Looking for things to do with your elementary ages and older children doesn’t pose the same problems as looking for activities or sports for toddlers and preschool ages. Most classes and teams are designed for teens or adults then augmented for younger kids. This is not a good fit for toddlers or preschoolers.
Karate is one of the best activities and sports for toddlers or preschoolers. There are other things to do like soccer, dance, and gymnastics for younger kids. But Karate directly addresses toddler milestones, character development, and my classes center on fun, fit, and functional.
Don’t get me wrong. I actually promote doing Karate along with other activities as long as the other coaches or teachers don’t try to monopolize your family’s time. I advocate for a minimum of one class per week whereas other martial arts instructors or sports coaches require 2 or even 3 or more days per week.
Although I know martial arts to be the best option for toddlers, I admit it is not the only one. I am also able to be more honest with my expectations due to the fact that Karate is a lifelong journey. Other activities and sports have limited participation due to ages and seasons.