How to Make a Professional-Quality Hula Hoop
Whether you need a supply of hula hoops to keep the kids busy or you want to try weighted hula hooping to whittle away your waistline, making your own is a cheap and easy project. You'll be the envy of the neighborhood with your customized hoop.
Things You'll Need
- Poly tubing or irrigation tubing, 3/4- or 1-inch
- Ratcheting PVC cutter or hacksaw
- Insert connectors to fit the tubing
- Pan of boiling water or heat gun
- Rice, beans or other noise makers (optional)
- Water or dirt for weight (optional)
- Duct tape (optional)
- Colored tape or electric tape (optional)
Instructions
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1
Using the hacksaw or PVC cutter, cut your tubing to the desired length. Ideally, you want the hoop to reach between your waist and chest in height when standing on the floor.
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2
Heat one end of the tubing in boiling water for 10 seconds or with a heat gun.
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3
Quickly insert the coupling halfway into the heated end of the tubing.
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4
Optional: Using a funnel with the open end, add either some noise makers (rice, beans, etc.) or weight (water or dirt). You will only need a small amount of noise makers. It is not necessary to fill the tube completely with the water or dirt.
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5
Repeat steps 2 and 3, dipping the other end of the tube into the boiling water (or heat with a heat gun), and insert the open end of the coupler into the tube, connecting both ends and making a circle. Take care not to spill your weight or noise makers. You can run the connected area under cold water to cool it off quickly and make it a tighter fit.
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6
Optional: Secure the seams with duct tape for added security.
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7
Optional: Decorate your hoop with colored tape. There are all kinds of tape available in all different colors. It's fun to play with metallic tape or reflective tape as well. You can also use gaff tape (gaffers tape) on the inside of the hoop to help it grip to your body.
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Tips & Warnings
I recommend the 3/4" tubing for children and no larger than 1" for adults. These will not bend unless you force with all your might!
Your basic materials (tubing and connectors) will cost under $20 to make 10-12 hoops.
Check YouTube for instructional videos on taping.
YouTube also has instructional videos on hoop dancing!
Children can mostly do this all on their own, but please exercise caution when using boiling water or a heat gun and supervise very closely or do it for them!
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
