10 Fun Yoga Activities For Kids (That Schools and Early Learning Centres Love)

If you're a teacher, OSHC coordinator, holiday program leader or ELC director looking for activities that keep kids engaged, calm and moving, yoga is one of the easiest tools you can add to your day. It needs almost no equipment, works for a wide range of ages, and can be scaled up or down depending on how much time and space you have.

This post covers ten simple, kid-friendly yoga poses and games, plus tips on bringing them into a classroom, ELC, or holiday program setting, and on deciding whether to run them yourself or book in a professional incursion.

Why Yoga Is Good for Kids' Focus and Energy?

Yoga gives children a structured way to move their bodies while also helping them learn to settle their minds. For younger kids, it supports gross motor skills, balance and body awareness. For older kids, it's a great reset between lessons or a calming way to start and end the day.

Yoga and mindfulness activities for kids also help with:

• Improving concentration and listening skills

• Regulating energy levels, whether that means winding up or winding down

• Building confidence through mastering new poses

• Giving children simple breathing tools they can use when they feel overwhelmed

Best of all, kids yoga poses don't need mats, music or a dedicated space. A classroom floor or a patch of grass works just fine.

10 Simple Yoga Poses and Games Kids Will Enjoy

1. Tree Pose

Stand on one leg, plant the other foot against the ankle, calf or inner thigh, and stretch arms up like branches. Great for balance and a nice quiet moment between activities.

2. Cat and Cow

On hands and knees, arch the back up like a cat, then dip it down like a cow, moving with the breath. Kids love the animal names and the movement helps release wriggles.

3. Downward Dog

Hands and feet on the floor, hips lifted high to make an upside down V. Ask the kids to "bark" like a dog for extra giggles.

4. Butterfly Pose

Sit with the soles of the feet together, knees out to the sides, and gently flap the knees like butterfly wings. A gentle hip opener that also doubles as a fun game.

5. Lion's Breath

Sit up tall, take a big breath in, then open the mouth wide, stick out the tongue and roar the breath out. Fantastic for releasing energy and getting a laugh.

6. Snake Pose

Lying on the stomach, press up onto the hands, lift the chest, and hiss like a snake. Good for building upper body strength in a playful way.

7. Star Pose

Stand with arms and legs spread wide like a star. Simple, energising and easy for even the youngest kids to copy.

8. Frog Jumps

Squat down low, hands on the floor, then jump forward like a frog. A fun way to burn off energy between quieter poses.

9. Yoga Freeze Game

Play music and have the kids move freely. When the music stops, call out a pose (tree, star, snake) and everyone freezes into it. Combines movement, listening and yoga all in one.

10. Balloon Breathing

Sit or stand, place both hands on the belly, and breathe in as if filling a balloon in the tummy, then slowly let it out. A simple mindfulness activity for kids that helps them calm down and refocus.

Bringing Yoga for Kids into a Classroom, ELC or Holiday Program

You don't need a background in yoga to run these activities well. A few tips to make it work:

• Keep sessions short, 10 to 15 minutes is plenty for most age groups

• Use storytelling to link poses together, for example a "jungle adventure" using animal poses

• Have a consistent start and end cue, such as three deep breaths, so kids know when yoga begins and finishes

• Adapt for the space you have. Poses can be done at desks, on the carpet or outdoors

• Keep instructions simple and use lots of demonstration rather than long explanations

These small adjustments make yoga activities for kids easy to slot into a regular routine, whether that's a morning circle time, a wet weather activity or a holiday program session.

DIY vs Booking a Yogamigos Incursion

Running your own yoga games for primary school or ELC groups is a great option when you have a bit of time to prepare and want something low key and flexible.

Booking a professional incursion is worth considering when you want:

• A structured, age appropriate session led by an experienced instructor

• Something special for an event, wellbeing day or holiday program

• A break for staff, so they can observe or join in rather than lead

• A wider variety of poses, games and themes than time allows you to plan yourself

Childcare yoga incursions also bring a level of energy and polish that's hard to replicate on a busy day, and they're a simple way to offer something new without adding to your team's workload.

Ready to Bring Yoga to Your School or Centre?

Whether you're after a one off session or a regular part of your wellbeing program, Yogamigos can help. Explore our wellbeing incursions for schools, or check out our holiday programs designed to keep kids active, calm and engaged these school holidays.

Get in touch today to find a session that fits your group.

Contact us today. We look forward to working with you and your community.