Jumping rope is great exercise for kids -- it provides a fast paced aerobic workout while also being great fun. Jump ropes are simple to use and inexpensive, making them ideal for a kid's exercise toy. You can make jumping rope more exciting and challenging by incorporating some jump rope exercises into play that will get kids working up a sweat while they enjoy themselves.
Skip
The most basic move in jumping rope is the skip, wherein the rope makes one full revolution over the body and the jumper has to jump over the rope as it comes down. To do the skip, hold the jump rope handles in both hands and position the rope behind the heels. Swing the rope up and over your head and towards the ground. Jump over it as it comes to your toes. Keep the rope spinning by moving your hands in small circles at your sides.
High Knees
A way to get kids working a little harder when they jump rope is to modify the way they do the jumps. For high knees jumps, bring your knees up towards your chest while jumping through the rope. Ideally, this should also increase the height of the jump as well. Alternate between regular jumping and high knee jumps to get your heart rate up. You can also alternate the leg that jumps through the rope first, resulting in a knees-up running in place.
Fast Jump and Double Jumps
Another way to take jump rope from just fun to fun exercise is by increasing the speed of the rope. Encourage kids to see how fast they can spin the rope and what sorts of jumps they have to do to compensate. Smaller jumps are necessary to keep up with a quickly moving rope. Another thing to try is a double jump, wherein the rope goes around the body twice before the feet hit the ground from a jump.
Double Dutch
Double dutch is another style of jumping rope that requires a little more skill and can get kids really working up a sweat while they play. Have two people hold two long jump ropes stretched out between them and start spinning them in opposite directions. Once the turners have a good rhythm down, have a third kid jump in between the ropes and start jumping. Double dutch goes at a faster pace than regular jumping rope and kids will have to be quick on their feet to keep up with the ropes.
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