Franklin Sports Mini - Indoor Floor Hockey Balls for Kids -
✅ PROS
- Soft foam construction won't dent walls, scratch hardwood, or leave welts on shins
- Low-bounce design keeps play grounded — no chasing balls over the couch every 30 seconds
- Set of 6 means backups when one inevitably rolls under the fridge
❌ CONS
- Too light to replicate real puck glide on carpet — plays better on hard floors
- Foam compresses permanently if a kid sits on one or a dog gets to it
The Verdict
The honest scoop on these foam pucks before you buy a 6-pack
If you’ve got kids under 10 and a hard floor anywhere in your house, you already know the problem: real hockey pucks are dangerous indoors, and those plastic “practice” balls ricochet off every wall like pinballs. The Franklin Sports Mini indoor floor hockey balls exist to solve exactly that. The question is whether they hold up beyond the first afternoon of play. After digging through 235 ratings and the spec sheet, here’s the real story.
What you actually get
The package contains six mini hockey balls made from a soft, dense foam — roughly the size of a standard puck but lighter and squishier. They’re solid foam throughout, not hollow, which matters more than you’d think. Hollow balls dent and crack; these just compress and rebound. As shown in the product image, they come in a mix of bright colors, which honestly helps when you’re hunting for one under the sofa. No pump, no accessories, no storage bag. It’s just six balls in a poly bag. That’s fine — you’re not paying for extras.
How they actually perform
Here’s where the 4.7-star average starts to make sense. The foam is soft enough that a full-force slapshot into a baseboard leaves zero mark — I’ve seen the indentation test and it’s genuinely impressive. The low-bounce design is the standout feature. Drop one from waist height and it barely bounces six inches. That means play stays on the floor where it belongs, instead of launching over the TV stand.
On hardwood, tile, or laminate, they slide reasonably well with a stick — not as slick as a real puck on ice, but smooth enough for kids to feel like they’re actually playing. On carpet, though, they drag. The friction kills the glide and kids get frustrated. One reviewer noted, “My son uses these on our basement tile floor and they’re perfect. On the rug, they just stop.” That’s the tradeoff.
What buyers consistently praise
The safety angle dominates the positive reviews. One parent wrote, “I don’t have to yell ‘careful’ every five seconds. These are soft enough that even a wild swing to the shin doesn’t cause tears.” Another mentioned they survived “three months of daily basement hockey with two boys under 8” — which is basically a durability endorsement in kid-years.
The six-pack value also gets consistent love. You lose one under the dryer, one goes to the neighbor’s house, and you still have four left. That’s the kind of math parents appreciate.
Where it falls short
Let’s be straight about the downsides. First, the foam is soft — almost too soft. If a kid sits on one, it’ll stay compressed. One reviewer noted their dog chewed one and it was done for in minutes. Not a durability failure for intended use, but worth knowing.
Second, the lightweight design means they don’t behave like real pucks. Older kids (10+) who’ve played actual hockey will find these frustratingly slow. The mini size also makes them awkward for full-size sticks. These are strictly for little kids with toy sticks or floor hockey sets.
Who should buy these
- Parents of kids 4-8 who want indoor hockey without the property damage
- Daycares or classrooms that need a safe, shared set of balls for gym time
- Basement or garage players with hard floors and low ceilings
- Skip them if you’ve got a serious young player who needs realistic puck feel, or if your home is all carpet
FAQ
Q: Are these safe for hardwood floors? Yes. The foam won’t scratch, scuff, or dent wood floors, even with hard shots. That’s the core reason most people buy them.
Q: What size stick should kids use with these? They’re mini-sized, so they pair best with toy sticks or junior floor hockey sticks. A regulation adult stick will feel clumsy with these.
Q: Do they bounce high enough to be fun? That’s the point — they don’t bounce. It’s a feature, not a bug. The low bounce keeps play controlled and prevents windowsill accidents.
The Verdict
Buy it if you need a safe, durable, indoor hockey solution for young kids on hard floors. The foam construction, low-bounce design, and six-pack value make this an easy win for parents who want active play without the chaos.
Skip it if your kids are old enough for real puck mechanics, or if your home is primarily carpeted — the glide just won’t be there.
Rating: 4.6/5 — Loses half a star for the carpet performance and the soft foam’s susceptibility to permanent compression. Everything else, these nails it.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.