Jump Bands: A Fun and Versatile Tool for the Music Room

Silken Bruder
3 days ago
2 min read

by Silken Bruder, Music Representative

Congratulations to this month's giveaway winners, who will be receiving two sets of JumpBands for use in their classrooms. For anyone curious about this engaging resource, jump bands are a fantastic, accessible tool for elementary students and can be easily adapted for a wide range of ages.

What Are Jump Bands?

Jump bands are simple: a 6‑foot elastic fabric band with a loop on each end. Two students—known as the “enders”—place the loops around their ankles and either stand still or move between narrow and wide stances. A third student (or more!) becomes the jumper, performing various patterns over and between the bands.

Why Use Them?

From my own experience, jump bands spark excitement even in the most hesitant students. They also help develop:

Rhythmic awareness
Steady beat
Physical coordination

Not Just for Music Class

Jump bands are wonderfully versatile. They work well not only in the music room but also in:

P.E. classes
Movement breaks
Indoor recess (especially during our Alberta winters!)

Where to Find Inspiration

If you’re looking for ideas to get started, check out Kristin Lukow’s YouTube channel. She’s an elementary music teacher in Nebraska whose videos demonstrate jump band techniques and classroom applications. She also offers complete lesson plans on her Teachers Pay Teachers site. A great place to start is this video where she demonstrates step by step how she teaches a Jump Band routine in her classroom.