Autumn Lanterns Fading Out

Like the lantern walks held in the fall, children walk slowly carrying a pretend lantern, swing it, raise and lower it with their breath and dim it until they are lying down calmly. It brings intensity down by pairing slow movement with breathing.

How to play

1. Hold a pretend lantern in both hands and walk slowly along a dark path, one behind the other (1 min).
2. The lantern swings in the autumn breeze: sway your arms gently side to side as you walk (1 min).
3. Stop: breathe in and lift the lantern above your head, breathe out and lower it slowly (1 min).
4. Sit with the lantern in your lap; its light is getting smaller (1 min).
5. Lie down with the lantern on your tummy and watch it rise and fall with your breath (1 min).
6. Blow it out with a long, long breath and stay still for a moment (1 min).

Rules

• Walk slowly, no passing.
• Carry the lantern carefully so it doesn’t go out too soon.
• At the end, we stay still and quiet.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: walk in the wheelchair or start seated, with the lantern resting on the legs.
• Visual impairment: the child holds the shoulder of the friend ahead, like a slow train.
• Autism: let the child hold a real object, like a switched-off flashlight, to make the lantern more concrete.

Learning goals

• Lower heart rate after activity.
• Coordinate slow movement with breathing.
• Learn about fall lantern walks.

Teacher tip

Many communities hold lantern walks in November; if your class made paper lanterns, use them unlit. Dim the lights and let your voice get quieter and quieter.

More activities like this

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