Cooperative Game
Hula Hoop
Cooperative
game
Balance
Time: 10–15 min
Purpose: To practice teamwork in a fun game.
Skills: Communication, Cooperation, Creativity, Patience, Paying attention, Problem solving, Self-control, Team
building
You
will
need…
4–30 players
Upper elementary age players or older
Hula hoops (one per group)
Enough space for each group to form a close circle
Before
You
Begin
In this game players will be working in small groups of four to five players. Consider
whether you will assign groups before the game or guide players to choose their own
groups.
Prepare the reflection questions you will ask players in the debrief.
Directions
Introduce the game Hula Hoop Balance. Use this time to reinforce any established
expectations that are important for players to remember during the game.
Divide players into small groups of four to five players.
Explain to players that they will work together to lower a hula hoop to the ground.
Ask for a group to volunteer to help demonstrate the game.
Tell the volunteers to form a close circle and to raise their arms, fully extended, to about
their eye level, all at the same height, with their index fingers extended.
Place the hula hoop on the volunteers’ fingertips and tell them to lower the hula hoop to
the ground, making sure their fingers never lose contact with the hula hoop.
Ask players if they have any questions about the game.
Distribute a hula hoop to each group.
Tell players to begin the game and closely monitor the groups to make sure their
fingers stay in contact with the hula hoop.
Tip: If time allows, challenge players to repeat the game silently.
© 2012 Peace First
www.peacefirst.org/digitalactivitycenter
1
HULA HOOP BALANCE
DIRECTIONS CONTINUED
The game ends when every group has successfully completed the task. Explain to
players that now they will reflect on how they experienced the game.
Debrief
Debrief the game with players. Remember, cooperative games are only as effective as
your debrief. This is your opportunity to help players connect the game to personal
experiences, actions, and beliefs. You will want to reinforce any skills or beliefs you are
hoping players will carry beyond the game.
For more on facilitating debriefs, refer to the Debriefing Tip Sheet on our Digital Activity
Center.
We’ve included some suggested questions below to get you started.
Ask:
What happened during the game?
How did your group work together? Could you have been successful without
teamwork?
What peacemaking skills did you use in the game? How can you use these skills
outside of the game?
Thank players for their participation.
© 2012 Peace First
www.peacefirst.org/digitalactivitycenter
2