Finding the right jabari jumps activities can turn a simple storytime into a full-day adventure of bravery and fun. If you've ever sat down with Gaia Cornwall's gorgeous picture book, you know exactly why it's a modern classic. It captures that universal, stomach-flipping feeling of wanting to do something big while also being absolutely terrified of it. Jabari is all of us, standing at the bottom of the ladder, looking up at that diving board.
The beauty of this book is that it's about more than just swimming. It's about patience, the power of a supportive parent, and that unique "scared-excited" sensation. Because the story is so relatable, there are endless ways to extend the learning beyond the final page. Whether you're a teacher looking for classroom ideas or a parent wanting to dive deeper at home, here are some of my favorite ways to bring Jabari's world to life.
Exploring Big Emotions and Courage
One of the main reasons people reach for this book is to talk about feelings. It's a perfect bridge for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Kids often struggle to name their emotions, but they can definitely see themselves in Jabari's body language—the way he squeezes his dad's hand or takes a long time to "stretch."
The "Scared-Excited" Meter
In the book, Jabari's dad tells him it's okay to feel a little scared, and that sometimes it even feels like a surprise waiting to happen. I love the idea of creating a "Scared-Excited" meter with kids. You can draw a simple scale on a piece of poster board. On one end, you have "Totally Scared," and on the other, "Totally Excited."
Ask the kids to think of things they've tried recently. Maybe it was riding a bike without training wheels or trying a new food. Where did they fall on the meter? This helps them realize that these two feelings often live in the same space. It's a great way to normalize anxiety and show that it doesn't have to stop them from trying.
Practicing Positive Self-Talk
Jabari has to do a lot of internal work before he makes that jump. You can see him thinking, prepping, and eventually deciding he's ready. A great activity is to brainstorm "Power Phrases" that Jabari might have said to himself.
Write these on paper "diving boards" (just strips of cardstock). Phrases like "I can do this," "I am brave," or "It's okay to take a breath" are perfect. Kids can decorate their own diving board and keep it on their desk or mirror as a reminder for the next time they face a "high dive" moment in their own lives.
Literacy and Language Arts Connections
While the emotional core of the book is huge, there's also plenty of room for traditional literacy work. The vocabulary in Jabari Jumps is simple but evocative. Words like inviting, squeezed, and trembled provide great opportunities for word study.
Story Sequencing with a Splash
Since the plot follows a very clear progression—arriving at the pool, watching others, climbing the ladder, and finally jumping—it's an ideal book for practicing sequencing. You can print out simple illustrations or write short sentences describing the main events and have kids put them in the correct order.
To make it more tactile, you could even have them "climb the ladder" as they retell the story. Every time they get a part of the sequence right, they move a little figurine or a paper cutout of Jabari one rung higher on a drawn ladder. When they get to the end, they get to make a "SPLASH!" sound effect.
Writing a Letter to Jabari
I've found that kids really connect with Jabari as a peer. Asking them to write a letter or draw a picture for him is a wonderful way to practice empathy and perspective-taking. You might prompt them with: "What would you say to Jabari while he's standing at the bottom of the ladder?" or "Tell Jabari about a time you were brave."
It's always funny to see what they come up with. Some kids give very practical advice like, "Don't forget your goggles," while others offer deep emotional support. It's a great way to gauge their understanding of the story's themes.
Getting Creative with Art and STEM
Jabari's world is filled with interesting perspectives. The illustrations often look down from high up or up from the ground, which makes for some really cool art and science discussions.
Perspectives from the Diving Board
One of the coolest parts of the book is the bird's-eye view looking down from the diving board. It makes the pool look so small and the height look so big! You can recreate this with a fun art project.
Give kids a piece of paper and ask them to draw what they think they would see if they were standing where Jabari was. Would the people below look like tiny dots? Would the water look like a big blue rectangle? Using different materials like tinfoil for the "shimmering" water or cotton balls for clouds can add a nice sensory element to the project.
The Physics of the "Splat"
If you're feeling brave and don't mind a little mess, you can incorporate some basic physics. Jabari's jump ends with a big SPLASH. You can talk about what makes a big splash versus a small one.
Using a small basin of water and different objects (marbles, sponges, toy figures), have the kids predict which will make the biggest splash and why. This introduces the concepts of weight, surface area, and force. Plus, let's be honest, kids just love dropping things into water. It's a win-win.
Movement and Active Play
You can't read a book about jumping and diving without getting the kids moving! Physical jabari jumps activities are perfect for burning off some energy while reinforcing the story.
The "Jabari Stretch" Routine
Before Jabari jumps, he says he needs to do his stretches. You can create a "Jabari Warm-up" routine in your living room or classroom. Reach high for the clouds, touch your toes, and do some "swimming arms" in the air.
This isn't just about movement; it's about the idea of preparation. We talked about how Jabari used stretching as a way to give himself more time because he was nervous. Asking the kids, "How do you think Jabari felt during his stretches?" keeps the connection to the book's emotional journey alive while they're moving their bodies.
Imaginary High Dive
This is a simple but effective role-playing game. Use a piece of blue painter's tape on the floor to represent the diving board. Have the kids line up and "climb" an imaginary ladder (making the motions with their hands and feet).
When they get to the "top" (the edge of the tape), they have to pause, take a deep breath, and then make their best imaginary jump into the "pool" (the rug). You can even have them "swim" back to the start. It's a great way to practice the "stop and breathe" technique that helps with anxiety in real life.
Wrapping Up the Experience
The reason Jabari Jumps stays with us is that it doesn't end with Jabari being "cured" of his fear. At the very end, he's ready to jump again, but he acknowledges that the next jump will be a "double backflip." The cycle of fear and courage just starts all over again.
Using these jabari jumps activities helps kids realize that bravery isn't the absence of fear—it's doing the thing even when your knees are a little shaky. Whether you're splashing water in a tub to talk about physics or drawing "scared-excited" faces, you're giving kids the tools to handle their own big moments.
Next time you pull this book off the shelf, try one or two of these ideas. You might be surprised at how much the kids have to say about their own "diving board" moments. And who knows? It might even give you a little boost of courage the next time you're facing something new!