Martial Arts Classes for Kids in Upper West Side, NYC

30 upcoming · 3 local studios

The Upper West Side offers 15 upcoming martial arts sessions across three studios, with a strong focus on karate and tai chi for young children. Classes range from free outdoor tai chi at Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument to structured karate programs at Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (winter sessions at $720) and Ripley-Grier Studios (drop-in Saturday classes at $25 per session). Filter by age group and day of week below to find the right fit for your schedule.

Looking wider? Kids Martial Arts Classes in NYC

Upcoming classes

Little Samurais Martial Arts Class (4-6 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Tuesday | 3:15 PM)From $815

Little Samurais Martial Arts Class (4-6 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Tuesday | 3:15 PM)

Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan · Upper West Side

16 Tuesdays: Sep 15, 2026- Jan 12, 2027 [Except 12/22, 12/29] In Person. Introduce your child to martial arts with our Little Samurais class, designed for children ages 4 to 6. Through playful activities and age-appropriate exercises, children learn basic martial arts movements and calisthenics techniques tailored to their developmental stage. Participants enhance coordination, balance, and motor skills and practice important values such as respect, patience, focus, and self-discipline. This class takes place in a safe and supportive environment, guided by 4th-degree black belt Mark Tome. Registration also includes a new gi (martial arts uniform for students).

Ages 4–617-week course
Active Kids: Martial Arts & Physical EducationFrom $1,397

Active Kids: Martial Arts & Physical Education

W81 · Upper West Side

An active, fun-filled program that builds confidence, coordination, focus, and healthy movement through martial arts, games, fitness activities, and age-appropriate challenges. Each class encourages active bodies, healthy habits, and positive character development in a fun and engaging environment. Children develop balance, self-control, respect, perseverance, teamwork, and social skills while improving strength, coordination, and overall fitness. No previous martial arts experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn, move, and have fun! Program Highlights Builds confidence and self-discipline Improves balance, coordination, and fitness Develops focus, respect, and perseverance Encourages teamwork and positive social skills Fun, engaging, and beginner-friendly

Ages 4–8Course
Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Children learn movement to protect themselves and challenge their mind and body. Meditation integrated with affirmation and visualization; leadership development through peer and cooperative teaching.

Ages 2–5Weekly
Active Kids: Martial Arts & Physical EducationFrom $1,397

Active Kids: Martial Arts & Physical Education

W81 · Upper West Side

An active, fun-filled program that builds confidence, coordination, focus, and healthy movement through martial arts, games, fitness activities, and age-appropriate challenges. Each class encourages active bodies, healthy habits, and positive character development in a fun and engaging environment. Children develop balance, self-control, respect, perseverance, teamwork, and social skills while improving strength, coordination, and overall fitness. No previous martial arts experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn, move, and have fun! Program Highlights Builds confidence and self-discipline Improves balance, coordination, and fitness Develops focus, respect, and perseverance Encourages teamwork and positive social skills Fun, engaging, and beginner-friendly

Ages 4–8Course
Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Karate and martial arts movement class for children ages 6-12 with meditation and leadership development.

Ages 6–12Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Children learn movement to protect themselves and challenge their mind and body. Meditation integrated with affirmation and visualization; leadership development through peer and cooperative teaching.

Ages 2–5Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Karate and martial arts movement class for children ages 6-12 with meditation and leadership development.

Ages 6–12Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Children learn movement to protect themselves and challenge their mind and body. Meditation integrated with affirmation and visualization; leadership development through peer and cooperative teaching.

Ages 2–5Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Karate and martial arts movement class for children ages 6-12 with meditation and leadership development.

Ages 6–12Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Karate and martial arts movement class for young children with integrated meditation and leadership development.

Ages 2–5Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Karate and martial arts movement class for children ages 6-12 with meditation and leadership development.

Ages 6–8Weekly
Little Samurais Martial Arts Class (3-5 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Mondays | 3:15 PM)From $770

Little Samurais Martial Arts Class (3-5 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Mondays | 3:15 PM)

Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan · Upper West Side

15 Mondays: Sep 14, 2026- Jan 11, 2027 [Except: 9/21, 12/21, 12/28] In Person. Introduce your child to martial arts with our Little Samurais class, designed for children ages 3-5. Through playful activities and age-appropriate exercises, children learn basic martial arts movements and calisthenics techniques tailored to their developmental stage. Participants enhance coordination, balance, and motor skills and practice important values such as respect, patience, focus, and self-discipline. This class takes place in a safe and supportive environment, guided by 4th-degree black belt Mark Tome. Registration includes a brand new gi (martial arts uniform).

Ages 3–517-week course
Evolutionary Martial Arts Karate Class (6-8 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Mondays | 4:15 PM)From $770

Evolutionary Martial Arts Karate Class (6-8 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Mondays | 4:15 PM)

Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan · Upper West Side

15 Mondays: Sep 14, 2026- Jan 11, 2027 [Except: 9/21, 12/21, 12/28] In Person. Empower your child with strength, confidence, and discipline in our Evolutionary Martial Arts class. This dynamic program blends traditional martial arts techniques with innovative teaching methods to create an engaging and developmentally appropriate experience. Students will learn striking, takedowns, blocks, and fundamental martial arts movements, all while enhancing coordination, balance, and motor skills. Through hands-on practice, they'll also develop core values like respect, patience, and self-discipline in a structured, supportive environment. Led by 4th-degree black belt Mark Tome, this class provides expert instruction in a safe and encouraging setting, helping young martial artists build both physical strength and character. Registration includes a brand-new gi (martial arts uniform).

Ages 6–817-week course
Little Samurais Martial Arts Class (4-6 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Tuesday | 3:15 PM)From $815

Little Samurais Martial Arts Class (4-6 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Tuesday | 3:15 PM)

Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan · Upper West Side

16 Tuesdays: Sep 15, 2026- Jan 12, 2027 [Except 12/22, 12/29] In Person. Introduce your child to martial arts with our Little Samurais class, designed for children ages 4 to 6. Through playful activities and age-appropriate exercises, children learn basic martial arts movements and calisthenics techniques tailored to their developmental stage. Participants enhance coordination, balance, and motor skills and practice important values such as respect, patience, focus, and self-discipline. This class takes place in a safe and supportive environment, guided by 4th-degree black belt Mark Tome. Registration also includes a new gi (martial arts uniform for students).

Ages 4–617-week course
Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Children learn movement to protect themselves and challenge their mind and body. Meditation integrated with affirmation and visualization; leadership development through peer and cooperative teaching.

Ages 2–5Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Karate and martial arts movement class for children ages 6-12 with meditation and leadership development.

Ages 6–8Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Children learn movement to protect themselves and challenge their mind and body. Meditation integrated with affirmation and visualization; leadership development through peer and cooperative teaching.

Ages 2–5Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Karate and martial arts movement class for children ages 6-12 with meditation and leadership development.

Ages 6–8Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Children learn movement to protect themselves and challenge their mind and body. Meditation integrated with affirmation and visualization; leadership development through peer and cooperative teaching.

Ages 2–5Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Karate and martial arts movement class for children ages 6-12 with meditation and leadership development.

Ages 6–8Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Children learn movement to protect themselves and challenge their mind and body. Meditation integrated with affirmation and visualization; leadership development through peer and cooperative teaching.

Ages 2–5Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Karate and martial arts movement class for children ages 6-12 with meditation and leadership development.

Ages 6–8Weekly
Little Samurais Martial Arts Class (3-5 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Mondays | 3:15 PM)From $770

Little Samurais Martial Arts Class (3-5 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Mondays | 3:15 PM)

Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan · Upper West Side

15 Mondays: Sep 14, 2026- Jan 11, 2027 [Except: 9/21, 12/21, 12/28] In Person. Introduce your child to martial arts with our Little Samurais class, designed for children ages 3-5. Through playful activities and age-appropriate exercises, children learn basic martial arts movements and calisthenics techniques tailored to their developmental stage. Participants enhance coordination, balance, and motor skills and practice important values such as respect, patience, focus, and self-discipline. This class takes place in a safe and supportive environment, guided by 4th-degree black belt Mark Tome. Registration includes a brand new gi (martial arts uniform).

Ages 3–517-week course
Evolutionary Martial Arts Karate Class (6-8 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Mondays | 4:15 PM)From $770

Evolutionary Martial Arts Karate Class (6-8 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Mondays | 4:15 PM)

Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan · Upper West Side

15 Mondays: Sep 14, 2026- Jan 11, 2027 [Except: 9/21, 12/21, 12/28] In Person. Empower your child with strength, confidence, and discipline in our Evolutionary Martial Arts class. This dynamic program blends traditional martial arts techniques with innovative teaching methods to create an engaging and developmentally appropriate experience. Students will learn striking, takedowns, blocks, and fundamental martial arts movements, all while enhancing coordination, balance, and motor skills. Through hands-on practice, they'll also develop core values like respect, patience, and self-discipline in a structured, supportive environment. Led by 4th-degree black belt Mark Tome, this class provides expert instruction in a safe and encouraging setting, helping young martial artists build both physical strength and character. Registration includes a brand-new gi (martial arts uniform).

Ages 6–817-week course
Little Samurais Martial Arts Class (4-6 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Tuesday | 3:15 PM)From $815

Little Samurais Martial Arts Class (4-6 Yrs | Drop-off | Fall | Tuesday | 3:15 PM)

Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan · Upper West Side

16 Tuesdays: Sep 15, 2026- Jan 12, 2027 [Except 12/22, 12/29] In Person. Introduce your child to martial arts with our Little Samurais class, designed for children ages 4 to 6. Through playful activities and age-appropriate exercises, children learn basic martial arts movements and calisthenics techniques tailored to their developmental stage. Participants enhance coordination, balance, and motor skills and practice important values such as respect, patience, focus, and self-discipline. This class takes place in a safe and supportive environment, guided by 4th-degree black belt Mark Tome. Registration also includes a new gi (martial arts uniform for students).

Ages 4–617-week course
Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Children learn movement to protect themselves and challenge their mind and body. Meditation integrated with affirmation and visualization; leadership development through peer and cooperative teaching.

Ages 2–5Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Karate and martial arts movement class for children ages 6-12 with meditation and leadership development.

Ages 6–8Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Children learn movement to protect themselves and challenge their mind and body. Meditation integrated with affirmation and visualization; leadership development through peer and cooperative teaching.

Ages 2–5Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 6-12)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Karate and martial arts movement class for children ages 6-12 with meditation and leadership development.

Ages 6–8Weekly
Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)martial_artsFrom $310

Children's Karate (Ages 2-5)

Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side · Upper West Side

Children learn movement to protect themselves and challenge their mind and body. Meditation integrated with affirmation and visualization; leadership development through peer and cooperative teaching.

Ages 2–5Weekly

Local studios

JCC Manhattan
Upper West Side
ZPlaySchool
Upper West Side
Harmony By Karate - Upper West Side
Upper West Side

Frequently asked

What ages are martial arts classes for in Upper West Side?

Most martial arts classes in Upper West Side run for ages 3 years through 12 years. Specific age bands are listed on each class page so you can filter by what fits your child.

How much do martial arts classes cost in Upper West Side?

Prices in Upper West Side range from about $25 through $50 per class; most schools sell multi-month memberships. Free events and drop-in pricing are flagged on each class card.

Do I need to register in advance for martial arts classes?

Most studio-run martial arts classes require advance registration through the studio's booking page. Library and city-park martial arts programs are typically drop-in, though some popular sessions release a limited number of tickets in advance.

What style is taught?

NYC schools cover a mix of karate, taekwondo, brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and mixed-martial-arts curricula. The discipline is listed on each studio's page.