Traveling Hoop Tunnel

In groups of five, four kids hold hoops upright to form a tunnel while the fifth crawls through; each hoop left behind is carried to the front, so the tunnel travels across the blacktop. Students work on locomotor skills and cooperation.

How to play

1. Make groups of five and mark a start and finish line 15 yards apart with cones. Each group gets four hoops (1 min).
2. Four students line up one step apart, holding their hoops upright with the edge on the ground. The fifth is the 'worm' (1 min).
3. The worm crawls through. When the worm clears the last hoop, that student runs it to the front of the line, and the tunnel moves forward (2 min).
4. At the finish line, the worm takes a hoop and another classmate becomes the worm for the trip back.
5. Each group makes five trips so everyone is the worm; all groups' trips add up to the class score (8 min).
6. Challenge round: the worm crawls through backward and chooses how high the hoops are held (3 min).

Rules

• Hold the hoop with both hands and keep its edge on the ground.
• Run your hoop along the side of the tunnel, never over the worm.
• It is not a race: every group adds to the class score.
• Safety: the worm crawls with head up to avoid bumping the hoop.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: if the student can't crawl, they pass a hand or a ball through each hoop from their wheelchair as the tunnel moves.
• Autism or shyness: start as a hoop holder and choose when to be the worm, with a trusted partner in front.
• Fitness level: in high-energy groups, the hoop carrier runs around a cone before placing it.

Learning goals

• Crawl and run with control.
• Work in a chain task where everyone depends on everyone.
• Take on different roles within the group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hoops: 20
• cones: 10

Teacher tip

At first the holders react slowly, so have the last one call 'I'm going!' before running. Keep each group's lane at least 10 feet apart.

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