Parachute Games

You can purchase a parachute or use a bed sheet. Each person holds on to a part of the parachute and the leader (usually and adult) provides the directions for the games. You can start seated or standing depending on the games you’re planning on playing.

Warming Up It’s best to start with warming up. This allows the children to get accustomed to following directions and is great for upper body strengthening. Simply have the children sit on the floor around the parachute/sheet and hold, with both hands, the section in front of them. When the leader says up, they should all raise the parachute/sheet up into the air. When the leader says down, they bring their arms down. This should be repeated several times until the children are able to do the task in unison.

UP Down

Next, have the children stand and hold the parachute/sheet. There are several things you can do standing. You can walk around in a circle and stop like musical chairs then change directions. Another game is to put a beach ball in the middle and try and keep it from bouncing off the parachute/sheet. You can have the children run under the sheet and change places.

You can play memory games. Place three or four items on top of the sheet. Have them close their eyes or turn their backs and put one item under the sheet. Have them turn back around and guess which is the missing item. They can take turns hiding the item.