How to Make a Simple Handheld Guinea Pig Hoop

The hoop trick is a pretty commonly taught trick for guinea pigs. While there are many things you can adapt to make a usable hoop, it can be a good idea to make your own hoop too, especially when it can be easily used for two different tricks. Below is a video tutorial for making a hoop for a guinea pig that can be used as a regular or paper-covered hoop. Below the video, there is also a written tutorial, with photos for each step.

Materials You Will Need For This Project

  • 2 circular “stencils” one slightly larger than the other (stencils should be big enough for the guinea pig to fit through comfortably)
  • 2 sheets of foam material
  • 1 thin piece of dowel
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun & hot glue
  • Marker

Step 1

Trace a circle onto the foam piece with a marker using the larger stencil.

Step 2

Trace a smaller circle inside the bigger one.

It should look like this after the first two steps.

Step 3

Cut out the hoop outline.

Step 4

Following the steps above again, cut out a second hoop the same as the first.

Step 5

Glue the two hoops together to make one thicker hoop.

Step 6

Glue a small piece of dowel to the top of the hoop,
leaving a bit of a gap at the top.

The hoop should look like this when finished.

How to Make a Paper Covered Hoop

First, cut out a piece of paper the same size as the hoop.

Using a couple of pieces of tape, attach the paper to the dowel at the top of the hoop.

Simply remove the paper when you want to use it as a regular hoop, and add paper for a new training challenge.