Fun jump-rope play: long-rope jumping and rope-based movement games
We’re introducing lots of fun ways to play with a jump rope!
In addition to classic skills like double-unders and criss-crosses, we’ve also got simple jump-rope games that even young children who can’t jump yet can enjoy.
If you want to practice jump-rope tricks, learn new variations of jump-rope games, or play with younger kids using a jump rope, be sure to check this out.
Jump rope isn’t just for play—there are also opportunities to test your skills, like proficiency tests and freestyle performances where you can compete in ability and technique.
Once you’ve built up your confidence, you might want to give those a try!
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Fun jump rope games: group jump rope and rope-based physical activities (11–20)
Jump Rope Relay
In a jump-rope relay, teams do a relay while jumping rope.
Jumping rope as you run is surprisingly difficult, but not being able to run normally can actually be fun, right? It’s a popular jump-rope activity—so much so that some schools even test running while jumping rope in PE class.
If you’re not confident with performance-style jump rope, you might find this kind of simple jump rope more enjoyable.
Also, for getting used to jump-rope play, practicing with simple jump rope helps build confidence, so it’s recommended.
Wiggly Jump
Some moms and dads might fondly remember doing this when they were kids.
Tie one end of a jump rope to something like a tree or a chair leg, hold the other end and sway it side to side so it slithers like a snake, then jump over it—this is the “Wiggly Snake Jump.” It’s an especially exciting jump-rope game for little kids, isn’t it? Start with a slow wiggle at first, and once everyone gets used to it, speed it up bit by bit to make it wiggle faster!
Mr. Bear, Mr. Bear
This is a game called “Kuma-san, Kuma-san” where you sing and jump rope while adding other movements.
You sing “Kuma-san, Kuma-san” and then add lyrics that specify a movement to follow.
For example, with “Kuma-san, Kuma-san, raise your hands,” you jump rope while raising your hands; with “Kuma-san, Kuma-san, on one foot,” you jump rope on one foot.
It’s fun to change the difficulty by adding simple, original actions while jumping rope.
It becomes more of a full-body workout than just regular jumping and likely uses more stamina.
13 types of jump rope tricks
Everyone, how many jump rope tricks and ways of jumping do you know? The simple basic jump, the alternate-foot jump, the double under—those come to mind right away, but there are many more.
Front jump, alternate-foot, criss-cross, cross jump, side cross, double under, “Hayabusa,” “Tsubame”—some are hard to even understand just by watching, and some feel absolutely impossible! Plus, except for Hayabusa and Tsubame, there are backward versions too, which is surprising given how many variations there are.
Makes you want to try and see which ones you can do, doesn’t it?
Rope-Jumping Sumo
Let’s try a two-person game called “Jump Rope Sumo”! Stand facing each other and each person holds one end of a jump rope that’s been folded in half.
With the hand that isn’t holding the rope, grab one of your feet so you’re standing on one leg, then get ready to start.
At the start signal, you both pull on the rope.
If you lose your balance and the foot that’s on the ground moves, or if you put your other foot down, you lose.
You also can’t lean on a wall or anything else.
It’s a battle of push and pull—not just pulling hard, but sometimes relaxing your grip when your opponent pulls, and so on, is the key to winning.
Game using a rope
Here’s a rope-based game that even small children who can’t jump rope yet can enjoy.
Each person draws a circle on the ground in front of them using a rope and places the rope down.
First, walk around and around the circle made with the rope.
When you hear the whistle, jump into your circle—that’s the game.
If you don’t just walk around your own circle but wander around different areas, the difficulty goes up a bit, and as you get used to it, the increased challenge makes it even more fun! It’s a recommended game to play with little kids.
playing train
Let me introduce a pretend-train game you can enjoy at home.
Many kids love trains, right? If you have a jump rope, you can turn it into a “train” and have fun playing pretend trains anywhere—highly recommended.
There aren’t any complicated rules, so even children who can’t quite understand rules yet can enjoy it.
If Dad, Mom, or siblings join in and the whole family “runs” a train around the house, it’ll be lively and lots of fun! Try this when you want to play with a little one using a jump rope.
Young lady, please come in.
This game that begins with the song, “Young lady, please come in,” probably makes many people think, “How nostalgic!” Two people turn a long jump rope like in double Dutch, and one person jumps first.
When the caller says, “Please come in,” on cue, the person waiting says, “Thank you,” enters the rope, and the two face each other and play rock-paper-scissors.
The loser steps out of the rope, the next person waiting comes in, and they play rock-paper-scissors again, continuing like this.
It’s a tiring game if you keep winning, isn’t it? (laughs)
Jump rope dance
This is a jump rope dance that lets you play jump rope to the rhythm.
When you match it to the music, the otherwise monotonous act of just jumping becomes fun even for kids who get bored easily! Because it’s a dance, you don’t have to only jump—you can whirl the rope around, place it on the floor and jump over it, and more.
It’s also great for practice if your child isn’t confident with jump rope yet.
If you’re looking to add variety to jump rope play, try jump rope dance.
Little by little, your child will gain confidence with jump rope.
Freestyle Performance
This is a freestyle jump rope performance.
It’s practically an art form—something that looks fun to watch, too.
It does require a lot of skill and practice, but since it’s freestyle, creating and performing your own original moves and favorite tricks can be really enjoyable.
That said, it’s totally fine to create within your own abilities.
Do it your own way, and if you’re interested, keep challenging yourself! Highly recommended for anyone aiming for their own cool style of jump rope.