Hoop around your knees
Make a soft knee hoop from a cut pool noodle secured with tape, then wear it around your knees to practice balance, stepping, and coordination.
Step-by-step guide to make a soft knee hoop
Step 1
Bring all the materials to a clear workspace so everything is ready to use.
Step 2
Stand with your knees together and wrap the measuring tape or string around your knees to find the knee circumference.
Step 3
Use the marker to mark that measurement length on the pool noodle.
Step 4
Ask an adult to cut the pool noodle at the marked length so you have a finished noodle piece.
Step 5
Slide the cut pool noodle piece around your knees to check the fit and make sure it sits comfortably.
Step 6
Align the two ends of the noodle so they meet evenly.
Step 7
Wrap tape around the seam to secure the ends together and form a hoop.
Step 8
Smooth extra tape over the seam edges so the hoop feels comfy and safe on your skin.
Step 9
Put the hoop around both knees so it sits just above your kneecaps.
Step 10
Take ten small slow steps forward while keeping the hoop centered on your knees.
Step 11
Take ten small side steps to the right while keeping the hoop in place.
Step 12
Stand on your right foot for five seconds while keeping the hoop steady and then sit down to rest.
Step 13
Share a photo or video of your knee hoop and your best balancing moves on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have a pool noodle or measuring tape?
If you don't have a pool noodle, substitute a rolled towel or foam pipe insulation cut to the knee circumference you measured with string in step 2, and use the string or a ruler instead of a measuring tape from step 2.
My hoop keeps slipping off or is too tight—how do I fix it?
If the hoop slips or pinches during the ten small steps, re-measure around your knees (step 2), have an adult trim or recut the noodle piece in step 4 for a better fit, and add extra tape or wrap a thin cloth over the seam in steps 7–8 to secure and cushion it.
How can I make this activity easier for toddlers or more challenging for older kids?
For toddlers, have an adult do the cutting in step 4, use a slightly larger hoop and reduce the steps to five and shorten the balance time, while for older kids tighten the fit from step 4, increase steps and hold times and add single-leg balances or sideways hop challenges during the movement sequence.
How can we personalize or extend the knee hoop game?
Before cutting in step 3, decorate the noodle with markers, stickers, or colored tape from your materials, add ribbons or bells at the seam in step 7 for sensory feedback, and turn the forward/side step sequence into a timed relay or obstacle course and share a photo or video as suggested at the end.
Watch videos on how to make and use a soft knee hoop
Beginner Hula Hoop Tricks: Lifting The Hoop From Your Knees
4 Videos
Beginner Hula Hoop Tricks: Lifting The Hoop From Your Knees
Hula Hoop Trick Tutorial - Kids Hooping: INFINITY
How to Hula Hoop? 🌞🧡🌞 Tutorial for Kids
How to Hula Hoop Around Your Legs knees For Beginners Tutorial
Facts about gross motor skill development
🤸 Balance games like knee-hooping help children develop gross motor skills used for running, jumping, and climbing.
🎯 Just a few minutes a day of stepping and balance practice can noticeably improve a child's coordination and timing.
🦵 Keeping a hoop around the knees encourages small, controlled steps and hip movement, which reduces tripping.
🏊 Pool noodles are made from lightweight, buoyant polyethylene foam — perfect for soft, safe play!
🌀 The hula hoop exploded in popularity in 1958 when Wham-O started selling millions of them worldwide.
How do I set up and play the 'hoop around your knees' balance game?
What materials do I need to make a soft knee hoop from a pool noodle?
What ages is the knee hoop activity suitable for?
What are the benefits of using a knee hoop for balance and coordination?
One subscription, many ways to play and learn.
Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required