Children's Activities With Hoops

Coordination and Agility

• Playing with hula hoops can build coordination and agility. Create an obstacle course and challenge children to roll the hoops around obstacles like chairs or pylons. They have to figure out how to move with the hoop to keep it rolling and how to turn it when they need to round one of the obstacles. Hoop tag is another game that requires kids to work on coordination. Scatter hoops on the ground a wide distance apart. Select a child to be "it" and then the children must hop around while the child who is "it" attempts to tag them. They must balance on one foot for long periods of time, unless they can hop to a hoop that is "safe."

Cooperation and Teamwork

• Hoop activities that require children to work in partners or teams teaches them how to cooperate to achieve a goal. For example, create a horse and buggy team with the hula hoop. One child steps inside the hoop and holds it at waist level and acts as the "horse." The second child is the "driver" and stands behind the horse, holding the hoop. The horse must skip or hop in the hoop and move according to the driver's directions. The catch is that the driver must not verbally instruct the horse. Instead the driver moves the hoop to direct the horse to the left and right and faster or slower.

Strategy

• Hula hoop activities can teach children about strategy in addition to teamwork. In a game called "Thread the Needle," children are placed into teams of about five. One child starts off holding the hula hoop on one arm. Teams then join hands to form a circle. The player with the hoop moves his body through the hoop to pass it to the next player without letting go of hands. Their goal is to pass the hoop around the circle, each team member moving through the hoop until it is passed back to the first player without breaking the circle. Players must strategize to figure out the best way to pass the hoop over their bodies and to each other. Their strategies must adapt to accommodate taller or shorter players.

Science

• On warmer days children often enjoy being outside and hoop activities are ideal for outdoor fun with a little bit of learning. Hoop bubbles are an excellent way to begin teaching younger children about hypothesizing and to encourage older kids to think outside the box. Fill a large pool with bubble solution (soap and water) and place the hoop flat inside. Have the children take turns stepping inside the pool. As each child stands in the center of the hoop, slowly lift the hoop out of the water. The bubble solution will attach to the hoop and create a bubble around the child inside. Ask the children why this happens and ask what went wrong when it doesn't work. This activity can be varied by having older kids try to figure out how to use the hoop and bubble solution to make a giant bubble.