Skipping with a rope to rhymes is an activity that all kids can enjoy during playtime. Whether they’re in the school playground, playing with their siblings in the back garden, or looking for a pastime during the summer holidays, consider suggesting kids try skipping games guided by clever rhymes. Here are a few to get you started.
Classic kids’ skipping songs and rhymes
1. Cinderella
Cinderella is a counting rhyme. To provide a bigger challenge, have kids count by twos, threes, or multiples of a given number.
Cinderella, dressed in yellow
Went upstairs to kiss her fella.
By mistake she kissed a snake.
How many doctors will it take?
2. Down the Mississippi
Add a bit of a challenge to this classic skipping rhyme inspired by the notoriously hard-to-spell US state by spelling its name as the kids skip.
M-I crooked letter
Crooked letter I
Crooked letter
Crooked letter I
Humpback humpback I
Mississippi!
3. Down in the Valley
Variations on Down in the Valley, a classic skipping rhyme, date back as far as the 1880s, with generation after generation of children putting their own spin on the most iconic of playground games. Here is one take on the lyrics:
Down in the valley where the green grass grows,
Very, very green, she grows and grows.
She grows, she grows, she grows so sweet,
There’s grass growing long at the end of the street.
Sweetheart, sweetheart, will you marry me?
Yes, love, yes, at half past three.
Iced cakes, spice cakes are for tea,
And we’ll have a wedding at half past three.
Honk, honk, here comes a taxi cab,
Honk, honk, here comes a taxi cab,
Honk, honk, here comes a taxi cab,
Ready for the wedding at half past three.
4. Fuzzy Wuzzy
This ditty is also a tongue twister, making it extra difficult to sing Fuzzy Wuzzy and jump at the same time.
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear.
Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair.
Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn’t very fuzzy, was he?
5. Mabel, Mabel
A perfect skipping song to try just before sitting down to eat, Mabel, Mabel is a true classic!
Mabel, Mabel, set the table.
Just as fast as you are able.
Don’t forget the SALT, PEPPER, KETCHUP, MUSTARD.
6. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
If your kids really want to make others watch their smooth skipping skills during playground games, this is the go-to rhyme. Mimic the actions mentioned in Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear for an extra challenge.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around,
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground,
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, show 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, turn out the light,
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say goodnight!
7. 7-Up
Kids can show off their counting skills and flexibility with 7-Up.
7 up, 7 up, count to 11 up
1 2 3, 4 5 6, 7 8 9 10 11
6 up, 6 up, do the splits up
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
5 up, 5 up, touch the side up
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
4 up, 4 up, touch the floor up
1, 2, 3, 4
3 up, 3 up, touch your knee up
1, 2, 3
2 up, 2 up, touch your shoe up
1, 2
1 up, 1 up, you’re all done up
Make-your-own skipping rhymes and songs for kids
If you’re feeling imaginative, try making up new skipping rhymes with your children. It’s easier than you think! Start by humming or singing a favourite song, then try changing the words to create a funny story or teach a lesson. Feel free to add in hand gestures or cues for the feet. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
8. Happy Day
Help your little one sing this rhyme to the tune of “Happy Birthday.” This is also perfect for a group of children playing with one long skipping rope.
Happy day to you!
Happy day to you!
Happy day, dear (child’s name).
Happy day to you!
(Repeat with the next child’s name as they take a turn.)
9. Skip, Skip, Skipping Rope
Sing this rhyme to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” while skipping individually or as a group.
Skip, skip, skipping rope,
Such a lovely thing.
Hop, hop on each foot,
As fast as you can sing.
(Repeat and try to skip faster with each verse.)
10. Skipping Feet
If your child can sing “Jingle Bells,” this skipping song will be an easy one to learn.
Skipping feet, skipping feet,
Skipping feet all day.
Oh what fun it is to skip
The whole day away. Hey!
The benefits of skipping for kids
Kids may not realise it, but skipping rope to rhymes can offer benefits that extend well beyond the playground. To start with, it’s an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise—a good way to get little ones into the healthy habit of moving their bodies.
Other benefits of skipping to songs include:
- Training their bodies to handle the compression of gravity. Skipping helps train the body to safely and efficiently use energy and absorb force with the help of the ground. This benefit can ultimately ward off physiological imbalances, pain, and injury—all of which could end up requiring surgical correction.
- Learning coordination. Because it’s a cyclic activity that’s performed at a steady, regular cadence, skipping helps kids develop coordination between their eyes, feet, and hands. Singing adds even more challenge, setting the pace and helping with timing and overall coordination.
- Boosting cognitive function. Skipping requires kids to learn new motor patterns, which improves the nervous system communication between the brain, wrists, and lower leg muscles. This is said, in turn, to improve overall cognitive function.
- Building foot strength. As the feet make contact with the ground, they form the very foundations of our bodies. Building explosive movement through skipping helps develop foot strength, improving overall mobility.
Skipping to rhymes and songs will encourage little ones to exercise, play, build physical and mental strength, and bolster their creative thinking. Whether they’re playing at school or at home, there’s definitely a case for encouraging kids to try this fun activity.