The Parachute

This activity requires at least eight participants to work well. There should also be at least two adults present so they can manage the parachute from each side.

Suggestions for ways to play with the parachute:

• Lift: The entire group quickly lifts the parachute over their heads while standing.
• Swap Places: The group lifts the parachute in the same way. Two selected participants let go, meet in the middle, and swap places.
• Igloo: The parachute is lifted high. Everyone takes three steps towards the center, squats down, and gently pulls the parachute down behind their backs so they are sitting inside the fabric. What can be done inside the 'igloo'?
• Giant Balloon: The parachute is lifted high. Everyone moves towards the center and squats down with the parachute against their feet.
• Flying Carpet: Pull the parachute quickly over your head and release. What happens to the parachute now?
• Carousel: Everyone walks, runs, jumps, or hops in a circle, both ways, like a carousel.
• Keep the Balloon in the Air: Stretch the parachute out completely and place a balloon on top of the fabric. See if you can send the balloon from one side to the other, how high you can bounce it, and possibly try with multiple balloons at once. Feel free to use beach balls, regular balls, balls with sound, or ping-pong balls.
• Autumn Wind: One child stands in the middle of the parachute. The others create wind of varying strength by gently or vigorously shaking the parachute.

There are many possibilities here; use the imagination of both children and adults. Feel free to sing different songs that match the movements.