Classic skipping songs

We’ve got the lyrics to eight of your favourite skipping songs:

Apples, Peaches, Pears and Plums Apples, peaches, pears and plums, Jump out when your birthday comes, Is it January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December (Child jumps out when their birthday month is called)

Bluebells Bluebells, cockle shells, eevy ivy over! My mother sent me to the store And this is what she sent me for: Salt, Vinegar, Peppers! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... (Keep counting to see which child can skip the longest)

California Oranges California oranges, 50 cents a pack, California oranges, tap me on the back! (A second jumper comes in and tags the first, who leaves, then repeat the song)

Cinderella Cinderella dressed in yella, Went upstairs to see her fella, Made a mistake and kissed a snake, How many doctors did it take? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... (Count jumps out loud until jumper stops jumping)

High, Low, Medium, Slow High, low, medium, slow, Jolly ol’ pepper and away we go! (Turn the rope according to the words: “High” - the skipping rope is a foot off the ground; “Low” - the skipper bends down to skip; “Medium” - normal skipping; “Slow” - slow skipping; “Pepper” - really fast skipping)

Strawberry Shortcake Strawberry shortcake, blueberry pie, Who’s gonna be my lucky guy? A-B-C-D... (Repeat the letters of the alphabet until the skipper gets caught in the rope. If she gets caught on T, then, your “lucky guy’s” name will start with T)

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn around (skipper turns around) Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Touch the ground (skipper touches the ground) Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Tie your shoe (skipper hits his shoe) Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, How old are you? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... (Continue counting out loud. The skipper jumps out when his age is called)

Vote, Vote, Vote for Dear Vote, vote, vote for dear _____ (insert name of jumper) Who’s that knocking at your door? Well if it’s ______ let her in (1st jumper calls out a name and the new person jumps in) Then we’ll sock her in the chin And we won’t vote for _____ any more (name of 1st jumper) Two, four, shut the door, jump out (1st jumper gets out) (Repeat with name of person left jumping.)

Photo by adwriter via Flickr