Game Instructions for Parachute Play
A bright and colorful parachute has something for every child. Often a parachute is exciting
even for the most difficult to motivate learners. There are a wide range of games you can play
using the parachute, though many students love to lay on the floor while an adult lifts the parachute
up and lets it fall on them. This can be a powerful reinforcer, and an entry point for introducing
some of the games described below.
Round and Round We Go
Age/Skill Level: Grades PreK - Kindergarten
Number of Players: 3-6 (larger groups if you have a larger parachute)
Object: Follow directions to move in specific ways while holding the parachute
and moving in a circle.
Skills: following directions, gross motor skills, attending to other players
Materials needed: parachute
Prep: Clear a space so that all players can comfortably move around with the parachute fully
spread out. Prepare several movements players could make, such as: skipping, jumping, hopping,
tip-toeing, marching, pretending to ice skate, etc.
Instructions:
• All players hold one loop of the parachute.
• Each player holds the parachute up over his/her head and begins to walk in a circle.
• The teacher calls out what to do next. For example, the teacher may say, “Okay, now
weʼre marching!” All players continue moving in circle with parachute, but are now
marching.
Considerations:
• You many need to teach players how to shake the parachute with an appopriate
intensity so the items do not bounce off the parachute.
• You may want to assign a player to be the “Leader” who tells everyone what move to
do next.
Color Match
Age/Skill Level: Grades PreK - Kindergarten
Number of Players: 3-6 (larger groups if you have a larger parachute)
Object: Match items to color panels on the parachute
Skills: matching, sorting, color recognition
Materials needed: parachute, variety of objects that match colors on parachute panels
Prep: Clear a space so that all players can comfortably move around with the parachute fully
spread out. Organize a variety of objects that match the colors on the panels of your prachute.
Instructions:
• All players hold one loop of the parachute.
• Teacher or adult places all items on the parachute.
• When the teacher says “Go!” all players shake the parachute so the items bounce up
and down on the parachute.
• Option One: When the teacher says “Stop!” all players gently pull parachute down
to the floor, then begin moving items to the color panel that matches in color.
Players grab any items within reach and collaborate to sort all items quickly.
• Option Two: When the teacher says “Stop!” all players gently pull parachute down
to the floor, then begin moving items to the color panel that matches in color. All
players have a previously assigned color. Each player must find all the items of that
color and place it on the matching color panel. The first player to place all of his/her
items wins the game.
Considerations:
• You many need to teach players how to shake the parachute with an appopriate
intensity so the items do not bounce off the parachute.
• You may want to assign a player to be the “Leader” who tells everyone when to go and
when to stop.
Just the Right Size?
Age/Skill Level: pre-K to Kindergarten
Number of Players: 3-6 (larger groups if you have a larger parachute)
Object: To predict whether or not an objects is too big or just the right size to
fall into the hole in the middle of the parachute.
Skills: Compare and contrast, adjectives (big and little), intraverbal skills
Materials needed: Parachute, several objects of various sizes
Prep: Clear a space so that all players can comfortably move around with the parachute fully
spread out. Organize a group of materials, some of which are too large to fit into the center hole,
some of which are too small to fit into the center hole. As players become more adept at the game,
you can introduce items that are similar in size, but may not all fit into the center hole.
Instructions:
• All players hold one loop of the parachute.
• Teacher or adult places one item on the parachute.
• The teacher then asks the players to predict whether or not the item will fit into the center
hole.
• After all predictions have been made, all players shake the parachute so the item bounces
up and down on the parachute.
• Option One: When the teacher says “Is (name of object) just the right size,” all players
stop shaking the parachute and work together to guide the item towards the center of
the parachute and see if it will fall in the hole.
• Option Two: All players sing the song below. After singing the line “Is (name of object)
just the right size,” all players stop shaking the parachute and work together to guide
the item towards the center of the parachute and see if it will fall in the hole. (Song to
the tune of “London Bridges.”)
"
"
"
The (name of object) is bouncing up and down
!
!
!
Up and down
!
!
!
Up and down
!
!
!
We are looking with two eyes
!
!
!
Is it the right size?! !
!
• Players compare prediction to what really happened.
• Continue gameplay with a new object.
Considerations:
• As players become more adept at the game, you can introduce items that are similar in
size, but may not all fit into the center hole.