The first activity built for 3 and 4 year olds
Short, structured classes that teach listening, taking turns, and independence. Classes start October 12.
Half off your first month + a free t-shirt. Through October 31.
See why Sacramento parents love Kovar's Mini Samurai program!
Tu
July 6, 2025
Amazing team at this Elk Grove location. My son has been enrolled here for about 2 months and he’s loving it. The style of teaching works for him very well and he’s been learning a lot. He’s 5 years old. Great system of allowing us to attend as many classes a week as we like and it helps the students learn easily. Belt promotions and tip testing are a great system for allowing students to strive for a goal as well. They also have bonus classes such as Harry Potter and various others. Those come at an extra cost though. Still overall a great place to have my son start his martial journey or just a long term commitment. Thank you all at the EG location.
Halley Crandell
January 27, 2025
We absolutely LOVE Kovar’s in Rocklin! The senseis are hands-down the best part of this place. They’re so kind, they know every kid by name, and you can tell they genuinely love what they do. It’s such a warm, welcoming environment that makes every child feel special.
Our 5-year-old has been going for a few months now and is completely hooked. He’s grown so much—not just physically but in confidence too. He looks forward to every class and comes out beaming every time.
What I really love is that Kovar’s isn’t just about learning martial arts. They spend time helping kids with goal-setting and character building too. It’s been such a positive influence on our little one, and honestly, I can’t think of a better place for kids to train.
Hardeep Rehal
October 7, 2024
Jeremy and Amanda took a very shy 4 year old to wanting to come everyday. The team would even sometimes do private lesson with our son. The culture they create not only encourages kids of all ages but, they also go above and beyond by life skills they teach. 🙏🏽
Bernado Boswell
February 4, 2024
Fantastic place. I have trained in BJJ for many years now. Kovars has many locations in the area, and they are legit. I have grappled with Dave Kovar and several of his black belts and was always impressed by how proficient their jiu-jitsu is. And that's just one of many arts they practice. Love this place for their balance between practical self-defense, versatile curriculum and really positive environment. My 4 year old found his home here for sure.
Sanjeet Singh
March 9, 2024
Our 4 year old has been coming here for a couple months and we think it’s great. Very structured and the instructors are enthusiastic and energetic. Even when our son doesn’t feel like going, he ends up having a lot of fun and is in a way better mood after. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a healthy outlet for your toddlers!
Michelle Romero Franco
March 3, 2024
I’m so grateful to have this place in our neighborhood. Everyone working here is so kind and welcoming. And the instructors go above and beyond to support the little ones (and adults too). The classes are so cool and I think the lessons go beyond martial arts and definitely will make a positive life time impacts.
Sheri lynn Gansel - Cortez
August 4, 2020
My 5 year old grand daughter s self esteem has gone up!Unbelievable!She loves earning the star patches. And it helps teaches her to follow the instructions too
Maggie M
November 2, 2020
My 4 year old daughter LOVES this place, and so do I! The instructors are so good with the kids, especially Senpai Hunt! He is so great at keeping the kids focused while making class so much fun! I love the valuable life skills that they teach too..."yes sir", introductions, self defense techniques, etc. My kid enjoys to go to class everyday!
Kate Tolon
July 26, 2023
A place to learn and build character.All the instructors are warm and inviting. My daughter and nephew absolutely love all of them.We are so happy to have found this place and highly recommend it to families with little ones!
Nicholas Wang
May 17, 2017
I've been attending Kovars at the Laguna location for about a decade now; since I was four years old. It has not only taught me how to defend myself and increased my physical strength, but also showed me how to be a better person. Kovars instructors and fellow students have bonds that make us all a family. We are taught core values like peace, optimism, and humility as well as the principles of black belt: modesty, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, courage, and indomitable spirit. Your experience at Kovars will change, challenge, and shape you into an awesome person. It is one of THE BEST parts of my life and his shown me even through the hard bits that I can get back up again and keep fighting.
9+ Locations
Locations
Across The Greater Sacramento Area
50+ Highly Trained Instructors
Highly Trained
Instructors & Program Directors
45+ Years Serving
Years
Serving The Sacramento Community
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The preschool before preschool
Dance and gymnastics teach a skill. Mini Samurai teaches the skills a preschool teacher is about to ask for. Every class runs the same routine on the same simple commands, in a group of the same 3 and 4 year olds with the same instructor, so your child learns to stop, look, listen and wait their turn before anyone hands them a leotard or a soccer ball.
The first class often looks like watching from the edge and running back for a hug. Instructors expect that. It fades within a few weeks, and the children whose parents gave it that time are the ones who walk into preschool already knowing how a room with rules works.
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Classes start October 12. Orientations are open now.
Kovar's academies with Mini Samurai
Mini Samurai starts October 12 at five academies and comes to the rest of Kovar's in January 2027.
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Not at your academy yet?
Select your location below to join our waitlist
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Where Mini Samurai leads
Your child moves up as they grow. Same academy, same instructors, no starting over.
Little Samurai, ages 5 to 6
Longer classes, the standard belt track, and the start of formal technique. Program Directors move children up around their fifth birthday.
Juniors, ages 7 to 11
Full curriculum, sparring, leadership training, and the path toward black belt.
Wondering whether your 3 year old is ready?
Schedule your orientation
1
Choose your academy
Pick from the five academies running Mini Samurai this fall. Not listed yet? Join the waitlist and we will email you when your academy opens.
2
Fill Out The Form
Two minutes. Your name, your contact info, and your child's birthday.
3
Schedule your orientation
You will be taken to your academy's scheduling page to book a short orientation with your Program Director before classes start October 12.
4
Meet your Program Director
Meet your Program Director, who will share more about Kovar’s and introduce your child to their instructor and classmates.
Ready to see your 3 or 4 year old on the mat?
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Frequently asked questions
Is 3 too young for martial arts?
Not for Mini Samurai. It is built as a first activity: short classes, small groups, and drills designed around what a 3 year old can hold attention for. Most of our Mini Samurai students have never been in an organized activity before, and that is who the program is for.
How long is a Mini Samurai class?
Classes are 25 minutes long, perfect for young children.
How often does my child come?
Twice a week. Your Program Director will show you the days and times at your academy during orientation.
What if my child will not join in?
Expect it. Most children spend part of their first class watching from the edge, and many run back for a hug mid-class before heading back out. Instructors are trained for this and no one will push your child onto the mat. Some children join in after five minutes, some take two or three classes. The children who get the most out of Mini Samurai are the ones whose parents gave it a few weeks.
Can I stay with my child?
Yes. Mini Samurai is a drop-off class and most children are on the mat without a parent within a couple of weeks. For the first class or two, you are welcome to sit on the mat with your child. After that, parents watch from the viewing area.
My child turns 3 in a few months. Can we start now?
Mini Samurai is built for 3 and 4 year olds, and some children who are close to 3 are ready sooner, especially younger siblings who have been watching from the lobby. Schedule an orientation and your Program Director will meet your child and tell you honestly.
Do Mini Samurai students earn belts?
Yes. Mini Samurai has its own camo belt track: white, white with a camo stripe, camo with a white stripe, camo, camo with a black stripe, and camo with a gold stripe. Each stripe marks a skill your child has shown in class.
How much does Mini Samurai cost?
Mini Samurai is priced the same as a two-day-a-week membership at your academy. Rates vary by academy, and your Program Director will go through them at orientation. Through October 31, new Mini Samurai students get half off their first month and a free Mini Samurai t-shirt.
Which academies offer Mini Samurai?
Elk Grove - Waterman, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Rocklin and Sacramento - Natomas starting October 12. Cameron Park, Carmichael, Elk Grove - Laguna and Roseville launch in January 2027. Join the waitlist [hyperlink] and we will email you when orientations open at your academy.