Summer School Jump Rope Activities and Games for Kids

Note: This blog post contains resources from our TpT store and Amazon Associate store.

#1 Recess Game of All Time - Jump Rope!

Don't underestimate this one.  Invest in a couple of really good long jump ropes, teach your students some jump rope rhymes, and they will jump every day!  We aren't sure if it is truly the #1 game since we didn't conduct an official survey.  However, drive past any elementary school during recess and it may confirm our hypothesis. :)

Jump rope is a classic, versatile activity that kids love! Whether indoors or outdoors, jump rope games help build coordination, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. These jump rope activities are perfect for summer school, PE class, or any time of year. Best of all, they work great for small groups or individual play.

Jump roping isn't just for little kids.  This video should motivate both boys and girls of all ages.

Indoor Jump Rope Games & Activities

1. Jump the Line

Lay the jump rope flat on the ground and have kids jump back and forth over it. This is great for balance and coordination without needing much space.

2. Rhythm Jump

Turn on some fun music and have students jump in time with the beat. Vary the speed of the music to challenge them.

Hitop Adjustable Jump Rope (Amazon)

3. Alphabet Jump

Call out letters or simple words, and students must jump for each letter. This integrates literacy skills with physical movement.

4. Count and Jump

Students count aloud as they jump, practicing skip counting by 2s, 5s, or 10s to incorporate math skills.

5. Follow the Leader

One student does a jump rope trick, and the rest try to copy it. Rotate leaders to keep everyone involved.

101 Jump Rope Rhymes (Amazon)

Outdoor Jump Rope Games & Activities

6. Jump Rope Relay

Divide students into teams. Each player jumps a set number of times before passing the rope to the next teammate. This builds teamwork and endurance.

7. Long Rope Group Jump

Two students turn a long rope while others jump in. Count how many jumps the group can make without anyone missing. Perfect for cooperative play.

8. Jump Rope Math Challenge

Call out math problems as students jump. They must call out the answer before the next jump. Great for reinforcing mental math.

Champion Sports Double Dutch Jump Rope (Amazon)

9. Jump and Spell

Similar to the math challenge, call out a word and have students spell it out, jumping once for each letter. This reinforces spelling and phonemic awareness.

10. Obstacle Course Jump

Set up an obstacle course where one station involves jumping rope. Kids can jump a set number of times before moving to the next station.

Tips for Success

• Start with simple jumps and gradually add more complex tricks or movements.

• Encourage kids to cheer each other on to build a positive, supportive environment.

• Use rhythmic chants or songs to keep the energy high and make jumping more fun.

Jump rope games and activities are perfect for keeping kids active, engaged, and having fun, whether inside or out. Plus, they’re a fantastic way to develop gross motor skills and endurance. Give these a try in your next lesson or summer camp session!

Ultimate Playground and Recess Game Book (Amazon)

You may also like these printable scavenger hunt lists for indoor and outdoor activities.  

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Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find valuable resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!