Updated October 29, 2026 · 7 min read
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Short on time? Our picks
Knee hockey, ages 3+NHL Mini Hockey Set4.7★, 3,100+, 28×20″Check price on Amazon →
Basement, sturdierMini Steel Goal4.7★, 700+, 28×20″Check price on Amazon →Franklin hockey nets · 2026
Knee hockey: the NHL Mini Set. Driveway: the SX Pro steel goal.
Franklin makes most of the kids’ hockey goals sold on Amazon, from plastic knee-hockey sets to steel street hockey goals. The right one depends on where your kids play and how old they are. Here are the four worth buying, with sizes and what buyers say.
- Knee hockey, ages 3+NHL Mini Hockey Set · 4.7★, 3,100+, 28×20″
- Basement, sturdierMini Steel Goal · 4.7★, 700+, 28×20″
- Light and soundLight-Up Mini Goal · 4.2★, 650+, 36×24″
- Driveway street hockeySX Pro Steel Goal · 4.3★, 170+, 50×42″
Franklin hockey goal sizes
| Goal | Size (W × H) | Frame | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHL Mini Hockey Set | 28″ × 20″ | PVC plastic | Indoor knee hockey, ages 3+ |
| Mini Steel Goal | 28″ × 20″ × 16″ deep | Steel tubing | Basement and driveway mini hockey |
| Light-Up Mini Goal | 36″ × 24″ | Lightweight, quick-fold | Knee hockey with goal alarm |
| SX Pro Steel Goal | 50″ × 42″ | 1.25″ steel posts | Street and dek hockey, kids and beginners |
For comparison, a regulation ice hockey goal is 72″ × 48″. Franklin’s 50″ SX Pro is a junior/street size that fits on most driveways.
The best Franklin hockey goals
Franklin NHL Mini Hockey Set
You need this if: your young kids want to play knee hockey indoors.
- Goal28″ × 20″ PVC
- Includes2 sticks and a soft ball
- Ages3+
- Rating4.7★ (3,100+ ratings)
Why we recommend it: Quality is the top review topic (343 mentions), followed by fun (102). It comes in NHL team colors, so it doubles as a great fan gift.
Keep in mind: Size is mixed (80 mentions): it is small, made for knee hockey and young kids.
Franklin Mini Steel Goal
You need this if: older kids shoot hard in the basement or driveway.
- Size28″ × 20″ × 16″
- FrameHeavy-gauge steel
- NetHeavyweight polyester
- Rating4.7★ (700+ ratings)
Why we recommend it: Steel holds up to hard shots that knock plastic goals around. Buyers praise quality and sturdiness.
Keep in mind: Assembly is mixed (29 mentions), and a few buyers report missing or mismatched parts.
Franklin NHL Light-Up Mini Hockey Goal
You need this if: your kids want the goal horn and lights when they score.
- Size36″ × 24″
- FeatureSensor, lights and sound on goals
- SetupQuick-fold corners
- Rating4.2★ (650+ ratings)
Why we recommend it: A bigger mini goal with a score alarm that kids love.
Keep in mind: Needs 3 AAA batteries (not included), and its rating is lower than the plain sets.
Franklin NHL SX Pro Steel Street Hockey Goal
You need this if: your kids play street or dek hockey on the driveway.
- Size50″ × 42″
- Posts1.25″ steel
- NetPre-fit polyester, sleeve attach
- Rating4.3★ (170+ ratings)
Why we recommend it: A real street hockey goal that is still light enough to move. Buyers like the easy assembly and value.
Keep in mind: Fewer reviews than the mini goals, and not regulation size.
Indoor vs outdoor: which goal?
- Living room or playroom: NHL Mini Set or Light-Up goal, with a soft ball.
- Basement with hard shots: Mini Steel Goal.
- Driveway or cul-de-sac: SX Pro Steel goal with a street hockey ball.
- Two kids: buy two mini goals so each player has one to defend.
Knee hockey vs street hockey
Knee hockey is played on your knees, usually indoors, with short sticks and a soft ball. It suits young kids, tight spaces and rainy days. Street hockey (also called ball hockey or dek hockey) is played standing up with full-length sticks and a hard plastic ball, usually on a driveway or court. It is closer to real hockey and builds stickhandling and shooting skills.
| Knee hockey | Street hockey | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Indoors | Driveway, court, cul-de-sac |
| Stick | Short mini sticks | Full-length street sticks |
| Ball | Soft foam or mini ball | Hard plastic street ball |
| Goal | Mini (28″–36″) | Street size (50″+) |
| Ages | 3+ | 6+ |
Setting up a home rink
- Indoors: clear a hallway or playroom, put the goal against a wall, and use a soft ball. Rugs slow the ball; hard floors are faster.
- Basement: protect walls with foam mats or an old rug hung behind the goal.
- Driveway: put the goal near the garage, away from cars, and add a shooting tarp or rebounder if windows are close.
- Lines: use painter’s tape indoors or sidewalk chalk outside to mark a crease and boundaries.
Accessories worth adding
For street hockey, a set of youth street sticks and a few low-bounce street balls are essential. Franklin sells kids street hockey stick sets that pair with the SX Pro goal. For solo practice, Franklin’s mini hockey passer straps to a goal and feeds balls automatically. Goalies should wear a mask and gloves for street hockey with hard balls.
Which goal for which age?
| Age | Best Franklin goal | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 | NHL Mini Hockey Set | Soft, safe, sticks and ball included |
| 5–8 | Light-Up Mini Goal or two Mini Sets | More space and fun for scoring |
| 7–10 | Mini Steel Goal | Holds up to harder shots |
| 8+ | SX Pro Steel Goal | Real street hockey on the driveway |
Caring for hockey goals
- Bring PVC and light-up goals inside when not in use; sun makes plastic brittle.
- Steel goals can stay out, but take nets off in winter to make them last.
- Check net ties and clips at the start of each season.
- Keep spare batteries for the light-up goal.
Our bottom line
For young kids indoors, the NHL Mini Hockey Set is the best Franklin pick: cheap, well rated and fun. For older kids who shoot hard, the Mini Steel Goal is sturdier. For real driveway street hockey, the SX Pro steel goal gives the most realistic game in a size that fits most homes.
Hockey goals as gifts
Franklin’s NHL Mini Hockey Sets come in team colors and logos, which makes them one of the most popular hockey gifts for young fans. Gift is a positive review topic (43 mentions), and many parents say kids play with them all winter. For the full gift, add a mini hockey passer, extra balls or a youth jersey of the same team. See our gifts for hockey players guide for more ideas.
Drills to do with a mini goal
- Target shooting: hang paper targets in the corners and aim for them.
- Stickhandle and shoot: weave around three cones or shoes, then shoot.
- Quick release: a partner passes; shoot in one motion without stopping the ball.
- Goalie battles: take turns in net. Each player gets five shots.
- Backhand only: score only with backhand shots to build both sides.
Why buy a Franklin goal?
Franklin dominates kids’ hockey goals on Amazon because it covers every stage, from toddler knee hockey to driveway street hockey, at family-friendly prices. Its NHL license also means kids can play with their favorite team’s colors. The trade-off is that plastic sets are built for young kids, not hard shooters, so move to steel as your child grows.
Common buying mistakes
- Buying a mini goal for street hockey. It’s too small and light for hard balls and full sticks.
- Using pucks indoors. They damage walls, floors and plastic goals.
- Forgetting batteries for the Light-Up goal.
- Skipping a backstop on the driveway near windows or cars.
How to put a Franklin mini goal together
Most Franklin mini hockey sets snap together from a few plastic or steel tubes, with a sleeve net that slides over the frame. Lay out all the parts first and check them against the parts list, since a few buyers of the steel goal report missing or mismatched pieces. Fit the side frames into the crossbar, add the base, then pull the net sleeve over the top and secure the bottom with the clips or ties. Steel goals take a little longer and are easier with two people. If a part is missing, contact the seller before forcing a fit.
Is a bigger goal better?
Not always. A small goal forces kids to aim and builds accuracy, which is why many hockey coaches use small targets in practice. A bigger goal like the SX Pro makes scoring easier and suits games with a goalie. Many families end up with both: a mini goal for indoor shooting practice and a street goal for driveway games.
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Franklin mini hockey goal?
Most Franklin mini goals are 28″ × 20″. The Light-Up goal is 36″ × 24″.
What size is the Franklin SX Pro goal?
50″ wide × 42″ tall, a junior street hockey size.
Can you use a puck with the mini goals?
Use the soft ball indoors. Pucks and hard balls can damage walls and plastic goals.
Do Franklin hockey goals come with sticks?
The NHL Mini Set and Light-Up goal include sticks and a ball. The steel goals are sold as goals only.
Are Franklin hockey nets easy to assemble?
The mini sets snap together in minutes. Steel goals take longer, and some buyers mention assembly trouble.
How we chose
We compared Franklin hockey goals on Amazon by size, frame, rating and review topics as of October 2026. We did not test these goals ourselves. For full sets with sticks, see our best street hockey sets for kids.
We research sports gear for players, coaches and sports parents. We compare specs, read verified buyer reviews and name one clear pick for each kind of player. How we pick · Affiliate disclosure
