consider is the type of ground they’ll be playing on.
- Firm Ground (FG) boots are the most common type. They have plastic studs and are perfect for playing on natural grass pitches that are dry.
- Soft Ground (SG) boots have longer, metal-tipped studs. They are for wet, muddy pitches and offer better grip.
- Astro Turf (AG) boots have lots of small, rubber studs. They are designed for artificial 3G or 4G pitches.
- Indoor (IN) boots have flat, non-marking soles for playing in sports halls.
Getting the right type of boot is important for safety and performance. If you’re not sure, ask the child’s parent or coach what kind of pitches they usually play on. Firm ground boots are often a safe bet.
You can find boots in all sorts of bright colours and styles. Many are designed to look like the ones worn by famous players like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. Letting the child have a say in the colour can make the gift even more special. Remember to check their shoe size, and maybe go half a size up to give them some growing room.
A Quality Football
It might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many kids play with old, worn-out footballs. A brand-new ball can make a huge difference. It feels better to kick, it flies straighter, and it just looks cooler. A good football is the most essential piece of equipment for any player.
When choosing a football, think about the child’s age. Footballs come in different sizes. Size 3 is for kids aged 6 to 9. Size 4 is for ages 9 to 14. Size 5 is the standard adult size, for anyone 14 and up. Getting the right size makes it easier for them to control the ball and practice their skills.
You can find balls with the logos of their favourite teams, like Manchester United or Liverpool. Or you could go for a classic design. A new football is a simple gift, but it’s one that promises hours of fun in the garden or at the park.
A Stylish Football Kit
Nothing makes a kid feel more like their hero than wearing their team’s official kit. Whether it’s the full strip with the shirt, shorts, and socks, or just the home shirt, a football kit is a classic gift. They can wear it to training, to watch a match, or just when they’re kicking a ball around with friends.
You can get kits for all the big clubs in the Premier League and around the world. It’s also a great way to support a local team. Many kids love having their name and a number printed on the back of the shirt. You could use their own name or the name of their favourite player. This personal touch makes the gift feel extra special and unique to them.
Fun Football-Themed Gifts
Not every gift has to be for playing the game. These ideas are all about celebrating their love for football in other fun and creative ways.
Football Books and Magazines
For the kid who loves to read, there are loads of great football books out there. Biographies of famous players like Marcus Rashford or Megan Rapinoe can be very inspiring. They tell the stories of how these stars worked hard to achieve their dreams.
There are also fun fiction books about kids who play football. Books like the “Football Academy” series by Tom Palmer are very popular. They mix exciting match action with stories about friendship and teamwork. For kids who prefer facts and figures, an annual like the “Match of the Day Annual” is filled with stats, quizzes, and posters.
A subscription to a kids’ football magazine like Match or Kick! is a gift that keeps on giving. They’ll get a new issue through the post every week or month, packed with the latest football news, interviews, and posters to stick on their wall.
Football Video Games
If the child has a game console like a PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, a football video game is a guaranteed winner. Games like EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA) are incredibly popular. They let kids play as their favourite teams, build their own dream squad in Ultimate Team, and compete against friends online.
These games are updated every year with the latest players and kits, so getting the newest version is always exciting. They are a great way for kids to learn more about players, teams, and tactics. It’s a fun way to engage with the sport, especially on a rainy day when they can’t get outside to play.
Subbuteo or Table Football
For a bit of old-school fun, why not introduce them to Subbuteo? It’s a classic tabletop football game where you flick tiny players to pass and shoot the ball. It’s a game of skill and strategy that parents and kids can enjoy playing together. It’s a nice break from screen time and helps develop fine motor skills.
A table football, or foosball, table is another fantastic gift if you have the space. They come in all sizes, from small tabletop versions to full-size tables. It’s a fast-paced, exciting game that’s great for playing with family and friends. It’s perfect for a playroom or bedroom and will provide hours of entertainment.
Gifts to Improve Their Skills
For the young player who is serious about getting better, these gifts can help them take their game to the next level.
A Rebounder Net
A rebounder is a brilliant training tool for practising alone. It’s a net on a frame that you can kick a ball against, and it bounces it right back to you. It’s perfect for practising passing, receiving, and shooting.
Kids can use it in the garden to work on their first touch or their volleys. It means they don’t need a friend to pass to or a wall to kick against (which is great news for your fence). It’s a fun way to get lots of touches on the ball and improve their technique.
Training Cones and Ladders
If you want to help them train like a pro, a set of cones and an agility ladder are great. They can set up drills in the garden to work on their dribbling and footwork. An agility ladder helps improve their speed, coordination, and quickness.
You can find lots of training drills online for them to try. It’s a great way for them to feel like they are at a real training session. This kind of equipment is used by players at all levels, from grassroots to the Premier League. It’s a simple but effective way to help them develop their skills.
A Ticket to a Live Match
There’s nothing quite like the experience of watching a live football match. The roar of the crowd, the excitement of a goal, the feeling of being part of it all, it’s unforgettable. Buying a ticket for them to see their favourite team play is an amazing gift.
It’s a chance to see their heroes in person and experience the stadium’s incredible atmosphere. It’s more than just a gift; it’s a memory they will cherish forever. It could be a Premier League match, a Women’s Super League game, or a match at your local club. The experience will be special no matter what.
A Stadium Tour
We have done a number of stadium tours as Ben is football obsessed, he even collects football shirts! I would highly recommend them as gifts. We have done the Wembley Tour, Chelsea Tour, Newcastle Tour, Liverpool Tour, Manchester United Tour and the West Ham Tour. They were all brilliant!
Your Next Steps
Choosing a gift for a football-loving kid doesn’t have to be difficult. The best presents are the ones that connect with their passion for the game. Whether it’s a new pair of boots to help them score goals, a book that inspires them, or a ticket to a match they’ll never forget, a thoughtful gift can mean the world.
Think about what they enjoy most about football. Do they love playing, watching, or learning about the game? I hope this gives you some great new ideas.
