Have you ever noticed how children are naturally drawn to yoga props? Their curiosity sparks when they see a breathing ball, a soft bolster, or a playful balance stone. In a kids' yoga class, props can be a game changer—not just as tools for movement but as catalysts for creativity, engagement, and exploration.

Children’s yoga is fundamentally different from adult yoga. While props in adult classes are mainly used for alignment, support, or deepening postures, in kids' yoga, they become instruments of play, storytelling, and sensory learning. The right props can transform a simple pose into an imaginative adventure, helping children connect with their bodies, minds, and the world around them.

Whether you're introducing yoga to toddlers, school-age kids, or children with special needs, incorporating props can make the experience more accessible and engaging. Drawing from 20 years of experience in kids’ yoga, Yogi Beans has curated a list of the best props to inspire movement, creativity, and fun.

Let’s explore some of the most effective and exciting props that can bring more magic, movement, and meaning to your children's yoga classes.

What Are Yoga Props?

Yoga props are tools that support and enhance a yoga practice. They help practitioners of all levels improve alignment, stability, and comfort in poses.

While commonly used in adult yoga for support and deepening stretches, in children’s yoga, props are also used to encourage playfulness, creativity, and engagement.

From yoga blocks that turn into stepping stones on a jungle safari to breathing balls that teach mindful awareness, each prop has the potential to enhance focus, coordination, and joy in the practice.

Top 10 Best Kids’ Yoga Props

1. Chimes or Singing Bowls for Sound and Stillness

Starting class with a sound helps settle the room and is also a great introduction to the concepts of energy and vibration. The bell or chime can be used throughout class to bring attention back to the teacher, and prepare for the closing ritual after savasana.

Additionally, the chime can be a great tool for a sharing circle, teaching children to take turns speaking, avoid interrupting, and create a respectful space where everyone’s voice is heard. It encourages patience, attentiveness, and thoughtful communication.

2. Hoberman Sphere (breathing ball)

The Hoberman Sphere is an excellent visual tool for teaching breathwork to children. Its expanding and contracting motion helps them understand how the breath moves in and out of the body in a tangible way. This simple yet powerful prop makes breath awareness engaging and interactive, making it a must-have for kids' yoga classes.

A helpful tip: kids get excited when using the sphere, which can be fragile. If you let them handle it, introduce a theme of gentleness and mindfulness, emphasizing the importance of caring for shared items.

3. Book for Imagination and Storytelling

Books are an amazing prop for kids' yoga, offering a unique way to bring awareness and imagination into the practice. They teach children to enjoy reading while also inspiring creativity and storytelling. Teachers can use books to create fun narratives while guiding kids through yoga poses, making the practice even more engaging.

One such book, 108 Awesome Yoga Poses for Kids, can be a great tool to teach poses and help visualize asanas. It's especially helpful for teachers who may not be able to demonstrate a particular pose themselves, allowing them to still guide their students through the movement and teach with confidence, regardless of their own practice level.

**Let’s go on a yoga adventure!**
Let your imagination soar as you become a bouncing Frog 🐸, a magical Mermaid 🧜 or a soaring Rocket Ship! 🚀

Order Your Copy

4. Scarves and Ribbons for Flow and Expression

Soft scarves or ribbons are versatile tools for breathwork, movement, and mindfulness exercises.

They help children express emotions, visualize their movements, and develop coordination in a fun and engaging way. You can use them to guide breathwork, float them gently over children during Savasana as they make a wish, or incorporate them into poses like Butterfly for a more playful, free-flowing experience. Their lightness and movement inspire creativity, making yoga feel like an imaginative adventure.

5. Music for Mood, Movement and Mindfulness

Music is an essential part of a kids' yoga class, helping to elevate the mood, engage the children, and create a calming atmosphere during Savasana and breathwork. The right music can set the tone for the class, making it more dynamic and enjoyable, while also helping children relax and focus.

A small, portable Bluetooth speaker is highly recommended, as the sound quality and volume from a phone are not as powerful. A speaker ensures the music fills the room and enhances the overall experience, whether you're using it to energize the group or help them wind down.

Yogi Beans has plenty of fun kids' yoga music to get little beans moving like stars! Stream Yogi Beans’ Mountain Moves and other music on Spotify and Apple Music!

6. Stuffed Animals for Breathing Exercises

Using stuffed animals in class makes learning breathwork enjoyable. A simple and effective exercise is to have children lie down on their backs and place a small stuffed animal on their belly. As they breathe in, they can watch the animal rise, and as they exhale, they observe it gently fall. This visual representation of the breath not only adds a playful element but also helps children connect with their breathing in a tangible way.

This technique can be especially helpful for children who are new to yoga or those who might struggle to focus during traditional breathwork practices. It turns breathing into a fun activity, making it easier for them to understand and engage with the concept of deep, calming breaths. Whether used in a classroom setting or at home, this stuffed animal exercise creates a soothing and enjoyable way for children to develop lifelong breathwork skills.

7. Yoga Blocks for Play and Support

Yoga blocks are versatile tools that support kids by helping them reach the floor, maintain balance, and enhance their poses. But beyond their traditional use, blocks can transform into stepping stones, bridges, or even towers, adding an element of creative play to the class. They encourage children to explore movement and imagination while providing the stability they need to feel confident in their practice.

8. Animal Masks or Puppets for Themed Classes

Props, like animal masks or finger puppets, can enhance themed yoga classes, such as jungle or ocean adventures. They inspire kids to embody different characters and movements while practicing yoga poses.

9. Pom-Poms for Playful Movement and Mindful Fun

Pom-poms add a colourful and engaging element to kids' yoga, making movement and mindfulness even more fun!

These soft, lightweight props help develop fine motor skills as children grasp, toss, and pick them up with their toes, strengthening foot muscles and coordination. Pom-poms can also be used for breathwork—kids can practice deep, calming breaths by gently blowing them across their mats, turning mindful breathing into an exciting game.

Whether incorporated into balancing poses, relaxation exercises, or playful challenges, pom-poms bring joy and creativity to every yoga session!

10. Fabric Tunnels or Hula Hoops for Playful Movement

Incorporating fabric tunnels or hula hoops into your kids' yoga class invites exploration, creativity, and joyful movement. Crawling through tunnels can mimic animal-inspired poses, while jumping in and out of hula hoops enhances coordination and balance. These props also make transitions more engaging, turning movement from one pose to another into an exciting adventure.

Whether used for a playful obstacle course or as a tool for imaginative storytelling, tunnels and hoops add an element of surprise and fun, keeping young yogis fully engaged in their practice.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating fun and interactive props into your children’s yoga class helps keep young students engaged and excited to participate. Props not only add variety but also enhance learning, creativity, and body awareness. When you turn yoga into an adventure, you create a joyful experience that fosters mindfulness, movement, and connection.

Yogi Beans is deeply grateful for your energy as you read this article and for the opportunity to share our knowledge with you. If you’re eager to dive deeper into kids’ yoga and learn more tips to make your class stand out in the eyes of young practitioners, be sure to check out our certification training. We offer an On-Demand Development Course, designed for both teachers and non-teachers alike, so that you can take your practice and teaching to the next level.

Essential Props for a Fun and Interactive Children’s Yoga Class

What Are Yoga Props?

Top 10 Best Kids’ Yoga Props