The Roland Garros (French Open), held from May 19 to June 8, 2025 (including qualifiers), at the iconic Stade Roland Garros in Paris, is more than just a tennis tournament, it’s a cultural event with something for everyone to enjoy. This Grand Slam is a fantastic opportunity to introduce kids to the game of tennis. Here are some fun, family-friendly ways to engage children with Roland Garros in 2025.
Why Roland Garros is Great for Kids
Roland Garros is the world’s premier clay-court championship, known for its slower-paced, high-bouncing matches that really demands endurance and strategy. For kids, this means longer rallies that are easier to follow, dramatic slides on the red clay and an overall vibrant atmosphere that feels like a festival. The tournament’s family-oriented events, like the newly renamed Yannick Noah Day, make it a good setting to inspire young fans with events and doubles exhibition matches (all proceeds going to charity). Plus, with free entry for kids under 4 (though they’ll need to sit on an adult’s lap), it’s accessible for families.
Here are some tips on how to enjoy Roland Garros together with your children.
1. Attend Family-Friendly Yannick Noah Day
On Saturday, May 24, 2025, Roland Garros hosts Yannick Noah Day (formerly Kids’ Day), a charity event renamed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Yannick Noah’s 1983 French Open victory. This day is packed with kids-friendly activities, making it the perfect introduction to the tournament. Some of the things included:
- Exhibition doubles matches on Court Philippe-Chatrier (2–3 p.m.), with added entertainment for children.
- Backstage tours, to discover some the tournament’s hidden secrets.
- The “Play on the Roland Garros Clay” activity lets select spectators (including kids) step onto court for a taste of the famous clay.
- Off-court fun includes a brass band, acrobats, jugglers and live music, creating a carnival-like vibe in the stadium’s walkways.
- Watch players and celebrities up close.
2. Explore the Red Clay: Fun Facts to Share with your kids
The red clay courts are a hallmark of Roland Garros, and kids are often fascinated by their unique look and feel. Turn this into a learning moment with some kid-friendly facts:
Why Is the Clay Red? The “clay”isn’t just dirt, it’s a mix of crushed brick, stone, gravel, limestone and water, giving it that vibrant red hue. The crushed brick is what makes it stand out, and it’s carefully maintained to ensure perfect playing conditions.
Teach them how the surface affect play. The clay slows down the ball and creates a higher bounce, leading to longer, more exciting rallies.
More activities? At home, show kids a photo of the clay and ask them to draw their own tennis court with red crayons.
3. Watch Shorter Matches for Short Attention Spans
Kids may find five-set singles matches a bit long, but Roland Garros offers plenty of shorter formats that are perfect for younger viewers:
- Doubles Matches: These are typically faster-paced and feature teamwork. Watch men’s, women’s, or mixed doubles on outer courts, accessible with a grounds pass.
- Junior Tournaments: From May 30 to June 8, junior matches will show them young talents in shorter formats. These are held on outer courts, included with grounds passes.
- Wheelchair Tennis: Something different for most of us, but very impressive, offering a chance to teach kids about inclusivity. The singles finals on June 7 are on Court Philippe-Chatrier, a must-see.
Watching on TV at home? Try to focus on highlights (check also the Roland Garros Youtube channel) or specific games to keep the kids engaged.
4. Play Tennis-Themed Games at Home
Bring the tennis spirit home with some small activities and games.
- Mini Tennis Court: Set up a court in your backyard or living room using tape for lines and a balloon as a “ball” to hit with hands or a small racket. Teach kids to aim for “spin” like clay-court pros.
- Player Trivia: Create a quiz about current stars like Alcaraz (defending men’s champion), Iga Swiatek (three-time women’s champion) or rising British players like Emma Raducanu. For example: “Who won the French Open at age 21 in 2024?” (Answer: Alcaraz).
- Fantasy Bracket: Have the kids predict match winners, you can use a printable bracket from the Roland Garros website once the draw is complete.
5. Learn About Players Stories
Kids can easily connect with the top players journeys, and French Open offers a lot of good ones:
- Carlos Alcaraz: At 21, he’s the youngest men’s champion since 2008, known for his explosive energy and big smile. Share how he started playing at age 4 in Spain.
- Iga Swiatek: The Polish star won her first French Open at 19 and is chasing her fourth title in 2025.
- Yannick Noah: The last French man to win (1983), Noah’s fun personality and music career, along with his charity work make him a relatable icon.
You can watch player interviews on YouTube (search “Roland Garros press conference”) and ask kids who they’d cheer for and why. Or share fun facts, like how Jannik Sinner loves skiing when he’s not playing tennis.
For anyone visiting the tournament with kids, see also our blog post with tips for visiting the French Open.
