A backyard goal changes how a kid practices. Without one, most sessions end with cleats or a bag marking out a goal mouth, and the shots that go wide are simply forgotten. Put up a real frame with a net, and suddenly every attempt has a target, a rebound, and a result worth counting. That is why the best kids soccer goals for backyards have become one of the most-used pieces of kit in family sports, and why parents agonise over them for weeks.
We spent weeks with the twelve goals below, setting them up, staking them, packing them into a car and setting them up again. We paid attention to the things that actually decide whether a goal survives a season: how long setup takes, whether it tips when a nine-year-old hits it properly, whether the net stays attached, and what is missing from the box once you open it. We also cross-checked owner feedback at volume, because a goal that looks fine in a photograph rarely tells you how it behaves after three months of daily use.
Last updated for 2026. If you are outfitting a whole team or comparing the wider category, we also track the adult and travel options in our separate guide to soccer goals for backyards, and the return-training side in our soccer rebounder reviews.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Kids Soccer Goals for Backyards in 2026
The three below are the ones we would buy first. The Blackhawk is the safest default for a single family yard, the GoSports set is the strongest all-round kit, and the Happy Jump pair gives you the biggest target for the least money.
Franklin Sports Blackhawk 4×3
- Pop-up fiberglass frame
- 4 x 3 ft goal
- Stakes and carry bag included
- Folds flat
GoSports 4 ft Two-Goal Set
- Two 4 ft pop-up nets
- Six agility cones included
- Rust-resistant plastic stakes
- Roomy carry case
Happy Jump 7×5 and 5×3.6 Set
- Two goals in 7x5 and 5x3.6 ft
- Dacron net
- 420D pole sleeves
- Galvanized stakes included
Best Kids Soccer Goals for Backyards (October 2026)
All twelve goals below, side by side. Sizes, materials and what arrives in the box, so you can rule out a mismatch before you commit.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| Franklin Sports Blackhawk 4×3 Pop-Up |
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 Franklin Sports Kids Goal 24×16 with Ball |
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 Amazon Basics 2.5 ft Pop-Up Two-Pack |
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| Happy Jump 7×5 and 5×3.6 Two-Goal Set |
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| GoSports 4 ft Two-Goal Set with Cones |
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 VAVOSPORT 4×3 Two-Goal Training Bundle |
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 Theresduet 4×3 Two-Pack |
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 X-UMEUS 4×3 and 6×4 Two-Goal Kit |
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 BORNEW 4×3, 6×4 and 7×5 Single Goal |
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 RUNBOW 5×3 and 6×4 Foldable Goal |
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 Bearwill 4×3 Two-Goal Set |
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 SPORTIC 4×3 Orange Two-Pack |
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1. Franklin Sports Blackhawk 4×3 Pop-Up – the safest all-round choice
Franklin Blackhawk Portable Soccer Goal – Small
4 x 3 ft goal,2.7 lb fiberglass frame,Ground stakes and carry bag included
Pros
- Fiberglass frame with all-weather netting
- Included stakes hold it against hard shots
- Folds flat into the carry bag
- Runs from 2.7 lb so one adult moves it easily
- Multiple sizes and colours in the range
Cons
- Light frame is not built for full-power adult shots
- Net and frame joints wear over several seasons
This is the goal we ended up using most over the course of the test. It throws open with no tools, the 4 x 3 ft mouth is the right balance between big enough to feel like football and small enough that a beginner actually hits it, and the whole thing is light enough for a parent to move across the lawn without a fight.
Owner feedback backs the spec sheet up. Across sixteen thousand reviews the recurring praise is for the same three things: the fibreglass frame takes daily abuse, the netting holds up outdoors, and the supplied stakes keep it planted. It has been the top-selling item in the soccer goals category for long enough that spare parts and advice are easy to find.
The honest limit is power. At 2.7 lb this is a youth and short-sided practice frame, and a teenager hitting a real ball at full pace will feel it flex. The net attachment points are also the part most likely to need attention after a couple of hard seasons, particularly if it stays out in the sun and rain year round.
It folds flat into the bag, which matters more than it sounds. Ours lived in the side shed between sessions and came out every weekend without any ceremony, and the setup is genuinely seconds rather than minutes.
Who this goal suits
A family with one or two players aged roughly 4 to 10 who want a target for shooting, first touch and a bit of goalkeeping. It also works indoors on a garage floor or in a mud room, since the same net takes wet and cold.
If you want to run two-goal drills, you would need a second net, and that is where a two-pack like the Happy Jump or the GoSports set starts to make more sense.
Who should buy something else
Older players who strike the ball properly. The frame is deliberately light, and hard shots are exactly what pushes that kind of frame toward failure. For a shared yard where a fourteen-year-old and a five-year-old both play, a larger staked frame like the BORNEW 7×5 or a RUNBOW 6×4 absorbs more punishment.
2. Franklin Sports Kids Goal 24×16 with Ball and Pump – the first-touch starter
Franklin Sports Kids Soccer Goal with Ball & Pump – 24 X 16
24 x 16 x 16 inch goal,Ball and pump in the box,Quick-fold corner joints,Plastic frame
Pros
- Everything needed to start
- ball and pump included
- Folds and locks in seconds
- Very small footprint for indoor play
- Easy to carry to the park or beach
Cons
- Too small for real shooting practice
- Least rigid frame in the roundup
- Easy to tip or deflect when hit
This is not a practice goal. It is a first-touch toy, and the difference matters if you are buying for a three or four year old who has never had anything to aim at. The 24 by 16 inch mouth is roughly knee height on a small child, which is exactly the scale at which a beginner learns to swing a leg through the ball.
The package solves the thing that usually kills a starter purchase. You get the goal, a rotation-moulded ball and an inflation pump with the needle stored in the pump handle, so there is nothing to buy separately on day one. That completeness is why it has collected more than five thousand reviews.
Setup is a corner job rather than a frame job. The quick-fold locking corner joints snap the box together and release just as fast, which means a small child can put it away unprompted and a parent is not left with a half-built goal in the hallway.
Construction is polypropylene plastic, the least rigid material in this roundup, and at this size a firm shot simply deflects the whole thing sideways. That is a fair trade if the goal lives indoors on carpet and the ball never arrives at pace.
Who this goal suits
Ages three to six, indoor play, and any household that wants a ball and a target in the same box. It also travels well, so it works for beach or park play where there is no grass to anchor into.
Pair it with a proper ball later. The included ball is moulded and light, and most owners replace it once a child starts working on technique.
Who should buy something else
Anyone whose child is already chasing shots with intent. Nothing about this goal scales up, and a six year old who has practised on a real net will find the tiny mouth frustrating. Step up to the Amazon Basics two-pack or the Theresduet 4×3 pair, which still fold away small but give a real target.
3. Amazon Basics 2.5 ft Pop-Up Two-Pack – the cheapest way to get two goals
Amazon Basics Portable Pop Up Soccer Goal Set for Kids, Training Equipment, Outdoor Sports Games, Backyard Soccer, 2.5 Feet, Blue, 2-Pack
Two 2.5 x 1.8 x 1.8 ft goals,Twist-open setup,Fiberglass poles,Stakes and carry bag
Pros
- Two goals in one box
- Fiberglass poles with reinforced oxford fabric
- No tools and no assembly
- Bag and stakes included
- Listed for ages three and up
Cons
- Smallest footprint in the roundup
- Not intended for hard or fast shots
- Stakes only work in soft ground
Two goals at 2.5 feet each, and that twin format is the point. A single net only supports one shooter or one goalkeeper, whereas a pair lets you run a proper shooting circuit, a passing-and-finishing pattern, or an actual match with a child on each end.
The twist-open design is genuinely tool-free. You bend the frame, it springs into its shape, and the net comes with it already laced. Teardown is the reverse, and the whole pair fits in the included bag at 2.5 lb.
Be clear about what this is for. The listing says it plainly, and it is worth repeating: designed for kicking a ball around the backyard, not for fast, intense shots. The 2.5 ft mouth is a footwork and touch target, and hard shots will shift a frame this light even when it is staked.
The stakes are for soft ground only, which rules out patios and hard-packed areas. On a lawn that is dry and slightly loose they hold without drama.
Who this goal suits
Two children under about eight who want to play a match, or one child working alone with a circuit of two targets. The listed age of three and up makes it the safest introduction of the larger options here.
It is also the one to buy if your real constraint is a small yard. A 2.5 ft goal is genuinely small enough to sit against a fence without eating the lawn.
Who should buy something else
Anyone planning to hit it hard. The same recommendation applies as to any light pop-up: if your child can strike a ball properly, choose a wider frame with a stiffer pole diameter, such as the Happy Jump with its 10 mm poles, or a staked frame in the 6×4 or 7×5 range.
4. Happy Jump 7×5 and 5×3.6 Two-Goal Set – the biggest target for the money
Happy Jump Kids Backyard Soccer Goals 7×5 & 5×3.6 FT, Portable Outdoor Play
7 x 5 ft and 5 x 3.6 ft goals,Thickened Dacron net,420D pole sleeves,Galvanized stakes and ropes
Pros
- Largest goal in the roundup at 7 x 5 ft
- Two-goal set for real scrimmages
- Tools not required for setup
- Collapses flat for the car trunk
- Bright orange rim improves visibility
Cons
- Pole sleeves can fray with repeated moving around
- Net may not take very powerful shots
- Basic stakes may need repositioning in a gust
If your yard can take it, the 7 by 5 foot goal is the best target in this roundup by a clear margin. Everything else here is a practice mouth, and this one is big enough that an older child can genuinely practise finishing angles rather than just hitting something.
The set also solves the two-goal problem. You get a 7×5 and a 5×3.6, which is a sensible match for a parent and child or for two kids of different ages, and the whole thing folds down for the car boot.
Construction is where the value sits. Ten millimetre high-strength fibre poles, 420D Oxford sleeves over the bars and a thickened Dacron net are more substantial than most kits at this level, and owners consistently report it stays put through hard shots from younger children.
The elastic ropes and galvanized steel stakes are the piece most parents underrate. They tension the frame and hold the line straight, and once the goal is pinned that way it behaves like a much heavier object.
Who this goal suits
Ages six to fourteen on the manufacturer’s guidance, and specifically a family where a younger child is learning while an older one wants a real target. It is the most useful single purchase here for a medium or large yard.
Manufacturer guidance also carries a choking hazard warning and calls for adult supervision, so it is not a set-and-forget toy for a wandering toddler.
Who should buy something else
Very small lawns, and households expecting a teenager to hit full-power shots indefinitely. The sleeves and netting are rated for kids’ play rather than repeated adult volleys, and the stubs can need the occasional push to seat properly if a pole has been slightly bent in transit.
5. GoSports 4 ft Two-Goal Set with Cones – the best-rated kit here
GoSports Portable Pop Up Soccer Goals for Backyard – Kids & Adults – Set of Two 4 ft Nets with Agility Training Cones and Carrying Case
Two 4 ft foldable goals,Six agility cones,Plastic and metal stakes,Roomy carry case
Pros
- Highest average rating in the roundup
- Real framework rather than flimsy wire
- No assembly
- stakes attach to the goal
- Two goals plus cones cover both ends and a half line
Cons
- Thinner fabric and poles than premium goals
- A little heavier than expected
- One stake tether can untie over a season
This is the set we rated highest across the whole test, and the reason is the framework. Plenty of budget pop-ups use thin wire, which bows and then stays bowed, whereas this one uses a solid collapsible structure that visibly takes a proper strike without deforming.
The second thing that made it a keeper is packaging discipline. The plastic and metal stakes clip to the goal frame itself, so nothing gets abandoned in the grass when you carry it to the car. The bag is genuinely roomy and takes a pump, cones and a water bottle alongside the nets.
Two 4 ft goals plus six cones is enough to lay out a small-sided game properly. Mark the corners, mark the halfway line, and children can play a real match rather than shooting at a single wall of netting.
Owners report it taking real shots and holding up across seasons of family and team use, and that even a three year old can be shown how to open and collapse it unaided.
Who this goal suits
Families who want a complete setup rather than a net, and coaches running small-sided sessions in a garden or driveway. The 4 ft size is a genuine sweet spot for children roughly five to eleven.
If you are buying for a shared space or a school, this is the one we would point at first, because the build and the anchor system both hold up under more than one user.
Who should buy something else
Anyone who needs a genuinely large shooting area, since 4 ft is the standard practice size rather than a full-size target. It is also slightly heavier than the category suggests, which matters if a single child has to carry both goals to the far end of a lawn unaided.
6. VAVOSPORT 4×3 Two-Goal Training Bundle – the most complete package
VAVOSPORT Kids Soccer Goals for Backyard Set of 2,Soccer Training Equipment
Two 4 x 3 ft goals,Size 3 ball and pump,Ten cones and eight stakes,Carry bag included
Pros
- Most complete bundle in the roundup
- Two-step fold into a triangle in seconds
- Light enough for a seven year old to carry
- Bag fits a car trunk
- Stays in place during a serious kick
Cons
- Frame and net feel flimsy to some owners
- Not strong enough for older children or power shots
- Staking is effectively required in wind
Everything you need in one box: two goals, a size 3 TPU ball, a pump, ten cones, eight U-shaped heavy-duty ground nails and a carry bag. If you have been adding accessories to a cart one at a time, this is the same shopping trip in a single purchase.
The fold is the quiet feature. Once assembled, the rods stay in the cloth cover and the goal collapses into an isosceles triangle without removing anything, so it goes from packed to set up in roughly half a second. Ours lived in the boot and came out on demand.
Construction is Oxford cloth over high-strength fibreglass poles, listed for ages one to eighteen but realistically strongest for young children. Reviewers repeatedly place it in the three to eight year old range, and that is where the 4×3 ft mouth makes sense.
It also works on carpet and indoor turf, which turns it into a rainy-day option as well as a backyard one. The carry bag keeps everything together, and replacement parts are offered through the order page.
Who this goal suits
A parent who wants one purchase to cover play, practice and travel, and a child young enough that carrying their own gear is a feature. The accessory bundle is genuinely useful for structured sessions with cones and ball.
It is also a good call for grandparents or for a holiday home, since everything travels in one bag.
Who should buy something else
Older children and anyone shooting hard. This is the most common complaint in the reviews, and it is consistent: the frame and net are fine for backyard mucking about but not for a properly struck ball. Those players belong on the Happy Jump or a larger single goal.
7. Theresduet 4×3 Two-Pack – the most rigid budget frame
Theresduet 2 Pack 4’ x 3’ Size Portable Kid Soccer Goals for Backyard, Indoor and Outdoor Pop Up Soccer Goals, Orange, Theresduet
Two 4 x 3 ft foldable goals,Trapezoidal frame,Fiberglass rods with Oxford cloth,Two bags and eight spikes
Pros
- Trapezoidal frame is stiffer than a plain rectangle
- Two goals with a separate bag each
- Light and easy to carry
- Four by three is the right size for kids' drills
Cons
- Listed for ages over six only
- Assembly is not tool-free
- Slender rods flex under hard shots
Most budget pop-ups use a plain rectangle, which racks sideways the moment a ball hits the side panel. This one switches to a trapezoidal frame, where the side walls slope inward, and the difference in rigidity is obvious the moment you stand it up and lean on it.
That geometry also makes it easier to shoot into, because the mouth faces you more directly. Two goals, two storage bags and eight ground spikes complete the package, which makes it one of the better-equipped budget pairs.
Owners consistently call the frame lighter and thicker than comparable budget nets, and say the spikes are enough to keep it aligned on grass. At 4 x 3 ft it is squarely in the range that suits children learning to strike properly.
Assembly is the one trade. Unlike the twist-open designs, this one needs following the manual, so the first setup takes a few minutes of patience rather than seconds.
Who this goal suits
Children over six who have outgrown the mini goals and want something that holds its shape when the ball is struck properly from close range. Two nets means parent-and-child or sibling matches without a queue.
It suits anyone who packs light, since each goal has its own bag and both fold down small.
Who should buy something else
Toddlers, since the manufacturer specifies over six. Families wanting a genuinely tool-free setup should look at the GoSports or Amazon Basics twist frames instead, and anyone expecting a large target needs to move up a size class.
8. X-UMEUS 4×3 and 6×4 Two-Goal Kit – the best two-goal set for ages 3 to 12
Kids Soccer Goals for Backyard Set- 2 of 6X4/ 4X3 ft Toddler Soccer Goal Training Equipment with Soccer Ball, Ladder, Pop Up Soccer Net for Kids Age 3-5 4-6 6-8 8-12 10-12 Outdoor Games Sports Gift
Two-goal set in 4x3 or 6x4 ft,450D oxford cloth,Three-layer Dacron net,L-shaped connectors and stakes
Pros
- Children can assemble it in about five minutes
- Light and packs into a carry bag
- Stakes hold the nets in wind and rain
- Complete kit with ball pump cones and ladder
Cons
- Fabric and netting feel thin
- Some fraying near the pole sleeves
- Bundled ball runs smaller than a real size 3
- Tight 4x3 mouth for children over ten
This is the kit we would hand to a family with a wide age spread. It is listed for ages three to twelve, it comes as a pair, and it is the most generous size spread of any two-goal set in this roundup, which tells you how the maker expects it to be used.
Build quality sits above the usual budget baseline. 450D thickened oxford cloth, 9.5 mm high-elastic fibreglass poles, a three-layer Dacron net and a reinforced inner bungee cord that keeps the net tensioned after a hit.
Children can genuinely do the setup themselves in roughly five minutes, with L-shaped connectors and no tools. That independence is a real advantage in a house where the goal comes out most days and the adult does not have time to supervise assembly.
Anchoring is the other strength reviewers mention most. The U-shaped stakes keep the nets planted through enthusiastic play and hold them in rain and wind, which is more than most pairs at this level manage.
Who this goal suits
A family running drills rather than free play, since the kit includes a size 3 ball, a pump with needle, six cones and an agility ladder. Two goals at 4×3 or 6×4 covers shooting practice, goalkeeping and passing patterns.
It is a good rainy-day option too, provided the yard is soft enough to take the stakes.
Who should buy something else
Anyone who cares about fabric hand-feel. The cloth and netting strings are thin, and a few owners report fraying around the pole sleeves after a season of assembly and disassembly. Children over ten will also find the 4×3 version tight, so choose the 6×4 variant for them.
9. BORNEW 4×3, 6×4 and 7×5 Single Goal – the one to grow into
Soccer Goal – Backyard & Indoor 4X3 ft Soccer Goals for Kids
4x3, 6x4 and 7x5 ft options,Oxford fabric with reinforced net,Fiberglass poles,Four heavy-duty ground stakes
Pros
- Three genuine size options in one range
- Simple few-step tent-style setup
- Folds small enough to store away
- Light enough for kids to move but stable when staked
Cons
- A minority report mesh tearing early
- Two-packs are awkward to move repeatedly
- Needs a reasonably compact yard
The size range is the story here. The same goal is offered at 4×3, 6×4 and 7×5 feet, in single and two-pack configurations, which means a child can start small and move up without changing brands or replacing a whole setup.
Mechanically it is a simple tent-style frame with a few steps of assembly and no tools. Once it is up, the tent shape is stable and the four heavy-duty stakes keep it anchored, and it folds down small enough to live in a cupboard between seasons.
Owner feedback is generally positive on value, with most buyers treating it as a solid practice goal up to about age eight. The lighter weight is a benefit when a child is moving it around the garden themselves.
The recurring problems are fewer but worth stating plainly. One owner reported the mesh tearing on day one during ordinary play, and people buying the two-pack version note that two of them are harder to set up and carry more than once a session.
Who this goal suits
A single-child yard where size needs to change as the child does. Start at 4×3 for a five year old, and the same brand covers a ten year old at 6×4 or 7×5.
It also suits buyers who want a bigger target without paying for a two-pack, and households using the goal on a patio or hard surface, since a single lightweight frame is easier to reposition than two.
Who should buy something else
Households expecting two-goal play, where a single net becomes a queue. And anyone who needs a large margin of durability, since the netting is where this design gives way first under hard, repeated shooting.
10. RUNBOW 5×3 and 6×4 Foldable Goal – the best for parent-and-child play
5×3/6×4 FT Soccer Goals for Backyard, Foldable Soccer Nets for Kids
5 x 3 ft and 6 x 4 ft sizes,Trapezoidal fibreglass frame,420D Oxford cloth,Folds into carry bag
Pros
- Large enough for an adult to play alongside a child
- Stays grounded in normal play
- Holds up in wind better than most lightweight goals
- Folds into a bag for off-season storage
Cons
- Assembly instructions are hard to follow at first
- Very light frame raises durability questions
- Can still blow over in strong wind unstaked
This is the one we liked playing with most, because 5×3 and 6×4 is big enough for a full-grown adult to stand in goal without feeling like a child in a toy. Many families end up with a second player who suddenly wants to help, and this size makes that possible.
The trapezoidal frame with 8 mm fibreglass rods does the same job as the Theresduet design, resisting the sideways racking that flattens a rectangular frame. The 420D upgraded Oxford cloth and reinforced polyester seams hold up well for the price.
It carries more than two thousand owner reviews, and the feedback concentrates on two things: easy folding for storage, and stability in real backyard use. Reviewers also single out the size as being workable for both adults and children at once.
Setup claims under five minutes and is broadly true, though the instructions themselves are the weak point. Read them before the first assembly rather than while a child is waiting.
Who this goal suits
Families where an adult wants to play keeper or take shots alongside a child, and anyone who wants one goal that lasts a child through a wide age range without changing size.
It folds into the included bag, so it works for people with a garage or a hall cupboard rather than a shed, and it holds its ground in ordinary wind once staked.
Who should buy something else
Two-goal drills, since there is only one net. And anyone whose priority is build longevity, because the frame is deliberately light and that light frame is the part most likely to feel the limits of a hard shot over time.
11. Bearwill 4×3 Two-Goal Set – the biggest accessory bundle
Bearwill Soccer Goal, Kids Soccer Goals for Backyard Set of 2
Two 4 x 3 ft goals,Knotted polyethylene netting,Metal L-shaped joints,Full training accessory kit
Pros
- Two goals for proper two-ended play
- Five-minute tool-free setup
- Sturdy enough to take hard shots
- Includes ball pump ladder cones and targets
Cons
- One shipment arrived without cones and with a broken zipper
- 4x3 size suits younger children best
Two goals, a size 3 ball, a pump with needle, a 20 foot agility ladder, six cones, eight U-shaped metal ground stakes, two training targets and a carry bag. It is the most complete kit in the roundup by piece count, and the extras are genuinely useful for structured sessions rather than decoration.
The hardware is more serious than the price suggests. Solid metal L-shaped joints and high-elastic fibreglass rods give a stiffer frame than most budget pairs, and the knotted tear-resistant polyethylene netting is a step above simple stitched mesh.
Setup is roughly five minutes with no tools, which is long enough to be a project and short enough that a child can finish it. The goals fold into the bag and weigh 2.8 kg for the pair, so they travel to a park or a beach without a second car.
Owners report the frame taking hard shots during rough practice, and the training targets and ladder are the accessories most people end up actually using.
Who this goal suits
A parent who wants to run organised backyard sessions rather than unstructured kickabouts, since the ladder, cones and targets give a ready-made circuit. Two goals also make a genuine two-ended game possible for two children.
Listed for ages three to fifteen, though the 4×3 mouth becomes tight for the oldest end of that range.
Who should buy something else
Anyone sensitive to shipping damage, because one owner received an incomplete box with missing cones and a faulty carry bag zipper. Check the contents on arrival, and anyone with older teens should size up rather than stretch this 4×3 frame.
12. SPORTIC 4×3 Orange Two-Pack – the most visible target
2 Pack 4′ x 3′ Soccer Goal Net Set, Pop Up Kids Practice Soccer Goals for Indoor and Outdoor.Portable Soccer Net with Carrying Bag & Ground Pegs, Perfect for Backyard, Field, Court (Orange)
Two 4 x 3 ft goals,Reinforced 420D Oxford fabric,Thickened polyester net,Eight ground stakes and carry bag
Pros
- Two goals for matches and two-ended drills
- High-visibility orange frame reads clearly as a target
- Quick tool-free setup and fold-down storage
- Stakes and bag included in the box
Cons
- 4x3 size suits young beginners rather than older children
- Fiberglass build is not a full-height goal
The orange frame is a small design decision with a real practical payoff. Against grass, a dark net almost disappears at dusk, and this high-visibility frame stays readable as a shooting target late into an evening session, which is when most backyard play actually happens.
Beyond colour, it is a competent budget pair. Reinforced 420D Oxford fabric, thickened polyester netting, flexible fibreglass poles and reinforced stitching at the stress points, supplied with eight ground stakes and a carry bag.
Setup is tool-free and folds down small, and buyers consistently mention that it moves around a yard or travels to the park without fuss. The stakes do the work of holding the net in place during ordinary play.
It works indoors as well as out, so a garage or playroom setup works on wet days as easily as a lawn.
Who this goal suits
Families who want two small goals for backyard, park, garden, beach or playground use, and children aged three and up who are still building fundamentals. The fold-down storage suits small homes with a cupboard rather than a garage.
It is also a good second set to leave at a relative’s house, since the whole pair travels in one bag.
Who should buy something else
Older children and teenagers, because the 4×3 footprint and flexible fibreglass poles are a real ceiling rather than a starting point. It is also a full practice net rather than anything approaching a club-size target.
How to Choose a Kids Soccer Goal for a Backyard
Match the goal to the age, the yard and the way it will be hit, then everything else follows. Most disappointing purchases trace back to a size that is too small or a frame that is too light for the shot the child can actually produce.
What size soccer goal do you need?
Under four, a 24 by 16 inch indoor-style goal is right. Ages four to eight, 2.5 to 4 by 3 ft. Ages eight to twelve, 5 to 6 by 4 ft. Older players and shared goals, 7 by 5 ft and up. For reference, a full-size senior goal is 24 by 8 ft, so anything you buy for a backyard is a scaled target rather than a match goal.
Buy one size up from the child’s current age if you expect to keep it for more than a season. A 4×3 net that feels right at seven feels cramped at eleven, and a 6×4 net that feels oversized at six is still fine at eleven.
Fiberglass, steel or plastic: which frame lasts?
Fiberglass is the sweet spot for backyard use. It is light enough to carry, flexible enough to absorb a shot without cracking, and cheap enough that replacing a whole set is realistic when a pole finally goes. Steel is stiffer and heavier, which is what you want for a shared school or club goal but is unpleasant to move for a weekly family practice. Plastic, as on the 24 inch starter goal, is fine for touch play and does not survive a struck ball.
The honest answer to the most common question on youth soccer forums, whether to buy PVC or metal, is that for family use the deciding factor is the shot, not the label. If children will hang off the crossbar or strike with intent, move up a class of frame and spend accordingly. If it is a toddler learning first touch, the cheapest option is the right one.
Anchoring: how to stop a goal blowing over
Every pop-up goal in this roundup that survives a season has been staked. Drive the supplied stakes at an angle away from the goal, at the front and back corners, and push them down until only the head shows. On soft ground this is all you need. On hard-packed soil, add weight: sandbags over the base rail, or fill a weighted base with water or sand where the design allows.
Treat unanchored placement as a temporary one, and keep the goal away from hard surfaces and doorways where a tip-over would hurt. If a young child climbs the frame, that is the signal to move to a heavier goal rather than to add a rule.
What actually arrives in the box
Most of these sets include the goal, some number of ground stakes and a carry bag. The commonly missing extras are sandbags or other ballast, a proper size 3 ball, and a pump with a needle. Several sets do include a ball and pump, so check the listing carefully before ordering a second one.
Also plan for replacement netting. Net damage at the frame attachment points is the most common long-term failure across the category, and a replacement net costs less than a replacement goal. Staking pegs and sandbags are worth buying in a spare set the first time you lose one.
Rebounder goals versus full nets
A rebounder returns the ball rather than catching it, which is more useful for one player working alone on first touch and striking. A full net is better for goalkeeping, for two-ended games and for anything involving more than one person. Our soccer rebounder guide covers that side in more detail.
Our rule of thumb: buy a full net for the backyard, and treat rebounders as an indoor or group-training supplement rather than a replacement.
Storing the goal between seasons
Pull the stakes out of the ground rather than leaving them buried, dry the net fully before folding it, and keep the folded goal somewhere ventilated rather than sealed in a damp bag. Net sag is usually stored damp rather than a manufacturing fault.
For footwear that works on the same surface, see our youth soccer cleats guide, our turf soccer shoe picks and our indoor soccer shoe reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size soccer goal for a backyard?
Under four, choose a 24 by 16 inch indoor-style goal. Ages four to eight suit 2.5 to 4 by 3 ft. Ages eight to twelve suit 5 to 6 by 4 ft, and older players or shared goals need 7 by 5 ft or larger. A full-size senior goal is 24 by 8 ft, so backyard goals are always scaled targets.
What is the best backyard soccer goal for kids?
The Franklin Sports Blackhawk 4×3 is the safest all-round pick for a single family yard, since it is light, staked, folds flat and holds up across seasons. For two children or a goalkeeper, the GoSports 4 ft two-goal set includes cones, stakes and a carry case. For the largest target, the Happy Jump 7×5 and 5×3.6 set wins on goal size.
Are PVC or plastic soccer goals durable enough for kids?
For a toddler learning first touch, yes. For a child who strikes the ball properly or climbs the frame, no. Light plastic and thin fibreglass flex and eventually crack, so move to a wider-diameter fibreglass pole frame or a steel base for older players and shared goals.
How do you keep a portable soccer goal from blowing over?
Stake it. Drive the supplied pegs into the ground at an angle away from the goal at the front and back corners, then push them down until only the head shows. On hard or packed soil, add ballast: sandbags over the base rail, or water or sand in a weighted base where the design allows it.
What comes in a kids soccer goal box, and what must I buy separately?
Most sets include the goal, ground stakes and a carry bag. Sandbags or other ballast, a proper size 3 ball and a pump with a needle are the usual omissions, though several bundles here include a ball and pump. Buy spare stakes and a replacement net, since net attachment points wear first.
The Best Kids Soccer Goals for Backyards: Final Word
Twelve goals, one clear answer for most families. Pick the Franklin Sports Blackhawk 4×3 if you want a single reliable net that any child can use and one adult can move. Pick the GoSports 4 ft two-goal set if you want two ends, cones and an anchor system that travels with the goal. Pick the Happy Jump 7×5 and 5×3.6 set if the yard has the space and you want a target big enough for an older child to practise finishing into.
Whichever you choose, stake it properly and expect to add a ball, a pump and a spare set of pegs. Those three things account for most of the frustration buyers report in this category, and none of them is a fault in the goal itself.
Our picks are current as of 2026, and we update this list as kits change and new sizes arrive.