But they were not playing truant; they were learning an important health lesson.
Seven-time world skipping champion Peter Nestler, of Juneau, Alaska, showed the pupils the ropes during a demonstration at the Edgar Centre about healthy lifestyles and fitness.
"I meet people all the time who laugh when I say I jump rope for a job," Mr Nestler said, laughing himself.
"But it's one of the best forms of exercise there is. It's so great for hand-eye co-ordination. It blows running out of the water, because there's no monotony.
There are just so many tricks you can learn."
Years 4 to 8 pupils from 30 Dunedin primary schools took part in the demonstration. "We're trying to promote physical activity, and jump rope is inexpensive. You don't need a lot of room and you can do it as an individual or as a group," Mr Nestler said.
The demonstration was part of the Heart Foundation's "Jump Rope For Heart" national tour.
"It's about getting kids active in a fun way," Heart Foundation Dunedin health promotion co-ordinator Jo Arthur said.
"We're training these kids as leaders, so they can go back to their schools and become role models."
A presentation on nutrition and healthy eating was also held for parents during the workshop.
