Ninjago is a sewist's dream theme, because every ninja is built on the same pattern and only the colour and trim change. The original team is Lloyd, Kai, Jay, Cole, Zane and Nya, and the newer series added characters like Arin, Sora and Wyldfyre. Once you can make one wrap tunic, one hood and one sash, you can make all of them. Solid-colour athletic clothes do the heavy lifting underneath, and foam armour or metallic trim is there for anyone who wants to push further. Kids look great in the simple versions; adults can layer athletic pieces for the broader, blockier LEGO proportions. Below are thirty characters, from the core team to villains, mentors and sibling sets.
Sewing a Wrap Tunic You Can Reuse for Every Ninja
Nearly every costume below has a sleeveless wrap tunic over a plain base. Make it once and you can recolour it for any character. Here is how I cut a simple one without a bought pattern.
- Lay a T-shirt that fits the wearer flat on folded fabric and trace around the body, leaving off the sleeves. Add about 2 cm at the side seams for ease.
- Cut the back on the fold. Cut two front pieces, each one extended across the body so it overlaps the other by a hand's width, and slope the neckline down into a V.
- Sew the shoulder and side seams, then finish the armholes and the front edges with bias tape in the trim colour. That bias tape is your gold or silver edging, so you get the character detail and a clean edge in one step.
- Tie it shut with a wide sash rather than adding buttons. The sash hides any wobbly overlap and lets the same tunic fit a growing child next year.
Cotton drill or a midweight twill holds the boxy LEGO shape best. Jersey is comfortable but sags into a softer outline. For children I go about a size up and let the sash take in the slack.
1. Lloyd Green Ninjago Costume
Lloyd is the first ninja I'd sew, because the green is easy to find and the gold trim teaches you everything the other suits need. A forest-green long-sleeve shirt and joggers, or a light martial arts uniform, make the base. Over it goes a black wrap vest with gold fabric tape at the shoulders, waist and cuffs. A green hood with a matching face covering shows only the eyes; a short blond wig lets you take the hood off and stay in character. Defined brows and a touch of gold at the temples are enough makeup. Carry a glowing green foam orb, and wear black fingerless gloves and flexible black sneakers.
2. Kai Red Ninjago Costume
Kai's suit is red over red, which is where people run into trouble: two reds from different shops rarely match. I buy the hoodie first and take it with me to choose the pants. A black sleeveless tunic goes over the top, with gold flames cut from iron-on vinyl; adhesive felt flames lift at the points after a few hours of movement, so I stitch round the tips if I use felt. Add a wide black sash with small red side panels and a red hood with a narrow eye opening. Bronze shadow and sharp brows, a light foam flame in orange and yellow, black gloves, red leg wraps and black high-tops for a long night.
3. Jay Blue Ninjago Costume
Jay is the cheerful one, and his suit is the quickest to put together from sportswear. A royal-blue long-sleeve top and matching pants make the base. The wrap tunic is blue with black edging and silver lightning appliqués, held by a dark belt. Stretchy jersey is the right fabric for his hood, since it hugs the head without a pattern and won't fray. A short brown wig gives the unmasked version. Silver shadow with a thin blue flick at the outer corner hints at lightning. A battery-powered blue light disk or a silver-painted cardboard gadget, black gloves, blue wrist wraps and navy sneakers. A strip of reflective tape on the tunic hem helps once it's dark.
4. Cole Black Ninjago Costume
Cole is earth, so his black suit needs texture or it disappears in photos. Start with a black sweatshirt and relaxed black utility pants. Edge a sleeveless black wrap vest with dark brown faux leather, then paint orange crack lines across the chest with flexible fabric paint; stiff acrylic cracks for real once you move. A brown belt and textured shoulder panels add depth without bulk. Tousled dark hair under a black hood, warm brown eyes with a little orange highlight, and a round foam "earth" prop painted like stone, which is far kinder on the arm than a real rock prop. Black gloves, brown ankle wraps and sturdy boots or cushioned sneakers.
5. Zane White Ninjago Costume
White costumes show every mark, so I'd make Zane's tunic from a fabric you can throw in the wash. A white thermal shirt and white joggers make the base, with a structured wrap tunic over them outlined in silver fabric tape and pale blue geometric panels at the shoulders and chest. Wear a white hood with a silver-edged face covering, or show short white hair with a neat synthetic wig. Silver shadow, precise brows and a few metallic lines at the temples suggest his nindroid side without full face paint. A translucent snowflake or glowing blue cube, white gloves, pale grey shin wraps and white or silver sneakers, all light enough to move in freely.
6. Nya Water Ninja Ninjago Costume
Nya's water ninja suit layers navy, blue-grey and turquoise, so the trick is getting the three shades to sit apart. Start with a fitted navy top and flexible navy pants. The sleeveless blue-grey tunic carries turquoise wave shapes at the hem and shoulders; I cut the waves from turquoise fabric and zigzag them on, since painted waves on blue-grey tend to look muddy. A silver belt, soft forearm guards and a navy hood give the ninja outline. A long black wig in a high ponytail for the unmasked look, waterproof navy liner, and a clear acrylic orb filled with blue ribbon as her water prop. Choose breathable fabrics if you'll be indoors for hours.
7. Nya Samurai X Ninjago Costume
Samurai X is Nya in armour, and it's a bigger build than her ninja suit. A black long-sleeve shirt and black leggings go underneath a red tunic, with a metallic blue waist panel and lightweight silver foam shoulder pieces. The rounded red helmet is the signature, so spend your time there: cut craft foam into gores like a football, glue the seams, then paint. Leave a clear face opening and pull long hair into a low ponytail below it. Strong black liner with silver shadow suits the mechanical theme. A painted control panel or a foam gear in hand, red gloves, segmented shin covers and flat black boots.
8. Master Wu Ninjago Costume
Master Wu is the costume I suggest to grown-ups who want in on a kids' group without wearing a hood all night. A long white robe or wrap-front tunic over loose white pants, a wide tan sash and a soft cream cape. Two details carry him: the wide conical hat and a long white beard. Hook the beard over the ears with elastic rather than gluing it, since spirit gum on a beard that size pulls at the skin when you talk. Tuck hair under the hat or wear a shoulder-length white wig. A few taupe age lines and lightened brows, a scroll or a small tea cup, white wrist wraps and tan slip-ons.
9. Lord Garmadon Ninjago Costume
Garmadon's extra arms are what everyone will look at, so build them first and build them light. Stuff two black sleeves with polyester fiberfill, bend them at the elbow with a little craft wire inside, and stitch them onto a foam shoulder harness worn under the tunic. Keep them close to the body or they knock drinks off tables. Underneath, a fitted black top and black pants with a charcoal wrap tunic trimmed in purple and silver. A sculpted black foam helmet, or dark hair slicked back. Grey makeup, bold black brows and purple eye shading, a purple glowing orb as the prop, black gloves, layered shin guards and flat black boots.
10. Golden Lloyd Ninjago Costume
Golden Lloyd is the bright, celebratory version of the green ninja. A mustard-gold athletic shirt and pants make the base, under a metallic gold wrap vest with green piping. Metallic lamé frays badly, so I fuse a light interfacing to the back before cutting and the edges stay clean. A wide green sash and green forearm bands keep the link to Lloyd's usual colour. Make a gold hood from stretch fabric with an easy opening for the eyes and nose, and wear a short blond wig underneath for the unmasked version. Gold shadow with a thin green line by the lashes, a translucent energy disk, gold gloves, leg wraps and green-and-black sneakers.
11. Lloyd Dragon Form Ninjago Costume
Lloyd's dragon form adds wings and gold scales to the green suit, and the wings are what decide whether it's wearable. Start with a dark green top, green utility pants and a black-and-gold wrap vest. Add flexible gold foam shoulder armour and small scale panels along the forearms. Make the wings from soft fabric on elastic straps, and measure them against your doorways before you go: if they're wider than your shoulders plus a hand on each side, you'll be turning sideways all night. A green hood with short gold horns, green-gold eye makeup, a glowing crystal or foam dragon egg, black gloves, gold shin panels and green sneakers.
12. Kai Dragon Form Ninjago Costume
Kai's dragon form turns the red uniform up a notch with orange wings and gold scales. Start with a red athletic base and a black wrap tunic decorated with gold flames. The wings sit on a small backpack-style harness, which spreads their weight better than safety pins through the tunic. I cut scales for the shoulders, wrists and outer calves from gold craft foam with a round punch so they all match. A red hood with two short orange horns over smooth dark hair, orange, red and gold shadow blended round the eyes, a light-up flame orb or red dragon egg, black gloves, gold-edged boot covers and supportive black sneakers.
13. Jay Dragon Form Ninjago Costume
Jay's dragon form is all electric blue, and the wings need to stay narrow. Pair a royal-blue compression shirt with blue joggers and a black wrap vest. Add silver lightning symbols, pale blue foam scales and iridescent shoulder panels. Blue wings edged in silver should sit close to the body, because anything that sticks out snags on coats in a crowded hallway. A blue hood with small silver horns, or a short brown wig for the unmasked look. Silver-blue shadow with tiny branching lightning lines at the temples, a battery-lit blue sphere, black gloves, reflective ankle wraps and blue high-tops; the silver details catch headlights too.
14. Cole Dragon Form Ninjago Costume
Cole's dragon form is the one I'd pick for an outdoor night, since it's black, sturdy and forgiving. A black fitted sweatshirt and black cargo pants go under a dark brown wrap vest, with textured bronze foam scales on the shoulders and forearms. Dry-brushing the foam with copper over brown gives it that stony look. Black fabric wings edged in burnt orange keep the silhouette strong but flexible. A black hood with short bronze horns, brown and copper shadow with thin orange lines at the outer corners, a cracked-stone orb painted black and orange, padded gloves, bronze shin panels and hiking-style sneakers.
15. Zane Dragon Form Ninjago Costume
Zane's dragon form is sleek when the whites match, so buy the white base pieces together. A white long-sleeve top and fitted white pants, a silver-trimmed tunic, translucent shoulder fins and pale blue foam scales along the arms. White fabric wings with iridescent blue edges give movement without weight; organza is lighter than satin and holds an edge. A fitted white hood with small silver horns, or a short white wig. Silver liner, frosted blue shadow and precise metallic temple markings carry the mechanical look. A glowing snowflake disk in hand, white gloves, silver calf guards and white sneakers with pale blue laces.
16. Nya Dragon Form Ninjago Costume
Nya's dragon form should look like it moves like water, so the wings are sheer. A navy shirt and flexible navy pants go under a blue wrap tunic with silver wave appliqués. Cut narrow turquoise wings from chiffon or organza and gather them onto a soft fabric strap rather than a wire frame, which keeps them safe in a crowd. Iridescent foam scales on the shoulders, cuffs and sides of the legs. A navy hood with small silver horns and the long black ponytail tucked down the back. Shimmering aqua shadow, silver liner, a clear blue orb wrapped in curled ribbon, navy gloves, silver-edged leg wraps and flat turquoise sneakers you can dance in.
17. Arin Orange Ninjago Costume
Arin is a good pick for a kid who wants a ninja nobody else at school will be. An orange hoodie or long-sleeve athletic top with darker orange joggers makes the base, under a black wrap tunic with yellow trim, a utility-style belt and padded brown shoulder panels. An orange hood leaves the eyes visible; a short curly dark wig gives the unmasked look. Keep makeup to warm gold shadow. A small pie box or a foam training spinner suits his trainee energy. I'd fray the tunic edges on purpose with a seam ripper, since a slightly rough, handmade finish suits a ninja still learning. Brown fingerless gloves, black ankle wraps and orange-and-black sneakers.
18. Sora Tech Ninja Ninjago Costume
Sora is pink, white, black and bright blue, and the pink wig is the piece that tells people who she is. A fitted white top with black leggings or utility pants, a cropped pink wrap vest, blue belt panels and light white shoulder armour. A pink-and-blue hood can frame a pink bob wig, or leave the wig fully on show. Sharp blue liner, pink shadow and small silver circuit lines at the temples. For props, a foam tablet, painted controller or a lightweight mechanical cat. Reflective vinyl gives a tech feel without wiring anything. White gloves, blue wrist cuffs and black sneakers finish her.
19. Wyldfyre Heat Ninjago Costume
Wyldfyre is all heat and attitude, and her wig does most of the talking. Start with a burnt-orange top and dark red pants, then add a sleeveless red tunic with uneven flame-shaped edges. Brown foam shoulder pieces and orange scale appliqués give the dragon-raised feel. The wild red wig with orange streaks needs teasing upward and a firm hold of hairspray; synthetic hair frizzes near heat, so keep the styling tools on low. Copper shadow, bold brows and small gold dots on the cheeks. A red foam dragon egg or glowing orb, brown gloves, wrapped forearms and dark red boots. Keep the layers thin so a heat-themed costume doesn't actually overheat you.
20. P.I.X.A.L. Samurai Ninjago Costume
P.I.X.A.L. should look sleek, so I'd skip anything bulky here. A fitted purple-grey top and black leggings, silver foam chest panels, angular shoulder pieces and a violet wrap belt. Attach the foam with thin elastic loops instead of rigid straps so you can still sit down. The silver bob wig is her signature; brush it with a wide-tooth comb only, since cheap metallic wigs tangle and shed. Pale foundation if you like, purple liner, silver shadow and neat circuit lines at the temples. A holographic-style tablet from painted cardboard and translucent film, silver gloves, segmented purple shin covers and grey sneakers, with a few reflective strips that catch the camera flash.
21. Skylor Amber Ninjago Costume
Skylor's amber is a warm change from the usual ninja palette. A deep red long-sleeve top and flexible dark pants make the base, under an amber-orange wrap tunic with gold borders and a wide red sash. Soft gold shoulder panels give structure. The red underneath matters: amber alone washes out under indoor lighting, and the red beneath keeps her from reading as plain orange. A long red wig in a high ponytail with a few loose pieces at the face, copper shadow, winged liner and a gold highlight. A translucent amber disk or glowing gold bracelet, red gloves, amber leg wraps and flat dark boots.
22. Morro Ghost Ninja Ninjago Costume
Morro is a ghost, but he can stay mysterious rather than scary. A dark green top and charcoal pants go under a distressed green-grey wrap tunic. The wisps are the fun part: cut pale mint strips of chiffon on the bias, stitch them at the shoulders and waist only, and they'll drift as you walk. A dark green hood over a long black wig with subtle green streaks. Smoky grey and mint shadow, natural skin. A translucent green lantern or glowing wind orb, black gloves, tattered-looking calf wraps and charcoal boots. Distress the edges with sandpaper rather than scissors and they look worn, not ripped.
23. Harumi Princess Ninjago Costume
Harumi is the dressy option on this list. A cream high-neck blouse with a long burgundy skirt or wide-leg pants, and over them a structured white-and-red sleeveless coat with gold trim and geometric shoulder details. That coat is the sewing project; interface the front panels so the geometric edges stay crisp. A platinum-blond wig in a smooth half-up style, secured with a red headband or small gold hairpiece. Soft ivory shadow, defined brows and a muted berry lip. A folded fan or palace scroll, white gloves, a slim gold belt and burgundy ankle boots. In cold weather a cream thermal underneath keeps the outline clean.
24. Lord Ras Ninjago Costume
Lord Ras is a tiger, and I'd keep his face uncovered so the wearer can actually see. Start with a charcoal top and black cargo pants, add a dark purple armour-style vest in flexible foam, a wide grey belt and padded shoulder panels. A light feline hood with rounded ears and grey side panels frames the face. Grey and white paint on the cheeks, black liner and a painted nose suggest the tiger. A purple energy crystal or a decorative map, black gloves with soft grey fingertip covers, purple shin guards and stable black boots. If you add a fabric tail, keep it short enough to clear the floor when you sit on a step.
25. Cinder Smoke Master Ninjago Costume
Cinder's smoke effect comes down to fabric choice. A charcoal athletic shirt and tapered black pants are the base, with a grey wrap vest edged in jagged purple and soft black shoulder panels. Strips of sheer grey fabric on the sleeves float when you move; I'd use chiffon over tulle, which is scratchy and stiff. A charcoal hood over short dark hair or a black wig. Grey and lavender shadow with curved smoke lines at the temples. A clear orb full of curled grey ribbon stands in for smoke. Black gloves, purple forearm wraps and dark grey sneakers. For children or a packed party, shorten the strips so nothing trails.
26. Euphrasia Wind Master Ninjago Costume
Euphrasia is light and breezy in green, white and gold. A white fitted shirt with soft grey or green pants, a jade wrap tunic and flowing white panels at the shoulders and waist. Gold piping defines the edges. A short dark wig, or natural hair pulled back under a loose green head wrap. Fresh green shadow, gold liner and a soft cheek highlight. A clear pinwheel or ribbon hoop makes a playful wind prop. White gloves, wrapped green calves and pale grey sneakers. Hem every flowing panel above the ankle; floor-length panels catch under a heel almost as soon as you climb a step.
27. Benthomaar Sea Prince Ninjago Costume
Benthomaar's sea-prince look is turquoise, navy and pearl. A fitted turquoise top and navy pants under a sleeveless sea-blue tunic with silver edging, and lightweight foam shoulder panels shaped like smooth fins. A turquoise hood or close cap with soft side fins, plus blue face paint on the forehead and cheeks. Blue paint is the hardest colour to remove, so set it with translucent powder and keep it off the hairline. Silver shadow and small pearl dots near the temples. A decorative shell or glowing sea crystal, webbed-look gloves from stretch fabric, silver shin panels and navy water shoes. Keep the fins small enough for classroom doorways.
28. Young Lloyd Ninjago Costume
Young Lloyd is the one for little kids who aren't ready for a full ninja suit. A black hoodie and black joggers go under a purple sleeveless tunic with green trim, a wide grey belt and a snake emblem cut from felt or iron-on vinyl. The short tousled blond wig is what makes him readable. Natural makeup with slightly exaggerated dark brows keeps his mischievous face. A small cardboard lesson book or a purple trick box, black gloves with green cuffs, striped leg wraps and purple-and-black sneakers. With almost no armour, it's comfortable for school events and easy for a parent to make in an evening.
29. Kai And Nya Sibling Ninjago Costume
Fire and water make a natural pair for siblings or two friends. Kai wears the red ninja base with black-and-gold flames, a red hood, dark hair, warm eye makeup and black sneakers. Nya wears navy and turquoise with silver wave appliqués, a blue hood, a long black ponytail, aqua eye makeup and navy boots. I make both tunics, belts, gloves and ankle guards from the same pattern so they look like one team even though the colours clash on purpose. Give Kai a glowing orange orb and Nya a clear blue ribbon-filled one, both soft and light. In photos the red and blue split reads right away.
30. Ninjago Ninja Group Costume
For a full team of six, the colour assignments are fixed: green Lloyd, red Kai, blue Jay, black Cole, white Zane and navy-turquoise Nya. Everyone follows the same formula of athletic base, wrap tunic, fabric hood, waist sash, gloves, ankle guards and sneakers. If one person sews, I'd cut all six tunics from one pattern in one sitting, then size up or down per person. Wigs come out when the hoods come off, and each person's eye makeup follows their element. Give everyone a different soft prop, and use the same metallic trim on all six so the group reads as one team, whatever the mix of kids, teens and adults.
Gold Trim, Vinyl Symbols and What Holds Up
The trim and elemental symbols are where these costumes get their character, and they're also the parts that fail first. A quick rundown of how each option behaves:
- Iron-on vinyl gives the sharpest flames and lightning bolts. Press it through a cloth at the temperature the vinyl asks for, and it survives washing. It won't bond well to nylon or stretchy athletic fabric, so put it on the cotton tunic rather than the base layer.
- Metallic fabric tape is quick but its adhesive weakens with body heat and bending. A line of straight stitching down the middle keeps it on.
- Felt shapes are easy for kids to help cut. Glue them with fabric glue and add a few stitches at the points, because points are where felt peels.
- Fabric paint works for Cole's cracks and Morro's distressing. Use flexible fabric paint, not craft acrylic, or the design will crack when the tunic bends.
Hoods and Face Wraps a Kid Will Actually Keep On
The ninja hood is the piece children take off first, usually because it's hot or it slips over their eyes. I make it in two parts: a close cap of stretch jersey cut from a beanie pattern, plus a separate face wrap that ties at the back of the head. The child can pull the face part down to their chin while walking and lift it for photos.
Leave the eye opening wider than you'd expect, and have them look down at their feet with the hood on. If they can't see their shoes, they can't see a kerb. Breathable cotton jersey keeps them cooler than polyester, and a soft elastic at the back of the cap stops it rotating sideways halfway through the evening.
One Pattern, Six Ninjas
Every Ninjago costume starts from the same pieces: comfortable shirts and joggers, a wrap tunic, a hood and a sash. The character comes from the colour, the trim, the wig and one elemental prop. Foam armour and fabric appliqués add shape without making the suit hard to wear, and a glowing or handmade prop stands in for anything hard or sharp. Pick a favourite ninja, villain, mentor or one of the newer characters, or sew a whole colour-coded team from one pattern. If you only make one thing well, make it the tunic, because it's the piece every version on this list shares.
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