What Age Can Kids Start Learning Kickboxing?

Kickboxing is one of the most revered and practiced martial arts in the world. But how old should kids be before they start to learn kickboxing and when is the best time to get them involved.For children, kickboxing is a powerful way to channel their energy, build resilience, and learn foundational self-defence skills and the importance of self-discipline. For children learning kickboxing, the emphasis is on fun, coordination, and support where kids can learn in a supporting environment.

In this article, we’ll look at the basics of kickboxing, understand the best time to start your children, the physical and mental benefits of martial arts, and what you can do to minimise their risk and find the best environment where young learners can thrive and grow. 

Table of contents

• Kickboxing basics & discipline overview
• What age can children start to learn kickboxing?
• Physical & mental benefits of kickboxing for kids
• Mitigating risk & maximising enjoyment
• Finding the right kickboxing class for kids

Kickboxing basics & discipline overview

Kickboxing dates back to the 1960s in Japan where Tatsuo Yamada combined the disciplines of Muay Thai and Karate to provide a full-body self-defence that employs kicks, punches, and footwork.

The inception of kickboxing sparked a global movement in Europe, North America, and Japan which led to unique adaptions from pioneers like Joe Lewis which was the first to introduce full-contact kickboxing matches. In Europe, Dutch kickboxing built on the foundations of the Japanese techniques and achieved international acclaim. The diverse adaptions of the discipline of kickboxing that has become ubiquitous for its unique combination of power, precision, and discipline that continues to be one of the most popular forms of martial arts. 

What age can children start to learn kickboxing?

Kickboxing is a great way to teach discipline and foster early development in conflict resolution that prioritises de-escalation and a conflict-free outcome. Kids can start to learn kickboxing from the age of 6 years old where they will learn the basics and work on basic cognitive skills and development.

During these formative years, kickboxing is practiced in a playful and theory-based level that promotes general physical and cognitive development. As children progress, the style and techniques that are covered will progress. Early kickboxing classes promotes self-confidence, conflict-resolution, and basic self-defence skills that help to improve coordination in a fun and supporting environment. 

Physical & mental benefits of kickboxing for kids

Kickboxing for kids goes beyond the physical aspects and instils important life skills such as self-discipline, conflict resolution, sportsmanship, and overcoming adversity.

In addition to building physical strength and understand the capabilities of their bodies, kids can also work towards goals such as different belts and competitions that help to promote a competitive spirit. In the right environment, martial arts instil the value of clear decision making, overcoming emotions, and finding peace over aggression. While many of these values can also be taught through conventional team sports, the individual pursuit of kickboxing and martial arts highlights the important need for self-reliance and problem solving in overcoming adversity.

Mitigating risk & maximising enjoyment

As a parent or guardian of a young one, mitigating risk and maximising enjoyment plays an important role in how your child feels towards learning to kickbox. For young kids, safety is paramount when learning kickboxing which means investing in gloves, shin guards, and head gear to protect them during training and practice. 

For kids, kickboxing is low contact and emphasises the use of technique over brute force. This approach helps to safeguard young learners and instils a greater understanding of the fundamentals that guide development. It’s a careful balance between safety and skill development that helps to ensure that kids have a positive outlook on learning to kickbox and choose to continue for years to come.

Finding the right kickboxing class for kids

Finding the right kickboxing classes for kids is essential. It’s important to find classes in a supportive environment from qualified instructors that understand how to make kickboxing fun for children and foster physical development and self-discipline.

When seeking the perfect kickboxing class for your children, it's not just about punches and kicks; it's about nurturing character and confidence. In Townsville, UMF provides Kickboxing / Boxing 4 Kids program to kids ages from 6 to 14 years of age that combines boxing and kickboxing in a fun and dynamic fitness class while also teaching non-striking solutions.

While many clubs emphasize discipline and respect, UMF goes a step further by offering the industry's top Character Development System that teaches children essential character traits and skills that will set them up for life. To learn more or book your first class, contact our friendly team today!