Hobbies And Interests
Cat and Mouse
Players sit around the parachute with their feet tucked under them. Players shake the parachute to make waves. One player is designated as the "mouse" and crawls around under the parachute. Another player is the "cat" and must crawl around on top of the parachute trying to catch the mouse.
Roundabout
Players hold onto the parachute, pulling it tight. The object of the game is to turn the parachute in one direction by passing it from player to player without crossing their hands. Once players have accomplished one complete turn, challenge them to change directions or see how fast they can do it.
The Hare and the Fox
Place two different colored balls on the parachute. Designate one ball as the hare and the other as the fox. Divide the players into two teams on each side of the parachute. One team tries to get the "hare" while the other tries to catch the "fox."
Crocodile
Players sit on the ground with the parachute covering their legs. One player is to be the "crocodile" and crawls under the parachute. The crocodile pulls on the players' feet, pulling them under to hunt. If desired, select a "lifeguard" who patrols the area around the parachute and tries to help those who are getting pulled under.
Who is That?
Choose one or two players to step aside the parachute. All other players lift the parachute up allowing it to fill with air, then step inside of it and pull the parachute around them while sitting down, forming a tent-like structure. The two players on the outside must move around the parachute feeling the other players and guessing who they are.
High Ball
Pull the parachute tight to form a flat surface. Place three, four or more rubber balls onto the parachute. Players must throw the balls as high in the air as possible without letting them drop onto the ground.
Colors
Play this game to help young kids learn and remember the colors. Stretch a multi-colored parachute onto the floor, with the children standing around it. The leader calls out one of the colors and counts to five. Children must race to the appropriate color and stand on it. The leader then calls out a different color, but this time counts only to four. The leader continues calling colors and reducing the time limit as appropriate.
Fruit Salad
Assign each player the name of a fruit. Make sure at least two players share the same name for each fruit. When the leader calls out a fruit, everyone with that fruit's name must run under the parachute and swap places. When the leader calls, "Fruit Salad!" everyone must run under the parachute and swap places with someone on the other side.
Bucket Ball
Place a light plastic bucket and a ball in the middle of the parachute. Players must try to get the ball into the bucket. Change the game by adding more balls of differing sizes and weights or different sized buckets.