The Ultimate Kids Yoga Wish List: Part 1

Kids Yoga Props, Books, Cards, and More for Fun and Engaging Kids Yoga Classes

Every time we are nearing the end of a kids' yoga teacher training, I get asked for advice on what to buy to stock a kids' yoga bag. I also get this question on Instagram and from my graduates. So by popular demand, the kids yoga stuff wishlist!

Without breaking the bank, I recommend getting your kids' yoga items over time. If you have been teaching for a while and know you will use things, it’s nice to get a new chime, book, or game occasionally. If you are carrying a bag on your back, you can stick to lighter things. If you have a physical space or bring around a wheelie bag, you can afford to bring heavier, bulkier items.

Kids Yoga Gear Recommendations, Use Cases, and Links to Purchase.

Thank you for making affiliate purchases that help support my store. In this article we begin to cover props. Stayed tuned for the later blogs with more props, cards, books, and other teaching tools that Lara and Flow and Grow love, use in most classes, and rely on to make kids yoga safe, comforting, engaging, and memorable. 

Kids Yoga Props

• Eye Pillows: Eye pillows are wonderful for deep rest. Use tip: Pass out a tissue with each eye pillow to protect the hygiene if they will be shared. When to use: Pass out at the beginning or end of class when you have students lie down to close their eyes. You can get lavendar or unscented rice eye pilows and they last years. Get your own eye pillows!
• Movement Scarves: Movement scarves are very light and easy to transport. They are easy to clean, just throw them in the wash. They can be used for breathing activities, as wings, a hero's cape, and many many more creative applications. We use them to hold onto in partner boat pose so the students can straighten their legs and still hold hands! Get your own set of movement scarves. 

• Chimes and singing bowls: Ringing a chime or other vibrational instrument has been a tool used to draw in attention and focus for centuries. We are lucky to live in a time where these tools can be made available at every price point. Whether you like singing bowls, xylophones, or cymbals, there is a sound and pitch for all purposes.  
• Glitter Jars: Helping minds settle on a budget, you can purchase or make your own glitter jar. (Learn how to here!) Used as a mediation tool, or a tool to prepare for the skills of mediation, a glitter jar allows children to approach one-pointed focus visually. Learn to anchor the mind in a beautiful way!      
• Breathing Ball: It seems that everyone has the Hoberman Sphere now. These have been old in learning stores for years and since 2012, became all the rage in kids yoga classes. That is because in yoga we expand as we breath in and contract as we breathe out. The breathing ball is a visual, tactile, fun tool to teach breath, light breath retention, and turn taking for children of all ages. These can break easily, so I recommend getting a nice one rather than replacing them 2-3 times per year.  
• Meddy Teddy: Meddy Teddy is a crowd pleaser. Children can shape Meddy into various yoga poses. Adults secretly love Meddy, too. As do big kids. You have Meddy sitting on your yoga mat, and even a middle schooler will come give Meddy a big hug. Smaller kids will teach Meddy each pose you are learning. Highest recommendation as mine have lasted more than 5 years, including the clothing. Get your own Meddy Teddy!
  
   
  
• Breathing Guides: These are a really cool visual way to learn breathing. For kids that love colorful glowing toys, they will be able to focus and get excited about learning breath control with these cool breathing guides. 

Conclusion: Remember that it's better to get a few items you will use over and over than to crowd your house or teaching space with stuff. Be mindful, and purchase items you feel will bring novelty, joy, peace, and amplify learning. In my next blog on this series, check out my book and yoga card list.

If you have a yoga studio or a larger space, stay tuned for a blog where I talk about all the fun you can have with yoga props in creating dreamy savana nests, cozy royal thrones, baby bolsters with blankets, and more.