| Bring | Leave at home | |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes | T-shirt and athletic pants or shorts | Jeans, zips, belts with buckles |
| Feet | Flip-flops or slides for off the mat | Shoes on the mat |
| Hair and body | Hair tie, trimmed nails | Jewelry, watches, hard clips |
| Drink | Water bottle with a name on it | Sugary drinks |
| Paperwork | Signed waiver, medical notes | Your checkbook, for now |
Pick by goal
- Striking style (TKD, karate)Fitted T-shirt and soft pantsKicks need free movement; loose shorts can ride up.
- Grappling (BJJ, judo, wrestling)Rash guard or close T-shirtPartners grip and roll, so avoid anything baggy or with pockets.
- Very young or nervous childA familiar comfort item in the carSomething to look forward to after class eases the first visit.
On this page
First classes are mostly about making a child feel comfortable, and a few simple preparations go a long way. Whether your child is trying Taekwondo, karate, BJJ, judo, kung fu or wrestling, the essentials are almost the same.
The checklist
- Comfortable clothes without zips, buttons, pockets or hoods: a T-shirt and track pants or leggings work well; for grappling, a fitted shirt is better than a loose one
- A water bottle with your child’s name on it
- Sandals or flip-flops for walking to and from the mat, since most martial arts are practised barefoot
- A hair tie for long hair, without metal clips or beads
- A mouthguard if the class involves contact or grappling, and the school recommends one
- Any forms the school has sent, plus details of allergies or medical conditions for the instructor
- A snack for afterwards, because children are usually hungry
Before you leave home
Trim fingernails and toenails, which protects training partners, especially in grappling. Take off jewelry, including earrings and watches, and leave them at home. Have your child use the bathroom before class. Give a light snack an hour or two beforehand rather than a full meal.
What to leave at home
Leave expensive gear, new uniforms and branded equipment until your child has trained for a few weeks and the school has told you exactly what to buy. Leave toys and devices in the car or with you. And leave high expectations at home; the first class is about trying, not performing.
Clothes by style
What works best depends a little on the art. In Taekwondo and karate, children kick high, so soft pants that stretch beat jeans or stiff shorts, and a fitted T-shirt stays out of the way. In grappling arts such as BJJ, judo and wrestling, partners hold each other’s clothing and roll on the mat, so a rash guard or a close-fitting T-shirt and shorts without pockets or drawstrings are safest. Muay Thai and boxing gyms often lend gloves for a first session but may ask children to bring hand wraps; ask when you book. If the school lends a uniform for the trial, it will usually be a size or two big, which is fine for one class.
Girls can wear leggings and a sports top under a T-shirt in any style. Many schools are happy for children to train in a head covering, long sleeves or leggings for religious or personal reasons; just mention it when you book so the instructor knows.
Arriving and meeting the instructor
Arrive ten to fifteen minutes early so your child can see the room, meet the instructor and use the bathroom. Tell the instructor if your child is shy, has any medical needs, or has tried martial arts before. Many instructors pair a new child with a friendly older student.
During class
Sit in the viewing area and watch quietly. If your child freezes or gets upset, let the instructor handle it first; most are very good at gently bringing children back in. Resist the urge to coach from the side.
Afterwards
Ask your child what they liked best, not how they did. Ask the instructor how often they suggest training, what the uniform and gear costs are, and what the next steps would be. For help comparing schools, see how to choose a martial arts school, and for style-specific advice read our guides to the first BJJ class, the first judo class and the first month of Taekwondo.
Questions parents and students ask
What should my child wear to a first martial arts class?
Comfortable athletic clothes without zips, buttons, pockets or hoods, such as a T-shirt and track pants or leggings. Most schools lend a uniform for trial classes or do not require one at first.
Should my child eat before martial arts class?
A light snack an hour or two before class is ideal. A big meal right before training can cause stomach aches, especially in grappling classes with lots of rolling.
Can parents watch a martial arts class?
Most schools welcome parents in a viewing area. Watch quietly and let the instructor lead; calling out from the side can distract children.
