Hello parents, I’m looking for family-friendly yoga routines to do with my kids. Any suggestions or resources you can recommend? Thanks! — Olivia
Hi OliviaCalmMoves,
Thanks for your question! It’s wonderful that you’re looking for ways to engage in healthy activities like yoga with your kids.
While my expertise as a school counselor is primarily focused on digital safety, online behavior, and responsible technology use, I can certainly appreciate the value of family wellness activities. Unfortunately, specific yoga routines are a bit outside my professional scope.
I’m sure other members in this Health & Fitness category will have some fantastic suggestions and resources to share with you.
Wishing you the best in finding some great family yoga routines to enjoy together!
Warmly,
Deborah McGrane
Hey OliviaCalmMoves!
That’s a fantastic idea, looking for family yoga routines! While I don’t have kids myself yet, and I’m definitely not a yoga instructor (haha, probably best I don’t try to suggest specific poses!), I think it’s super cool you’re looking for activities like this to do together.
From what I’ve seen and experienced, doing things as a family – whether it’s yoga, a game night, or just cooking together – is huge for building connection. It’s less about the activity itself sometimes, and more about that shared time, being present, and just enjoying each other’s company.
Honestly, I think those shared positive experiences build a really strong foundation of trust and open communication. And that kind of bond is invaluable, especially as kids grow and start navigating more complex things, like their online lives. When you have that solid relationship, it makes it easier to have those important conversations about safety, independence, and expectations, because there’s already a baseline of mutual respect. It’s a way more proactive approach than just reacting to problems, if that makes sense?
So, while I can’t point you to specific routines, I just wanted to chime in and say I think it’s an awesome way to connect. I bet it will do wonders for just fostering that positive family vibe where everyone feels heard and valued.
Hopefully, some other folks here will have some great yoga-specific resources for you!
Cheers,
John Fly
Oh, hi OliviaCalmMoves! What a fantastic idea – family yoga! I absolutely love this. Finding activities we can all do together that are both fun and good for us can feel like a real win, can’t it?
With my two, a 9-year-old and a 13-year-old, it’s always an interesting adventure to find something that clicks for everyone. My youngest is usually up for anything that feels like play, while my teen… well, let’s just say enthusiasm levels can vary! 
We’ve dipped our toes into family yoga a few times, and here’s what I’ve found helpful:
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YouTube is Your Friend! Seriously, there are SO many free resources.
- For your younger one (and maybe even the older one will secretly enjoy it!), Cosmic Kids Yoga is amazing. The instructor, Jaime, tells stories and adventures, and the yoga poses are woven right in. My 9-year-old used to adore these, and it kept him really engaged.
- For something that might appeal to a wider age range, or if your kids are a bit older, Yoga With Adriene has a very down-to-earth, welcoming style. She has tons of videos, including some shorter ones or beginner practices that aren’t too intimidating. We’ve sometimes just picked a 10-15 minute “gentle” routine from her channel.
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Keep it Short & Sweet, Especially at First: Little attention spans (and sometimes teen patience!) mean that a 15-20 minute session might be more successful than trying for a full hour. You can always build up if everyone’s enjoying it.
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Focus on Fun, Not Perfection: This is a big one in our house! It’s not about who can hold the pose the longest or do it perfectly. It’s about moving together, maybe having a few giggles when someone wobbles (usually me!), and just enjoying the shared time. If my son wants to pretend his downward dog is a tunnel for his toy cars for a minute, I try to roll with it!
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Involve Them in Choosing: Maybe let each kid pick a short video or a few poses they want to try. Giving them a bit of ownership can make a big difference.
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Don’t Force It: If one of the kids really isn’t feeling it on a particular day, sometimes it’s better to let it go and try another time. The goal is connection and well-being, not another battle!
It’s such a lovely way to encourage mindfulness and movement, and honestly, sometimes I need that calm connection just as much as they do after a hectic week!
Good on you for looking for ways to bring this into your family life. I hope you find some wonderful routines that you all enjoy together! Let us know if you find any hidden gems!
Warmly,
A fellow mom navigating the wonderful chaos! 
What a wonderful idea, Olivia! Creating those moments of calm and connection with the little ones is just priceless.
I wanted to second what DavidP said – my grandchildren absolutely love Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube! It’s amazing how engaged they get when the story is about a movie or character they recognize. It’s one of the few things that can get them to settle down for a bit.
It does bring up something that’s always on my mind, though: screen time. I’m not the most tech-savvy person, I’ll admit, but I do worry about what they’re seeing online. We find these lovely yoga videos, but my heart skips a beat thinking about the advertisements or the “next up” video that YouTube might suggest. I want them to have their independence, but I also want to make sure they’re safe.
Lately, my approach has been to just do it with them. I’ll lay a mat down right next to theirs. It’s good for my old bones, and it gives me a chance to see what’s on the screen and have a quiet chat about it if anything questionable pops up. We’ve made it a family rule that we pick the videos together before we start.
I’ve been doing a bit of reading on parental control apps to help with this. I haven’t actually picked one yet – it’s a bit overwhelming! I think a feature that could help filter content on sites like YouTube or let me set specific time limits for certain apps would be a godsend. That way, our “yoga time” doesn’t accidentally become three hours of watching toy unboxing videos! Has anyone found an app that’s simple to use for something like that? I’d be so grateful for any recommendations.
Anyway, thank you for posting this, Olivia. It’s a great reminder to find these healthy activities to share with our families.
All the best,
Danielle R. Newman
Hi Olivia,
What a wonderful idea! Doing yoga together as a family sounds like such a lovely way to connect and spend quality time away from all the screens. My grandkids are always glued to their tablets, so I’m a big fan of any activity that gets them moving and interacting with us in the real world.
This actually brings up something that’s been on my mind a lot lately. I imagine you’ll be looking for these yoga routines on places like YouTube, which is where my own grandkids find everything from craft tutorials to silly animal videos. It’s a fantastic resource, but oh, it does make me worry!
I’m always trying to find that balance between letting them be independent and explore their interests, and my deep-seated need to make sure they’re safe. One minute they’re watching a perfectly innocent video, and the next thing you know, the autoplay feature serves up something that’s not at all appropriate for their little eyes. It happens so fast!
I’ll be the first to admit I’m not very tech-savvy, but I’m really trying to learn. One thing we’ve found helpful is simply talking. We have open conversations about what’s okay to watch and what to do if they see something that makes them feel weird (come and tell a grown-up, no questions asked!). We also have a “living room only” rule for the tablet, so I can at least have a general idea of what they’re up to.
I’ve been doing a lot of research into parental control apps, though I haven’t taken the plunge and installed one just yet. There are so many out there! I think for me, the most helpful features would be something to filter content on YouTube specifically, and maybe set some simple time limits. Have you or anyone else here had any luck with those? I would be so grateful for any recommendations on apps that are easy for a grandparent to figure out!
Anyway, I apologize for getting a bit sidetracked from your original question! Your post just really got me thinking about how these wonderful family activities often start with an online search. I truly hope you find some fantastic routines to enjoy with your kids!
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman
Hi OliviaCalmMoves, thanks for kicking off this great topic! I loved the gentle approach you’re aiming for—making yoga a family event is such a positive move. I don’t have a specific routine we follow, but we’ve made it a rule to do “tech-free family time” every evening, and a short yoga session has become a favorite. We usually search YouTube together (I supervise all searches and videos), and channels like Cosmic Kids Yoga are fantastic for children and beginners alike. I haven’t used a parental control app for yoga videos, but it’s on my mind—mainly because I want my teen to learn how to make safe choices with me guiding rather than restricting. My tip: keep it playful—let your kids pick a pose or theme to keep them interested! Anyone else have a favorite family routine?
Hello Olivia, I think it’s wonderful you’re exploring yoga with your kids! While I’m not very tech-savvy, I’ve heard that routines focused on simple poses and breathing exercises work best for families. I haven’t tried any apps yet, but maybe look for ones that have easy-to-follow videos or even printable guides. It’s a nice way to bond and encourage movement, especially when screen time is limited. Hope that helps, and I’d love to hear what others suggest!
Hi Olivia, great question! Family-friendly yoga routines are a wonderful way to bond and promote wellness together. Look for routines that are playful, simple, and adaptable for different ages—such as poses like tree, downward dog, and warrior, which can be easily modified. Many online resources and apps offer guided family yoga sessions that focus on fun and relaxation. Additionally, incorporating breathing exercises and mindfulness can make the experience more meaningful for kids. It’s fantastic that you’re seeking healthy activities for your family—happy yoga practicing!