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Most think parachute games are only for very young children--not so! Some of the games below-- especially those that use a ball, are fun for kids 5 to 11 years old!
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MUSHROOM--A GOOD WAY TO INTRODUCE THE PARACHUTE!
1. Children evenly spread out in a circle --while holding the edge.
2. Pull the parachute taut and then lower it between knee level and the ground.
3. On a signal-all raise the chute upwards; it will fill with air and rise up like a giant mushroom (In the winter-call it an "IGLOO")
Tip #1: to get it as high as possible, all participants take a couple steps towards the center as the chute rises.
Tip #2: Practice together so the children can learn cooperation and working together as a group.
VARIATION OF MUSHROOM: Once the basic play is mastered, experiment!
1. Mushroom and then all children runs to the center while still holding the chute.
2. Mushroom and then have all chidren let go of the chute at exactly the same time.
If there isn't any wind, the chute will retain its perfect puff shape and rise straight up into the air.
This is especially fun outdoors on a windy day. Indoors it may go up to the ceiling.
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WAVES
While holding the parachute tightly, participants move their arms up and down to make small and large waves.
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CATHEDRAL or CIRCUS TENT
1. With the parachute lowered, players raise their arms (and the chute) as high as possible.
2. Once the chute is high, on a signal-all take 3-4 big steps towards the center.
3. Still holding the chute tightly, children sit down at the edge of the chute-under what should appear to be a cathedral
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THUNDERSTORM
1. Start off on the floor with all children sitting calmly and grasping the parachute-this is a gentle breeze.
2. Pretend that it starts raining. As it rains have the children stand.
3. Oh-oh...the rain is now turning into a THUNDERSTORM! All children start shaking the chute as hard as they can to simulate the storm.
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PARACHUTE TAG
Lift the parachute high overhead.
Call one child's name and have him/her run to the other side before the parachute comes down and tags them.
Variation: You can alter the game by having children skip, crawl or twirl to the other side.
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ONE HAND RUN
1. Have each child hold the parachute with one hand-with the opposite arm extended straight out for balance.
2. Run clockwise in one direction and then change to counter clock .
Tip: Use music to cue children for changing direction; every time the music stops, direction is changed.
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NUMBER SWITCH
You need a large chute for this activity.
Depending on the amount of children playing, going around the circle, number the children. Example: 1-2-3-4-5, 1-2-3-4-5, etc.
Call a number such as "3" and all the "3's" switch places by running under the chute. Loud with running excitement but fun!
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SHAKE HANDS
Have all the players hold the parachute way up high above their heads. Call out two names and have these two players run underneath the parachute, shake hands, then run back out before the parachute comes down. Continue doing this until all the players have had a chance to run under the parachute.
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USING VARIETY...
PARACHUTE WITH POEMS OR SONGS
THERE WAS A MAN!
Holding onto the parachute, children walk around in a circle.
As they walk they say-
There was a man in our town
Who went for a WALK one day
But the wind blew so hard
He turned around
And WALKED the other way.
Variation: Add to the fun and change the action words to-skip,hop, run, etc.
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WHEN THE PARACHUTE GOES UP SONG
Sung to: "If your happy and you know it"
When the parachute goes up
Stomp your feet-
When the parachute goes up
Stomp your feet-
When the parachute is high
And floats up in the sky
When the parachute goes up
Stomp your feet.
Additional verses:
Lift one leg...
Shout hooray!...
Bend your knees...
Wiggle your bottom...
Shake your head-and so on...
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NAME GAME
As the song is sung, have children raise the parachute above their heads.
When a child's name is called--- they run under the parachute. The parachute is slowly lowered in an attempt to trap the child.Play until all children that would like to try-- have had a turn. Sung to: Row Row Row your Boat
Up, up, up it goes
Down, down, down it comes
If your name is------- (put in a child's name)
Now's your turn to run
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USING BALLS, COTTON, BALLLOONS, OR POM-POMS
Most games using balls are good for children from 5 to 11
POPCORN #1
Start with all players holding the chute stretched out. Throw as many soft balls as you have d onto the chute-the more the better!
Holding the chute tightly, have children bounce the popcorn (balls) as quickly as they can off of the chute.
Variation: Play this game in two teams. One side of children try to bounce the balls off the chute, while the other side works at keeping the balls on the chute!
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POPCORN #2
Place a number of beanbags or cotton balls on the chute. Shake the chute to make them rise like popcorn.
Variation: IN THE WINTER USE COTTOM BALL AND CALL IT 'FALLING SNOW".
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BALL ROLL
Have the children try to roll balls into the hole in the center of the parachute.
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DON'T DROP THE BALL (Team Play)
Place a soft ball of any size in the center. The object of the game is for each team NOT to let the ball fall off on their side.
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ROLLER BALL
Have all players holds the chute stretched tightly.
Place a large ball near the edge.
The object of this game is to try to make the ball roll around the edge of the chute.
To do this someone starts the ball rolling. As it comes towards you, you lower the edge you are holding, and as it goes past you raise your edge.
When all the players do this smoothly, a wave is created that goes round the edge, pushing the ball in a steady circle. It can not be done without concentration and co-operation!
Tip:This game also need practice and co-operation. When mastered it can be a lot of fun! Hyou've done this try speeding up - or change direction.
Variation: Roll the ball at different speeds or change direction.
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ROLL A BALL TO A FRIEND
Place a ball on top of the parachute and have the players roll the ball back and forth to each other. For example, you could tell a specific person to roll the ball to someone that you name. This game encourages cooperation, as the players will have to work together for the first player to get the ball to their friend.
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BALLOON FLOAT
While the players are holding onto the parachute, place several balloons on top of the parachute. Count to 3 and then say "up". On the word "up", all the players raise the parachute up over their heads as fast as they can and then bring the parachute down as quickly as possible. Where are the balloons? Keep repeating this game to see how high you can get the balloons to go, or how far you can get them to travel.
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PARACHUTE GOLF
While the players are holding onto the parachute, toss a plastic golf ball onto the parachute. Have the players manuever the parachute to try to get the ball through the hole. When the ball is in the hole, have a caddy go under the parachute to retrieve it and start over. Count the number of waves (golf strokes) it takes the players to get the ball into the hole. Keep track on a scoreboard.
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POM POMS
Put various sized pompoms in the top of the parachute and try to get them into the middle pocket.
Variety: form teams with different colors of pom-poms and challenge them to see which team can get the most of their color into the middle pocket in an alloted time.
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