Overview: Hoop Hop is the perfect activity to get your group up, moving, and working closely together. Teams will not be able to take themselves too seriously as they race against one another to maneuver through a hoola hoop. Although this may seem like a light-hearted and silly activity. it is a great test of communication and collaboration. Hoop Hop can be used as the perfect ice breaker to kick-off your next event or as a great afternoon pick-me-up when you need to increase the energy of your audience.
Equipment Required: 1-3 hoola hoops per team. One small ball for each participant.
Space Required: Medium to large open space.
Group Size: 10 to 200 people.
Total Time: 15 minutes to 25 minutes.
- 5 minutes to brief the activity.
- 5-10 minutes for teams to complete the challenge.
- 5-10 minutes to debrief the activity.
Instructions:
- Divide your participants into even teams. Preferably 8-12 people each (depending on the group size).
- Brief the group. Let the teams know that they will be competing against one another to see which team can complete the challenge the fastest. Teams will stand in a single file line, standing side-to-side, holding hands. Their objective will be to pass the hoola hoop from one person to the next without letting go of one another’s hands. If team members loose contact with one another and stop holding hands, the hoola hoop must start all the way back at the first person.
- Allow the teams to get into position and then have them all start at the same time. Time the groups so see how long it takes them.
- After the teams have completed the first round. Brief them again with a new challenge. Each team member now needs to hold a small ball between their chest and their chin. The ball must remain in place while they step in-and-out of the hoola hoop. Teams repeat the activity with the added challenge of holding the ball in place. If anyone loses contact with the ball or with their teammates hand, they must bring the hoop back to the first person and re-start the activity.
- Once again, allow the teams to get situated and then have them all start at the same time. Time the groups so see how long it takes them.
- If you would like to make the activity even more challenging, you can re-start the activity again and give each team 1-2 additional hoola hoops to hop through their line.
- Acknowledge the winners of each round as well as the shortest combined total.
- Debrief the activity.
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Learning Outcomes
- Team Work
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Listening Skills
- Cooperation
- Quick Thinking
Suggested Review Questions
- What did you learn from this activity?
- What did you enjoy most about this activity?
- What was challenging about this activity?
- How did your team react to the challenge?
- How well did your team work together?
- What were your team’s strengths?
- What were your team’s opportunities?
- What is one thing that you can take away from this activity?
