Lil’ Kickers
Soccer Programs for Kids
Learning Lifelong skills, Fueled by Fun!
Since the program began at Arena Sports in 1999, Lil’ Kickers soccer classes have been at the forefront of early childhood education, becoming a trusted choice for parents nationwide. Through innovative, soccer-based games and activities, our classes encompass child development stages from 18mos, 2 years old through 6 years old, up to 9 years old. The Lil’ Kickers program is special because it promotes not only athletic skills but also essential social, cognitive, emotional, and physical development, laying the groundwork for your child’s bright future!
Arena Sports is proud to offer Lil’ Kickers classes at all five of our locations in the Pacific Northwest, including Issaquah, Redmond and Mill Creek, plus two in Seattle, as well as seasonal satellite locations that make it even easier to find soccer classes for kids near you!
REGISTER
FOR Lil’ Kickers
Why choose Lil’ Kickers?
Learn more about our soccer programs for kids.
- Kids tackle age-appropriate developmental milestones
- Emphasis on fun & learning
- Innovative and proven curriculum
- Rooted in renowned child development theories
- High-energy, energetic coaches
- It’s a foundation for building soccer and life skills
- More than 2 million kids nationwide have participated in Lil’ Kickers over the past 25 years
Quick Facts
easy Enrollment
With open enrollment, you can sign up online anytime, or come give us a try! New customers can enjoy a free class to experience the program firsthand.
Convenient Classes
Class sessions at Arena Sports typically run for 12-13 weeks and consist of once-a-week, 50-minute classes. Class times are available during the day and early evenings at any of our year-round locations or seasonal outdoor venues.
Age-appropriate Curriculum
Our well-trained coaches will guide your child through highly creative, high energy and age-appropriate activities that serve as a great introduction to soccer, while helping children master developmental milestones, appropriate for their age.
Soccer Classes by Age & Development
Bunnies
18 – 24 Months (Beginner)
Parent/Guardian participation
15:1 child-to-coach ratio
50 minutes
Often a child’s first experience with group learning, this class is designed to give them a perfect start. With parents by their side, kids feel safe to explore with bubbles, parachutes, and other sensory toys to help develop balance, coordination, running, and kicking—all building blocks needed for playing soccer.
Thumpers
2 – 3 Years (Beginner)
Parent/Guardian participation
12:1 child-to-coach ratio
50 minutes
In this class, kids learn to engage actively with the coach and other players. We channel toddlers’ natural curiosity into building core skills like confidence, balance, coordination, and timing—key foundations for soccer. While parent involvement continues here, this class helps transition from parallel play to directly interacting with others.
Cottontails
2 ½ – 3 ½ Years (Beginner)
Parent/Guardian participation
7:1 or 14:2 child-to-coach ratio
50 minutes
This class helps preschoolers who are not quite ready to be on the field alone build confidence and independence. Through fun games focused on basic movement and ball control, children learn to interact with coaches and peers in a supportive environment. Parents are there to provide help when needed as kids gradually become more confident, self-reliant, and engaged in the game.
Hoppers
3 & 4 Years (Beginner)
7:1 or 14:2 child-to-coach ratio
50 minutes
Preschoolers aren’t natural sharers, but we help them get there! Soccer (and life) is about give-and-take, and these classes focus on building coachable, eager teammates. With creative storylines and energetic coaches, kids stay engaged, learning important skills for soccer and beyond—all while having fun.
Jackrabbits
3 & 4 Years (Intermediate)
7:1 or 14:2 child-to-coach ratio
50 minutes
Fun, fast-paced classes perfect for competitive kids or those with prior experience. These action-packed sessions feature imaginative games that teach soccer skills like passing, shooting, and defending, while also introducing scrimmaging. Along the way, kids develop important skills like communication, listening, and resilience!
Big Feet
5 & 6 Years (Beginner)
12:1 child-to-coach ratio
50 minutes
Perfect for kids new to soccer or less competitive by nature who want a fun and team-oriented experience. With plenty of fun, goofiness, and skill-building, these classes focus on making soccer enjoyable for everyone regardless of experience or temperament.
Micro Classes
4/5, 6/7, 8/9 years (Intermediate)
12:1 child-to-coach ratio
50 minutes
Micro classes are perfect for young, motivated players who love to play soccer. Each session focuses on fun and fundamentals, combining 30 minutes of instruction with 20 minutes of small-sided, non-competitive scrimmages. These game-like scenarios help players develop their skills in a supportive environment. Classes are grouped by age.
Skills Institute
5/6, 7/8, 9 – 12 Years
12:1 child-to-coach ratio
50 minutes
Does your child LOVE soccer? Skills Institute is designed to help kids improve their technical and tactical skills while growing their confidence on the field. With 30 minutes of focused instruction and 20 minutes of small-sided games, we create the ideal environment for kids to thrive both as players and teammates.
Find A Location
Click on the location names below to jump to more information about those locations.
FAQs
We understand life can get busy and you might have to miss a class. With our easy make-up class policy, you may schedule a make-up class online. Make-up classes are based on availability and not guaranteed. They must be made within the current session. We will do our very best to accommodate your requests. If you have multiple children, please schedule a make-up class for each child individually.
Participants should wear comfortable clothes and athletic shoes (no outdoor cleats). Shinguards are not needed until Micro Classes and Skills Institute classes. Lil’ Kickers or Skills Institute jerseys are given to first-time customers for free, and can thereafter be purchased at a low cost. Outfitting your child in Lil’ Kickers garb is a fun way to make your child feel part of a team. Plus, kids love looking like their older soccer-playing role models.
Classes are 50 minutes with a water break halfway through. We offer four sessions a year (fall, winter, spring, summer) that break down into approximately 10-13 week cycles.
No, classes are 50 minutes and require a parent or guardian to be on-site at all times.
Can I join a class in the middle of a session?
Yes! We offer open enrollment so you can join any time. Class fees are prorated so you only pay for the remaining classes in the session.
Arena Sports offers a “Pay As You Play!” payment plan for classes. While session fees are usually paid upfront, you also have the option to set up a payment plan using a credit or debit card. Simply choose the “payment plan” option at checkout. This allows you to enjoy peace of mind knowing your child will have a great time while you stay within your budget.
*Please note that a small financing fee will be applied.
Children with special needs are welcome in our program as long as we are equipped to assist them accordingly. Please email a Lil’ Kickers Coordinator for more information.
Yes! We offer a sibling discount of $15.00 for each additional child registered when the children are registered at the same time.
While many soccer programs are busy using traditional soccer skill drills to drive home the fundamentals of soccer, we approach coaching from a child-centered perspective. Because of this perspective, our main goal is to make learning fun for kids. We do this by putting instruction into a context that children understand, using special techniques designed around how kids naturally learn. Lil’ Kickers teaches your child the fundamentals of soccer but focuses on developing the whole child. Our program helps build social, emotional, and cognitive skills that result in our Lil Kickers becoming well-balanced and conscientious individuals on and off the soccer field.
No, in order to maintain class ratios and consistency within the program, we schedule children for specific times and days. When registering, be sure to first determine which day best suits your schedule. Of course, there may be an occasion when a make-up class is needed. In that situation, you can schedule a make-up class for any day in which class space is available. If your schedule changes during the session and you need to switch days, we will try to accommodate your needs to the best of our ability. However, changes cannot be guaranteed and are based on space availability.
Ratios vary depending on several factors including the mobility of the children in the class, whether parents are participating in the class, and the level of technical instruction required. Typically, if a class has more than 8 children, there will be a second coach. Some exceptions may apply.
In this situation, we normally suggest placing the child in a Cottontails class. Cottontails classes are methodically structured and specifically designed to promote independence. We have found that these classes provide a successful, long-term solution to separation issues.
