26 Soccer Activities For 5 Year Olds (2023)
Soccer activities for 5-year-olds are simple and fun!
Whether you are a youth soccer league coach or looking for some soccer drills to do in your backyard, I got you covered.
Quick Links: (28) Soccer Activities for 5-year-olds
- Dribbling/Ball Handling (Drills 1-9)
- Passing/Trapping (Drills 10-14)
- Shooting (Drills 15-20)
- Defensive Drills (Drills 21-23)
- Goalie Drills (Drills 24-28)
Luckily, with my experience teaching elementary physical education to a wide variety of kids ages, I have developed a list of 28 FUN Soccer Activities for 5-year-olds.
Before we get into the activities, you need to make sure you have the right equipment!
Dribbling and Ball Handling Drills
Learning how to dribble the soccer ball is one of the essential skills in the game!
Dribbling allows you to move the ball up the field, move around defenders, and allow you the chance to score a goal!
Dribbling Tips
Use the following dribbling tips when teaching beginners soccer.
a. Use the inside/outside of your feet.
b. You need to use both of your feet.
c. Under control
d. Short taps
e. Keep your eyes up!
Drill #1: Dribble in an open playing field
This is as simple as it gets! But this is a perfect soccer drill for 5-year-olds.
Equipment
- soccer ball
Instructions
- Find an open space in your backyard or driveway.
- Have your child practice dribbling the soccer ball by using little kicks, keeping the ball in control, and using the inside and outside of their feet.
Drill #2: Volcano
Once your 5-year-old understands how to dribble the ball, add some obstacles in the mix!
Equipment
- soccer ball
- cones
Instructions
- In an open area, set up some cones randomly.
- Your child should dribble throughout the volcanoes (cones) without hitting them!
- If they hit a volcano, they should do a set of 10 jumping jacks or 10 ball taps before returning through the course.
Check out a video of this activity to see how it works!
Drill #3: The Tunnel
The tunnel is a simple and fun way to start to practice aiming and ball-handling skills!
Even though these activities seem too easy, they are PERFECT soccer drills for beginners!
Equipment
- soccer ball
Instructions
- Stand with feet in a straddle position, making a tunnel formation.
- Have your child use the inside of their foot to kick the ball through the tunnel, this works on aiming skills.
- If you have other people in your family who are playing, line them up, so there are a few tunnels they have to go through.
Drill #4: Obstacle Course
Obstacle courses are a fun way to get kids active! They love seeing all the equipment set up for them to use.
These drills are great to work on agility and dribbling, ball-handling skills!
Equipment
- soccer ball
- stopwatch
- cones
- exercise ladder
- tunnel
- hula hoops
- passing arcs
Instructions
- Using the equipment listed above, create an excellent obstacle course for your child to dribble through.
- These can be created for just one player or a team!
I absolutely love this account, he created really wonderful tutorials on soccer drills. Check out his video below to see a great obstacle course set up.
Drill #5: Freeze!
Equipment
- soccer balls
Instructions
- Let your child dribble the soccer ball freely in the playing area.
- When you say FREEZE, they should stop dribbling and trap the ball with one foot.
- This works on ball handling, dribbling, and trapping skills.
Drill #6: Inside/Outside Circles
Does your five-year-old kick with their toes instead of using the inside/outside of their feet? If so, this is a perfect drill to work that.
Equipment
- soccer ball
- poly spots
Instructions
- Tell your child that they can only use the inside part of their feet for this drill.
- Place the soccer ball on the ground and have them kick the ball in a circle formation by placing poly spots on the ground so they have an idea where to move the ball to.
- After they have repeated this several times, switch to having them work on the outside of their feet.
- They should practice using both feet inside and outside for better ball control!
Drill #7: Side to Side Taps
Here’s another quick and easy ball-handling soccer drill for 5-year-olds.
Equipment
- soccer ball
- cones
Instructions
- This drill works on using the inside of your feet for good ball control.
- Have your child kick the ball back and forth between their two feet using the inside of their feet.
- At first, they will start slow, as they get good at this drill, they can do this a little faster.
Drill #8: Dribbling Speedway
This is a fun activity to do with a group of people! I have done this in my physical education classes, and the kids enjoy it!
Equipment
- cones
- soccer balls
Instructions
- A fun introduction to this can be to ask the kids if they have ever seen a NASCAR race and explain that they will all be pretending that they are racing on the speedway with their soccer balls!
- Place the cones in a large circle formation to make the speedway.
- Each child should have a soccer ball. On the GO signal, everyone will start dribbling at the same time in the same direction.
- This game aims to try to see how fast they can dribble while keeping the ball in control.
- Explain that they should use the inside/outside of their feet because they want to keep the ball close to their bodies.
- Kids should count to see how many laps they can get before the whistle is blown.
Drill #9 Red Light Green Light Soccer
Kids love the game Red Light Green Light!
This is a perfect dribbling and ball-handling activity for beginning soccer players!
Equipment
- soccer balls
Instructions
- The coach/parent will stand on one side of the court.
- Each child will get a soccer ball and they will stand at the opposite end!
- When the adult says green light, they will dribble the soccer ball towards the adult.
- When the adult says red light, the kids will trap the ball where they are. If they don’t, they will have to start back at the beginning.
- The goal is to try to be the first player to get to the adult!
Passing and Trapping Drills
Passing and trapping are essential for beginners to learn how to play soccer!
Kids need to learn the importance of using their teammates!
Passing Tips
1. Non-kicking foot next to the ball.
2. Use the inside of your foot.
3. Contact the ball in the middle.
4. Follow through, so your kicking foot goes to your target.
Trapping Tips
1. Get in front of the soccer ball to trap it.
2. Relax the body part you are trying to trap with (inside of your foot or bottom of the foot).
Drill #10: Partner Passing and Trapping
This is the perfect activity for beginner soccer players to learn how to pass the ball!
Equipment
- soccer ball
- cones
Instructions
- Stand about 8 feet across from your child to start.
- Show them how to pass and trap using the tips above.
- They will pass the ball to you, and you will trap it and vice versa repeatedly.
- Take a few steps back if they are doing well and want to try to kick the ball a little farther!
Not challenging enough? Add in cones and pass back and forth, trying to get the ball in-between the cones to your partner!
Drill #11: Pressure Passing
Want to get your family involved? This is a great activity for even a small family to practice passing skills!
Equipment
- Cones
- soccer balls
Instructions
- Make a medium-sized circle formation with a set of cones for every person that’s playing.
- One person will be chosen to stand in the middle of the circle while the others are placed near a cone on the edge of the circle.
- A player on the edge of the circle will pass one soccer ball to the person in the center.
- The player in the middle will trap the ball and pass it to someone else on the edge of the circle.
- Another ball is added in after the first ball is passed onto someone else.
- There should be 4 soccer balls added for this age level.
- Switch who is in the center after a few minutes of play!
Drill #11: Pickle in the Middle
Kids love the game pickle in the middle! Making this a soccer activity will be both fun and challenging for the kids!
Plus, it’s always changing, which is my favorite part, the kids always have to be trying their best!
Equipment
- soccer ball
- cones
Instructions
- You need to have at least 3 people to play this game.
- Two players will be standing across from one another while the last player acts as a defender in the middle.
- The people who pass the ball receive 1 point for each time they can successfully make it to one another without getting the ball intercepted.
- If the ball gets stolen from the player in the middle, the person who kicked the ball switches with them.
Drill #13: Looped Passing Drill
This is a little bit more of a complicated drill, but it works on passing and ball-handling skills!
Equipment
- cones
- soccer ball
Instructions
- Set up two cones a few feet across from one another.
- Have your child start with the ball, and they should pass the ball to the right side of the cone.
- The person who is receiving the ball uses their right foot to receive the ball, passing the ball over to their left foot to pass the ball back to their partner using their left foot aiming for the left side of the cone to get to their partner. This is all going in a clockwise formation.
- Repeat this drill as many times as you want and then switch to go counterclockwise formation.
To see this specific activity in action, check out this video!
Drill #14: Attack
This game focuses on teamwork and being aware that there are other people on the field that can help them.
These skills are important to teach 5-year-olds!
Equipment
- soccer goal
- soccer ball
Instructions
- This game requires the whole family/team to play!
- One person will be standing near the goal (they will be the defender).
- The other two players will be working together to score a goal.
- On the GO signal, the offensive players will be passing to one another when you say PASS.
- Once they have done a few passes, yell out ATTACK!
- The defensive player goes into the field to try to steal the ball from the offensive team.
- If they steal the ball before you say PASS again, the person that they took the ball from will become the defender and the defender will now be on the offensive team.
- When the offensive team scores a goal, play will restart, and roles will be chosen again!
Shooting Drills
What does every 5-year-old want to do when they are on the soccer field?
SCORE A GOAL!!
Shooting Tips
1. The non-kicking foot should be next to the ball.
2. Contact the ball below the middle.
3. The ball should be kicked by your shoelaces.
4. Follow through and kick hard!
Drill #15: Ghostbuster Soccer
I love this game because it works on shooting, aiming, and goalie work!
Equipment
- pins
- soccer balls
Instructions
- Try to have an even amount of people with soccer balls and people with pins.
- Players with a soccer ball are attempting to kick the ball with the front of their foot to knock down pins.
- The players with a pin guard that pin from being knocked down (they can do this by kicking the ball away or using their hands to pick up the ball).
- They can’t hold up their pin with their hands or feet to keep it from falling.
- If their pin falls, they must do 10 jumping jacks before returning into play.
- After a few minutes of play, switch roles!
Drill #16: Pin Knock Over (Soccer Style!)
Pin knock-over is one of my favorites in my physical education class!
This is an excellent beginner soccer drill/game for kids!
Equipment
- soccer balls
- plastic bowling pins
Instructions
- Divide teams equally.
- To set up the game, each team should have an equal amount of pins on their side.
- The goal is to knock down the other team’s pins without crossing the half-court line.
- The students can only KICK the ball to knock down the pins.
- If all of the pins get knocked down, set them back up and play again!
Here’s a video for pin knock-over, just imagine it like a soccer game!
Drill #17: Poly Spot Shot
This is a simple set-up that you can do right in your backyard with your child!
You can also make this as easy or complicated as you’d like depending on the skill level!
Equipment
- poly spots/cones
- soccer goal
- soccer ball
Instructions
- Set up poly spots/cones around the goal.
- Have your child place the soccer ball at the first spot, and they will attempt to shoot the ball into the goal.
- If they miss goals from certain spots, they should go back and practice those spots a few times.
- You can repeat this as many times as you want. To make it a bit more challenging, you can always move the spots/cones back.
Drill #18: Receive and Shoot
Most of the time in soccer, the ball is not placed on the ground to just shoot and aim.
This drill works on shooting a ball when it’s rolling!
Equipment
- soccer goal
- ball
Instructions
- Pass the ball to your child gently.
- They will run up to the ball and attempt to kick it in the goal.
- Repeat this drill several times.
Drill #19: Dribble and Shoot!
This beginning soccer activity is perfect to practice multiple skills in one!
Tip: Kids can go as fast/slow as they need to through the cones; doing it correctly is what matters!
Equipment
- cones
- soccer goal
- soccer ball
Instructions
- Set up cones in a formation where your child has to weave through them with a soccer ball and a goal at the end.
- Have your child dribble the ball through the cones and tell them to stop at the spot in front of the goal.
- From that spot, they are to shoot the ball into the goal.
- This drill works on ball handling and shooting. They should pretend that the cones are defenders that they are trying to get around.
- Too easy? Have someone jump into the goalie position and see if they can get it past the goalie to score a goal!
Check out this simple setup in the video below!
Drill #20: Target Shot
How cool is this target shot shooting tarp to put over your goal?
This is such an awesome way to work on shooting/aiming skills! Kids will love this challenge.
How to use the target goal
A. This goal comes with a target shot tarp you can put over the goal.
B. You can take it off to just practice shooting in a normal soccer goal.
C. There is another tarp provided to act as a rebounder, so the ball will automatically come back to you; I mean, how cool is this thing!
Defensive Drills
Defense is just as important as offense in my opinion because that’s how you stop the other team from scoring a goal!
Take a look at these defensive drills that your kids will love!
Drill #21: Pirates and Sailors
This is my favorite soccer drill that I do with my physical education students.
We start with this activity each year during our soccer unit!
Equipment
- soccer balls
Instructions
- Depending on how many people are playing, try to choose an even amount of pirates and sailors.
- The person with the ball is the sailor, and the one defending them is the pirate.
- Pirates are trying to steal the ball away from the sailors using correct defensive techniques.
- There should be NO pushing or kicking.
- If the ball is stolen, then the players switch roles!
Drill #22: Sharks and Minnows
Sharks and minnows is a classic game that kids can’t get enough of!
This is a great soccer drill for beginning soccer players!
Equipment
- soccer balls
- cones
Instructions
- Create a playing area by using cones, so the kids know where the boundary lines are.
- Choose 1 or 2 people to be the sharks (defenders), and they should go to the center of the playing area.
- The other kids will line up by one set of cones.
- On the GO signal, the kids will attempt to dribble their ball across the playing area to the other set of cones without getting their ball stolen and kicked away from the shark.
- If they get their ball stolen and kicked away, they join the other sharks.
- The goal of the game is to be the last one standing!
Drill #23: King of the Ring
King of the ring is a fast-moving soccer drill that will get kids excited to play!
So many skills are including in this soccer drill; it’s the perfect one for your team’s soccer practice.
Equipment
- cones
- soccer balls
Instructions
- Create a playing area with cones making a large square formation.
- Everyone playing will have a soccer ball.
- Players are trying to kick other people’s soccer balls outside of the ring while keeping their ball in control.
- If a player’s ball gets kicked out of the ring, they are “out” for that round (you can have them do jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups, mountain climbers, etc., to keep them moving).
- The goal of the game is to be the last one standing in the ring!
Goalie Drills
Kids always get excited to get into the goal because they can use their hands!
It’s important that kids learn about the position of a goalie because, during a game, they may need to step in to play!
Drill #24: Basic ball handling
Having basic ball-handling skills is the important step in learning how to be a goalie!
Equipment
- soccer ball
Instructions
- Rolling figure 8’s- have them complete figure 8’s repeatedly by rolling the soccer ball around their feet, keeping the ball in control as quickly as they can.
- Figure 8’s around legs- pick the ball up off the ground, and complete figure 8’s around the lower legs.
- Ball around the waist- have the ball go around your waist making a circular formation 5 times one way then go the opposite way 5 times.
- Throw and catch- Have them throw the ball up in the air and catch it.
Does your child ever get frustrated when they can’t do something right the first time? See how I calmly handle and encourage her to keep trying!
Drill #25: Goalie practice
Time to get in the goal!
The only way to see if your child likes playing the position of goalie is to practice!
Equipment
- goal
- soccer ball
Instructions
- Set your child up at the goal, a little bit in front of the goal, not directly inside it.
- Start by kicking the ball gently towards giving them practice on how to stop the ball from entering the goal.
- Depending on how well they do, you can up the intensity on how hard you are kicking the ball.
- In the beginning, try to keep the ball on the grass and not kick it up into the air until they are ready.
*Tip: If your worried about your child getting hurt during this drill, use a soft larger dodgeball or lighter weight kickball before using a real soccer ball.
Drill #26: Partner High Ball
Equipment
- soccer ball
Instructions
- Stand a few feet away from your kiddo.
- Explain that you are going to toss the ball in the air to them and you want them to catch it and bring it close to their body.
- This activity will help them learn how to hold onto the ball when it’s kicked up into the air near the goal!
Drill #27: Movement Drill
Equipment
- soccer ball
- cone
- soccer goal
Instructions
- Set up two cones a few feet away from each other in front of the soccer goal.
- Have your child get the idea of what to do first by running up to the first cone, keeping their head up go around the cone and shuffle their feet backward, repeat this until they get this step.
- Once they understand the footwork piece, add in the soccer ball by rolling it towards them.
- They should try to stop the ball from entering the goal with their hands.
- You can roll the ball right to them at first then once they get the hang of it, try having them move to either side to stop the ball.
Check out this video to see how it’s exactly done!
Drill #28: 4 Goal Soccer
This is my favorite game to play with the kids! It keeps everyone involved and moving.
It also gives 4 kids the chance to practice some goalie skills!
Equipment
- soccer balls
- goals/cones
- jerseys
- pins
Instructions
- Split the team up into mini teams. Give them different colored jerseys!
- Choose 1 person on each team to be the goalie (have an actual goal or just set up some cones for a goal).
- Pins will be placed (4) at each team’s goal!
- Throw out a few soccer balls (3-4). The kids will try to score at all the other goals besides their own.
- If they score a goal, they can take a pin for that team’s goal and place it by their goal.
- The team with the most pins at the end is the winner!
For most of these drills, you will need the following things
1. Soft soccer balls
For younger kids or beginners, this type of soccer ball is best to learn how to do soccer skills correctly. It’s safe and lighter to kick!
2. Real soccer ball
If you know your child’s soccer team uses a real ball during practices and games, you will want to practice with a real one at home to get them used to it. Real soccer balls are heavier and a bit harder to kick for younger players.
3. Cones
4. Youth soccer goal
Check Price
5. Soccer cleats
6. Goalie gloves
7. Shin guards
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
These soccer drills for beginners are perfect for backyard and youth soccer leagues!
If you decide to do one of these activities with your child/team, I’d love to hear how it went!
What are some of the soccer drills or games that you do at home with your kids that have been successful? Please share them with us by leaving a comment below!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!! I’m starting a little soccer club after school with 4 little ones and I am not at all sure what I am doing. This post with all these skills, drills, and games laid out is going to be a lifesaver. Wish us luck!
Activities like these are perfect to help kids with their overall physical development. It would even encourage them to have some outdoor fun. Thanks for sharing these ideas!