The Ultimate Guide to Kids Sports Around Kalamazoo

kids sports sports for kids

Southwest Michigan Kids Sports Guide

When was the last time you heard your child say “I want to try lacrosse” or “Can we learn how to ice skate“? In our household, and I’m sure many others, this is a recurring theme.

Children are inquisitive and have a natural desire to try out new extracurricular activities.

Thankfully, the Kalamazoo area is loaded with kids sports teams and classes, no matter the age of the child, and no matter the interest.

If your child is interested in introductory tennis lessons, or ready to join a soccer league, below you’ll find a list of places around Kalamazoo that offer sports for kids.

Classes + Sports Spotlight - Kalamazoo Area Kids: Dance, Music, Gymnastics, Sports, Theatre

In this Guide

• Baseball, Softball & T-Ball
• Basketball
• Fencing
• Football
• Golf
• Hockey & Ice Skating
• Lacrosse
• Parkour
• Running
• Skateboarding
• Skiing & Snowboarding
• Soccer
• Sports Combo
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

Baseball, Softball & T-Ball

If your kid loves the Kalamazoo Growlers, and grabs their trusty mitt and plays catch, you might want to get them in on the baseball action happening in Southwest Michigan.

Most programs start at the Preschool age, so your little one can be swinging a bat as early as they can hold one.

Look for spring signup during winter and be ready to play this kids’ sport as soon as that snow clears.

LEAGUES
Alamo Little League
4-14 yrs
8590 W De Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Eastwood Little League
4-14 yrs
5341 Fordham Ave
Comstock, MI 49041
Gull Lake Little League
4-12 yrs
6996 N 32nd St
Richland, MI 49083
Kalamazoo Klash Girls Softball Club
18 yrs and under
Mattawan Little League
4-14 yrs
25499 Front St
Mattawan, MI 49071
Michigan Rebels
9-18 yrs
1810 Lake St
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Milwood Little League
4-14 yrs
PO Box 2786
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003
Paw Paw Youth Baseball/Softball
7-14 yrs
14865-57999 36 1/2 St
Paw Paw, MI 49079
South Portage Little League
4-14 yrs
4801 E Centre Ave
Portage, MI 49002
West Portage Little League
4-14 yrs
6669 S 12th St
Portage, MI 49024
Westwood Little League
4-14 yrs
3435 Grand Prairie Rd
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
CLINICS
Next Level Performance
7-12 yrs
12733 North, US-131
Schoolcraft, MI 49087

Basketball

Dribble, shoot and get ready to score those 3-pointers. Whether your child is looking for a camp to develop a specific technique or looking for a serious league, you’ll find it below.

Basketball classes typically run year-round, with competitive teams active during the school year.

LEAGUES
Courthouse Athletic Center
Grades 3-8
7365 S Sprinkle Rd
Portage, MI 49002
Portage Hoops
Grades 3-8
Upward Sports (12th Street Baptist Church)
Grades K-5
3911 S 12th St
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Upward Sports (Centerpoint Church)
Grades K-5
32595 N 10th St
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo
CLASSES + CLINICS
Courthouse Athletic Center
4-15 yrs
7365 S Sprinkle Rd
Portage, MI 49002
Next Level Performance
7-12 yrs
12733 North, US-131
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo
3-7 yrs

Fencing

Kids have the chance year-round to learn the basics and gain mastery in this fun Olympic sport. Get ready to get those foils up and en garde!

CLASSES
Tri-Blade Fencing Academy
8+ yrs
YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo
10+ yrs
Maple & Portage Branches

Football

ether your kid is a flag football or a traditional football fan, with vision to play for the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, you can find a number of lessons and leagues here in Kalamazoo.

Classes run year-round, but leagues get ready to kick off as that first fall air blows.

LEAGUES: FLAG FOOTBALL
Kingdom Sports
7-14 yrs
8151 Merchant Place
Portage, MI 49002
Portage Rocket Football
5-10 yrs
YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo
Grades Pre-K – 6
LEAGUES: TACKLE FOOTBALL
Kalamazoo Unified Youth Football Association (KUYFA)
5-13 yrs
Portage Rocket Football
Grades 3-6
CLASSES + CLINICS
Kingdom Sports
5-6 yrs
8151 Merchant Place
Portage, MI 49002
Next Level Performance
7-12 yrs
12733 North, US-131
Schoolcraft, MI 49087

Golf

Opportunities abound in Kalamazoo to perfect that swing that nabs a hole-in-one. Or, consider joining a league to improve your child’s golf game with options for all ability levels. Classes are available year-round.

LEAGUES
First Tee of West Michigan
7-17 yrs
Multiple locations in SWMI
Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association
13 yrs and under
4200 Lovers Ln
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
CLASSES
First Tee of West Michigan
7-17 yrs
Multiple locations in SWMI
Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association
15 yrs and under
4200 Lovers Ln
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Red Arrow Golf Course
5+ yrs
1041 King Hwy
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo
8-15 yrs
Portage Branch

Hockey & Ice Skating

Although traditionally a winter sport, Kalamazoo offers classes year-round for tykes through high school.

TEAMS + CLASSES
Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association
3+ yrs
KOHA
3+ yrs
5076 Sports Dr
Kalamazoo, MI 49009

Lacrosse

Lacrosse has gained popularity in Southwest Michigan in schools. For children interested in joining a league, there is now an option in Kalamazoo.

LEAGUES
BJ Sports
Grades K-8
3504 S Westnedge Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 342-2415
Portage Girls Lacrosse
Grades K-4 (Clinic), Grades 3-8 (Teams)
Amberly Elementary School
Portage, MI 49024
portagegirlslacrosse@yahoo.com

Parkour

Parkour incorporates moving rapidly through an area and negotiating obstacles by running, jumping, and climbing.

LEAGUES
Flag Tag
Ages 5+
Kenyon Park
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 330-3119

Running

Kids are always running us ragged, but there are other alternatives to get kids involved in running as a sport. Try these local programs for more structured running instruction:

RUNNING PROGRAMS
Girls on the Run Kalamazoo
Grades 3-5
Local Schools
(269) 532-1220
Healthy Kids Running Series
Grades Preschool-3
Portage, MI
(Spring 2023: seeking coordinator)
Let Me Run
Grades 4-8
janie@letmerun.org
Step Up Kids Run Club, LLC
Ages 7-14
Kalamazoo, MI
(269) 389-9228

Skateboarding

Many kids want to learn skateboarding, but lack the skills and knowledge and may give up after one too many falls. To gain confidence in a safe environment, kids can take classes and get rolling in no time.

CLASSES
Kingdom Sports
5-13 yrs
8151 Merchant Place
Portage, MI 49002

Skiing & Snowboarding

When the first snow falls, it’s time to hit those slopes. We are lucky to have several ski resorts in Southwest Michigan without having to trek too far north.

Consider the following ski resorts for kids classes, programs, and events, for ages four years and up.

TEAMS
Swiss Valley Ski Area
5-14 yrs
13421 Mann St
Jones, MI 49061
CLASSES
Bittersweet Ski Resort
4+ yrs
600 River Rd
Otsego, MI 49078
Swiss Valley Ski Area
4-12 yrs
13421 Mann St
Jones, MI 49061
Timber Ridge
4+ yrs
07500 23 ½ St
Gobles, MI 49055

Soccer

Featured partners: Kingdom Sports, Soccer Shots, TKO Premier SC

Soccer holds the spot of one of the most internationally played sports, and it’s a popular sport for many kids. There are a ton of year-round class options and leagues in the fall, perfect for those falling temperatures.

Soccer for Kids in Kalamazoo

Sports Combo

Your child isn’t sure of what sport they want to hone in on? Take a combo class where they’ll have an opportunity to sample a variety of sports to narrow it down.

CLASSES
YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo
Sporties for Shorties
3-6 yrs
Maple & Portage Branches

Tennis

Kalamazoo hosts the USTA Boys National Championships every year, and your kids might be ready to run around the tennis court rather than the house. Lessons are available beginning in preschool.

CLASSES
West Hills Athletic Club
3+ yrs
2001 South 11th St
Kalamazoo, MI 49009

Volleyball

Kids can bump, set, and spike their way on a court, or at the beach. Volleyball isn’t only a ‘teen sport’ anymore. Kalamazoo offers programs for elementary-aged children.

LEAGUES
Dead Frog Volleyball Club
12-18 yrs
7365 S Sprinkle Rd
Portage, MI 49002
Moxie Volleyball
12-18 yrs
309 Ogden Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Next Level Performance
Grades 6-12
12733 N US 131
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
CLASSES
Dead Frog Volleyball Club
Grades K-12
7365 S Sprinkle Rd
Portage, MI 49002
Next Level Performance
7+ yrs
12733 N US 131
Schoolcraft, MI 49087

Wrestling

Kids are always tackling their parents or sibling around the house. Take this energy and allow kids to hone their skills in the sport of wrestling. Wrestling teaches kids to use their entire body. The season typically starts with the school year.

CLASSES
Kalamazoo Premier Wrestling Club
5-14 yrs
Next Level Performance
7+ yrs
12733 N US 131
Schoolcraft, MI 49087

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