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[Childcare] Play ideas using hula hoops: Have fun by making the most of simple equipment
Playing with hula hoops is an exciting time for children!
Here, we introduce ideas for hula hoop activities that can be enjoyed in childcare settings.
Moving their bodies with colorful hula hoops makes the fun complete!
Children can enjoy games that involve cooperating with friends, as well as activities set to music.
Through these games, children can strengthen their friendships while moving their bodies to the fullest.
Please use this as a reference and try incorporating these ideas into everyday childcare and events.
[Childcare] Play ideas using hula hoops: Have fun with equipment (1–10)
Red Light, Green Light: the daruma who delivers the ball
https://www.instagram.com/yushokuclub.itoshima/reel/CdadwYmjmcL/Hula hoops are safe bases! Let me share an idea for a “Red Light, Green Light” style game where you deliver a ball.
You’ll need more hula hoops than the number of children playing, plus a ball.
You have to move forward to carry the ball, but if you step outside a hula hoop, you get caught! It’s a unique game that lets kids enjoy that thrilling tension.
Even if you’re thinking about which hula hoop to move to, you might end up choosing the same one as a friend.
It seems great for developing quick decision-making skills, too.
Give it a try!
Run Away from the Hula Hoop Game
Great for group play! Here’s an idea for a “Run from the Hula Hoop” game.
All you need is a large hula hoop.
The rules are simple: children try not to get hit by a hula hoop that a parent or teacher rolls.
The key is to move while predicting the hoop’s speed and direction.
Once everyone gets used to the game, adding variations to how the hoop moves will keep kids engaged and prevent boredom.
Give it a try and include it in your activities!
Hoop ball throwing
https://www.tiktok.com/@omiyamichinoko/video/7411683056983084306Hula hoops become the targets! Here’s an idea for a game where you throw balls at hula hoops.
You’ll need two hula hoops, masking tape, and small colored balls.
First, stick masking tape onto the hula hoops to create targets.
Next, throw the colored balls at the hula hoop targets.
When the balls fly just right, they’ll stick to the masking tape with a satisfying plop—it’s really fun! Competing to see how many colored balls stick should make it even more exciting.
Hoop Musical Chairs
Let’s play using both our bodies and brains! Here’s an idea for a hula hoop musical chairs game.
Prepare about 10 small hula hoops in various colors.
As everyone hums a song with a deserted island theme, walk around the hula hoops.
When the teacher calls out “1, 2, 3,” everyone jumps into a hula hoop island.
It gets more exciting if you gradually reduce the number of hula hoops! Once everyone gets used to the game, try specifying which color hula hoop to enter, or call out items related to a color to decide which hoop to use.
playing train
Hula hoops are also a handy item when playing pretend trains.
Have the children pair up and step inside one hula hoop together, with one in front and one in back, each holding the hoop.
Then play some fun music and let them circle around the room.
If you have the energy, you can make tracks on the floor or set up obstacles that they can get caught on without tripping, which might make it enjoyable for slightly older kids as well.
Adding props like a conductor’s hat would be a nice touch too.
hoop dance
“Hoop dance” is a style of dance that uses a hula hoop.
It’s a perfect idea for sports days or school performances, so be sure to check it out.
Choreography and structure are up to you.
Lift the hula hoop to the music, sway it side to side, jump rope with it, or spin it by striking it against the floor.
In the latter half, you could include eye-catching moves like exchanging hula hoops with friends or forming a circle with everyone holding hoops together.
Move your bodies a lot and have fun together!
Who is the leader?
Here’s an introduction to a body expression game called “Who’s the Leader?” Each child will need one hula hoop, so please prepare them in advance.
A leader—either a teacher or a child—stands at the front, and the other children line up, each standing inside their hula hoop.
After the cue “Ready, go!”, everyone jumps either to the left or to the right within their hoop.
If a child jumps in the same direction as the leader, say “Correct!” and give a round of applause.
It’s also fun to have the children face away from the leader and leave it entirely to luck.
Try different variations and enjoy playing!