Ages 4 and up
Kids Martial Arts
A blend of BJJ, Wrestling, Kickboxing, and Judo. Built to develop confidence, focus, and discipline. Led by Professor Thompson.
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What Your Kid Becomes
Martial Arts for Kids in The Colony, TX That Builds Confidence, Focus, and Discipline.
A blend of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Kickboxing, and Judo for ages 4 and up. Led by Professor Thompson, a 1st Degree Black Belt with 39 years on the mat.
Carlos Machado Lineage
39yr
Professor Thompson Experience
Ages 4+
Welcomed Here
4.9
Stars · 214 Reviews
Recognized By
Four Things That Matter to Every Parent in This Room.
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Discipline Built In, Class by Class
Structure, clear expectations, and consistent feedback in every session. The discipline your child builds on the mat is the same discipline you will see at dinner and in the classroom.
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Real Instructors, Not Babysitters
Every instructor holds a recognized rank and completed internal certification before leading a class. You will not hand your child to a 19-year-old with a clipboard and three months of experience.
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Anti-Bullying Skills That Actually Work
We teach real technique and the restraint to use it correctly. Most bullying situations end without physical contact when the targeted child projects the confidence that trained students carry naturally.
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Confidence That Carries to School
Confidence built through earned achievement is different from the kind that gets handed out. Kids who train here earn their rank. That distinction shows in how they walk, how they speak, and how they handle hard things outside this gym.
The Right Program for Where Your Kid Is Right Now.
Ages 4 – 12
Kids BJJ
Pure Carlos Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for kids. Leverage, control, and problem-solving on the mat.
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Youth athletes
Wrestling
Wrestling fundamentals and serious athlete development. Coached by Professor Thompson.
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Ages 4+
Summer Camp
Full-day summer camp with martial arts, games, learning blocks, and supervised activity.
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K – 5th Grade
After School Care
Pickup from local schools, homework time, daily martial arts. Visit thecolonysbestafterschool.com.
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What Your Kid Will Actually Learn.
Discipline is the first thing parents notice and it shows up fast. By the third or fourth class, most kids are lining up without being asked, waiting their turn without complaining, and following instructions that would have produced a meltdown two weeks earlier. This is not a personality transplant. It is the result of a structured environment with clear expectations and real consequences: students who do not follow instructions do not advance. That is a fair system, and children respond to it immediately because it is consistent in a way most of their day is not.
Respect is taught through modeling rather than lecture. Instructors bow in and bow out of every class. They address students by name and correct them without embarrassment. They treat the mat as a space worth caring for. Kids absorb this and reflect it back. Within months, most parents report changes in how their child talks to adults at home and how they respond when they do not get what they want. The mat culture transfers.
Real skill, fitness, and friendships develop as byproducts of consistent attendance and honest instruction. Students who train two to three times per week for six months develop real physical competency, genuine friendships with other kids who share the commitment, and a reference point for earned achievement that most children that age do not have yet. The belt they earn here is not a participation prize. It is proof of something.
When Words Aren't Enough
Bullying Stops Here.
"Training does not teach a child to fight. It teaches them not to look like a target."
A student who has trained for four months walks differently, responds to pressure differently, and projects a kind of quiet confidence that most bullies are specifically looking to avoid. The physical skill is secondary to this.
When a child does need to use what they have learned, we teach restraint alongside technique from day one. Students understand that the goal is to stop a situation, not to win a fight. Parents frequently tell us their child de-escalated rather than escalated. That is exactly what we are training for.
The Change Starts on the Mat. It Shows Up Everywhere Else.
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Who Coaches Your Kid
Evan Thompson
1st Degree Black Belt · 39 years training
Co-Owner and Head Instructor of the Children's Program
Professor Thompson has 39 years of training on the mat, starting at age 3. He brings backgrounds in Japanese Kempo Karate, American Kickboxing, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (including the 2005 IKF North American Title, the 2009 IKF World Title, and 18 MMA fights) to the way he runs the Children's Program.
His classes are structured, high-energy, and clearly commanded. Kids know what is expected and they rise to it because he makes the expectation feel achievable rather than arbitrary. Parents consistently describe his classes as the one activity their child refuses to miss.
How We Keep Classes Safe for Every Age.
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Age-Matched Sparring Only
No child spars outside their age group or skill level. Contact is controlled and introduced progressively. Ages 4 through 6 have no sparring at all.
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Background-Checked Instructors
Every instructor on staff has passed a full background check before working with children at Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu - The Colony. No exceptions to this policy.
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Standards You Can Verify
Mat standards, instructor certification, and curriculum meet or exceed the requirements of the governing bodies our academy is affiliated with. The full affiliation list is on our About page.
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Open-Door Parent Policy
Parents can observe any class from the viewing area at any time. No appointment required. We want you to see exactly what happens during every session.
What Families Are Saying
Live Google reviews and student feedback will appear here.
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What Parents Always Ask
Every Question Parents Ask Before Signing Up.
How young can my child start?
Children can start as young as 4 years old in our Children's Program. Classes for this age group are designed for the attention spans and motor skills of younger children. Most 4-year-olds complete their first full class and ask to come back.
Will my child have to fight or spar?
No child is required to spar. For the youngest age groups, sparring does not exist in any form. As students grow, controlled contact is introduced progressively when an instructor determines the student has the technique and self-control to participate safely.
Is martial arts safe for kids?
Yes, with the right structure and instructors. Safety protocols are built into the curriculum from day one. Instructors are background-checked, mats meet impact safety standards, all contact is age-matched and supervised, and parents can observe every class.
What if my child has ADHD or behavior challenges?
Martial arts training has a documented positive effect on children with ADHD and focus-related challenges. The structure, physical outlet, predictable routine, and immediate feedback loop of a well-run martial arts class address several of the core difficulties these children face in other settings.
What program should my kid start with?
The Kids Martial Arts program is the standard starting point. It blends BJJ, Wrestling, Kickboxing, and Judo so kids get a complete movement education. If your child is specifically drawn to grappling, Kids BJJ is a direct path. Professor Thompson will assess and place your child in the right age group on day one.
How long are classes?
Kids classes typically run 45 to 60 minutes depending on age group. Durations are set based on the sustained attention span of each group.
What does my child need to bring?
For the trial class, just comfortable athletic clothes and a water bottle. Training happens barefoot on the mat. If your child decides to continue, we will provide a clear list of any uniform and gear needed for their specific program.
How will I see progress?
Progress is visible in several ways. Belt promotions mark formal advancement and happen when the instructor nominates a student based on demonstrated competency. Weekly, you will see your child apply technique with more confidence, follow instructions more reliably, and carry themselves differently.
How often should my child come?
Two classes per week is the recommended minimum for real progress. One class per week maintains the habit but slows advancement. Three classes is ideal for students who are serious about progression.
How does the free trial work and how do I sign up?
The free trial is a real introductory class in the program of your choice. There is no contract, no enrollment fee, and no payment required to book. Click any free class CTA on this page, or call (214) 494-6111 or walk in during business hours.
Your Kid Is Ready
Your Kid Is Capable of More Than They Are Showing You Right Now.
Book a free trial class. Bring them in. See the change begin in the first session.
No contract · No experience required · Walk-ins welcome