Loopy Hoopy

Child development / Drama games / Loopy hoopy

Loopy Hoopy is a fun listening and movement game where children notice similarities and differences while reacting to different instructions.

By moving between different hoops and responding to changing categories, they practice concentration, coordination and quick reactions.

Child having fun stretching in drama class

How to play

1. Set up the hoops

Place three hoops in different areas of the room or mark out three separate spaces.

2. Begin moving

Ask your child to move around the room carefully while avoiding the hoops.

3. Call out commands

Give different instructions based on characteristics or categories.

For example:

"If you have brown hair, go to the yellow hoop!"
"If you're wearing trainers, go to the blue hoop!"
"If you're wearing something red, go to the red hoop!"

If you're playing together, make the categories apply to both of you where possible.

4. Continue moving

After each instruction, move back around the room ready for the next one.

5. Add movement challenges

Encourage your child to travel in different ways between commands, such as:

Jumping
Tiptoeing
Marching
Skipping

6. Repeat with new categories

Keep changing the instructions and encourage quick but safe responses.

What it teaches

Listening and concentration
Observation skills
Quick reactions
Spatial awareness
Celebrating individuality
Group awareness

Variations to try

Take turns - Let your child call out the instructions for you.
Movement challenge - Choose a different way to travel after every command.
Colour hunt - Base each instruction on colours your child can see around them.
Favourite things - Use categories such as favourite animals, foods or activities.
Speed round - Give the commands a little faster once your child feels confident.
No hoops? - Use cushions, pieces of paper or different areas of the room instead.

Principal's notes

This activity helps children notice both similarities and differences within the group in a positive and playful way. Keep the atmosphere inclusive and celebratory, ensuring every child feels part of the game. Avoid categories that may make children uncomfortable and focus instead on light-hearted observable details.

Lucy Quick, Principal of Perform.