Hop in the Hoops

Hoop activities develop gross motor skills and body awareness while providing opportunities to follow multi-step directions.

• Framework: EYFS
• Unit: EYFS Shapes and Patterns
• Learning area: Physical Education
• Level: EYFS 3-4, Reception

Objectives

• Follow safety rules during active play
• Demonstrate jumping, skipping, and running coordination
• Follow multi-step directions

Materials

• Large colourful hoops or hula hoops
• Open space

Instructions

Children move around hoops in various ways, then follow increasingly complex directions involving hoops.

Educator tip

Warm up with stretches before active movement to prepare bodies for jumping and skipping.

Assessment

Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Teacher observation of student's gross motor skills, agility, and ability to follow game rules.

More from EYFS Shapes and Patterns

• People Pattern
• Hide and Seek Matching Shapes
• Felt Shape Match Up
• Shape Lacing Cards
• Creating with Shapes
• Bead Pattern
• Block Patterns
• Pattern Detective