Jump Rope Games

Jump Rope The history of jump rope activities

traces as far back as 1600 A.D. from paintings that show children jumping rope on European cobblestone streets. Jumping rope began as a boys' only game. When American girls began to play this sport, they added rhymes and sing-song games.

Many of these rhymes were passed down from generation to generation; others were written down. Boys, at first, didn’t chant rhymes, but rather held contests to see who could make the most jumps.

Skipping rope didn't not become a favorite past-time for American girl’s until the 1830’s.

Jumping Rope and social interaction

Jumping rope requires much cooperation and social interaction. Turners and jumpers must cooperate with each other in order to be successful with their sport. The chanting of rhymes while all the jumping occurs fosters social interaction.

American folk Rhymes

Many of the American folk rhymes used for jumping rope are considered mini-dramas, complete with antagonism and aggression. But, most of these rhymes are merely exaggerations meant to tease on another about boyfriends, to brag about skills, or to challenge one another with the number of jumps that can be done. The teasing or bragging is done in fun, and at the time encourages the social skills of the children.

Length of the Rope

An individual jump rope should be long enough to reach from your armpits to the floor when folded in half. A jump rope used for three or more players (two turners and a jumper) should be ten feet long.

Skipping Terms Salt – Turn the rope slowly Mustard or Vinegar – Turn the rope at a normal speed. Pepper- Turn the rope as fast as you can. Bluebells or rock the cradle – Swinging the rope from side to side but

not all the way around. High Water – hold the rope high so it does not touch the ground as

you turn it. Low Water – Crouch down and turn the rope so the skipper must skip

in a crouched position. Chase the fox – Everyone follows the leader, who runs in and out of

the rope. Under the Moon – Players Run under the turning rope without

skipping. Over the stars – Players run and jump over the rope.

Here Comes the teacher

Here Comes the TeacherHere comes the teacher,Better think quick!Now its time for arithmetic!5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40…

Cinderella

Cinderella, dressed in yellowWent upstairs to kiss a fellowMade a mistake and kissed a snakeHow many doctors did it take?(count until the child makes a mistake)

Cinderella another version

Cinderella dressed in redWent upstairs to comb her headhow many strokes did she give it?One, two, three, four…(count until the child makes a mistake)

Cinderella another version

Cinderella dressed in laceWent upstairs to powder her face.How many boxes did she use? One, two, three, four…(count until the child makes a mistake)

Cinderella another version

Cinderella dressed in yellowWent upstairs to see her fellow.How many kisses did she give him?One, two, three, four…(count until the child makes a mistake)

Will I Marry Will I Marry?Will I marry, tell me so,Is the answer yes or no?Yes, no, maybe so,Yes, no, maybe so…(repeat the last line until

the jumper makes a mistake. The word the mistake is made on is what shall be…)

Gypsy, Gypsy, please tell me

Gypsy, Gypsy, please tell meWho my husband will be.Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief.Doctor, lawyer, Indian Chief…(repeat until missed; one missed on is

husband)

Miss Mary Mack Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack,All dressed in black, black, black,With silver buttons, buttons, buttons,All down her back, back, back,She asked her mother, mother, mother,For fifteen cents, cents, cents.To see the elephant, elephant, elephant,Who jumped the fence, fence, fence,He jumped so high, high, high,That he touched the sky, sky, sky,And never came back, back, back.Till the fourth of July, -ly, -ly.

I ask my parents for fifteen centsTo see the platypus jumped the fenceShe jumped so high,She touched the skyAnd didn’t come backTill the fourth of July.

Bluebells and Cockleshells

Bluebells, CockleshellsBluebells, cockleshells, Evy, ivy over.Mother does the washing,Father does the work,How many hours does the Baby sleep?

Down in the Valley

Down in the Valley where the green grass grows

There sat Delaney as pretty as a roseUp came David and kissed her on the cheekHow many kisses did she get this week?1,2,3…etc.(substitute names and everyone counts until

the jumper stops or makes am mistake.)

Down in the Meadow

Down in the Meadow Where the green grass grows, There sits Delaney pretty as a rose.Along came Eric and kissed her on the nose.How many kisses did she get?1-2-3-4…

Down by the ocean Down by the ocean,Down by the sea,Johnny broke a bottleAnd blamed it on me.I told Ma,Ma told Pa,And Johnny got a whipping with aHa ha ha.How many whippings did he get?1-2-3-4-5…(continues until missed)

Mama, Mama, I’m so sick.

Mama, Mama, I’m so sickSend for the doctor Quick, quick, quick.Doctor, Doctor, will I die?Yes, my lad, but do not cry.How many days have I got?One, two, three, four…(count until the child makes a mistake)

Mother, Mother, I am ill. Mother, Mother, I am ill.Call for the doctor over the hill.First came the doctor.Then came the nurse.Then came the lady with the alligator purse.Out went the doctor.Out went the nurse.Out went the lady with the alligator purse.Sunday-Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday-Friday-

Saturday…(continue until missed)

Cups and Saucers

Cups and SaucersCups and saucers,Plates and dishes,Here comes Sally in her calico breeches.How many stitches in her breeches?One..two…three…four

I like Coffee, I like Tea

I like Coffee, I like Tea,I want Delaney (or name of the next person to

come in) to come in with me.(The first child says the rhyme and the second

child joins the first child. They jump together while the second child says the rhyme again. The first child jumps out before the second one jumps in.)

I like Coffee, I like Tea (another version when jumping alone) I like Coffee, I like Tea,I like the boys, and the boys like me.Yes, no, maybe so.Yes, no, maybe so.

Rooms for rent

Rooms for rent,Inquire within As I move outLet Delaney come in.

(Substitute name for each new child)

Grizzly Bear Grizzly Bear, Grizzly Bear. Turn around. Grizzly Bear, Grizzly Bear. Touch the ground. Grizzly Bear, Grizzly Bear shine your shoes. Grizzly Bear, Grizzly Bear. Read the News. Grizzly Bear, Grizzly Bear. Go upstairs. Grizzly Bear, Grizzly Bear. Say your Prayers. Grizzly Bear, Grizzly Bear. Blow out the Light. Grizzly Bear, Grizzly Bear, Spell good night. G-O-O-D-N-I-G-H-T

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn aroundTeddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the groundTeddy Bear, Teddy Bear, show your shoeTeddy Bear, Teddy Bear, that will do!

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, go upstairsTeddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say your prayersTeddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn out the lightsTeddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say good night!(The child jumping says the rhyme, does the actions, and

jumps out on “goodnight”)

Ladybug, Ladybug

Ladybug, Ladybug, turn aroundLadybug, Ladybug, touch the groundLadybug, Ladybug, shine your shoesLadybug, Ladybug, read the newsLadybug, Ladybug, how old are you?1,2,3…(count until a mistake or until the child stops)

Spanish Dancer

Spanish Dancer, do the splitSpanish Dancer, give a kickSpanish Dancer, turn aroundSpanish Dancer, get out of town.

I’m a little Dutch girl

I’m a little Dutch girl Dressed in blue Here are some things That I can do.

(Children call out things for the one jumping to do.)

Dutch Girl another version I am a pretty little Dutch girl, as pretty as pretty can be and

every boy in my hometown goes crazy over me!

l have a boyfriend fatty, He came from Cincinnati with 48 toes and pickle on his nose and this is how my story goes

One day while I was walking I saw my boyfriend talking to a pretty little girl with strawberry curls and this is what he said to her

I L-O-V-E love you, I K-I-S-S kiss youI K-I-S-S kiss you on the F-A-C-E face, face, face.

Mabel, Mabel

Mabel, Mabel neat and ableMabel, Mabel set the tableAnd don’t forget the Red hot Peppers!

(Jump Hot Peppers until a mistake is made or the jumper stops.)

Two, Four, Six, Eight

Two, Four, Six, EightMeet me at the garden gate.If you’re late, I won’t wait.Two, Four, Six, Eight

A Teasing Rhyme

Tammy and Scott Sitting in a tree.K-I-S-S-I-N-GFirst comes love,Then comes marriage,Then comes Delaney in the baby carriage!(Substitute names where appropriate)

I had a Puppy 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, (person jumps in) In came the nurse,( person jumps in) In came the lady with the alligator purse (person jumps in) Out went the doctor (person jumps out) Out went the nurse (person jumps out) Out went the lady with the alligator purse (person jumps out)

Miss Susie A 'Miss Susie' variation... Miss Susie had a baby,  She named him Tiny Tim  She put him in the bathtub,  To see if he could swim  He drank up all the water,  He ate up all the soap,  He tried to eat the bathtub  But it wouldn’t go down his throat.  Miss Susie called the doctor,  Miss Susie called the nurse,  Miss Susie called the lady,  With the alligator purse  In came the doctor,  In came the nurse,  In came the lady,  With the alligator purse  Mumps said the doctor,  Measles said the nurse,  Hiccups said the lady  With the alligator purse  Miss Susie punched the doctor,  Miss Susie kicked the nurse,  Miss Susie thanked the lady  With the alligator purse 

3 Blind Mice

A horse, a flea, and three blind mice, sat on a curbstone shooting dice.

The horse, he slipped and fell on the flea. The flea said "Whoops, there's a horse on

me."

Alphabet Song A my name is ALICE, my husband's

name is AL, we live in ALABAMA and we bring back APPLES

. 

B my name is BETTY, my husband's name is BEN, we live in BERMUDA and we bring back BUGS. 

C my name is CAROL, my husband's name is CARL, we live in COLORADO and we bring back CRABS. 

It just goes on like that through the alphabet.

All In Together Girls All in together girls

its fine weather girls

when is your birthday

please jump in (now really fast) January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September,

October, November, December All out together girls its fine weather girls when is your birthday please jump out 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, etc., etc., etc.

Apple Tart "Raspberry, strawberry, apple jam tart. Tell me the name of your sweet heart." The rope turned very fast whilst the alphabet was

chanted, the skipper having to name a boy, preferably in the class when she tripped, beginning with that letter.

There were other verses all the way through the wedding, the colour of the dress, and names for the children, but I think we invented some of the very odd ones.

Apples, peaches, pears and plums

Apples, peaches, pears and plums Tell me when your birthday comes, You would then skip "peppers" (or really

fast skipping) and say the months of the year (Jan, Feb, Mar etc) trying to not get out until you reached the month of your birthday.

Blondie "Blondie

and Dagwood went to town,  Blondie bought an evening gown, Dagwood bought the paper,  this is what it said,  close your eyes and count to ten, if you miss take an end!  One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!" 

Bo Bo skee watan tatan

Bo Bo skee watan tataneh eh, say boom boom boom boomitty bitty watan tatan, bo bo skee watan tatan bo bo skee watan tatan boom!(alternative version: substitute "boys are rotten" in place of "boom boom boom boom" and "bo bo skee watan tatan" after "itty bitty watan tatan" ~~ this version is very popular with little girls

!)

Doctor Doctor , doctor call the doctor, Cindy's (name of

child jumping) gonna have a new born baby . Wrap it up in tissue paper, send it down the elevator,

Boy, girl, twins or triplets Boy, girl, twins or triplets ( repeat this until the person jumping misses on

one of them and this means the person will be having a boy, girl, twins or triplets.)

First grade babies

First grade babies     (not peaches)         Second grade tots         Third grade angels         Fourth grade snots

        Fifth grade peaches         Sixth grade plums         Seventh grade ladies         Eighth grade bums!

HELP H - E - L - P (one jump for each letter) (The ropes spin faster and

faster until the jumper misses on a letter. (Then, s/he must do whatever is required at that letter.)

H - Highwaters (rope doesn't touch the ground) E - Eyes closed or Easy over (rope goes over slower than usual) L - Leapfrog (jump like a frog/crouch down, then jump high) P - Peppers (rope twirls quickly) Players can continue to spell HELP as they jump, only to do what is

required of the next letter they miss on (or the next jumper can do what is required of the letter that the previous jumper missed on.) Or, they can simply jump until they miss at which point the next jumper will start from the beginning.

HELP another version

H-hot pepper (the rope goes fast) E-elevator (the rope goes up) L-limbo (the rope goes down when she

comes out) P-popcorn (you wiggle the rope & the

person has to go under it)

Ice cream soda

Ice cream soda, cherry on the top, who's your boyfriend/girlfriend I forgot A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H (and so on until the person stops jumping) You take the letter he/she lands on and think of a name of someone you know that begins with the letter.

Last Night and the Night Before

Last night, night before, my boyfriend took me to the candy store. (on the word "store" the person turns around to face the opposite direction that she started out on) He bought me ice cream, he bought me cake. He brought me home with a belley ache.(turn)

Mamma, mamma, I feel sick. Call the doctor quick, quick quick! (jump on one foot each time you say "quick")

Doctor, Doctor will I die? Close your eyes and count to 5. (turn)

1...2...3...4...5.. (on 5 jump out of the rope while the rope turners are still singing)

I'm still alive and on channel 5!

Lemon lime Lemon lime, be on time, so 1, 2 ( at this point, the leader jumps out the ropes while

the next person in line comes right in on...) 3, 4 ( then this person jumps out and the next one in line

comes in on 5, 6 (the object is to stay on beat with the count of the rope holders))

You keep doing this until someone misses their que. This is a lot of fun! You really test your speed and jump rope skills. (Fun to watch

or play)

Mabel, Mabel Mabel, Mabel, set the table Do it as fast as you are able, Don't forget the SALT, PEPPER

, VINEGAR, MUSTARD, keep repeating salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard

while turning the rope. If the jumper "misses" on "pepper", then the turners begin

turning fast or doing "hot peppers".

Miss Brown I went down town, to see Miss Brown.  she gave me a nickel, to buy a pickle.  The pickel was sour so she gave me a flower  The flower was black so she gave me a smack  The smack was hard so she gave me a card.  And on the card it said:  Little spanish dancer turn around (turn while jumping)

Little spanish dancer, touch the ground (touch ground)  Little spanish dancer tie your shoe (jump onone leg

, pretend to tie shoe)  Little spanish dancer, sixty four skidoo (jump/exit rope area)

Rich Man Poor Man Jump Rope Game Gypsy, Gypsy please tell me What my fortune's going to be Rich-man, Poor-man, Beggar-man, Thief. Doc-tor, Law-yer, In-di-an Chief. Tink-er, Tail-or, Cow-boy, Sail-or.  Continue repeating until jumper misses and

that is who you will marry. 

School "School , School the golden rule, spell your name

and go to school" Person spells name and then runs out without touching rope. Then each subsequent turn, the person jumps through the grades. Kindergarten--person just runs though the turning rope; First Grade--the person jumps once, saying "first grade" then runs out; and so on, through the 12th grade. The persons turn ends when s/he has tripped on the rope at any time, or when completed through the 12th grade.

Two Little Dickie Birds

Two players, one at each end of the rope. 

"Two little dickie birds sittin' on the wall" the two players jump in  "One named Peter, one named Paul" each player waves at their name  "Fly away, Peter, fly away, Paul" the player exits the rope as name is

called  "Don't you come back 'till your birthday's

called"  "January, February...December" the player returns when their month is

called  "Now fly away, fly away, fly away all" players both exit the rope.