Karate for a 5Yr Old....

My son was the same at 5. Finally near his 6th birthday we enrolled him in Karate. He loves it. (He asked for karate nearly continuously from 5 to almost 6).
Before you sign him up, attend a few classes at various studios, talk to the instructor about their philosophy, ask about total costs (uniforms, tournaments, etc), and then decide on a studio. We live in a small town, so options were limited, but we still had 3 studios to choose from. The instructor should be geared toward younger children and ready to provide the extra help and support younger kids require.
It has been a great experience for my son so far -- enough that I would recommend it to others as well.

Visit several studios...research the type of martial arts you want him to study...what are their philosophies and ideas behind the way and why of how they teach.

Find out if the student progresses every so many weeks no matter what or if they actually have to earn their belts...some studios will advance a child as long as you pay their fees (sometimes through the nose).

Ask about contract lengths...and breaking the contract (some studios will lock you in for years...with no way out of the contract). Who knows at 5 if they will still be taking at 8 years old.

Find a place you and your son feel comfortable with...with no hard sales pitches. Bigger isn't always better...ask your mommy friends for where their kids take lessons.

My son has takes since right before his 4th birthday...he is now 7 and helping teach his sister's class (she is four). He then takes the advanced class after her class. He is a brown belt and working on his black...it should take him about two years to earn this last step up to black.

Send me any other questions you might have...I hope he enjoys it!!

Lake Arlington Baptist church hosts a free class for everyone for 5 to 90 on Thursday nights and Saturday morning. Go to lakaatlabc.com for more information about times and the instructors.

Take Care and God Bless!

both of my kids took it when younger - they took tae kwon do through the YMCA - price is reasonable and instructors are marvelous.....as to soccer, my son loved it, perhaps a soccer camp this summer to see about interest level would be good - my son did that and really enjoyed it....