As a parent in Los Angeles, you have endless options for kids’ activities. If you’re looking for a way to nurture your child’s physical and mental development, martial arts is a fantastic choice. But where do you find the right class? In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best martial arts studios the city has to offer, helping you make an informed decision.
Plus we’ve got a great list of the types of martial arts classes kids can take! Enjoy!
Martial Arts Classes for Kids in Los Angeles and SoCal
Aikido Center of Los Angeles
1211 N. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art that practitioners can use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury. It is often translated as “the way of unifying (with) life energy” or as “the way of harmonious spirit.” The Aikido Center of Los Angeles has been teaching children aikido for more than 30 years. They are currently teaching to children starting at the age of 6 years old.
Alonzo Martial Arts
6508 1/2 Arizona Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Martial arts is a form of combat sport that relies on physical and mental self-defense techniques. It is one of the oldest and most popular sports in the world. Martial arts training can be done for self-defense, competition, or as a way to keep fit. Alonzo Martial Arts core curriculum is in taekwondo, a Korean martial art involving punching and kicking techniques, and hapkido, a Korean grappling martial art and form of self-defense using joint locks, throwing techniques, kicks, and punches. They also teach judo, a system of unarmed combat, early on as part of their anti-bullying protocols so that kids learn to defend themselves without having to strike or kick.
Brasil Brasil Cultural Center & Capoeira Batuque
12453 Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Brasil Brasil Cultural Center & Capoeira Batuque offers youth capoeira classes from ages 4+. Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art in which players form a circle and two players engage with one another in a fight/dance form while music is played. This dynamic program is designed to expose children to the rich Afro-Brazilian art form of capoeira, and they also learn acrobatics, dance, percussive instruments, singing, history, and Portuguese. Capoeira is used as a vehicle to teach discipline, trust, respect, leadership, mindfulness, creativity, mentorship, focus, fitness, awareness and exploration.
Capoeira Brasil Los Angeles
10875 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90016
Training the art of capoeira requires no experience, only the desire to challenge your body and mind; it is a continuous process of self-discovery within a creative and supportive community that is committed to cultural awareness, health, fitness, and fun. Their youth program focuses on developing athleticism, strength, respect, discipline, coordination, and musical skillKids and teens will work their flexibility, reflex, agility, rhythm, basic acrobatic skill, and bolster their self-confidence. In addition, youth develop their Portuguese language skills by learning basic greetings, commands, capoeira songs, and general vocabulary.
Crescent Moon Karate
5280 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019
Crescent Moon Karate Academy is a family-operated martial arts university dedicated to teaching practical self-defense and leadership lessons. Karate is a striking art that uses punches, kicks, throws, and joint locking techniques. They strive to apply the values of martial arts to all aspects of life and mentor children to success. Every instructor at Crescent Moon Karate is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of every student through fun and exciting classes. Their character-building and physically demanding martial arts program is built specifically to help parents raise confident, successful children.
Dae Sung Brothers Tae Kwon Do
4505 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Grandmaster Jin P. Kim was born in South Korea and has been practicing taekwondo for 46 years. Their classes help students build discipline, self-confidence, and self-control. Since 1981 Master Kim has devoted himself to training students, including many Hollywood celebrities. Classes are scheduled Tuesday through Saturday.
East LA Jiu-Jitsu
3660 E. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90063
Brazilian jiu jitsu, a self-defense martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds, produces confident, hard-working, humble, disciplined individuals. East LA Jiu Jitsu wants every kid on the East side to train (currently as young as 7 years old) and to raise up the next generation of community leaders. Fees will be on a sliding scale, and nobody will be turned away because of their inability to pay.
Enter Martial Arts
12932 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Their mission is to safely teach quality martial arts concepts, specifically kung fu, a primarily unarmed Chinese martial art resembling karate, in a way that cultivates discipline, positive social engagement, and body control. They teach martial arts that are designed for everyday life, with an emphasis on expression of power and precision of movement. Everyone is encouraged to progress at their own pace, and all experience levels are welcome. What a student learns at Enter Martial Arts will also be apparent outside of class, as they notice a real difference in their movements and posture. Interested students can try one week of unlimited classes for free.
Final Conflict Karate
5563 W Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045
At Final Conflict Karate they aim to bring high-quality, accessible, and affordable self-defense sessions to the Los Angeles area community. They combine traditional and innovative martial arts methods and techniques, and their instructors have a wide range of expertise. Their karate class is designed to be dynamic and hyper-focused to improve form, inner strength, and confidence. This learning process happens at each student’s pace in a friendly and fun atmosphere.
HighTower Omega Karate
Baldwin Hills Recreation Center, 5401 Highlight Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd., LA, CA 90025
Their program emphasizes enhancing body movement with the method of karate training. At its core, karate is a moving meditation that pushes individuals to increase in inner spirit toughness, focus, physical athletics, and character. Students will also learn to efficiently move their bodies for self-defense and to protect themselves from bodily injury. This karate program builds upon the community’s core values, which mirror the core values of karate: character, sincerity, dedication, etiquette, and self-control.
Jun Chong Martial Arts Academy
6340B Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90048 United States
Founded by Grandmaster Jun Chong, Jun Chong Tae Kwon Do Studio has been one of the longest standing martial arts academies in Southern California. Their system is built on a consistent curriculum integrating various styles of martial arts, specifically taekwondo and hapkido. Their academy offers classes for kids as young as 3 1/2 years old. They also offer classes in other styles of martial arts including kendo, a modern Japanese martial art that uses bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armor (b?gu), and jiu jitsu.
Kingi’s Kajukenbo
301 S. Market Street, Inglewood, CA 90301
With their history of training, achievements, knowledge, and wisdom passed down over the years, they have been able to effectively relate that expertise and understanding to students of all skill levels and backgrounds. They aim to provide a safe and comfortable environment for individuals to grow and learn and an opportunity for people to explore and develop personal goals and success. Students will learn forms (katas), self-defense techniques, point sparring (sport karate), grappling, boxing/kickboxing, and street fighting.
L.A. Judo Club
3923 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019
Their three core values are patience, respect, and being humble. Training and practice help students gain respect for themselves and others. Patience is one of the most important aspects of training and development. It requires calm mindful attention balanced by rejecting anticipation. The importance of being humble provides an opportunity for an individual to grow.
Like Water Jiu Jitsu
5770 Melrose Ave (Suite 205), Los Angeles, CA 90029
Like Water Jiu Jitsu was founded in 2021, under the leadership of 3rd degree black belt Mauricio Antunes, who is dedicated to sharing the technical knowledge he has acquired throughout his training. The academy strives to provide a safe and supportive environment for all types of athletes and offer an unpretentious and results-oriented community that is invested in each student’s goals and success.
Marina Martial Arts
13203 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles California 90066
They feature programs for all levels of experience that focus on fitness, self-defense, character development, and life skills. Their staff believe in traditional martial arts values such as respect, discipline, and commitment. They balance the curriculum of each class and age group with progressive and innovative methods to help students succeed in life and find their true strength.
Moorimgoong Martial Arts
1149 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Moorimgoong is a traditional and mixed martial arts academy (dojang) that places great emphasis on retaining the fundamental mindsets of martial arts, such as discipline, respect, and integrity. Their academy focuses on two distinct aspects of martial arts: practicality and performance. Great Grandmaster Yong Moon created Moorimgoong’s hybrid martial arts system, which combines elements of taekwondo, karate, and kung fu.
Pacific Martial Arts of Los Angeles, Inc.
2614 Arthur St, Los Angeles, CA 90065
They teach authentic karate-do, jiu jitsu, and traditional Okinawan weapons (kobudo). In addition to teaching great self-defense, they teach students to develop harmony, both with their inner selves and others. By practicing martial arts, students learn to listen to their bodies and become more in tune with the world around them. Their classes are designed to be developmentally appropriate for their students, with classes for toddlers, young children, pre-teens, and teens.
PKG Martial Arts Academy
1401 Westwood Blvd Suite 100, Los Angeles, California 90024
PKG is a great place to get children involved in the martial arts—and the martial arts are the perfect way to keep kids motivated, focused, and fit. The friendly crew of world-class instructors at PKG will keep kids engaged and interested in a fun, professional environment. They will have a blast while learning valuable skills that will benefit all aspects of their lives.
Rokah Karate
9218 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
Rokah Karate takes great pride in their karate classes and in the children enrolled in them. Character development is important and by adhering to dojo rules, the children develop important life skills such as discipline, focus, respect, and humility. Children develop neuro muscular control from the training, and the tools they gain will always stay with them and carry over to other physical activity and sports. The children improve their cardio, strength, agility, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
School of Martial Arts – West LA
11512 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
School of Martial Arts West LA makes learning fun and achievable. Their kids’ kung fu class is influenced by disciplines such as taekwondo, jiu jitsu, and karate. Their approach exposes kids to a variety of techniques while developing partner skills. Watch a child’s confidence grow as they learn to punch, kick, and grapple. Kids’ martial arts classes are available after school on weekdays and mornings during the weekend. Monday through Thursday classes are indoors, and Saturday classes are outdoors. All classes are also online. The first class is free.
Silva Taekwondo
979 N La Brea Ave Fl 2, Inglewood, CA 90302
Their Taekwondo instructors provide a wide selection of martial arts classes, including taekwondo and self-defense, and fun workouts. At Silva Taekwondo they believe discipline and structured guidance are essential to wholesome development in later life. Their goal is to make every one of their students a champion in their lives.
Sky Martial Arts
5028 Wilshire Blvd #216, Los Angeles, CA 90036
At the core of their mission lies their commitment to providing an engaging, respectful, and rewarding learning environment. Their top-quality faculty offers classes and courses in taekwondo and hapkido for kids at all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. A 2-week trial is $60. Uniforms are free for ages 3+.
Tae Ryong Taekwondo School
2314 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
The Korean art of self-defense has, behind it, hundreds of years of culture and tradition. Grand Master Yong Shin, raised in this heritage, prides himself in its tradition and its techniques and has devoted his life to its development. “Tae Ryong” means “Constantly Growing Dragon.” They train their students to maintain the highest standards, both physical and mental, for increased motivation and self-esteem.
TASA Martial Arts
1199 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
TASA Martial Arts is a karate/taekwondo school located in the heart of Hollywood. According to their site, more than 6.5 million children in the U.S. participate in martial arts. These children are learning discipline, respect, self-defense, and self-confidence and setting goals for themselves, such as earning the next color belt, mastering a new move, or building everlasting confidence.
White Tiger
1990 Westwood Boulevard, Suite 105, Los Angeles, CA 90025
The White Tiger philosophy is based on discipline, moderation, and life balance. They incorporate an internal/external approach to martial arts training that cultivates a sound mind and a strong body in keeping with the White Tiger principles and standards of excellence. Their kids martial arts program, which features kung fu, is a diverse, physical regimen involving all muscle groups to help develop physical fitness.
Types of Martial Arts Classes for Kids
Here’s a list of the most popular and suitable martial arts for kids:
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): Focuses on grappling, ground fighting, and submissions. Promotes leverage and technique over size and strength. Great for building confidence and problem-solving skills.
- Taekwondo: Korean style known for its dynamic kicks, punches, and emphasis on self-discipline and respect. Excellent for developing coordination and flexibility.
- Karate: Japanese martial art using strikes, blocks, kicks, and punches. Many styles exist, some focused on forms and tradition, others with a sport-oriented approach.
- Judo: Throws, takedowns, and grappling are the hallmarks of this Japanese martial art. Develops core strength, balance, and respect for opponents.
- Wrestling: One of the oldest competitive sports with both freestyle and Greco-Roman variations. Builds strength, agility, and strategic thinking.
- Muay Thai: Known as the “art of eight limbs”, Muay Thai utilizes punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. A great choice for active kids looking for a full-body workout.
- Aikido: A Japanese style focused on redirection of an opponent’s energy, joint locks, and throws. Teaches conflict resolution and self-defense.
- Kung Fu: A broad term for many Chinese martial arts styles, with variations in focus and technique.
- Capoeira: Brazilian martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, and music.
Important Note: The best martial art style for a child depends on their personality and interests. Make sure to involve your child in the selection process!
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