15 minNothing at all
The Mirror Game
Face each other and copy every movement exactly, in silence.
🐱
Animal Stretches
Be a cat, a cobra, a tree. Ten minutes of stretching that does not feel like stretching.
A short wind-down sequence for the end of the day, or a reset in the middle of a difficult one.
What you need
Nothing at all.
How to do it
- Clear a small space and everyone takes off their shoes.
- Start on all fours: arch your back like an angry cat, then dip it.
- Lie on your front and lift your chest like a snake.
- Stand on one leg with hands overhead like a tree.
- Finish lying flat and completely still for one minute.
Why this is good for them
The final minute of stillness is the point of the whole sequence, and children will accept it after moving in a way they will not if you simply ask them to lie down. Slow stretching also downshifts the nervous system, which is why this works better before bed than a story alone.
Adapting by age
3 to 4 yearsThree poses and lots of animal noises.
10 to 12 yearsHold each pose for five slow breaths and count them out.
Keep it safe
No forcing a stretch. If it hurts, stop.
Cleanup tip
None.
More like this
15 min
Barefoot Texture Walk
Grass, then paving, then a towel. Shoes off, eyes closed.
10 minNothing at all
Beat the Clock Tidy Up
Ten minutes on the timer and everything off the floor.
10 minNothing at all
Five Minutes of Absolute Quiet
Everyone silent for five minutes, then say what you heard.
15 min
Freeze Dance
Music on, dance. Music off, freeze. That is the whole game.
15 min
Silent Ball
Throw a soft ball around the room. Anyone who makes a sound is out.