Hoop around your waist
Make a simple hula hoop from a plastic tube or pool noodle, then practice spinning it around your waist to learn balance and rhythm.
Step-by-step guide to make and spin a hula hoop around your waist
Step 1
Pick whether you will make your hoop from a pool noodle or from flexible plastic tubing.
Step 2
Measure your waist with measuring tape or by wrapping a string around your waist and then measuring the string.
Step 3
Add 6 inches 15 cm to the measurement to give extra length for joining the ends.
Step 4
Use the marker to mark the added length on your pool noodle or plastic tubing.
Step 5
With adult help cut the noodle or tubing at the mark to the length you measured.
Step 6
If you used plastic tubing push the cut ends into a connector or push them firmly together until they form a circle.
Step 7
If you used a pool noodle overlap the cut ends slightly and wrap the joint tightly with strong tape until it feels secure.
Step 8
Wrap the entire hoop with strong tape to smooth and strengthen the seam.
Step 9
Decorate the hoop using colourful tape or markers to make it bright and fun.
Step 10
Stand up with your feet shoulder width apart to get into a good hooping position.
Step 11
Place the hoop around your waist put it against your back and give it a strong forward push to start it spinning.
Step 12
Keep the hoop spinning by moving your hips in a steady circular motion and practice for one minute.
Step 13
Share a photo or video of your finished hula hoop and your best spin on DIY.org
Help!?
What can we use if we can't find a pool noodle or flexible plastic tubing?
Use a soft garden hose or split foam pipe-insulation taped into a loop and follow the same measuring, cutting, joining and taping steps to form and reinforce the hoop.
My hoop keeps falling apart at the seam — how do I fix it?
If the seam comes loose after pushing ends into a connector or taping overlapped pool noodle ends, re-cut for a cleaner fit, increase the overlap or use a sturdier connector, and tightly wrap the joint with heavy-duty duct tape with adult help.
How can I adapt the activity for different ages and abilities?
For younger children make a larger-diameter hoop by adding extra length before cutting and use a thick pool noodle for slower spins, and for older kids use narrower plastic tubing and reduce the extra length to create a faster, more challenging hoop.
How can we enhance or personalize our hula hoop beyond decorating with tape?
Besides decorating with colourful tape or markers, personalize and extend the hoop by zip-tying small weights or an LED strip before sealing the seam to change weight and appearance, then practice keeping the hoop spinning for one minute and share a photo or video on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to make and spin a hula hoop around your waist
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Facts about hula hooping, balance, and coordination for kids
🌀 The modern hula hoop craze exploded in 1958 when toy company Wham‑O sold millions of plastic hoops across the United States.
🎯 Hooping is both play and performance — hoop dance and rhythmic hooping are practiced as fitness, art, and competitive performance.
🕺 You can spin a hoop on many body parts (waist, hips, arms, neck, legs) — different spots help you learn balance and rhythm in fun ways.
⏱️ Short daily practice sessions (even 10–15 minutes) can quickly improve coordination, core strength, and timing.
🧽 Pool noodles and polyethylene tubing are popular DIY materials for hoops because they’re lightweight, flexible, and kid‑friendly.
How do I make and use a simple homemade hula hoop?
What materials do I need to make a hula hoop for kids?
What ages is homemade hula hooping suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for hooping around the waist?
