Parachutes

I have a small parachute that my kids love. It is great to pull out at parties or for family time. It only holds between 10 - 15 kids. Here are some games you can play with it:

Air Conditioning

This game is good for recuperating after an energetic game. Hold the parachute stretched out and have about a third of the players lie on the ground under it (best with heads near the middle). The rest mushroom the parachute up and quickly pull it down again repeatedly.

Air rushing in and out cools those underneath like a giant fan, and the sensation of watching the parachute rise up and then come down on top of you is very strange. (Players may like to cover their faces as the parachute descends or even lie on their stomachs).

Ball Slide

Grasp the edge of the parachute with an overhand grip. Place one ball on the parachute. Make the ball slide around the parachute by slowly raising the parachute up and down. Keep the ball rolling so that it does not go off the edge.

Ball Toss

Put a ball into the center of the parachute. Raise and lower the parachute to throw and catch the ball. When the players are skilled at this, try adding a second ball.

Big Turtle

Have the players get on their hands and knees under the large “turtle shell” formed by the parachute and try to make the turtle more in one direction. As a cooperative game, players have to work together to get the turtle to move. Variation: Have the turtle go over a hill or bench or through an obstacle course without losing the shell.

Birthday Exchange

Grasp the edge of the parachute with an overhand grip and raise the parachute overhead. The leader calls out a month of the year. Those players born in that month let go of the edge and exchange places by moving under the parachute to an empty spot. This game can also take place by giving everyone a number from 1 to 8 or by calling out a color that the players are wearing. Players need to be told to head for gaps, keep their eyes open and try to avoid bumping into one another. Make sure that the players who remain around the edge allow the parachute to fall rather than pulling it down hard.

The Canopy Players grasp the edge of the parachute with an overhand grip, and squat down so the parachute is flat on the ground. On the count of three, stand up and stretch arms above head creating a canopy.

Cat and Mouse

Players sit in a circle holding the parachute stretched out. One player becomes a mouse and goes underneath. Someone else becomes a cat and goes on top. The cat tries to catch the mouse, but with everyone billowing the parachute, it is impossible to see where it is.

Every now and then you can give the cat a clue by lowering the parachute to reveal the mouse, then raise it again to help the mouse get away. You can try the game with two or three mice and two or three cats.

Chute Crawl

Have half the players stretch the parachute while the other half crawls to a spot opposite where they are. The players holding the parachute can shake it or billow it up and down over the crawling players.

Elevator The parachute starts at feet and when leader says “elevator up” players lift the parachute. When the leader says “elevator down” players pull the parachute down. You can also play this like ‘Simon Says’ to add an element of challenge to the activity.

There are many more games to play, but this should get you started.