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Hoop around your chest

Hoop around your chest
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Practice spinning a soft hula hoop around your chest, adjusting posture, rhythm, and arm position to keep it going safely in an open space.

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Step-by-step guide to spin a hula hoop around your chest

What you need
Adult supervision required, comfortable clothing, flat open space, soft hula hoop, water bottle

Step 1

Clear a flat area by moving toys and furniture so you have at least a little room to spin.

Step 2

Put on comfortable clothes and shoes so you can move easily.

Step 3

Check your hoop to make sure it is soft and has no cracks or sharp bits.

Step 4

Hold the hoop level at your chest with both hands at your sides.

Step 5

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and put one foot slightly forward.

Step 6

Give the hoop a firm push around your chest to start it spinning in one direction.

Step 7

Move your hips forward and then back in a steady rhythm to keep the hoop up.

Step 8

Keep your arms relaxed at chest height to help balance the hoop.

Step 9

If the hoop falls, pick it up from the floor.

Step 10

Put the hoop back around your chest and get ready to try again.

Step 11

Practice spinning for 30 seconds and then take a short rest if you need it.

Step 12

Share your finished hooping practice on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can I use instead of a store-bought hoop if I can't find one?

If you don't have a hula hoop, make a soft substitute by bending a pool noodle into a circle and securing it with duct tape so it stays soft and has no cracks or sharp bits.

My hoop keeps falling — what step am I doing wrong and how do I fix it?

If the hoop keeps falling, try giving it a firmer push around your chest and focus on moving your hips forward then back in a steady rhythm while keeping your arms relaxed at chest height.

How can I change this activity for different ages?

For younger children, use a larger, softer hoop and shorten practice rounds to 10–15 seconds with an adult nearby, while older kids can stand with feet shoulder-width apart and aim to increase spinning time beyond the 30-second practice.

How can we make the hooping practice more fun or personal?

To personalize and extend the activity, decorate the hoop with colorful tape, play upbeat music during practice, try timing longer spins, and record a short video of your chest-level spins to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to spin a hula hoop around your chest

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Hula Hooping Lesson: How to Chest and Shoulder Hoop

4 Videos

Facts about hula hooping for kids

🎯 Chest hooping helps build core strength and balance because you keep your center moving to support the hoop.

🧠 Practicing hooping boosts motor coordination and rhythm — great skills for many sports and dances.

👶 Soft, child-sized hoops are safer and easier for beginners because larger, heavier hoops spin more slowly and are easier to control.

🤸 The hoop is a standard apparatus in rhythmic gymnastics alongside ribbon, ball, clubs (and historically rope).

🌀 The Hula-Hoop was popularized in 1958 by the toy company Wham-O, which sold millions in its first year.

How do I teach my child to spin a hula hoop around their chest?

Start with a soft, appropriately sized hoop and stand with feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Hold the hoop at chest height, push it firmly backward or forward against your chest while giving a steady hip thrust to set the rhythm. Keep your chest up, eyes forward, and use small, continuous hip or torso pulses to maintain motion. Arms can be on hips or extended for balance. Practice in an open space, use short sessions, and give positive feedback.

What materials do I need to practice chest hooping with my child?

You'll need a soft foam or flexible hula hoop sized to your child's waist (when stood on the hoop it should reach around chest/waist), comfortable clothing and supportive shoes, and a clear, level open space free of furniture. Optional items: a mirror to watch posture, a mat for falls, a water bottle, and a music source for rhythm. Always check the hoop for damage and supervise young children.

What ages is chest hooping suitable for?

Chest hooping is generally suitable for children aged about 4 years and up, when they have basic balance and core control. Younger children may try using larger, heavier hoops or adult help. Tweens and teens can use smaller hoops and more advanced moves. Always match hoop size and session length to the child's coordination and attention span, and supervise practice to reduce falls or collisions.

What are some safety tips and fun variations for chest hula hooping?

Safety first: clear at least a three to six foot radius of obstacles, choose a soft, well-sized hoop, warm up, and supervise. Stop if the child feels dizzy or sore; avoid hooping right after heavy meals. Variations: change tempo, try marching steps, move arms overhead or to hips, try walking while hooping, or use music and games (hoop keep-away, count pulses). These keep sessions fun while building coordination and cardio.
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