Kids all over the world and throughout the ages have enjoyed rope skipping. It’s a cheap activity, can be done alone or in a group and has massive health benefits. It is excellent for increasing heart and lung fitness, leg strength, co-ordination and balance. It is also fabulous fun; to see kiddies enjoying a skipping game really is great and, who knows, if you’re like me, you might have itchy feet and want to join in too!
There are many brands of skipping rope available, most are made from corded plastic, leather or plastic-coated wire/cables these are designed for higher turning speeds. Synthetic or natural ropes are old-fashioned and will get wet and muddy in bad weather. They are also harder to turn.
Solo skipping games
Once your child has got the basics of skipping they can challenge themselves to some more complex moves. One of the best sequences I have seen (but by no means mastered) is the British Heart Foundation’s Silver skip. It is quite possible that your kids will surprise you and achieve more than you think – after all they have younger and fitter legs than us!
Group skipping games
If you have a longer rope and a few more children, you can try some of these games. Some are very old and have been passed through the generations; you may recall a few from your playground days.
Three, Six, Nine
Three, six, nine, the goose drank wine,
the monkey chewed tobacco on the street car line.
The line broke, the monkey got choked,
and they all went to heaven in a little row boat.
Clap-clap! Clap-clap!
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, show your shoe,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, that will do.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, go upstairs,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say your prayers.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the lights,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say good night! (the children can make up the actions to each line of the verse)
Coffee and Tea
I like coffee, I like tea,
I like the boys and the boys like me.
Yes, no, maybe so.
Yes, no, maybe so!
Tiny Tim
This is more sophisticated, multi-player game in which children jump in and out of the skipping line.
I had a little puppy, his name was Tiny Tim,
I put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim.
He drank all the water, he ate a bar of soap,
the next thing you know he had a bubble in his throat.
In came the doctor (at which point another skipper jumps into line)
in came the nurse (another person in!)
in came the lady with the alligator purse (and another).
Out went the doctor (the person jumps out)
out went the nurse (and another jumps out)
out went the lady with the alligator purse! (that person jumps out too)
Cinderella
Cinderella, dressed in yellow,
went upstairs to kiss a fella.
Made a mistake, and kissed a snake,
how many doctors did it take? (at this point the child jumps in and the others count how many jumps he or she can make)
Birthday Plum
Each child starts outside the rope and jumps in when they hear the month of their birthday.
Apples, peaches, pears and plums,
tell me when your birthday comes.
January, February, March, April May….etc., etc.
And just in case your kids need something a bit more challenging to aim for, just take a peek at these astounding skipping skills: