5 Fun and Engaging Yoga Poses for Kids
Introducing yoga to kids can be a delightful way to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Engaging them in fun and simple poses can foster a love for the practice that lasts a lifetime. Here are five fun and engaging yoga poses for kids, complete with gentle and open-ended instructions to make the experience enjoyable and accessible for young yogis.
If you want your kids to follow along with you, maybe practice these by yourself first, and then invite them to follow what you do. Let it be fun and light. Allow space for deciding not to try the poses if they don’t want to.
Tree Pose
Why It’s Fun: Tree Pose allows kids to use their imagination, pretending to be tall, strong trees swaying in the breeze.
How to Practice:
Stand Tall: Start by standing tall with your feet together and arms by your sides.
Find Your Roots: Imagine your feet are roots growing into the ground, helping you balance.
Lift One Foot: Slowly lift your right foot and place it on your left ankle, shin, or thigh—wherever feels comfortable.
Grow Your Branches: Bring your hands together in front of your chest, then slowly raise them above your head like branches reaching for the sky.
Sway Gently: If you like, gently sway from side to side like a tree in the wind.
Encouragement: Balance as long as you can, then switch sides. Remember, it’s okay to wobble, tree branches blow in the wind!
Cat-Cow Pose
Why It’s Fun: This pose mimics the movements of a cat and cow, making it easy for kids to visualize and enjoy.
How to Practice:
Get on All Fours: Start on your hands and knees, with your hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips.
Cat Pose: On an exhale, arch your back like a cat stretching, tuck your chin to your chest, and look at your belly button.
Cow Pose: On an inhale, drop your belly, lift your head and tailbone, and look up slightly.
Encouragement: Move slowly between cat and cow, noticing how your spine feels. Make cat sounds and cow sounds to get into character.
Downward-Facing Dog
Why It’s Fun: Kids love pretending to be playful puppies, and this pose helps stretch their entire body.
How to Practice:
Start on Hands and Knees: Begin on your hands and knees, with your fingers spread wide.
Lift Your Hips: Tuck your toes under and lift your hips towards the ceiling, straightening your legs and arms.
Puppy Pose: Imagine you’re a puppy stretching. Keep your feet hip-width apart and your hands shoulder-width apart.
Encouragement: Let your head hang between your arms and take a few deep breaths. Bark like a dog if it makes you smile!
Butterfly Pose
Why It’s Fun: This pose is great for imaginative play, as kids can pretend to be butterflies fluttering their wings.
How to Practice:
Sit Down: Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you.
Feet Together: Bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together, letting your knees fall open to the sides.
Flutter Your Wings: Hold your feet with your hands and gently bounce your knees up and down like butterfly wings.
Encouragement: Close your eyes and imagine flying over a beautiful garden. What flowers and colors do you see?
Child’s Pose
Why It’s Fun: This restful pose is perfect for winding down and encourages a sense of calm and security.
How to Practice:
Kneel Down: Start by kneeling on the floor with your big toes touching and knees spread wide.
Stretch Forward: Sit back on your heels and stretch your arms forward, resting your forehead on the floor.
Relax and Breathe: Take deep breaths and relax your whole body.
Encouragement: Imagine you’re a cozy little mouse in a quiet, safe place. Stay here as long as you like, enjoying the calm.
Practicing Together
Incorporating these fun and engaging yoga poses into your child’s routine can make yoga a delightful experience. Encourage them to explore each pose at their own pace, using their imagination to enhance the practice. Kids can be the leader, too! Let them be the one to choose and demonstrate or even come up with their own shapes to lead grown-ups through.
Not only will your kiddos enjoy the movement, but the imaginative play, role play and opportunity for leadership help them regulate their nervous systems.
