Give your child gifts that go beyond the mats
As parents, we all want our children to grow up confident, respectful, and capable. Our kids programs blend character development with fun, high‑energy movement that channels their endless enthusiasm in a positive way. While they play, learn, and grow, they also build the body awareness and self‑defense skills needed to stand up to bullies and navigate the world with confidence. Kids Martial Arts in Boardman
Empower your child with the Bender Academy Kids Program — where strong bodies, strong minds, and strong character are built every day.
Little Lambs
Ages 4 to 6
Our Little Lambs program is named for the innocence and curiosity of this age group. In each class, children build a foundation of body awareness, balance, coordination, and confidence — skills that support them far beyond the mats as they grow into strong, capable young people.
While they’re introduced to the basics of Jiu‑Jitsu and self‑defense, the focus at this age is on learning, exploring, and having fun. They’re still too young to apply techniques in a real situation, so we emphasize encouragement, positive movement, and helping them understand the power of Jiu‑Jitsu at a pace that makes sense for their development.
Little Lions
Ages 7-12
Our Little Lions program is designed for kids who are beginning to understand themselves, their environment, and how their actions affect others. At this stage, they’re ready for more detailed instruction, and we guide them through technique‑focused training supported by attentive coaches and encouraging teammates.
Safety and responsibility are at the heart of every class. Little Lions learn that Jiu‑Jitsu techniques are for self‑defense only — not for play — helping them build discipline, respect, and awareness while preventing accidental harm to themselves or others. This is where confidence grows, skills sharpen, and young students start to truly understand the power and purpose of Jiu‑Jitsu.
Kids Program Membership Rates:
Unlimited Classes: $99/Month
Family Rates Available!
Ready to get started? Click here!
Still have questions? Let us know!
What to expect with progression:
Please make note that the "required times" are a guideline and not exact time frames. Children learn and progress at different rates and to hold a child back or promote to early will not help them in the short or long term. Children receive rank through a combination of increased maturity (focus, respect, integrity, confidence) and application of skills. We promise that your child will receive the credit for the progress they make, all we want is for the child to enjoy the process and to not pressured to "make the next rank" as they are on this journey.
