Skipping at home and in clubs

Help your child learn to skip, learn yourself, and find the right rope.

A skip-hop coach turns a long rope while a line of adults take turns to run in, on an outdoor sports pitch — Long rope at a sports club session: skipping works for every age, not just in school.

skip-hop coaches have taught skipping in UK schools for a quarter of a century. Most of what we make is for schools, but everything on this page is free, and the same coaching works at home, in the park and at your club. Start with whichever fits you.

For parentsMy child is learning to skipSix easy steps, from bouncing without a rope to skipping on their own. Most children get there between five and seven.Teach your child to skip →For adultsI want to skip for fitnessSet up, your first session and a simple four-week start. At a steady pace, skipping works you harder than running at 6 mph.Learn to skip →For clubs and groupsI run a club or groupA warm-up for any sport, or a skipping club of its own: ropes, a session plan and a way to track every skipper.Start a skipping club →

Get the right rope first

Most children who “can’t skip” are using a rope that doesn’t fit. Stand on the middle of the rope: the handles should reach just below the armpits.

2.1 mAges about 4 to 7Reception to Year 2 2.5 mAges about 7 to 11Years 3 to 6 2.8 mTeens and adultsAnd tall children

Heights are only a guide. Between sizes? Go longer and tie a knot below each handle. Full rope size guide →

Skills to try next

Once they can keep going, there is always a next trick. Every skill has its own page showing what it is and the Skipping Award it belongs to. These are a good order to try them in.

Wiggly wormsJump a rope wiggled along the floor. The very first step.White Award Under the MoonRun under a turning long rope without touching it.Yellow Award Double bounceOne turn, two little bounces. The first real skip.Orange Award Inside a long ropeTwo turners, one skipper in the middle.Orange Award Single bounceOne turn, one bounce. The base for the tricks.Green Award Side straddleFeet together, feet apart, in time with the rope.Green Award Side swingSwing the rope to each side, then open and jump.Red Award Double undersThe rope passes under twice in one jump.Black Award

See every skill: individual, partner, long rope and Double Dutch →

Has your child come home with a skipping award?

Many schools use the skip-hop Skipping Awards: eight colours from first jumps in Reception to Black in Year 6, then the Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. Each Award page shows exactly what to practise for the next one, so you can help at home. Children move up whenever they are ready, whatever their age.

WhiteReception YellowReception to Year 1 OrangeYears 1 to 2 GreenYears 1 to 3 BlueYears 3 to 4 PurpleYears 4 to 5 RedYears 4 to 6 BlackYears 5 to 6 BronzeConfident skippers SilverAfter Bronze GoldAfter Silver

How the Skipping Awards work Free level chart (PDF), for the fridge

Skip to a rhyme

The rhymes you sang in the playground are still the best way to keep a long rope going. Here are some favourites. You will find all 131 of our skipping rhymes free, word for word, with how to play each one and where it comes from.

Teddy Bear“Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around…”All in together“All in together girls…”Salt, Mustard, Vinegar, Pepper“Salt, mustard, vinegar, pepper…”Cinderella“Cinderella, dressed in yellow…”Bluebells, Cockle Shells“Blue bells, cockle shell Easy ivy over…”My Mother Said“My mother said…”

You need two turners and a long rope: a family of three is enough. For one to three skippers, one rope from a Double Dutch pair works; for four or more, a 7.5 m long rope. All the skipping rhymes →

Why skipping is worth it

60 minThe daily average the UK Chief Medical Officers want for children aged 5 to 18. Their 2026 guidance for children lists skipping.Under halfof children in England get their 60 minutes a day (Sport England, 2024-25).12×Fast skipping uses about twelve times the energy of sitting still.Stronger bonesTen jumps, three times a school day, gave children 2% more hip bone in eight months.

Every figure comes with its source in our articles.

Ropes for home and clubs

Our ropes are the ones we use in schools, sold in packs of 10: share a pack with friends and family, or kit out a whole squad. A free skip-hop account lowers every price.

Children’s speed ropes2.1 m or 2.5 m, pack of 10£43£38 with a free account Adult speed ropes2.8 m, pack of 10£43£38 with a free account Double Dutch pairTwo 4.5 m ropes, contrasting colours£16£14 with a free account 7.5 m long ropeFor rhymes and long rope games£14£12 with a free account

See all the ropes →

Both Lee and Scott have run taster sessions for me within DC Leisure and the response from the site managers has been overwhelming. … any age or ability would benefit and enjoy from the fun and effective way to keeping active … not just because it keeps you fit....but because it is FUN!

Tim, Regional Fitness ManagerDC Leisure

Start a skipping club

Skipping is a cheap, quick warm-up and a great fitness session for any club, and a skipping club of its own is easy to run. Our club set has 30 ropes in the sizes you choose, Double Dutch and long ropes, a kit bag and a year of the All-Access Skip Pass: £170 with a free skip-hop account (£189 without). Independent clubs can also use the Virtual Skipping League to keep every skipper’s scores in one place. How to start a skipping club →

Questions parents ask

What age can a child learn to skip with a rope?

Most children learn to skip with a rope between the ages of five and seven. Some get it in an afternoon, some take a few weeks. Start with jumps over a rope on the floor, then swing and stop, then one jump at a time. Keep sessions to five or ten minutes and stop while it is still fun. How to teach a child to skip →

What size skipping rope does my child need?

Stand your child on the middle of the rope: the handles should reach just below the armpits. As a guide, 2.1 m suits ages about 4 to 7, 2.5 m suits ages about 7 to 11, and 2.8 m suits teenagers, adults and tall children. Between sizes, go for the longer rope and tie a knot below each handle. Rope size guide →

Is skipping good exercise for children?

Yes. Skipping counts as vigorous activity at any age, it builds bone strength while children are growing, and it improves coordination and balance. The UK Chief Medical Officers want children aged 5 to 18 to average at least 60 minutes of activity a day, and their 2026 guidance for children lists skipping. The benefits of skipping for children →

How long should a beginner skip for?

Short rounds work best. Adults can start with six rounds of 30 seconds skipping and 30 seconds rest, three times a week, and build up over four weeks. For children, five or ten minutes of practice, little and often, is plenty. Learn to skip as an adult →

What do the skip-hop Skipping Award colours mean?

The Skipping Awards are a ladder of eight colours, from White (first jumps, Reception) to Black (Years 5 to 6), then the Bronze, Silver and Gold medal awards. Year groups are only a guide: children move up whenever they are ready. Each Award page shows exactly what to practise for the next one. The Skipping Awards →

Want more skipping at your child’s school?

Tell their teacher about skip-hop. Schools can register free for 10% off ropes and free lesson plans, the Skipping Awards level chart is free for every school, and so is the Virtual Skipping League, where classes compete with schools across the country.

The schools side of skip-hop →