Although jump rope is an excellent cardiovascular fitness-building exercise, many discontinue the sport due to boredom. For children, the rhyming games and increasingly exciting acrobatic games keep the sport alive. Individually or with partners, you can use many of those basic rhyme, instructional and skill-building games to infuse your jump rope routines with enjoyment and teach your children new variations as well.
Rhyming Games
The “Teddy Bear” rhyme is a favorite to sing and jump to, and the words can be adjusted to suit your tastes. As you sing the rhyme, you’re supposed to follow the instructions while jumping as if you were the teddy bear. The traditional rhyme reads: “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, tie 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, dim the lights. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say good night.” You then give someone else a chance to play.
Alphabet Games
The “Strawberry Shortcake” game is a rhyme sung while jumping rope. The game is intended for young children and enhances alphabetical memory while jumping. The words can be changed to suit your taste. The original lyrics are: “Strawberry Shortcake, Blueberry Pie. I got the name of the cutest guy. And his name begins with: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J …” Continue jumping while singing the alphabet until you can’t continue jumping. Before leaving the rope, you must say the name of someone beginning with the letter of your last jump.
Chinese Wheel
Chinese Wheel is a game that requires the advanced coordination skills of adults and teens. To successfully execute it, have two jumpers in a single rope. You’ll need a third person to serve as the turner. The jumpers travel and move down the line until both jumpers in the rope are both turning as well. The Jump Rope Institute provides a helpful diagram of the Chinese Wheel game. With practice, it can be executed well and can be very enjoyable.
About this Author
Sala Saran is a bi-athlete and certified Personal Fitness Trainer who is passionate about the life transformative power of sports and fitness. Teaching a holistic perspective of the fitness lifestyle that is rooted in personal development, Sala Saran shares her expertise in articles, columns and seminars to lead others to a discovery of their own power to transform their life experience.
