Keeping kids active throughout the year can be tough. Weather permitting, illness, busy schedules, etc. but it's important to remember to keep moving as a priority for our littles! NinjaZone is dedicated to building active physical skills, confidence, and social connection among our Ninjas, and we’ve seen firsthand the massive difference that regular physical activity can make in a child’s life. So, how can parents make sure that their kids stay running around? With a few simple approaches, you can help make sure your kids stay active all year round! Less Screen Time With less structure and more free time, it can be easy for children to spend more time than they should with screens of all types. Unfortunately, while these screens provide an easy way to spend time, they have been linked to attention problems, obesity, and trouble sleeping at night. While allowing your child to spend time watching their favorite movies or shows is fine in moderation, planning screen-related activities ahead of time and substituting outdoor activities can both reduce any negative effects of excessive screen use and increase total time spent outdoors. More Play Dates and Meetups Physical activity improves health and physical fitness, but for kids, physical activity can also be a great opportunity to ensure that they make friendships and connections, and continue to develop socially. Playdates structured around activities like biking or going to the park ensure that time spent with friends is also time spent staying active. For older children, encouraging them to stay in contact with their friends and offering assistance like giving rides to physically-oriented activities can have a similar effect. Make Activity Time Family Time Even the most active of children can have difficulty thinking of new activities to keep them active. Finding ideas for physical activities as a family and setting the agenda takes the pressure off and provides structure for kids looking for something fun to do. Going for a walk or family bike ride, as well as participating in sports like basketball or catch together, are great ways to have fun and connect as a family while making sure that your kids get the physical activity they need. This method is also good for parents looking to become a bit more active, too! Make Sure it Stays Fun Finding the right activity for your child to participate in might take some time; different children have different personalities and will prefer different physical activities. For some, running and swimming might be perfect. For others, biking and baseball. NinjaZone is dedicated to making exercise fun, providing an environment where children want to stay active because of the experience they have and the memories that they make. Making sure that they enjoy the activity that they do is worth the investment in trying out multiple options, as they will want to continue exercising. We love seeing kids staying active and having a good time, and we hope that with a few simple changes, you’ll be able to find the right balance for your family.

2020 is a challenging time for raising healthy children. The ongoing epidemic of obesity in America makes physical activity even more important. However, increasing dependence on television, computer, and tablets make consistent exercise even more difficult. Those challenges combined with decreasing self-esteem have seemingly endless hurdles to children’s health. So what’s a parent to do? Here are some of the biggest challenges to raising healthy children in the modern world and how to combat them. Processed Junk Food It seems simple, but healthy eating is a challenge to teach. It’s a routine you need to hone in on early by stressing the importance of fruits and vegetables and making them a major component of mealtime. However, colorful and loud advertising for processed junk food will jockey for your child’s attention and your hard-earned dollars. When your child is having a meltdown in the grocery store over prepackaged snacks it can be hard to stay strong. But building in healthier snacks (like these) can help keep your kids satisfied and healthy. Creating healthy habits early such as building a family meal plan activity together and modeling healthy choices in your own food selections will aid in raising kids with a passion for healthy foods. Sedentary Lifestyles As a society, we are obsessed with screens. Cell phones, television, video games, and social media all demand our attention. A large number of professionals spend 8 hours a day sitting at their desks. All this time spent sitting has been shown to be a huge hazard to health and it’s reaching outside the office into our homes as well. Youth sport can be a great way to combat this sedentary surge and build healthy activity and lifestyles for our children. Whether that means a basketball league or a dance class, building athletic habits will benefit your child’s future. Ninja sports can be a great alternative for children less interested in traditional sports. They still get your kids moving and develop the athleticism and mindset that are so important for future health and success. Emotional Health and Social Media Numerous studies have shown that Facebook can be harmful to your self-esteem – that effect can be magnified in youngsters due to cyberbullying, the confusion of growing up, and fundamental misunderstandings of what social media is. If your kids are on any social media site, it is essential you help teach them that people do not share a true representation of what their life is like. Social media is ultimately performative, and many young people take those performances at face value. You can help your children by talking with them about these issues and helping them maintain a realistic expectation of reality. You can also help show them how arts, physical activity, or completing challenging tasks can help build self-esteem. The unique challenges of Ninja sports make them a great option for building confidence within your children. Want to see the impacts of Ninja sports firsthand? Find your nearest NinjaZone gym and check us out.

How Physical Activities Can Enhance your Child’s Academic Performance We know that every parent wants the best for their child across all aspects of their life. Making strong social connections, forming lifelong bonds with their family, developing hobbies, and advancing their education all take top priority. However, sometimes missing from that list is a proper emphasis on a good amount of physical activity. Staying physically active might not seem like an important element when viewed on its own, but it’s a vital part of a well-rounded childhood and a smooth transition into adulthood. Physical activity provides more than passive benefits to your child’s well-being, however. With the proper amount of physical activity, your child can boost their performance in the classroom as well. Sadly, many physical education programs in schools across the country are being cut or reduced to meet budgetary constraints. Physical activity’s link to academic performance is still a topic of emerging research, but several factors of physical activity have been widely linked to better overall results in the classroom. So, how do these activities contribute to better academics and why should your child get involved? Improved Concentration Any type of physical activity requires sustained concentration and focus, a skill set that can be trained and improved just like physical characteristics including strength, speed, and agility. In our case, at NinjaZone we place an emphasis on discipline and focus in each class for our ninjas. Regardless of the type of activity, however, the skill of concentration that children acquire and hone can be put to use in a classroom setting. Setting the task at hand with an emphasis on searching for the best solution and the focus to see it through is a vital element in any classroom environment. Additionally, physical activity provides an outlet for children to work out their excess energy and refocus on the world around them afterward. If you’ve ever tried to get a child with too much energy to focus, you know how challenging can be. With a proper way to manage those bursts of energy, any child will be better equipped to concentrate better on their academics. Higher Levels of Chemicals in the Brain That Affect Mood Exercise has been proven beyond a doubt to have a positive impact on mood and the brain, releasing chemicals called endorphins that have a powerful impact on cognitive function and overall mood. Endorphins are known to create feelings of euphoria, reduce pain, promote feelings of well-being, relieve stress, and make falling asleep easier. With all of the benefits of endorphins, it’s no wonder that regular physical activity can have a dramatic positive impact on overall mood. Children with a greater sense of well-being don’t have to struggle as much with negative emotions, allowing them to focus with a clearer view of the topics in front of them. Children being in a better mood means that they are easier to teach, and more likely to participate in activities that will enhance their understanding of the material. Higher Self-Esteem General mood boosts, improved mood and concentration, new skills, and the social bonds formed during communal physical activities all combine to help boost the self-esteem of young children. Boosting confidence and self-esteem is an important part of NinjaZone’s program, as allowing children to advance at their own pace and take control over their own development imparts a great sense of confidence and self-esteem. In the classroom, this higher self-esteem can translate to less intimidation by new material and an outlook more likely to be ready and willing to take on and overcome new challenges. This can-do attitude can also readily translate to testing, as a more self-assured outlook can help offset the effects of test anxiety in young children. If they believe in themselves, they’re more likely to succeed. As you can see, physical activity is an irreplaceable part of a well-rounded childhood full of education and development. By providing students with new skills, as well as boosting their confidence and self-esteem through a curriculum that prioritizes individual progress, NinjaZone is proud to play a part in a process that can do a world of good for children. Finding the right physical activity for your child can be a challenge, but when they have the right fit, they’ll be better equipped for a better academic future.

The cultural expectation for children, especially boys, to participate in physical activity through sports can be challenging for some. From school activities to time spent with family, organized sports are the chief contributors to physical activity. These expectations can be tough to overcome, as physical activity seems to be linked more and more to sports. While there are a great many sports out there that can meet a wide variety of tastes and interests, sports simply aren’t for everyone. Competition, sports cultures, and strict rules can be off-putting and be discouraging from progressing in a sport. However, that doesn’t mean that you, your children, and your family can’t stay active. Your kid doesn't like traditional sports? No problem! Every child should have the opportunity to develop their own physical fitness, but there isn’t one single path that works best for everyone. Similarly, your family can stay active without having to do an activity that not everyone will be enthused about. So how can you keep a love of activity alive without going in on traditional sports? Hiking It’s a way to take in nature, de-stress and spend quality time with friends and family, or alone. There’s no set pace, no set time or distance limits, and the level of activity can be exactly what you make it. Hiking is one of the easiest activities to participate in that builds fitness without the constraint of sports. Next weekend, try scoping out parks and hiking trails near your house and getting your family involved in a hike. You and your children might discover a new passion, and you’ll certainly work up a sweat. Biking Biking does carry an initial investment cost, but since it serves as an alternate mode of transportation as well as a great way to get and stay in shape, bikes could well be worth it if you don’t already own them. When observing the proper safety practices, biking gives your children a safe way to get around while burning calories and having fun. If their friends nearby also have bikes, then it’s all the easier to get your child out and about while building muscle and burning calories. Climbing Climbing may not be for everyone, but if there’s a climbing gym nearby it’s worth it to try it out and see if it’s right for you. Climbing walls come with a complete array of safety equipment, padded floors, a variety of climbing walls varying by difficulty, and staff to ensure that everyone has a safe, fun experience. Climbing can be one of the most physically demanding activities you can do, giving a full-body workout, but is also only as intensive as you want it to be. If your children take to it, you might find they have so much fun they don’t notice how much exercise they’re actually doing! Play on Play Equipment For some, the structure of sports can be off-putting if they’re more comfortable with an open environment where they can run, climb and jump how they please. If you’re nearby a local playground, visiting the play equipment there and setting your children loose can be a great way to get exercise. Children can meet friends, play games, and exercise for hours in a more open environment, providing a great way to keep exercise fun. Bonus points if you walk to the playground. Participate in Ninja Classes For parents looking for a structured environment to allow their children to be physically active without participating in the traditional structure of organized sports, Ninja Classes could be the perfect answer. The NinjaZone program combines elements of coordination from gymnastics, strength, and agility from obstacle training and the creativity from freestyle movement, all in a program where progression is determined at the pace of progress that the child makes. We’ve designed the program to be fun, with Ninjas grouped by age and supervised to ensure that they have fun and stay safe. Ninja Classes aren’t a sport in a traditional sense, but they provide a great opportunity for kids to have fun and develop confidence in addition to fitness. If you’re interested in signing your child up for the NinjaZone program and getting in shape without sports, contract a certified gym near you today !

Math, reading, science, and social studies — all hugely important and things we’re seeing on our childrens’, and ninjas’, homework, no doubt. But what about the other stuff — communication, relating with others, and self-discipline. You know, the soft stuff. How important is it that our kids be introduced to and surrounded by challenges that flex those muscles? Here at NinjaZone, there are fundamental skills we’re instilling and developing in your kids far beyond physical toughness. Here are just a few of them: Social Skills — We encourage all ninjas to root each other on! Through regular interaction with their peers, your ninja is learning how to relate to people their own age, as well as how to greet and interact with their coaches and people outside of their immediate family, peers, and adults. Manners — We believe the best ninjas have the kindest manners. It’s something we encourage and recognize each time a young person flexes that kind of muscle, whether with their peer or coach. Communication — Through regular interaction with their coaches, your ninja is learning how to get their point across clearly and concisely. We’re helping curb or eliminate things like mumbling, hands in or over the mouth, slouched posture, and averted eyes. Listening — A large part of the NinjaZone curriculum requires listening. That’s time without electronics or other distractions, where your ninja is tuned in and their listening caps are on. Empathy — When your ninja sees another facing a challenge, they’re building their empathy. Whether it's your child or another that skill may not come so easily to, our kids are quick to give each other a boost, offer words of encouragement, and boost each other to the point of conquering! Here are more ways you can work on this important life skill at home! Self Control — Isn’t this a skill we could all actively work on improving? When involved in NinjaZone, your kids are actively monitoring and utilizing self-control, whether it be through limiting their level of distraction, using their body and mind to achieve the task at hand, or otherwise. Self-Esteem/Self-Confidence — No one is born with esteem coming out of their ears, it’s developed over time. Our ninjas learn to take pride in their accomplishments and realize their level of worth and ability. Need more help on building self-confidence? Here are 12 more ways ! Want to help us develop these skills even more? If you’re a parent, ask your ninja or their coach how they’re doing in these areas. Recognize and verbalize when you’re seeing them positively empathize with others or demonstrate great listening skills. Offer praise when they seem proud about an accomplishment or when you know they’ve worked hard and practiced at something. Having happy, healthy, well-rounded kids is in everyone’s best interest and something we stand behind you on achieving.

Raise your hand if your kid needs more toys. No? Oh come on, how about a few dozen more plastic things cluttering up your house and then getting forgotten in a closet a few weeks later? Don’t call us a Scrooge yet – we’re not anti-gift, we’re just pro-experiences as gifts, instead. Experience gifts can check the box in several different ways. An experience can be used now or later, or even throughout the year (if it’s a membership, for example). Experience-based gifts open the door to invite friends and family along with you, too, bringing everyone together for fun. So, this holiday season, think outside the box and consider giving an experience instead of a thing. Here’s our list of the seven best experience gifts to consider for Hanukkah, Christmas, or other winter gift-giving celebrations. Explore Your Favorite Museums Do you have a favorite spot in your city or a nearby city that offers a membership? Consider adding it to your list and then making it a priority to make it there more often in the coming year. Memberships are more cost-effective than buying individual entrance passes, particularly for larger families, and can make the dreary days of winter more tolerable! Look for museums that participate in national reciprocal membership programs for an even greater bang for your buck. Too pricey to add to your list? Add day passes or punch cards to your list instead. Opt Outside Getting outside into nature more often is a great way to de-stress and connect with the planet we live on. Many state parks are home to great hiking trails, playgrounds, and nature centers just waiting to be explored. Park entrance fees vary but are often between $7-15 per visit, and with a state park pass, you have an excuse to see them all. Try Something New Are your kids getting tired of swim lessons and soccer practices? Give them an experience that is different from traditional sports – NinjaZone. NinjaZone classes combine gymnastics, martial arts, parkour, and obstacle training to instill confidence in children ages 18 months - 11 years old. Many NinjaZone locations offer trial classes and gift certificates for classes, and with over 300 locations, you’re sure to have one near you. Get Creative Do you have a local art studio or paint your own pottery location in the area? What about a tie-dye shop or cooking school that you’ve been meaning to check out? Encourage your child to get creative and make something they normally wouldn’t with a gift card to a crafty spot. The Tickets You Wanted to Buy Anyway Admit it – you saw that touring Broadway show was coming to your area next year and was contemplating tickets anyway…say yes, and give them as a gift! Check out your go-to ticketing site to get an idea of what’s coming to your area in the coming months or poke around on Facebook to see which events your friends are responding to. Plays, musicals, Disney on Ice , Monster Truck Jam , and local high school and college productions are all possibilities! Take Me Out to the Ball Game This goes along with the previous category, but sporting events are fun opportunities to try something new and experience a big crowd cheering for the home team. Tickets to professional sporting events can be expensive, so unless you have a child who is a big fan of a specific team, look around for tickets to smaller, more affordable events instead. Minor league baseball and soccer, or college football or basketball games can be just as fun as professional team games at a fraction of the cost. Take It On the Road When was the last time you took a family vacation? Travel as a family builds lasting memories for years to come…and doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Check out State Park Inns, VRBO, Airbnb, and Groupon for deals. Consider even just a weekend trip to a hotel in your closest major city (or downtown in your current one!) Children don’t need a lot of bells and whistles to make a vacation fun. A hotel with a pool, vending machine, and a late bedtime can make for a great family vacation!

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, and one for helping others.” -Audrey Hepburn Here at NinjaZone, we believe in the Ninja Creed . Our Creed represents the character development portion of NinjaZone and we feel very strongly that it’s nothin’ to sneeze at! At the core of our program, we believe in the power of building children up, from the inside out. Their mental and physical strength is built through a sport that uses techniques to leverage kids’ fire and enthusiasm into an activity they truly love. The character pillars of our program are just as important. We teach manners, respect, responsibility, and work ethic, to name a few. We also teach compassion. Throughout the months of November and December, we launched a #NinjasGiveBack campaign. We asked clubs to share their stories and photos of their Ninjas giving back to the community. We heard from clubs that did everything from a “Giving Tree” to a canned food and toy drive. We are so proud of our clubs, our trainers, our Ninja parents, and our kids! If you haven’t seen our Kindness Calendar, it has been wildly popular! Feel free to use it (see below)! It’s never too late to start!

THE NINJA CREED An important staple of the NinjaZone curriculum is the Ninja Creed. Not only will your child be challenged physically in class, but they will also be challenged to practice what it means to embrace their best self. The Ninja Creed encourages responsibility, respect, manners, kindness, personal growth, impulse restraint, health in both mind and body, conflict resolution, and much more. The Creed is discussed at the beginning and end of each class, and ninjas are encouraged to take the lessons they learn in class and apply them to everyday life at home, school, and with friends.

It’s a great time for self-reflection, introspection, and goal setting with the new year coming up… unfortunately it also tends to be one of the busiest months of the year for many families! Instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle, choose instead to slow down and focus on something I like to call “intentional kindness”. In general, as parents, we strive to fill our children up with the right character traits to move them through life as successful, happy, engaged citizens. Sometimes it’s important to make the act of showing kindness to others a priority and with this calendar, you can! Print off this kindness calendar and make a goal to check off 5, 10, 15 (or all!) of the kind activities during the month. If you enjoy doing this with your children, consider incorporating it into your New Year’s goals as well! We’d love to hear feedback from you — which activities did your children enjoy the most? What activities would you suggest that we missed? #ninjasgiveback

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” With Thanksgiving upon us and the end of the year in sight, there’s no better time to remind our ninjas of the importance of kindness. Not only that, but every NinjaZone participant agrees to live and operate by the Ninja Creed, which places importance on qualities like respecting and honoring parents, using proper manners, taking self-responsibility, helping others grow to the next level, using ninja powers for good, and beyond. Just as we do every year, we encourage Ninja Parents to get their children involved in the #NinjasGiveBack initiative. Here are some things your family can do to get involved in your household: Donate books to a local library Be sure to check with your library first to see what their drop-off and donation regulations are. Collect soda can tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities For more information, go to rmhc.org. Donate blankets, newspapers, cleaning supplies, old towels, hand sanitizer, or food to an animal shelter Check with the shelter first – their greatest needs can differ from day-to-day! Organize a neighborhood clean-up initiative Have everyone bring their own trash bags, and don’t forget the masks and gloves! Distribute leaf bags or help neighbors rake fallen leaves Many older citizens need help blowing leaves, raking, bagging, and general yard clean up before winter strikes! Buy gift cards from local businesses or restaurants and give them to those in need Local restaurants and shops need our support now more than ever, and if you pay the purchase forward to someone in need, it’s the gift that keeps on giving! Volunteer to virtually read books to seniors in a local nursing home Many residents in nursing homes are not able to accept in-person visitors right now, and a surprise book reading or other fun interaction with your family would certainly create a bright spot in their day! Deliver doorstep meals to new parents and other homebound individuals Be sure to check for potential allergies ahead of time, and to set up a time for the drop-off that is both socially distant and well-timed for perishable foods. Donate birthday party decorations to youth shelters or children’s hospitals Every kid deserves to have a magical birthday. Think outside the box, and help these kids have a birthday they won’t soon forget! Share your ninjas giving back by using our #ninjasgiveback on any social media platform! We are so excited to see these ninjas throw themselves into acts of kindness and goodness and appreciate the example parents provide these amazing kids we get to help shape and mold.

Today’s children have so many choices of activities to fill their days, but some of those options can lead to serious negative health impacts. A sedentary lifestyle of sitting in front of a screen while munching on processed snacks can really affect a child’s physical and mental health! A sedentary life can lead to future health problems like obesity, heart disease, and an increased risk for anxiety and depression, but how do we make fitness more fun?  There are so many obstacles that can stand in the way of getting your little ninjas up and active. Organized sports for elementary students are not typically run through schools, and knowing which ones to choose can be a hard decision! Plus if you add in the scheduling nightmare of different locations and activities for children of different ages it can quickly become overwhelming for parents. But it doesn’t have to be! Here are 3 simple ways to help build a foundation of wellness and fun for your young children. 1. Make it Fun Gamify fitness time by creating goals and challenges for your ninja. You can involve the yard toys you already have or head to the park and use the equipment there as an obstacle course! Get involved in playgroups in your area. Being in playgroups can help with a ninja’s confidence, communication, and gets them active with their peers. Social time for your kids is essential for their development into strong, outgoing ninjas! 2. Be Active Together Being active together helps model healthy behaviors for your ninja! It can be a planned activity together like a hike, bike ride, or walk around your neighborhood. Or it can be impromptu play like a game of tag after mowing the lawn or a dance party while cooking dinner! Use tools like pedometers or activity trackers to challenge each other to move more throughout the day. You might find that your child is setting an example of how you can get active too! 3. Find What They Love There are so many ways to get active! Introduce new toys into your fitness play, or come up with new games and concepts to challenge your child. Start with activities your child already loves and make connections between those and new activities your ninja is trying. Does your ninja love football? Show them how dance can make them even lighter on their feet! Does your ninja swing around the monkey bars with too much ease? Try something new like a ninja gym to challenge them. Don’t put fences on their fun – let them try and fail. It will build grit and help them find their passions, something we believe in at NinjaZone. By making a commitment to a more active lifestyle as a family, you’re showing your children that healthy living isn’t just important – it’s fun too! The behaviors and habits that you teach your ninjas will carry them forward into young adulthood and beyond. It’s a great opportunity for bonding and ensuring you all will live longer & healthier lives.

It can be a challenge to tie fitness and fun together in a way that will hold a child’s attention. Distractors like television, tablets, video games, and social media, combined with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, can result in shorter attention spans, making it even more challenging. Staying physically active with limited options and seasonal availability of sports can be a struggle. Solving this, however, can be as easy as heading to your nearest NinjaZone. Think about the fun of jungle gyms and playground/park equipment – the appeal is the fluidity and variance of movement. The popularity of Ninja obstacle courses on television and in gyms around the country proves obstacle courses aren’t just for fun, they’re great for fitness for kids and adults too. Here’s why: Obstacle Courses are Fun Obstacle courses give your Ninja a way to get out of the everyday routine and do something out of the ordinary. The fun of being challenged by obstacle courses doesn’t wear off after they make it through the first time either! Each time your Ninja takes on the obstacle courses they are challenging themselves to perfect their performance while overcoming each challenge the course has in store for them. Add in the competitive aspect of racing their peers and improving their personal times and the fun just keeps growing. Obstacles Require Problem-Solving Obstacle courses can give Ninjas problem-solving skills that translate from the ninja gym into their everyday life. From moving faster the next time they go through the course, to being able to see a clearer way to get from point a to point b, problem-solving on obstacle courses can produce lasting effects because of the mental strategizing it takes to complete them. When they solve the puzzle of a new obstacle, your children are building new neural pathways to empower their critical thinking and problem solving on and off the course. Ninja Gyms Have Fitness AND Social Opportunities Creating a space where your children can socialize with others who share their interests and who open them up to new ideas can be challenging. While it is an individual sport, taking part in Ninja sports offer a great common ground to meet new friends. Whether it’s a guided class or a hosted birthday party, the obstacle courses open up new activities to build new relationships and meet new people. Ninja gyms promote teamwork and the skills to build each other up by working together and cheering each other on. Exercise Increases Bone Strength and Immunity Obstacle courses build muscle in a way that a Ninja can’t get from the typical workout. From climbing a wall to jumping high on the trampolines, every muscle is used and engaged to overcome their challenging terrain. Obstacle courses can improve cardiovascular health by increasing blood flow and strengthening the heart which can lower risks for diabetes and heart disease. Also, since 90% of human bone growth happens before age twenty , it is essential to increase bone strength with the high-impact exercises obstacle courses offer. Add in a boost to the immune system which can reduce the chance of some common illnesses as well as stress reduction stemming from intense exercise, and obstacle courses create numerous health benefits. There are many options to keep you and your little Ninja fit, and obstacle courses are one of the best choices. Combining fun, fitness, socialization, and problem-solving gets your kid moving, thinking, and teaches teamwork. Obstacle courses give you all of this while still maintaining a fun atmosphere, something that is challenging with common fitness regimens. So whether it’s at your nearest ninja gym, at the park, or in your backyard – get moving!