Hula hoops aren’t just toys — they’re symbols of movement, colour, and fun. One of the quirkiest examples of that spirit stood in the American Midwest. Just outside the small town of Anamosa, Iowa, USA, there once grew a tree so unusual that travellers nicknamed it the Hula Hoop Tree.
Over the years, people driving along the rural highway began pulling over, taking a hula hoop from their car, and tossing it into the tree’s bare branches. With each visit the branches filled with more bright plastic rings until the tree became a rainbow of colour visible from the road. It wasn’t planned or promoted; it grew organically as a roadside attraction and a piece of spontaneous folk art.
A Spontaneous Community Artwork in the Heart of the U.S.
The Hula Hoop Tree became a minor landmark for locals and tourists alike. It appeared in news stories, on travel blogs, and even on maps as a stop worth seeing. Families added their own hoops, photographers snapped its changing colours through the seasons, and kids marvelled at how a simple tree could become a sculpture.
Eventually, the original tree died and was removed. But its story still circulates online as a quirky, joyful example of how play can transform an ordinary space. It’s also a reminder of a very American tradition: turning everyday objects into roadside attractions that spark connection and curiosity.
Why This Story Resonates With HoopStar Academy
At HoopStar Academy, we love stories like this because they show how hula hoops aren’t just about exercise — they’re about creativity, connection, and joy. We teach kids to hula hoop online, but our mission goes beyond tricks and techniques. We want to turn screen time into skill time and help children build coordination, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement.
The Hula Hoop Tree shows exactly what can happen when people treat play as something worth sharing. It’s part of the same tradition our students join every time they pick up a hoop.
Watch the Hula Hoop Tree Story
Here’s a short video that brings this colourful U.S. tradition to life:
Keeping the Spirit Alive
We may not have a Hula Hoop Tree in our backyard anymore, but its spirit lives on. Every time a child learns a new trick, every time a parent joins in a hoop session, that same playful energy spreads.
Our live online classes help children:
- Stay active and healthy after school
- Build coordination, rhythm, and confidence
- Express themselves creatively through movement
If you’d like your child to experience the same magic that inspired the Hula Hoop Tree, explore our online classes or follow us for more hoop history, tips, and fun ideas to keep kids moving and smiling.
