You will find much more than kicking and yelling at your local dojo (although my kids love that aspect as well). Martial arts for kids can boost your child’s confidence, self-discipline, and overall strength. In the list below, you will find classes of all disciplines, some for children as young as 3 and 4 years old. Many offer free trial classes, or free trial weeks, so be sure to inquire!
Kidlist Tip: Park districts also often offer martial arts classes. For details, check your town’s seasonal catalog.
This article is sponsored by Crouching Tigers.
Crouching Tigers
Crouching Tigers
Locations in Chicago, Naperville, Plainfield, Warrenville and many local schools.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Crouching Tigers has new locations in the Chicago area for kids ages 2-7 to learn vital life skills and safety lessons through martial arts. They teach young children through engaging, story-based classes and each unit ends with a promotion ceremony, complete with board breaking and rank promotion, to celebrate achievements with friends and family.
Free Class Week: November 4-7, 2024
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ
2335 N Orchard St, Chicago, IL 60614
Monday, November 4
3:45-4:15 pm | 4:25-4:55 pm | 5:10-5:40 pm
Community Christian Church
1635 Emerson Ln, Naperville, IL 60540
Friday, November 8
3:45-4:15 pm | 4:20-5:05 pm
Community Christian Church
24035 W Riverwalk Ct, Plainfield, IL 60544
Monday, November 4
3:50-4:20 pm | 4:30-5:15 pm
Warrenville Park District
3S260 Warren Ave, Warrenville, IL 60555
Thursday, November 7
4:15-4:45 pm
*Trial students must register at WPD
Kids Martial Arts Classes with Multiple Locations
Eagle Academy of Martial Arts
4008 Fox Valley Center Dr, Aurora, IL 60504: (630) 825-5425
29W585 Batavia Rd #1, Warrenville, IL 60555: (630) 393-0033
National Karate & Martial Arts
1649 Montgomery Road, Aurora, IL 60504: (630) 585-1700
385 South Prospect Avenue, Bartlett, IL 60103: (630) 289-7777
1795 S Washington St, Naperville, IL 60565 – Hawthorne Square Shopping Mall Unit 102: (630) 581-1500
802 East Nerge Road, Roselle, IL 60172: (630) 539-9969
Premier Martial Arts
27 S Evergreen Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005: (224) 404-1414
777 N York Rd Suite 21, Hinsdale, IL 60521: (708) 441-3055
454 Redington Dr Suite F, South Elgin, IL 60177: (224) 578-2203
Strive Martial Arts
836 Roosevelt Rd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137: (630) 793-4500
827 N. Washington, Naperville, IL 60563: (630) 453-5555
6950 Kingery Hwy, Willowbrook, IL 60561: (630) 850-3500
1272 W Spring St, South Elgin, IL 60177: (847) 741-NKNK
Success Now Martial Arts
419 W. 55th St, Countryside, IL 60525: (708) 352-5323
7516 Cass Ave, Darien, IL 60561: (630) 271-1200
UFC Gym
173 Yorktown Center Ste 173, Lombard, IL 60148: (630) 785-3332
790 Royal St George Dr, Naperville, IL 60563: (331) 444-2580
Victory Martial Arts
764 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005: (224)345 9490
1401 Circle Ave, Forest Park, IL 60130: (708) 524-1553
1003 West Ogden Ave, Naperville, IL 60565: (331) 330-7501
16108 IL-59 #126, Plainfield, IL 60544: (815) 200-4446
YK Martial Arts
3108 S. Route 59, Unit #136, Naperville, IL: (630) 470-9338
632 Amersale Drive, Unit #100, Naperville, IL 60564: (630) 857-9103
Martial Arts for Kids in Chicago’s West Suburbs
Martial Arts for Kids in Naperville
BJJ Lab Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense
1701 Quincy Ave #26
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 779-3708
Elite Martial Arts
24125 W. 111th Street – Suite 100
Naperville, IL 60564
(630) 201-8136
Gold Metal Tae Kwon DO
2035 S Washington St # 123
Naperville, IL 60565
(630) 983-0993
Heritage Tai Chi & Kung Fu
305 Jackson Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
HeritageTaiji@gmail.com
Illinois Shaolin Kung Fu
1163 East Ogden Ave
Naperville, IL 60563
(773) 556-3622
Martial Arts Training Service
550 Industrial Drive, Unit D
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 778-6600
Midwest Academy
4s100 Illinois Rte 59 #19
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 487-4116
Kids classes for ages 13+
P.S. Academy of Martial Arts
1580 W. Ogden, Suite 308
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 527-8900
Sharkey’s Karate Studio
1701 Quincy Avenue #4
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 369-8055
United Martial Arts
1831 Wehrli Road
Naperville, IL 60565
(630) 369-4949
United Martial Arts has moved to the new location above as of 2024.
The Warrior’s Edge
790 Royal St. George – Suite 106
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 416-1946
Kids martial arts classes starting at 4 years old.
Martial Arts Classes in Aurora
B1 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense
4460 E New York Street
Aurora, IL 60504
(630) 605-2656
JKA WF Chicago Karate Institute
60 S Broadway
Aurora, IL 60505
(800) 413-3656
Levels Jiu Jitsu
800-2 S Frontenac Street
Aurora, IL 60504
(815) 953-3033
Pica Pau Jiu Jitsu and Grappling
1050 Corporate Blvd Suite E
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 340-5752
Sundo Martial Arts
2400 S Eola Road
Aurora, IL 60503
(630) 499-0009
World Class Tae Kwon Do
627 Illinois Rte 59
Aurora, IL 60504
(630) 870-9293
Martial Arts Classes in Bolingbrook
The Gentle Art
433 N. Bolingbrook Drive
Bolingbrook, IL
(630) 258-8423
Martial Arts Classes in Downers Grove
Amalgam Martial Academy
923 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(inside Masonic Temple building)
Gracie Barra Downers Grove
152 Ogden Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 964-1414
Kim&Kang Martial Arts
456 75th Street
Downers Grove, IL 60516
(630) 908-9941
Martial arts classes for kids 4 years old and up.
True Balance Karate
406 Ogden Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 663-2000
Martial Arts Classes in Elmhurst
Elmhurst Park District
375 W. First Street
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 993-8900
For ages 3+
Elmhurst Tang Soo Do
186 S West Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 834-5192
Park’s Champion Taekwondo
587 N York Street
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 833-3369
Rigitano’s American Kenpo Karate
350 N York Road
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 941-3300
Martial Arts Classes in Forest Park
Jang’s Yong In Martial Arts
7614 Madison Street
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 358-1000
Martial Arts Classes in Glen Ellyn
U.S. Martial Arts Academy of Glen Ellyn
682 Roosevelt Road
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 790-0097
Yong In USA Martial Arts
479 Roosevelt Road
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 545-2401
Martial Arts Classes in Lisle
DuPage WingTsun
4225 Naperville Road
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 909-9384
For ages 14+
Martial Arts Classes in Lombard
Chang’s Hapkido Academy
230 S Main Street
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 620-7170
Sky Centers Martial Arts
112 W. St. Charles Road
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 629-2790
Martial Arts Classes in Lyons
Raising the B.A.R. Martial Arts
7840 Ogden Avenue
Lyons, IL 60534
(708) 442-8001
Martial Arts Classes in Oak Park
Flying V Martial Arts
111 N Oak Park Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60301
(708) 524-5425
Master S.H. Yu Martial Arts & Fitness Associates
6701 W North Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60301
(708) 383-3456
Martial Arts Classes in Westchester
Powell’s Way of Kenpo
1921 S. Mannheim Road
Westchester, IL 60154
(630) 447-9073
Martial Arts Classes in Westmont
Black Belt Excellence Martial Arts
151 W. Ogden Avenue
Westmont, IL 60559
(630) 512-0091
Martial Arts Classes in Wheaton
Pathways Tae Kwon-Do
26w221 Geneva Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 951-0111
ATA Karate for Kids
74 Danada Square West
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 681-0060
Martial Arts Classes in the Northwest Suburbs
Martial Arts Classes in Addison
Kims Martial Art
108 W Lake Street
Addison IL 60101
(630) 543-1054
White Tiger Fitness
823 S. Rohlwing Road
Addison, IL 60101
630-495-1711
Martial Arts Classes in Arlington Heights
A+ Taekwondo Academy
1707 E Central Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(224) 875-7411
Arlington Heights School of Martial Arts
660 East Golf Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 981-1760
Brazil-021 Arlington Heights
61 West Golf Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(866) 977-7021
DK Fitness Arts Taekwondo
1714 E. Northwest Highway
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 749-2819
info@dkfitnessarts.com
Lion’s Tae Kwon Do Academy
272 W. Rand Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 253-1161
Matsumoto Shidokan Karate School
950 W Northwest Highway
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(312) 291-6768
MMA Goal Academy
569 W Golf Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(224) 770-7333
Still Water Martial Arts
2300-B E Rand Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 220-7117
Total Impact Martial Arts
1426 E Hintz Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(224) 248-8692
US Elite Martial Arts & Fitness Center
4210 N Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 797-0100
Martial Arts Classes in Bloomingdale
Comprido BJJ
201 E Army Trail Rd, Unit 101
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
(630) 307-3555
info@compridobjj.com
Martial Arts Classes in Deerfield
Gracie Barra Deerfield
55 Waukegan Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 504-7213
Martial Arts Classes in Glendale Heights
Spirit Martial Arts Center
322 E Army Trail Road
Glendale Heights, IL 60139
(847) 834-5227
Martial Arts Classes in Elk Grove Village
Kennedy’s Martial Arts Academy
1199 Biesterfield Road
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 891-TSD1 (8731)
American Tiger Karate Academy
1031 Bonaventure Drive
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 593-6390
Martial Arts Classes in Hanover Park
3D MMA Academy
1118 East Lake Street
Hanover Park, IL 60133
Chang Brothers Taekwondo Academy
6614 Barrington Road
Hanover Park, IL 60133
ChangBrosTKD@gmail.com
Martial Arts Classes in Hoffman Estates
Jang’s Taekwondo Studio
1465 Palatine Road
Hoffman Estates IL 60192
(847) 776-0077
tigerkoos2@gmail.com
Martial Arts Classes in Mount Prospect
Theshold Martial Arts / Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
512 West Northwest Highway
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
(847) 257-2210
info@thresholdmartialarts.com
Martial Arts in Palatine
FLO Fitness and Martial Arts
709 S Vermont Street
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 934-1356
JP Wood Martial Arts
249 E Northwest Highway
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 705-8714
W.Kim Taekwondo
Locations at 724 W. Euclid Avenue and 27 E. Northwest Highway
Palatine, IL 60067
wkimtkd@gmail.com
Martial Arts in Prospect Heights
Ultimate Fighting & Fitness Academy
65 East Palatine Road #313
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
(847) 947-2323
ultimateffacademy@yahoo.com
Martial Arts in Roselle
Bill Cho’s United Taekwondo
1302 West Lake Street
Roselle, IL 60172
(847) 466-7743
Rigitano’s American Kenpo Karate
800 Lake St, Suite #114-116
Roselle, IL 60172
(630) 941-3300
Maximum Muay Thai
362 E. Irving Park Road
Roselle, IL 60172
(847) 312-5355
maximusmuaythai@yahoo.com
Martial Arts in Schaumburg
LCCT Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
1154 S Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
(773) 938-3311
bjj@lcctbjjusa.com
Brazilian Top Team Schaumburg
455 E State Pkwy #103
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 499-2266
support@bttschaumburg.com
Bushido Kyokai
140 S Roselle Road Suite C.
Schaumburg, IL 60193
(630) 400-6121
info-sch@BushidoKyokai.com
Ing Martial Arts and Advanced Training
512 W. Wise Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
(847) 754-5064
JS Martial Arts
915 N Plum Grove Rd Suite C
Schaumburg, IL 60173
P3 Martial Arts
861 & 909 S. Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
(224) 353-6213
Midwest Training Center
455 E State Pkwy #103
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 595-5655
support@mtcmma.com
Martial Arts in Streamwood
Wave Karate
1050 E Schaumburg Rd
Streamwood, Illinois 60107
(312) 833-7155
Looking for other opportunities for your child to be active? Check out our Sports, Classes, and Teams Guide!