Fun, active classes for kids - with a free trial before you commit.

If you're looking for a good activity for your child — something active, structured, and that builds confidence and life skills as well as being fun — we think we might have exactly what you're after.

At SMMA, we run martial arts classes for children, in two dedicated kids' programmes: Little Dragons for our youngest members from age 3 upwards, and Taekwon-do from age 6. Both classes are designed around children — their energy, their attention span, and what will make them want to come back week after week.

For older kids, we’ve got Taewon-do (age 10+), Kickboxing (12+) and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (14+)

Your child's first session is always free, so there's no pressure and no commitment until you know it's the right fit.

Book your free trial:

Little Dragons | Mini Martial Arts for Ages 3–5

Saturdays 10am, Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh
Thursdays 4pm, Easterhouse Sports Centre, Glasgow

Little Dragons is our class for pre-school and early primary age children, and at this age the emphasis is firmly on fun. We use games, movement activities and simple drills to introduce the basics of martial arts — kicking and punching pads, following instructions, moving as a group. There's no physical contact between children, and when we talk about fighting, we talk about superheroes and villains.

What Little Dragons is really about, though, is giving young children a first positive experience of structured group activity. Our aim is to make our Dragons feel comfortable in a group, confident to have a go, and happy to come back next week.

As well as all the benefits of an active class, parents often notice a difference in a bit more listening at home, and a bit more willingness to try other things that are new.

Taekwon-do

Taekwon-do is a Korean martial art that uses punches and kicks, with its roots in Korean kickboxing and karate. The name means 'the art of hand and foot' — read more about Taekwon-do →

Taekwon-do does something that's quite hard to explain until you see it. Kids come in a little uncertain, a little shy, and within a few weeks something shifts. They stand differently. They try things they'd have shied away from before. They get back up when something doesn't go right.

Taekwon-do | Ages 6–9 and over

Helensburgh:
Mondays & Wednesdays 4.45pm, Helensburgh Parish Church
Saturdays 10am, Hermitage Academy

Glasgow:
Tuesdays & Thursdays 4.45pm, Easterhouse Sports Centre
Saturdays 11am, Easterhouse Sports Centre

Our Junior Taekwon-do classes are structured, but relaxed. There are energetic warm-ups and games, kicking and punching drills, pad work and partner exercises, with plenty of encouragement throughout. It's physical, it's fun, and the after-school classes are a brilliant way to keep them active before they get glued to a screen!

Taekwon-do | Age 10 and over

Helensburgh:
Mondays & Wednesdays 6pm, Hermitage Academy
Saturdays 11am, Hermitage Academy

Glasgow:
Tuesdays & Thursdays 5.45pm, Easterhouse Sports Centre
Saturdays 11am, Easterhouse Sports Centre

Our Taekwon-do classes welcome students of all abilities from age 10 upwards.

What your child will get out of it

Here's what parents tell us they notice most:

More confidence. Not just in class — at school, at home, in new situations.
Better focus. Learning to listen, follow instructions, and stay on task (without it feeling like being at school).
New friendships. Working with other kids, being part of a group, feeling like they belong somewhere.
A real sense of achievement. The belt system gives kids clear goals to work towards and something to feel genuinely proud of when they get there.
Fitness and coordination. Balance, movement, agility — all improving through training they actually enjoy.

Progress is always at their own pace. There's no pressure, we grade students as they are ready, and they earn their new belt. Our junior belt gradings are not a scary process, at this stage it’s a celebration of the younger students’ effort and achievement.

“My daughter Izzy has been going to Taekwondo for nearly two years and she absolutely loves it. Her self confidence has really grown and she’s learned that hard work and practice pays off when she has earned a new belt.”

— Kirstin A.

Not a team sports kid? That's fine!

Taekwon-do suits a lot of children who don't naturally take to football, dancing or rugby — kids who prefer individual challenges, who thrive with structure and clear goals, or who just haven't found their thing yet.

Martial arts rewards effort and attitude as much as natural ability, and that makes a real difference to kids who've felt left behind in other sports.

As well as Taekwon-do we also have kickboxing classes (for age 12+) and Brazilian Jui-jitsu (age 14+).

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About SMMA

Steven McLaren is a 6th Dan Taekwondo Master, and has been teaching martial arts and combat sports in Helensburgh for over 25 years. He coaches to international competition level and for the Taekwondo Scotland national team. We run Taekwondo classes for all ages and abilities — from 3-year-olds in our Little Dragons class right through to adult black belts.

We're a friendly, welcoming family-orientated club. Everyone is welcome, whatever their background or ability level, and we take pride in being a place where kids feel safe, included, and encouraged.

Try a class for FREE

We always encourage families to come and try a class before committing to anything. Your child's first session is completely free — it's the best way to see whether they enjoy it and whether it's a good fit.