Parachute Play:

• Items: 12 ft Parachute, or a smaller 6ft Parachute, lightweight foam balls.

  • Parachute play is a fantastic way to develop gross motor skills, cooperation, and rhythm in preschoolers. Here are several games that work well for ages 3 to 5, categorized by the type of movement involved.

    Active & High-Energy Games

    • Popcorn: Place several small beanbags or soft foam balls on top of the parachute. Have the children shake the parachute as fast as they can to make the "popcorn" jump around without letting it fall off the sides.

    • Mushroom: On the count of three, everyone lifts the parachute high over their heads and then quickly pulls it down to the ground while stepping slightly inward. This creates a giant "mushroom" or "bubble" of air.

    • Parachute Tag: Call out two children’s names. Lift the parachute high (into a Mushroom), and those two children must run underneath and swap places before the "tent" collapses on them.

    Gentle & Cooperative Games

    • The Ocean: Use the parachute to mimic the movement of water. Start with "small ripples" (tiny shakes), move to "medium waves" (waist-high movements), and finish with a "big storm" (lifting high and low). This is excellent for teaching kids to follow directions and change speeds.

    • Rollerball: Place one large ball on the parachute. The goal is for the group to work together to roll the ball around the outer edge of the circle without it falling off or going into the center hole.

    • Turtle Shell: Have all the children crouch down and pull the parachute over their backs like a giant shell. They can "crawl" slowly together as one big turtle.

    Educational & Skill-Building Games

    • Color Jump: If your parachute has colored panels, call out a color (e.g., "Blue!"). Everyone holding a blue section must let go, run under the parachute, and find a different blue section to grab.

    • Letter/Number Shake: Call out a letter or number. The children must shake the parachute the number of times you said, or shake it while chanting the sound of the letter.

    • Sleeping Giants: Have the children sit on the floor with the parachute over their legs. Tell them they are "sleeping." On a signal (like a bell or a clap), they wake up and shake the parachute vigorously to "wake up the neighborhood."

    Quick Tips for Success

    Safety First: Remind children to keep both hands on the handles (or the edge) and to stay on their feet unless the game specifically asks them to sit or crawl.

    The "Stop" Signal: Establish a clear signal, like "Hands in your laps," to get everyone to stop shaking immediately so you can give the next set of instructions.