Help Your Child Build Confidence, Discipline & Life Skills After School
Looking for a practical and fun after-school activity in Downtown Toronto that offers more than just child care? At Old Toronto Martial Arts, children ages 5–7, youth 8-13 and teens build character through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and Kickboxing while developing confidence, focus, resilience, respect, and practical self-defence in a welcoming, beginner-friendly environment.
The Right After-School Activity Helps Children Grow Beyond The Classroom
Parents want more than a way to keep their children busy after school. The best extracurricular activities encourage confidence, resilience, physical fitness, positive friendships, and the ability to overcome challenges. These are skills that support children both in the classroom and throughout life.
Build Confidence
Children gain confidence by learning new skills, setting goals, and achieving milestones through consistent effort.
Develop Focus
Structured activities improve concentration, listening skills, perseverance, and the ability to follow instructions.
Create Healthy Habits
Regular physical activity helps children stay active while improving coordination, balance, strength, and overall well-being.
Build Friendships
Being part of a positive community helps children develop communication skills, teamwork, and lasting friendships.
Every Child Has Incredible Potential
The right environment helps children discover what they're capable of. By encouraging effort, resilience, respect, and continuous improvement, extracurricular activities can help shape confident young people who are ready to take on new challenges both inside and outside the classroom.
Why Martial Arts Is One Of The Most Complete Activities For Children
Many after-school activities help children develop one or two important skills. Martial arts is different because it combines physical fitness, confidence, discipline, self-defence, teamwork, and personal responsibility into every class. Children aren't just learning techniques—they're building habits and character that can benefit them for years to come.
Confidence Through Achievement
Children build genuine confidence by learning new skills, overcoming challenges, and reaching meaningful milestones. Success is earned through consistent effort, helping students believe in their own abilities.
Practical Self-Defence
Students learn age-appropriate self-defence with an emphasis on awareness, avoidance, and staying safe. The focus is on confidence, good judgement, and responsible decision-making—not encouraging fights.
Focus, Respect & Discipline
Every class reinforces listening, perseverance, respect, and responsibility. These qualities often support children in school, at home, and in other activities as they continue to grow.
Fitness That Keeps Children Engaged
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and Kickboxing help improve coordination, balance, agility, strength, and endurance while providing a fun and challenging way for children to stay active.
More Than Learning Martial Arts
At Old Toronto Martial Arts, our goal extends beyond teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and Kickboxing. Every class is designed to help children become respectful, resilient, confident young people who are prepared to face challenges both on and off the mats. We believe the lessons learned in the dojo can have a lasting positive impact at school, at home, and throughout life.
Which After-School Activity Is Right For Your Child?
Every child is different. The best extracurricular activity is one that matches your child's personality, interests, and goals while helping them continue to grow. Martial arts offers a unique combination of physical activity, confidence building, and life skills that can benefit many different types of children.
Shy Children
Martial arts helps children gain confidence through achievable goals, supportive coaching, and steady progress—without the pressure of always being in the spotlight.
Children With Lots Of Energy
Structured classes provide a positive outlet for energy while teaching focus, self-control, and respect in a fun, engaging environment.
Children Who Need Confidence
Learning practical self-defence and achieving new milestones helps children believe in themselves both on and off the mats.
Children Who Love Challenges
Progressive techniques, belt rankings, and optional competitions keep motivated children engaged and working toward meaningful goals.
Children Looking For Friends
Training with partners encourages teamwork, communication, and lasting friendships built on mutual respect.
Families Looking For More Than A Sport
Martial arts develops confidence, resilience, discipline, fitness, and practical life skills that continue to benefit children long after class ends.
Every Child Starts Somewhere.
Whether your child is naturally confident or just beginning to come out of their shell, our instructors create a welcoming environment where every student can learn, grow, and succeed at their own pace.
Book A Trial ClassMore Than Martial Arts.
A Community That Helps Children Thrive.
Parents aren't simply choosing a sport—they're choosing the people who will help shape their child's confidence, character, and development. At Old Toronto Martial Arts, we strive to create an environment where every child feels supported, challenged, and encouraged to become the best version of themselves.
Serving Toronto Since 1980
Experience matters. For close to five decades, families have trusted our instructors to teach martial arts while helping children develop confidence, discipline, and respect.
Downtown Toronto Location
Conveniently located at 154 The Esplanade, we're easily accessible for families from St. Lawrence Market, Corktown, Canary District, Regent Park, the Distillery District, and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Beginner Friendly
No experience is necessary. Every child progresses at their own pace in a welcoming environment where effort is celebrated.
Practical Skills
Students learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Karate, and age-appropriate self-defence while developing valuable life skills they can use every day.
Character Development
Respect, resilience, perseverance, and responsibility are woven into every class alongside physical training.
A Welcoming Community
Children build friendships, support one another, and become part of a positive community where everyone is encouraged to succeed.
Helping Children Grow Stronger — On And Off The Mats
Every child has unique strengths waiting to be developed. Our role is to provide a safe, structured environment where they can build confidence, learn practical skills, and discover what they're capable of achieving. That's what has kept Toronto families coming back for generations.
What Your Child Will Learn Every Week
Every class is designed to help children build character, and teach life skills. While students learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Karate, and practical self-defence, they are also developing habits and life skills that extend well beyond the dojo.
Confidence
Children gain confidence through steady progress, learning new skills, and achieving goals they once thought were impossible.
Self-Defence
Students learn age-appropriate techniques that emphasize awareness, avoidance, and practical responses designed to help them stay safe.
Discipline
Following instruction, showing respect, and working toward long-term goals helps children develop habits that benefit them both inside and outside the classroom.
Leadership
Older students learn to encourage younger teammates, take responsibility, and become positive role models within the academy.
Fitness
Classes improve balance, coordination, agility, flexibility, strength, and endurance while keeping children active and engaged.
Resilience
Learning to overcome challenges teaches children that setbacks are opportunities to improve rather than reasons to quit.
Skills That Last A Lifetime
Our goal isn't simply to create skilled martial artists. We strive to empower children with the life skills and character development to become respectful, confident, resilient young people who are prepared for challenges both inside and outside the dojo. Every class combines physical training with lessons that can benefit children for years to come.
Making After School Simple For Busy Families
Balancing work schedules, school dismissal, and extracurricular activities can be challenging. Our After-School Pickup Program helps simplify your afternoon by bringing your child from school directly to Old Toronto Martial Arts, where they can learn, stay active, and build confidence in a safe, structured environment.
School Ends
Your child is picked up from their designated school or agreed meeting location.
Safe Arrival
Students arrive at the academy and settle in with instructor supervision.
Martial Arts Class
Children participate in a structured class focused on confidence, fitness, self-defence, and personal growth.
Parent Pickup
Parents pick up their child after class, knowing they enjoyed an active and productive afternoon.
Schools We Commonly Serve
Our pickup program is designed to support families in Downtown Toronto. Contact us to confirm current pickup availability for your child's school.
Conveniently Located For Downtown Toronto Families
Old Toronto Martial Arts is located at 154 The Esplanade, making it easy for families living, working, or attending school in Downtown Toronto to participate in martial arts classes and our after-school pickup program.
Neighbourhoods We Serve
Many of our students come from nearby communities, making our academy a convenient choice for after-school activities.
- St. Lawrence Market
- Distillery District
- Canary District
- Corktown
- Regent Park
- Moss Park
- Cabbagetown
- East Bayfront
- Downtown Toronto
Close To Local Schools & Landmarks
Our central location makes it easy to combine martial arts with school pickup and your family's daily routine.
- Market Lane Public School
- Downtown Alternative School
- St. Michael Catholic School
- St. Lawrence Market
- The Historic Distillery District
- David Crombie Park
- Union Station (short TTC ride)
- Gardiner Expressway & Don Valley Parkway access
Visit Old Toronto Martial Arts
Whether you're looking for children's martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Karate, self-defence classes, or a convenient after-school activity, we'd love to welcome your family to our academy.
154 The Esplanade
Toronto, Ontario