The Two-Person Swing: Down, Up and Jump!

In pairs, facing each other and holding hands, we squat and rise together like a swing, with more and more push, until we jump together. It wakes up the legs and teaches children to time their movement with a partner.

How to play

1. In pairs, standing face to face, hold both hands (1 min).
2. The swing moves slowly: squat together saying “down” and rise saying “up” (1 min).
3. The swing speeds up: go down and up faster without letting go (1 min).
4. On the third “up,” jump together and land with soft knees (1 min).
5. Change partners twice and do three swing jumps with each one (1 min).

Rules

• Hold hands without pulling your partner.
• Go down and up together, saying the words at the same time.
• Land from the jump with bent knees, like a spring.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the partner faces the chair and both raise and lower their arms together; the jump is a clap overhead.
• Autism: pair with the teacher as a steady partner, or hold a scarf between them instead of hands.
• Visual impairment: holding hands sets the rhythm; the partner says the words very clearly.

Learning goals

• Warm up the legs with squats and jumps.
• Sync movement with a partner.
• Land with bent knees.

Teacher tip

Pair children of similar size so nobody pulls anyone over. Saying “down, up” out loud is what keeps them in sync, so encourage them to say it loudly.

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