Guide · Start Here
Boxing Gear for Kids: A Parent's Guide to Sizes, the Kit and What to Skip
A child's boxing kit is the adult kit, smaller, with one big change: no adult hanging bag. Here are the sizes by weight and age, the four things to buy, the three things to skip, and the supervision rules that matter more than any product.
Written by Mike M. · Owner, Iron Mako Media
Published
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Sizes by weight and age
| Child's weight | Typical age | Gloves | Wraps | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 45 lb | 3–5 | 4 oz | 108–120 in | Kid Kick Wavemaster, lowest setting |
| 45–70 lb | 5–8 | 6 oz | 120 in | Kid Kick Wavemaster |
| 70–100 lb | 8–12 | 8 oz | 120 in | Kid Kick, or Original Wavemaster set low |
| Over 100 lb | 12+ | 10–12 oz (adult chart) | 120–180 in | Original Wavemaster; a 70 lb hanging bag with supervision |
Age is only a starting point; a big eight-year-old and a small eleven-year-old can need the same glove. The kids section of the size chart and the kids' glove roundup have the detail.
The four things to buy
- Gloves in the right ounce, with a wide hook-and-loop strap the child can close. Synthetic; they will outgrow them.
- 120-inch wraps. Same technique as an adult (how); an adult does it until the child can. Small hands need the support more, not less.
- A kid-height freestanding bag. An adjustable post from about 37 in, on a base an adult fills. The freestanding roundup has the two kids' models.
- A youth mouthguard — the day they join a class with contact, not before. Youth sizes; braces.
The three things to skip
- An adult hanging bag. Too heavy to move, hard-settled at the bottom, and the swing knocks a child over. Not for kids under about 100 lb, and supervised above that.
- Headgear for home. Headgear is for supervised class sparring. A child hitting a bag in the garage does not need it. When they do spar, headgear for kids.
- Kids' starter kits with unbranded gloves and a tiny bag. Buy the three pieces above separately; it costs about the same and the sizes are right.
Supervision
An adult sets up the bag, fills the base, sets the height, wraps the hands, closes the gloves and stays in the room. Sessions are short — three or four rounds of 1 to 1.5 minutes, which is the round length USA Boxing uses for its youngest developmental bouts. Bag work is punching a bag; anything involving another child is a class with a coach, never a garage. We say this without a source because it is the whole point.
Kickboxing for kids
Bag kicks on the kid-height bag with kids' shin guards, supervised. Same rules. The adult version of the additions is on kickboxing equipment for home.
Picks
The kids' kit
Gloves sold in 4, 6 and 8 oz, the 120-inch wraps, the adjustable kid-height bag, and a youth mouthguard for class.
Key specs
- Weights
- 4 · 6 · 8 oz
- Closure
- Large hook-and-loop with elastic
- Padding
- Triple-density foam
Scores · editorial, out of 10
- Wrist support
- 5
- Knuckle padding
- 7
- Fit & closure for beginners
- 10
- Materials & durability
- 6
- Value for a first pair
- 8
Pick 01 · Boxing gloves
Venum Challenger 2.0 Kids Boxing Gloves
Venum
The kids' glove with three real sizes (4, 6, 8 oz), an elastic-backed strap a child can close alone, and a fully attached thumb.
Best for
Fitting a small child properly rather than buying up
Pros
- Three weights — the widest kids' run on this list
- 100% attached thumb, which is the one spec parents should insist on
- Breathable interior mesh; PU shell wipes clean
Cons
- No age or weight chart from Venum — size by hand and use
- Strap is soft; wrist support is minimal
Specs from Venum — Challenger 2.0 Kids Boxing Gloves (specs).
Key specs
- Length
- 120 in × 2 in
- Fabric
- Polyester-cotton blend
- Closure
- Thumb strap, hook-and-loop
Scores · editorial, out of 10
- Support & elasticity
- 6
- Length options
- 6
- Thumb loop & closure
- 8
- Wash durability
- 8
- Value
- 10
Pick 02 · Hand wraps
Everlast Core Hand Wraps (120 in)
Everlast
A 120 in, 2 in wide poly-cotton wrap — the right length for small hands, kids, and anyone who finds 180 in bulky.
Best for
Small hands, kids, and slim gloves
Pros
- 120 in fits under an 8–10 oz glove without crowding the compartment
- Machine washable
- Cheapest wrap on this list
Cons
- Not enough length for a padded Mexican-style adult wrap
- Less stretch than the Elite
Specs from Everlast — Core Hand Wraps 120 in (specs).
Key specs
- Height
- 37–52 in, four settings
- Base
- ~170 lb filled with water
- Shell
- Nylon over high-impact foam
Scores · editorial, out of 10
- Base stability when filled
- 8
- Footprint
- 8
- Rebound & feel
- 7
- Height adjustability
- 8
- Value
- 7
Pick 03 · Freestanding bags
Century Kid Kick Wavemaster
Century
A youth Wavemaster with four heights from 37 to 52 in on a base that fills to about 170 lb.
Best for
A child's first bag that will still fit them in three years
Pros
- Four heights cover a child from about 6 to 12
- 170 lb base won't tip under a kid's strikes
- Rounded base rolls into a corner
Cons
- An adult will hit over the top of it at 52 in
- Century publishes no striking-surface dimensions
Specs from Century — Kid Kick Wavemaster (specs).
Key specs
- Sizes
- Youth (10 & under) · Adult (11+)
- Fit
- Boil-and-bite
- Build
- Triple layer, gel-fit liner
Scores · editorial, out of 10
- Fit & retention
- 8
- Breathing & speech
- 6
- Protection thickness
- 9
- Ease of molding
- 8
- Value
- 9
Pick 04 · Mouthguards
Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouthguard
Shock Doctor
The safe default boil-and-bite: a triple-layer guard with a gel-fit liner and an exoskeletal frame, in youth and adult sizes, with a convertible strap you can leave off for boxing.
Best for
A first mouthguard for an adult or a child over 10 who wants a full-thickness guard
Pros
- Triple-layer design with Shock Doctor's gel-fit liner and a heavy-duty exoskeletal frame
- Two age-based sizes
- Convertible tether — strapped for helmet sports, strapless for boxing
- Shock Doctor lists a limited dental warranty; HSA/FSA eligible per the product page
Cons
- Not compatible with braces — Shock Doctor points braces wearers to its dedicated models
- Thicker than a SISU; breathing and speaking take a session to get used to
Specs from Shock Doctor — Gel Max Mouthguard (features, sizing, fitting).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What size boxing gloves for a child?
By weight: 4 oz under 45 lb, 6 oz to 70 lb, 8 oz to 100 lb, then 10–12 oz on the adult chart. Age is only a starting point.
What punching bag is best for kids?
A kid-height freestanding bag with an adjustable post — the Century Kid Kick Wavemaster (37–52 in) for most kids. Never an adult hanging bag.
Do kids need hand wraps?
Yes — 120-inch wraps, put on by an adult until the child can. Small hands need the support more.
Do kids need headgear for boxing at home?
No. Headgear is for supervised class sparring. Bag work at home needs gloves and wraps.
At what age can a child start boxing?
Bag work with a parent supervising can start young with 4 oz gloves and a low bag; USA Boxing's developmental bouts start at age 8. A class with a coach is the right place for anything beyond a bag.
Next in your kit
Best boxing gloves for kids →Keep reading
Related guides
- Best boxing gloves for kids →
4, 6 and 8 oz picks.
- Best freestanding punching bag →
The kids' section.
- Best boxing headgear for kids →
For class sparring only.
- 180 vs 120 inch hand wraps →
Why 120 for kids.
- Boxing safety basics →
The rules, including the kids' section.
Sources
- —USA Boxing National Rule Book, effective January 1, 2025 — Developmental Bouts (ages 8–12, 1.5-minute rounds) · usamastersboxing.com
- —Venum — Challenger 2.0 Kids Boxing Gloves (specs) · venum.com
- —Everlast — Core Hand Wraps 120 in (specs) · everlast.com
- —Century — Kid Kick Wavemaster (specs) · centurymartialarts.com
- —Shock Doctor — Gel Max Mouthguard (features, sizing, fitting) · shockdoctor.com