Double Dutch jump rope

Double Dutch jump roping came to America with the early Dutch immigrants who settled along the Hudson River in New York. In the 19th century, Double Dutch was considered a boys’ game, but was adopted by girls as skirt lengths shortened. After World War II, it became a favorite of children in inner-cities.

Double Dutch nearly disappeared in the 1950s and 60s when interests transferred with the advent of transistor radios and television. But eventually it resurfaced, incorporating dancing, acrobatics and lots of music.