Helicopter Jumps

Children playing jump rope

This activity is a school-yard favourite, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it at home! Great for developing jumping skills.

Set up

Have a skipping rope and a large outdoor area (wide enough for the skipping rope to comfortably be swung around without touching anything). Stand in the centre of the activity area holding one end of the skipping rope. Your child stands about one metre away (depending on the length of the rope).

How to play
Step 1:
  • Lower down and begin to slowly spin the rope in a circle along the ground
  • When the rope reaches them, encourage your child to jump, skip, hop or step over it so it doesn’t touch them
Step 2:
  • If your child is getting the hang of the jumping easily, begin to speed up the turning
Step 3:
  • Keep your child engaged by introducing new challenges such as;
    • Try and hop over the rope
    • Try and face your back to the rope and jump this way
    • Try frog jumping over the rope!
Variations
Make it easier
  • Spin the rope slowly, at a predictable pace
  • Start by playing Snake - shake the rope in a line as your child practices jumping over it without it spinning around
Make it harder
  • Vary the pace that you spin the rope
  • Change direction of the spinning rope
Activity information
Age: Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3
Equipment: Skipping ropes
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching

Before beginning this activity, have your child practice their vertical jumping with these cues:

  1. Land like you are riding a motorbike – arms forward, ankles, knees and hips bent, feet apart
  2. Start with your arms stretched behind you like a superhero
  3. Swing & Spring
  4. Reach for a star and bring it down again
Physical literacy tips
  • Count how many jumps you make in a row
  • Incorporate the classic schoolyard song - "Helicopter, helicopter please come down. If you don't, I'll knock you down"