The Hoop That Turns into Anything

The hoop becomes a steering wheel, a mirror, a crown, a window, or anything children imagine, and each child moves their body to match what the hoop is right now. Children practice body expression and pretend play and make their own choices.

How to play

1. The hoop is a steering wheel! Drive around the room making engine noises (2 min).
2. Now it's a mirror! Look through the hoop and make faces: happy, grumpy, surprised (2 min).
3. It's a crown! Rest it around your neck and parade like kings and queens (2 min).
4. What is it now? Each child decides what their hoop becomes and uses it with their whole body (3 min).
5. Little show: some volunteers show their idea and everyone else guesses what it is (2 min).
6. With a magic word, the hoop turns back into a hoop and we lay it down (1 min).

Rules

• My hoop can be whatever I imagine.
• I use my hoop without touching my friends.
• When a friend shows their idea, I watch and listen.
• With the magic word, the hoop is a hoop again.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: transformations are done seated using the arms (wheel, mirror, window).
• Autism: picture cards for each transformation and freedom to repeat a favorite.
• Hearing loss: the teacher shows each transformation with a gesture and a picture before naming it.

Learning goals

• Use an object in a pretend way.
• Express characters and feelings with the body.
• Invent and share their own idea.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hoops: 25
• Music

Teacher tip

Keep four or five backup ideas ready (bike wheel, frying pan, pool, nest) for anyone who gets stuck. The crown rests on the neck or shoulders, never tight.

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