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The holidays are a magical time, and they offer educators a wonderful opportunity to blend festive fun with mindful moments. Incorporating yoga and mindfulness activities in the classroom leading up to the holidays can help young learners stay focused, reduce stress, and embrace the spirit of the season. In this blog, we'll explore holiday-themed kids yoga poses and mindfulness crafts that celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the joy of togetherness.
Let’s dive into festive yoga poses and engaging mindfulness activities tailored for early childhood educators, designed to infuse the season with mindfulness and joy.
Why Yoga and Mindfulness in the Classroom?
Before we jump into the activities, let’s talk about the why. Yoga and mindfulness are not just about movement or quiet time—they’re tools to build focus, emotional regulation, and body awareness in young children. During the holiday season, these practices can:
Channel holiday excitement into calming energy.
Encourage cultural appreciation and inclusivity.
Promote kindness and gratitude.
Create a sense of wonder and celebration.
How to Set the Holiday Mood
Decorate your classroom with twinkling lights, a menorah, a Kinara, or other festive symbols from various holidays. Set up a cozy mindfulness corner with holiday-themed pillows, storybooks, or calming holiday scents like cinnamon or pine.
Now, let’s get moving with some yoga!
10 Holiday-Themed Yoga Poses for Kids
1. Star Pose (Christmas Star or Star of David)
Instructions: Stand tall, spread your arms and legs wide, and reach your fingers out like points of a star.
Mindful Moment: Have children visualize themselves shining brightly, just like a star in the sky or on top of a holiday tree.
2. Candle Pose (Hanukkah Candle)
Instructions: Sit tall with legs crossed and hands in prayer position. Slowly raise your arms upward like a flickering candle flame.
Mindful Moment: Encourage kids to imagine the warm glow of a menorah or a candle from a Kwanzaa Kinara.
3. Tree Pose (Holiday Tree)
Instructions: Balance on one leg, placing the foot of the other leg on the ankle or inner thigh. Stretch your arms above your head like a tree with ornaments.
Mindful Moment: Invite children to “decorate” their tree by naming something they’re grateful for as they balance.
4. Present Pose
Instructions: Sit on your knees, curl forward into Child’s Pose, and stretch your arms out in front like a wrapped gift.
Mindful Moment: Ask kids to imagine themselves as a gift, sharing kindness and joy with others.
5. Reindeer Pose
Instructions: Begin on hands and knees, arch your back upward like a reindeer getting ready to prance.
Mindful Moment: Have children imagine galloping through the snowy skies like Santa’s reindeer.
6. Dreidel Spin (Seated Twist)
Instructions: Sit cross-legged and twist to one side, placing your hand on the opposite knee. Repeat on the other side.
Mindful Moment: Remind kids how the dreidel spins in celebration of Hanukkah, symbolizing miracles and joy.
7. Snowflake Pose (Star Pose Variation)
Instructions: In Star Pose, sway gently from side to side like a snowflake floating in the air.
Mindful Moment: Encourage children to think about how every snowflake is unique—just like them!
8. Kinara Pose (Candle Variation)
Instructions: Similar to Candle Pose, children can imagine themselves as one of the seven candles on a Kinara, representing principles like unity and creativity.
Mindful Moment: Reflect on how light brings people together.
9. Elf Pose (Squat Pose)
Instructions: Squat down low, balancing on the balls of the feet, and place hands together in a prayer position.
Mindful Moment: Pretend to be Santa’s helpers, focusing on teamwork and joy.
10. Santa’s Sleigh Pose (Boat Pose)
Instructions: Sit on the floor, lift your legs, and hold onto your knees to create the shape of Santa’s sleigh.
Mindful Moment: Imagine delivering happiness and gifts to people all over the world.
4 Holiday-Themed Mindfulness Activities for the Classroom
1. Gratitude Garland
Materials: String, colorful paper, scissors, markers.
Instructions: Have children cut out festive shapes (stars, dreidels, snowflakes, or trees) and write or draw something they’re grateful for on each. String the shapes together to make a garland.
Mindful Moment: Discuss how gratitude connects us and spreads joy.
2. Calming Snow Globe Craft
Materials: Small jars, water, glitter, small figurines, glue.
Instructions: Create a snow globe by placing a holiday-themed figurine inside a jar, filling it with water and glitter, and sealing it.
Mindful Moment: Shake the snow globe and encourage children to take deep breaths as the glitter settles.
3. Holiday Breathing Ornaments
Materials: Paper ornaments, markers, and ribbon.
Instructions: Decorate paper ornaments with simple patterns. Teach children to trace the patterns with their finger while practicing slow, deep breaths.
Mindful Moment: Emphasize the importance of pausing and breathing during busy times.
4. Kindness Countdown Chain
Materials: Strips of colored paper, glue or tape, markers.
Instructions: Create a countdown chain where each link represents an act of kindness. Children can write ideas like “help a friend” or “share a toy.”
Mindful Moment: Reflect on how small acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day.
Tips for Making Holiday Yoga and Mindfulness Work in the Classroom
Keep it Short: Young children benefit from shorter, engaging sessions. Limit activities to 10–15 minutes.
Use Props: Incorporate holiday-themed props like mini presents or plush snowflakes.
Focus on Inclusivity: Celebrate a variety of traditions to foster understanding and respect.
Encourage Reflection: End each session with a question like, “What did you feel during the activity?”
Bring the Holidays to Life with Our Resources
Looking for more ways to make this holiday season memorable and educational? Check out our shop for inspiration! Packed with printable guides, activity templates, and classroom-ready tools, they’re designed to save time while making your lessons magical.
By weaving yoga and mindfulness into holiday celebrations, you can give your students the gift of calm and focus while embracing the joy of the season. Which of these ideas will you try first?
Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to explore our resources for more inspiration!
Happy holidays and happy teaching!
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