Kung Fu and Wushu
功夫 "skill from hard work"
Flowing forms, acrobatics and, at many schools, lion dance and Chinese culture.
- Comes from
- China
- Type
- Striking and forms
- Usual start
- About 5 to 7
- Olympic
- No
- Typical cost
- $100 to $200 a month
- Ranks
- Sashes or belts, varies
In one minute
Kung fu is the English name for the traditional martial arts of China, and there are hundreds of styles, from athletic Shaolin systems to close-range Wing Chun and slow, flowing Tai Chi. Two schools in the same town may teach almost nothing in common.
Wushu is the modern sport version, best known for spectacular forms routines with jumps, spins and weapons. Many schools also teach lion dance, which gives children a strong link to Chinese culture and community events.
Inside a class
What a class looks like
A typical 60 minute kids class, minute by minute.
- 10 minWarm up and stretchLeg swings, splits and joint mobility
- 10 minStance trainingHorse stance, bow stance and transitions
- 15 minBasicsKicks, punches and blocks across the floor
- 15 minFormsHand forms, and weapons for older students
- 10 minPartner drills or lion danceVaries by school
About 60 minutes in all.
Ranks and progress
There is no national system. Many schools use colored sashes, some use belts and some use no visible rank at all.
- 1BeginnerStances, basics and the first short form
- 2IntermediateLonger forms, jumps and partner drills
- 3AdvancedWeapons forms, demonstration or competition
- 4Instructor levelOften after many years, varies by lineage
In pictures
A great fit for
- Kids who love movement and performing
- Flexible, athletic children
- Families who value Chinese culture
Think twice if
- Self-defense is your main goal
- The teacher cannot explain their training
- Acrobatics are taught without mats
Month by month
The first year of Kung Fu and Wushu
What a child training about twice a week usually learns. Every school sets its own pace.
- Weeks 1 to 4Stances and basic moves
Horse stance, bow stance, basic punches, kicks and flexibility work.
- Months 2 to 4First short form
A beginner hand form and a first sash or rank at schools that use them.
- Months 5 to 8Jumps and longer forms
Jumping kicks, longer forms and partner drills.
- Months 9 to 12Performance or weapons
A first weapon such as the staff at some schools, or lion dance practice.
Safety and contact
Sparring
Varies widely; many schools spar little with children.
Head contact
Usually little head contact for children.
Common injuries
Strains from deep stances and stretching, bumps from acrobatics.
Ask the school: Ask whether acrobatics are taught on mats and how flexibility is built up.
What it costs
Typical US ranges. Prices vary a lot by city and school.
| Monthly tuition | $100 to $200 |
|---|---|
| Uniform and sash | $40 to $80 |
| Weapons | Later, if used |
| Performance team | Sometimes extra |
Gear and when you need it
Don't buy everything up front. Most of it waits until later.
| Uniform and shoes | From day one or after a trial |
|---|---|
| Sash | With each rank |
| Training weapon | Intermediate level |
| Water bottle | Every class |
Signs of a good school
- A teacher who can explain the style and lineage
- Mats for acrobatics
- Gradual flexibility work
- Clear rank and testing information
Red flags
- Forced splits or stretching
- No explanation of how ranks work
- Claims of mystical powers
- Acrobatics on hard floors
Words you'll hear in class
- Sifu / Shifu
- Teacher
- Ma bu
- Horse stance
- Gong bu
- Bow stance
- Taolu
- Forms
- Wushu
- Modern sport kung fu
- Sanda
- Sparring sport
Myths and facts
MythKung fu is one style.
FactIt covers hundreds of Chinese styles, from Shaolin to Wing Chun to Tai Chi.
MythIt is all movie stunts.
FactForms are demanding but practical stance and basics training come first.
MythYou must be Chinese to join.
FactSchools welcome everyone; many simply share Chinese culture along the way.
Questions parents ask
What age can kids start kung fu?
Many schools take children from about 5, some from 4.
Is wushu the same as kung fu?
Wushu usually means the modern sport form with standardized, acrobatic routines.
Does kung fu have belts?
Many schools use sashes or belts, but there is no shared system.
Is kung fu good for self-defense?
It depends on the school and how much it spars.
Find a Kung Fu and Wushu class near you
Search by ZIP code, see what's close, and use our checklist when you visit.
Find a classStart reading
Our guides to Kung Fu and Wushu, written for parents.
How it compares
Side-by-side guides for parents weighing Kung Fu and Wushu against other styles.
Style vs styleTaekwondo vs kung fu for kids: kicks and belts or forms and flow?Taekwondo or kung fu for your child? How the Korean kicking art and the Chinese martial arts differ in technique, forms, sparring, belts or sashes, competition, culture, cost and which child each one suits.Style vs styleKarate vs kung fu for kids: what is the difference?Karate or kung fu for your child? How the Japanese and Chinese martial arts differ in movement, stances, forms, sparring, ranks, culture, cost and which kind of child each one suits.
Choosing a styleBest martial art for kids: an honest comparison for parentsTaekwondo, karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, kung fu, wrestling and kickboxing compared for children: what each one teaches, starting ages, costs, safety and which kind of child each style suits.
