Quick answer
For a field hockey kid, the best Christmas gift fits their age and lets them play with the ball at home. For ages 6–9, pick something playful and short, like the Skiller with the free app's colour games. Ages 10–13 are ready for repetition, so a Rebounder for passing or Skills Zone tiles for footwork fit well. Teens who play club or school hockey get the most from a training kit, if there is room for it. Whatever you choose, keep the first sessions short and fun.
Key takeaways
- Match the gift to attention span: 10 minutes for young kids, 20–30 minutes for teens.
- Younger children need games, not drills. Colours and numbers turn practice into play.
- Check the floor. Indoors, protect it; outdoors, avoid grass and very rough concrete.
- Sticks and protective gear should be fitted in person, not bought as a surprise.
- Safety first indoors: push passes only, no hitting, and keep the ball on the floor.
Ages 6–9: make it a game
At this age, kids play field hockey because it is fun. A gift that feels like homework will be ignored. What works is short, colourful and competitive.
The Skiller is a good fit here. It has five ribs with coloured and numbered markings, and the free Field Hockey App calls out colours or numbers. The child dribbles to the right one. It feels like a game, and it builds the basics: keeping the ball close, moving the stick around the ball, and looking up.
Idea for Christmas morning: set it up in the hallway and play "first to touch red" against a parent or sibling.
Honest note: for a 6-year-old who has just started, a ball, a short stick and some cones in the garden can be enough. Buy a training aid when they ask to play at home, not before.
Ages 10–13: repetition starts to pay off
This is the age when skills really start to stick. Players can focus for 15–20 minutes and they start to care about getting better. Two gifts work well here:
- Rebounder: a passing partner for push passes and receiving, on both forehand and backhand. Ideal if the coach mentions first touch.
- Skills Zone: 15 interlocking tiles with symbols and colours. Good for footwork and ball control in a small space, and it works with the app too.
The Training Kit combines Rebounder, Skills Zone and Skiller. That is a good "one big present" for this age if the family has a free corner of a garage or basement.
Ages 14–16: serious players, serious setup
Teens who play club hockey in Europe or high school hockey in the US often want to train on their own. They know what they need to work on. Ask them before you buy.
- For midfielders and defenders: passing and receiving, so the Passing Kit (Rebounder plus 4 m² / 43 ft² of tiles).
- For forwards: ball control and finishing, so the Skills Zone 360 plus the Goal Target for when they get to a goal.
- For a family with a dedicated room or garage: the Training Zone for Professionals. Honestly, this is a lot of kit for one player. It makes more sense for siblings or a small group of teammates who train together.
Safety and the living room
Field hockey balls are hard. Indoors, set these rules from day one:
- Push passes and dribbling only. No hits, no slaps, no lifting the ball.
- Clear the space of anything breakable, at least 2 m (6–7 ft) around.
- A softer training ball is fine for the youngest kids indoors.
How to keep them using it after Christmas
Put the new kit where the child can see it, not in a cupboard. Agree on a simple routine, like 10 minutes before dinner on school days. A small challenge helps too: count clean passes in a minute and try to beat the score next week.
FAQ
What is the best field hockey gift for a beginner child?
Something simple and playful, like the Skiller with the free app's colour games. For a total beginner, a ball, a correctly sized stick and some cones may be all they need at first.
Can kids practise field hockey indoors safely?
Yes, with rules: push passes and dribbling only, the ball stays on the floor, and nothing breakable nearby. Flooring tiles protect the floor and give a consistent surface.
Should I buy my child a field hockey stick for Christmas?
Better not as a surprise. Stick length and bow should fit the player. A voucher and a shop visit together is safer.
Is the app free?
Yes. The Field Hockey App is a free download and works with the Skiller, Skills Zone and Skills Zone 360.
Related articles
- Field hockey gifts: Christmas gift guide
- Winter field hockey training at home: 20-minute routine
- At-home challenges with the Skiller
In the US? The Rebounder, Skiller and Skills Zone are also available on Amazon.
