Spend a Saturday morning at almost any padel club in Greater Manchester and you will spot them: a gaggle of kids in trainers a size too big, giggling through a rally, then landing one shot clean enough to make the coach genuinely proud. Junior padel is one of the fastest-growing corners of the sport here, and Manchester now has a real handful of routes in for children, whatever their age.
Here is why padel suits kids, what age they can start, where junior sessions run, roughly what it costs, and how to get going.
Why padel works so well for kids
Padel has a few built-in advantages over tennis or squash for younger players. The court is small, so kids are not chasing balls across huge distances before they have the fitness for it. The walls keep the ball alive longer, which means more rallies and more touches rather than standing about waiting for a serve to land. And it is always doubles, so there is a partner to share the pressure with.
Local coaches keep coming back to the underarm serve. It is a far lower barrier to a first real rally than tennis's overhead serve, so children can be playing proper points within a session or two. If you fancy a knock yourself first, our beginner guide covers what a first session feels like.
What age can kids start?
Manchester Padel Club in Heald Green takes junior coaching bookings from age 6, about as young as it gets locally on a structured basis. Soul Padel's junior programme in Stockport splits sessions by school year, generally from around age 7. The Padel Club in Wilmslow runs its Padel Cubs programme for ages 5 to 12.
Most clubs group children by school year rather than one blanket age, mixing ability within a session so nobody is left standing alone. If your child already plays tennis, they will often slot in a year or two above the usual starting point.
Where junior sessions run
Manchester Padel Club, Heald Green (SK8 4RZ)
Junior coaching bookable from age 6 through the club's academy, on the same covered and outdoor courts as the adults. There is no online booking widget for juniors, so enquiries go direct to the academy team on academy@manchesterpadel.club or 0161 943 0954.
Soul Padel, Stockport (SK4 1DN)
A proper junior pathway under coach Sue Morrison, who brings decades of experience. Term-time weekly lessons run roughly for 7 to 10s and 11s and up, alongside two-hour holiday camps mixing skills, games and rally time. The club has also run one-off half-term tasters by school year at low prices, so keep an eye on their junior page or Playtomic listing for the next round. Booking is through Playtomic under the Academy section.
The Padel Club, Wilmslow
Padel Cubs runs for ages 5 to 12 on the club's four courts just off the A34. Spring and summer term bookings open periodically, so register interest through the club's website for the next intake.
Carbon Padel Club, Manchester
Runs kids' classes on Saturdays at its indoor club, a good weekend option that does not care about the weather. Confirm exact times and how to book direct via Playtomic before you plan around it.
Further out towards Bolton, Wigan, Bury or Rochdale, it is worth ringing your nearest leisure centre padel court directly. Junior programmes are expanding fast, with new venues adding kids' sessions quicker than any directory can keep up. The venues page is the best place to find your closest court.
Padel in schools is a live push too. Manchester comedian Jason Manford has been vocal about getting courts into schools that would not otherwise have access, working alongside Manchester City Council on grassroots growth. It is early days for how many schools actually have courts, so treat this as a direction of travel rather than something on offer everywhere yet.
Roughly what it costs
Junior pricing varies by club and is not always published online, so treat these as a starting guide.
- One-off tasters or half-term sessions have run as low as £10 for a two-hour block at Soul Padel Stockport
- Weekly term-time lessons often sit around £10 to £15 a session, though rates vary by club and age group
- Holiday camps are usually priced per session rather than per week
- Most clubs include racket hire in the junior fee, some charge a little extra, so check when you book
Always confirm current pricing with the club before booking, since it is the detail that changes most. For the wider picture, our cost guide breaks down adult and coaching prices too.
How to get started
Pick a club within a sensible drive and check whether it runs a dedicated junior programme or just lets kids onto adult sessions with a guardian. Book a taster or single session first, since most clubs let you try before committing to a block. Do not worry about kit: every venue above supplies rackets and balls, so trainers and comfy clothes are all your child needs. Ask about age and ability grouping so they land with others at a similar stage, and check the cancellation policy if the court is outdoor or open-topped.
Padel is still young in Manchester, but the junior scene is growing fast, and the clubs running kids' sessions genuinely seem to want more children on court, not just more paying adults. When in doubt, a phone call beats guessing from a website.
FAQs
What age can children start playing padel?
As young as 5 at some Manchester clubs. The Padel Club in Wilmslow takes ages 5 to 12, Manchester Padel Club coaches from age 6, and Soul Padel groups from around age 7.
Is padel good for kids?
Yes. The small court, forgiving walls, underarm serve and doubles format mean children get more rallies and less standing around than in tennis, so they stay engaged and improve quickly.
Do kids need their own padel racket?
No. Every junior programme in this guide supplies rackets and balls, so children just need trainers and comfortable clothes to start.
How much do junior padel sessions cost in Manchester?
Roughly £10 to £15 a weekly session, with some one-off tasters from £10 for a two-hour block. Racket hire is usually included, though pricing varies by club.
Where can my child learn padel near Manchester?
Manchester Padel Club (Heald Green), Soul Padel (Stockport), The Padel Club (Wilmslow) and Carbon Padel Club all run junior sessions. Leisure centres further out are adding them fast.