For groups of all ages and all sizes.

11. Cat and Mouse

Players sit in a circle holding the parachute stretched out. One player becomes a mouse and goes underneath. Someone else becomes a cat and goes on top. The cat tries to catch the mouse, but with everyone billowing the parachute, it is impossible to see where it is.

Every now and then you can give the cat a clue by lowering the parachute to reveal the mouse, then raise it again to help the mouse get away. You can try the game with two or three mice and two or three cats.

12. Cat and Mouse 2

Stand holding the parachute at shoulder height making sure there is a space between each player around the edge. Place a beanbag - the cheese - in the center of the circle under the parachute. Choose one player to be the cat and one to be the mouse. The cat starts off under the parachute guarding the cheese - the mouse starts off outside the parachute and has to get to the cheese running in between the players holding the parachute. If you have already numbered the players 1 or 6 around the parachute then choose a cat of one number and a mouse of another. The mouse has 20 seconds to get the cheese; the cat has 20 seconds to catch the mouse. Once the game starts, count to 20 (everyone else counts) score one point to the cat if the mouse is caught or one point to the mouse if the cheese is eaten. Score no points if 20 is reached before either the cheese is eaten or the mouse is caught.

13. Cathedral

Players lower the parachute and then on the count of three raise their arms high once the parachute is quite high. Everyone then quickly takes 3-4 giant steps toward the center and pulls the parachute behind them and sit down with their bottoms on the edge of the parachute. This is a great place to tell/read a short story. Variation/Follow-up ... Place balls or bean bags on the floor under the parachute. When the parachute is just about at its peak, call one number. See if they can get in, get a ball and get out before they are trapped.

14. Chute Ball

This game is best played with a large beach ball. You simply place the ball in the middle of the parachute and by pulling upwards and outwards; throw the ball as high in the air as possible. This game can also be played by replacing the ball with a small stuffed animal or balloons. Water balloons are a fun possibility for outdoor play.

15. Chute Crawl

Have half the players stretch the parachute while the other half crawls to a spot opposite where they are.  The players holding the parachute can shake it or billow it up and down over the crawling players.

16, Chute Lift

Ask the players to lift the parachute high over their heads and down again. Talk about the soft sounds and breezes that are created. Move the parachute faster and notice the different effects.

17. Competitive Chute Ball

Mark a line across the diameter of the parachute (masking tape works well). Have equal teams hold the edge of the parachute on either side. Throw a ball into the middle. The aim is to get the ball off the parachute 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 parachute 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 co-ordination and strategy are needed to flick the ball off the parachute.

18. Cross-Overs

This game involves calling out a question or command e.g. “Everyone holding a blue section cross over.” The parachute is then mushroomed and those holding blue sections leave go of the edge and run across under the parachute to take up a position on the other side before the parachute descends.

The range of cross-over questions is limitless and, if carefully thought out and posed, will help to involve new group members and can provide a springboard for discussion of more serious social issues when working with young people. The questioning process should not be limited to the leader, some of the best and most appropriate questions will come from the players.

17. Crossing Under

Count off players around the parachute by 4’s. Each player should remember their number. Players make an umbrella, and then, on number signals, will let go and run under the parachute to the opposite side, changing places with another player. Do not cross until your number is called... watch out for other running into the middle; hold the parachute up as long as we can... Variations—try different activities while crossing... animal walks, hopping, dribbling a ball, etc.

18. Dominoes

Players raise the parachute up high, then bring it down fast and kneel on the edge with their arms waving in the air. Then have the players fall forward one at a time until all have gone. When they can do this successfully, have them try to fall ;then when everyone is finished, raise back to their knees before all of the air comes out of the parachute.
This works best if practiced beforehand with the parachute laying flat. You can also assign numbers and call them out one at a time.

19. Dragon

Once the parachute is rolled up it can become a Chinese dragon. The players get into a line, one behind the other, holding the parachute above their heads. In this way they proceed to wherever they need to go or simply around the room. Inventing a chant is a nice addition to keep everyone in step. Finally the parachute ‘heads for’ its bag and the dragon disappears!

20. Elevator

More Games!