Abstract: A jumping toy includes a base member which is surmounted by a simulated animal or insect. A clockwork is connected through a gear train with a movable shaft which carries a spring-biased thrust rod. The movable shaft mounts a gear which is maintained in engagement with a fixed gear rack. Activation of the clockwork urges the thrust rod against the bias of the spring, and another gear carried by the movable shaft is cyclically engaged and disengaged by a sector gear and caused cyclical oscillation of the thrust rod and the development of sufficient force against a support surface to cause the toy to jump upwardly of the surface.