LIL'KICKERS
Where Soccer and Fun Become Best Friends!
Why Lil Kickers
Lil’ Kickers is a nationally recognized child development program that uses soccer to help children ages 18 months to 9 years develop important life skills. The program is designed to create a fun, safe, and inclusive environment where kids can learn the fundamentals of soccer while also building social, emotional, and cognitive skills.
What Do We Believe?
We believe childhood is a magical time full of possibilities.
We believe in approaching everything from a developmental perspective.
We believe learning should be fun.
We believe in creating space for all children whether they are on the road to all-star soccer or simply just want to play.
Class Descriptions & Schedules
- 18 - 24 Months
- Adult Interactive
- 15:1 Child-to-Coach Ratio

Benefits
Often a child’s first experience with group learning, this class is designed to give them a perfect start.
Bunnies classes introduce toddlers to soccer with games that allow them to run, play as a group and kick a ball. They gain basic soccer skills while building fundamentals such as balance and coordination. Classes incorporate activities that are geared toward a toddler’s unique way of learning and include parachutes, bubbles, noodles, cones, lots of goal scoring and more.
*This is an adult interactive class. Adult participation is required and supports the success and confidence of your soccer player on the field.
- 24 – 36 MONTHS
- ADULT INTERACTIVE
- 15:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO

Benefits
In this class, kids begin to learn to actively engage with the coach and other players.
Parents and kids, led by one of our instructors, play organized games together to develop listening skills, balance, ball skills and foot-eye coordination. Thumpers is the ideal next step for Bunnies veterans and a perfect introduction to Lil’ Kickers for new players.
*This is an adult interactive class. Adult participation is required and supports the success and confidence of your soccer player on the field.
- 2½ – 3½ YEARS
- Adult Interactive
- 7:1 or 14:2CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO

Benefits
Here, preschoolers who are not quite ready to be on the field alone discover some independence.
Cottontails is a class designed for children who are ready for more of a challenge than a Thumpers class, but who are not quite ready to be on the field without a parent or caregiver. The Cottontails curriculum is designed to build fundamental skills such as balance, coordination, and ball-kicking skills. Cottontails classes also offer another component—helping your child build a sense of independence. As children progress through the session and become ready for more independence, parents can choose to transition to a less active role in the class.
*This is an adult interactive class. Adult participation is required and supports the success and confidence of your soccer player on the field.
- 3 & 4 YEARS
- 7:1 or 14:2 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO

Benefits
To share and share alike? Not always. These kiddos are raring to go, but need lots of direction to get there.
Hoppers classes are designed to be fun and fast paced. Classes focus on increasing balancing skills, coordination and fundamental soccer skills. We utilize creative games and help kids develop listening skills, cooperation and teamwork. Hoppers classes are the first class where children participate independently.
- 3 & 4 YEARS
- 7:1 or 14:2 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO

Benefits
Fun and fast-paced classes for kids who are naturally a little more competitive or with previous class experience.
Jackrabbits is an intermediate class for kids ages 3-4 years old. We strongly recommend that your child has completed Hoppers (beginner class for kids ages 3-4) before participating in our Jackrabbits or is at least 3.5 years old.
Jackrabbits classes are designed to help transition children into non-competitive team play. Children play creative games to develop fundamental soccer skills and will also be introduced to more one-ball oriented games and scrimmaging. The focus of the scrimmages will be to help players understand how to apply skills in different situations and build teamwork. Some small-sided non-competitive soccer games are introduced.
- 4 – 5 YEARS
- 12:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO

Benefits
For kids who are driven to play.
Micro 4/5 classes are for four and five year olds with previous soccer experience who are ready for more of a challenge. Players learn more advanced fundamental soccer skills through fun, age-appropriate and creative skill-building games and have the opportunity to practice those skills in non-competitive scrimmages.
- 5 – 6 YEARS
- 12:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO

Benefits
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.
- 6 – 7 YEARS
- 12:1 CHILD-TO-COACH RATIO

Benefits
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.
Creative Learning: Trained coaches use games and exercises to teach basic soccer skills.
Social Skills: Encourages positive interactions and team play.
Active Play: Promotes a love for being active and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Way to Register
Register Online or over the phone at 630-277-9265.
I can't reach you by phone.
Leave a message and/or contact us by email info@smsportshub.com.
Can I register my child for just one class?
No, but we do offer one free trial class to new customers to see if their child enjoys the Lil’ Kicker’s experience. The season price is prorated so if you join after the start of a season, you only pay for all the remaining classes in the season.
If I register my child for a session, are we “guaranteed” a spot in the next session?
No. All registrations are on a first come, first served basis. However, current customers are allowed to enroll during “priority registration” before registration is opened to the public.
Can I join a class in the middle of a session?
Yes! We offer open enrollment so that you can join anytime and have your class fees prorated. This means that you pay only for the remaining number of classes and not the full session fee.
Can I get a Lil’ Kickers discount for both of my children?
Yes! We offer a sibling discount of $20.00 for each additional child registered.
Do I have to purchase a facility membership fee?
Yes, the annual membership is collected once per year that you are in the program. The annual membership fee includes a uniform and access to Make-Up classes throughout the session.
Lil’ Kickers is a franchise. Our annual membership goes towards admin fees and the upkeep of facilities/equipment throughout the year.
What’s your refund policy?
There are no refunds. You will receive credit for all future classes and not for any classes that have already occurred. Facility Membership fees will not be refunded. If classes are cancelled or postponed due to weather, facility protocol or government regulations, you will be issued a class credit to be used at a future time. Our only exception to the nonrefundable registration fee is if you request a full refund before the season begins
Am I required to stay onsite during my child’s class?
Yes, parents are required to stay onsite during their child’s class. There are no exceptions.
What if I can’t make it to one of my classes?
Any classes missed within the enrolled session can be made up- but is subject to space availability. We ask that you inform us prior to the missed class and we will provide you with the available make-up options. We typically offer many other class times, so usually this is not a problem; however, we cannot guarantee that space will be available. Please note that you cannot carryover make-up classes into later sessions (i.e. If the class was missed during the Summer Session, it must be made up during the Summer Session and will not carry over into Fall).
How many free trials can a child take?
The free trial policy is usually limited to one free class per child. If you would like to have your child take an additional free trial it must be approved in advance by the Lil’ Kickers Coordinator.
Can we pay as we go during the session?
The entire season or remaining classes in a season must be paid for in full at the time of registration. We do offer a payment plan to spread the cost of the session over several payments.
Can I sign up for multiple days a week?
Yes, but please note that you will need to register and pay for the additional class sessions separately. And don’t forget that we offer a $15 session discount for any child who attends multiple classes per week.
Can we come on any day?
No. 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 and time best suits your schedule. If you cannot make your scheduled class for any reason, you are free to try and schedule a make-up class during the current season. There are no refunds for missed classes that cannot be made up.
What if my child is not feeling well?
If your child is showing the following symptoms of illness, or if they have been diagnosed with any infectious diseases, we ask that you keep your child home. Examples of symptoms include:
A fever within the past 24 hours, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, a constant runny nose or cough not caused by allergies, or a rash that has not been checked by a doctor. You may schedule make-up classes for any classes that your child missed due to illness. The Lil’ Kickers Coordinator may approve the rollover of make-up classes on a case by case basis.
What if family schedules change and I can no longer attend the class that I registered for?
If your schedule changes during the session, and you need to switch days or times, we will try to accommodate your needs to the best of our ability. However, changes cannot be guaranteed and are based on space availability. We will offer you class credits for future classes if there are no suitable classes available that meet your family’s needs. Requests to be advanced to the next age group within the current session must be approved by a coordinator.
Can siblings of different ages be put into the same class?
No, since all classes are designed to be age specific, children of specific ages are grouped into the same class. In most cases when younger children are moved up age groups to play with their sibling, they cannot handle the instructions of the class and disrupt the class for other participants.
Am I able to create my own Lil’ Kicker class?
Creating a class is subject to field and coaching availability. We are open to creating classes for groups of 10 children or more.
Do I need to check in?
If you’re not sure which field your child’s class is on, please see the front desk so that we may direct you. Your child’s class will remain on that same field for the duration of the session. If you are attending a make-up class, please see the coordinator who will direct you to the appropriate field.
How do I get a uniform?
Each child registered in a Lil’ Kickers class will receive a uniform with their initial purchase or renewal of the facility’s Annual Membership Fee. If a child needs a replacement of their uniform before the expiration of their annual membership an additional uniform can be purchased for $20.
What should my kids wear?
Participants should wear comfortable clothes and indoor soccer shoes (no cleats) or plain tennis shoes. We usually recommend shin guards to any child who is registered for a Micro class. Parents should wear comfortable athletic clothing when participating in Parent/Child classes.
How many girls and boys are in each class?
Standard classes are co-ed, so the mix of boys and girls is based on who registers. If you are interested in a girls only class reach out to our Lil’ Kickers Coordinator.
What kind of instructors do you have?
All Lil’ Kickers coaches are carefully screened to ensure we provide quality, child-centered, high-energy instruction. Each coach goes through a rigorous training process, which includes child development training.
Why don’t they play more soccer in this program?
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, we know that our main goal is to make learning fun for kids. We do this by putting instruction into context 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 develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills that result in our Lil Kickers becoming well-balanced and conscientious individuals on and off the soccer field.
My child’s coach last session was great! Can I request the same coach again for the next session?
You can request a specific coach; however your child’s placement with that coach is not guaranteed as the assigning of a coach to a specific class is determined by coach availability.
How long are the classes?
Each of our classes lasts 50 minutes and are broken into several activities and water breaks. Please be mindful that classes run back-to-back with a ten-minute gap in between scheduled classes. We ask that parents refrain from remaining on the field after their child’s scheduled class to allow time for coaches to set up for the next class.
What are the child-to-coach ratios for each class?
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. You can find exact ratios in the class descriptions.
How long are your seasons?
We offer four (4) sessions a year that break down into approximately 13-week cycles.
What does the Lil’ Kicker recommendation process consist of?
Each season all Lil’ Kickers get a child development soccer evaluation to determine whether they should be moved to a more advanced level or continue in their current class level as they haven’t yet mastered all the skills necessary to move up. As Lil’ Kickers is a progressive program where each class level builds on the next, these evaluations are meant to ensure every child is set up for success in our program by guiding them in achieving developmental milestones through the completion of physical, emotional, social and cognitive goals.
Why was my child asked to repeat the same class as last session?
Classes are commonly repeated in Lil’ Kickers as children need repetition and consistency in order to learn through cognitive mapping. The skills they touched upon in the first session are then repeated and solidified in the mind of every child so that developmental milestones are fulfilled in order to set them up for success both on and off the soccer field.
When should my child move up to the next class?
Advancing to the next class really depends on the child and how they are doing in the current class. Our philosophy is that sports played at younger ages should be mainly about overall emotional and cognitive development and the social experience of playing in a group or on a team. The exercise and growth of a child’s physical capabilities is of lesser importance; so prior to moving a child, we consider not just the child’s physical needs, but also their emotional, cognitive and social needs. This approach helps create a successful learning environment for children who are ultimately well developed in all areas. Your child’s coach will evaluate your child every session and provide a recommendation for which class is most appropriate.