Name of the game: Shell

Ages: 3-10 (you can change the 'story' you build around the game, depending on the age group).

Story: "Kids / Ninjas, a group of space monsters are nearby but we have to get to the castle! Luckily we have these special invisibility discs so we can sneak past them. They only work if they're on your back, so get down on your hands and knees, and follow the path, but make sure you don't lose your invisibility disc otherwise you'll get spotted by the monsters and you'll have to start again."

Before you start: set-up a tricky but manageable obstacle course for your Ninjas to follow. Have a clear start and finish line. Make sure you have some invisibility discs (can be any light item that will balance on their back, but can slip off if they tilt).

Don't forget: this isn't a group warm-up on the face of it, but all warm-ups can be a team game. If some students finish before others, they become cheer-leaders and encourage the stragglers until they cross the finish line!

Change it up: you can place the 'invisibility disc' on their belly and ask them to 'crab walk' through the obstacle course instead.

What it's good for: core control! Big time. But it is also great for building awareness of their bodies in space, shoulder strength and determination.

A super engaging and fun warm up game for gymnastics, martial arts and dance | Secret Ninja School