Games for Taekwondo Classes

Games are a great way to add a little fun & excitement to your Taekwondo class (as well as help to teach things such as speed, accuracy, coordination and balance). The idea for this page comes from one of our visitors (Diana) who had the following comment: "I was hoping you could include a section on games for kids that teach skills. I am needing some new ideas, the same games get stale after a while!" So here are a number of suggestions (including some from Diana). Please send us your suggestions so we can add them to this page! These Taekwondo game ideas are for martial arts instructors, dedicated Taekwondo parents and/or parents looking for new ways to wear out their over-active kids!

• Tape balloons to pads & practice dummies to test a kid's kicking accuracy. Kids like to hear things pop.

• Stack a number of practice shields on top of each other. Then place a small ball or hacky sack on top and they must kick off the ball/sack without knocking over the pads. Great for teaching accuracy.

• Similar to the suggestion above, the Masters place a bunch of practice pads together & the kids must jump over and break a board. Keep building the pile higher & higher until only one person (the winner) can jump over & break the board. Use plastic re-breakable boards (versus wood boards) in order to save money.

• Team contests where they must knock over practice dummies with back kicks, flying side kicks, etc. Team who hits the dummy to the ground the most wins.

• Each kid has a number and are separated into two teams (on opposite sides of the school). The Masters call out a number and the appropriate kid must run, kick a practice dummy (in the middle of the school) and run back to their team. Supposedly teaches speed & concentration. However, in reality, kids just like hitting things.

• "Tail" grabbing contests. Hang a spare belt, etc. around the belt on each kid's back. Then let two kids face off and the first person to put out the tail of his/her opponent wins.

• Balance contests. Have them stand on one foot with their eyes closed. If they fall, put their foot down or open their eyes, they are out. Last person standing wins.

• Blocking contests. Have children practice their skills by blocking random strikes (i.e. with a high block, low block, etc.) from padded "blocker" sticks. Person who blocks the most strikes before getting hit is the winner.

• Technique memorization. You can either shout out a crazy series of kicks, self-defenses, etc. and they must execute without any mistakes. Or have separate teams play "follow the leader" - one person does a kick, the next person does that kick and another type of kick, the next person does those two kicks and adds another type of kick... and so on. Keep going until someone makes a mistake. Team with the highest number of correct techniques wins.

• Make your own OCTAGON. I make a small circle of pads at home where my boys can practice sparring & whack each other. Okay, my family is nuts. :)