Combining exercise with academics, this game helps preschoolers learn numbers, letters and shapes while having fun jumping. Prepare by writing numbers, shapes and letters on index cards with a black marker. Laminate or cover with contact paper to keep them from tearing. Show the children each card and say what is written on it. Explain that when they hear the words "jolly jump," they must get up and jump until told to sit down. Make the pace faster or slow it down, depending on the children's needs, the Gayle's Preschool Rainbow website advises.
Set up an indoor or outdoor obstacle course with jumping activities. One activity on the course can be "Touch This." Hang string from a doorway or swing set at varied heights with objects such as balls, foam shapes or mittens hanging from them. Preschoolers must jump to touch the highest item they can. Another activity to use is "Jump Down." Place a bench or chair next to a plastic hoop and instruct children to jump off the chair into the circle. "Bunny Hop" requires lines to be drawn on a sideward. Lines can also be made with tape or rope. Keeping both feet together, preschoolers jump into the spaces indicated. Hopscotch paths can also be an event. Make a pattern of squares that require children to jump from one foot to two feet and back to one foot. Vary distances so children will need to make short and long jumps. Draw squares close together and about 8 inches apart so their feet will be close together at times and wide apart for other jumps, PreschoolRock.com states.
Divide players into two teams, one on each side of a long jump rope that two people are turning. When they hear "go!" a player from each team runs through the rope. Have them hop in the middle before jumping out of the rope to the other side. Teams try to get all members through the rope. If one team member touches the rope, the team must start over. the KidsRunning.com states.
In a large outdoor or indoor space, mark boundaries so children know where they should go. Spread hoops or jump ropes about the space or put tape lines on the floor. Tell children they're walking in the woods and need to cross a river. When reaching a river, represented by hoops, ropes or tape, they must jump over it without getting wet. Have the childen practice jumping from two planted feet and swinging their arms forward as they jump. PE Central suggests telling children to stay two large steps away from the nearest child to keep them from swinging arms into each other.