![[Childcare] Let's Become Ninjas! Fun Ninja Activities: Exercise, Games, and Crafts](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/01nWWRVIlKc/maxresdefault.webp)
[Childcare] Let's Become Ninjas! Fun Ninja Activities: Exercise, Games, and Crafts
Ninjas are mysterious figures that somehow captivate children’s hearts.
At preschools and kindergartens, ninja pretend play is a classic activity that kids can enjoy and engage in.
By imitating various movements, it becomes full-body exercise, and it also helps children develop the ability to listen carefully to the teacher.
Use the ideas introduced here as a base, and feel free to add your own twists and have fun!
There are plenty of ideas that will make you excited to plan what kind of ninja training to do with the children.
Since it can be played indoors, it’s perfect for days when outdoor play isn’t possible, such as rainy days or extremely hot days.
[Childcare] Let's become ninjas! Fun ninja activities: exercise, games, and crafts (1–10)
[For 4- and 5-year-olds] Ninja Play
![[For 4- and 5-year-olds] Ninja Play](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/01nWWRVIlKc/sddefault.jpg)
“Ninja Play,” a game where children can have fun together with adults like parents and teachers, is a delightful physical activity game.
Jumping, crouching, running, and tiptoeing make it a perfect match for the motor skills of 4- and 5-year-olds who are starting to understand more complex rules.
When a teacher or parent calls out cues, kids strike ninja poses or move their whole bodies in response.
By incorporating different rules and movements, you can broaden the range of physical activities.
Let’s all get excited with “Ninja Play,” a learn-and-play game that blends fun with learning.
Hand play ‘How to Make a Ninja’
This is a fingerplay song with a ninja theme.
There are many variations of fingerplay songs that start with “One and one make…”.
This version is suitable for children around age 4 and up, who can picture ninjas, and it works well as a warm-up activity or to fill waiting time.
The movements are all simple, so changing the speed makes it even more exciting.
You can use it not only as a fingerplay, but also as an introduction to ninja pretend play or a ninja skit to spark imagination.
Enjoy the fingerplay together with the children!
Nanja-monja Ninja Play
Join the energetic Teacher Rio for “Nanja Monja Ninja Play” and have a great time singing, dancing, and playing together as a family.
You’ll learn lots of ninja techniques like Head Shuriken, Foot Shuriken, Tree Technique, and Stone Technique—just like a game—so kids can move their bodies and have tons of fun.
With Teacher Rio’s video explanations, adults can easily understand and learn the activities too.
Prepare some ninja props and the kids will get super excited! Even on rainy days or when you can’t go outside due to COVID, let’s become splendid ninjas at home with fun and energetic “Nanja Monja Ninja Play.”
Towel Ninja Pretend Play
Gymnastics instructor Kengo is introducing a ninja pretend-play game using a towel.
Chant with a rhythm: “Nin-nin ninja, nin-nin ninja, who has come?” Then give one of three cues.
If you say, “An enemy is coming!” let the towel hang down to hide your face and body for the “Hiding Technique.” If you say, “A shuriken is flying toward you!” place the towel on your head to protect it, crouch down, and dodge the shuriken.
If you say, “The lord is coming!” sit in seiza, place the towel in front of you, and bow deeply saying, “Hah-ha~!” Speed it up, mix in different movements, and have fun exercising while you play.
Ninja Exercises
Ninja Calisthenics is a fun exercise game where you can learn lots of ninja techniques while singing and dancing.
The song and dance are packed with ninja moves.
When you throw a shuriken, move your hands with a swoosh, swoosh, swoosh; when you use a blowgun, blow a sharp puff of air; and when you use the art of concealment, hush and hide quietly—The Ninja Squad demonstrates it all with easy-to-follow dance moves.
The lively song is cheerful too, so even children who can’t play outside due to the pandemic can have fun moving their bodies.
Jump, hop, and run.
Why not try Ninja Calisthenics, where everyone can join in, move their bodies big, and have a great time?
Transformation Theater “Henshin Ninja”
Let’s play with Transforming Ninja, a panel theater where you can enjoy classic ninja tricks like the Art of Concealment and the Substitution Technique! A ninja in blue uses concealment to hide, and when he reappears, he’s changed into a red outfit in an instant—thus the transformation theater.
Curious kids may suspect the blue ninja is hidden inside the concealed envelope, but even if you show them the inside, there’s nothing there.
The secret is that the ninja’s face area is cut out, so depending on whether you pull out two sheets or one, the color of the costume changes.
It’s a simple mechanism, but children will be absolutely fascinated.
Play Song: “Ninja Alphabet”
Keropons’ “Ninja Syllabary” is a hugely popular action song for kids.
While getting familiar with the 50 Japanese sounds, children can throw “shuriken,” move their bodies, sing, and play.
By enjoying the activity, they naturally develop a feel for words.
Look for words that start with the sound “a”; if it’s correct, strike a shuriken-throwing pose; if it’s wrong, bounce it back with a ‘Kiin!’ Besides what’s shown in the video, you can also make up your own lyrics and play using words that start with sounds like “ta” or “na.”
[Craft] Ninja Scroll
![[Craft] Ninja Scroll](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/prSnAyeKWyA/sddefault.jpg)
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.
Expressive Play: “We Are Ninja, De Gozaru”
This is a game where you perform ninja arts like the “Cloak of Invisibility” and “Clone Technique” to gentle background music.
It’s perfect for activities that involve imitating movements and expressing yourself with your body in a fun way.
Since the BGM has a soft, friendly feel, even children under three can enjoy copying along.
Once they get used to the motions, they can try doing them faster, or have fun observing how their friends do them.
The song is short, so it’s easy to add when you want a bit of movement in the morning or late afternoon.
Let’s get lively with expressive play together with lots of adorable little ninjas!
[Craft] Ninja Sword
![[Craft] Ninja Sword](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HPMZ7CTUTw0/sddefault.jpg)
You can make a ninja sword with everyday items.
Let’s try making a simple ninja sword using newspaper you have at home.
The best materials for a play sword are cardboard and newspaper.
With just scissors and tape, you can easily make one and play at home.
Cut a circle out of cardboard and remove the center to make a ring.
Next, bundle some newspapers, roll them up tightly into a long stick, and tape it so it doesn’t come apart.
Slide the cardboard ring you cut out onto the newspaper stick.
Tape the ring in place, and your ninja sword is complete.