5 Autumn Yoga, Art and Mindfulness Activities for Children
As summer fades into autumn, we begin to leave the bright, busy and more extroverted energy of the warmer months behind.
The days become cooler, darker and cosier, inviting us to slow down, turn inwards and prepare for a season of rest—just as animals begin preparing for hibernation. Moving in tune with the seasons can help us honour this natural change of pace, and children need this transition too. These five simple yoga, art and mindfulness activities can help children settle into autumn and embrace a slower, cosier season.
Autumn Themed Yoga flow - created by your kids!
Pick five things that really shout “Autumn!” to your child — the sillier and more specific the better — and turn each one into a fun, make-believe yoga pose. Encourage big imaginations: the poses can be totally made-up, wobbly, and giggly. You can sprinkle in a classic pose or two (like Tree Pose or Downward Dog) reimagined as a woodland creature if you like.
1. Orange Leaf Float
Imagine you are a bright orange leaf letting go of your branch.
Begin standing tall with your feet comfortably apart and your knees soft.
Reach your arms overhead, then sway gently from side to side as the autumn breeze begins to blow.
Turn slowly if that feels comfortable, then gradually drift towards the ground and land in a crouch or seated position.
Playful cue: “Can you float, twirl and find the softest place for your leaf to land?”
2. Hedgehog Cuddle Curl
Become a sleepy hedgehog preparing for a cosy rest.
Sit down and draw your knees towards your body.
Wrap your arms around your legs, lower your head slightly and curl into a comfortable ball.
Take a few slow, natural breaths. Add a tiny nose wiggle or a gentle snuffling sound, then slowly peek out of your leafy nest.
Playful cue: “Curl up small and cosy. What can your hedgehog hear beneath the autumn leaves?”
3. Hot Chocolate Steam Stretch
Pretend you are holding a warm mug of hot chocolate on a chilly autumn day.
Stand or sit tall and cup your hands together in front of your chest.
Breathe in through your nose as you slowly lift your arms overhead like curling steam.
Breathe out gently as if cooling your drink, lowering your hands back towards your imaginary mug.
Repeat, adding a soft side stretch as the steam drifts one way and then the other.
Playful cue: “Smell the warm chocolate, then blow gently to cool it down.”
4. Squirrel Nut-Stash Squat
Turn into a busy squirrel gathering food for the colder months.
Stand with your feet comfortably wide and bend your knees into a squat.
Reach down to collect an imaginary acorn, then stand tall or rise onto your tiptoes to hide it high in a tree.
Repeat on both sides. Children who want more energy can add a small jump, landing softly with bent knees.
Playful cue: “Can you gather your acorns and hide them before the autumn wind blows them away?”
5. Puddle-Splash Frog
Imagine discovering the biggest, splashiest puddle in the woods.
Begin in a wide squat, with your hands on the floor or resting on your legs for support.
Rock gently from side to side or make a small frog jump forwards.
Land quietly with soft, bent knees before making your silliest splash sound.
Playful cue: “How softly can you land—and how enormous can you make your pretend splash?”
Optional Woodland Favourites
Oak Tree Pose: Root one foot into the ground and rest the other foot at the ankle or calf—avoiding the knee. Reach your arms up like branches, using a wall or partner for support if helpful.
Busy Fox Pose: From hands and knees, tuck your toes and lift your hips into Downward-Facing Dog. Keep your knees bent if needed, lift your “tail” high and peek back towards your paws.
Create a Simple Autumn Yoga Flow
Begin with two rounds of Hot Chocolate Steam Stretch.
Float gently through Orange Leaf Float.
Gather acorns with Squirrel Nut-Stash Squat.
Leap into Puddle-Splash Frog.
Grow tall in Oak Tree Pose.
Finish by resting in Hedgehog Cuddle Curl.
Repeat the sequence two or three times if the children are enjoying it. Let them choose the pace, invent sounds or add their own woodland characters.
To cool down, move more slowly and become smaller and smaller, like a leaf drifting towards the ground. Finish lying down or resting comfortably, with hands by the sides or on the tummy. Take five unhurried breaths and imagine a peaceful autumn scene filled with soft leaves, woodland animals and warm, cosy colours.
Tips for Parents and Teachers
Keep the activity short and playful—five to fifteen minutes may be plenty.
Offer every movement as a choice and let children adapt poses to suit their bodies.
Celebrate imagination rather than aiming for a “perfect” pose.
Try scarves for floating leaves or cushions and blankets for a hedgehog nest.
Use a clear, non-slip space and keep jumps small, controlled and optional.
Let autumn bring a little crunch beneath your feet, calm to your breath and plenty of imagination to the mat.
Don’t have time for a full yoga flow? Here are some quick ideas you can sprinkle into the day …..
Leaf-Breathing Practice
Choose a fallen leaf and slowly trace its edges with one finger. Breathe in as your finger travels up each curve and breathe out as it moves down. This simple sensory activity encourages children to slow their breathing and notice the shape, colour and texture of the leaf.
Mindful Autumn Walk
Take a quiet walk and invite children to notice five autumn colours, four different sounds, three interesting textures, two seasonal smells and one thing that makes them feel cosy. Collect a few natural treasures to use in the next activity.
Nature Mandala Art
Arrange fallen leaves, conkers, acorns, twigs and petals in a circular pattern. Children can work individually or create one large mandala together. Encourage them to take their time, notice small details and enjoy the process rather than aiming for perfection.
Hedgehog Hibernation Relaxation
Invite children to curl into a small hedgehog shape or rest comfortably under a blanket. Imagine finding a warm, safe nest beneath the autumn leaves. Take a few slow breaths, soften the body and enjoy a short moment of cosy stillness.
Here is a little freebie from me to you…..
enjoy my harvest themed Sun Salutation, perfect for a warm up or as part of your main class…this will get your little yogis working hard, stretching and giggling! be sure to print multiple copies so you can give them out in class so your yogis can keep practising at home…
Fancy more resources like this to support your child’s physical and mental wellbeing? Whether you are a teacher or a parent Join my teachers club
If you’re ready to make planning quicker, keep your teaching fresh and bring more creativity into your children’s yoga classes, I’d love to welcome you into the Teachers Membership.
Become a founding member today and enjoy access to beautifully illustrated, inspiring and ready-to-use resources every month.
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This Month Inside Laura's Teacher Club...
Autumn/ Harvest Children's Yoga Pack
A ready-to-use resource designed to save you planning time and help children embrace the new season of Autumn feeling calm, connected and confident.
Lesson plans suitable for EYFS/ KS1/KS2
Resources to accompany the lesson plans including ;
illustrated yoga story “Harvest the Cat” suitable for EYFS and KS1
Harvest themed Sun Salutation
Mindfulness scripts and guided visualisations suitable for all age groups
Abundance meditation and activity
Partner Massage scripts suitable for KS1 and KS2
Affirmation colouring sheets
Yoga Game - ‘Enough for everyone”
Selection of colouring sheets to support the Yoga story
New resources uploaded every 2 weeks - here’s what’s coming up
28th September AUTUMN EQUINOX themed resources
12th October HALLOWEEN themed resources
26th OctoberBONFIRE NIGHT themed resources
9th November DIWALI themed resources
23rd of November ADVENT themed resources
