There is something about seeing a child get their first football that never really gets old. At first, they might just chase it around. Then comes the first proper kick, the first goal and, before you know it, they are asking to join a local team.
That is very much the drive behind The Football Fun Factory, which has brought its children’s football programme to Spain, launching in Marbella last weekend.
Based around fun, games and plenty of time with a ball at their feet, Football Fun Factory gives boys and girls from 18 months up to 12 years old the chance to get involved and have fun. Whether they are already football mad or have never kicked a football they can all get stuck in.
So, if you are looking for kids football in Marbella, what exactly is on offer?
What is the Football Fun Factory?
The Football Fun Factory was founded in 2017 and has coached over 250,000 children in the England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Their next big ambition is to expand across Europe, starting in Marbella, Spain.
Football for the little ones 18 months to 5 years
Getting a toddler interested in football is not really about teaching them how to pass or explaining where they should be standing on a football pitch. At this age, football can be a great way to help children develop confidence, coordination, independence and social skills, while simply having fun and being active.
That is what the Tots Football Fun programme is designed to encourage. The sessions give children the chance to explore, try new things and interact with other children in a relaxed environment. Through simple games and activities, they begin to learn about sharing, taking turns, listening, following instructions and being part of a group. These may seem like small things, but they are important steps in a child’s development.
The sessions are aimed at children from 18 months to 5 years old and take place inside a large inflatable football pitch. Each session lasts 45 minutes, with time for free play before the coach introduces different games and activities. Parents can join in too, which can be particularly helpful for younger children as they become comfortable in a new environment.
There is no expectation that a child needs to already know how to play football. The focus is on getting them moving, building confidence and giving them positive experiences with other children. Values such as respect, friendship, positivity and inclusivity can all start to develop through this type of play, helping children become more comfortable trying new things and learning from their experiences.
At this age, development is not about how well a child can play football. It is about helping them become more confident, active and independent while learning how to interact with the world around them. Football simply provides a fun and engaging way for those skills to start developing.
Sessions are held weekly, see below for locations and times.
Weekly football classes for children aged 5 to 12
Children aged five and above can join the Football Fun & Development programme. At this age, children are ready for a little more structure, but it is still important that they are enjoying themselves. Football can be a great way for them to develop new skills while also building confidence, learning to work with others and becoming more comfortable making decisions for themselves.
Sessions combine football development, technical work, games and matches, giving children the opportunity to practise something and then put it into action. They can learn that not everything will work the first time, that mistakes are part of learning and that having another go can make a difference. These experiences can help children become more positive and resilient, both on the pitch and in everyday life.
The weekly classes are open to boys and girls of all abilities, so children do not need to already play for a club or have previous experience. It is simply a chance to learn, improve and play alongside other children in a positive and inclusive environment. Along the way, they can build friendships, learn about respect and responsibility and, perhaps most importantly, become more confident in themselves.
These sessions will start in October and will run weekly. See below.
When and where can children play football in Marbella?
18 months - 5 years
Every Saturday from 9am:
- Revelation International Centre, Calle Arcaduces, 2, La Cala de Mijas, Spain, 29649
Every Sunday from 9am:
- Aloha Racquet Club, Calle Paris, Marbella, Málaga, Spain, 29660
5-12 years old
From October 2026, the Football Fun & Development sessions will start running.
Every Tuesday from 5pm
- Finca Naundrup, Calle Don José de Orbaneja, Mijas, Spain, 29649
More venues will be added as the Football Fun Factory expands across Spain. All locations will be added to The Costas website, so it is worth downloading The Costas App to see if there is a session near you.
Football Fun Camps
Football Fun Camps would be available during the school holidays, including the summer break, for children aged 5 to 12. The camps would be aimed at both local families and visitors staying in the area. They would run from 09:30 to 15:30 each day and give children the opportunity to take part in a range of activities from across our programme. Check their website to see the latest on when and where the camps are held.
How Football Helps Children Develop
Football can offer children so much more than the chance to learn how to pass, shoot and score. It gives them opportunities to build confidence, make friends, try new things and learn how to work with others. They also learn how to handle mistakes, take responsibility and keep going when things don’t quite go their way. These are important life skills that can help children both on and off the pitch.
The values behind Football Fun Factory, including respect, responsibility, friendship, positivity, inclusivity and development, are a big part of what makes this approach so valuable. Children are encouraged to respect others, support their teammates and feel comfortable being themselves, whatever their ability or experience. Creating an environment where every child feels included can make a real difference to their confidence and enjoyment.
For parents, seeing a child become more confident, independent and comfortable around others can be just as rewarding as seeing them improve their football skills. Development isn’t only about becoming a better player. It’s about giving children the opportunity to learn, grow and build skills that will stay with them as they get older. Football is a great way to do that while still having fun and enjoying the game.
How can you get involved?
For families, the easiest way to get involved is to sign up a child or younger family member and bring them along to a session. It gives them something to do each week, gets them away from phones and tablets for a while and, hopefully, gives them the chance to make some new friends along the way.
There is also another side to the Football Fun Factory which is aimed more at adults.
The Football Fun Factory can be franchised, giving people the opportunity to run their own business while becoming part of the company’s expansion. For some, it could also be a way of getting involved in the local community and helping children develop useful life skills while having fun.
Anyone who takes up the opportunity is supported with plans and guidance on how to get the business up and running, including what needs to be done and when.
Learn more
To find out more about what the guys have done in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and to see what it planned in Spain visit there website below.
