Chaos is the New Fun: Play Ideas to Let Your Kids Be Ninja

Whether it’s trying to pull off that perfect spinning kick, sneaking around the house trying not to get discovered or yelling Hi-yah as you leap out of a hiding spot, a bit of ninja play is always fun.

But more than that, it’s also adventurous, imaginative and physical, and can be a playful and interactive way to teach kids a few social skills along the way.

If you’re looking for activities for a NINJAGO®-obsessed kid or just looking for a playful pastime to pass an afternoon, why not give being a ninja master a go?

Here are a few reasons why ninja play makes a great activity.

Encourages explosive and energetic movements

If you’ve watched any LEGO® NINJAGO, then you’ll have seen some of the epic battles that take place there. These battles are showcases of martial arts and high-energy movements that are great workouts for little arms and legs.

We absolutely don’t recommend trying to recreate fight scenes, but why not pick a move or two and see if your kids can learn it in isolation?

Or better yet, you can test their ninja abilities by seeing how high or far they can jump, how fast they can run or set up a fun (and safe) obstacle course in your home or garden and time how fast they can get through it?

Uses their imaginations to solve problems

There’s more to being a ninja than high-flying kicks and obstacle courses: you also have to be able to be stealthy and solve problems fast.

So, while ninja play might be able to test their bodies, don’t miss the chance to test their minds.

Maybe you set up a mystery challenge that involves solving clues or maybe you organize a scavenger hunt for hidden ancient relics?

Whatever you do, dial up the imagination and you’ll be having fun in no time.

Play builds social skills

As you probably know, we’re big believers in the power of play. That’s not just because it’s fun, but also because it can help to supercharge learning and teach valuable life skills.

Whatever ninja game you end up playing, you’re sure to spot occasions for imparting important concepts like resilience, patience and teamwork.

Top tips for epic ninja play

So, you’re convinced and you’re ready to have an epic day of ninja play. But where do you start? Well, looking the part is important, so you could start by making your own special ninja outfits. Then, you can add some atmosphere with a little bit of music or a different lighting state.
Here are a few more top tips to make the most of your time as a ninja:

Get inspiration from the masters

You don’t have to start from scratch. If you need a little inspiration, then why not sit down to watch an episode or two of LEGO NINJAGO? It might spark an idea for a game or an activity that can be built around one of the characters or events in the episode.

Tell a story

A good story has the power to make everything magical. So don’t miss out on the chance to turn everyday activities into fun, narrative adventures.

Your climbing frame can become a mountain that has to be climbed, or your pet dog could become a rival clan leader they have to sneak up on without being spotted.

And if all else fails, you can grab the paper and pens and spend time writing your own ninja-themed graphic novels or designing your dream secret lairs.

Embrace the chaos

Like all good play, pretending to be a ninja can get a little bit wild! But that’s a good thing. It helps kids deal with the unexpected, solve problems for themselves and learn that things don’t have to be perfect to be fun.

Welcome to the world of LEGO® NINJAGO®

If you want to add a little building to the fun, then there are lots of great LEGO NINJAGO sets to choose from. From the large modular buildings to the smaller playsets, they all come with a variety of characters, vehicles and mechs. Have fun building together and then, when you’re done, you can act our scenarios or roleplay as your favorite characters.