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: long-rope jumping and rope-based movement activities (1–10)
Propeller Jump
The “propeller jump” is a game where you hold a jump rope folded in half, whirl it around low to the ground, and time your jump so you don’t get caught by it.
The rope spins like a propeller, and while it seems simple, it’s actually tricky because it’s not a machine doing the spinning—there are slight variations in height.
Also, when I say “whirl the rope,” it’s actually the person holding it who spins, and the rope goes around due to centrifugal force.
Be careful—whoever spins the rope in the center can get dizzy!
Long rope ball pass
It’s the perfect activity for sharpening motor skills: the long-rope ball pass.
Jump rope helps develop a sense of rhythm, and this game also boosts overall physical abilities like balance and reaction time.
While the rope turns with several kids inside, they pass a ball to one another.
Because you have to pass the ball with consideration for the other person, it also nurtures empathy.
It’s a recommended play activity that develops both physical skills and the heart at the same time.
In terms of difficulty, it’s fun even for adults, so it’s a jump-rope game that everyone from young children to grown-ups can enjoy.
jump rope limbo
You might think jump rope play is still a bit early for small children, right? But this “rope crawl-through” game treats the jump rope like a bar to pass under, so even little kids can play, and it can be fun across different ages.
Have two people hold the ends of the rope, or tie one end to something and hold the other.
Once everyone can pass under it, try changing the height.
Set it just high enough that you have to crawl on all fours to get through, or low enough that you have to bend backward like in a limbo dance—experiment with those tricky in-between heights!
Highs and lows
Many moms and dads probably played the jump-rope game “Big Waves, Small Waves” when they were children.
It’s a game where you jump rope to a short chant: you hop over a shaking rope, then over a big, swinging rope, and finally step over the rope to finish.
At first you jump over the rope shaking beneath you—it’s right under your feet and easy to see, so you don’t fail much.
After that the rope makes big circles, and at the end, at the “cat’s eyes” part, you catch the rope coming directly under you by bringing it between your feet and stopping it cleanly.
It feels great and gives a real sense of accomplishment!
Rope-jumping tightrope walking
Let’s try a jump-rope tightrope walk—an activity you can enjoy both indoors and outdoors.
By “tightrope,” we don’t mean the kind you see at the circus; instead, place a jump rope on the ground and walk along it.
This way, even small children can join in.
A longer rope works best, but if you don’t have one, try tying a few ropes together.
Step carefully right on the rope laid straight and walk without stepping off.
Once you get the hang of it, lay the rope in a zigzag to make it more challenging and exciting.
a crow
Let me introduce a jump rope game called “One Crow.” It’s a singing jump rope game that goes as a counting song: “one crow,” “two chickens,” “three are fish,” and so on.
Players count the numbers and, in time with the song, each person enters the rope one by one as it swings side to side.
Once everyone is in, they then exit the rope one by one in order from the front.
Coordinating everyone’s timing is important, but singing while jumping rope sounds a bit tricky, doesn’t it? It’s a fun game with a cute counting song.
mailman
This jump rope game is a very fun group rope jumping activity where you sing the song “The Mailman” while you jump.
It’s easy to be the first jumper to get in, so it’s recommended even for small children who are just starting out with jump rope.
Have older kids or adults hold and turn the rope to lead and make it easier to jump.
In the first half of the song, you only need to jump over a rope that swings side to side, so it’s simple.
That makes it easy for children to feel, “I did it!” and build confidence in the first part.
Then, with that confidence, the second half of the song introduces full rope turns.
Once they’ve gained that little bit of confidence, it becomes easier and more fun to jump! It’s a great way to encourage them to give it a try.
Two-person jump rope
When you have a large group, how about trying a two-person jump rope game, “Two-Person Jump Rope”? You can play in various ways: face each other and jump with a single rope, stand side by side and jump with one rope, or stand side by side with two ropes—holding your own rope with the outside hand and crossing your inside arms to hold your partner’s rope—then jump together.
Since you’re jumping as a pair, the key is syncing your timing.
It’s perfect for when you want to boost teamwork.
Rhythm Jump Rope
How about trying a rhythmic jump rope activity that combines jump rope with dance? There are many different ways to jump rope.
You can mix those techniques to fun music so it feels like you’re dancing—actually incorporating dance elements along the way.
NiziU’s signature song “Make you happy” even includes a dance in the chorus known as the “jump rope dance,” right? You can express that with an actual jump rope—jumping and dancing in a fun way!
Snake Catching Game
Let me introduce a snake-catching game that uses a long jump rope.
You pretend the rope is a snake and try to catch the snake as it “escapes.” You can play it outdoors or indoors.
A larger space makes it more fun because you have a wider area to catch the snake.
When the runaway snake is caught, you “bring it back to its home.” If you have plenty of room, elementary school–aged kids can run around while playing, which makes it even more enjoyable.
Of course, it’s also recommended for younger children.
In that case, you might want to make the snake’s movement area smaller.
Another fun variation is a game where you catch a snake that jumps through the air.