Ways to Use a Hula Hoop

Hula hoops inspire movement and fun for all ages. I particularly like to work with mini hoops so preschool and toddlers can enjoy developing fine motor skills and hand eye coordination.  Hula hoops are great for the imagination. Here are some of my favorite hula hoop ideas for kids of all ages!

Hula hoops are easy to find, buy, and access for playtime. You can also be creative and make one from pool noodles or irrigation piping. There are tons of videos on how to make hoops but don’t use boiling water to expand the pipe -just use a hair dryer or heat gun. 

Some precautions to think about are:

1. Find lots of space. Think about front, back, sides and above. 
2. Find a flat level surface. You will probably be running after it so stay safe. 
3. Don’t land on it!  That could damage you or the hoop. 

Hula hoops are not just for kids, they're a versatile and fun tool that can be used in countless creative ways to engage children, improve physical skills, and get everyone moving! Whether you're using a standard-sized hoop or a mini hoop, hula hoops can help develop coordination, balance, and strength, while inspiring laughter and fun for all ages. From imaginative play to fitness activities, here are 80+ fantastic ways to use a hula hoop!

General Play & Fun

1. Human Ring Toss – Toss the hoop gently to a partner who catches it on their arm or leg.
2. Rolling Forward – Roll the hoop and try to catch it before it stops.
3. Rolling to a Partner – Roll it towards a friend and have them roll it back.
4. Timed Rolling Challenge – Roll the hoop and time how fast it goes.
5. Jump Over or Through It – Jump over the hoop as it rolls or jump through it while it's still moving.
6. Walk the Dog – Roll the hoop backwards and follow it.
7. Catch and Do a Trick – Roll the hoop, catch it, and immediately do a trick with it.
8. Circle of Hoops – Lay multiple hoops on the ground and jump from hoop to hoop in a circle.
9. Hula Hoop Dance Party – Dance with the hoop on your waist, arms, or legs while moving to the beat.
10. Hula Hoop Relay – Create a relay race using hoops. Players must roll them or jump through them in order.
11. Hoop Obstacle Course – Set up hoops to jump through, crawl under, or avoid while racing.
12. Hoop Toss Target Practice – Toss a hoop at a target (like a cone or a set of pins).
13. Create Hoops with Noodles – Cut pool noodles into pieces and make your own hoops.
14. Hoop Balance Walk – Walk across the ground balancing a hoop on your head or foot.
15. Hoop Kick – Kick a hoop into a goal or towards a target.
16. Toss Hoops to Land Inside – Toss the hoop with the goal of landing it on a pole or set of objects.
17. Hoop Jumping – Lay hoops on the floor and jump through them like a hopscotch game.
18. Hoop Roll & Catch Relay – Roll the hoop to your partner who must catch it before it stops.
19. Create a Hoop Maze – Arrange hoops in different patterns on the ground to create a maze to navigate.
20. Puddle Jumping – Lay hoops on the ground as “puddles” and challenge players to jump over them without touching.

Fitness & Cardio Activities

1. Hula Hoop Hurdles – Use hoops as hurdles in a fitness circuit.
2. Hula Hoop Jumping Jacks – Do jumping jacks inside a hoop while trying to keep the hoop in place.
3. Balance Exercise – Try balancing on one leg with a hoop on your foot.
4. Weighted Hoop Workouts – Use weighted hula hoops for core strengthening exercises.
5. Squats Through the Hoop – Perform squats while holding a hoop out in front of you or jumping through the hoop.
6. Hula Hoop Plank – Use a hoop as a target for your feet while holding a plank position.
7. Hoop Lunges – Lunge through a hoop placed on the ground.
8. High Knees Through the Hoop – Run high knees through a hoop without touching it.
9. Hoop Toss with Squats – Toss the hoop and squat each time you catch it.
10. Hoop Jump Rope – Swing a hoop like a jump rope and try to jump over it.
11. Hoop Stretching – Use the hoop to assist with stretches, like extending it above your head during a stretch.
12. Hoop Push-Ups – Do push-ups with your hands placed inside the hoop for support.
13. Hula Hoop Sprints – Race while pushing a hoop along the ground with your feet.
14. Side Steps Through Hoops – Place hoops on the ground and step sideways through them.
15. Hoop Arm Circles – Hold a hoop and use it to guide large arm circles for shoulder and arm mobility.

Skill Development for Kids

1. Mini Hoops for Toddlers – Use small hoops to help toddlers practice basic hand-eye coordination.
2. Spin It on Your Body – Spin the hoop around your waist, arms, or legs.
3. Hoop on the Head – Try balancing a hoop on your head while walking or moving around.
4. Spin & Catch – Spin the hoop around your body, then catch it on your arm or leg.
5. Hoop Sorting Game – Sort objects by color or size into different hoops placed on the ground.
6. Rolling a Mini Hoop – Use a mini hoop for toddlers to practice rolling and catching.
7. Hoop Balance on Foot – Balance a hoop on the top of your foot while walking slowly.
8. Animal Hoops – Use the hoop to pretend you're a certain animal, such as a kangaroo jumping through it.
9. Hoop Jumping Over Obstacles – Place the hoop on the ground as an obstacle to jump over.
10. Hoop Toss into Target – Toss the hoop towards a target (bean bags or soft balls).
11. Hula Hoop Walks – Walk through hoops placed on the ground in a line or pattern.
12. Color or Number Matching – Place different colored hoops and match objects by color.
13. Create Shapes – Have kids lay hoops on the ground to create shapes (circle, square, etc.).
14. Hoop Bowling – Set up cones or pins inside a hoop and roll it to knock them down.
15. Catch the Hoop – Toss a hoop into the air and practice catching it.

Games & Group Activities

1. Hoop Hopscotch – Create a hopscotch grid with hoops and hop through them.
2. Sharks in the Water – Place hoops on the ground as “safe zones,” and kids must avoid the “sharks.”
3. 4 Corners – Use four hoops to create four “corners” in the game. Players must run to a corner when the music stops.
4. Quidditch – Use hoops as the goal posts in a Quidditch-style game.
5. Hoop Tag – One player is "it" and must tag others by throwing a hoop over them.
6. Hoop Jumping Contest – Jump into and out of a hoop without touching the edges.
7. Hoop Toss Challenge – Players compete to toss hoops onto objects or people.
8. Human Ring Toss – Toss a hoop gently over a person who stands still and poses.
9. Group Spin Challenge – See how many people can spin inside or with the hoop at once.
10. Hoop Toss Across the Line – Line up hoops along a line and try to toss them across the finish line.
11. Hoop Bowling with Teams – Set up pins inside hoops and have teams take turns rolling to knock them over.
12. Hoop Relay Race – Teams roll or toss hoops across a field and race to get them to the other side.
13. Hoop Hide and Seek – Hide hoops around a space and have others find them.

Imagination & Creativity

1. Create a Hoop Tunnel – Arrange hoops in a line to create a tunnel for crawling through.
2. Hoop as a Pirate Ship – Pretend the hoop is a steering wheel and you’re on a pirate adventure.
3. Hula Hoop Ring of Fire – Spin hoops around your body while pretending you're in a circus act.
4. Circle Jumping Game – Challenge others to jump from one hoop to another while pretending they are in a different world.
5. Hoop Animal Creation – Use hoops to create animal shapes, like a snake, butterfly, or fish.
6. Create a Hula Hoop Garden – Place hoops on the ground as flowers or bushes in a pretend garden.
7. Hoop Fishing – Toss smaller objects into hoops, pretending they’re fish you’re trying to catch.

Educational & Learning Activities

1. Math Hoops – Use the hoops to teach basic math skills like counting, addition, or subtraction.
2. Hoop Color Recognition – Place hoops in various colors and ask kids to identify and sort objects by color.
3. Letter & Word Practice – Write letters or words on the ground inside hoops and have kids jump to the right one.
4. Hoop Alphabet Race – Call out a letter and have kids race to jump into the correct hoop.
5. Hoop Sound Matching – Pair objects that make sounds (bells, rattles) with hoops and match them to their sounds.
6. Shape Recognition – Use hoops of different sizes to teach kids about shapes and sizes.
7. Hoop Sorting by Size – Sort hoops by size for a lesson on measurement.
8. Memory Game with Hoops – Place cards with pictures under hoops and have kids match the pictures.
9. Hoop Story Time – Use hoops as props to tell a story, such as a hula hoop being a magic ring or treasure.
10. Hoop Art – Let kids decorate hoops with stickers, paint, or fabric.

Party Games & Special Occasions

1. Hoop Dance Contest – Host a dance contest where the hoop is a prop for everyone to incorporate into their routine.
2. Piñata Hoops – Hang hoops from a tree or ceiling and challenge players to swing a stick and hit them.
3. Ring Toss Party Game – Set up a ring toss challenge with multiple hoops to throw.
4. Hoop Parade – Have a parade with everyone walking or dancing with a hoop.
5. Hoop Limbo – Use the hoop as a limbo bar for players to duck under.
6. Hoop Relay Team Race – Create a relay race where players must race through hoops while holding them.
7. Hoop Obstacle Course Party – Set up a hula hoop-filled obstacle course for a birthday or holiday.

Safety & Precautions

1. Use a Soft Hoop – For younger kids or beginners, make sure the hoop is soft and lightweight.
2. Hoop Size Matters – Choose the right size hoop depending on the child’s age and ability.
3. Flat Surface – Always play on a flat surface to avoid tripping over hoops.
4. Keep Hoops Away from the Face – Make sure hoops are kept away from the face to avoid injury.
5. Supervise Young Kids – Always supervise younger children while using the hoops.
6. Ensure No Sharp Edges – Make sure any DIY hoops are smooth and free from sharp edges.
7. Avoid Hard Surfaces – Try not to play near concrete or other hard surfaces that could damage the hoop.
8. Wear Appropriate Footwear – Make sure players wear proper shoes to avoid slipping or hurting their feet.
9. Don't Land on the Hoop – Avoid jumping or falling directly on the hoop to prevent injury.
10. Rotate Between Hoops – Switch between different hoop activities to keep things fun and safe.
11. Keep Hydrated – If you're using hoops for active play, keep water nearby to stay hydrated.

With 100 ways to enjoy hula hoops, it's clear they are a simple yet powerful tool for fostering creativity, fitness, and fun for all ages! Whether indoors or outdoors, at a party or a gym, hula hoops can turn any activity into an exciting adventure.