Ball Roll: Have the children try
to roll the balls into the hole in the middle of the parachute. (Or have
children try to keep the balls from going into the hole in the center.)
Competitive Chute
Ball:
Mark a line across the diameter of the chute. Have equal teams hold the
edge of the chute on either side. Throw a ball into the middle. The aim
is to get the ball off the chute on the other team’s side of the line,
and stop it coming off your own side of the line (i.e., to throw it over
the other team’s heads). You mustn’t let go of the chute or touch the
ball with any part of the body. Keeping score is optional.
After several minutes
of wild flapping and little progress the group should realize that
coordination and strategy are needed to flick the ball off the chute.
All Change:
Have the children hold onto the edge of the parachute. On the count of
three, have them lift it high into the air. Call out the names of two
players. These players quickly change places under the canopy. Begin
calling three or four names at a time. When the game is at its ending
point, call out “all change” to have all the players switch.
Rollerball:
Everyone holds the chute taut. Place a large ball near the edge. Try to
make the ball roll around the edge of the chute. To do this, someone
starts the ball rolling. As it comes towards you, you lower the edge you
are holding, and as it goes past you raise your edge. When all the
players do this in synchronisation, it creates a kind of wave going
round the edge of the chute which pushes the ball in a smooth steady
circle. It can not be done without concentration and co-operation, but
it is very rewarding for a group to eventually achieve the correct
motion.
Popcorn: Place a number of
small balls onto the parachute. Shake to make
them pop up like "popcorn".
Merry-Go-Round: Children turn
their bodies sideways and hold the chute with one hand. They then walk
around in a circle, making a "Merry-Go-Round." For variety, children can
hop, skip, jump, etc. You can stop music as a cue to reverse and go the
other direction.
Poison Snakes: Place three or
four jump ropes onto the chute. Shake the parachute to keep the snakes
from "biting" (touching) you.
Parachute Tag: Lift the
parachute high into the air. Call out two children’s names. They must
trade empty spots by running under the chute, before it comes down on
them.
Mushroom: Standing, lift the
parachute waist height. Count to three - with "one" and "two" being
small practice lifts. On three, all lift the chute overhead, and crouch
down pulling the parachute edges down as well. This creates what looks
like a "mushroom."
See-Saw Pull: From a sitting
position, have children pull the parachute back and forth in a
cooperative see-saw motion.
Shoe Shuffle: Count off. All of
a selected number take off one shoe and throw it in the middle. On the
count of three, raise the chute, and the designated children have to run
under and find their shoe before the chute comes down.
Bouncing Balls: Have one or two
children under the chute try to knock balls off the parachute from
underneath.
Flying Saucer: All take one step
forward upon lifting the chute in the air. Upon command, all let go, and
watch as it slowly floats.
Ball in the Bucket: Break into
two or more "teams." Each team will have a different colored ball (or
balls.) They will try to keep their color ball from going into the
middle circle, while trying to get the other teams’ color of ball(s)
into the hole.
Beach Ball (or football) Fun: Using a beach
ball or a football, roll it round the edge move it with waves around the parachute.
Mushroom:
From a standing position, lift the parachute from the ground to waist
height, counting one (lift) and two (lift). On three (lift), have
everyone raise the parachute high over their heads and then crouch down,
pulling the parachute tightly behind them. A mushroom effect is created
as the parachute settles.
My thanks to Cathy Abraham from
childcarelounge.com for most
of the
above games. Type 'parachute play' into Google to find a lot more!
.jpg){kind=small}
