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Big Parachute Games

Playing with a big parachute benefits children in many ways. Aside from the fun of playing with an out-of-the-norm item, parachute play encourages cooperation and reinforces turn-taking and sharing skills. Using the parachute also helps to strengthen large muscles in the arms and shoulders. Finally, as children work together, they can develop their sense of rhythm while they move the nylon up and down.

Warm-Up Games
- Playing a series of warm-up games with the parachute helps reinforce terms for the actions that may be involved in other games. Teach the class how to perform a see-saw pull, where they sit along the outside of the parachute and pull the chute back and forth in a see-saw motion. Instruct the children to make waves with the chute. Grip the outside of the parachute and have them move their arms up and down to create small waves and then larger waves. They will see that they have to work together for these actions to occur properly. Try a chute lift by having everyone lift the parachute high over their heads and then slowly bring it down. Have them lift again and call one child&'s name to run to the center and then back to her spot before the chute "tags" her.
Running Games
- Have the kids mushroom the chute and then listen for a command, such as "Run through if you are wearing blue." Everyone wearing blue will then run under the chute to the opposite side. Have children try to change places with someone else, or squeeze into an open spot. Another option is to call out the names of two children to change places. Then call out three or four names. Finally, order everyone to change places with someone else before the chute falls.
  
  Play Animal Race by having everyone stand around the outside of the parachute. Number the children by threes. Then call out a number and an animal. For example, mushroom the chute and have all the "ones" act like lions as they cross under the parachute to the opposite side.
Ball Games
- Gather a variety of balls. You can use tennis balls, playground balls and beach balls for these games. Play parachute volleyball. Divide the class into two teams. Set a ball in the center of the chute. Have the teams on either side try to cause the ball to bounce or fall off the opposite side. This game can also be played with two parachutes, in which case the teams need to volley the ball back and forth between the chutes. You will need a large area for this activity, and lots of kids.
  
  Alternatively, play popcorn with as many soft balls as you can find. Place them all on top and let the kids raise and lower the chute to make them bounce. You can have two or three of the children under the chute trying to push the balls off the chute from underneath, while everyone else tries to keep them on.

Party Games