fbpx
Its Opposite Yoga Day! Yoga Games for Kids

Its Opposite Yoga Day! Yoga Games for Kids

best kids yoga dvd

Although the official Opposite Day has been declared on January 25, kids love to celebrate Opposite Day anytime. A fun way to do that is with The Opposite Yoga Pose Game and dog pose.

Kids love this yoga game and it really stretches their minds as they think creatively and move their bodies in different ways. Kids don’t necessarily need to have an understanding of all the yoga poses to be able to play. Use The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards to help this game be even more successful and fun for kids.

How to play the Opposite Yoga Pose Game:

  1. Have one child pick a yoga pose card. These yoga pose cards are our favorites.
  2. Have the child think of an opposite yoga pose for it. For example; Down Dog Pose could be Boat Pose. Or Frog Pose would become Happy Baby Pose and the opposite of Mountain Pose is a Headstand.
  3. The next child then selects a card and everyone demonstrates the opposite of.
  4. Continue around the circle until everyone has had a turn.

**If the child cannot think of what an opposite yoga pose, he or she can make one up or the group can help them think of one.

How many more opposite yoga poses can you think of? It is okay if the children (or you) do not know the name of the poses they are making. Just make them up and have fun!

A helpful tip is to look at the pose card and see what they can come up with. This is a fun game that allows collaboration and teamwork within the group. It is the simple act of moving their bodies in creative and different ways that will produce many benefits.

You May Also Enjoy:

How to Play Yoga Triangle Tag

How to Easily Get Children into Savasana

Why You Should Teach Yoga to Kids

Yoga Games for Children: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

Yoga Games for Children: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

Welcome to our Kids Yoga Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training. We are so glad that you are here!

Get All Caught Up on How to Plan Your Kids Yoga Class:

Why you need a Kids Yoga Lesson Plan before you even think about teaching yoga to children.

Part 1: The Welcome: How to engage your students right from the start.

Part 2: Breathing Exercises: Made Relevant and FUN for Children

Part 3: Sun Salutations Made Simple: Connect Movement with Breath

Part 4: The Importance of Active Movement: Get hearts pumping, build strength, and get wiggles out.

Part 5: Yoga Poses for Kids

Yoga Games for Kids

Kids love yoga games! Yoga games are often a favorite part of the class as children naturally love to play games. Games are also another great way to get kids moving, build strength, follow directions, work together and practice yoga poses in fun and engaging ways.

I also love how games help break the ice with new groups and allow kids to get to know one another. Games also lead to laughter and provide opportunities to maybe step outside a comfort while working together to achieve a goal.

Coming up with and planning and preparing a variety of kids yoga games is one of my specialties. In both of our bestselling books; Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids and Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children include hundreds of yoga games to play with all ages and group sizes.

yoga beach ball
Yoga Beach Ball is a Fun Game for All Ages

I like to have a repertoire of yoga games that can be played and used in a variety of situations such as varying group sizes, ages, indoor, outdoor yoga games. I also like to include games with partners, quiet and mindful games, games that bring the energy level up and games that bring the energy down.

These games could be used during a yoga class, a school setting, camps, during other kid-related activities, or a home with your children.

I do recommend having a set of yoga pose cards to when playing the games. We use The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards and they provide a great visual and are about the only prop or material needed.

yoga pose
The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards

As you dive in deeper with some of our favorite kids yoga games, please feel free to adapt for varying age levels, setting, age appropriateness, and number of children. This can be done by making a few simple adjustments.

A huge tip is that you spend no longer than 10 minutes playing a yoga game. Keep the interest level and excitement high. Always end on a high note which leaves them wanting more

The goal of yoga games is to get kids excited about practicing many different yoga poses, while they gain strength, improve balance, experience teamwork and have fun!

Find your FREE Kids Yoga Bingo Cards here.

free yoga pose bingo cards
Free Kids Yoga Pose Bingo Cards

Check Out More of Our Favorite Yoga Games for Kids:

Toega: Yoga Game for Your Toes

5 Fun Yoga Games to Play With Your Child

How to Play Yoga Jenga

The Best Summer Yoga Games for Kids

Indoor Survival Guide with Yoga Stations

Continue on to Part 7 of your Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: The Yoga Challenge.

You May Also Enjoy:

How to Teach Yoga to Children

Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props and Materials

How to Play the Listening Game with Children

Yoga Poses for Children: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 With Yoga Themes

Yoga Poses for Children: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 With Yoga Themes

Hello and welcome! I am so happy that you are joining us for our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training. You are in the right place!

Get All Caught Up Below:

Why you need a Kids Yoga Lesson Plan before you even think about teaching yoga to children.

Part 1: The Welcome: How to engage your students right from the start.

Part 2: Breathing Exercises: Made Relevant and FUN for Children

Part 3: Sun Salutations Made Simple: Connect Movement with Breath

Part 4: The Importance of Active Movement: Get hearts pumping, build strength, and get wiggles out.

Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: Yoga Themes for Poses (Part 5)

Congratulations! You have made it to the main part of your yoga class where you can introduce and teach poses to your students. Kids enjoy learning new yoga poses and often get excited about adding new ones to their repertoire.

boat pose
Boat Pose at the Park: Yoga is a Great Exercise for All Ages

How to Teach Yoga Poses to Kids

When teaching yoga poses to kids, I have found it helpful to group the yoga poses together by a theme. It is also helpful to only introduce 4-6 yoga poses per class. This really gives children the opportunity to practice the yoga poses and remember them outside of class. 

I have found that concentrating on fewer poses in class allows the children to truly focus, pay more attention to correct form and achieve success. They will feel themselves getting stronger, longer and more flexible as they become more comfortable with the poses. Your theme-related yoga poses are also a great way to differentiate and accommodate for the varying needs of your class.

How to Introduce the Yoga Poses

When introducing the yoga poses, it is important to be excited about the poses and build anticipation. This is a great technique and you will have the kids in the palm of your hand and so excited to learn what the next pose will be.

  1. Gather the children in a circle
  2. Have some sort of seasonal bag or prop (colorful gift bag, basket, stocking cap, sand pail) that you have placed the 4-5 pose card visuals. I use The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards.
  3. Call on a child to come and “draw out” the next pose.
  4. Everyone practices the pose. Discuss what parts of your body you feel working and getting stronger.
  5. Call on another child to draw out the next pose and practice.
  6. Continue in this format until all of the poses have been drawn.
  7. I like to give the students a “test.” Since I am a teacher they find this highly interesting and engaging. I call out a pose that we have learned and the students must get into it as quickly as they can. For younger ages, it is fine to show the Kids Yoga Pose Card to help them find success.
yoga pose app
The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards include 40 yoga pose cards. Partner yoga poses, yoga games, and mantras for mindfulness are included.

How to Teach Yoga Poses to School-Aged, Tweens, and Teens

After learning and practicing the yoga poses with older students, we will flow the poses together. Our yoga mats are already placed in a circle and I then place the yoga pose cards (that we just learned) in the center in the center in the circle and also order that we will flow. The children really enjoy this and they feel very grown-up.

They are definitely not too grown-up, however, when the Yoga Flow ends and it is time to practice the poses with a Yoga Game! Kids never ever want to pass up a yoga game!

Stay tuned for our favorite Kids Yoga Games in our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 coming up next!

yoga games and activities for children
Kids Yoga Games & Activities for Children

You May Also Enjoy:

The Most Important Part of Kids Yoga Class

Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props and Resources

Kids Yoga Teaching Guides Only .99!

Kids Yoga Teaching Guides Only .99!

kids yoga books
Go Go Yoga for Kids Teaching Books

Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids AND Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children teaching kids yoga guides are available on Amazon for download beginning on September 9, for only $.99!

This offer is good for both Amazon.com and Amazon UK! Get all your kids yoga lesson plans, breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, and yoga games galore for less than a dollar.

Grab your copies of these kids yoga books now. Share with a friend. They will thank you!

kids yoga books
Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids

If you already have your copies, please follow the links below and leave a review. It takes only a minute and truly helps others find and learn about these resources. It is so very appreciated!

Amazon.com Shoppers 

Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids 

Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children

Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children

Amazon.uk Shoppers

Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids

Go Go Yoga for Kids: Yoga Lessons for Children

For more yoga games and lesson ideas see here.

kids yoga app
The Kids Yoga Challenge App Available on Android and Apple

Take Yoga on the Go with the Kids Yoga Challenge App

The Kids Yoga Challenge App Includes:

  • 40 progressive yoga poses including partner poses
  • Empowering pose mantras for beginners and meditation
  • Perfect for all levels
  • Poses rated from 1-5 stars based on difficulty
  • Easy to follow illustrated and colorful yoga poses
  • Tested and proven yoga poses to achieve mental and physical benefits
  • Takes only minutes each day to gain lifelong skills and health benefits

You May Also Like:

Kids Yoga Favorite Yoga Props and Resources

Learn How to Teach To Kids

Get Ready to Teach Yoga & Mindfulness to Children!

Make A Difference!

Learn more about our online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training

Go Go Yoga for Kids: Top Kids Yoga YouTube Channel

We are thrilled to be in the Top 15 Best Kids Yoga YouTube Channels! Find your kids yoga props, lesson plans, kids yoga classes, poses, teacher training, partner poses, mindfulness and much more!

Check us out on YouTube here.

Here are some of our Most Popular Videos:

Family Fun Yoga Class with Spring Yoga Poses

There are lots of fun Spring yoga poses and games that can be done at any time. Today we are going to take you through some of the Spring themed Easter Poses. You can find an entire list of Spring and Easter Yoga Poses and Games at https://www.gogoyogakids.com/spring/

This kids yoga class is geared toward children ages 3-10. I do have my helpers here with me today, I know that they are little older, but they still love to have fun with yoga. You do not need to have any props, but I am using some plastic eggs and our Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards.

We are going to have fun with this Spring Family Yoga class!. Let’s learn and practice our Spring Easter Poses!


Join Go Go Yoga for Kids for a fun-filled partner yoga class at Athleta.

First the children warmed up their bodies with some sun salutations and exercises. Then they got into pairs to determine a team name which they loved!

I used the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards to unveil the 5 different leveled partner poses. We started off easy with See Saw Partner Pose. First I showed the partner pose card example and then had a partner pair demonstrate the pose. We also talked about being safe and careful with our partners.

Next we were ready to move into the Level 2 Partner Pose which is Raindrop, followed by Double Boat and Double Down Dog. To celebrate our success we played a fun group yoga game with Down Dog Tunnels which was so much fun. No kids yoga class is complete with Stillness and Savasana and the children settled right into it.

A Partner Pose themed yoga class is a lot of fun for kids as they love working together and teamwork. Find out more about the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards we used during class: http://www.gogoyogakids.com/store/

Mini Yoga Brain Breaks for Kids

Mini Yoga Brain Breaks for Kids

As a teacher and a parent myself, I understand that more than anything that we want to help set our children up for success. We want our children to be prepared and confident at school, sports, activities, and at home.

We desire for our children to be in a collaborative, creative, calm and supported classroom environment. That is the kind of classroom I strive to provide for my students and you can be sure that is the kind of environment I want my own children in.

The good news is that we can help our own children and students be successful in their experiences. By incorporating easy breathing exercises, mindfulness, and simple stress-reducing yoga poses into brain breaks, kids will become more focused and attentive. That will then help our children to develop greater empathy toward one another and feel more confident and successful themselves.

Kids Need Brain Breaks

Yoga for kids is becoming more common throughout schools, clubs,and activities. With only a few moments each day, you can help kids achieve the benefits that yoga provides. These can be done at home, school, camps, or clubs.

I am a firm believer that children need active brain breaks throughout the day to learn best. Research has shown that students learn best by taking a break or moving their bodies every 15 minutes. Sadly, recess and physical education times are already being reduced in schools, which takes away the active movement that children need.

When using yoga with children, it does not need to be in a structured class with objectives and benchmarks. You are simply allowing the children to move their bodies in good and healthy ways. It doesn’t need to take long and can subtly be incorporated into what you are already doing.

Favorite Kids Yoga Brain Breaks:

Pick a Card Any Card:

When children are waiting for the next activity or standing in line, fan out the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards and select one child to pick a card. Everyone then practices the pose. This is perfect to use during a transition time when you only have a few moments.

Let it Go:

Practice fun breathing exercises. These techniques reduce stress and improve focus before tests, transition times, or during an activity that you know will require concentration and focus.

Find our Favorite Breathing Exercises for Anxious Kids here. You will also like these fun Breathing Exercises that REALLY work with Kids.

Balance Made Fun:

Waiting quietly in line for the next activity can definitely be a challenge for children. Make the time pass quickly by selecting a balance pose from the Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards. The children will then hold that balance pose while counting by 5’s or 10’s. I also like to have them count to 10 in another language.

Tree Pose

Grab a Buddy:

Children love working in small groups. It helps them feel a sense of companionship and trust. You can find many partner ideas and illustrations here. The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards also includes partner poses.

partner pose
Raindrop Partner Pose

You May Also Like:

Indoor Recess Survival With Kids Yoga Stations

Why You Should Teach Yoga to Children

Cure Kids’ Cabin Fever With Yoga