Looking for a fun and healthy way to bond with your little one? Kids yoga is the perfect activity to encourage movement, mindfulness, and laughter—all while spending quality time together. In this guide, we’ll show you 6 easy and playful yoga poses you can do with your toddler to help build flexibility, balance, and a love for fitness from an early age. Whether you’re new to yoga or just want to add some fun to your daily routine, these poses are designed to be simple, safe, and joyful for both you and your child.

 

Yoga isn’t just about calm breathing and stretching into pretzel shapes—it can be a fantastic, playful bonding experience for you and your toddler. If your child seems to be bursting with energy (we’re talking, running, screaming, climbing, and a few less-than-cute tantrums), yoga can be a great way to channel that energy in a positive and productive direction.

More than that, yoga can help toddlers develop body awareness, emotional regulation, and social-emotional skills like patience, kindness, and compassion. And the best part? It’s fun. With a bit of imagination, yoga can feel like playtime. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your toddler begins to enjoy the process—and maybe even asks for yoga repeatedly.

So roll out the yoga mat (or a soft blanket), clear a little space, and get ready to giggle, stretch, and connect.

Let’s turn this:

To this:

Here are six playful and practical yoga poses you can do with your toddler today.

1. Cat-Cow Pose (Meow & Moo Time)

How to do it:

Start by coming onto all fours—hands under shoulders, knees under hips. Help your toddler do the same. From here, guide them to gently drop their belly, lift their head, and look up for Cow Pose. Say “No!” together—it’ll make them laugh and help them remember the movement.

Next, guide the children to arch their backs like a scared cat, tucking their chins to their chests for Cat Pose. Encourage them to hiss or meow like a cat! Making these sounds will help make the experience memorable and fun.

 

Why it’s great for toddlers: This pose improves spinal flexibility and teaches basic coordination. It also helps kids connect movement with breath, even if they don’t realize it yet.

 

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Pro Tip: Incorporate storytelling by saying, “Pretend you’re on a farm with cows and cats running around!”

2. Extended Puppy Pose (Stretch Like a Sleepy Pup)

Photo Credit: Tumblr

How to do it:

This pose is a cross between a Child’s Pose and a Downward Dog. From all fours, help your toddler walk their hands forward while keeping their hips high over their knees. Their forehead can rest on the mat, and their arms stretch long in front.

Tell them to imagine they’re a sleepy puppy who just woke up and is doing a big stretch. To make it more playful, add a loud, satisfying yawn together.

Why it’s great for toddlers:

This enjoyable exercise offers a gentle stretch for the spine, helps to open the shoulders, and promotes deep breathing. It’s also an excellent way to help children who may be feeling a bit overstimulated to relax. Give it a try!

 

Pro Tip: Consider using stuffed animals as “puppies” and encourage them to stretch alongside your child!

3. Tree Pose (Stand Tall and Grow Strong)

Photo Credit: Giphy

How to do it:

Stand tall and ask your toddler to balance on one foot. Have them place the sole of the other foot on their ankle or shin—whichever is easier. Then, stretch both arms overhead like tree branches reaching for the sky.

Please encourage them to sway slightly, like a tree in the wind. Please talk about the roots in the ground, helping them stay tall and strong.

Why it’s great for toddlers:

Tree pose helps build balance, coordination, and focus. It’s also empowering—it makes one feel capable and strong.

Pro Tip: Hold hands to help your toddler balance, or do it side by side and be “matching trees.”

4. Airplane Pose (Fly Through the Sky)

Photo Credit: ChicagoParent

How to do it:

Start standing tall. Help your toddler lean forward slightly while lifting one leg straight behind them. Their arms should stretch out wide like airplane wings. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s fun and movement.

Say, “Let’s fly over the city! Where should we go today?” Let them pick a destination and “fly” together.

Why it’s great for toddlers:

This pose is a great way to strengthen your core and legs while having fun! enhancing coordination. It also sparks imagination as they pretend to zoom through the sky.

Pro Tip: Make airplane sounds and pretend to fly to their favorite places (the zoo, grandma’s house, outer space).

5. Boat Pose (Ahoy, Little Sailor!)

How to do it:

“Find a cozy spot on the floor, bend your knees, and plant your feet firmly on the ground!” Show your toddler how to lean back slightly and lift their feet off the floor like a boat floating on the water. Arms can reach forward or hold your hands.

You can rock side to side, make boat noises, or sing a little sailor song.

Why it’s great for toddlers:

Boat pose builds core strength and balance. If you do it together, it also brings out teamwork and bonding—try a double boat pose where you hold hands and touch toes!

Pro Tip: Use this pose as a lead-in to the next one—say, “The boat is slowing down… it’s time to dock and rest.”

6. Corpse Pose (Be a Sleeping Starfish)

How to do it:

If your toddler is active, this one might be tricky, but it’s worth it. Lie down on your back with arms and legs stretched out. Encourage your child to do the same. Be “sleeping starfishes” or “frozen statues.”

You can play a game: “Let’s see who can stay still the longest!” Or introduce a simple breathing game: “Put your hand on your belly and feel it go up and down like waves.”

Why it’s great for toddlers:

Corpse pose helps children slow down and become aware of their bodies. It’s perfect for winding down after active play or before naptime.

Pro Tip: Add soft music or a short story while they lie still to keep them engaged.

The Magic of Toddler Yoga

The goal of toddler yoga isn’t perfect form or holding a pose for minutes. It’s about introducing movement, encouraging body awareness, and creating moments of joy and connection between you and your child.

Here are several compelling benefits of incorporating yoga into your toddler’s routine:

• Emotional regulation: Toddlers are on a remarkable journey of discovering how to navigate and embrace their big feelings. Yoga provides a safe space to explore calming techniques.
• Physical development: Flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination are all supported through these playful poses.
• Focus and attention: Practicing poses—even for a few seconds—helps improve concentration and stillness.
• Bonding: Shared yoga time creates positive, loving moments that strengthen the parent-child relationship.

Tips for a Successful Toddler Yoga Session

• Keep it short. A whole 20-minute class isn’t necessary. Even 5–10 minutes of yoga is great!
• Use props. Stuffed animals, colorful mats, or music can enhance the experience.
• Let them lead. If they want to make up their poses—great! Follow along and encourage exploration.
• Be playful, not perfect. The sillier, the better.Kids tend to have more fun and stay excited when yoga feels like a game!
• Celebrate effort. Clap, cheer, and give hugs for trying new poses.

Final Thoughts

Teaching yoga to your toddler doesn’t require special training, equipment, or an Instagram-worthy yoga space. It simply takes your presence, a little imagination, and a willingness to join them on the mat—wiggles and all.

So go ahead: moo like a cow, stretch like a puppy and fly like an airplane. These six simple yoga poses are more than stretches—they’re opportunities to connect, laugh, and grow together.

And remember: in a world that often rushes by too fast, taking a few moments to breathe, stretch, and be present with your toddler might just be the most powerful kind of yoga.