You will need:– A parachute (play or other type) This is an adaptation of a country dance but works well with the canopy. Number off round the canopy A, B, A, B etc. Use a lively ‘jig’ tune which repeats AA BB AA BB etc. When the music starts:...
Game
Parachute Football
You will need:A parachute (play or other type)A football This works best if the canopy is marked in segments or halves; so you can have 2, 4 or 6 teams. Each team to a segment or colour. Stand around the canopy holding the canopy in both hands at waist...
Cat and Mouse
You will need:A parachute (play or otherwise)An empty can, or small soft object (bean bag, shoe..) Stand holding the canopy at shoulder height making sure there is a space between each child around the perimeter. Place an empty can – the cheese – in the centre of the circle...
Shark Attack!
You will need:A parachute (play or otherwise) or an equivalent large sheet/cloth. Everyone sits on the ground with their legs stretched out under the canopy and the canopy held at chest height. One person becomes the ‘shark’ and crawls around under the canopy. They quietly grab the legs of...
Bouncing Balls
You will need:A parachute (play or otherwise)Several small balls (foam or tennis balls work well). Players hold the canopy taut at chest height with 2 or 3 small or foam balls on the surface. 3 or 4 children underneath the canopy have to try to knock the balls off...
Round the Plughole
You will need:A parachute that has a central hole Several small light balls (eg foam or tennis balls) If your canopy has a hole in the centre place 3 or 4 light small balls (tennis balls) on the surface. Players keep them moving around the canopy and avoiding dropping...
Shoe Shuffle
You will need:– A parachute (play or other) Number players around the parachute circle 1 or 6. Leader calls out a number and all those with that number remove a shoe and throw it under the canopy. On a count of 3 the canopy is lifted, mushroomed up on...
Para-ble
(It could be worse!) You Using the parachute as an aid to storytelling. You have the attention of all because they are holding, the chute. Tell the story using the parachute as an aid. E.g. the following story from the New Testament. ‘One day Jesus and his friends went...
Para-circle
You will need:– A parachute (play or otherwise) Simply use the parachute to adapt any circle game. E.g. “Fishes in the sea”, “One sent a letter” etc. Using the chute to maintain the circle form. These sort of games consist of one or more people racing around the circle...
Tenting the chute
You will need:– A parachute (play or otherwise) After lofting the chute several times, everyone steps inside, bringing the fabric taut behind their body, either to shoulder height or to ground level with each person sitting on the edge of the chute, thus creating a sort of tent with...