Extreme Musical Chairs: Ninja Mode

Gameplay

• 7+ Players 👥

• 3-7 Minutes ⏱️

What You’ll Need

• Chairs (2 less than the number of players)

• Music and speaker setup

• Nerf blaster (motorized with magazine preferred)

• Nerf darts (enough for each round)

• Extra preloaded magazines (optional)

• Clearly marked “safe zones” (e.g., cones, tape, or signs)

Setup

• Arrange the chairs in a circle in the center of your play space.

• Mark two “safe zones” outside the chair circle—ideally at opposite ends of the room.

• Designate an adult or leader to be the first nerf blaster wielder.

• Load the nerf blaster and have a few spare magazines ready if using motorized blasters.

How to Play

• Start the Music – Players walk around the chairs in a circle.

• Stop the Music – Everyone scrambles for a chair. Because there are two fewer chairs than players, two will be left standing.

• Dash to Safety – The two standing players must sprint to the “safe zones.”

• Take Aim – The leader (or current nerf wielder) tries to hit one or both runners with a nerf dart.

  • If a Player is Hit – The first one hit is out and becomes the new nerf wielder. Remove one chair and continue the next round.

  • If No One is Hit – Both players return to the game. No one is out, and no chair is removed.

• Final Showdown – When only two players remain, remove all chairs. They walk in a circle until the music stops, then race to the safe zones. The first one hit is out—crown your champion!

Say Something Like
“Alright guys, this isn’t your grandma’s musical chairs… This is Extreme Musical Chairs! You’ll still walk in a circle when the music plays, but this time, if you’re left standing—don’t just freeze—RUN to a safe zone! And watch out… the nerf blaster is locked and loaded. Get hit, and you’re out—but you get the power of the blaster in the next round!”

Variations

• Safe Zone Switcheroo – Switch safe zones mid-game to increase challenge.

• Double Trouble – Two blasters, two shooters!

• Silent Round – Players must walk in silence. Anyone talking gets an automatic nerf target on their back.

Teaching Points
This game introduces a fun twist on consequences and second chances. It can spark a discussion on grace, redemption, and how sometimes what seems like a loss can lead to a new kind of purpose.

Transparency: This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.