Capoeira is a martial art that originated in Brazil and combines dance, music, percussion, song, ritual, self-defense technique, and acrobatics. ABADA-Capoeira San Francisco offers professional capoeira instruction and performance.

Kids' capoeira classes teach basic capoeira and maculele technique, as well as musical rhythms, instruments, and songs in Portuguese. Classes are taught using games and exercises emphasizing cooperation, leadership, and skill building, and are designed for and open to all levels. Private classes are also possible.

On-going classes are available during the school year; during the summer, a Capoeira Summer Camp is open to kids ages six to 12.

This massive sports complex has an equally impressive youth program that emphasizes in-line hockey and soccer. Its 2 1/2 acre site boasts two professional indoor hockey rinks complete with bleachers and scoreboard and a state-of-the-art soccer arena. But it also has a fitness center, basketball and volleyball courts, and a place to learn martial arts. Also on site are a pro shop, lockers and showers, and restaurants.

Classes: Skaters can sign up for lessons in stick-handling, shooting, and basic skating. Pick-up games are available, as are skating clinics. Kids can choose to compete in leagues and tournaments both. Kids can also take martial arts classes.

Parties: Bladium offers parties to fit just about every young athlete's wishes with a choice of any sport activity. Each party runs 2 hours, costs $230 (for 15 people, $15 for each additional child), and includes pizza, soda, chips, and a sports attendant.

Summer Camps: Activities include soccer, volleyball, hockey, lacrosse, flag football and basketball for kids ages 8 to 16.

International Lion Dance Academy accepts new students from ages five years and up. The Academy supplies lion heads, drums, and musical equipment, and training and uniforms.

The Association trains students in how to do traditional gung-fu hand forms and use weapons for exercise and self-defense. Classes are held Friday at 6:30pm for adults and children.

The Association trains students in how to do traditional gung-fu hand forms and use weapons for exercise and self-defense. Classes are held Friday at 6:30pm for adults and children.

Karate One offers martial arts training for kids ages 2.5 and up. Three times a year, the center offers wood-breaking seminars in classes. Children utilize the breaking of wood to maintain focus, strength, and speed.

Mission Martial Arts teaches traditional Praying Mantis Kung Fu to kids ages six and up. Kids learn a dynamic and fun martial art while getting a great workout.

The studio is conveniently located between the Potrero Hill and the Mission Districts, and a great family discount plan is available.

A small studio that makes a big effort to work with kids. Starting at age three, children can choose from classes held Monday through Friday evenings, or opt for Saturday morning and afternoon classes. They run 30 minutes for children 3-to-6; 45 minutes for older kids.

The instructors are gentle, trained in children's developmental issues, and emphasize self-control and discipline.

The studio will sell you lightweight or heavyweight uniforms and sparring gear (boots, gloves, and headgear) if you need it.

A small studio that makes a big effort to work with kids. Starting at age three, children can choose from classes held Monday through Friday evenings, or opt for Saturday morning and afternoon classes. They run 30 minutes for children 3-to-6; 45 minutes for older kids.

The instructors are gentle, trained in children's developmental issues, and emphasize self-control and discipline.

The studio will sell you lightweight or heavyweight uniforms and sparring gear (boots, gloves, and headgear) if you need it.

One Martial Arts is a unique, state-of-the-art, family-oriented facility dedicated to the mental and physical enhancement of the human spirit. Programs include Kids' Karate, Cardio Kickboxing, Aikido, and Tai Chi.

The 4000 square feet of training space utilizes "Feng Shui" influenced principles, including full spectrum lighting (which simulates sunlight indoors), full-length mirrors (providing optimal viewing coverage), a professional wireless sound reinforcement system, and the latest in martial arts equipment.

The Little Ninja program is designed for preschoolers, providing an age-specific curriculum that is professionally designed to teach children important life skills.

Kids' Karate, for ages six and up, reinforces values like honesty and integrity and helps children develop self-discipline, control, respect for adults, and courtesy for others.

Camp programs are offered during winter break, spring break, and over the summer, and feature a combination of different activities, including cardio kickboxing, swimming, arts & crafts, games, field trips, and library hour. Children ages five to 12 are eligible, call or visit the website for current schedule and fees.

Birthday party options include confidence-building games, relay races, a party coordinator, and Karate.

Aikido is a non-violent martial art based on centering, balancing, and compassion for your attacker. It teaches falling, blending, and smooth movement to protect both yourself and your training partners.

The Dojo offers a supportive, disciplined, and non-competitive learning environment that will allow all students to enjoy their physical potential regardless of their sex, size, age, or coordination.

Each class includes Aikido techniques, the art of falling, a little Karate and Tai Chi, basic physical fitness, and some fun and games.

Children ages six to 13 learn a non-competitive Japanese art of self defense in a supportive environment with an emphasis on cooperation.

Students learn how to perform aikido techniques and how to safely take falls while building balance, posture, and body coordination. Aikido instruction is given in a calm, gentle yet disciplined atmosphere by United States Aikido Federation certified instructor Joseph Verville, 3rd degree black belt, and assisted by Philippe Gendrault, 2nd degree black belt.

Children ages six to 13 learn a non-competitive Japanese art of self defense in a supportive environment with an emphasis on cooperation.

Students learn how to perform aikido techniques and how to safely take falls while building balance, posture, and body coordination. Aikido instruction is given in a calm, gentle yet disciplined atmosphere by United States Aikido Federation certified instructor Joseph Verville, 3rd degree black belt, and assisted by Philippe Gendrault, 2nd degree black belt.

PAL is a wonderful city resource for families because it offers a number of affordable recreational and educational programs for kids ages five to 17, including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, judo, soccer, and several outreach programs.

The program's mission is to instill in youngsters positive values and to provide them with wholesome alternatives to drugs, gangs, violence, and crime. More than 7,000 kids are actively involved in PAL programs in a given year.

A distinctive feature of the program is that many are coached by police officers. The idea is to teach kids the fundamentals of a sport, "while instilling in them a respect for authority and respect in themselves."

Contact PAL if you're interested in either joining or forming a team. You'll be given a place on a team, or one on a play schedule, depending on your situation.

Note: Judo lessons are taught at the Mission Rec Center (745 Treat Street/Auditorium, between 20th and 21st Streets). Call 415.215.7437.

PAL is a wonderful city resource for families because it offers a number of affordable recreational and educational programs for kids ages five to 17, including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, judo, soccer, and several outreach programs.

The program's mission is to instill in youngsters positive values and to provide them with wholesome alternatives to drugs, gangs, violence, and crime. More than 7,000 kids are actively involved in PAL programs in a given year.

A distinctive feature of the program is that many are coached by police officers. The idea is to teach kids the fundamentals of a sport, "while instilling in them a respect for authority and respect in themselves."

Contact PAL if you're interested in either joining or forming a team. You'll be given a place on a team, or one on a play schedule, depending on your situation.

Note: Judo lessons are taught at the Mission Rec Center (745 Treat Street/Auditorium, between 20th and 21st Streets). Call 415.215.7437.

Shotokan Karate is a traditional Japanese Martial Art that teaches basic techniques (Kicking, Punching, Block), Kata (Forms), and Kumite (Free Sparring).

The center offers a Community Shotokan Karate Class for ages five and up. This class is taught by Sensei Wayne Shockness, a 5th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate with over 30 years of experience is the martial arts. Many other classes are offered for kids and adults. See the website for a complete schedule.

For a free trial class or more information, please contact Wayne Shockness at 415.615.1375.

The Stonestown Family YMCA offers lots of wonderful year-round activities for kids between the ages of three and 11, including Judo, Tae Kwon Do, soccer, basketball, dance classes, swimming lessons, birthday parties, and specialty winter and summer camps. It also offers dance classes and wellness classes for moms and dads.

The Stonestown Family YMCA offers full-day programming on school holidays, including a Winter Camp. Children meet at the YMCA between 7:30-9:30am, explore the Bay Area for the day, and return to the YMCA to be picked up between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.

Financial assistance is available.

The Stonestown Family YMCA offers lots of wonderful year-round activities for kids between the ages of three and 11, including Judo, Tae Kwon Do, soccer, basketball, dance classes, swimming lessons, birthday parties, and specialty winter and summer camps. It also offers dance classes and wellness classes for moms and dads.

The Stonestown Family YMCA offers full-day programming on school holidays, including a Winter Camp. Children meet at the YMCA between 7:30-9:30am, explore the Bay Area for the day, and return to the YMCA to be picked up between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.

Financial assistance is available.

Aikido is a non-violent, non-competitive martial art that teaches children how to blend with and redirect opposing forces. Through smooth, circular movements, an aikidoist can bring an aggressor under control while keeping out of harm's way. Suginami Aikido offers classes for children ages seven and older.

Aikido is a non-violent, non-competitive martial art that teaches children how to blend with and redirect opposing forces. Through smooth, circular movements, an aikidoist can bring an aggressor under control while keeping out of harm's way. Suginami Aikido offers classes for children ages seven and older.

The Sunset Recreation Center is the busy, active hub of its neighborhood. It has a community hall that is the site of holiday carnivals, teen parties, and classes. The Center also houses a nice indoor basketball court and restrooms you can actually use.

Outside is a playing field, an outdoor basketball court, hardball court, two tennis courts, and a playground that is old but clean and the site of much happy activity.

Sunset offers a variety of children's programs including Tiny Tots (ages 1-to-3) and Kids Gym for children 1-to-5 years (M,W,Th,F); Tae Kwon Do; tennis lessons; soccer and basketball programs; and a supervised afterschool program.

Sunset is also one of the few Rec Centers that has a division set up explicitly for teens (415.934.4858).

The Hapkido Institute's Little Dragon program offers martial art classes for children ages five to eight years old. In a supportive, non-competitive, and fun atmosphere, kids learn martial arts along with respect, discipline, proper attitude, and the ability to put 100% effort into whatever their goals are.

The Institute's Summer Camp program, for kids ages six to 11, integrates martial arts, academics, games, and field trips in a nurturing and safe environment.

Summer camp is an 11-week session. Register for as little as three weeks, up to 11 weeks, or something in between. The cost is $170 per week for half-day camps.

The Hapkido Institute's Little Dragon program offers martial art classes for children ages five to eight years old. In a supportive, non-competitive, and fun atmosphere, kids learn martial arts along with respect, discipline, proper attitude, and the ability to put 100% effort into whatever their goals are.

The Institute's Summer Camp program, for kids ages six to 11, integrates martial arts, academics, games, and field trips in a nurturing and safe environment.

Summer camp is an 11-week session. Register for as little as three weeks, up to 11 weeks, or something in between. The cost is $170 per week for half-day camps.

The San Francisco Goju Ryu Karate Center offers a martial arts program that emphasizes safety, as well as self defense and agility. The school is a store front, with a big, clean room lined with mirrors. Students receive internationally-recognized belt certification.

Teachers emphasize physical discipline and control, and also take time to instruct students in the meaning behind certain techniques.

Parties: Karate Birthday parties are offered on weekends. The cost is $100 an hour for rental of the school and an instructor. Party materials can be supplied for a fee.

Martial arts classes are offered for children ages three-and-a-half and older at this Marina district studio. Kids are grouped by age, with classes divided into Pre-K, Children's, Teens (separate class), and Adults. In addition to martial arts, the classes encourage social skills, good etiquette, concentration, and lots of exercise.

Parents like its low-key, friendly atmosphere and the fact that it often offers family discounts and gift certificates. Waiting for kids to finish classes is a peaceful prospect in the Coffee and Tea meditation garden in the back.

Martial arts classes are offered for children ages three-and-a-half and older at this Marina district studio. Kids are grouped by age, with classes divided into Pre-K, Children's, Teens (separate class), and Adults. In addition to martial arts, the classes encourage social skills, good etiquette, concentration, and lots of exercise.

Parents like its low-key, friendly atmosphere and the fact that it often offers family discounts and gift certificates. Waiting for kids to finish classes is a peaceful prospect in the Coffee and Tea meditation garden in the back.

Yong In Martial Arts Academy provides instruction in Taekwondo and the martial arts for children and adults. A family class is also available, so that students and their parents or guardians can train together.

In addition to martial arts instruction, YIMA Summer Camp includes park sports, bowling, meditation, singing/music, art/drawing, gymnastics, and even a basic Korean language seminar.

Zanshin Martial Arts Center specializes in martial arts, children's yoga, and fitness programs for kids.

Martial arts-themed birthday parties (held on Saturdays and Sundays) are also available.