Little Ninjas is a fun and active class, for children ages 5 thru 7, that will encourage their mental and physical growth and development.

Utilizing a child’s natural desire to move and play, we have created a class that helps a child grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. While building muscles, we build confidence; while balancing the body, we give tools to balance the mind; and while squealing in delight at our latest game, we are developing listening skills, respect, and teamwork.

The journey your child is embarking upon is built upon the developmental milestones that naturally occur as a child grows. We took those milestones and created an engaging curriculum that will foster strength, coordination, dexterity, and agility. Our Little Ninja classes are tailored to fit your child and, because every child is unique, we work to make sure each student receives the attention and skills that will help them grow and succeed. We strive to maintain a fun and encouraging environment full of respect, positive attitudes, and lots of movement.

Our instructors are trained to work with a child’s natural talents for a fun experience that will nurture and grow with your child. We have created a structured belt system, unique to Little Ninjas, that will give your child a visible reminder of success and growth. The belt system encourages both physical and mental development as students learn more difficult material, grasp concepts, and help others.

You will see your child have…

We encourage parents to watch class so they may take the things we talk about in class home, reinforcing and incorporating them into the child’s daily life.

Upon completion of the program, we encourage you to continue your child’s martial arts training in one of our karate classes.

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Click here to see our chart, illustrating how our Little Ninjas class activities coincide with milestones your child reaches as they grow.

Other practices that occur throughout class:

Respect – Respect begins within and grows outward. Confidence, compassion, honesty, integrity, and trust are some of the things we work to instill in our students. In Karate, we show respect with a bow, or Rei. Each class begins and ends with bowing to our instructors, fellow students, dojo, and most importantly to ourselves.

Breathing – Proper breathing can lead to better health, focus, stamina, and emotional control. We will practice this through encouraging appropriate “Kiai,” calming breaths, and exercise.

Listening – We all must listen. We must listen to parents, teachers, friends, and ourselves. It is often difficult to quiet our bodies, and our minds, and listen. In class we work on listening skills through teacher instruction, fun games, and quiet moments of discussion and thought.

Awareness – Awareness is necessary in many forms: physical and mental, internal and external. We begin by focusing on physical awareness. This includes spatial awareness of our surroundings as well as how our bodies work. This includes controlling our bodies, especially hands and feet. As students increase in development and skill, we incorporate other forms of awareness as appropriate for age and development.

Teamwork – Working together with peers, to accomplish a shared goal, needs development and nurturing. Teamwork is a skill that can be built through an organic system of joint creativity and benefits. This may take the shape of voting for a game, creating their own obstacle course, or helping to clean up after class. Students are always encouraged to cheer their classmates on and encourage and congratulate each other while sharing success with pride and humility.

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Below you will find a brief description of some of the games your child will enjoy in Little Ninjas class. We are constantly adding new and exciting games to keep content fresh and fun.

Animals: A lively, and often loud, game where everyone turns into an animal. The instructor stands in the middle of the room and calls out an animal. Students must act like that animal until a new one is called out. The time between instructions vary and students must pay attention. As they become more familiar with the game, more specific directions will be given, including performing animal karate. Encourages creativity, body movement, spatial awareness, and listening.

Chambara: Students are given foam swords and helmets to do battle with their sensei or each other. In this exciting game of theatrical sword fighting; students will block, attack, evade, and pursue their opponent in a quest for points. Chambara practices control, coordination, speed, agility, and the ability to remain present and follow directions.

Circle of Doom: Surrounded, the instructor is attacked by each student, who must block the instructor’s deadly attacks. Students form a circle, far enough apart to not touch the student next to them, and get into a forward stance, fists ready. The instructor stands in the center of the circle with a chambara sword or pool noodle. The instructor will perform an attack against one of the students so that they can practice a block. As soon as their technique is finished the instructor moves towards another and throws the same or a different attack for them to practice against. The game will start with only 2-3 different attacks, as the students become more comfortable, the instructor will increase the number of attacks, the speed, and the intensity. Encourages practicing new skills and techniques as well as increased speed and coordination.

Fast Rollers: Students lay on their sides and roll down the mat. The goal is to stay straight on the mat. As students get better, they are “chased” by the teacher, eventually working up to switching directions and rolling faster. Can also be incorporated with front and back ukemi. Practices spatial awareness and maintaining focus even during a fun pursuit.

Freeze: Running in circles is fun, but having to dodge, jump, and freeze is even better. Students will have to listen carefully to the directions as they stay in bounds and avoid the ninja’s swords. The instructor, or “ninja,” will have foam chambara swords or pool noodles, and stand in the center of the circle. They will call out commands of different skills and techniques for students to do. The students must also dodge the “ninja’s” swords, especially if they are slow to listen. Practices listening, attention, agility, and balance.

Horse and Snake Relay – Students form two equal teams of three or more. Start and finish lines are marked on the mat. The teams line up one behind the other spaced a couple of feet apart standing in a deep horse stance. The student at the end of the line yells “Snake”, drops to the floor and crawls like a snake through the other’s legs until they are at the front of the line, they stand up in a deep horse stance and yell “Horse” which signals the student at the end of the line to do the same. Students continue crawling up the line until the whole team has passed the finish line. The first team over their line, wins. This game builds teamwork as well as strengthening horse stances / kiba dachi.

Ninja in the Circle: Students form a circle around the “Ninja.” While the “Ninja’s” eyes are closed, the teacher picks out 2 “taggers.” Once the “taggers” are chosen, the “Ninja” opens their eyes. The “taggers” must then try to tag the “Ninja” on the torso, legs, or feet. The “Ninja” can dodge, block, parry, or evade (within the boundaries of the circle). Whoever tags the “Ninja” becomes the new “Ninja,” and another round begins. If the “Ninja” lasts 5 seconds without being tagged, then they remain “Ninja” for the next round.  This fast-paced game focuses on agility, speed, focus, and control.

Obstacle Courses: A series of obstacles for students to jump over, balance on, run around, and hop through to encourage movement, attention, focus, balance, and listening while engaged in a fun and exciting activity. Items used will be collected by students, in a calm and orderly fashion, and put away under the direction of the teacher. This will encourage self-control, respect, and helping others.

Punching Ball: Students stand in a line, spread out, in a forward stance. The instructor holds a ball in front of the first student, above head height. The instructor drops the ball and the student has to try to punch it out of the air. Each student gets three tries. This game trains hand-eye coordination and focus.

Shark in the Water: Students jump from “island to island” to avoid being eaten by the shark in the middle. The shark may be fast or slow, change directions, and attack suddenly. The “islands” are of varying heights and spaces apart. Spatial awareness, agility, speed, and attention all come into play in this fast-paced game.

Sensei Says: A karate twist to the popular Simon Says game. The Sensei calls out skills and karate techniques, but they’re only to be done when “Sensei Says.” Students get the chance to show off their skills while honing listening and focus.

Stick Evasion: Students take turns trying to evade the instructor’s foam stick. Using a pool noodle, or foam chambara sword, the instructor attacks the student while the student jumps, ducks, blocks, and dodges to avoid being hit. Whoever lasts the longest wins. Students are encouraged to cheer each other on, building unity and a positive peer group, as they work to control their bodies and their focus.