Outdoor Hoop Games: Set of Rolling Hoops and Graces

This set of our most popular hoop games includes 2 Rolling Hoops and 1 Game of Graces.

Rolling Hoops Children have been rolling hoops since the time of ancient Greeks through the hula hoop craze of the 1950's. The early North American colonists brought this pastime with them from Europe, and hoop rolling remained enormously popular throughout the 19th century.

These hoops are great for solitary play, but 2 are included here for racing games. We craft our rolling hoops of solid native hardwoods, 28" in diameter by 1/4" thick. A dowel is included as a pushing stick; a hang tag provides history and instructions.

Game of Graces In this game, opponents send light wooden hoops whirling towards each other to be caught on the tips of slender wands. In early forms of the game, young women would elegantly play by wrapping the hoops in ribbons with trailing ends, which served to slow the hoops' travel as well as cushion contact with the fingers. Judging by children's books and store advertisements, this exciting outdoor game was enormously popular from the early 1800's throughout the 19th century, and it remains so in various forms today.

Our Game of Graces includes 2 10" diameter solid bent wood hoops; our 4 wands are 18" long solid birch. Also included are 4 lengths of colored ribbons - in early forms of the game, young women would elegantly play by wrapping the hoops in ribbons with trailing ends, which served to slow the hoops' travel as well as cushion contact with the fingers. All is packaged in a zipper poly bag with a history and instruction poster.

Not for children under 3. Recommended for adults and children aged 8 years and above.