4 Best Martial Arts Disciplines for Kids to Learn & Why

Learning a martial art is steadily becoming one of the most popular activities for kids, for a wide variety of reasons - from basic fitness, to confidence building, and character development. That being said, as a parent, it can be difficult to choose which martial art is the right discipline for children to learn, especially if you’re not familiar with them yourself.Not to worry! We’re here to give you a detailed overview of the 5 best martial arts disciplines for kids, with an explainer as to why each is beneficial for children to learn.

Why learning martial arts is so good for kids

Gone are the days where martial arts are seen as a “violent” activity. Today, martial arts classes for kids focus on imparting important life skills like self-defence and confidence, as well as character values like respect and discipline. 

What makes martial arts such a great activity for kids is that it combines the energetic and action-packed nature of exercise, with healthy character values, providing a holistic opportunity for growth. Plus, martial arts classes also offer kids the chance to meet and make new friends!

4 best martial arts disciplines for kids to learn

Each martial arts discipline offers a unique set of learning values and benefits, and it’s important to understand the foundational elements of what they offer before choosing one for your child. 

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

As one of the most versatile (and renowned) combat sports in the world, MMA incorporates a mixture of techniques from striking arts such as Boxing and Kung Fu, and grappling arts like Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu into one discipline.

Why it’s good for kids 

The benefits that MMA has for kids extends beyond training in the combat sport to a healthy way to maintain a good level of fitness, as well as providing essential skills for self-defence in case of an emergency.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 

Primarily a wrestling-focused martial art, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu involves the use of grappling techniques and strategic thinking to win over an opponent. Despite its appearance as a physical sport, much of the discipline is focused around learning to think and plan ahead to get an advantage.

Why it’s good for kids

Apart from the obvious physical fitness benefits that come with learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the mental development that is encouraged can greatly benefit kids in understanding their own abilities and how to plan ahead for success.

Kickboxing/Boxing

Kickboxing or boxing is a striking art that combines the use of arms and legs, making it a dynamic and energetic martial art to learn. Instead of strength, stamina and fitness is the main focus of kickboxing and boxing disciplines.

Why it’s good for kids 

Kickboxing/boxing is the ideal program to increase the overall level of activity for kids, especially those who may struggle with keeping fit due to lack of motivation. As part of the training, kids are also taught about positive ways to manage bullying and conflict resolution.

Wing Chun Kung Fu (15+)

Popularised by the blockbuster movie Ip Man, Wing Chun Kung Fu is a martial art that emphasises self-defence against various types of attacks. Fun fact: It’s also the martial art that the legendary Bruce Lee was trained in!

Why it’s good for kids 

Wing Chun offers kids the ability to build up their own defences both physically and mentally against the challenges that they will face later on in life, providing a solid foundation for personal growth.

Townsville’s only provider of the industry’s #1 character development system

At UMF Academy, we are proud to be the exclusive provider of the industry’s #1 character development system in Townsville and have helped many kids build strong foundational values to help them succeed in life. We offer the following martial arts classes for kids in Townsville:

• Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) 4 Kids (6-14 years)
• Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Combatives (6-14 years)
• Kickboxing 4 Kids (6-14 years)
• Wing Chun Kung Fu (15+ years)

Set your child up for success in life by giving them an enriching experience in martial arts discipline — sign up for a class today!