A bouncy, high-energy movement song that gets kids hopping, clapping, snapping, and laughing. Perfect for brain breaks, circle time, or when your class needs to burn off some energy.
Play Gotta Hop! on YouTube and enjoy the fun with your kids or class!
Gotta Hop! is packed with energy and easy-to-follow movement directions. Kids love the fast pace and the chance to jump, hop, clap, and snap along with the music.
Use it when your class has been sitting too long, during indoor recess, or as a brain break between more focused activities. The movements are big enough to burn off energy but controlled enough to keep things safe.
How to Use This Song in Your Classroom
Use as a brain break when students have been sitting for a while.
Play during indoor recess on rainy or cold days.
Add to morning meeting to wake up sleepy bodies.
Use as a transition activity between subjects or activities.
Challenge students to see who can follow along with the trickiest parts.
Classroom Activities with "Gotta Hop!"
1. Hop & Count Challenge
Connect movement with math by counting hops, claps, and snaps.
Ask students to count how many times they hop during the song.
After the song, share guesses and compare counts.
Try again and focus on counting a different movement—claps or snaps.
2. Freeze Hop
Add a freeze element to practice self-control and listening.
Pause the video at random moments—students must freeze in place.
Whoever keeps moving after a freeze takes a "rest hop" (sits down for 10 seconds).
This adds extra focus and fun to the activity.
3. Create Your Own Verse
Let students invent new movements to add to the song.
Ask: "What other movements could we add to Gotta Hop?"
Collect ideas like wiggle, spin, stomp, or wave.
Play the song and call out the new movements at key moments.
Who This Song Is Perfect For
Preschool classrooms (ages 3–5)
Pre-K and kindergarten
Early elementary classrooms
Childcare centers and daycare
Parents looking for active indoor fun
More Fun Songs by David Jack
If your class loves Gotta Hop!, try these next:
The Silly Song – a goofy action song perfect for laughs and movement.