Kids have a lot of energy. If you have a few youngsters running around your house, you already know this all too well.
The trouble is sometimes finding constructive ways for them to let that energy out — without destroying something in the process.
Ever thought about getting a kids punching bag? This is not only an excellent complement to karate classes (if they are little masters-in-training) but also a superb form of exercise. And yes, give a kid a punching bag and they will go to town, having a blast pounding on that thing to get out their excess energy without breaking anything in the process.
But what is the best punching bag for kids? How do you know what to look for when purchasing? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to go over everything you need to know when buying a child a punching bag as well as offer a few top-rated options to choose from.
Benefits of Punching Bags for Kids
Why would you even consider buying a small punching bag for your child? As we already mentioned, kids punching bags are a great way for kids to get out their excess energy. Plus, kids get frustrated and punching bags give them a safe place to work out that frustration.
Some people might worry about making their kids more aggressive. Don’t worry, most kids are already going to hit things on occasion and a punching bag gives them a place to take out that aggression that isn’t their siblings or friends.
On a more harmless note, punching bags also give kids a fun way to get plenty of cardio exercises. Too many kids are sitting on their couch all day long watching TV instead of up and using their bodies. A mere 24% of kids are getting the recommended 60 minutes of exercise per day for 6 – 17-year-olds. Plus, they have fun while working on their martial arts form.
Check out how kids can work on their boxing and kickboxing form with a punching bag here.
Can Kids Use an Adult-Sized Punching Bag?
If you already have one in your home gym for yourself, this might seem like an easy solution. However, this is generally not a good idea.
Adult-sized punching bags are heavy and resistant to blows because adults have more power. Small kids trying to punch one of those bags is similar to you trying to punch a concrete wall. It is far more likely that they will hurt themselves in the process.
Youth punching bags are much lighter and the aim is to focus more on form rather than strength or power. If your child hits a heavy bag incorrectly, it could mean a trip to the emergency room with a broken wrist. The lighter children’s punch bags are much more forgiving.
In fact, some kids punching bags are inflatable. You can put something heavy at the bottom like sand or water to hold the bag in place and fill the rest with air. Durable fabric ensures that the bag can stand up to being knocked around and nobody gets hurt. Win-win!
Choosing the Right Kids Punching Bag
Type “kids punching bag” into Amazon and you’ll get a whole bunch of different types of punch bags designed for kids. Some are inflatable, others are filled with material like an adult bag.
Some have brightly-colored graphics encouraging your little one to punch their heart out. Some are shaped like dinosaurs, clowns, or ninjas. And others are more serious, made to mimic the look of adult punch bags for boxing and martial arts.
Which one should you choose?
Age
The first thing to consider is the age of the child you’re buying for. A 4 or 5-year-old would appreciate the inflatable cartoon dinosaur more while an older child might be ready to mimic the adults.
Of course, many punching bags for kids will work for a range of ages so don’t think you have to buy multiples if you have different-aged kids. Just think about what would work best for your household.
Quality
The quality of construction is a big aspect of choosing a punching bag. After all, your kids are going to be banging on this thing with all their might. It needs to be sturdy enough to hold up.
Again, you want to consider the age of your kids. A bag that might hold up for a smaller child could get destroyed by a young teenager. Also, think ahead. A good punching bag can last for years, so consider what type of bag your child will need/appreciate in a few years.
Included Equipment
Many kids’ punching bags come in a kids’ boxing set. This means that the bag comes with protective equipment such as boxing gloves and shin guards. The set can be a handy investment, or it could be a waste of money because the equipment doesn’t fit your child.
Read the reviews and check the sizing. Also, compare the price of the bag alone to buying the equipment separately. Additionally, if you have multiple children, you might need to buy extra safety equipment anyway.
It isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing if the bag comes in a set. Just be aware if you need to buy other equipment to get started.
Another thing to be aware of is that sets usually just come with boxing gloves. If you’re getting a stiffer bag and think your child will be hitting it pretty hard, you might want to invest in a set of hand wraps as well to protect and support their wrists.
7 Best Kids Punching Bags
Now that you have some things to think about, let’s take a look at a few of the top-rated kids punching bags. As you’ll see, there is quite a range of styles to choose from. The good news about that is you are sure to find something that will help tame your child’s inner Tasmanian Devil!
1. Freestanding Punching Ball
This kids’ free-standing punching bag comes with a sturdy base and an inflatable faux leather ball on top. Designed to work like the speed bags that boxers use, this ball will help kids work on speed and perfecting their techniques more than strength building.
The ball is recommended for use with children ages 3 – 8 and the stand is adjustable from 31 inches to 42 inches. It comes with a set of slip-on boxing gloves that kids can put on themselves — handy when they’re taking turns!
Fill the base with 15 pounds of water or sand to ensure it doesn’t tip over. Now, kids can hit the spring-mounted punching bag and it will snap right back into position.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Good for small children
- Small space footprint
- Stable and durable
Cons:
- Kids can outgrow it
- Not practical for working kicks
2. RDX Kids Punching Bag
If you know anything about boxing or MMA, you’re probably already aware of RDX. They are known for quality products and this kids punching bag and gloves set is no different.
Both the 2-foot kids boxing bag and gloves are made from Maya-Hide Leather to create an incredibly durable and resistant product. The bag comes pre-filled with a shock-absorbent pulp made from shredded textiles. The zip-top design allows you to fill the bag with a different material. This is great as your kids grow and you can put in something more challenging like sand.
Pros:
- Work both kicking and punching
- High-quality materials, durable and resilient
- Good for a wide age range
Cons:
- Some reviewers mentioned their bag came unfilled
- Have to find a place to hang it
3. J&A’s Inflatable Dudes Dinosaur Punching Bag
This 47-inch bright orange inflatable dinosaur will gleefully encourage kids to punch and kick their hearts out. Built from a durable PVC material, the dinosaur comes with a sand-filled base so it bounces right back up every time your child knocks it down.
The product is marketed for kids 3 years and up and reviewers mentioned that much older children got a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment.
It comes with a repair patch kit for holes which we think you could take either way. One, it’s a nice gesture or two, you’re probably going to need it. However, most reviews mention that the dinosaur is holding up well.
Pros:
- Colorful and fun
- Huggable!
- Durable and resilient
- Very little danger of injury
Cons:
- Not the best for serious martial arts training
4. Hanging Kids Punching Bag
This 2-foot unfilled mini punching bag for kids is a little bit less expensive alternative to the RDX bag. This bag does not come with gloves and is unfilled so you’re getting a little bit less with the product. However, an unfilled bag is nice if you want to save on shipping. The seller recommends filling the bag with old clothes or scraps of fabric.
The punching bag is made from durable vinyl with an inspiring “Focus. Train. Win.” message printed on the side. It is recommended for use with children ages 5 – 15 and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Useful for a wide age range
- Can work both kicks and punches
- Soft enough that gloves aren’t strictly necessary
Cons:
- Comes unfilled (not necessarily a bad thing)
- Have to find a place to hang it
5. Freestanding Punching Bag for Kids with Suction Steel Base
Sand and water are usually easy to come by for filling a freestanding punching bag base, but what if you could forego them altogether? This 47-inch freestanding punching bag comes with 12 strong suction cups on the steel base.
From there, the bag is formed around a stainless steel tube, made with high-density foam and encased with 2 mm thickened PU leather.
This child punch bag is good for kids ages 3 – 11 or approximately 21 inches to 41 inches tall.
Pros:
- No hanging required
- Can work both punching and kicking
- Small space footprint
Cons:
- Only works on smooth floors like marble, tile, or hardwood
- A bit more expensive than other options
6. Wavemaster Kid Kick
If your child is heavily into martial arts, you want to get them a nice quality child punch bag. Inflatable dinosaurs are fun and everything, but when you seriously want to train, something a little more sophisticated is in order.
This Wavemast Kid Kick is the perfect option. It’s a freestanding punching bag design with a base that can be filled with water or sand. A rounded base allows you to roll the unit from location to location. High-impact foam is encased in durable nylon and the unit has four height adjustments from 37 inches to 52 inches. The bag is 10.5 inches in diameter with a 26-inch striking surface.
Pros:
- Durable design
- Can be used for a wide age range of kids
- Can practice both kicks and punches
Cons:
- More expensive, best for more serious martial artists
7. Punching Bag with Stand
This freestanding inflatable punching bag is great for kids ages 3 – 12. The softer material and air-filled bag help to ensure that kids won’t injure themselves as they work on their martial arts form.
Fill the bottom with water or sand till about 26.5 to 33 pounds to ensure that the bag stays standing upright. The design allows you to place the punching bag on all sorts of surfaces indoors and out. Three airlocks inflate the three parts of the bag and its stand. The bag is made of durable PVC material.
This set of kids’ boxing equipment comes with a pair of gloves for protection and a storage bag.
Pros:
- Strong and stable enough for kids
- Soft enough to help avoid injury
- Mimics the design of adult bags for a sense of realism
Cons:
- Deflates a bit and requires reinflating
Start Punching Away
Regardless of what type of children’s punching bag you decide to buy, your kids are sure to enjoy hours of entertainment. It’s also a good feeling to know that they’re up and active instead of sitting in front of a TV screen. Plus, the mere act of kicking and punching helps develop muscle strength and improves their martial arts technique while they think they’re just having fun.
Curious about the benefits of training with a punching bag? Check out our in-depth article on the subject here.