The name ‘French Skipping’ has been
attached to it in Britain although it is
also known internationally as ‘Chinese
Jump Ropes’ or simply ‘Elastics’. At first
the ‘rope’ consisted of many elastic
bands joined together to form a long
and continuous loop.
Guide to
French Skipping
BUNNY JUMP (steps 17-20)
HOW TO PLAY
The game involves at least three players, two ‘enders’ and one jumper
(although one ender is sometimes substituted by a table or chair).
17. Jump over
to one side,
landing with
your toes just
under the near
rope.
18. Then jump
up, picking up
the near rope
on your toes.
19. You should
land on the far
side of the
other rope with
one rope on
your ankles.
20. End the Bunny
Jump by jumping up
high and releasing
the rope. Land with
both feet outside the
ropes.
CARRYING ON If you complete all these jumps without making a mistake you
repeat the jumps with the elastic around the enders’ knees ‒ then thighs,
then waists. You won’t get higher than that!
Warning! Not suitable for children under 36 months, long cords. Strangulation hazard.
Retain this information for future reference.
© 2014 Edventure Limited
The enders stretch the
elastic into a rectangle by looping it
around their ankles and standing with feet
apart. The jumper performs a series of manoeuvres
in and around the elastic as follows.
This leaflet has been produced by
Hargreaves Business Park, Hargreaves Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6QW
Tel: 01323 501040 Fax: 01323 501041
Edventure specialise in the design and supply of playtime games.
For a brochure please telephone 01323 501040 or visit our website:
www.edventure.co.uk
ABOUT THE GAME
French skipping is a bit like Cat’s Cradle ‒ using the feet and legs and a long loop
of elastic. It is thought to have its origins in China or Japan in the 1920s/30s.
TWISTY JUMP
BASIC JUMPS
1. Start position.
2. Jump across the elastics,
so your left foot lands in the
centre of the rectangle.
3. Jump back to the
start position.
4. Do two more jumps like this, ending up in the start position again.
(steps 9-11)
9. Jump up, bringing your
feet together sharply so
that your ankles grab the
elastic and twist round as
you jump to face the other
way, landing with the
elastic wrapped round your
ankles.
11. ...landing with both
feet outside the elastic.
10. Jump up high,
releasing the elastic
from your ankles...
12. Do a second Twisty
Jump (steps 9-11),
ending facing the way
you were at step 8.
DIAMOND JUMP
(steps 13-15)
5. Jump both feet
into the middle of
the elastic.
8. Jump up, releasing
the elastic, and land
with both feet just
outside the elastic
again.
6. Jump out so your
feet are just outside
the elastic.
The game was first
played in England
in the early 1960s
and it appears to
have been
introduced by
American visitors
and American Air
Force families
stationed in the
country at that
time.
If the elastic is
still around
either ankle,
then you
have missed
and must end
your turn.
7. Jump up and land with one
foot on top of the elastics ‒
don’t miss or you’re out!
13. Now do a Diamond
Jump ‒ pick up the
near elastic with your
right foot and lift it up
and over the other rope.
14. Jump into
the middle
with both feet.
15. Jump up, letting the elastic
slip off your feet and land with
both feet outside the ropes.
16. Do another Diamond Jump, following steps 13-15 again.
RHYMES As with other jumping games the rhythm of jumping lends itself to
chanting rhymes. A traditional French Skipping chanting rhyme is ‘Inky pinky
ponky, Daddy bought a donkey. Donkey died. Daddy cried. Inky pinky ponky.’ OR
‘England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales. Inside, outside, donkey’s tails.’ OR ‘Two, four, six,
eight, Daddy’s at the kitchen gate. Two, four, six, eight, eating cherries off a plate.’