After purchasing the glove that best fits your kid, it is time to break in the glove at home. Follow these guidelines to break in your new baseball gloves safely. 1. Moisten your glove’s leather with a small amount of hot water. 2. Pour the water on any area of your youth glove to make it softer. You can also use a small amount of glove oil with a sponge to soften the leather. 3. Work out the most rigid parts of the glove: the thumb and the pinky back for proper drying. 4. Soften the glove using a wooden mallet to pound the pocket used to catch the ball. 5. Shape your baseball glove by putting a ball in the pocket and then wrap it with two or three rubber bands. 6. Allow the glove to remain this way for about five hours to have the shape you want. 7. Finally, have your kid play catch with his brand new glove. The more he uses it, the quicker the break-in period will be for the glove. For a more comprehensive discussion, check this guide on how to break in baseball gloves.