14 Volleyball Games for Kids to Bump to the Top of Your List

Whether you're teaching volleyball in P.E. or looking for new ways to practice your favorite sport, volleyball games for kids are easy to learn and fast-paced enough for any kiddo to enjoy. Sure, you and the kids may not be training for the Olympic team, but testing your skills with a few new volleyball games is a great way to spend the weekend. 

Easy Volleyball Drill Games for Beginners

Passing, setting, serving, spiking, and blocking are the main skill areas to learn when playing any volleyball games. Games that resemble simple volleyball drills can make learning the sport more fun for beginners by easing them into the game's rhythm. Each of these games focuses on one particular skill and will help everyone feel confident moving into more complex ones in the future. 

Team Serve Challenge

Teams of two will compete in this simple game to see how many times they can serve before the timer runs out. If you have a small group and a large space, everyone can play at once. For larger groups and smaller spaces, you may want to time one team at a time.

1. Split the group into teams of two and give each team a ball. 
2. Set a time limit of one, three, or five minutes.
3. On "Go," the first person from each team needs to serve the ball to their teammate.
4. The teammate must retrieve the ball and serve it back to their teammate.
5. Each time a player serves the ball, they shout out the count for it. For example, if it's the fifth serve for the team, the server should yell "Five" right before serving.
6. When time's up, players will report how many serves their team made.
7. Take the top four teams with the highest number of serves and repeat the game to determine semi-final winners.
8. Finally, the top two teams will compete to see who can get the most serves.

Balloon Bump Shuffle Race

Help kids learn the feel of bumping by using a balloon instead of a ball. The slow movement of the balloon also forces players to pay attention and wait for the right moment to bump. You'll need one inflated balloon for each team of two and a long, open space.

1. Partner kids up into teams of two.
2. Designate a starting and finish line that creates a long, narrow path for each team.
3. On "Go," each team must bump their balloon to volley it back and forth with each other as they both shuffle sideways from their starting line to their finish line.
4. If a team's balloon touches the ground or a team member has to come out of their shuffle stance to get the balloon, that team goes back to start.
5. The first team to successfully volley their balloon while shuffling to cross the finish line wins.

Four Square Volley

By altering the gameplay slightly, you can turn the classic kids' game Four Square into a volleyball drill game. You'll need a four-square court and one volleyball. As they play the game, kids will develop the ability to communicate with each other and control the ball.

1. Start with one player in each square of the court. The rest of the kids line up behind square one, just as they would in a regular game of Four Square.
2. The player in square one starts with the volleyball or a softer training ball.
3. Player one calls out the name of one other kid on the court, then bumps the ball to that person.
4. If that person successfully bumps the ball to another player, both player one and player two stay in the game.
5. If player one bumps the ball outside player two's square, player one is out, and the first person in line takes their square.
6. If player two touches the ball but doesn't successfully bump it to another player, player two is out.
7. Gameplay continues as long as the kids want to play.
8. Every time someone gets out, they go to the end of the line, and a new player steps onto the court. Everyone on the court rotates clockwise to a new square.

Fun Volleyball Games for Individual Kids

From warm-up games to boredom busters, some kids may want to practice their skills on their own. These Minute to Win It style games are either timed or rely on counting to pit a player against themself. You can also use these mini P.E. games together as part of an obstacle course or as practice stations with a larger group.

Set, Spike Challenge

Kids will practice setting and spiking in this timed challenge. The goal is to set and spike as many times as you can in one minute. Since you'll be setting for yourself, a good strategy is to spike as close to straight down as you can to keep the ball close by.

1. Find an open space where you won't accidentally hit someone or break something.
2. Start your timer.
3. Set the ball for yourself, then spike it. This counts as one rep.
4. Retrieve the ball and repeat.
5. When your minute is up, write down how many reps you got.
6. Play as many times as you want to try and beat your own score.

Set It Through the Net

Your outdoor basketball hoop at home can also work as a volleyball practice tool. This game helps you practice accuracy and setting while you race against yourself.

1. Set your adjustable basketball hoop down to around seven feet. The standard height of a high school volleyball net is seven feet, four inches for girls and seven feet, eleven inches for boys, so that's your desired height.
2. Stand about a foot or two from the hoop with your volleyball in hand. 
3. Start the timer and set the ball into the hoop as many times as you can in one minute.
4. Each basket counts as one point. 
5. Repeat the game to see what kind of record you can set. 

Related: 15 Pool Games for Kids of All Ages That Are Sure to Make a Splash

Serving Bullseye

Practice your serve's accuracy by creating a target with a bullseye you'll aim at. You can create a bullseye on the ground using various-sized hula hoops set inside each other or with jump ropes twisted into circles. Anything you can create a circle with will do! 

1. Create an encircled target on the ground where you would typically aim your serve.
2. Set a timer for three minutes. 
3. Stand where you would on the court to serve and serve toward the target.
4. Retrieve your ball after every serve.
5. Every time your serve hits the bullseye, it counts as one point.
6. Serve as many times as you can in the three minutes.
7. Repeat the game to set and beat your high score. 

Creative Group Volleyball Games for Kids

You can modify almost any gym game into a volleyball game for elementary students or older tweens. Don't have the time to devise your own volleyball game? Here are three you can use in a pinch. 

Battleship Volleyball

Help kids understand how rotations work in a real game with a few rounds of Battleship Volleyball. Keep in mind that you'll need a volleyball court with a net and a volleyball to play. The object of the game is to knock out as many opposing team battleships as possible.

1. Split the group into two teams. 
2. Line each team in an equal number of rows, both horizontal and vertical, on either side of the court.
3. Start the game using regular volleyball rules and regulations. 
4. Any player who touches the ball without returning it sits out of the game.
5. When it's time to rotate, teams rotate all players clockwise, leaving gaps for where any player who was already knocked out would stand.
6. Any two open spaces directly next to each other in a single row counts as one sunk battleship.
7. Any three open spaces directly next to each other in a single row counts as one sunk battleship.
8. The first team to sink both a two-person and three-person battleship is the winner.

Shuffle Bump Relay

Relay games for kids help them navigate working as a team and are great for larger groups. You'll need a large, open gym and a volleyball for each team to play this game. 

1. Split the group into equal teams of four to seven players.
2. Line up each team in a horizontal row with about two to three feet between players. All players on a team should be standing facing forward so their teammates are to their left and right.
3. The second player in the row should start with the ball.
4. On "Go," the first player from each team should run to face the next player, though they should stay at least two feet in front of their teammate.
5. Player two should toss the ball to player one, and player one should bump the ball to player three.
6. Once player three has possession of the ball, player one shuffles in front of him.
7. Play continues down the line until player one has received a toss from everyone on his team.
8. The whole team shuffles down one space, and player one becomes the last player in the row.
9. Game play continues, with each player taking a turn shuffling down the line.
10. When player one gets back to his original position in the row, everyone sits down.
11. The first team to sit down wins.

Related: 10 Tag Games for Kids to Break With Tradition

Spike or Pass Tag

The sky's the limit when you're playing tag, and this volleyball-infused innovation switches things up. Rather than trying to get everyone else out, the goal is to keep all your teammates in. Kids will practice staying focused in the midst of the activity, passing the ball, and spiking the ball. Think of it like a hybrid of volleyball and dodgeball. 

1. Divide the group into two teams. 
2. Either team creates a formation on their side of the net. 
3. Give each team a few volleyballs. 
4. On "Go," players can spike at their opponents. 
5. Anyone who gets hit (and doesn't catch) the ball is out. 
6. The team with the last player standing wins. 

Volleyball Video Games

If Madden and Wii Sports taught us anything, it's that kids love sports video games. If you're looking for a way to learn the rules of the game without the stakes of getting hit with a ball, these volleyball video games are perfect for you. 

Spike Volleyball

If you're a P.C. gamer, Spike Volleyball — which you can get for $19.99 on Steam — is a great option. It's also available for the PS4 and Xbox One. Manage your own indoor men's or women's volleyball team and learn the ins and outs of the game from the courtside. 

Super Volley Blast

If you've got a Nintendo Switch, try your hand at Super Volley Blast. This simple animated volleyball video game is rated E for everyone and only costs about $10. This beach volleyball game can include up to four players at once, with custom avatars and a variety of courts to choose from. 

Volleyball Unbound 

Test your volleyball limits with this beach volleyball video game. With realistic graphics and a multi-player option, this is an awesome and affordable game to pass the time. Nab a copy from Steam for just under $15.

Big Beach Sports

Old-school Wii owners can grab a copy of Big Beach Sports, which includes beach volleyball, for under $20. This is the closest you'll get to actually playing volleyball in a video game since the Wii requires actual physical movement from you. So, it's the top pick for someone who really wants to practice their spiking and serving skills. 

Volleyball Fever

If you're into the V.R. gaming scene, you can play Volleyball Fever for about $15.99. Play online or on your own using the Oculus Rift, Oculus Rift S, or Meta Quest Pro system. 

Volleyball Games You Should Dive Right Into 

Whether you're just learning how to play volleyball or want new ways to practice, volleyball games for kids are the way to go. From gym class to your driveway, you can play volleyball games indoors, outdoors, or online for a never-ending practice session. You'll be ready to spike the competition in no time.