[For Sports Day and Halloween] Handmade Ninja Costume and Item Ideas
A classic cosplay staple since long ago: the ninja.
Not just for kids—plenty of adults would love to try being a ninja and play ninja games too! Even if you don’t visit a ninja theme park, how about enjoying handmade costumes and the items ninjas carry? In this article, we’ll share ideas for easy ninja cosplay you can enjoy with everyday materials, plus DIY ninja accessories.
Perfect for children’s Halloween costumes, pretend play, or even sports day outfits.
Have fun with colorful ninja costumes and realistic-looking accessories!
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Costume ideas (1–10)
Ninja costume made of satin fabric
With its smooth, glossy finish, satin fabric is perfect for standout costumes! Make a ninja outfit with satin and really shine at sports festivals or for Halloween.
Lightweight satin is also easy to work with—that’s a plus! It’s great for machine sewing and also recommended for hand sewing.
You can create a full set—kimono top and bottom, hood, and sash—or just make accessories like the hood, hand decorations, or sash to get that ninja vibe.
With a range of colors like red, blue, and yellow, it’s fun to make them in different color variations, too!
costume with a name
How about livening up sports day or Halloween with a personalized ninja costume? If you put your child’s name on the hood or on the chest of the kimono, it won’t just stand out—it’ll also make it easier to find your child! The costume can be handmade or store-bought.
Even adding a name appliqué or embroidery to a ready-made outfit instantly gives it originality.
If you’re not confident in sewing, please use this as a reference.
Choosing your child’s favorite color will delight them and make lasting memories.
Made with colorful fabric
Since ninja are originally stealthy, flashy outfits are technically a no-no—but making one from colorful fabric could be fun! Instead of a solid color, you could go for checks or polka dots to create a pop-style ninja look.
If you’re thinking about a ninja costume for a sports day or Halloween but haven’t come up with a good idea yet, definitely use this as inspiration! Craft stores carry all kinds of colorful fabrics, so it could be fun to pick a pattern together with your child.
How about enjoying your event to the fullest with a colorful outfit that turns the traditional ninja concept on its head?
Ninja Items and Accessories (11–20)
To fully become a ninja, you’ll want to make not only the costume but also the small accessories ninjas carry.
From the well-known shuriken to weapons that make you think, “They use this too?”, we’ll show you how to craft essential ninja items.
With these accessories, you’ll look cooler and more authentically ninja.
And above all, they’ll get you even more into the ninja spirit!
Ninja Items and Accessories (1–10)
How to make a kusarigama
What weapons come to mind when you think of ninjas? Shuriken and kunai are classics, right? But don’t forget the kusarigama! It’s a concealed weapon shaped like a sickle connected to a chain with a weight.
Buying one is fine, but if you don’t want to spend much, making your own is recommended! With items like EVA foam (lion board), a water pipe, and craft paper, even beginners can make one—so give it a try.
Since you’ll use a hot glue gun during the process, children should work under adult supervision.
Ninja Scroll
Let’s get creative with things you have at home and make a simple, fun craft.
This time, we’re making a “ninja scroll.” You’ll need materials like a snack container, straws or string, and if you have it, Japanese-patterned origami paper to set the mood.
First, cut a sheet of copy paper in half and glue the halves together to make a long sheet.
Attach the patterned origami paper to one end, and on the opposite end, roll and attach a cylindrical box like a snack container.
On the side with the origami paper, attach a straw and some string.
Roll it up, tie it with the string, and your impressive ninja scroll is complete.
You can make an authentic-looking scroll using household items.
Write a secret map or message inside and have fun playing with it.
How to make a kunai
Let’s handcraft a classic ninja weapon: the kunai! First, cut out two blade pieces from craft paper.
After creasing them, use a hot glue gun to attach and secure them to a gardening stick that will serve as the handle.
Next, take a wooden ring from a 100-yen shop, cut a slit in it, and glue it on as the pommel.
Spray the blade and pommel black, then wrap the handle with thinly cut white faux leather—and you’re done.
It’s surprisingly easy, so give it a try.
Just holding a kunai will make you feel like a real ninja!
shuriken
Let’s fold a shuriken out of origami—hugely popular at preschools, kindergartens, and for making at home.
If it’s your first time, practice while watching the video.
The video shows close-ups of the hands and explains slowly and clearly.
Once you master the folding method, you can make shuriken in all sizes, from large to small.
It’s also fun to use different patterns and your favorite colors to create colorful shuriken.
Fold lots of shuriken with your child and play ninja together.