Below are a variety of kids games that are played with the objective in mind to build on their skills of focusing as well as balance and other things.

Little Ninja Stones (usually ages 3-4)

First we have to pretend we are trying to cross a river as quick as possible. Lay out a few paddles or square targets on the floor for them to walk across imagining that they are running across the river by stepping on the stones; if they miss they will splash into the "water" and have to go back to the beginning. You will need to use a lot of paddles for the younger children to jump on. For juniors you may want to stagger them out for some additional challenge. Great for agility, balance, and footwork once the paddles get kicked around a little.

Shark Island (ages 3-4)

Have the students stand on small square pads which is to represent their island. They must stay on their island. Then you come around with the shark (a pool noodle or a kick blocker.) When the shark comes by their island they need to kick at it to get it away. If they fall off their island, they lose the round.

Again, this teaches balance, self-control, and focusing on an object as it enters your range.

Boxing Ring (ages 4-7)

Many students need to learn how to block with confidence. A fun way for kids to acquire this skill is to have one student put a large boxing glove on one hand, make it a big glove, like a 16 ounce.

Form a circle of 5 or 6 students with the gloved student in the middle, giving a distance of 6 feet radius (from edge to center). The game starts with the student in the middle has free choice to swing the gloved hand at anyone at the edge of the circle. Since the students on the edge doesn't know which direction the person in the middle will choose, all must be on their guard. The weight of the glove means the student has to block hard with confidence or the weighted glove will hit them (but it won't hurt too much since its padded).

Some rules: the puncher is not allowed to stay in one spot, they must be in constant motion to create the possibility that they could strike anyone. Second, they should also be told to throw a rear handed technique, a hay maker or cross punch.

After the student does a block, they should throw a counter with their open hand to the gloved attacker's body. The person in the middle should be changed about ever 4 minutes.

This should build confidence in their ability to react and give the student in the middle a pretty good workout.

Tiger's Cub

• Number of Students: 4 or more.
• Equipment: A stuffed animal or a focus mitt (in a jam) to be the cub.
• Object: Steal the Tiger cub.
• Skills: Stealth, quiet concentration, focused ovement, and fun!

To play: Select a student to be the Tiger. Have the Tiger sit with their back to the other students, at least ten feet away. Put a stuffed animal or whatever you can use to represent the baby tiger cub, behind the Tiger.

The other students should then take turns sneaking up behind the Tiger and trying to steal the cub. If the Tiger hears the person sneaking up it can roar and then turn around. If the Tiger catches a student, the student that was caught takes the Tiger's place and the old Tiger goes back with the other students. If there is no one trying to steal the cub when the Tiger roars the student remains the Tiger and the game starts again.

Rollie Pollies

• Objective: to develop tumbling and kicking skills.
• Equipment: Kick shields and tumbling mats
• Age group: 3 years and up. (Everyone can play!)

Drill: Divide students into groups of three (three students to a tumbling mat.) Have one student stand on each end of the tumbling mat with a kick shield and the third student stand in the middle of the tumbling mat. On the instructor's command, the student in the middle begins rolling (side rolls) or somersaulting between the kick shields, getting up and kicking the shield before rolling or somersaulting to the opposite kick shield and kicking. This is a timed drill, usually going for 15 to 30 seconds as a minute can be very exhausting. Keep count on how many times a student kicks the shields and you can have a competition between students.