Kid's class entertainment

[D-Man]

I'm would like some more ideas on games that kids can play before class and at pizza parties and such.

Here are some things we do.

Before class, they usually run around with big bouncy balls and jump ropes.  They really love the big balls.  We pass the medicine ball sometimes, or pass a bean bag and call it the eagle claw drill, or sometimes hot potato.

At pizza parties, we play Sifu says (like Simon says, it's a big hit).  We play a game to teach guest children stances and listening skills where one kid gets in the middle of the circle of kids, does a pose, and the rest must copy.  Every time a new kid comes in, they add on to a list of poses that they must repeat.

[Kempo-Sensei]

The kids at my school love "Karate Dodgeball" the best.  They always ask to play it at the end of class.

It's just like regular dodgeball, except when you get hit you have to yell "I want to be a black belt, sir!" and then go off to the side and do some pushups.

[Nagi]

The kids at my school love "Karate Dodgeball" the best.  They always ask to play it at the end of class.

It's just like regular dodgeball, except when you get hit you have to yell "I want to be a black belt, sir!" and then go off to the side and do some pushups.

That's funny my kids love dodge ball the best too, we also play a game of Sa Bum Nim says
I set up an obstacle in my DoJang where they run around the room once and then crawl under a Bo staff on 2 chairs jump over a heavy bag crawl under another staff (Turn) swing on the heavy bag chain over the pit(rope attached) (turn) and sprint around the room again while another student starts there run and tries to chase them down

Sensei Ron

[sifutimg]

I play dragon stick when I had a children’s class.  I have the kids make a circle around me with me in the center with my staff.  The kids then hold there hands, fists loosely closed and elbows in.  Kind of like how a boxer holds there hands to protect the side of their head.  I then take the staff and pass it about ear level around the circle.  The kids have to duck under the staff as it passes their head (this simulates a punch and if they keep their posture correct will also work their legs).  The kids have to pop up right after the stick passes their head.  I then take the staff and pass it at ankle level.  They have to jump (one leg at a time) over the staff so they don't get smacked (this simulates a sweep).  I then use the staff like a club and a knife where the kids will have to move their centerline in such a way to not get clubbed or stabbed.  They are not allowed to touch the staff.  This is a very free form exercise where I tell the kids to keep their eyes on the staff and not me.  Sometimes I will spend a few seconds with one kid kind of picking on them, but won't move my body and then go after the kid next to the one I am picking on.  This makes the kids be extra ready to move.  This exercise is a great way to build agility (I do this with adults as well as it's one of the ways I warm up my class).  Now for the game part of it.  You tell the kids, "If it touches you, your out".  Now the kids really work hard to not get hit by the staff.  The last kid standing gets to call out the push-up or situp count while they hold the staff.

I have had very good success with this exercise both with adults as well as kids.  My sons always call out dragon stick when we have kid oriented get togethers and birthday parties.

Please steal this exercise with pride and use and abuse it as it's a blast.

Yours in training,
Sifu Tim Gagnier

[D-Man]

Wow sifutimg!!

Sounds like you've got some tallented kids!!!

Got any games for 5-8 year olds?

[Jon Pack]

The forementioned games are all good. Just a note that I have found it best to do at the end of class. There are some kids that have a hard time focusing after the playful exercises.

Heres one for sparring class.
Chose two students(usually based on effort that day). This is basicly a game of chess. The two students are kings/queens and are given a kickbag to be there treasure. They are at each end of the floor. The other students are lined up facing one another(like pawns) and the king/queen pick one person from their team to spar one from the other team(single point elemination). The students who lose are collected like pawns back by the king/queen of tyhe opposing team. This is great fun and teaches stratagies. They learn to use their strengths against there opponents weakness.

Another is crab crawl soccer.

Have fun! I tell my students if I couldn't have fun at my job I wouldn't  be a teacher.
Jon Pack
chippewavalleykempo.com

[Mell]

In response to Sifu Tim's Dragon Stick game -

We use one of those giant syrofoam noodles, ( I think they are for swimming pool use).  You can swing that thing pretty fast and hard without worrying about hurting someone.  I'd rather get hit in the head with one of those than a staff if I make a mistake.  

[Mell]

We also use a tennis ball on a rope.  You swing the ball in a circular pattern in front of a focus mit.  Students have to hit or kick the mitt three times without allowing the rope to touch them.  It teaches speed and good hand eye coordination.

[Terry McBride]

Hi D-Man,

One of the things we do fun is red light green light.  On red light they have to stop holding a karate position.  Holding a kick or strike or whatever.  Their imagination is amazing.  I change what they do each green light, in other words they start with running forward, then maybe run backwards, moving jumping jacks, hopping on one foot frontwards and backwards, various movements and I speed it up so maybe 3-5 seconds between green light and red light.

Another really popular activity, great for learning timing, coordination and self-confidence.  Running jump kicks while I'm holding a rectangular shaped body shield.  They start at the end of the dojo and run about 35 feet and jump up into a kick.  Now I've got some kids that run right in to the shield, their timing is that poor.  Imagine how they feel when they finally get air born and place a solid kick.  I start with simple double kicks.  They love it and ask for it all the time.  I tell them if they focus for me in class they can jump.  Works every time.

Terry

[Eric Bettencourt]

Fox and the crane!

Two students: one is the fox ( on all fours ) & second is the Crane ( standing )

The Fox is trying to touch the feet of the Crane as the crane is switching their feet ( foot work drill )

The Crane is trying to touch the fox on the head ( side to side head movement )

Fun stuff