Parachute Games

Parachute games are easy to deliver and great fun for all. The games encourage cooperative, non-competative play and are normally quite physically active.

Safety .

Great care must to be taken before the start of the games to explain safety rules to the children in order to get the maximum fun out of the activity.

Main Activity .

Mushroom

Get everyone to hold the parachute. The participants should be spread out so the parachute is fairly taught. Participants should then lower the chute to the ground then count to 3 and on 3 everyone pulls the chute upwards. As a result, the parachute will inflate like a mushroom and slowly collapse back down again.

Try to get the mushroom as high as possible encourage everyone to work as a team.

Once the mushroom has been mastered you can then try some variations:

Everyone mushrooms the chute and then runs to the centre, still holding onto it.
Everyone mushrooms and lets go, it’s good fun to get everyone running after the chute as it’s blowing away.
Everybody lets go at the exactly the same time (only do this one if there is minimal wind) the chute should rise upwards and remain in it’s shape. For everyone to let go at exactly the same time requires practice and concentration.

Other Games .

Anyone with – Mushroom the chute then the instructor calls out a description that identifies one or more of the players, e.g. 'anyone with blonde hair' or 'anyone who had toast for breakfast'. Those described have to let go and run underneath and switch places with another player before the chute comes down on top of them. Once the group have the idea, let everyone have a go at calling out a description.

Funny Changeover – Similar to the activity ‘anyone with’. Number the group by three’s, so you have group 1, group 2 and group 3 all evenly spread out. Mushroom the chute then call out a number and who or what you would like them to become when they go under the chute e.g.'number 1's are dogs' or 'number 3's are ballet dancers'. Once again when the group get the hang of it let them have a go at calling out.

Equipment

Play Parachute and ball

Group Size

Typical activity group sizes of 12-20.

Learning Targets

To demonstrate good listening and communication skills

To work in cooperation with others in a non-competitive situation

To understand the rules of the games and why they need to be followed.

To understand the need to prepare properly for games.