Planning a kids yoga birthday party can be an exciting and rewarding experience! Here’s a guide to help you organize an unforgettable event that combines fun, mindfulness, and yoga.
What You Need to Know
First things first, let’s talk logistics.
How much should you charge (or expect to pay)?
It depends a lot on where you are located, how long the session will be, how many kids, etc. Consider a flat rate if you have a set time and rental space costs or use an hourly rate plus the cost of travel and supplies.
You should also pay yourself a fair wage—around $30/hour is a good start, including planning and travel time. If you expect more than 7-10 kids, consider adjusting your rate accordingly.
The birthday party industry is huge, with billions of dollars spent globally in the industry on a yearly basis. So there's no reason to feel bad about charging for your time, energy, travel, supplies, and even considering the training that you took to learn these yoga teaching skills.
How long will the birthday party last?
Aim for 1-3 hours based on activities like games, cake, presents, and crafts. Also be sure to consider the age of the children and how long their attention will last with all the activities.
Are you responsible for factoring in present time? Cake and food time? Be clear with what is expected from you and what is already planned by the parents/caretakers.
Where will you be?
If it's being held at their home, be sure to check with the parents on what items and supplies will be provided or available to you. If you're in a rental space, be sure to scope out the room or look at pictures ahead of time so you know what you're working with. Check out the bathroom situation too!
What do you need to bring?
If it's being held at their home, be sure to check with the parents on what items and supplies will be provided or available to you. Do you need yoga mats? A speaker? Snacks, favors, craft items? Either way, be sure to plan out what you'll need to buy in advance so you factor in those costs to your bottom line.
Are there any dietary restrictions or allergies to be aware of?
Be sure to ask ahead of time and plan accordingly if you are providing any food or even bringing anything scented.
Preparation: Get to Know the Birthday Kid
Before the big day, gather some important info.
- How old is the birthday child going to be?
- Do they have a theme for the party?
- What are their favorite movies, books, songs, or games?
- What are the names of their family members, friends, pets, favorite places, etc. (You can use these later!)
- Do they like yoga? Are they a seasoned yogi or a beginner?
- Who else will be there, and what is there experience with yoga?
Setting up the Party: Entrance Details
Think about how you want to set up the space. Will it be in a circle? Are kids bringing their mats, or will you provide them?
It’s a good idea to have the birthday kid front and center. Then, either set out the mats or just name tags and party favors so everyone knows ahead of time where they will be.
Add something they can use right away or during the lesson as a fun party favor:
- Name tag- they can add a mantra and decorate
- A balloon to blow up for the breathing activity and/or a game– but check for latex allergies first.
- A pinwheel or a small set of bubbles for breathing
- An eye pillow for rest time later (or you can choose to make one later!)
- A small stuffed animal for the storytelling yoga activity or just for rest time late
Add some decorations around the space like streamers and a sign, and don’t forget to have music and maybe a nice scent in the air with oil diffusers.
Yoga Birthday Party Outline
Warm Welcome
When the kids arrive, greet them warmly. Let them discover their mat space and party favors!
Start with a fun introduction about yoga and share a little bit about yourself to help build trust. The do introductions, a few quick (but clear rules) and get started quickly.
It’s all about creating a comfortable atmosphere!
Mindfulness Centering
Kick things off with a short meditation to get everyone excited. You might even consider a guided meditation that aligns with the party theme.
Be sure to bring your singing bowl to help really set the tone!
Warm Ups and Fun Activities
Get the energy flowing with some fun warm-ups like “Yogi Says” or a simple Yoga Flow. Teach them a traditional sun salutation, or jump into a themed set of poses.
Then, bring the energy back down a little with some breathing exercises—try the “Birthday Cake Breathing” where each child holds up candles for their age and blows them out one by one.
You could also blow up balloons or bubbles if you set those out on the mats. (Though that will increase the energy again possibly!)
Yoga Storytelling Adventure
Make the experience special with a personalized yoga storytelling adventure.
Use what you know about the birthday child to create a narrative where they go on an adventure to their favorite place, meeting friends, pets, and family along the way.
The twist? The birthday gifts are missing, and the kids must find them!
Incorporate Birthday Themed Books with Yoga Poses
You can use fun books to guide your yoga poses, and the class.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Birthday Cake by Lucille Colandro is a great choice.
Here are my suggested poses to go along with this silly story:
- Cake: Pizza pose
- Candle: Tall kneeling pose
- Sign: Slide (Reverse plank)
- Balloon: Seated with arms above you in circle, or modified Dancer with ballerina arms
- Hat: Triangle pose
- Confetti: Falling Star
- Gift: Crab/Tabletop
- Shout Hooray! Jump in star pose and yell Happy Birthday!
Two other excellent book options are:
- Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish by Beth Ferry and Tom Lictenheld (It's a bit longer, but very cute and works really well for a birthday themed class.)
- I am Yoga by Susan Verde. (A great first-time to yoga book for a true “yoga-themed” birthday party.)
Games and Group Activities
Keep the energy up with fun movement games like partner poses, freeze dance with yoga poses, or even an obstacle course. These group games are all fun for parties, or you can choose a themed one.
A classic is to have each child write or draw a yoga pose on their balloon that they blew up. Then play keep up the balloon with all of the balloons at once! Keep them in the air until the music stops or you say “FREEZE!” Each child grabs the nearest balloon, runs to their mat and does the pose.
Mindfulness games like a blind taste test of favorite foods or a themed pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey can add more fun!
Craft Time
No party is complete without some creative activities! Let the kids decorate their own yoga mats to take home, create affirmation stones, or make glitter jars. These crafts will give them something to take home and remember the fun!
Yoga Birthday Party Goody Bags
Finally, send the kids home with a yoga-themed goody bag. Include items like bubbles, eye pillows, stickers, or a small pinwheel. It’s a great way to wrap up the day and keep the yoga spirit alive!
Hosting a kids yoga party is all about fun, creativity, and mindfulness. With these tips, you’ll create an event that the kids will cherish and remember for a long time. Happy planning!
Guided Meditation to wrap up your Yoga Birthday Party
Teach them thoroughly about savasana and its purpose– taking deep breaths and relaxing the mind and body.
Weave in details about the birthday kiddo's life and favorite things. Maybe consider a rainbow meditation, positive affirmations, or weave in the wish that you made during the story.
Here is a sample mindfulness meditation for a birthday themed yoga party:
“Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a deep breath in. Imagine you're standing on a path filled with sparkling lights. Each light represents a special moment or milestone you've reached. Some lights are for your birthdays, and others for when you learned something new or made a friend.
Now, see yourself walking slowly along this path. With each step, you light up a new milestone. Pause and celebrate each one. Maybe you learned to ride a bike, read a book by yourself, or stood up for a friend. Whisper a ‘thank you' to each light, feeling joy for these moments.
Ahead, see a bright, glowing light for today, your birthday. It's the brightest yet, celebrating not just another year but all the laughter, learning, and growing you've done. Feel the warmth of this light, filling you with happiness and pride for all you've accomplished.
Take another deep breath, and as you breathe out, imagine sharing some of this light and happiness with everyone around you, spreading joy and gratitude.
Now, gently open your eyes, bring a hand to your heart, and say, ‘I am thankful for my milestones.' Remember, each day is a chance to light up new milestones on your path.”
A kids yoga birthday party is not only a delightful way to celebrate but also a wonderful opportunity to foster mindfulness and joy among young ones. By incorporating fun activities like yoga poses woven into stories and affirmation crafts, you create a space for children to connect with themselves and each other in a positive and mindful way.
Remember, yoga is not just about physical poses, it's also about creating inner peace and a sense of gratitude. So why not combine these elements with a child's birthday party to make it an even more meaningful and memorable experience?
