Magic Hoop Windows

Half the group holds hoops upright at different heights like magic windows, and the other half goes through them in many ways without touching. Then they swap roles. Kids work on body control and helping each other.

How to play

1. Give 10 hoops to half the group, who spread out around the gym: sitting, kneeling or standing, holding the hoop upright on the floor.
2. Demonstrate with one child holding a hoop: you go through slowly without touching and say "Thank you, window!" (1 min).
3. The other half moves around the gym going through as many windows as they can without touching the hoop (3 min).
4. Tambourine: the windows change height (hoop lifted off the floor, tilted or very low for slithering) and the movers have to adapt (3 min).
5. Tambourine: switch roles. The movers now hold the hoops and repeat the last two steps (6 min).
6. Finish: all the hoops together on the floor make one big window over the mat and, one by one, kids pass through it lying down like a magic portal (2 min).

Rules

• Go through slowly without touching the hoop.
• The window stays still while someone is passing.
• High windows only up to the holder's waist.
• Say thank you to the window.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child is a window from their wheelchair or goes through big hoops at floor level.
• Shyness: start as a window to watch before going through.
• More skilled: go through without hands; less skilled: big hoops held at floor level.

Learning goals

• Adjust the body to fit through a space without touching.
• Help a classmate by holding equipment.
• Hold still while someone else passes.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hoops: 10
• mats: 2
• tambourine: 1

Teacher tip

Three-year-olds get tired of holding: switch roles more often with them. Saying "thank you, window" creates a calm, careful mood.

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