Everything you need to know about kids Taekwondo

Undoubtedly, one of the most popular martial arts for children to get into is Taekwondo. Like Karate and Judo, it seems to attract parents and kids alike. And this is with good reason, there are many benefits both mentally and physically that Taekwondo can teach kids. More on this will be mentioned later.

This article won’t just look at the positives though, it will also focus on the potential negatives. More to the point, many parents are often worried about the safety of their kids training Taekwondo. Obviously, it is a martial art and combat sport so you can expect contact. Rest assured, this and more will be acknowledged and addressed below.

Is Taekwondo safe for kids?

The beauty of Taekwondo for kids is that it doesn’t involve sparring. This is great because it means you can rest easy knowing your child isn’t going to get hurt or concussed. In other words, kids TKD isn’t like some old martial arts movie where people are kicking each other to death. Instead, their training is done in a structured, safe environment.

At least it should be. In any self-respecting Taekwondo gym, you’ll be allowed down for a trial class or at least to watch on the sides. Ultimately, it’s up to you to see what’s going on in terms of danger levels. Obviously, if there’s full contact sparring and chaos in the kids class, then you may want to give it a pass. Thankfully, this isn’t really a thing though which is why kids Taekwondo classes have such a good reputation.

Instead, what usually goes on in a kids TKD class is a playful warm up. This will be like playing games at school that involve running and group fun. Whilst designed to get their kid’s bodies warm to avoid pulling muscles, it also lets them blow off steam and socialize with other like minded kids. After this, kids will engage in learning moves which usually involves a technical demonstration from the teacher. Here, they will learn how to kick, punch and block.

Afterwards, the kids will usually be paired up with kids of a similar age or size and can drill moves. This means no sparring or real chance of injury. For instance, your child may practice head kicks but it will be done safely where the honus is on technique and flexibility rather than power. If power is taught, then usually this will be directed towards a bag or pad, rather than another kid.

After this, the class ends. If you’re still unsatisfied with the safety of your kid then you could even buy them kids Taekwondo sparring gear to drill with. Whilst many may see this as excessive, it’s still your call if you deem it necessary.

Do kids train differently compared to adults?

As mentioned above, a kids class lacks sparring and has more of a playful atmosphere which is to be expected. However, as far as learning is concerned, it’s actually quite similar. For instance, kids Taekwondo kicks and punch techniques are no different compared to the same moves used by adults. This is good if your kid grows up whilst practicing TKD.

The reason for this is that they should slip seamlessly into the adults class with the same techniques and moves learned as a kid. It’s not uncommon for teens to jump into the adult classes and actually do better than the adults which is a sign of the teaching system working ideally. If you’re looking for basic Taekwondo moves for kids though, basic punches and blocks are a good place to start which don’t require great flexibility or athleticism.

Another thing worth mentioning is the kids belt system in TKD. Technically, kids can achieve the rank of a black belt jr. This is a physical black belt that should be respected yet lacks the technical or physical knowledge of an adult black belt. There has been some controversy over kids black belts in the martial arts community as these are seen by some as disrespectful towards adults. However, in TKD this isn’t meant to be the case and is merely to show that a kid is good at Taekwondo and experienced. In many ways – there’s a lot in common with belt rankings and moves between kids and adults in Taekwondo.

If you want to learn how much TKD classes cost for kids – then check out our guide too.

What age can your kid start Taekwondo?

Like other kids martial arts, there’s no fixed answer. However, as a general rule – the youngest your child can start Taekwondo is around 4 years old. The reason for this is that before, the child may be too small and toddler-like to begin training. In short, they may not really get training and be too young to really be there.

Usually, though each school has its own cut off age. For instance, many will refuse to teach 3 year olds due to their smaller attention span. This is understandable, considering running a TKD kids class is tough enough as it is and requires a lot of patience. However, if the kids are too young then it may borderline a daycare center. Usually, kids classes have an age limit of 16 years old which is when TKD practitioners are allowed to train with adults.

Don’t worry though, your 4 year old won’t be paired up to train with a 15 year old. For obvious reasons, this wouldn’t be ideal for either kid in terms of learning and safety. Instead, kids are usually partnered up with kids of a similar age. In many TKD schools, they will also divide teens and younger kids. If the gym is particularly big, then it’s not uncommon to have 3 or 4 different class types, dependent on age. To answer the original question though, the youngest most gyms will allow is 4 years old.

What are the benefits of training Taekwondo for kids?

There are multiple benefits of training Taekwondo. The main benefits are both physical and mental and will be discussed below. As you may have gathered, getting a kid training martial arts earlier in life is great as it can set them up for life in terms of skills and confidence.

Getting in physical shape

Perhaps the main benefit of getting your kid into Taekwondo is to improve their physical health. This doesn’t just mean losing a bit of fat either. Whilst that is a bonus if they’re overweight, it also builds strength and flexibility as well as general athleticism. One great benefit of doing this is that even if they quite TKD after a year or so – these habits may stick with them for life. By building an athletic baseline for your child, it means they’re more likely to go into other martial arts and sports later on in life. By doing this, you’re not just helping them as kids, but also into adulthood too.

Confidence

Martial arts are great not just for physical progress, but also from a mental perspective too. One of the best things about learning TKD for kids is that it breeds confidence. For example, if a kid starts to do well then the teachers and their peers will praise them. This will improve their confidence, assertiveness and general self esteem. It’s no wonder that bullied kids turn to martial arts. On the face of it, you may think the physical benefits fight against bullying. However, in the big scheme of things, it’s usually the self-confidence that training brings.

Problem solving

Another issue that arises with martial arts training is problem solving. Some people hate this and quit, whereas some love it. You could compare Taekwondo to a puzzle in this instance. An example could be falling to get your foot to reach a certain height whilst practicing kicks. Then after a while, you figure out angles and slowly improve your technique, resulting in a conquering of the technique. This process is also fulfilling for kids too. The point is that this teaches problem solving which also expands to other areas of life. In terms of your kids future career prospects, this may be one of the biggest benefits of training.

Teamwork and humility

Arguably, in today’s society kids are told they’re unique and special which can cause attitude problems down the line. It’s a tightrope to follow but it’s not good wrapping your kid in cotton wool. The benefit of learning Taekwondo is that your kid will quickly learn the value of teamwork and humility. For instance, in the right environment your child may realize they’re not the best in the room, but with enough work and encouragement from others – they can improve and work on self-mastery. The point isn’t to accept mediocrity, but more for your child to realize that they’re not perfect yet should also work on constant progress.

Socialization

Taekwondo for kids can also be great for socialization. If your child is naturally timid or quiet, then TKD can help them come out of their shell and talk with others. However, this also works the other way too. If your child is problematic at times and too hyper and loud, then TKD can also humble them. Because of this, it works both ways and can be really beneficial at times.

What is the best Taekwondo sparring gear for kids?

As established earlier, Taekwondo doesn’t really have sparring for kids. However, you will still need to buy the gear. Although TKD can be quite notorious for buying equipment, thankfully the training stuff for children isn’t too expensive. Having said this, unlike certain martial arts such as boxing – there is a uniform that will need to be purchased and your kid can’t just turn up and expect to train without the proper outfit. Here’s a good guide on what to buy for your child when thinking about class. After reading this, hopefully you won’t be asking “Where should I get my kids Taekwondo sparring set?” from.

Dobok

The dobok is basically another name for the robe which is also sometimes called the kimono. As TKD comes from Korea, it makes sense that this is a Korean word and usually they have a black strip around the collar. This also comes with pants which are usually of a similar material. Interestingly, you could still train TKD without this but it’s mostly worn out of tradition and respect to the founders. Some gyms will also accept Karate uniforms for kids which are usually a similar price. However, make sure you don’t get caught out and ask ahead. Remember, the dobok is fairly unique due to its black strip which is missing when comparing it to a Karate gi.

Kids headgear

As stated earlier, headgear actually isn’t needed for kids when they’re training Taekwondo as the chances are they’re never get hit in the head. However, if you want to be extra cautious then thankfully there is headgear available on the market. Just make sure it fits your kids head size correctly and maybe it’s even wise to buy this with a little room for growth if you’re thinking towards the future.

Taekwondo kids belt

Often, the dobok will come with a free belt, but sometimes you’ll need to buy your own. The good news is that a TKD belt is very cheap and affordable. Like adults, kids also start at white belt in Taekwondo. Therefore, you should start by purchasing a white belt. Just make sure you don’t buy an adult belt instead as they can be significantly bigger than those made for kids. Even if you do though, it’s not the end of the world as you could potentially double-wrap it and if your child is committed, they may be promoted within a few months anyway.

Kids Taekwondo shoes

Whilst some gyms allow for training without shoes, some also prefer it if you train in shoes. Of course, any self-respective gym will have clean floors to train on so even if you are without shoes then your kid’s bare feet should be free from bacteria or germs. Still, if you want to buy them shoes then that’s fine and there’s a lot on offer. Like the headgear, just remember that kids grow fast and you may be buying a new pair before you know it! One name that often jumps out is Adidas, who have been making kids Taekwondo shoes for years.

Taekwondo kick pads for kids (optional)

For those that want to safely practice kicks or punches, Taekwondo kick pads are a great option. These are held in the hand of someone who holds the pad away from them, then the person practicing tries to kick the target. If you want to train with your kid at home then these are handy to have. Even if you want a go on them yourself, then they’re right there and you can take them anywhere too.