Join Our Kids Karate Program!
Unlock Your Child’s Potential
Are you ready to empower your child with confidence, discipline, and martial skills? Our Kids Karate program is designed for children ages 4+, focusing on personal growth, physical fitness, and fun!
Open Enrollment
We offer open enrollment for beginners in all of our karate programs. After your free trial class, sign up for a monthly membership (no contracts!) to continue your karate journey! Fill out the form below to schedule a free trial class.
Beginners’ Series
Open to children ages 4+ (and adults!), our next Beginners series runs from January 14th – March 15th. Register for the full series and receive an included uniform! Take advantage of our household pricing to get the whole family started on a new, exciting journey! Families who would like to purchase Beginners’ Series as a holiday gift may contact us through December 21st to receive a the uniform early, otherwise students will receive their uniform on the first day of class (January 14th).
Register for the Beginners’ Series!
New Youth Member Special and Beginners’ Series may not be combined.
What makes a Culture of Safety Kids’ karate program different?
Our karate classes for kids focus first on the kids, then on the karate. At Culture of Safety Dojo and Wellness Center/Jin Sei Ryu Chicago, we know that each child comes to us with their own 
unique strengths and challenges. Children at Culture of Safety learn karate, and gain so much more:
- Build Confidence: Our supportive environment helps kids gain self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.
- Learn Valuable Skills: Your child will learn traditional karate techniques while improving coordination and focus.
- Make New Friends: Karate fosters camaraderie and teamwork, creating lasting friendships.
- Get Active: Engaging classes promote physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
- Social Emotional Skills: We support children in developing age-appropriate assertiveness, conflict resolution, and peaceful collaboration skills while practicing karate
Through Sensei Amy’s background in social work and Senpai Kyren’s background in mindfulness, together we create a space ripe for supporting kids as they practice important life skills: asking for what they need, standing up for others, mindfulness of space, how to handle strong emotions, and more! All of our classes are LGBTQIA+ affirming and neurodivergent-friendly.
Karate for Kids at all Ages and Stages
We know that each student is different and may require more (or less) support. For this reason, our age/grade divisions are guidelines. Each program has slightly different expectations in terms of what students need to learn to progress in rank and much independence they are expected to have with material.
Younger Kids
Peewees– Generally best program for 4 & 5 year-olds, and some 6 year olds (or pre-K and K, some 1st graders)
Juniors – Generally best program for 6 & 7 year olds, and some 8 year olds (1st and 2nd grade, some 3rd graders)
Older Kids & Pre-Teens
Youth – Generally for 8 – 12 year olds. Some 12-year-olds may be ready for the Teens program, some 13 or 14 year olds may prefer the youth program. We work with each family individually to assess this.
Teens
Teens – Generally for ages 12 or 13 – 18. Some young teens may prefer the youth class. We work with each family individually to assess this. These classes are alongside the adult classes. Adult & Teen classes and are done in a format that creates structure for adults and teens to interact safely and with appropriate boundaries in fun, and mutually supportive ways. Teens also have the option of to become volunteers to support younger kids classes.
Karate Class Schedule for Beginners
Classes for beginners are 2 or 3 days a week for each program. We offer classes for PeeWees (4 & 5 year olds), Juniors (6 & 7 year olds), Youth (8-11 year olds), and Teens & Adults (ages 12 or 13 and up). Download full 2025 schedule in English here. (Spanish version here).
- Peewees All levels (usually kids aged 4-5)
- Wednesdays: 4:15 – 4:45 PM
- Saturdays 9:30 – 10:00
- Juniors All levels (usually kids aged 6 through 2nd grade)
- Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:15 – 5:00 PM
- Saturdays 10:15 – 11:00
- Youth & Teen All Levels (usually 3rd grade through age 12; some teens up to age 14 may enjoy this class)
- Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:15 – 6:15 PM
- Saturdays 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Monthly fees include unlimited classes each month. Come to as many classes per week as suits your schedule!
What if my child has done karate or another martial art before?
Welcome! We’re always happy to support children who have trained in other arts. Reach out to us directly (info@cultureofsafetychi.com) and we’ll have a conversation to assess what class options are the best fit for you.
What are the costs?
We are committed to equity and transparency. We offer tiered pricing for students of all ages, and steep discounts for multiple members of the same household.
Over time, there are additional costs for uniforms (approximately $50), and promotion test fees (initially $30). We will always be clear about costs and expectations.
Additionally, there is an annual international membership fees ($12 each), assessed at the beginning of the calendar year.
How do I sign up?
Fill out the form below to register for our Beginners’ Series starting in January! Students who join before the Beginners’ Series begins have the option of paying Beginner’s Series prices.
Want to try it out first? You’re welcome to take a free trial class first OR paying after the first day of the Beginners’ Series. To take the free trial BEFORE the Beginners’ Series, check the box and we’ll contact you. To try the first class of the Beginners’ Series before committing, just choose “I’ll pay at the dojo.”