Hoop around the foot
Make a lightweight hoop to fit around your foot using cardboard and tape, then practice balance, gentle rolling, and coordination through stepping exercises.
Step-by-step guide to Hoop around the foot
Step 1
Gather all materials and put them on a clear table or the floor.
Step 2
Put on a sock or shoe so your foot stays clean and comfy.
Step 3
Cut a strip of cardboard about 6-8 cm wide and long enough to wrap around your foot using the ruler and scissors.
Step 4
Wrap the cardboard strip around the widest part of your foot so it hugs your shoe or sock.
Step 5
Pinch the overlapping ends of the strip together where they meet.
Step 6
Mark the spot where the ends meet with your pencil.
Step 7
Remove the strip from your foot so you can cut it safely.
Step 8
Trim the strip at the mark leaving about 2 cm extra for overlap.
Step 9
Overlap the ends and tape them securely to make a circular hoop.
Step 10
Add extra tape around the hoop to make it stronger and smoother.
Step 11
Place the hoop flat on the floor in an open space.
Step 12
Slide one foot into the hoop and stand on that foot to feel the fit and comfort.
Step 13
Balance on one foot inside the hoop for 10 seconds to practice steady standing.
Step 14
Gently roll the hoop forward using small heel-toe steps while keeping your foot partially inside and repeat five times.
Step 15
Share a photo or short description of your finished hoop and the tricks you practiced 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 instead of cardboard or clear tape if I can't find them?
If you don't have cardboard, use a cereal box or poster board cut to 6–8 cm wide and long enough to wrap around your foot, and use masking tape if you don't have clear tape.
My hoop keeps falling apart or feels too loose when I try to stand or roll — what should I do?
If the hoop is too loose or splits when you stand or roll, remove it, re-cut with a snug fit using the 6–8 cm width, keep the 2 cm overlap, and reinforce the seam with extra tape and a second layer of cardboard.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?
For toddlers, skip the standing balance and instead have them sit and slide their foot in and out of the hoop or hold an adult's hand while practicing one-foot balance for 3–5 seconds using a wider cardboard strip for stability.
How can we make the hoop more fun or challenging after we finish it?
Personalize by decorating the taped hoop with colored markers or stickers, padding the inner edge with a scrap of sock or foam for comfort, and making multiple sized hoops to practice different tricks and compare photos on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to Hoop around the foot
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Facts about balance and coordination for kids
🦶 Babies start practicing balance with standing and stepping around 9–12 months, and balance/refinement continues through early childhood.
📦 Cardboard is made from paper pulp, is lightweight and easy to cut, and is one of the most commonly recycled packaging materials.
🎯 Inventors and designers often prototype with cardboard and tape because it's cheap, quick, easy to shape, and safe for kids to use.
🤸 Stepping, gentle rolling, and balance games stimulate the vestibular and proprioceptive systems to boost coordination and motor control.
🌀 The modern hula-hoop craze began in the 1950s when Wham-O popularized the toy worldwide.
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