Tennis is one of those rare sports that teaches delayed gratification, mental toughness, and individual accountability in ways team sports simply can't. When your kid watches a tennis match or reads about a player's journey, they're absorbing lessons about handling pressure, bouncing back from mistakes, and the reality that no teammate is going to save you when you're down match point.

Plus, about 40% of families in our community use Netflix regularly for kids' content, and 42% let kids browse YouTube solo—so if they're going to be watching something, tennis content tends to be a pretty solid choice. It's active, goal-oriented, and usually free of the brain-rot that comes with endless Minecraft YouTube compilations.

Written by former Canadian tennis champion Bianca Andreescu, this 56-page picture book follows a lively kid who discovers tennis, faces an injury, and learns meditation to recover. What makes this one special is how it weaves mindfulness and mental health into a sports story without feeling preachy.

If your family is already talking about big feelings or you're looking for a gentle entry point into conversations about resilience, this is it. The book doesn't shy away from setbacks—it actually centers them—which is refreshing in a genre that often treats every challenge as immediately solvable.

This 80-page Puffin title is basically the "how tennis works" book you wish existed when your kid first asked about scoring. Vibrant illustrations, simple rule explanations, and young players in action make it accessible for the 6-10 age range. It's not trying to be profound—it's just a solid, colorful introduction that doesn't talk down to kids.

If you've got an Epic subscription (either through school or at home), they've curated a whole tennis topic page with dozens of age-appropriate reads. Titles like "Anyone for Tennis?" (recommended for 6-year-olds) give you quick options when your kid is in a tennis phase and you need fresh material fast.

This long-running anime follows a teenage tennis prodigy and his team through increasingly intense (and occasionally absurd) matches. Common Sense Media notes it's generally suitable for kids 10+ who can follow fast-paced plots and handle the typical anime intensity.

The reality check: This is not realistic tennis. Expect special moves, dramatic slow-motion, and the kind of over-the-top sports action that anime does so well. If your kid loves Haikyuu!! or other sports anime, they'll probably eat this up. If they're looking for actual tennis instruction, this isn't it—but it will make them think tennis is the coolest thing on earth, which might get them off the couch and onto a court.

This reality-style series follows junior players and emphasizes sportsmanship, making it a solid pick for pre-teens and early teens who are either playing competitively or curious about that world. Unlike a lot of sports reality TV, it doesn't manufacture drama—it just shows what the junior tournament circuit actually looks like, which is valuable context if your kid is starting to take tennis seriously.

Common Sense Media highlights the positive role models and real-world pressure these kids face. It's the kind of show that can spark good conversations about competition, handling losses, and what it means to pursue something at a high level.

Netflix Tudum curated eight tennis movies and series currently streaming, mixing documentaries, feel-good dramas, and even live-match feeds. This is your go-to list if you need something to watch as a family after the US Open or if your kid just came home from tennis camp buzzing with energy.

The collection gives you range—from serious docs about professional players to lighter fare that works for family movie night. Since 40% of families in our community use Netflix for kids' content, having a curated list like this is genuinely useful. You're not scrolling endlessly trying to figure out if something is age-appropriate or just another algorithm-driven recommendation that makes no sense.

The UK's Lawn Tennis Association created six animated characters (Ace, Bounce, Dash, Slice, Smash, and Spin) who each teach a specific tennis skill through short videos and printable QR-code cards. Kids can practice drills like "Brainbuster Rally" or "Wall Whack" right in the living room or driveway.

What's smart about this program is that it bridges screen time and physical activity. Your kid watches a 2-minute video, then immediately tries the drill. You can book local group lessons through the program or just use the free online challenges. It's the kind of thing that actually gets kids moving instead of just passively consuming content, which is rare enough to be worth calling out.

Ages 4-8: Stick with picture books like Bibi's Got Game and Sporty Kids: Tennis!. If they're watching anything, make it the LTA Tennisables videos that lead directly to activity.

Ages 8-12: This is where The Prince of Tennis works if your kid is into anime. Otherwise, browse Netflix's tennis collection for family-friendly docs and dramas. The Epic tennis collection also has chapter books for this age range.

Ages 12+: Uninterrupted's Top Class Tennis gives them a realistic look at competitive junior tennis. Older teens can handle most of the Netflix collection, including docs about professional players that get into the mental game and career pressures.

Tennis content tends to be pretty safe. Unlike Fortnite or Roblox, you're not navigating chat features, in-game purchases, or stranger danger. The biggest "risk" is your kid deciding they want to be the next Serena Williams and asking for private lessons, which is more of a budget conversation than a safety one.

The anime caveat: The Prince of Tennis is intense. If your kid hasn't watched anime before, the pacing and dramatic style might feel overwhelming. Preview an episode first if you're unsure—it's very different from Western sports shows.

Books are always a win. If you're trying to reduce screen time but your kid is in a tennis phase, lean heavily on the books. Bibi's Got Game and the Epic collection give you plenty of options that don't involve another hour in front of a screen.

Tennis content for kids is surprisingly rich and mostly high-quality. Whether your kid is just curious about the sport or training for tournaments, there's age-appropriate material that actually teaches something—about the game, about resilience, about handling pressure.

The sweet spot is mixing passive viewing with active participation. Watch an episode of The Prince of Tennis, then head outside to practice serves. Read Bibi's Got Game, then talk about a time they had to bounce back from something hard. Use the LTA Tennisables videos as a bridge between screen and court.

And if your kid's tennis obsession means less time on YouTube watching random gameplay videos? That's a win you can feel good about.

Remember: in our community data, 80% of families are using either Netflix or YouTube regularly. If your kid's going to be watching something, tennis content is a solid choice that might actually get them moving afterward.