5 Fun Games with Hula Hoops – #4 IS MY FAVORITE!

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Growing up, I’m sure we all played with the hula hoop and creating fun hula hoop games was a weekend tradition. Hula hoops have stood the test of time because they’re affordable, easy to find, and involve many games to solo or with your friends.

Remember the “good old days” when you and you’re friends would swing your hips around to see who could keep it spinning the longest?

Did you know that’s not the only hula hoop game out there? In fact, this simple toy is used for tons of great games with hula hoops that you should try.

hula hoop games

Whether for using hula hoops for team building, group activities, preschoolers, seniors, or even just to make playtime something different, then these games are here to help!

Here are 5 Fun Games with Hula Hoops to get you started:

1. Thread the Hula!

If you’re looking to use a hula hoop for team building, this is the game for you!

Hula hoop team building activity

Players will form a circle while holding hands with the hula hoop hanging on one of the player’s arms. They will start the game by passing the hula hoop around the circle without letting go of their hands.

They can achieve this by running the hoop down their arm, ducking their head in and then stepping through to pass it onto the next player.

Enjoy this hula hoop teambuilding activity with two or more competing teams to make it a hilarious competitive challenge where the first team to run the hoop through their entire circle wins.

2. Hula Hoop Rock Paper Scissors (aka Hula Hoop Hopscotch)

This is an excellent hula hoop game for preschoolers.  It’s also a fun way to play rock paper scissors!

Epic 4th grade hopscotch game - Hoop hop showdown

Lay down all the hula hoops available no matter their size.  The idea is to create a long zig-zagging course.

Next, divide the players into two equal teams and arrange them at each end of the hula hoop course you just created.  When the game starts a player from each team will hop as fast as they can through the hula hoops to the other side.

When they meet the player from the other team they will play a game of paper rock scissors.  The player that wins will continue hopping as fast as they can to the opposing team’s side. 

The player that loses must step off the course and run to the end of their team line.  The losing team will send a new player to meet the other team’s winner and challenge them again.

The game will continue until one team makes it all the way across the hula hoop course.  The longer the course the better!

You can make it challenging or add delays by adding special instructions at some of the hoops like swinging your hands wildly and counting to 10, clap 25 times, nod your head or sing a familiar tune.

3. Hula Hoop relay race

If you’re looking for competitive hula hoop games, look no further!

Hoops Relay - Prep II

There are many games with hula hoops, but this is one of my favorites because it is team-based, competitive, and will wear our the players!  How do you set up and play the hula hoop relay?  Let’s begin:

First, you will need to divide your teams.  Four teams of 10 are recommended, but use what you have.

Each team will run their own course which will involve a series of 3 or 4 hula hoop challenges.  The video above shows three challenges, but you can get creative with your hula hoop relay course.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  1. A standing hula hoop obstacle (set of 6 hula hoop holders)
  2. A flat hula hoop where the player has to pick it up and move through the center of it
  3. A “roll the hula hoop 5-10 feet” section
  4. After rolling the hula hoop (above) throw it back to toss the hula hoop over a cone (if failed, roll again)

4. Hula Hoop Flip Ball

If you’re wanting physical education games using hula hoops, you will love this one.  It’s my personal favorite too!

Games with hula hoops for couples or small teams aren’t hard to come by, but one as unique and challenging as this is.  The game is simple to organize.  All you need is one hula hoop per team of 2 and some cheap tennis balls.

Next, line the teams at a starting point.  Instruct each player that they have to roll the tennis ball into the hula hoop.  If it stops inside the hula hoop then flip the hula one time. 

If the ball does not stop inside the hula, then the player who tossed it picks it up and tosses it back to their teammate. 

This hula hoop flip game ends once a team reaches a preset finish line.  This game takes some skill and is great for adults or older teenagers.

5. Giant Hula Hoop Ring Toss

This is one of those games with hula hoops that all your friends will want to get in on!

Giant Ring Toss Game

This game would require a larger playing area.  Someplace outside or in a large room will work best! The video above shows a giant hula hoop toss inflatable, but we recommend this affordable one on Amazon.

Once inflated, assign a throwing area where each player will stand.  They will have 3 hula hoops that range in size from small to large.  Now each player will have a turn to throw their hula hoops and will receive scores accordingly.

The player who has the most points after three rounds will win the game.

This game can also be played using orange traffic cones with various points assigned to them.

These are my personal favorite hula hoops for games:

games with hula hoops

Last update on 2024-03-27 at 13:26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API