5 hula hoop games to play with kids
Hula hoops are for so much more than just spinning around your waist. Whether you’re a youth worker, children’s educator, or hosting a backyard birthday party, hula hoop games offer a unique blend of excitement and exercise. Hula hoops encourage physical activity, coordination, and teamwork. Be it in indoors or outdoors, hula hoop games can easily be adapted to suit various spaces, group sizes, and skill levels. Getting children to interact and play with hoops is a fun outlet for self-expression while also developing essential motor skills.
These five hula hoop games for kids are easy to set up and loved by a wide range of ages.
Looking for more ideas beyond kids-only games? We’ve put together a broader guide to hula hoop games for kids and adults, including group games, school-friendly activities, and cooperative play.
1. Hoop Race Relay
Why not set up a little race in your space? Split the kids into 2 teams and have them race each other with their hoops. They could be skipping through the hoop, passing it from hand to hand around their body, or spinning it on their hand as they walk from the start to the relay point. This game encourages healthy competition, teamwork, and coordination.
2. Hoop Dance Party
With hula hoops and some tunes turned up, it’s party time! Provide a range of hoops in different colours and sizes and encourage the kids to experiment with the hoops as they dance to the beat. Letting go and having fun is what this game is all about as it encourages creativity, self-expression, and physical fitness while creating a lively atmosphere. There is no wrong way to move with a hoop, from stepping in and out, to spinning it around, holding it in one hand and spinning around, even just standing inside it and turning it into a dance podium.
Bonus Game: You can even play musical hoops, kind of like musical chairs but, instead of chairs, the hoops are on the ground as the kids dance around. Once the beats stop, everyone must try to find a hoop to stand in.
3. Hoop Simon Says
Take the classic Simon Says game and add hula hoops. With the hoops for props you can say things like “Jump through your hula hoop” or “Spin the hoop on your arm”. This can be a fun challenge that enhances coordination and following directions.
4. Hula Hoop Tangle Pass
Start by getting your group to stand next to each other and hold hands. Break open the chain and place one hoop around someone’s arm then get them to hold hands again. The objective of this game is to pass the hula hoop between people without unlinking. The hoop will need to move over arms and heads, and under legs and bodies to reach the other side. This is a great game to get kids working together as they encourage and support the person next to them to move the hoop along. Coordination and problem-solving are also put to work with this one.
Using hula hoop games in schools and groups programs
These games work beautifully in school PE sessions, wellbeing programs, OSHC, and holiday programs. They’re low pressure, adaptable for different abilities, and encourage participation without competition being the main focus.
If you’re an educator or youth worker looking for structured, inclusive hoop activities, we offer professionally led school programs and holiday workshops that focus on movement, confidence, and play. No prior hoop experience needed.
5. Hoop Tag
A classic for a reason. The person who is it tries to tag the others with the hoop. They could roll the hoop, spin the hoop, or capture with it. Once tagged, the person must stay still as a statue, until another player taps and releases them.
Many of these games can be adapted for mixed-age groups, workshops, and family sessions. You’ll find more inclusive, team-based, and cooperative ideas in our full guide to hula hoop games for kids and adults, which is perfect if you’re planning a longer session or working with varied age groups.
Want to take hoop play a little further?
If your child (or whole family) loves playing with hoops, private hoop sessions are a great way to build confidence, coordination, and creativity in a relaxed, supportive setting.
We offer private lessons for kids and families, as well as hoop-based birthday parties and special events, all tailored to suit age, energy levels, and experience.
Incorporating hula hoops into play provides a fun and engaging way for kids to stay active while developing coordination, confidence, and creativity. Group games encourage social interaction and teamwork, while physical activity helps to develop cognitive skills.
Let kids invent their own games, set their own challenges, and explore movement in ways that feel good to them.
If you need a bunch of hoops and/or a professional-led workshop, please get in touch, we’d love to help.
Are hula hoop games good for kids?
Yes! Hula hoop games support physical development, coordination, balance, and motor skills. They also encourage creativity, teamwork, and confidence, making them a great option for both structured activities and free play.
What age are hula hoop games suitable for?
Hula hoop games can be adapted for a wide range of ages, typically from preschool through to early teens. Younger children can focus on simple stepping, rolling, and jumping games, while older kids enjoy relay races, cooperative challenges, and creative hoop movement.
Can hula hoop games be used in schools or holiday programs?
Absolutely. Hula hoop games are ideal for school PE classes, wellbeing sessions, OSHC, and holiday programs because they are inclusive, low-pressure, and easy to adapt for different abilities and group sizes. Many games encourage participation without needing prior hooping skills.
Do kids need special hula hoops to play these games?
Not necessarily. For games and group activities, larger and lighter hoops tend to work best, especially for younger children. Using a mix of hoop sizes can help accommodate different heights, ages, and confidence levels.
Are hula hoop games safe for group play?
Yes, when run with clear boundaries and age-appropriate activities. Ensuring enough space between players and choosing games that suit the group’s energy level helps keep play safe and fun. Cooperative games are especially great for encouraging awareness and teamwork.
Can adults join in these hula hoop games too?
Definitely! Many of these games are fun for adults as well and work beautifully for mixed-age groups, family sessions, and community workshops. Games can be scaled up or down depending on the group.
Do you offer facilitated hula hoop workshops for kids?
Yes. We offer professionally led hula hoop workshops for schools, holiday programs, parties, and families. Sessions are tailored to suit the age group, space, and goals, whether that’s active play, confidence-building, or creative movement.
Can hula hoop games help kids who are shy or less sporty?
Hula hoop games are a great option for kids who may feel hesitant about traditional sports. Hoops encourage playful movement without competition, allowing children to participate at their own pace and build confidence through creativity and exploration.