Parachutes can be used for any character party–clowns (they come with April packages a lot of the time), pirates, fairies, and even Christmas characters. They’re great for ages 2-10 because KIDS GO NUTS FOR THEM. Getting a hang of these games takes a second, so feel free to print out this list and keep it with your parachute. If you don’t have a parachute with your kit (we have 4 in total right now and will be getting more soon) let Marissa know the week before your scheduled party so we can get you one

No matter what your character is, you can feel free to mix up generic games, pirate games, and fairy games. They’re only sorted to help you out.

AGE 2-3 GAMES

• Popcorn: Place a number of beanbags, small balls, or cottonballs 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, switch directions, etc. You can sing “Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round” if ya want.
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: Sing the little kid song while raising it up to that level of their bodies. Vary speeds!
• Cat and Mouse:  Everyone sits on their knees and billows the parachute up and down.  One child is chosen to be the cat; another child is chosen to be the mouse.  The mouse tries to make it all the way under the parachute by crawling, without getting caught.  Meanwhile, the cat is on top of the parachute, trying to find the mouse.

 

AGE 4-10

• Duck Duck Goose: Simply use the parachute as a perimeter to have them sit on for duck duck goose. Children cannot step on the parachute–only run around it.
• 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.”
• Rollerball: Try to keep a ball rolling only along the outer edge of the parachute around the circle. As it comes toward you, cooperatively lower your edge. Just past you, raise it.
• All Change: The Teacher calls out birthday months, pre-assigned numbers, colors, etc, and those children swap places under the chute before it falls, and run to an empty space.
• Bouncing Balls: Have one or two children under the chute trying to hit the balls as they touch the surface, knocking them off the parachute (from underneath.) Everyone else makes little waves.
• 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.

 

PIRATE/MERMAID SPECIFIC 

• Making Waves: Story telling game. Children can make small, medium, or large movements to make various types of “waves.” You can incorporate a story about a ship on the sea, weather, etc. &/or use your voice as a tool to emphasize directives.
• Shark Attack: Everyone sits with legs stretched out underneath the chute, which is held chest-high. Everyone makes waves. One child is the “shark” and tags someone by touching their legs. Then that kid becomes the “shark”.
• The Wave: Children put their hands up, one after another, in order – creating a synchronized “wave” like in the stands at a baseball game.
• Turtle: The parachute becomes a giant turtle shell with everyone underneath it on hands and knees. Everyone must cooperate and work together to get the turtle to move about.
• Pirate, Pirate, Shark: Duck Duck Goose

FAIRY SPECIFIC

• Princess Slipper Shuffle: Everyone takes off one “princess slipper” and throws it under the parachute. On the count of three, raise the chute, and (with you left holding it / guiding it down), the children have to run under and find their shoe before the chute comes down.
• Frog, Frog, Prince: Duck Duck Goose
• Palace Pets:  Everyone sits on their knees and billows the parachute up and down.  One child is chosen to be the cat; another child is chosen to be the mouse.  The mouse tries to make it all the way under the parachute by crawling, without getting caught.  Meanwhile, the cat is on top of the parachute, trying to find the mouse.

CLOWN SPECIFIC

• Clown Shoes: Everyone takes off one “clown shoe” and throws it under the parachute. On the count of three, raise the chute, and (with you left holding it / guiding it down), the children have to run under and find their shoe before the chute comes down.
• Clown, Clown, Lion: Duck Duck Goose
• Circus Animals:  Everyone sits on their knees and billows the parachute up and down.  One child is chosen to be the circus lion; another child is chosen to be the mouse.  The mouse tries to make it all the way under the parachute by crawling, without getting caught.  Meanwhile, the lion is on top of the parachute, trying to find the mouse.
• Circus Tent: 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.”
• 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, switch directions, etc. You can sing “Merry-Go-Round goes Go Round and Round” to the tune of “wheels on a bus” if ya want.

Singalong Parachute Game

Shark Attack Parachute Game