Rainy Day? Roll Out the Mats, Not the Moans
There’s a particular kind of weather on the Garden Route that turns a Saturday into a jigsaw-puzzle marathon. You know the one. The clouds roll in off the Indian Ocean, the Knysna forests go misty, and suddenly every child in Wilderness is standing at the window announcing they are bored.
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Before the screens win, try this. Kids yoga is one of the simplest ways to burn off cabin fever, and it needs nothing more than a bit of floor space and a sense of humour. No experience required, no fancy equipment, and the poses double as a game. Here are our favourites for a wet day between George and Plettenberg Bay.
Warm Up with Animal Poses
Kids take to yoga fastest when it feels like play, so skip the serious names and go straight for the creatures.
- Cat and Cow: On hands and knees, arch the back up like a cat hissing, then dip it down like a cow mooing. Great for little spines after a morning on the couch.
- Downward Dog: Hands and feet on the floor, hips up high. Ask them to bark at the ceiling. This one stretches the whole body and usually ends in giggles.
- Cobra: Lying on the tummy, hands under the shoulders, lift the chest and hiss. Perfect for a slow, sleepy afternoon.
- Butterfly: Soles of the feet together, knees flapping like wings. A lovely, calming pose to bring things down a notch.
Balance Games for Wiggly Bodies
Once they’re warmed up, balance poses are where the real fun lives. Turn it into a challenge: who can hold it longest without wobbling?
- Tree Pose: Standing on one leg, foot resting on the other ankle or calf, hands together above the head. Tell them to imagine roots growing from their feet into the floor.
- Flamingo: Same idea, but with arms out like wings. Count to ten out loud together.
- Airplane: Arms out wide, leaning forward on one leg. Add sound effects. It helps.
If you have more than one child, let them balance facing each other. Suddenly it becomes a game, and the rainy-day grumbles disappear.
A Calm Finish
End every session with a rest. Lie down, hands on tummies, and ask them to feel their breath rising and falling. You can tell them the rain outside is washing the whole Garden Route clean, and they can lie still and listen. Even three minutes of this does wonders for a wound-up household.
If your child is new to yoga, keep it short. Five or ten minutes is plenty for the littlest ones, and you can build up as they get the hang of it. The goal isn’t perfect posture. It’s movement, laughter, and a bit of calm before the next downpour.
Make It a Family Thing
Parents, join in. Kids copy what they see far more than what they’re told, and there’s something quietly lovely about a whole family stretching together while the rain drums on the roof. Roll out whatever mats you have, or just use a rug. Bare feet, comfy clothes, no shoes needed.
And if the weather clears later, take the practice outside. Tree pose under an actual tree in the Wilderness forest is a memory worth making.
For kids classes, family sessions, and retreats along the Garden Route, browse the site and find a mat near you.