Old-Fashioned Jump Rope Songs and Rhymes

Remember those jump rope songs you sang as a kid? Here’s a refresher so you can enjoy these traditional jump rope songs with your children.

Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah Scott

Jumping rope is good, old-fashioned fun. Plus, it's easy to do and great exercise for adults and kids alike. Make "old fun" new again by teaching kids entertaining jump rope songs and games they can add to their roster of playground activities.

All you need is a jump rope and three or more participants. Even better, they can also sing the rhymes while doing other physical activities aside from jumping rope, if desired.

Most of the time, when a rhyme is completed, the counting begins. You can swing the rope at regular speed or crank it up to "hot pepper"—where you start swinging the rope twice as fast. Continue the counting and jumping until the person makes a misstep or wants to stop.

Try out the different options below or experiment to come up with your family's own jump rope songs and personalized moves. Also, feel free to customize any of the below songs and games for your family.

Down in the Valley

This jump rope song begins with the rope being swung back and forth instead of overhead. That makes it an easy rhyme for beginners like preschoolers. When the counting part begins, the rope is swung overhead.

Down in the valley
Where the green grass grows,
There sat Janey
Sweet as a rose.
Along came Johnny
And kissed her on the cheek.
How many kisses
Did she get this week?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

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Cinderella

This is possibly the best-known of all jump rope songs. Like the majority of these rhymes, it includes kissing. Begin in the same way as the above song by swinging the rope back and forth until the counting starts. Then, start swinging the rope overhead as well.

Cinderella, dressed in yellow
Went upstairs to kiss her fellow
Made a mistake
And kissed a snake
How many doctors
Did it take?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

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Apples and Pears

Kids seem to find this one super fun—especially the kicking part. Jump along with the chant and begin swinging overhead once you get to the counting.

Johnny gave me apples,
Johnny gave me pears.
Johnny gave me 50 cents
To kiss him on the stairs.

I gave him back his apples,
I gave him back his pears.
I gave him back his 50 cents
And kicked him down the stairs.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

Related: We Outside: On Double Dutch, Roller Skating, and Hand Games

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

This is another well-known jump rope song classic. Many of these rhymes call for the name of the jumper to be inserted, along with the name of their sweetheart, so substitute the kids' names for Janey or Johnny.

Janey and Johnny
Sitting in a tree,
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
First comes love,
Then comes marriage
Then comes Janey
With a baby carriage.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

Related: 21 Fun Car Games for Kids

I Like Coffee

In this popular jump rope song, the first jumper inserts the name of a friend they want to join them in jumping. That friend "runs in," which involves joining the jumper while the rope is still turning. Then that friend inserts the name of another friend, continuing until everyone—except those turning the rope—is jumping.

This rhyme is popular on school playgrounds but also works well at kid-friendly gatherings or family reunions. It is best for more experienced jumpers, as "jumping in" takes skill and practice.

I like coffee,
I like tea,
I'd like for Janey
To come in with me.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

Related: Independent Outdoor Play Is Critical for Kids—Here's How Parents Can Help

Ice Cream Soda

In this rhyme, the first letter of the jumper's sweetheart's name is supposed to be indicated by the letter that the jumper misses on.

Ice cream soda,
Lemonade punch.
Tell me the name
Of my honey-bunch
A, B, C, D, E...

Teddy Bear

While jumping to this song, jumpers must mime the actions mentioned such as turning around, touching the ground, and so on.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Turn around.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,
Touch the ground.
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Touch 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 good night!

Related: 20 Fun Backyard Water Games for Kids

Spanish Dancer

In this jump rope song, as in Teddy Bear, the jumper must perform the actions called for. The splits are just a wide-legged jump. At the end of the rhyme, the jumper must jump with eyes closed while the other kids count.

Not last night but the night before,
Twenty-four robbers came knocking at my door
I asked them what they wanted,
And this is what they said:
Spanish Dancer, do the splits.
Spanish Dancer, do the twist.
Spanish Dancer, turn around.
Spanish Dancer, touch the ground.
Spanish Dancer, go out the back.
Spanish Dancer, please come back.
Spanish Dancer, read a book.
Spanish Dancer, do not look.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

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Miss Lucy

This is a humorous rhyme that kids find rather scandalous, which is probably why they like it so much. The words are also used in traditional hand-clapping games. It has also been set to music.

Like I Like Coffee, this rhyme also involves extra jumpers coming in and going out.

Miss Lucy 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 got stuck in his throat.

Miss Lucy called the doctor
(Second jumper comes in.)
The doctor called the nurse.
(Third jumper comes in.)
The nurse called the lady
With the alligator purse.
(Fourth jumper comes in.)

"Mumps," said the doctor.
"Measles," said the nurse.
"Nothing," said the woman
With the alligator purse.

Miss Lucy hit the doctor.
Miss Lucy slapped the nurse.
Miss Lucy paid the woman
With the alligator purse.

Out ran the doctor.
Out ran the nurse.
Out ran the lady
With the alligator purse.
(Extra jumpers exit.)

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