Parachute Game Ideas

On Top

• Balls, stuffed animals, and even children can be allowed on top of the parachute for different games. A popular parachute game is to have participants stand around the edges of the parachute and create waves. Small toys on top of the parachute bounce around and eventually fly off of the parachute.

  This is especially effective with small children, especially toddlers. With a group of larger children or adults on the edge of the parachute, make small ripples in the fabric. Consider tossing small, light toys such as plastic balls, small teddy bears or even filled Easter eggs, onto the parachute. Let younger children run across the parachute while it is moving to collect the toys. Young children find this particularly entertaining.

Underneath

• Use the bright colors of the parachute for ideas. Games can be played having only one color at a time, such as everyone holding a blue section, shake the parachute. This can be used to teach children basic colors. A modified form of tag can be played by calling out a child's name or the characteristics of a small group (all the blond girls, all the brown-eyed boys or anybody who likes vanilla ice cream) and allowing those children to run underneath the parachute while it is lifted up. The remaining participants must try to pull the parachute down as fast as possible to tag those in the middle.

Inside

• If the group can move quickly enough, it is possible to make a mushroom or dome tent out of the parachute. Everyone in the group must hold tightly to their edges as the parachute is laid on the ground. Then, in a quick motion, the parachute must be lifted above everyone's heads as they run underneath and tuck the edge of the parachute under themselves as they sit. When done rapidly, this can result in a large dome structure that everyone can sit in.

  Once inside, some participants can be allowed to sit up and move about. Games of tag can be played, as can short board games and card games. A mushroomed parachute can be an ideal setting for story time, educational lessons or socializing.