Who knew a circular plastic tube could be so much fun?! I recently obtained several hoops through our local Child Care Resource & Referral agency as part of their child care consultation program. Our first activities included rolling them to each other upright across the yard in a game of catch. There is something about the fast and graceful movement of the hoop that was fun for the kids…and they are pretty easy to catch too! We used them as a kind of jump rope, and a target for tossing pine cones. None of us were successful at using them for actual “hula hooping” but that’s OK!
I found more games at http://learnersinbloom.blogspot.com/2012/03/10-hula-hoop-games-for-preschoolers.html
This week we are using them for ring-around-the rosy (because we all know how hard it can be for a group of little ones to create a human circle in motion), jumping games, and basketball. The hula hoop version of Simon Says is on the list for tomorrow!
Aside from hula hoops, we are enjoying many planned and spontaneous outdoor activities like sand play, tag, chalk drawing, bug observing, dandelion picking, …and of course bursts of running, and leaping. Walks in the neighborhood have become more interesting as we notice flowers, birds, animals, and colorful trees in bloom with leaves and flowers. Our outdoor environment is giving us the perfect backdrop for active play and learning!
Outside can be a good place to fall asleep too!
Love,
Janet
Everyday Miracles - Family Child Care Home 
May 8, 2013 at 6:55 pm
Hi Janet! You do so many nice things with the boys! Keep em busy and out in the fresh air!! Mason tlks about you all the time! He talks about his best friend Alex too! We had him while you were closed last week and I was one tired Grandma when he went home—but enjoyed every minute of it!
Susan Glessner/Mason’s Grandmother