Snowman Yoga for Kids: A Story-Based Winter Yoga Sequence with 5 Fun Poses and 5 Picture Books
Explore snowman yoga with this playful winter yoga sequence for kids, a story-based yoga activity that builds balance, focus, and calm during winter.
Although we haven’t seen the same deep snowfall here in New England as we did when we first moved here, every snowfall still brings back those memories of bundling up my daughter, heading outside, and spending time making snowpeople together.
There was something magical about those winter days (though they were shocking to me at the same time as a newbie to snow life). The quiet of the snow, the cold air on our cheeks, and the simple joy of shaping something with our hands. Even now, each snowfall feels like a gentle invitation to slow down, notice our surroundings, and reconnect with that sense of wonder.
That’s the spirit behind this snowman yoga sequence.
In this snowman yoga practice, children are invited to pretend they are snowpeople. As they move through each yoga pose, they experience the winter weather through their bodies—stretching with the wind, wrapping up to stay warm, swaying with falling snow, and finally resting in the stillness of a quiet winter day.
This story-based approach blends movement, imagination, and mindfulness, making it a meaningful and calming way to explore yoga during the winter season.
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5 Snowman Yoga Poses for Kids
Snowman Yoga Mini-Story
Pretend to be a Snowperson Feeling the Winter Weather
“I wake up after a snowy night and feel the cold air all around me. The winter wind blows, snowflakes swirl, and sometimes I need to wrap myself up to stay warm. As the day goes on, the weather changes, and I notice how my snowy body moves, stretches, and finally rests.”
1. Gate Pose
Start by standing on your knees. Take your right leg straight out to the side. Inhale and bring your arms up, parallel to the ground. Exhale and tilt your upper body toward your extended leg. Place your hand on your shin and reach your opposite arm up toward the sky. Look up if it feels comfortable. Switch sides.
Snowperson story:
“I stretch sideways as the winter wind blows past me.”
Benefits:
Stretches the side body, opens the chest, and improves flexibility and focus.
2. Eagle Pose
Stand tall in Mountain Pose. Wrap your left leg around your right leg. Bring your bent arms out in front of you and wrap one arm around the other. Bend your knees slightly and balance. Switch sides.
Snowperson story:
“I wrap myself up tight to stay warm in the cold air.”
Benefits:
Improves balance, coordination, and concentration while giving the body a comforting, hugging sensation.
3. Dancer’s Pose
Stand tall and balance on one leg. Reach your other leg behind you and hold the outside of your foot with your hand. Extend your free arm forward and gently lean forward, lifting your back leg. Switch sides.
Snowperson story:
“I sway and move as snowflakes swirl all around me.”
Benefits:
Builds strength, balance, and graceful control while encouraging confidence and focus.
4. Standing Forward Bend
Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart. Bend forward at your waist and reach your hands toward your toes. Let your head and arms relax.
Snowperson story:
“I feel my snowy body begin to melt and soften.”
Benefits:
Calms the nervous system, stretches the back of the body, and encourages relaxation.
5. Resting Pose
Lie on your back with your arms and legs stretched out comfortably. Close your eyes if that feels safe and take slow, gentle breaths.
Snowperson story:
“I lie still as snow gently falls and the world becomes quiet.”
Benefits:
Promotes deep rest, emotional regulation, and a sense of calm and safety.
Snowman Yoga Teaching Tips
Snowman yoga works beautifully during winter brain breaks, indoor recess, morning meetings, or as part of a seasonal yoga lesson. Some tips to consider:
- Tell the storyline slowly as children move or make up your own
- Encourage children to notice how each yoga posture feels
- Offer balance choices and props as needed
- Use scarves, paper snowflakes, or soft music to enhance the winter mood
- Pause longer in Resting Pose for quiet integration
Snowman Books for Kids
Before or after practicing snow yoga, reading a snowpeople-themed picture book is a wonderful way to extend the experience. You could invite children to retell the story using yoga postures or create their own snowperson adventure inspired by the book.
Here are our favorite snowpeople books:
1. I’m Going to Build a Snowman
by Jashar Awan
Recommended ages: 3–6
This playful, mostly wordless picture book follows a child’s determination to build the perfect snowman. Through expressive illustrations and minimal text, children watch as plans change, creativity unfolds, and persistence shines through.
Yoga class tip:
Invite children to act out the process of building a snowman using yoga poses. Try squatting to “roll snowballs,” reaching up tall to stack them, and finishing with a resting pose to admire the creation.
2. All You Need for a Snowman
by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee
Recommended ages: 3–7
This rhythmic, lyrical story gently walks children through all the steps needed to build a snowman, from gathering snow to adding the final details. The repetition and calm pacing make it especially engaging for young listeners.
Yoga class tip:
Pause after each step in the story to add a simple yoga pose. Encourage children to move slowly and match their movements to the rhythm of the words.
3. Making a Friend
by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal
Recommended ages: 4–8
This sweet story follows a beaver who longs for a friend and decides to build a snowman to keep him company. A raccoon notices his efforts, offers help, and the two animals form a real friendship through cooperation and kindness.
Yoga class tip:
Introduce partner poses or mirrored movements. Invite children to work together, help one another balance, and notice how teamwork feels in their bodies.
4. Froggy Builds a Snowman
by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
Recommended ages: 4–8
Froggy’s enthusiasm and humor shine as he sets out to build a snowman, encountering a few silly mishaps along the way. This book is full of energy, laughter, and expressive movement moments. As a teacher, I love all of the Froggy books.
Yoga class tip:
Use this story to inspire bigger, more energetic yoga poses for kids. Invite children to hop, stretch, twist, and shake it out, just like Froggy, before slowing down with a calming pose at the end.
5. The Biggest, Best Snowman
by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Recommended ages: 3–7
In this empowering winter story, a young girl sets out to build the biggest, best snowman after her mother and sisters doubt her. With the help of her forest friends, she perseveres and proves that confidence, creativity, and teamwork can lead to something wonderful.
Yoga class tip:
Invite children to practice strong, confident poses that represent perseverance, followed by group poses that highlight teamwork and support.
Together, these snowman stories celebrate imagination, friendship, perseverance, and teamwork, making them a perfect pairing with snowman yoga and story-based movement during the winter season.
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