Quick answer
The best floorball games for kids are simple, active and competitive in a friendly way: Traffic Lights, Pirates and Treasure, Bowling for Cones, Shoot the Target, Keep-Away and mini 2v2 matches. Each game lasts 3–6 minutes, needs only cones or household markers and gives every child hundreds of touches without them noticing they are practising. Pick one game per skill area and swap before boredom sets in.
Key takeaways
- Games teach floorball better than drills for children under about 10, because they practise skills inside a story and a challenge.
- Every game here has a built-in skill: control, passing, shooting or looking up (scanning).
- Keep teams and spaces small so each child touches the ball often. 2v2 beats 5v5 for beginners.
- Adjust difficulty with constraints: smaller space, weaker side only, or a time limit.
- Safety rules apply in games too: stick below waist height and the ball played below knee height.
- Use a points system that rewards effort and teamwork, not only goals.
Why do games work better than drills for children?
Ask a seven-year-old to dribble through six cones and they will do it twice. Tell them they are a pirate escaping with treasure, and they will do it twenty times. In the sessions I coach, the games that look the silliest often produce the most ball touches and the biggest smiles. Children also get used to making decisions: where to go, when to pass, when to shoot. These are the skills that matter in real matches, and they develop through play rather than by explanation.
A good game has three features: it is simple enough to explain in 20 seconds, everyone is moving all the time, and children can score or win in several ways. Below you find games sorted by what they train, with set-up, rules and a coaching cue.
Which games improve ball control?
| Game | Space and kit | How it works | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights | 5 x 5 m, one ball each | Green: dribble. Yellow: slow. Red: stop with the ball under the blade. Last to stop is out of the round. | Control and reactions |
| Pirates and Treasure | 8 x 8 m, balls as "treasure" | Dribble one ball at a time from the "treasure island" to your "ship" (a hoop or cone zone). The "pirate" (adult) tries to tag players. | Protecting the ball |
| Bowling for Cones | 2 m lane, 6 cones | Push the ball to knock cones over. Score one point per cone; 3 rounds. | Aim and touch |
| Dragon Tail | 6 x 6 m, a pinny or scarf per player | Each child tucks a scarf in a waistband and dribbles. Take other children's scarves while keeping your ball. | Dribbling with head up |
For Pirates and Treasure, the cue is "ball close, body between the pirate and the ball". For Dragon Tail, tell the children to look up as much as possible, because they cannot take scarves without looking. This is the simplest way I know to teach scanning. If your child enjoys dribbling, our guide to heads-up stickhandling goes further.
Which games improve passing?
Passing games should always include moving, because standing and passing is dull. These are my favourites for groups of 4–8 children.
- Pass the Parcel (6 minutes). In a circle of 3 m across, children pass the ball to a neighbour on the left. When the coach calls "change", the direction reverses. Cue: "Soft pass, soft hands." Watch for: passes that are too hard to control.
- Keep-Away 3v1 (6 minutes). Three passers try to make 5 passes in a 5 x 5 m square, with one defender in the middle. After each turn, the defender swaps with a passer. The defender who wins the ball gets a point. Cue: "Move to an open space after you pass."
- Passer Targets (5 minutes). Place a rebounder or a solid wall in front of the child. Take 10 passes from 2 m, aiming for the same spot each time, then step back 1 m and repeat. The Extreme Floorball Passer (€129) returns the ball predictably, which makes counting passes in a row easy. The Passer is Made in Europe and designed in Sweden.
For more ideas on partner work, see floorball drills for two players, and for a coach's view of how to set up passing, read about passing drills.
Which games improve shooting?
- Shoot the Target (5 minutes). Place three targets or taped squares in a goal. Each shot at a target scores 1 point, and a shot in the top corner scores 3. First to 10 wins. A set of three Extreme Floorball Shooting Targets (€34) fits any full-size goal (160 x 115 cm) and gives clear places to aim. They are Made in Europe.
- Penalty Showdown (5 minutes). Each child takes five gentle, low shots from 3 m at a goal with a parent standing beside it as a "target keeper". Count goals, then swap. Keep the shots low and well away from the adult's face.
- Crazy Goals (6 minutes). Spread three small goals made of cones around a room. Each goal scores differently (1, 2 or 3 points). Players choose which one to attack, which teaches them to scan.
When children shoot a lot, balls travel. A backstop is a good idea. The Extreme Backstop Net 5x2,5 m (€129) catches missed shots in a garage or garden, and our guide to shooting target training shows how to build games around it.
Coach Erik's tip: Make the weaker team win sometimes. Give the stronger children a handicap, such as a 3-pass rule before shooting or only using the backhand side. When every child believes they can win, they play with much more energy.
What small-sided matches should children play?
Real matches teach the rest. For beginners, I use 2v2 or 3v3 in a small area, with two cone goals 2 m wide and no goalkeeper. The smaller format gives everyone chances to dribble, pass and shoot, and games last only 3 minutes. A rotation keeps everyone playing: after each game, winners stay and losers join another team.
| Format | Area | Game length | Rule to add |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2v2 | 8 x 5 m | 3 minutes | Everyone must touch the ball before a shot counts |
| 3v3 | 12 x 8 m | 4 minutes | One pass minimum before shooting |
| 4v4 with 2 balls | 15 x 10 m | 5 minutes | Teams defend and attack at the same time |
If you coach a team, read about small-sided games for floorball and how they fit into a plan.
How can you play these games at home?
Most of these games need only a smooth floor and markers. A garage floor works well with cones, shoes or water bottles. If your floor is rough, snap-together tiles give a clean surface. The Extreme Floorball Tiles 8-Pack (€79) covers about 0.9 m², which is enough for Bowling for Cones or a dribbling lane, and the tiles are Made in Europe. For rainy-day ideas, see indoor floorball activities for rainy days.
Common mistakes
- Elimination games. Children who are out stand and watch. Fix: let them re-enter by doing a task, such as 10 touches, or use points instead of eliminating anyone.
- Too many rules. Fix: explain in 20 seconds, demonstrate once and add rules later.
- Games with only one winner. Fix: award points for effort, great passes or teamwork as well.
- Big groups on a small space. Fix: split into smaller groups of 3–4, or run two games in parallel.
- Ignoring safety in the excitement. Fix: stop the game immediately if sticks rise above waist height, and repeat the rule calmly.
- Playing the same game too long. Fix: after 5 minutes, add a twist or change the game.
FAQ
What are good floorball games for 5–7 year olds?
Traffic Lights, Pirates and Treasure, Dragon Tail and Bowling for Cones are the best starters. They are simple to explain, keep everyone moving and train control without long instructions. Keep each game to 3–5 minutes.
How can I make floorball fun for a child who is shy?
Start with games where there is no pressure to perform, such as Bowling for Cones or Shoot the Target, where a child competes against their own score. Praise effort and let them choose the next game. Once confidence grows, introduce partner and team games.
Do floorball games need a goalkeeper?
Not for beginners. Use cones, taped goals or targets and let children shoot without a goalkeeper. If you want to try one, do it with supervision and ask your club about protective equipment, since goalkeepers play without a stick and need proper gear.
How many children are best for a floorball game?
Small groups work best. Two to four children per game area means everyone touches the ball often. If you have a larger group, set up several areas and rotate the teams every 4–5 minutes.
Can we play floorball games indoors at home?
Yes, on a smooth floor and with soft markers. Clear the space, use a wall or net behind any shooting game and keep the sticks low. Tiles or a shooting pad protect the floor and give the ball a true roll.
How do I keep floorball games safe for kids?
Teach three rules from day one: the stick stays below waist height, the ball is played below knee height, and players keep a stick length apart. Clear the floor and use a net behind any shooting game.
Summary
Games turn practice into play. Choose a game for each skill, keep the teams and the areas small, change activity every 3–6 minutes and give points for effort and teamwork. A few cones, a wall and a smooth floor are enough to start. For more, visit the Youth Floorball hub and follow us on Instagram @better_floorball.
