How to Make Paper Plate Hoops

Cut the center out of three 9 – 10" paper plates for each preschooler.

Tip: Colored paper plates are best for this activity to help preschoolers see the hoops for their circus tricks. Also the performance will be more colorful for the audience with colored paper plates. Choose paper plates that have color on both sides if possible.

How to Inspire Preschoolers to Perform Circus Tricks

Some preschoolers will only have to be handed the hoops and will explore and develop their own tricks. It's okay if all of their tricks don't work the way preschoolers want them to. Preschoolers learn by trying new things and finding out what works. Preschoolers learn best when adults allow lots of time for preschoolers to explore with a new prop at first. If a preschooler doesn't come up with any ideas after 5 – 10 minutes, show them one of the tricks below. Afterwards, ask them what other ideas they have for tricks.

Arm Hula Hooping

Preschoolers put their arm through one or more hoops, straighten the arm and move the arm in small circles.

Double Arm Hula Hooping

Preschoolers use both arms to hula hoop with the paper plate hoops. This circus trick requires both sides of the brain to work together and may be a challenging activity for preschoolers.

Finger Hula Hooping

Preschoolers put their finger through one or more hoops, straighten the finger and move the finger in small circles.

Hoop Spinning

Hoop Spinning is similar to arm hula hooping.

1. Preschoolers hold a lummi stick, wand, writing pen, drum stick, ruler or any long slender object at least 6" in length.

2. Preschoolers move the object in a circle to make the paper plate "hula hoop" around the object. This circus truck uses hand muscles to grasp the object and improve fine motor skills.

Hoop Spearing

1. Preschoolers hold a hoop with the left hand high in the air positioned over the right shoulder. (The circle in the middle of the hoop will be facing the ground.)

2. Preschoolers will drop the hoop from the left hand and quickly "spear" their right hand through the middle of the hoop by pushing their right arm straight up into the air. The hoop will fall down the arm near the shoulder.

Tip - Hoop spearing can be done several times in a row so that preschoolers have several hoops on their arm at the same time.

Note - Hoop spearing can also be done while preschoolers hold a wand, lummi stick, etc.

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Helpful Tips for Parents

• Set up permanent physical activity invitations in the backyard or play area: a balance beam, stepping stones, a low climbing structure, a tire swing. Permanent setups encourage daily use.

• The recommended minimum for preschoolers is 3 hours of physical activity per day — 60 of those minutes should be vigorous (heart rate elevated, breath quickened).

• Never use physical activity as punishment (running laps for misbehavior). This creates negative associations with exercise that can persist into adulthood.

• Outdoor play surfaces (grass, dirt, sand, bark chips) are better for development than flat concrete or carpet — uneven surfaces challenge balance and proprioception naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much physical activity do preschoolers need per day?

The WHO and CDC recommend that preschoolers (ages 3–5) be physically active throughout the day, with a minimum of 3 hours of physical activity daily — including 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous intensity. This can be accumulated across multiple sessions. Most preschoolers meet this recommendation easily if given outdoor access and unstructured play time, but children in settings with limited outdoor access or high screen time frequently do not.

Related reading: See also our obstacle course guide and our preschool yoga guide for more ideas on this topic.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

• 😌 Emotional Regulation — Physical activity is one of the most effective emotional regulation tools available to preschoolers — vigorous movement releases stress hormones and resets the nervous system for calm, focused engagement with other tasks.
• 🧠 Brain-Body Connection — Research consistently shows that physical activity directly improves concentration, working memory, and academic readiness — making fitness time one of the highest-return educational investments in a preschooler's day.
• 🌱 Lifelong Active Habits — Children who have joyful physical experiences in the preschool years are dramatically more likely to be active adolescents and adults — making every positive movement experience an investment in lifelong health.
• 🏃 Gross Motor Skills — Running, jumping, hopping, and climbing build the large muscle strength, coordination, and body control that physical activities, sports, and even handwriting readiness depend on.

by Kelly Pfeiffer

Create fun circus props for preschoolers with hoops made from paper plates. For circus parties, rainy days or any day, hoop tricks will encourage preschoolers to explore a creative and active role - circus performer. Preschoolers will get fitness benefits as they explore simple hoop tricks involving balance, rhythm, muscle control and coordination. Give preschoolers time to practice and learn their favorite hoop tricks then gather family and friends to watch a live circus performance full of fun and fitness.