With the start of the school year comes the end of summer and a welcoming of autumn. Leaves begin to change color, apple picking is at its peak, and the harvest season brings us cozy sweaters, warmth from hot cider and bonfires, fun holidays, and opportunity to celebrate change all around us.

The classroom is the perfect setting for autumn and harvest-themed activities that support early child development. From exploring environmental changes to making Halloween fun and educational, there’s plenty for everyone!

Using kid-friendly yoga, music and mindfulness to celebrate fall, here are 11 autumn, harvest and Halloween kids yoga activities you should definitely try in the classroom. Your little ones will love them!

1. Apple Tree Yoga

One of our favorite things to do with kids in Autumn is go apple picking! It is a great way to spend quality time with loved ones while exploring diversity in nature (and drinking warm apple cider).

You can celebrate apple picking in the classroom with our kids yoga activity, “Apple Tree”. Apple Tree yoga uses a traditional tree pose to help develop proprioception through balancing.

Try this:

In tree pose, stretchhhhh your branches (arms) out wide! Kickstart an exploratory conversation about apples and their benefits.

How do apples help our bodies grow stronger?
What type of apples are growing from your tree? And which are your favorite to eat?
Take a bite out of an imaginary apple from your tree. Chew and savor it slowly, taking a deep breath in and letting out a long “Yummm”.

2. “Leaves Change Color” Song

One sign of autumn and harvest season are the leaves changing colors. Many people find this to be one of the most beautiful sights during the fall. First leaves turn a bit yellow, then orange, then a fiery bright red! Depending on where we live, leaves may change color earlier or later in the year.

Do any of your students notice leaves changing color where they live?
Now is a wonderful time to sing along to our original song, “Leaves Change Color”.
Watch your hands move along with the song to stimulate your visual cortex.

Not only is this seated activity for kids easy and enjoyable to sing along to, it supports their gross motor skills development (among many other benefits).

3. Pumpkin Patch in Child’s Pose

Another one of our favorite things to do during harvest season is visit pumpkin patches! Can you believe how BIG and small pumpkins can be?

Have your students ever visited a pumpkin patch? Some may not have. But maybe they’ve seen one at the supermarket or a local nursery. It is beneficial to remember that all of our experiences with nature are different.

Try this:

Explore pumpkins with a calming activity like child’s pose.

Child’s pose is a great way to help children wind down after an active day or exciting play session. Child’s pose is beneficial to our nervous system and easily accessible to kids.

4. Squirrels Collecting Acorns

Squirrels love acorns! So much so that they want to make sure they have enough for the winter months, when it gets too cold to find food.

Sing along with “Squirrel” and you’ll be collecting acorns in no time!

Try this:

Have the classroom help you collect some acorns for the winter with Garland Pose.
This deep squat is a wonderful yoga pose for strengthening and lengthening our hamstrings and quads, as well as twisting the body to aid in digestion.
Can you think of any other animals that need to prepare for the winter?

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos

5. Birds Fly South

Like squirrels, many birds prepare for colder weather – by flying south! It is a challenging journey that they take on together in hopes of warm, sunny weather.

To explore this challenging journey, welcome the classroom to “fly south” with Warrior Pose. Warrior 3 strengthens our balance and focus by challenging us to remain steady on one foot.

We may not get it the first time, but slow and consistent practice helps build confidence and patience, while developing proprioception.

6. Move Them Bones for Halloween

Halloween occurs during the harvest season, and many children observe it with costumes, trick or treating and funny skeletons. To make Halloween accessible and informational, take an educational spin on skeletons with this super fun song, “Move Them Bones”.

Everyone’s body is full of bones – let’s celebrate their importance with this original Yo Re Mi song.

7. Moon Exercise

The moon is vital to our daily rhythm, and shines brightest in the night sky. Besides being a spooky Halloween backdrop, the moon has an extra special role during the autumn season.

A Harvest Moon occurs each year in September or October, showcasing a bright, large moon early in the evening (which helps farmers finish harvesting their summer crops!)

Try this:

Did you know that many other cultures observe the harvest moon in a special way too? Chinese tradition, for instance, celebrates the harvest moon (Mid-Autumn Festival) with family festivities and moon cake pastries.

Invite your students to take a walk on the moon — what is it like?
Explore the moon’s features and harvest-themed facts paired with gentle yoga twists that encourage science learning and promote healthy digestion.

8. Fallen Leaf Guided Relaxation

We celebrated leaves changing colors, but as temperatures continue to decline, those same leaves eventually fall.

The imagery of falling leaves are a great relaxation exercise for children in the classroom. Whether winding down at nap time or taking a moment to decompress after tests or recess, it is an effective mindfulness practice for both the student and teacher.

Musical yoga activities for fall / Autumn with Yo Re Mi

Fallen Leaf Relaxation Guide

9. “Wash Your Hands” Song

While hand-washing is a year-round essential, many would agree that autumn and winter are high seasons for spreading germs and contagious ailments. Perfect timing for the classroom to send a musical reminder of the importance of good hygiene.

The “Wash Your Hands” song is not only a fun wellness song; it also encourages a conversation about hygiene best practices (while teaching rhythm).

10. Make an Imaginary Bonfire

It is getting chilly out! Perfect time for a bonfire.

Fire yoga pose (Upward Salute) creates an educational and physically beneficial exercise for young students. It is an energizing pose, yet still grounding, and best used to boost energy in the classroom.

Try this:

Let’s invite the classroom to explore an imaginary fire.

How big will the flame be?
Will you roast marshmallows over it to make s’mores or just use it to keep warm?
What are some safety best practices when near fire?

11. Warm Up With Colorful Scarves

Summer may be gone, but there are plenty of ways to hold on to that vibrant sunshine. Scarves are one of the many ways we keep shining bright with color during the winter.

Do any of your students’ caregivers wear bright scarves?
Do you have a favorite bright-colored scarf of your own?

The “Colorful Scarves” song explores all the colors of the rainbow and helps develop eye-tracking while building new synapses in their neutral pathways. It is an awesome way to keep spring and summer alive while still celebrating autumn.

As a language (and through sensory exploration) it is clear music can greatly influence child development.

When we combine yoga with music, mindfulness and imagination -- especially in the classroom as icebreakers and group activities -- we offer children the opportunity to greatly expand their learning.

What other ways would you celebrate autumn and harvest season in the classroom with music, movement and imagination? We love creating sensory kits to help children feel autumn. Feeling the textures of fall-related items helps support motor development and teach mindfulness.