Raising Kids Activities Old-Fashioned Jump Rope Songs and Rhymes By Susan Adcox Susan Adcox is a writer covering grandparenting and author of Stories From My Grandparent: An Heirloom Journal for Your Grandchild. Learn about our editorial process Susan Adcox Fact checked by Fact checked by Donna Murray, RN, BSN on March 31, 2020 facebook twitter Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Nursing Honor Society. Learn about our editorial process Donna Murray, RN, BSN Updated on March 31, 2020 Print If you're a grandparent, you may remember these classic jump rope rhymes. Most of the time, when the rhyme was completed, the counting begins, either at regular speed or cranked up to "hot pepper." Your grandkids will love these classic games, whether you are the one introducing them or just playing along with rhymes they already know. 1 Down in the Valley PeopleImages.com / Getty Images This rhyme begins with the rope being swung back and forth instead of overhead. That makes it an easy rhyme for beginning jumpers like preschoolers. When the counting part begins, the rope is swung overhead. Down in the valleyWhere the green grass grows,There sat JaneySweet as a rose.Along came JohnnyAnd kissed her on the cheek.How many kissesDid she get this week?1, 2, 3, 4, 5... 2 Cinderella This is possibly the best known of all jump rope rhymes. Like the majority of these rhymes, it includes kissing. Cinderella, dressed in yellowWent upstairs to kiss her fellowMade a mistakeAnd kissed a snakeHow many doctorsDid it take?1, 2, 3, 4, 5... 3 Apples and Pears Kids seem to find this one super fun—especially the kicking part. Johnny gave me apples,Johnny gave me pears.Johnny gave me fifty centsTo kiss him on the stairs. I gave him back his apples,I gave him back his pears.I gave him back his fifty centsAnd kicked him down the stairs.1, 2, 3, 4, 5... 4 K-I-S-S-I-N-G This is another well-known classic. Many of these rhymes called for the name of the jumper to be inserted, along with the name of his or her sweetheart, so substitute the name of one of the children for Janey or Johnny. Janey and JohnnySitting in a tree,K-I-S-S-I-N-GFirst comes love,Then comes marriageThen comes JaneyWith a baby carriage.1, 2, 3, 4, 5... 5 I Like Coffee In this rhyme, 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 is jumping. This game is popular on school playgrounds, but try it during Grandma Camp or family reunions. I like coffee,I like tea,I'd like for JaneyTo come in with me.1, 2, 3, 4, 5... 6 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. (Instead of counting, say the alphabet.) Ice cream soda,Lemonade punch.Tell me the nameOf my honey-bunchA, B, C, D, E... 7 Teddy Bear While jumping to this rhyme, jumpers must mime the actions mentioned. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,Turn around.Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,Touch the ground.Teddy Bear, Teddy BearTouch your shoe.Teddy Bear, Teddy BearThat 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 BearSay good night! 8 Spanish Dancer In this rhyme as in "Teddy Bear," the jumper must perform the actions called for. The splits are just a wide-legged jump. At the end, 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 doorI asked them what they wanted,And this is what they said:Spanish Dancer, do the splits,Spanish Dancer, do the twist,Spanish Dancer, turn aroundSpanish Dancer, touch the ground,Spanish Dancer, go out the backSpanish Dancer, please come back.Spanish Dancer, read a book.Spanish Dancer, do not look.1, 2, 3, 4, 5... 9 Miss Lucy This is a humorous rhyme that kids find rather scandalous. That's 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 bathtubTo 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 ladyWith the alligator purse.(Fourth jumper comes in.) "Mumps" said the doctor."Measles" said the nurse."Nothing" said the womanWith the alligator purse. Miss Lucy hit the doctor.Miss Lucy slapped the nurse.Miss Lucy paid the womanWith the alligator purse. Out ran the doctor.Out ran the nurse.Out ran the ladyWith the alligator purse.(Extra jumpers exit.) 10 I Had a Little Sports Car In this rhyme, on the stretched-out word "cor-ner," the jumper runs out of the rope, around one of the turners, and back in. At the end, the answer to the question is determined by which word the jumper misses on. If a child is good enough to do the somewhat complicated maneuvers required by these last few rhymes, perhaps it's time to branch out into other jump rope games, like Double Dutch. I had a little sports car,A two-forty-eight,I drove around the cor-nerand slammed on the brakes.When the policeman caught meHe put me on his knee,And asked me a question:Will you marry me?Yes, No, Maybe So, Certainly... Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit