Kids Basketball Gear & Equipment
Every Baller Starts
Somewhere.
We help parents, coaches, and grandparents find exactly the right gear — sized right, priced right, and made for real kids on real courts.
The Parent's Playbook
Four Steps to Game Day
Before you spend a dollar, read through these cards. Every step answers a question we hear daily from parents standing in the aisle, phone in hand, looking confused.
Pick Their Ball
Size chart by age & hand span
Most kids are handed an adult-size 7 ball and told to practice — then wonder why dribbling feels impossible. Ball size matters more than any drill. A properly sized ball builds confidence from the very first bounce.
📏 Quick Size Guide
Ages 4–6 → Size 4 (mini). Ages 7–9 → Size 5. Ages 10–12 → Size 6. Ages 13+ → Size 7 (standard). When in doubt, go smaller — they can grow into it.
We Recommend
Spalding Jr. NBA Size 5
Indoor/outdoor rubber, easy grip
$22
Protect Their Knees
Padded gear essentials
First-season players fall. A lot. That's not a problem — it's how they learn. Foam-padded knee sleeves take the sting out of every dive for a loose ball and keep kids eager to get back up and try again.
🦵 Fit Tip
Measure around the middle of the kneecap. Snug but not tight — you should be able to slip two fingers under the edge. Avoid adult sleeves folded down; they slip and cause more harm than good.
We Recommend
McDavid Youth Hex Knee Pad
Foam hex padding, moisture-wicking
$18
Find Their Fit
Sneaker sizing walkthrough
Kids’ feet grow half a size every three months. Buy shoes with a thumb's width of space at the toe — not two thumb-widths (too loose means blisters) and not flush (too tight means cramped toes mid-game).
👟 Sizing Shortcut
Measure both feet in the afternoon (feet swell slightly). Use the larger foot. For first-season players, low-cut sneakers with wide toe boxes and flat outsoles beat high-tops — ankle flexibility builds strength.
We Recommend
Nike Team Hustle D11 Youth
Wide toe box, non-marking sole
$55
Pack Their Bag
A starter kit checklist
The night before their first practice is not the time to discover missing gear. A packed bag builds a ritual — lacing up, checking the ball, heading out the door — that turns a nervous first-timer into a kid who can't wait for Tuesday.
🎒 First-Season Checklist
Ball (sized right) · Knee pads · Water bottle (24oz min) · Change of socks · Gym shoes in a separate bag · A snack for the car home. Optional: wristband for sweat, compression shorts under uniform.
We Recommend
Dribble Starter Kit Bundle
Ball + pads + bag, saves $12
$68
Still not sure? Bring them in — we'll figure it out together.
Book a Free Fitting Day SpotFree Event · Every Saturday
First Season Fitting Day
Bring your kid in on any Saturday morning. Our staff will measure their hand span, fit them for a ball, find the right shoe size, and run them through a 20-minute mini skills clinic on our pop-up court — completely free, no purchase required.
Hand span measurement + ball size recommendation
Foot trace + sneaker fit walkthrough
20-min mini skills clinic on pop-up court
Printed size card to keep in your wallet
No purchase required — ever
2,400+
Kids fitted
Free
Always
45 min
Total time
Reserve Their Spot
Takes 60 seconds. No credit card, no commitment.
Real Families
What Parents Actually Say
2,400+ families
fitted since 2018
"I walked in knowing nothing about ball sizes. The staff spent twenty minutes with us, measured Jaylen's hand, and sent us home with exactly the right size 5. He hasn't put it down since."
Denise Crawford
Mom of Jaylen, age 9 · Chicago, IL
"I coach a U10 travel team and we outfit twelve kids every fall on a $400 booster budget. Dribble gave us a bulk discount, size-checked every kid individually, and didn't make us feel rushed once."
Coach Tony Reyes
Head Coach, Southside Sparks U10 · Houston, TX
"My granddaughter Sofia turned 10 and I had no idea what to get her. I called Dribble, told them her age and that she'd just joined a team, and they walked me through the whole thing. Starter kit shipped in two days."
Gloria Okonkwo
Grandma of Sofia, age 10 · Atlanta, GA
Not Local? No Problem.
Send Me the Starter Guide
We'll mail you our printed First Season Guide — a 12-page booklet with ball size charts, sneaker fit tips, a gear checklist, and a $10 off coupon for your first order. Free, anywhere in the US.
No spam. One email max. Unsubscribe anytime.