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.
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.
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 |
More to Explore
