A zoo and farm theme is a playful way to introduce children to yoga through animals, sounds, imagination and movement. This type of class works especially well for toddlers and younger children because familiar animals make the poses easy to understand and fun to remember.
This lesson can be adapted for parents, teachers, yoga instructors or group leaders. Aim for about 45 minutes, but shorten or expand it depending on the age and attention span of the group.
Theme and Value: Helpfulness
Begin by talking briefly about what it means to be helpful.
You might ask children:
- How do you help at home?
- How can you help a friend?
- What does it feel like when someone helps you?
Keep the conversation simple and let the children share their own examples.
Welcome Circle
Sit together in a circle and use a familiar hello song or movement song to help everyone settle in.
You can then introduce the theme by asking:
What animals might we see on a farm? What animals might we see at the zoo?
Let the children help build the adventure.
Farm Yoga Poses
Scarecrow
Stand tall like Mountain Pose with the arms out wide.
Pretend you are watching over the garden and fields.
Tree
Balance on one leg in Tree Pose and imagine standing beside the barn.
A parent or partner can offer a hand for support.
Horse
Take a wide stance and bend the knees into a comfortable plié squat.
Pretend to trot or gently bounce like a horse.
Barn
Move into Triangle Pose and imagine making the shape of a barn roof with the body.
Farmer Driving a Tractor
Sit into Chair Pose and hold an imaginary steering wheel.
Turn the wheel from side to side as you drive through the field.
Duck
Come into a comfortable squat and waddle gently while saying “quack, quack.”
Dog
Move into Downward-Facing Dog.
Wag your tail or walk your feet gently.
Donkey
Instead of kicking into a handstand, keep this safer for younger children by staying on hands and knees and lifting one leg at a time behind you.
Add a playful “hee-haw.”
Goose
Try a comfortable seated or kneeling pose and flap the arms like wings.
You can also use a gentle pigeon-style shape if appropriate for the group.
Mouse
Curl into Child’s Pose and make yourself very small.
Take a few quiet breaths and add a tiny “squeak.”
Cat and Cow
Move between Cat and Cow on hands and knees.
Add “meow” and “moo” sounds to keep it playful.
Pig
Lie on your back and hug the knees toward the chest.
Rock gently from side to side like a pig rolling in the mud.
Zoo Yoga Poses
Brown Bear
Take a wide stance and move slowly like a bear.
You can reach down toward the floor as if catching fish.
Flamingo
Stand on one leg and flap your arms like wings.
Use a wall, parent or partner for balance if needed.
Lion
Sit or kneel comfortably, breathe in, then open the mouth and make a playful lion roar as you breathe out.
Keep it fun rather than forcing a particular breathing technique.
Elephant
Stand with the feet wide and clasp the hands together to make a trunk.
Swing gently from side to side.
Crocodile
Lie on the belly or hold a simple plank variation.
Pretend to move slowly through the water.
Tiger
Come onto hands and knees and move through a Cat-style shape.
You can add a growl or reach one arm and the opposite leg away if the child is ready for more balance.
Animal Movement Game
Call out an animal and let the children decide how it moves.
For example:
- Horse — trot
- Duck — waddle
- Elephant — stomp
- Flamingo — balance
- Bear — crawl
- Tiger — prowl
- Frog — hop
- Snake — slither
You can also let the children take turns choosing the next animal.
Add Music and Storytelling
Songs such as Old MacDonald Had a Farm or other animal-themed children’s music can work well for transitions and movement games.
You can also read an animal-themed book and pause to turn different animals into yoga poses.
If you use recorded music in a public class, make sure your setting has appropriate music licensing.
Zoo and Farm Relaxation
Finish by inviting the children to lie or sit comfortably.
Guide a short visualization:
“Imagine all the animals are getting ready to rest. The horses are quiet, the birds are settling into their nests, and the zoo is becoming peaceful. Take a slow breath and let your body become still too.”
Keep the relaxation brief and simple.
Keep Kids Yoga Playful
Children do not need perfect yoga poses. The goal is to move, imagine, make sounds, cooperate and have fun.
Animal themes are especially useful because children can understand the movement without needing complicated instructions.
For more themed classes, try Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: In the Garden, Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Going Into Space or Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Beach & Ocean Theme.
If you enjoy leading creative movement with children, you may also be interested in the Circus Arts Leader Certification.
