Dinosaur PT’s Yoga for Kids!

As a Pediatric Physical Therapist, I am always looking for fun and creative ways to engage children while giving families and caregivers simple activities they can carry over at home.

Early in my career, with the help of some amazing colleagues, we created colorful yoga mats with shape cutouts representing different body parts. The bright colors, soft materials, and playful designs were a hit with children of all ages.

Our original mats were made from brightly colored felt, with cutouts that helped children understand where to place different body parts for each yoga pose.

We also turned it into a game! We would flip the mat over and have the child toss a bean bag animal onto it. Wherever it landed, we would flip that section over and have the child try the corresponding yoga pose. Extra points for holding the pose longer!

I made several sets of these yoga mats and created a lending library so families could take them home and practice with friends and family. But the sets were bulky and the layouts were fixed. I wanted something compact, portable, and completely customizable that could be shared with even more families and therapists.

Introducing Dinosaur PT’s Yoga for Kids!

Our updated version uses a textured yoga mat with lightweight foam shapes attached with Velcro. This makes it easy to change the layout, create new challenges, and customize the mat for each child.

You can adjust the size, colors, shapes, and difficulty level to meet the needs and interests of the child.

How to Make your Very Own Customized Yoga Mat:

1. Start With a Colorful Yoga Mat

Choose a textured yoga mat and cut it to a size that works well for your child and your available space.

2. Add Hand and Foot Shapes

Trace your child’s hand and foot onto foam sheets and cut out the shapes. We like using foam because it adds stability and durability.

3. Make it Colorful and Personal

Choose colors and shapes that your child enjoys. You can even make different colors represent different sides of the body.

4. Add Velcro

Attach Velcro to the back of each shape so you can easily move the pieces around the mat and create new configurations.

5. Create a Yoga for Kids Key

The shapes provide visual cues for where different body parts should go:

• Hand Shape = hand
• Foot Shape = foot
• Circle = elbow
• Square = knee
• Oval = bottom

6. Create Your Own Yoga Poses

Once you have your pieces, you can create all kinds of yoga poses and movement challenges.

7. Add Yoga Cards

Take photos of your favorite poses and create your own set of yoga cards. We laminate ours to make them more durable and easy to use again and again.

8. Keep It Portable

Store all of your body part shapes in a small tote bag so your yoga kit is easy to transport, store, and clean up.

9. Your Own Yoga Kit

The finished product can be easily packaged up!

The complete kit!

Yoga poses in action!

Learn more about Dinosaur Physical Therapy!

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