Work with friends to pass a hula hoop around a linked circle of hands without letting go, practicing teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.



Step-by-step guide to do the handshake hoop
Step 1
Everyone stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a circle facing inward.
Step 2
Reach out and hold hands with the person on your left and the person on your right to make a linked circle.
Step 3
Place the hula hoop over one person's arm while everyone keeps holding hands.
Step 4
Choose a direction to move the hoop and pick who will start.
Step 5
Everyone bends their knees slightly to make space for the hoop to move.
Step 6
The person wearing the hoop wiggles their arm to slide the hoop toward the next person's arm.
Step 7
When the hoop reaches you slide your arm through the hoop while still holding hands.
Step 8
Keep repeating the wiggle-and-slide motion one person at a time in the chosen direction until the hoop goes all the way around.
Step 9
If the hoop gets stuck agree on one new idea to try such as bending lower or moving slower.
Step 10
Celebrate when the hoop makes a full circle and share a photo or story about your teamwork 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 we use instead of a hula hoop if we don't have one?
If you don't have a hula hoop use a large pool noodle taped into a ring, the rim of a plastic laundry basket, or a flexible garden hose coiled and taped so the wiggle-and-slide motion in the instructions still works.
What should we do if the hoop gets stuck or people can't slide their arms through?
If the hoop gets stuck follow the instruction to 'bend lower' and 'move slower,' have the person wearing the hoop wiggle and tilt their elbow, and briefly loosen hand grips at the wrist to create more room for sliding through.
How can we adapt the activity for different ages?
For preschoolers use a larger, soft foam hoop and adults standing beside them to guide slow wiggle-and-slide steps, while older kids can be challenged by timing laps or using two hoops at once during the same circle.
How can we extend or personalize the handshake hoop game after it goes all the way around?
To extend and personalize the activity decorate the hoop with tape or stickers, try running multiple hoops or timing full-circle runs as a challenge, and then celebrate by taking a teamwork photo or sharing a short story on DIY.org as the instructions suggest.
Watch videos on how to do the handshake hoop
Facts about cooperative games for kids
⏱️ Timed hoop passes add an exciting twist—teams can race the clock to beat their own records.
🥳 Keeping hands linked while passing the hoop builds patience, subtle body coordination, and lots of giggles!
🤝 Passing a hoop around joined hands is a classic cooperative icebreaker used by teachers and team leaders.
🧠 Teamwork games like the handshake hoop help kids practice communication, planning, and creative problem-solving.
🌀 The Hula-Hoop was mass-marketed by Wham-O in 1958 and quickly became a playground superstar.


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