Judo for children: everything you need to know as a parent

Are you considering putting your child in judo? Then chances are you're looking for a sport where they not only get exercise, but also learn to stand their ground and defend themselves. Judo fits that well. During training, your child learns in a playful way how to protect themselves, without hitting or kicking. Everything revolves around movement, balance and control. As your child grows physically, you'll also see their self-confidence increase.

At the same time, choosing a sport for your child probably raises a lot of questions for you as a parent. Is judo right for your child? When is the best time to start? And what should you look for when choosing a judo suit? It makes sense that you want to figure that out first. That's why this blog covers everything you need to know to make a good decision.

What exactly does your child do in judo?

In judo, you use your opponent's strength to throw them or hold them in a grip. Everything revolves around self-confidence, trust in your opponent and discipline. Specifically, your child will work on:

- Falling and rolling safely
- Techniques to throw the opponent off balance (Tachi-waza)
- Hold-downs (Ne-waza and Osaekomi-waza)
- Controlled practice matches
- Respect and etiquette

Is judo good for a child?

Judo is popular among children for good reason. This sport helps your child build strength, become more flexible and work on their coordination. At the same time, they learn to stay calm in tense situations and handle emotions better. During lessons, your child practises falling safely, their self-confidence grows and they develop respect for others. Judo is also a great way to burn off energy, making it very suitable for children with ADHD. Does your child have autism? Then judo offers structure, routine and a physical outlet. Do note that not every child on the spectrum is the same. Sometimes a sport like judo can provide too many external stimuli, which can have a negative effect.

At what age can your child start judo?

If you want your child to be active in sport from an early age, judo is a great choice. From around 2.5 to 3 years old, they can start with special 'tumble judo' or toddler judo, where they mainly learn to fall. From around age 5, judo lessons start to look more like traditional judo training, and from age 6 or 7 your child begins formal judo techniques.

How much does judo cost per month?

You want your child to do a fun and educational sport, but you're naturally also looking at costs. Especially now that everything is getting more expensive, you don't want to be tied to high monthly costs straight away. Fortunately, judo is often affordable. For around €25 to €35 per month, your child can usually train once a week. There is often a small registration fee, plus an annual contribution to the Judo Bond Nederland.

Bear in mind that it doesn't stop at just the lessons. You'll also need to purchase a judo suit, and sometimes pay for gradings where your child earns a new belt. On a smaller budget? Many municipalities offer support through the Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur, so your child can still participate.

What judo suit does a child need?

Have you decided to put your child in judo? Then you face the next question: what size judo suit does your child need? And can you buy a judo suit with room to grow?

You choose the size of the judo suit based on your child's height in centimetres. It's wise to choose a suit that fits a little loosely, as a cotton judo suit often shrinks after washing. Allow for five to ten centimetres extra so the suit still fits well after a few washes. If your child is 124 centimetres tall, for example, you'll often end up with size 130. Many brands advise adding ten centimetres to the height as standard. The sleeves should reach the wrists and the trousers should come to just above the ankles.

Prefer to buy with room to grow? That's fine, but don't overdo it. A suit that's too large gets in the way and can even be unsafe during practice. Also keep in mind that the suit only reaches its true size after a few washes. Some judo suits have stitching that can be removed later, allowing the suit to grow by one size.

How long does a judo suit last?

How long a judo suit lasts varies by child and usage. If your child trains several times a week and also competes, the suit will wear out faster than if they train recreationally once a week. Quality also matters: thicker, tightly woven suits last longer than lighter entry-level models. With children, you'll also often find that the suit is still perfectly fine but has simply become too small. In practice, most children wear their judo suit for about one to two years before it's time for a new one.

Do you need to buy judo belts for your child yourself?

Whether you need to buy a judo belt for your child yourself depends mainly on the judo school and your child's level. Beginners always start with a white belt, but this isn't included with every judo suit as standard, so you may need to purchase it separately. If you buy our Hayashi judo suit, it does come with a white belt included.

As your child progresses, they earn stripes or a new belt through gradings. They are often presented with it directly after the grading, as the cost is included in the exam fee, but at some schools you still need to arrange the belt yourself. If you buy one yourself, pay close attention to the length — it is usually approximately body height plus one metre. For young children, choose a flexible belt that is easy to tie.

Starting judo: what you need

Want your child to start their first judo lesson well prepared? Then you'll need the right equipment. The right gear ensures your child feels confident from their very first training session. At Rumble Store you'll find everything to get off to a great start, from sturdy judo suits to belts in every colour.

Still figuring out which sport is the best fit? Then also take a look at our blog about other martial arts and read more about which sport might suit you or your child.

And would you prefer your child to try on their new judo suit first? Visit our store in Houten and let our martial arts specialists help you choose the right equipment. We'd love to help!