3 Fun Pickleball Games for Big Groups of Kids

Whether you're a coach, PE teacher, or just a parent watching a gaggle of kids, these fun pickleball games will get everyone involved and having fun

Running a pickleball program for kids? Whether you're a PE teacher, camp director, or just someone who wants to keep a big group entertained on the court, finding games that work for everyone can be tricky.

Kyle Koszuta from ThatPickleballGuy just shared three fun pickleball games designed specifically for larger groups of kids, and they're worth adding to your playbook.

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1. Fast and Furious Doubles

This one's a high-energy doubles game that keeps everyone moving. You'll need at least eight players to make it work, and the setup is straightforward.

Split your group in half, with teams on opposite sides of the net. One team starts at the kitchen line while the other begins at the baseline. Everyone else lines up behind their respective baselines, ready to rotate in.

Here's what makes it flow smoothly: every team waiting in line should already have a ball in their hands. When it's their turn to feed, they're ready to go. No delays, no downtime.

The rotation system keeps things fair and fast:

Win a rally as the kitchen team? You earn a point and stay put for the next rally.
Win as the baseline team? You earn a point and move to the kitchen for the next serve.
Lose a rally? Your team exits to the side and goes to the back of the line.

First team to five points wins. You can adjust the target score based on your group's skill level and how much time you have.

2. On Deck Doubles

This game works with a minimum of six players and feels more like traditional pickleball, but with a rotation twist that keeps everyone engaged.

Split your group in half again, with each side of the net forming its own team. Two players from each side start on the court while the rest wait in the "on deck line" next to the right service box.

After every single rally, one team scores a point and both teams rotate. Here's how it works:

The player in the right service box moves to the left service box.
The player in the left service box comes off and goes to the back of the line.
The next player in the on deck line steps in to fill the right service box.

The team that won the previous rally gets to serve next. They'll know which box to serve from based on their score: even scores (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) serve from the right; odd scores (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) serve from the left.

Play to 11 or 21 points, depending on your preference and time constraints.

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3. Around the World Singles

This elimination-style game is pure fun. Everyone plays singles, and the goal is simple: be the last player standing.

Split your group in half and send each half to opposite sides of the court. A coach or teacher can feed the ball to start each rally, or players can feed themselves if you don't have an extra person.

Here's the twist: after hitting the ball, players immediately run to the other side of the court and get to the back of that line. You decide the direction everyone runs, but make sure everyone goes the same way.

Players are eliminated if they:

Hit the ball out of bounds.
Hit the ball into the net.
Let the ball bounce twice on their side.
Hit the ball twice before rotating to the other side.

Once a player is out, they cheer from the sidelines and wait for the game to finish.

When the game gets down to three players, the rules change slightly. The side with one player stays put and plays from that side for the entire rally. The side with two players stays on the same side but alternates who hits each shot. When it's finally one-on-one, both players stay on the same side and play a normal singles point until someone wins.

Why These Games Work

All three games share something important: they keep kids active and engaged. There's minimal standing around waiting for a turn, and the rules are simple enough that kids can understand them quickly.

Fast and Furious Doubles is great for building teamwork and quick decision-making. On Deck Doubles feels more like "real" pickleball while still rotating everyone through. Around the World Singles adds an elimination element that kids find exciting, plus the running component keeps energy high.

Whether you're running a PE class, a summer camp, or just a fun afternoon with a bunch of kids, these games are worth trying. They're designed to work with larger groups, which means less downtime and more actual playing time for everyone involved.