Lil’ Kickers at
Canlan Sports™
Lil’ Kickers classes are carefully curated and wildly fun. Classes are led by high-energy coaches and packed with creative games structured to help kids tackle age-appropriate developmental milestones. Rooted in renowned child development theories, our innovative curriculum provides kids ages 18 months to 9 years the skills they need to learn soccer and grow as individuals, all while having a blast. Come see why more than a million kids nationwide love our program!
Classes meet weekly for 50 minutes.
Try a Class for Free
Wondering if Lil’ Kickers is the right fit for you? Give us a try! New customers can sign up for a free 50-minute class to experience the program firsthand. We think you’re going to love it!
Schedule a Free Trial Register NowOpen House
October 22nd 2022 8:00am-12:00pm
Free and open to the community, kids ages 18 months to 12 years will experience fun 30-minute sample soccer classes with our high-energy coaches.
Register Today
We have open enrolment so you can register any time using our convenient, online process.
To view schedules and to register, choose a location nearest you.
Canlan Sports – Lake Barrington
Class Descriptions
18-24 Months |
Adult Interactive | 15:1 Child-to-Coach Ratio
Bunnies
Often a child’s first experience with group learning, this class is designed to give them a perfect start.
Managing a class full of toddlers can be like herding kittens. They’re playful, sometimes skittish and easily distracted. But with the right structure and interactions, a lot can happen. Activities with bubbles, parachutes, cones and other sensory toys build skills for balance, coordination, running, tracking, kicking and changing directions—all building blocks needed for playing soccer. With parents by their side, our youngest Lil’ Kickers feel safe to explore new experiences and create new relationships while learning in a fun and dynamic environment.
Register now Try a Class for Free
24-36 Months |
Adult Interactive | 12:1 Child-to-Coach Ratio
Thumpers
In this class, kids begin to learn to actively engage with the coach and other players.
“Why?” Hang around enough with this age group of curious, older toddlers and you will hear that word a lot. Working with Thumpers and their parents, we welcome their inquisitive nature and sense of wonderment in learning. We use those traits to shape confidence and self-esteem to further build core movements like balance, coordination and timing–all necessary for mastering a soccer ball. While parent involvement continues here, this class bridges the gap between parallel play and directly interacting with the coach and other players. So “why” take a Thumpers class? Because it is a blast.
Register now Try a Class for Free
2½ – 3½ Years |
Adult Interactive | 7:1 or 14:2 Child-to-Coach Ratio
Cottontails
Here, preschoolers who are not quite ready to be on the field alone discover some independence.
Terrible twos? Not in our opinion! Though toddler behavior can be puzzling, these little ones are just trying to put the pieces together to grow into the person they are meant to be. Sometimes they get frustrated and their feelings come out sideways, especially when they are shy and a little tentative. We embrace the complexities of this time of life and help them transition into being more interactive, confident, self-reliant and relational. We do so with fun and engaging games that help them begin to master basic movement and ball control skills. The goal is to get them to be more interactive with the coach, to play with (rather than alongside) their peers and to engage in the game. Parents are there to provide just the right support.
Register now Try a Class for Free
3 & 4 Years |
7:1 or 14:2 Child-to-Coach Ratio
Hoppers
To share and share alike? Not always. These kiddos are raring to go, but need lots of direction to get there.
Preschoolers have a hard time sharing, but we help get them there. After all, soccer (and life!) is all about give-and-take. The goal of these classes is to create teammates who are coachable and eager to learn. Sharing is a big part of that. Creative storylines and animated coaches keep kids engaged and having fun. They won’t even know they’re working hard and learning. They’ll come away with important skills for soccer and beyond.
Register now Try a Class for Free
5 & 6 Years |
12:1 Child-to-Coach Ratio
Big Feet
For kids who are just getting introduced to organized soccer or who are less competitive by nature but want a great soccer experience.
Some kids are a little shy and perhaps not very competitive by nature, but still want to learn a sport and have a team experience. We get that. Big Feet classes serve these kids well. Full of all the same fun, goofiness and opportunities to learn soccer and life skills, these classes do it just a little differently. After all, lack of experience or temperament shouldn’t keep us from getting in the game.
Register now Try a Class for Free
4 - 9 Years |
12:1 Child-to-Coach Ratio
Micro Classes
For kids who are driven to play.
Does your child always have a ball at their feet? Constantly talk about soccer? Or are they simply driven to get better? Created for kids who are motivated soccer players, Micro classes kick it up a notch. While coaching remains child-centered and fun this curriculum is fundamentals focused and provides game-like situations each week that help solidify learning. Players enjoy 30 minutes of age-appropriate instruction and 20 minutes of small-sided scrimmaging. Classes are offered by age and include Micro 4/5, Micro 6/7, Micro 8/9, Micro Advanced 5/6, and Micro Advanced 7/8.
Register now Try a Class for Free
Bunnies
18-24 Months |
Adult Interactive | 15:1 Child-to-Coach Ratio
Often a child’s first experience with group learning, this class is designed to give them a perfect start.
Managing a class full of toddlers can be like herding kittens. They’re playful, sometimes skittish and easily distracted. But with the right structure and interactions, a lot can happen. Activities with bubbles, parachutes, cones and other sensory toys build skills for balance, coordination, running, tracking, kicking and changing directions—all building blocks needed for playing soccer. With parents by their side, our youngest Lil’ Kickers feel safe to explore new experiences and create new relationships while learning in a fun and dynamic environment.
Read More Register now Try a Class for Free
Thumpers
24-36 Months |
Adult Interactive | 12:1 Child-to-Coach Ratio
In this class, kids begin to learn to actively engage with the coach and other players.
“Why?” Hang around enough with this age group of curious, older toddlers and you will hear that word a lot. Working with Thumpers and their parents, we welcome their inquisitive nature and sense of wonderment in learning. We use those traits to shape confidence and self-esteem to further build core movements like balance, coordination and timing–all necessary for mastering a soccer ball. While parent involvement continues here, this class bridges the gap between parallel play and directly interacting with the coach and other players. So “why” take a Thumpers class? Because it is a blast.
Read More Register now Try a Class for Free
Cottontails
2½ – 3½ Years |
Adult Interactive | 7:1 or 14:2 Child-to-Coach Ratio
Here, preschoolers who are not quite ready to be on the field alone discover some independence.
Terrible twos? Not in our opinion! Though toddler behavior can be puzzling, these little ones are just trying to put the pieces together to grow into the person they are meant to be. Sometimes they get frustrated and their feelings come out sideways, especially when they are shy and a little tentative. We embrace the complexities of this time of life and help them transition into being more interactive, confident, self-reliant and relational. We do so with fun and engaging games that help them begin to master basic movement and ball control skills. The goal is to get them to be more interactive with the coach, to play with (rather than alongside) their peers and to engage in the game. Parents are there to provide just the right support.
Read More Register now Try a Class for Free
Hoppers
3 & 4 Years |
7:1 or 14:2 Child-to-Coach Ratio
To share and share alike? Not always. These kiddos are raring to go, but need lots of direction to get there.
Preschoolers have a hard time sharing, but we help get them there. After all, soccer (and life!) is all about give-and-take. The goal of these classes is to create teammates who are coachable and eager to learn. Sharing is a big part of that. Creative storylines and animated coaches keep kids engaged and having fun. They won’t even know they’re working hard and learning. They’ll come away with important skills for soccer and beyond.
Read More Register now Try a Class for Free
Big Feet
5 & 6 Years |
12:1 Child-to-Coach Ratio
For kids who are just getting introduced to organized soccer or who are less competitive by nature but want a great soccer experience.
Some kids are a little shy and perhaps not very competitive by nature, but still want to learn a sport and have a team experience. We get that. Big Feet classes serve these kids well. Full of all the same fun, goofiness and opportunities to learn soccer and life skills, these classes do it just a little differently. After all, lack of experience or temperament shouldn’t keep us from getting in the game.
Read More Register now Try a Class for Free
Micro Classes
4 - 9 Years |
12:1 Child-to-Coach Ratio
For kids who are driven to play.
Does your child always have a ball at their feet? Constantly talk about soccer? Or are they simply driven to get better? Created for kids who are motivated soccer players, Micro classes kick it up a notch. While coaching remains child-centered and fun this curriculum is fundamentals focused and provides game-like situations each week that help solidify learning. Players enjoy 30 minutes of age-appropriate instruction and 20 minutes of small-sided scrimmaging. Classes are offered by age and include Micro 4/5, Micro 6/7, Micro 8/9, Micro Advanced 5/6, and Micro Advanced 7/8.
Read More Register now Try a Class for Free
