Celebrate Mother’s Day with Partner Yoga for Moms and Kids
Happy Mother’s Day! Get your kiddos moving and active with fun and engaging activities perfect for kids and their parents!
Yoga and mindfulness are excellent ways for kids to celebrate their moms, since many poses can be done with partners. Mindfulness is also something that is easily practiced when we spend time together and appreciate the people around us.
Celebrate Mother’s Day by giving your mom or mother figure a hug, going for a walk, or simply spending time together enjoying each other’s company. There are many ways to show your mom that you love and appreciate her.
Just think about how much your mom or mother figure has done for you! Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate and appreciate those who love us unconditionally. Try these awesome activities as a way to spend time and connect as a family.
Quick Yoga Warm-Up to Jumpstart the Day with Mom and Kids
Start the day with this easy yoga-flow routine you can do with the whole family.
Sun Breath:
Stand up straight with your feet about a foot apart. Reach your arms out to the sides, lift them to the sky, and then relax them back down.
Side Twist:
Still standing up straight, twist your whole body from side to side and swing arms back and forth.
Volcano:
Lift up onto your tiptoes and stretch your arms up above your head. Stretch your fingers up towards the sky.
Ski Jump:
Bend your knees and lean forward, folding your top half over your legs. Keep your head up and swing your arms back like you are skiing.
Lightning Bolt:
Turn to the side and bend your knees once more, almost like your getting up from a chair. Raise your arms up and stretch.
Mountain:
Stand up tall and press down through your feet. Ground yourself and stretch your spine. Roll shoulders back and press palms together in front of you.
Forward Bend:
Go from standing up to bent in half. Let your top half fold over your bottom and let your arms go limp, hanging down low.
Downward Dog:
Press your feet and palms to the ground. Lift your hips and bottom up to the sky and extend your spine.
Balancing Table:
Get on hands and knees before lifting your left arm out in front of you. At the same time, lift your right leg straight back and balance. Switch sides after some time.
Bridge:
Lay down on the ground with your arms flat next to you. Raise your knees so they are bent and your feet rest on the floor. Lift your hips up high, using your arms for support.
Boat:
Sit on the ground and lift your legs. Bend your knees and lean back a little. Raise your arms straight in front of you and balance.
Meditation:
Sit with your legs crossed. Roll your shoulders and lengthen your spine. Rest your hands on your knees and breathe.
Visualization: Keep the previous pose and breathe deeply. Close your eyes and relax before becoming aware of your breathing. Let a word come to mind about how you want your day to go. Choose a word that describes how you want to feel today, such as ‘happy’, ‘curious’, or ‘kind’. Hold it in your mind. As you breathe, fill yourself with this feeling. Let yourself become the word you chose. As you breathe out, send this feeling out into the world. Take another deep breath in and let a long one out. Open your eyes and be ready for your day.
Yoga for Kids and Parents to Celebrate Mother’s Day
Themed yoga is a super fun way to teach kids yoga and get them moving in their everyday lives. Whether you are at home, with kids in school, or in a kids yoga studio, themes can help engage kids in yoga and mindfulness to help them stay active and healthy.
Here’s a post with lots of pose ideas and videos for different themed yoga classes.
If you are ready to teach a fun kids yoga class with Mother’s Day as your theme, keep reading!
Start a Mother’s Day Yoga and Mindfulness Lesson with Fun Facts About Families for Kids
Before you get started on the lesson, it is important to engage your kiddos and get them excited about the topic!
Ask them what fun facts they already know, and add to their knowledge!
- Mother’s Day Isn’t On The Same Day Each Year. The holiday is always on the second Sunday of May. This year it will fall on May 9th, 2021.
- Mother’s Day Is The 3rd Highest Selling Holiday for Flowers and Plants. About a quarter of all flowers purchased throughout the year are bought for Mother’s Day. After Christmas and Hanukkah, more people buy their moms flowers or plants for Mother’s Day than any other holiday.
- One of the Earliest Mother’s Day celebrations was in Ancient Greece! The Greeks would have spring celebrations in honor of Rhea, the goddess of fertility and motherhood.
- Mother’s Day Began During the Civil War. Ann Jarvis started the ‘Mother’s Friendship Day’ in 1868 during the Civil War and her daughter, Anna Reeves Jarvis sought to honor her mother’s legacy by making it a holiday. Though the first Mother’s Day was celebrated in 1908, Woodrow Wilson didn’t legitimize the holiday nationwide until 1914.
- There are 152 Million Mother’s Day Cards Sent Each Year. It is also the most popular gift for the holiday.
- It is Celebrated All Over the World! Though on different days, Mother’s Day is celebrated each year in Great Britain, Canada, Samoa, Georgia, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Australia in addition to the United States!
Partner Breathing Exercise to Promote Mindfulness
I love this warm-up and use it often with my students in the classroom. It is also the perfect thing to do with partners, such as Moms and their kiddos! This activity is great for practicing mindfulness and empathy.
- Sit with your legs crossed and your back resting against your partners.
- Put both hands on your belly and either close your eyes or watch your hands.
- Begin by taking three deep breaths, trying to notice the way your hands move (You can count “1, 2, 3” for each breath in and out)
- Think about these questions as you both breathe:
- What is moving your hands? Is it the air?
- Can you feel the air moving in through your nose? Out?
- Does the air feel cooler when you breathe in and warmer on the way out?
- Can you hear your breath? What does it sound like?
- Become aware of your partner’s breathing.
- Notice the way they breathe in and out. Is it shallow? Is it deep? Fast or slow?
- Can you feel your partner’s back moving as they breathe?
- After a while, notice if your breathing has fallen into sync with your partner’s. It is alright if it hasn’t or doesn’t, just become aware of your breathing!
- When you are ready, open your eyes.
I find this is the perfect way to connect with someone and practice mindfulness together! It helps you become aware of both your and your partner’s breathing. This also encourages gratitude and promotes empathy, especially in younger kids!
Sun Salutations for Partners
Celebrate Mother’s Day with this fun partner’s yoga activity to warm up! It is a variation on solo Sun Salutations and can be done with kids of all ages.
Face each other on your mats and acknowledge the positive energy between the two of you. Set an intention for this Mother’s Day yoga practice.
Prayer Pose:
Keep your feet together, breathe deeply and relax your shoulders. As you inhale, lift arms up and as you exhale, bring palms together in front of you.
Raised Arm Pose:
Still standing, as you inhale, raise your arms up and back. Your biceps should be by your ears. To deepen the stretch, push your pelvis forward a bit.
Hand to Foot Pose:
Breathe out and fold forward, bending at the waist. As you exhale, bring hands to the floor by your feet.
Equestrian Pose:
Kneel on the ground with your back straight. Raise one leg so it is like you’re lunging, bring the other leg back behind you. Place hands on either side of your raised leg and stretch.
Plank Pose:
As you breathe in, bring the raised leg back so it’s parallel to the other. Keep your body in a straight line, like you are beginning a push-up.
Eight Points Salute:
Bring knees down to the floor and exhale. Keep your hips raised and slide forward, gently placing your chest and chin on the ground. Two hands, two feet, two knees, chest, and chin should be on the floor, with hips lifted off.
Cobra Pose:
Lay flat on the ground, relaxing your limbs and hips. Then, lift your chest and head upwards, arms propping you up. Keep elbows bent and look up. Extend spine and stretch.
Downward Facing Dog:
Push up with your arms and raise your hips up. Place feet firmly on the ground and keep your waist bent. You should be in an inverted “V” shape.
Equestrian Pose:
Kneel on the ground with your back straight. Raise one leg so it is like you’re lunging, bring the other leg back behind you. Place hands on either side of your raised leg and stretch. This should be with the opposite leg than previously.
Hand to Foot Pose:
Breathe out and fold forward, bending at the waist. As you exhale, bring hands to the floor by your feet.
Raised Arm Pose:
Standing, as you inhale, raise your arms up and back. Your biceps should be by your ears. To deepen the stretch, push your pelvis forward a bit.
Mountain Pose:
Straighten your body and bring arms down. Relax your body.
This is a great way to start your day and is even better with a partner. It helps connect you to the other person because you are mirroring them and working as one. Sun salutations are an essential part of any wellness routine. Combine it with some mindful breathing and meditation, and you will have an awesome everyday yoga warm up!
Great Yoga Books for Kids and Parents
Books are a great way to introduce yoga to kids and engage both them and their parents! I use many of these in my classroom and absolutely adore them!
Good Morning Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Wake Up Story by Mariam Gates
Dinosaur Yoga by Mariam Gates
Yoga Bunny by Brian Russo
I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde
A Little Calm SPOT: A Story About Yoga and Feeling Focused by Diane Albers
Smile with Yoga: Fun, Mindful, and Engaging Yoga for Kids (and Their Parents) by I. Rekem and Alifstyle
Llamaste and Friends by Pat-a-Cake
Mother’s Day Partner Yoga Poses
Here are some fantastic yoga poses to do with your kids. This is a great ‘Mommy and Me’ yoga routine to do with kids that are little younger.
Partner Forward Bend:
Stand tall with legs about a foot apart, feet facing forward, and straighten your arms. Shift so that you’re facing each other. Bend your upper body and reach your arms to rest on your partner’s shoulders.Your heads should be almost touching, and your arms should be fully supported by your partner. Take a few deep breaths and relax into the stretch.
Partner Seated Cat Pose:
Sit comfortably cross-legged, facing each other, with your knees almost touching. Lift your arms and gently grab your partner’s upper arms. Then, tuck your chin into your chest, round your shoulders, and stretch in your back using your partner to ground you. Take a few deep breaths and come out of it together.
Partner Seated Twist:
Sit cross-legged an arm’s length away, facing each other. Place your palms on your knees and lengthen your spine. Twist your torso to the right. Take your left hand to reach for your partner’s right and wrap your right hand back behind you, reaching for your partner’s left hand. Take a few moments in this pose, then switch sides and repeat the steps.
Partner Easy Pose:
Sit in the cross-legged position, using a cushion or block if needed. Once you are comfortable, your child can sit on your lap. Take a few deep breaths together. Close your eyes and relax.
Partner Legs Up The Wall Pose:
Lie flat on your back then raise your legs straight up toward the sky, making an L shape. Your bottoms should be near each other and legs parallel to one another. Keeping your legs together, stretch your feet. Spread arms out on either side of you like wings and relax. You can close your eyes if you want and take deep breaths.
Mother’s Day Yoga Videos to do with your Kids
Here are a few videos with yoga lessons you can do with your kiddos! They are easy to follow and have awesome visuals so you can see what they are doing.
Toddler Yoga Poses for Kids Ages 2-4 by Kumarah Yoga
Yoga for Mum and Child by Class Yoga Kids
Passion Fit Mom and Kids Yoga by Passion Fit
Mommy and Me Yoga at Home (Part 1) by CamiRose Yoga
KKY Partner Poses for Kids of All Ages by Karma Kids Yoga (This one has some poses that are better for older kids)
7 Yoga Poses Parents & Kids Can Do in 5 Minutes or Less by Teresa Power
More Partner Yoga Poses
Here are a few more yoga poses you can do with your kids as your partner. They can vary between beginner and intermediate levels, but with some practice, you can do them successfully.
Partner Plank:
Position yourself like you are going to do a push-up. Both feet will be on the ground and arms holding you up. Face your partner and both raise the right or left hands. Press palms into your partners and balance.
Buddy Boat:
Sit on the ground in front of each other. Raise your legs and hold them to your partners, making sure your knees are bent. Raise your arms in front of you and grab your partners. Use your partner to balance yourself and breathe.
Supported Tree Pose:
Stand up straight, shoulder to shoulder with your partner. Raise opposite legs and bend them so your foot is resting by your knee. Hold your partner’s hand with the arms between the two of you. Raise them above your heads and with the opposite arm hold hands in front of you.
Dancer Partner Pose:
Stand up straight opposite your partner. Raise one arm above your head on the same side as your partner (if you raise the left, they will raise the right). Press lightly into each other’s palms, staying above two arm’s length away. Pick up opposite legs and bend them behind you. Hold your ankle and slowly lean into your partner, raising your leg higher as you do.
Butterfly Heart-Opener:
Sit back to back with your legs crossed. Place your hands at your sides. As your partner rolls forward, lean back with them. Keep your backs connected and open your arms out wide. As you come back up, lean forward and roll your shoulders as your partner did. They will follow you and place your arms out in front of you on the ground.
Wide Legged Assist:
Sit down on the ground with your legs open and straight. You should be in front of your partner, facing each other. The balls of your feet will touch and your arms raised in front of you. Grab your partner’s hands and take turns stretching forward and back. As you stretch forward, rolling your shoulders and letting your head hand, your partner will lean back. Same with the opposite.
Seated Meditation:
Sit in front of one another with your legs crossed. Place your open palms in your partners, one on top and one below. Take deep breaths and relax.
Mindfulness Safari Activity
Another great way to engage your kids is to do a ‘Mindfulness Safari.’ You can do this inside or outside depending on your preferences and weather.
- Stay quiet, calm your thoughts, and move quietly during the safari
- Turn your senses of sight, touch, and sound onto high
- Search for beautiful objects and creatures to observe and explore
- Ask these questions during your safari: What does it look like? What color is it? What does it smell like? Can you touch it? What does it feel like?
- When you find a ‘creature’ watch it in silence for as long as you want and think about these questions: What does it look like? How does it move? What colors can you see?
- Continue for as long as you’d like and be mindful of what you see and experience!
Mindfulness Crafts for Mother’s Day
Crafts are always a fun activity to do with your kids together. It’s even better when you get to practice mindfulness as well! What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with some fun, easy, and kid-friendly crafts to do together or gift your mom?
Paper Teacups for a Tea Party
Tea parties are the perfect indoor activity for Mother’s Day, and you can make it a fun pretend tea party and crafting session all in one!
Use this paper teacup template to print out adorable teacup designs, decorate, and glue them together for your own non-breakable teacups to use at your party.
Clothespin Butterfly
Photo image and inspiration from Buggy and Buddy
You will need: a clothespin, pipe cleaners, beads (large enough to fit through pipe cleaners), glue, and acrylic paint and brushes!
- Paint your clothespin with acrylic paint whatever color you want to make your butterflies body.
- While the paint in drying, place your beads on the pipe cleaners, leaving about an inch on either side.
- Twist the beaded pipe cleaner into a figure eight, with the ends coming together in the middle. Leave the ends twisted together off the side in the middle. Do this for both ‘wings’.
- Cut a smaller pipe cleaner for the antenna and place beads on the end. Curl the ends so the bead is secure.
- Gather all the elements and glue! Place the antenna in a ‘U’ shape with the clothespin holding the middle. Glue it to the inside on the clothespin and prop open until dry.
- Put a large amount of glue onto the spring of the clothespin and place the ends of the pipe cleaner wings into it. You might need to trim the pipe cleaner a bit!
- Leave to dry and voila!
A cute and easy craft that is a perfect gift for mom this Mother’s Day!
Mindfulness Mandala Hands
Photo Images and Inspiration from Counselor Keri
You will need: card stock or plain white paper, pencils, markers, and watercolors or colored pencils.
- Place your hands on the paper, fingers spread out. Think about how the paper feels under your hands. Notice the pressure you put on the paper.
- Trace your hands with a pencil. Encourage yourself to notice how the pencil feels along your skin. Think about what emotions you are feeling right now.
- Once you are clued in to your emotions, draw inside the outline of your hands. Design the inside to show your emotions.
- Write the emotions you are feeling on each finger.
- After your designs are done, color the inside with markers, watercolors, or colored pencils. Try to use colors that best represent your feelings!
- When you are done, share those emotions and identify where in the body you feel those emotions!
This is a great craft that helps kids practice mindfulness and self-awareness! Plus, every mom will love these reminders of how much their babies have grown!
Glitter Bottles
My very own personal favorite craft to do with kids is a mindfulness calm down glitter jar. Find the step-by-step photos and a video in this post here.
You will need: a bottle or jar, water, glitter, food coloring, glycerin or corn syrup, dish soap, and glue (I recommend Gorilla Glue to fully seal the container)!
- Make sure your bottle or jar is clean and dry
- Add a variety of glitter into your jar, about a level half inch. I find a combination of chunky and fine glitter works best!
- Add a little bit of warm water to the container and swirl gently.
- Add glycerin or corn syrup until the bottle is about ¼ full
- Add more warm water until the container is almost full. Leave about an inch at the top.
- Add 2 to 3 drops of dish soap to help disperse the glitter.
- Add food coloring if you want!
- Close the container and slowly turn it to mix everything up.
- If there is glitter stuck at the top, open it up and stick your finger in. Gently swirl to break up the glitter.
- Close it again and shake slowly. Check out of slow or fast the glitter settles
- If you want, add more glycerin or warm water.
- When you’re ready, close the top and glue it shut with gorilla glue or a hot glue gun.
I love this craft and make them often. They are perfect for an easy craft and look adorable! Check out this post on my website for a more in-depth description.