A Parent’s (Actually Helpful) Guide to Youth Sports Trading Pins

If you’re a parent new to travel sports, there’s a moment that seems to happen to everyone. You’re standing at a tournament, Starbucks in hand, when you notice a group of kids walking by absolutely covered in shiny enamel pins. They’re clinking, laughing, and intensely negotiating like tiny stockbrokers.

Someone leans over and says, “Did your team order pins yet?”

And just like that, you realize you’ve entered the wacky world of youth sports trading pins.

At first, trading pins can feel like one more thing on an already long list of youth sports “extras.” But once you understand why kids love them (and how to approach them without stress), they start to feel less like a burden and more like a fun part of the experience.

This guide is here to explain what trading pins are, why they matter, how much to expect, and yes…where to buy them.

What Are Youth Sports Trading Pins?

Trading pins are custom-designed enamel or metal pins created by teams for a season or specific tournament. Each pin represents a team’s identity. The logo, mascot, city, year, and sometimes even the tournament name.

Kids trade these pins with players from other teams, usually during multi-day tournaments. You’ll see it happen everywhere from outside dugouts, near concession stands, in hotel lobbies, and sometimes before parents have even finished checking in at the Holiday Inn.

They’re small, easy to carry, and surprisingly meaningful to kids.

Why Kids Care So Much (Even If Adults Don’t Get It)

From a parent’s perspective, a pin might just look like a cheap souvenir. To kids, it’s a mix of treasure, social tool, and memory all rolled into one.

Trading pins give kids an easy way to connect with other players. A simple “Want to trade?” can turn strangers into friends in seconds. For shy kids especially, pin trading removes a lot of the awkwardness of meeting new people.

Pins also become memory anchors. Kids remember where they got them, who they traded with, and what was happening that day. Years later, those pins still tell stories, often better than photos do.

And at big tournaments like Cooperstown or the Little League World Series (LLWS), pin trading adds to the overall excitement. It gives kids something fun to do between games and makes the event feel special, like they’re part of something bigger than just their own team.

Which Sports Usually Have Trading Pins?

Trading pins are most common in baseball and softball, but they’ve been slowly spreading into hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and other travel sports. They’re especially popular at regional, national, and destination tournaments where teams travel from different states (or even different countries).

If your child plays only local rec sports, you might never run into pin trading. Once travel tournaments enter the picture, though, pins tend to follow quickly.

A Quick Reality Check on Pin “Value”

One thing parents learn fast is that not all pins are treated equally, at least in kid world.

Some pins are simple and flat. Others spin, slide, glow in the dark, or dangle. The more movement or sparkle a pin has, the more attention it gets. Kids notice immediately, and they trade accordingly.

Many teams also create a small batch of special pins. Think coach pins, sibling pins, or special edition gold pins that aren’t meant for everyday trading. It’s worth making sure your child knows which pins are fair game and which ones are meant to be kept.

The good news? You don’t need the flashiest pin to have a great trading experience. A clean, well-designed pin (especially if it features a viral meme) in decent quantity usually trades just fine.

How Many Pins Should You Expect to Buy?

This is where parents start doing mental math.

The number of pins your child needs depends on the tournament and how big pin trading is at that event. For smaller tournaments, a couple dozen pins per player may be plenty. For large, multi-day tournaments, especially national ones like Cooperstown, kids can easily trade 40, 50, or much more. A good guide is to have at least one pin per kid per team playing in the tournament (plus a few extras for family and friends).

Running out of pins early can be a bummer, especially when trading is happening all around them. Having enough pins lets kids trade freely instead of worrying about saving their last few.

Let’s Talk Budget (Briefly and Honestly)

Custom pins aren’t cheap, but they’re not outrageous either, especially when ordered in bulk. The cost depends on size, quantity, and features like spinners or glitter.

Ordering early is the biggest money saver. Last-minute orders usually come with rush fees, and that’s when pins start to feel painful (not to mention added stress). Many parents also find it helps to think of pins as part of the tournament experience, similar to uniforms or travel gear, rather than an optional add-on.

Where to Buy Youth Sports Trading Pins

Most parents don’t buy pins individually. Instead, teams work together with a pin company that specializes in youth sports.

There are a lot of pin vendors out there, and most offer similar services. Design help, bulk pricing, and delivery timed around your tournament schedule. Many will work directly with a team parent or coach to finalize the design and quantity.

When choosing a pin company, it’s worth looking for one that:

• Has experience with youth sports teams
• Offers clear timelines and delivery dates
• Provides digital proofs before production
• Can help balance design features with budget

While asking other parents or teams for recommendations is often the easiest way to find a reliable option. Below are a few options:

• AllStarTradingPins.com – An industry leader known for their creative designs that kids love. Available nationally via their website and provides free shipping and quotes to teams.
• Local Vendors –  If you’re buying pins, there is a good chance you’re buying other gear like towels, uniforms, and signs. Many of the local vendors who produce this stuff will also offer trading pins, rings, and other items.

Teaching Kids Pin Trading Etiquette

Pin trading has its own little culture, and most kids pick it up quickly. Still, a few gentle reminders go a long way.

Trading should always be polite and mutual. Kids should ask before trading, respect a “no thanks,” and avoid pressuring younger players into giving up special pins. Trades don’t have to be perfectly equal, just fair enough that both kids feel good about it.

One thing parents often struggle with is staying hands-off. It’s tempting to step in and guide a trade, but letting kids handle it themselves is part of the experience. Even a trade they later regret becomes a lesson learned.

The Gear You Didn’t Know You’d Need

Once pin trading starts, you’ll quickly realize pins multiply fast.

Most kids wear their pins on lanyards during tournaments, which makes them easy to show off and trade. Others use small backpacks or pin bags when collections get larger. Even a towel stolen from the hotel room is a common tool. At home, pins often end up displayed on corkboards or in shadow boxes. Both available pretty cheap at places like Amazon.

One small but important tip: bring extra pin backs. They fall off constantly, and nothing ends a tournament meltdown faster than a missing pin. You can buy a bag of these for a few bucks online or at a local craft store.

Why Pins End Up Meaning More Than You Expect

Years from now, your child probably won’t remember every box score or pool-play matchup. But they may still have a box or board full of pins, along with stories to go with them.

Trading pins capture the social, fun side of youth sports. They represent travel, teamwork, and moments when kids felt confident enough to walk up to someone new and start a conversation.

That’s not a bad souvenir to come home with.

Final Game Plan for Parents

Trading pins might feel like “extra” at first, but for kids, they’re often one of the highlights of tournament life. Just check out how popular they are with kids on social media. With a little planning and a relaxed approach, pin trading can be fun, manageable, and surprisingly meaningful.

And don’t be surprised if, by the end of the weekend, you find yourself admiring another team’s pin and thinking, Okay…that one is pretty cool.