Questions parents ask about kids karate

From 4½. Our Ninja Stars kids karate classes are made for ages 4½ to 7: short, game-based and fun. We don't run karate for toddlers, because children get the most out of it once they can follow simple instructions in a group.

Yes. Kids karate builds confidence, focus, coordination and respect, and our Life Skills program, written by an educator, runs through every class. Parents often tell us they notice better listening and manners at home.

The opposite. Self control and conflict avoidance are core Life Skills, and children learn ways to resolve conflict without a kick or a punch. Confident kids don't feel the need to prove themselves.

Our kids karate comes from Koto Ryu, whose traditional name is Koto Ryu Karate Koppojutsu. Children learn karate-style kicks and strikes alongside self defence, safe falling and our Life Skills program.

We're at 272 Dundas St, Thornbury, on the Thornbury–Preston border, an easy drive from Northcote, Reservoir, Ivanhoe, Fairfield and Alphington. There's parking out the front.

Yes, from 4½. At that age karate is about listening, balance, coordination and confidence, taught through short games. Our Ninja Stars classes for ages 4½ to 7 run for 45 minutes and are built for little ones who are just starting out.

45 minutes for kids karate (ages 4½ to 10) and teen karate. Adult karate classes run for 90 minutes and Fitness Kickboxing for 45.

After school Monday to Thursday, plus Saturday mornings. See the full kids karate class times for each age group.

Start with a $19.95 trial: 4 classes plus a new karate uniform to keep (valued at $124.95). After the trial we talk through flexible membership options that suit your family, with no grading fees and no lock-in contracts.

Yes. Children learn to stand tall, use a strong voice, walk away from trouble and protect themselves if they have to. Confidence and conflict avoidance are part of our Life Skills program in every class.

Brothers and sisters do karate at the same time, and mums and dads can do a Fitness Kickboxing class while the kids train. It saves the school run twice and gets the whole family active.

Yes, and from 4½ too. Karate for 4 and 5 year olds works best when it's short and playful, which is exactly how our Ninja Stars classes run.

No. Most of our karate kids start as complete beginners.

We recommend twice a week. New karate skills stick best with regular practice, so twice a week is the sweet spot.

Never any grading fees. Each child moves through their grading system as an individual: there are no mass gradings, and everyone progresses at their own pace. We talk through our flexible membership options face to face at the end of the trial.

It's $19.95 for 4 classes plus a new karate uniform to keep (valued at $124.95). Your first class starts the clock, and you then have 15 days to use the remaining 3. If it's not for you, just ask for a refund. If you join, the $19.95 comes off your membership.

Comfortable clothes they can move in, and bring a drink bottle. We'll give them their new karate uniform when they arrive.

Of course. There's seating for over 65 parents in our 700m² dojo.

Yes, at some times. Several Fitness Kickboxing classes start at the same time as a kids or teen karate class, so mums and dads can work out while the kids train. See our Family Karate page for the matching times.

Usually, yes. Our 4½ to 7 and 8 to 10 karate classes run at the same times most afternoons (4:15pm Monday to Thursday) and on Saturday mornings, so siblings can train side by side.

Kids move up to Teen Karate (Junior Adults, 11 to 15), then Adult Karate at 16. Many of our students train all the way to Black Belt.