This has to be the simplest game ever invented—it's fast-paced, easy to play and requires kids to do one of their favorite things: jump.

What You Need

• Rope, 5 to 8 feet long

• One shoe

Instructions

1. Tie somebody's shoe to the end of the rope. One player holds the shoeless end of the rope and spins around -- not too fast -- so that the rope sweeps in a circle. The weight keeps the rope fairly near the ground.

2. Players must jump over the rope as it passes them (this is easiest if kids spread themselves around the circle so they're not all in one clump). If the shoe hits a player's foot or leg, he's out. The last person still jumping gets to turn the rope during the next round.

Variations:

Don't make it an elimination game—just have everyone take turns jumping and spinning. Also, using a repetitive jump-rope rhyme can make it easier for kids to get a feel for the duration of each turn of the rope.
Have the center turner spin the rope progressively faster so that it rises higher and the jumping gets a little more challenging.

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Find more about:

• Back-to-School |
• Balance & Agility Games |
• Jumping Games |
• Outdoor Games |
• Party Games |
• Preschooler |
• School Age

Related Categories:

• More Sporty Fun |
• All Outdoor Games |
• Party Games |
• Classroom & Playground Games |
• School Age Games |
• Graduation Games |
• Preschooler Games