TOY STORIES: The HULA HOOP on Day 183 of 365 Days of Literacy for Kids!

Every TOY or GAME has a STORY… a WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY & HOW to share with kids.

Today, it’s the HULA HOOP’s turn to tell its story (with a little help from Grandma Sharon)…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1BIq6R0-MA[/youtube]

WHO invented the Hula Hoop:  Richard Knerr and Arthur “Spud” Melin, founders of WHAM-O toy and sporting goods company,  trademarked this ancient form of fun and exercise and named it the Hula Hoop because the movement resembles the swaying of the Hawaiian Hula dance.

WHAT is Hula HoopingHula Hooping is the art and skill of swinging a large plastic ring around your waist in continuous revolutions.

WHEN was the Hula Hoop invented:  Ah… we must go back thousands of years to find this answer.  Egyptian children had fun using large rings of dried grape vines to swing around their waists.  The ancient Greeks used similar rings/hoops as a form of exercise.  Australian children used bamboo rings to swing around their waists in physical education classes.  And it’s these Australian children who inspired Richard Knerr and Spud Melin to design a plastic hoop that would take the world by storm… or gyration, that is.

WHERE is the Hula Hoop used:  Everywhere!  The first Hula Hoops, marketed by WHAM-O in 1958, sold for just under $2.00.  25 million Hula Hoops were sold in under 4 months of its appearance.  That’s 25 million, kids!

Grandma Sharon is one of those kids from 1958 who was lucky enough to get one of those awesome hoops!  My friends and I spent hours and hours on our California school playground practicing our Hula Hooping and making up fun competitions.

WHY is the Hula Hoop so popular:  The Hula Hoop is just plain fun.  Anyone of any age can try it. It’s fun to try.  It takes practice and patience to master, but it’s so great to accomplish.  You can do lots of tricks with it.  You can use it just about anywhere… except near your parents’ and grandparents’ special breakable things!  It’s a great form of exercise because you’re moving and using so many muscles.

AND it’s fun to know that kids have used similar hoops all across the globe for thousands of years!

HOW has the Hula Hoop remained so popular:  The Hula Hoop is one of the greatest toy fads ever, but the Hula Hoop has found its way into dance, circus and even music festivals.  There is a World Hoop Day, dedicated to bringing dance, exercise, joy and hoop toys to underprivileged kids around our world.  The Hula Hoop brings smiles.  It’s kind of that simple…

Share the Hula Hoop Story with your kids and grandkids.  And join me here each day in July for TOY STORIES on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids! A little fun, a little learning and a little “ta dah!”

Grandma Sharon's Hula Hoop!

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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3 Comments

  1. 7.2.11
    lizzy said:

    how much fun it that!!!….love it:)

  2. 7.4.11
    hemp said:

    …Your Hoop offers custom built to order Hula Hoops Weighted Hula Hoops Adult Hula Hoops Fitness Hoops Exercise Hoops and Custom Hula Hoops for Kids…….. Were just glad its caught on with the masses! Fitness hoops are larger and are made from a heavier tubing than the hula hoop you used as a child. Just hooping around your waist while watching tv will help tighten ..that tummy in no time! If thats not enough venture into the world of hoopdance and youve got a full body workout thatll get you lean and mean OK weve yet to meet a mean hooper in no time……………..

  3. 7.5.11
    Nancy said:

    I didn’t have the right stuff for a hula hoop as a kid and I definitely don’t have it as an adult. You look awesome doing yours though.

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