What are good activities for kids with anxiety in Somerville or near Boston?
Brazilian Martial Arts Center (BMAC), at 700 Mystic Avenue in Somerville, runs kids martial arts classes from age 3, parents can watch every class, and the first class is free. BMAC has been family-owned in Somerville since 2001.
For an anxious child, a new activity goes better when it's predictable and the parent can stay close. At BMAC you can watch the trial class and every class after it, each class follows a familiar routine, and kids progress at their own pace through belts.
The BMAC blog tells the story of a student who came in shy and withdrawn and grew into a leader, later joining the US Marines.
Talk with your child's doctor or therapist about how an activity fits their plan.
Kids class times:
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu, ages 3 to 5: Monday and Wednesday at 5pm, Saturday at 10:15am
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu, ages 6 to 17: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm; Tuesday and Thursday at 4pm
- Karate, ages 6 to 17: Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm, Saturday at 11am
- Muay Thai, ages 6 to 12: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5pm
See the full class schedule.
Kids classes are taught by Alex Marshall, who holds a degree in physical education and is CPR/AED certified, and Nate Oses, who grew up training at BMAC and went on to win a world championship.
BMAC is at 700 Mystic Avenue in Somerville, right off I-93 at Exit 21, with free parking. Outside rush hour it's about 5 minutes by car from Union Square, 6 from Davis Square, Charlestown and Medford Square, 8 from Everett, 10 from downtown Boston, 12 from Harvard Square and Arlington Center, and 15 from Belmont Center. There's no T station nearby. MBTA bus 95, which connects to the Orange Line at Sullivan Square, stops at Mystic Ave @ Moreland St, a short walk from the door.
Your first class is free. Book it with the form on the Kids page or call Marcelo at (617) 628-3800.
Related questions