© 2012 Peace First www.peacefirst.org/digitalactivitycenter 1

Cooperative game

Cooperative game

Hula Hoop Pass

Time: 5–25 min

Purpose: To practice communication, cooperation, and teamwork.

Skills: Communication, Cooperation, Coordination, Creativity, Paying attention, Problem solving

You will need…

5-25 players

Early elementary age players or older

One hula hoop (two hula hoops, optional), stop watch (optional)

Enough space to form a close circle with everyone holding hands

Before You Begin

Prepare the reflection questions you will ask players in the debrief.

Directions

Introduce the game Hula Hoop Pass. Use this time to reinforce any established expectations that are important for players to remember during the game, especially as players will be holding hands.

Explain that the objective of the game is for players to pass a hula hoop around the circle but the challenge is that the players must hold hands throughout.

Tell players to form a close circle and put a hula hoop around yourself, having it rest on your left shoulder and across the front of your body.

Explain to players that they must pass the hula hoop around the circle while holding hands.

Tell players to hold hands and that they must remain holding hands throughout the game. If players let go of each other’s hands, the game starts over.

Ask players if they have any questions about the game.

Tip: For older players, consider using two hula hoops of different sizes and passing them in opposite directions.

Begin the game by stepping through the hula hoop and ducking your head in order to move your body through the hula hoop and then pass it counterclockwise to the next player.

HULA HOOP PASS

© 2012 Peace First www.peacefirst.org/digitalactivitycenter 2

DIRECTIONS CONTINUED

Tip: To add an additional challenge you can time the game and challenge the group to beat their best time in multiple rounds.

The game ends when the hula hoop has successfully made it around the circle. Explain to players that now they will reflect on their experience during 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 toolkit on our Digital Activity Center (Debriefing Tip Sheet).

We’ve included some suggested questions below to get you started.

Ask:

What happened during the game?

What was your strategy during the game?

How did you depend on the players who were next to you during the game?

Is working cooperatively helpful when peacemaking?

Thank players for their participation.