Children’s Martial Arts Classes in Basingstoke
Why Basingstoke parents choose Martial Arts training for their Children…
It’s fun, exciting and dynamic!
At Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy, our children’s Martial Arts classes in Daneshill, just on the edge of Lychpit and Old Basing, are designed to help children develop confidence, focus, resilience and respect while having fun and making new friends.
Whether your child lacks confidence, struggles to concentrate, gives up easily or simply needs a positive activity to channel their energy, our experienced coaches help children grow both on and off the mats.
For over 35 years, families across Basingstoke have trusted us to provide safe, structured Martial Arts training that develops character as well as physical skills.
In the Martial Arts classes at our Basingstoke club, your children will not only learn self defence and self protection skills through their practice of Karate, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, or Judo. They will learn so much more from our highly trained coaches, who are specialists in teaching Martial Arts classes for children and understanding how to help them succeed.
Martial Arts training for Kids with us is different, it’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s dynamic and as a life skill is invaluable. Teaching focus and discipline in all areas of life along with some very useful physical skills.
Is a beginners Martial Art class right for your child?
One of the questions many Basingstoke parents ask themselves before trying Martial Arts is, “Will my child fit in?” The truth is that there isn’t a “typical” Shin Gi Tai student.
Some children arrive bursting with confidence and energy, while others are quiet, shy or reluctant to step outside their comfort zone. Some need help developing focus and resilience, while others simply want to make new friends and learn something exciting.
Our children’s Martial Arts classes in Basingstoke, in walking distance to Chineham, are designed to meet children where they are and help them become the very best version of themselves. Through patient coaching, encouragement and structured progression, we create an environment where every child feels welcomed, supported and able to succeed at their own pace.
✔ Need more confidence
✔ Need help developing focus and listening skills
✔ Lack resilience when things become difficult
✔ Want to make new friends
✔ Have lots of energy to channel positively
✔ Have experienced bullying
✔ Enjoy learning new skills
✔ Want to improve fitness and coordination
✔ Simply want to have fun.
Ready to See if Shin Gi Tai Is Right for Your Child?
Let your child experience the confidence-building benefits of Martial Arts in a safe, welcoming and beginner friendly environment. There's absolutely no obligation to join, it's simply an opportunity to discover whether we're the right fit for your family.
Why parents choose Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts
Dynamic, engaging and packed with fun, our children’s Martial Arts classes help children aged 4 – 16 develop confidence, discipline, resilience and practical self defence skills in a safe and supportive environment. Through expert Karate, Kickboxing and Martial Arts coaching, we don’t just teach children how to kick and punch, we help them build the confidence to believe in themselves, the discipline to work hard, and the resilience to overcome life’s challenges.
✔ Among the first clubs in the UK to achieve the coveted Sport England “Safeguarding in Martial Arts” Kitemark
✔ Safe, beginner-friendly children’s Martial Arts classes designed for children of all abilities, personalities and confidence levels
✔ Age-specific programmes, allowing your child to train alongside others of a similar age, experience and stage of development
✔ Structured progression with clear goals, regular belt gradings and opportunities for personal growth at every stage of their journey
✔ Over 250 years of combined professional coaching experience across our highly qualified coaching team
✔ More than 100 students successfully guided from White Belt to Black Belt through our proven teaching system
✔ A family-run Martial Arts academy with a welcoming community and supportive culture where both children and parents feel they belong
✔ All coaches are professionally qualified, DBS checked, First Aid and Safeguarding trained, and committed to delivering exceptional coaching and outstanding care for every child.
Many parents first bring their child to us because they’re shy, anxious, lacking confidence or struggling to find an activity where they truly belong. Months later, they often tell us the biggest change wasn’t their child’s Martial Arts ability. It was seeing them walk into school with greater confidence, speak up for themselves, make new friends and believe in what they are capable of achieving. Those moments matter far more than any coloured belt.
What our members think
Children’s long-term development
Our children’s Martial Arts classes on the edge of Chineham / Old Basing in Basingstoke are carefully divided by age and ability group, giving us the opportunity to focus on the specific developmental needs of each stage of childhood. Our approach is informed by both academic research and decades of coaching experience. After all, you wouldn’t place a 5 year old and a 13 year old together in the same school classroom and expect them to learn in exactly the same way. Children of different ages develop physically, emotionally and socially at very different rates, and their learning needs evolve as they mature.
The same is true when learning Martial Arts. Whether children are training in Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, Kung Fu or Kickboxing, the way we teach them should reflect their stage of development. Younger children benefit from activities that improve listening skills, coordination, balance and confidence through imaginative, engaging lessons. As children grow older, they become ready for greater technical detail, increased responsibility, goal setting and a deeper understanding of discipline, resilience and self-control.
By tailoring our teaching to each age group, children are more likely to enjoy their training, experience success and continue developing over the long term. Rather than simply learning techniques, they build a strong foundation of life skills that supports them at school, at home and in their relationships with others.
Our goal isn’t just to help children earn their next belt. It’s to help them grow into confident, respectful and resilient young people who believe in themselves and have the tools to thrive both on and off the mats.
The age specific advantage
The distinct advantage to you, is that when you have an age specific curriculum, the children learn faster and progress more confidently. Like school, they move into different classes as they get older and become more knowledgeable, physically aware and capable. At each stage, we increase the complexity of what they do in order to improve their skill levels still further and to help them retain and develop new knowledge and new skills.
It has been proven that by structuring Martial-Arts training in this way, the benefits and rate of progression are significantly improved. Children not only learn more rapidly but also better retain the information and therefore increase their skills faster. Additionally, they also develop a much better understanding of the life skills developed through learning a Martial Art. For example; respect, healthy living, confidence, discipline, personal safety and decision making.
Why choose Martial Arts?
With so many activities available to children in Basingstoke, it’s natural for parents to wonder whether Martial Arts is the right choice. Football, hockey, swimming, gymnastics, cheer and dance all offer valuable experiences, but Martial Arts provides something truly unique.
Every child progresses at their own pace. Rather than being selected for a team or compared solely against others, children work towards clear, achievable goals through our structured belt grading system. They learn that effort, perseverance and consistency lead to success, building confidence with every milestone they achieve.
Unlike many seasonal activities, Martial Arts is a year-round pursuit that allows children to continually develop physically, mentally and emotionally. They improve coordination, fitness and practical self-defence skills while also learning important life lessons such as respect, resilience, discipline and self-control.
For many parents, the greatest benefit isn’t the punches, kicks or coloured belts. It’s seeing their child walk a little taller, speak with greater confidence, cope better when things don’t go their way and discover that they are capable of far more than they ever believed possible.
Martial Arts isn’t just an activity. It’s an investment in your child’s future, helping them develop the character, confidence and life skills that will benefit them at school, at home and throughout adulthood.
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What do we do in Karate, Kickboxing or Kung Fu classes?
Classes are structured so that we train safely. All classes include a warm up, flexibility, strength and conditioning exercises as well as a cool down at the end.
Our use of methods derived from sports science ensures that we make full use of proven, leading methods of coaching and training. Consequently, this ensures that all members can achieve their very best from their own personalised Martial Arts training. This takes into account physical differences, rates of maturation, psychology, biomechanics, physiology, nutrition as well as strength and conditioning.
The format for each class changes slightly on a weekly basis as we progress through our proven, tested curriculum. This helps to ensure that we cover all the necessary areas to help the children to further develop their skills and knowledge. Our classes are structured to encourage a ‘can do’ confident attitude in all the children we teach. It is our job as educators to work with parents to make sure your children are successful, not just in our Martial Arts classes, but in life in general.
In our view all children’s activities should teach both physical skills and personal development. We achieve this by showing children that hard work means achievement and achievement means success and helping them to understand and shape their personal core values.
Earning new belts
Members are also able to take part in regular examinations within our Martial Arts club in Basingstoke or at our satellite schools. This allows them to earn their next belt, all the way to Black Belt in a transparent and fair way with family members observing the grading.
Our senior grading examiners have been qualified to conduct Black Belt gradings since 1993. During this time they have carried out many successful gradings in diverse Martial Arts such as Karate, Kickboxing and Kung Fu.
Our Judo Black Belt gradings are held under the auspices of a British Judo Association Senior Examiner.
What our members think
Our Martial Arts classes are split by age
Our Children’s Martial Arts classes in Basingstoke are split by age. Rising Heroes’ class is for 4-6 year olds. Our Young Legends class is for 6-9 year olds. 10-13 year olds. and the Cadets class is for 14 – 17 year olds.
Our children’s Martial Arts classes in Basingstoke are split by age because children learn, think and develop differently at each stage of childhood. A four-year-old starting their Martial Arts journey has very different needs to an eleven-year-old or teenager.
By teaching children alongside others of a similar age, confidence level and stage of development, we can deliver coaching that is appropriate, engaging and effective. This allows younger children to build fundamental skills such as listening, balance and coordination, while older children can focus on developing confidence, resilience, leadership and more advanced Martial Arts techniques.
Whether your child is learning Karate, Kickboxing, Judo or Kung Fu, our age-specific classes help them progress safely, enjoy their training and gain the maximum benefits from their Martial Arts experience.
Each Class has a different focus…
4 – 6 years old Rising Heroes
- Balance
- Coordination
- Discipline
- Fitness
- Focus
- Memory
- Control
- Teamwork
14 – 17 years old Cadets
- Self Protection
- Skills development
- Ability to adapt
- Dealing with emotional and physical stress and anxiety
- Instinctual Reaction
- Analytic approach to problem solving
- Strength and Conditioning
- Technical skills over strength
6 – 9 years old – Young Legends
- Concentration
- Flexibility
- Speed
- Technique
- Agility
- Courage
- Intensity
- Perseverance
10 – 13 years old – Urban Warriors
- Versatility
- Precision
- Reaction
- Instinct
- Strength
- Vision
- Explosiveness
- Dexterity
FAQs – Find out more
Are Martial Arts good for shy Children?
Absolutely. In fact, many of our most successful students started out as quiet, reserved or lacking confidence.
Martial Arts gives shy children a safe and supportive environment where they can gradually come out of their shell. Through small achievements, encouragement from our coaches and the friendships they build in class, children begin to believe in themselves. We regularly see children who were reluctant to speak up growing into confident young people who volunteer answers at school, take part in school plays, becomejunior coaches, make new friends and tackle challenges with a positive attitude.
The goal isn’t to turn children into extroverts. It’s to help them become the best version of themselves.
What age can Children start to learn a Martial Art?
We welcome children from the age of 4 upwards, with classes carefully structured by both age and ability to ensure every child can progress safely, confidently and at a pace that suits them.
In our experience, children of this age are beginning to develop the coordination, balance and motor skills needed to get the most from their Martial Arts training. They are also better able to listen, follow instructions and engage positively with coaching, helping them build strong foundations from the very beginning.
Parents occasionally ask whether we accept 3-year-olds. While we understand the enthusiasm to start as early as possible, 4 years old is the youngest age covered by our insurance providers. More importantly, we believe that starting at 4 gives children the best opportunity to enjoy the experience, succeed in class and develop the confidence, focus and life skills that Martial Arts can offer.
Will Martial Arts make my child aggressive?
No. In fact good Martial Arts teaching does the exact opposite.
Traditional Martial Arts are built on values such as respect, self-control, discipline and responsibility. Children are taught that their skills should only ever be used appropriately and that avoiding conflict is always the first choice.
Research has shown that properly structured Martial Arts programmes can actually help children regulate their emotions and improve self-control. We want children to become more confident, not more confrontational.
The strongest children are often the ones who know they don’t need to prove themselves.
What if my child isn't sporty?
That’s perfectly fine. Most children who join us don’t see themselves as “sporty” at all.
Our classes are designed for beginners and focus on personal progress rather than comparing children to others. Some children love team sports, while others prefer activities where they can develop at their own pace. Our head coach Sensei Bryan wasn’t at all sporty at school. Martial Arts allows every child to improve their coordination, balance, fitness and confidence, regardless of their starting point.
You don’t have to be naturally athletic to succeed. You simply need a willingness to learn and keep trying.
Can parents watch the classes?
Yes. Most definitely, we absolutely encourage you to watch.
We know how important it is for parents to feel confident about where their child is training. Our dedicated Martial Arts academy in Basingstoke has a comfortable viewing area and a superb coffee machine where parents are welcome to watch classes and see exactly how their child is progressing.
Many parents enjoy seeing their child’s confidence grow week by week, celebrating milestones and sharing in their achievements.
As children become more settled, some parents choose to step back and let them develop a little independence, while others continue to watch regularly. The choice is entirely yours.
Is Martial Arts safe?
All classes are taught by experienced, DBS checked coaches who follow structured lesson plans appropriate to the age and ability of the children in front of them. Children learn in a controlled environment using specialist flooring and carefully supervised activities.
Like any physical activity, there is always some degree of risk, but our aim is to minimise that risk through excellent coaching, appropriate progressions and clear safety procedures.
Parents are often surprised to discover that Martial Arts can be safer than many traditional team sports because children learn control, awareness and respect from the very beginning.
Can martial arts help children with ADHD?
Many parents of children with ADHD tell us they notice positive changes after starting Martial Arts.
While Martial Arts is not a treatment for ADHD, the structured environment, clear expectations and regular routines can help children develop important life skills such as focus, listening, self-regulation and perseverance.
Classes break learning into manageable steps and provide frequent encouragement and positive reinforcement. Children also benefit from physical activity, which many parents report helps their child feel calmer and more settled afterwards.
Every child is different, and we work closely with parents to understand how we can best support each individual.
What if my child isn't as good as the other children?
Please don’t worry. Most children who join us are complete beginners, and every child develops at their own pace.
At Shin Gi Tai, we don’t compare children to each other. We encourage them to improve against their own personal best. Success isn’t about being the fastest, strongest or most naturally talented. It’s about trying your best, learning from mistakes and becoming a little better each week.
I remember one little boy, Daniel, joining us at four years old. For the first eight weeks, his dad had to come onto the mats with him because he lacked confidence. In week nine, Daniel proudly told him he could manage on his own. Around eight years later, Daniel earned his Black Belt and went on to become one of our junior coaches, helping younger children who felt exactly as he once had.
Children don’t need to be exceptional when they start. They simply need encouragement, consistency plus parents and coaches who believe in them.
Rising Heroes: Children 4 – 6 years old
Our Rising Heroes curriculum is designed to help your child to develop their motor skills and physical coordination, listening and cognitive skills. Young children of this age have bundles of energy and enthusiasm, which we harness within a structured fun educational environment.
Click here for more information on our programme for 4-6 year olds
Urban Warriors: 10 – 13 years old
Learning a Martial Art is not just about learning kicking and punching skills. It’s not just physical exercise, it teaches self protection and self defence skills, which for this age group are vital. At this age, children are more likely to need self defence skills to protect themselves against a potentially bigger and stronger, attacker.
Our Urban Warriors programme teaches self confidence and discipline, it builds self esteem and self worth. Our classes provide a supportive, friendly and positive alternative to the many undesirable alternatives that some of their peers may favour.
Click here for more information on our programme for 10-13 year olds
Cadet's Class
Our Cadets program for older teenagers and young adults is designed to promote self-confidence and discipline, while building self-esteem and self-worth in our members. The program provides a supportive, friendly, and positive environment where participants can learn self-protection and self-defense skills through a variety of martial arts techniques.
This age group is particularly vulnerable and may find themselves in situations where self-defence skills are necessary. The program utilizes a range of martial arts, including Chinese Kung Fu, Karate, Chinese Kickboxing, and Judo, to provide a well-rounded skill set.
Children's Kickboxing
Physically, Kickboxing helps children develop coordination, strength, and flexibility. The combination of punches, kicks, and footwork used in Kick boxing helps to improve overall body coordination, build strength, and increase flexibility. This can lead to improved athletic performance and a reduction in the risk of injury in all sports.
Kids learning Kickboxing will improve their overall fitness with a fun and challenging full-body workout. Children will burn calories, increase their cardiovascular endurance, and develop lean muscle mass. It also helps to boost their metabolism and increase energy levels.
Mentally, Chinese Kick boxing or Kung Fu helps children develop self-confidence and self-esteem.
Click here for more information on our Kids Kickboxing class
Young Legends: Children 6 – 9 Years old
Today’s children, more than any other generation, spend much of their time sat down staring into a screen and consequently are not getting enough regular exercise or social skills development to keep them fit and healthy.
Our classes will help them to develop good habits of physical exercise to help them grow into healthy teens as they go through puberty. Our drills, activities and ‘games’ have been designed to disguise physical repetition, meaning that the kids are having fun, learning Martial Arts whilst helping their minds and bodies to keep active and healthy.
Self defence is an important skill that we practice, learning how to avoid danger or threats without having to rely on physical skills, although they do have those skills to fall back on, if absolutely necessary. We educate them on self protection online, including how to safely use social media and online gaming. The issue of playground bullying and the school expectations of this subject is always a firm favourite topic that we learn about in our Kids Karate classes.
Click here for more information on our programme for 6-9 year olds
Why do you split your children's classes by age?
Children develop physically, emotionally and socially at very different rates. A four-year-old learns very differently from a fourteen-year-old, so teaching them in exactly the same way simply doesn’t make sense.
For over 35 years, we’ve organised our children’s Martial Arts classes by age because it allows us to teach skills in a way that is appropriate to each stage of development. Younger children focus on listening skills, balance, coordination and confidence. As children mature, we gradually introduce more advanced techniques, greater independence, age-appropriate self-protection topics and a deeper understanding of Martial Arts.
It’s similar to school. You wouldn’t expect Reception children and teenagers to be taught in the same classroom. By grouping children with others of a similar age and stage of development, they learn more effectively, progress more confidently and enjoy the experience far more.
Why do Children need to train twice a week?
We’ve found that children get the very best results when they train twice a week.
Learning a Martial Art is much like learning to read, play a musical instrument or ride a bike. It isn’t something that happens overnight. Children need regular opportunities to practise what they’ve learned, build on previous lessons and develop confidence in their abilities. While one class a week can be enjoyable and introduce new ideas, two classes a week allows children to reinforce those skills through repetition until they become second nature.
Sports science supports this approach. Research consistently shows that children develop movement skills, confidence and physical adaptations more effectively through regular practice with shorter gaps between sessions. Quite simply, they remember more, improve more quickly and gain a deeper understanding of what they’re learning.
Training twice a week also helps children settle into the club faster. They build stronger friendships, become more comfortable in the class environment and often progress through their belts with greater confidence and understanding. The routine of attending regularly can also help develop important life skills such as commitment, resilience, self-discipline and responsibility.
Martial Arts is about far more than learning punches and kicks. It’s about becoming part of a community, developing positive habits and growing as a person. We want children to feel that they truly belong here, rather than simply dropping in from time to time.
In our experience, consistency builds confidence, confidence encourages progress and progress helps children discover what they’re truly capable of.
How do I book a free taster class?
Before joining, we invite you to bring your child along to experience a free Martial Arts class at Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for your child to step onto the mats, meet the coaches, make new friends and discover just how much they enjoy the classes. More importantly, it gives you both the chance to decide whether our programme is the right fit.
As a parent, you’ll be able to see our coaching style first-hand, get a feel for the welcoming atmosphere we’ve created and ask any questions you may have. We want you to feel completely confident that we can support your child on their Martial Arts journey and help them develop not only their skills, but also their confidence, focus and resilience.
To reserve your child’s free taster class, simply click here
Where are you in Basingstoke?
We are based in Daneshill in Basingstoke. This is close to the ringroad and just five minutes drive from Popley South Ham, Rooksdown and Brighton Hill. Chineham, Lypit and Old Basing are on our doorstep, whilst Hook, Odiham, Kempshott, Winklebury and Hatch Warren are wthin ten minutes drive.
Our address is
Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy
Unit A
Daneshill Central
Armstrong Road
Basingstoke RG24 8NU
Telephone: 01256 364 104
Email: info@basingstokekarate.com
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Find out more about Children’s Martial Arts Classes in Basingstoke.
Whether you have questions about the classes, your child’s needs or whether Martial Arts is the right fit, we’re here to help. Complete the form below and one of our coaches will be in touch