Looking for some amazing parachute games? These games are great for rainy days, teaching directions, and just having fun! Students will use cooperative learning and a range of motion to manipulate the circus tent-like parachute, so it is even great for little ones who need to work on gross motor skills.
Below is a list of all types of popular activity ideas that involve using a parachute either indoors or out. Let’s take a scroll at our favorite parachute games!
1. Popcorn Game
Using some soft balls placed in the middle of the chute, students will work together to try and get them all out. Add a time limit to make it more challenging.
Learn More: Mrs. Carly Glanzman
2. Falling Leaves
This activity uses listening skills. Place some fake leaves in the center of the parachute. Then gives students specific directions on how they need to make the leaves move – “the wind blows softly”, they are falling from the tree”, etc.
Learn More: Not Just Cute with Amanda Morgan
3. Spanish Parachute
If students are learning a new language, this is a fun way to practice those language skills! For this example, the teacher is teaching Spanish, but it can be modified to work with any foreign language.
Learn More: Fun for Spanish Teachers
4. ASL Colors
This is another activity to acquire new language skills – specifically ASL! With this fun parachute game and song, students will learn some basic sign language!
Learn More: Jhonny Only
5. Nascar
This is a physical circle game where students will be running around. Students will get selected to act as cars doing their “lap” for Nascar. It will definitely wear them out!
Learn More: Mrs. Carly Glanzman
6. Cat and Mouse
A cute and fun activity, especially for younger students. Cat and Mouse is simple. The “mice” go under the parachute and the cats on top. The other students will lightly wave the chute, while the cats try and catch the mice. Sort of like tag!
Learn More: Mobsea
7. Climb A Mountain
This exercise may seem simple, but it’s sure to become one of your students’ favorites. Start by prompting them to make a big mountain by having them trap air in the parachute. Next, allow them to take turns as you challenge them to “climb” to the top of the mountain before it deflates.
Learn More: PE Universe
8. Merry Go Round
A simple game, but can really get kids moving and having to listen to directions. The students will move in different directions given by a teacher. They will have to listen carefully as directions change and so does speed!
Learn More: Mrs. Carly Glanzman
9. Shark Attack
Such a fun and exciting game! Students will sit on the floor with their legs under the parachute. Some students will be sharks who will go under the “ocean waves”. The sitting students will make gentle waves with the parachute while hoping not to get attacked by the shark!
Learn More: Shannon Jarvis Irving
10. Umbrella and Mushroom
In this activity, students will create a giant mushroom shape! By filling the parachute will air and then sitting inside around the edges they will be inside the mushroom. This is a fun time to do icebreakers or work on social interactions.
Learn More: Mrs. Carly Glanzman
11. Color Sorting
An adorable game for toddlers is to use a parachute for color matching. Using blocks, or even items found around the house or classroom, have them match the colors to the chute!
Learn More: Teaching 2 and 3-year-olds
12. The Hello Game
This game involves teamwork for little ones. They must work together to manipulate the parachute to play the game. You can also change it up do word work, playing peek-a-boo, etc.
Learn More: Teach Preschool
13. Fruit Salad
In this game, you give fruit names to each student. Then students are given a direction by calling out their fruit. For example, oranges, switch positions.
Learn More: Kings Resources
14. Present
A nice game for little ones. One or two children sit in the middle and the rest hold the outside of the parachute. Those holding the chute will eventually “wrap up” those in the middle by walking around.
Learn More: Fit Kids, Healthy Kids
15. Music Game
As students listen to this song they must follow its directions. This takes teamwork and good listening skills!
Learn More: Maple Leaf Learning
16. Giant Turtle
A super silly game that older students seem to like. Similar to the mushroom, but this time you only put your head inside. It’s a nice time to socialize a bit before the “shell” deflates.
Learn More: Fit Kids Healthy Kids
17. Balloon Play
A great game for a birthday party or just for working on teamwork. Place a bunch of balloons in the center and have children float them up using the movement of the parachute.
Learn More: How We Montessori
18. Yoga Parachute
Need a mindfulness circle game? Parachute yoga is a great way to work on meditation and cooperative learning!
Learn More: Kidding Around Yoga
19. Bean Bag Parachute Play
Similar to the balloon parachute, but now you have instead added weight. This is a really good game for teamwork, but also for building those gross motor muscles! You can add more bags/weight too!
Learn More: A Pacific Play Tents Blog
20. Plug It
For this game, you need communication skills! The goal is to try and get a ball to plug in the middle of the parachute. It may sound easy, but when you have a large group of students trying to move one parachute, it can be a challenge!
Learn More: Big Game Hunters
21. Parachute Target
Your children will have a ball of a time playing this exciting game, and you can even add it to future birthday parties! Simply place this numbered parachute on the ground before inviting your kids to take turns hitting the targets to see who can get the highest score.
Learn More: Hart Sport
22. Color Center
Have students each hold a color around the parachute. They will then listen for directions based on their color. You can say things like, “red, take a lap”, “blue, swap spots”, etc.
Learn More: Marcus Nellems
23. Parachute Twister
Use the colors on the parachute to play a fun game of twister! Simply call out different hands and feet along with color. Remember, if they fall, they are out!
Learn More: The Tumblebear Connection
24. Sit Ups
This activity uses the parachute for PE to really get kids working out. It is great for older students to be motivated to do some crunches! Students will use the parachute and upper body strength to help them do situps.
Learn More: Stefan Wilkinson
25. Parachute Surfing
This one is an active circle game! A few students around the circle will have scooters and while everyone holds on to the chute, they will be whirled around!
Learn More: Big Wubbs 1
26. Connect the Snakes
Challenge players to use their team-building skills to reach a goal. Working together, students will try and connect the velcro snakes using the movement of the parachute!
Learn More: Paul Fischenich
27. Parachute Volleybal
This is an excellent ball game for older kids! The students can’t touch the ball, they must use the parachute to catch the ball and launch it over the net.
Learn More: Gopher PE
28. Musical Parachute
Learn about music and rhythm through movement! This music teacher uses a parachute in her class to have students make big, small, slow, and fast movements based on a song.
Learn More: Mrs. Steinlage’s SPPS Music Page
29. Washing Machine
Here’s an exciting game where your kiddos will use a parachute to mimic a washing machine! Place a few of your students in the middle of the chute before prompting the rest to mimic each cycle, from washing to drying.
Learn More: Eisenhower Elementary School
30. Shoe Shuffle
This is a funny game and great to use as an icebreaker! There are different variations, but basically, kids take off their shoes and put the in the middle. Then students take turns calling out who can retrieve their shoe, like “birthdays in July” or “blue is your favorite color”.
Learn More: Fit Kids Healthy Kids
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