For groups of all ages and all sizes.

1. Air Conditioning

This game is good for recuperating after an energetic game. Hold the parachute stretched out and have about a third of the players lie on the ground under it (best with heads near the middle). The rest mushroom the parachute up and quickly pull it down again repeatedly.

Air rushing in and out cools those underneath like a giant fan, and the sensation of watching the parachute rise up and then come down on top of you is very strange. (Players may like to cover their faces as the parachute descends or even lie on their stomachs).

2.Ball Roll

Have the players try to roll balls into the hole in the center of the parachute.

3. Ball Slide

Grasp the edge of the parachute with an overhand grip. Place one ball on the parachute. Make the ball slide around the parachute by slowly raising the parachute up and down. Keep the ball rolling so that it does not go off the edge.

4. Ball Toss

Put a ball into the center of the parachute. Raise and lower the parachute to throw and catch the ball. When the players are skilled at this, try adding a second ball.

5. Big Turtle

Have the players get on their hands and knees under the large “turtle shell” formed by the parachute and try to make the turtle more in one direction. As a cooperative game, players have to work together to get the turtle to move. Variation:  Have the turtle go over a hill or bench or through an obstacle course without losing the shell.

6. Birthday Exchange

Grasp the edge of the parachute with an overhand grip and raise the parachute overhead. The leader calls out a month of the year. Those players born in that month let go of the edge and exchange places by moving under the parachute to an empty spot. This game can also take place by giving everyone a number from 1 to 8 or by calling out a color that the players are wearing. Players need to be told to head for gaps, keep their eyes open and try to avoid bumping into one another. Make sure that the players who remain around the edge allow the parachute to fall rather than pulling it down hard.

7. Blob

Four players hang onto the parachute and run after the other players. If they succeed in covering a player with the parachute, the player is eaten and must now attach themselves to the parachute. Now they join in, to catch the other players.

8. Blooming Flower

Players pull the parachute down and then kneel on the outside of the parachute.  Players put hands on parachute then lean in and out to represent blooming.

9. Bouncing Balls

The parachute is held taut at chest height with 2 or 3 foam footballs on the surface. 3 or 4 players underneath the parachute have to try to knock the balls off while those around the parachute try to keep them on.

10. The Canopy

More Games!