Keeping Kids Yoga Classes Fresh: How to Keep Long-Term Students Engaged

When you've been teaching children's yoga for a long time—especially to the same group of students—it can be both a joy and a challenge. Familiarity brings connection, trust, and consistency, but it can also make things feel a little stale over time.

So how do we keep our classes feeling fresh and exciting for both ourselves and our students?

Our brains love novelty—we are wired to seek out new and interesting experiences. But our nervous systems crave familiarity and safety. Finding the right balance between these two is where the magic happens in a long-term children's yoga practice.

Here are some simple but effective ways to keep your classes engaging, even when you've been teaching the same children for years:

1. Rotate Your Props Props are a fantastic way to bring novelty into your sessions. The key is to rotate them regularly rather than using the same ones all the time.
For example, if you use scarves every single week, they may start to lose their appeal. But if you bring them out only occasionally, children will be thrilled to see them again. Think of it like a toy rotation system—keeping things fresh without needing to constantly buy new resources.

Every week, I introduce a different prop, cycling through a core set to maintain excitement and engagement. When the soft toys make a return after several weeks away, the children react as if they are reuniting with old friends!

👉 If you’d like inspiration on props, check out my free guide Top of the Props for a list of my favourite props and ideas on how to use them.

2. Change the Room Layout Something as simple as rearranging the mats can completely transform the feel of a class. It’s a bit like moving the furniture around at home—it makes everything feel new again, even if nothing else has changed!
Here are some layout variations to try:

• Circle formation (great for connection and inclusivity)
• Rows facing the teacher (adds structure and focus)
• Rows facing each other (perfect for partner or group work)
• Small group stations (ideal for rotating activities or group work)
  
• Horseshoe or half-circle (creates a sense of openness and focus)
  

Even flipping the direction you usually face in the room can offer a fresh perspective. If you normally teach with the door behind you, try switching to the opposite side—little changes like this make a surprising difference!

3. Introduce New Themes or Teaching Styles Consistency is essential in children's yoga, but small changes within a structured framework can keep things feeling fresh.
Here are some ways to mix things up:

• Try an obstacle course: Adding movement stations can be an exciting way to approach yoga sequences. If you want a ready-made guide, check out my free obstacle course printable.
  
• Experiment with storytelling: If you usually use a structured sequence, why not introduce a themed story-based session? Or if you normally use storytelling, try a more free-flowing movement class.
  

4. Get the Children Involved Children love having a say in their sessions! Asking for their input can bring fresh energy to your teaching while making them feel valued and engaged.
Some ways to involve them include:

• Asking, “What have been your favourite activities so far?”
• Letting them vote on a prop or theme for the next lesson
• Inviting them to create their own yoga sequences or games
• Revisiting past activities they enjoyed but tweaking them slightly

Often, the simplest ideas—like bringing back a long-forgotten prop—can reignite excitement in a way we might not have anticipated!

Keep Your Teaching Fresh & Inspiring Staying engaged and inspired as a teacher is just as important as keeping the children engaged. By rotating props, switching up your room layout, introducing new themes, and getting the children involved, you can maintain a balance of novelty and familiarity that keeps everyone excited to return week after week.

If you’re looking for resources to help you bring variety into your teaching, you might love Captivate with Cards—my go-to resource for structuring engaging yoga sessions with 52 pose-based activity cards complete with teaching ideas. It’s the foundation of every class I teach!

I’d love to hear how you keep your kids' yoga classes fresh!

Drop me a message or email me at [email protected]—I reply to every email, and your questions might even inspire a future blog post or video!
Happy teaching!
Julia 😊