Tower of Hanoi Hoop Relay

Each team solves a giant Tower of Hanoi puzzle: moving a tower of different-sized hoops from one cone to another, one hoop per trip, never putting a bigger hoop on a smaller one. Students practice planning, teamwork, and relay movement.

How to play

1. Make 4 teams of 6. Each has 3 cones in a line 1.5 m (5 ft) apart (A, B, C) and lines up 5 m (16 ft) away. Stack 3 hoops flat around cone A, largest on the bottom (3 min).
2. Rules: one hoop per trip, always the top one, and never a hoop on a smaller one. Goal: move the tower to cone C.
3. Relay style, each runner power-walks out, makes one move, and returns. Before each trip, the team has 10 seconds to agree quietly.
4. A counter tracks moves: with 3 hoops the minimum is 7 (5 min). Then with 4 hoops, the minimum is 15 (8 min).
5. Debrief: each team shares its trick, such as moving the smallest hoop every other turn (2 min).

Rules

• One hoop per trip; if two are moved, undo the last move.
• If a big hoop lands on a smaller one, the judge stops play and the turn is repeated.
• Hoops are set down, never thrown.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: put the cones by the student's chair, or make them the strategist who calls the move.
• Autism or shyness: explain the rule with a picture card and offer the counter role first.
• Fitness: more work with lunges back; less by starting closer.

Learning goals

• Plan a sequence of actions to solve a problem.
• Reach team agreement quickly and respectfully.
• Keep the relay pace without losing accuracy.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Hula hoops: 16
• Cones: 12

Teacher tip

Use hoops in clearly different sizes (20, 24, 28, and 32 in) or paper plates if you don't have them. Give hints only if a team is stuck for over 3 minutes.

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