Hi, I teach creative movement from ages 2-4. I am running out of ideas to do with instruments and hula hoops. Please if any one has any great and fun ideas to do with theses props HELP!!

Hap Palmer has some great songs using hula hoops - The Circle Game, and a few others. My songs are so old, I can't remember where I got them! I think Kimbo might have some cds with hula hoop activities.

If you don't have those though, here are a few ideas:

Have kids put circles on floor, then have them slide ("chasse") around them, gallop around them, tiptoe, walk backwards - stuff like that. They can jump in and out of them, stay inside the circle and clap their hands, stomp their feet, shake their heads, etc. I just put on some ballet music, or maybe an instrumental medley of Disney songs, and do that stuff with them.

You can also put all the circles in one big circle. Kids start in one circle, bunny hop to the next one, jump inside that one and do an activity (shrug shoulders), tiptoe to the next circle, do another activity, etc., all the way around.

At some point the kids are going to want to pick up those circles! They can hold them up high overhead and tiptoe (they always think they are angels, or clouds!), peek through the hoops and you "take their picture", hold the hoops down low and walk low pretending they're elves, roll the hoops along the floor, then give them a twist and watch them spin. They love that part!

Hope that gives you a few ideas.

thank you so much for those great ideas. You know sometimes you can just get stuck in a rut. I appreciate it.

Hula Hoops. Hawaiian theme. Great with grass skirts, and plastic flower necklaces. Kids can dance around the hoops on the ground, they can step through them, and those who are really good - get a solo/duet/trio spot.

Instruments. Dress little ones in black plater, and get them big blow up guitars. Have them dance to things like "I love that old time rock and roll" or "We will rock you".

Crowds love the babys! They love the themes too. It's a great ice breaker for a production or recital beginning.

Hope this wasn't too late - looks like you posted in April. It's nearly June now.....

Thank you for the great ideas I really appreciate them. It is never to late for fresh ideas!!!!!

hey ..i heard somewhere from some studio owners that you need to get permission to use songs?? i know for a fact that alot of successful studios do not have this "license"...does everyone have it and need it? and how would you get the permission and how much ?? lol ..thanks!

studios are supposed to pay to ASCAP every year. It doesn't cost that much money, and I think that it makes a studio honest and more reputable. What are your opinions?

a fun warm up game with hula hoops is "musical hoops" you have 1 hoop per person then gradually you remove hoops until people are piling into 1 hoop. you have to keep an eye on younger kids with this one, but it usually ends up with everyone laughing and having a good time.

for 2-4s in rhythmic gymnastics with hoops we usually focused on getting into the hoop and out of the hoop. running holding the hoop around their waist. turns holding the hoop over their heads. "skips" into and out of the hoop. with this age that usually entails stepping into the hoop and bringing it over their heads to get out.

hopefully some of this helps you. :0)

thank you for your helpful comments!!!