19 Fun Parachute Games And Activities For Kids

If your child loves the idea of flying and adventure sports, parachute games for kids are just what you need to expose them to. Children like to believe they can fly like their superheroes. And since the idea can be dangerous, some of us took to kite flying or even playing with parachutes as kids. Parachute flying is not easy or a real possibility for all but several parachute games and outdoor activities can help kids have a fun time. So, delve into this post for a list of amazing parachute games for your children.

In This Article

19 Fun Parachute Games And Activities For Children

12 Parachute Games For Kids

Games that involve the use of a parachute exercise the child’s muscles while strengthening their arms and shoulders. Most importantly, parachute games develop team-building skills, which help the child to socialize and make new friends.

No matter what the age of your children is, they will surely enjoy these fun parachute games for kids. All they need is a parachute, and they’re good to go.

1. Parachute tug-of-war

Image: Shutterstock

This parachute game is super fun entertainment, providing recreation to children. It requires a parachute and more than four children.

  • Divide the number of players into two teams.
  • Ask the teams to stand on two sides of the parachute, holding it firmly.
  • Begin the game on the count of 3.
  • The task is to pull the opposite team onto their side.
  • Whoever accomplishes this goal faster wins the game.

2. Parachute turtle

Image: Shutterstock

What if you could walk like a turtle? For this game, all you need is a parachute and a bunch of enthusiastic kids.

  • The children have to space out evenly and hold the edges of the parachute.
  • The task is to get inside the parachute, inflate it and give it the shape of a turtle’s shell.
  • Once the children sit inside the chute, which now looks like a turtle’s shell, they must start walking slowly, just as a turtle would do.
  • The challenge is not to disturb the shape of a turtle.
  • If you have more than one team of kids to play this game, having a parachute turtle race would be a great idea too.

3. Parachute mushroom

Image: IStock

Like the earlier game, this game also requires only a parachute and a team of more than five players.

  • The players must hold all the edges of the parachute.
  • Select any two or three players to stand in the center of the parachute: they would be the stem of the mushroom.
  • The other children have to bring the edges, slightly inwards to resemble the cap of a mushroom.
  • Voila! Your very own parachute mushroom is ready.

Once the mushroom is ready, see for how long they can hold it in shape.

Kendra Jones, a blogger, has some advice on setting up a parachute for a group of toddlers. She says, ”With a very large group, I feel it is safer and easier to manage if children are on top of the chute. Ask grownups to scoot back and spread the chute in the middle of the floor. This usually requires temporarily relocating toddlers, so I usually ask grownups to grab their children while we are spreading out the chute. I just move any stragglers myself. Once the chute is laid out, release the toddlers (i).”

protip_icon Do remember
Parachute games teach kids to follow instructions. Kids also learn the importance of sharing and interacting with one another and learn teamwork.

4. Fleas off the parachute

Image: IStock

Worried where to get fleas from for the game? Don’t worry, we’ve got you all covered here – get tiny, lightweight plastic balls and call them fleas for this game.

  • Divide the players into teams of two.
  • The children have to hold all the edges of the parachute firmly.
  • Place all the balls on the top and center of the chute.
  • The task of one team is to throw the fleas (balls) out.
  • And the other team is not to let the fleas out.
  • Having a timer would make the game a lot more fun.

5. Circus tent

Image: IStock

For this game, you will need a giant parachute and a large group of kids.

  • The children must firmly hold the edges of the parachute.
  • When the game begins, they must all go inside while holding the parachute. They can kneel or sit inside the parachute, as per their convenience.
  • As there are no rules, children may also get creative with the shapes and design of their tent.

6. Sea waves

Image: IStock

A lot of sitting and standing is required in this game; so ensure the children are well-hydrated.

  • Hold the parachute up firmly to the waist level.
  • Divide the children into two teams.
  • One team has to stand, and the other one should sit alternatively, giving it a wave effect.
  • This process can go on until the teams are exhausted. You can add a twist by asking them to do a certain number of waves within a time frame.

7. Beach-ball off the ground

Image: IStock

Whether or not you are at the beach, this game can be played just anywhere. All you need is a beach ball and a parachute.

  • For this simple game, start by holding the edges of the parachute.
  • Throw the ball onto the parachute.
  • Flutter and wave the parachute into various directions but not let the ball fall off. Game on?

8. Alligator alligator

Image: IStock

Crawl, crawl, and have fun, but don’t attack like you are one.

  • The children have to lie on their backs and place the parachute on top of them.
  • Let them spread across the entire chute and hold it firmly.
  • The task is to slowly crawl like an alligator, with the parachute on top.
  • To make it more fun, divide the children into two teams, like the left and right legs of the parachute alligator.
  • When one leg moves, the other one stays still.

9. Don’t get trapped

Image: IStock

This exciting game is also referred to as crossing under the bridge. All you require is a parachute and more than three players.

  • All the players have to stand at the corners of the parachute and grip the edges of the parachute tightly.
  • Let one of the players be the leader or referee and ask them to call out the names of the other players randomly.
  • Whenever someone’s name is called, that player must try to cross the bridge, but while going under the parachute. Others have to try and trap the person who is crossing.
  • If the player comes without getting trapped, they win. The idea is to be swift and smart while they cross.

10. Weather change

Image: IStock

This interesting game engages kids and keeps them on their toes.

  • The children have to space out evenly and hold the parachute.
  • One among them has to be the weather reporter.
  • Decide one type of parachute movement, – flutter, swing, move up and down, etc.
  • The weather reporter has to announce the weather conditions and the other players have to move the parachute accordingly.

11. Parachute volleyball

Parachute volleyball

Image: Shutterstock

This activity can teach children to work as a team and enhance their social skills.

  • Divide the children into two teams.
  • One team will try to keep the ball on the parachute and the other team, off it.
  • If the ball is dislodged from the parachute, just place it back on it and continue.
  • The teams will be switched after two minutes.
  • Make the game more challenging by not allowing team mates to stand next to each other.

12. Parachute tag

Parachute tag

Image: Shutterstock

There is no clear winner in this game and it continues till everyone gets their name called.

  • The parachute is placed on a flat surface, and the players assemble around it (place one player before each colored slice of the parachute).
  • Players should grab and lift a piece of the parachute above their heads.
  • One player is selected to call a name. Once a name is called, that player should let go of his section and run underneath the parachute to reach the other side, and the others need to bring the parachute down.
  • If the parachute touches the running player, then he returns to his original spot.

7 Parachute Activities For Kids

Just like the games, parachute activities for kids are entertaining and come with a little bit of learning. Here are some fun activities with a parachute.

13. Merry-go-round

Image: IStock

Simple actions, such as sitting, standing, walking, and running, can be taught through this activity. This activity is ideal for young or middle-school children who need a bit of physical exercise.

  • Let the children stand while holding the parachute with either the left or right hand. All of them have to unanimously decide on which hand to use, as they all must be facing one direction.
  • Have an adult, such as the teacher or a parent, supervise the activity. They should instruct the players to do as instructed: sit, stand, move, or pause.
  • The result will be a beautiful merry-go-round formation by the players.
protip_icon Quick tip
You can play some children’s music in the background to make the atmosphere more fun and exciting.

14. Color quiz

Image: IStock

This would be a great learning activity for kids in the elementary stages, as it involves a quiz on colors. Any adult, parent, or teacher can conduct this activity.

  • Place the parachute evenly on a flat surface.
  • The adult must announce a color, and the children have to identify that specific shade on the chute.
  • You can make this more fun by asking the kids to jump from one color to the other, instead of walking to it.

15. Retrieve your shoe

Image: IStock

This exciting activity involves a lot of running around. It is more entertaining when there are more players.

  • The players have to hold the parachute up in the air, at the shoulder level.
  • Each player will take numbers, and the odd and even-numbered kids will form a group each.
  • When the odd numbers are called out, they must knock their shoes under the parachute. Repeat the same with the even numbers, in the next round.
  • Now, set up a timer for 30 seconds.
  • When the timer goes off, all the odd-numbered players have to retrieve their own shoes. And in the next round of 30 seconds, even-numbered players must retrieve the shoes.
  • Whichever team can retrieve the most number of shoes within the time frame, wins!

16. Shake hands/ Icebreaker

Image: Shutterstock

Similar to the above activity, this one is about shaking hands and introducing oneself to the other person. This activity is ideal for breaking the ice when playing with new players.

  • Ask all the children to hold the parachute up, firmly.
  • Now assign numbers to each of them.
  • An adult, who is supervising the activity, can call out any two random numbers.
  • These numbers have to then go inside the parachute and shake hands with each other. They may also talk, introduce, and get to know the other player.

17. Swap numbers

Image: IStock

This fun activity can be used to teach numbers or more to children.

  • Children may either sit or stand around the parachute.
  • Assign numbers to each player.
  • An adult may call out any two numbers, who have to now switch their spots with each other.

Tip: Another variation for this activity can be using fruits, vegetables, cities, or countries too.

18. Find the treasure

Image: IStock

This activity can help kids learn the names of various objects and improve their gross motor skills.

  • Pile up a bunch of things under the parachute.
  • The players have to hold up the parachute to the knee level.
  • An adult may supervise or conduct this activity. They have to call out the name of one player at a time and assign an object to be retrieved.
  • The players have to crawl down the parachute, find the object, and bring it out.
  • To make it more challenging, set a time limit in which they have to find and retrieve the object.

19. Fruit partners

Image: Shutterstock

Test a child’s presence of mind with this activity that is both fun and amazing.

  • An adult has to assign fruit names to the players in a sequence, ensuring one fruit is assigned to two players.
  • The players hold up the parachute and slowly move it up and down.
  • When the name of the fruit is called out, the players with that name have to switch places and hold the parachute before it touches the ground.
  • Continue this game, until all the fruit names are called out.
  • You may modify the game, by assigning names of countries, rivers or numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I wash a play parachute?

Yes, you may wash a play parachute by hand or in a washing machine. Remember to check the instructions provided by the manufacturer about the process and the type of detergent to use.

2. What do children learn from playing with a parachute?

Most children enjoy playing with parachutes. They are fun and also promote education on creativity and leadership. Children may learn team-building skills and social interaction while working on hand-eye coordination and mobility.

3. Can parachute games enhance a child’s coordination and motor skills? If so, how?

Yes, parachute games can help enhance a child’s coordination and motor skills. By engaging in play with a parachute, children develop hand-eye coordination and improve their gross motor skills. The different parachute movements they explore necessitate the usage of different muscles, encouraging physical growth and coordination (1).

4. Are there any parachute games specifically designed to improve cognitive skills in children?

Yes, there are many parachute games like alligator alligator and parachute mushroom that enhance cognitive skills in children. The cooperative aspect of parachute games encourages interaction with others, problem-solving, and communication skills, all of which are excellent for cognitive development (2).

5. How do parachute games contribute to the overall emotional well-being of children?

Parachute games improve children’s emotional well-being by fostering a sense of participation, teamwork, and cooperation.

6. How can parachute games be adapted to suit different age groups and skill levels?

Parachute games can be modified for various age groups and skill levels by changing the difficulty of movements, creating obstacles or challenges, and including age-appropriate themes.

7. What are some creative ways to incorporate learning concepts into parachute games for children?

Some creative ideas to incorporate learning concepts into parachute games for children include using colors for practicing color recognition, assigning letters or numbers to different sections of the parachute for counting or spelling activities, and incorporating shapes and having children identify and imitate the shapes formed with the parachute.

Games and activities involving parachutes can be customized and played in a variety of ways. All of the above-mentioned parachute games for kids, such as parachute tug-of-war, parachute mushroom, circus tent, don’t get trapped, and others, could be entertaining to play. You can also incorporate some fun parachute activities, such as color quiz and swamp numbers. Thus, instruct the kids on how to use or hold the parachute cautiously so that neither the children nor the parachute is harmed, and so it can be used for several other games as well.

Infographic: Fun Parachute Games And Activities For Children

Anything that flies in the sky can capture your child’s attention. So, why not take a parachute and bring it to the ground for them to play with? We bring a few game ideas that involve the use of a parachute. Use them to entertain children.

let your children have fun with a parachute (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Key Pointers

  • Encourage your child’s love for flying by playing parachute games with them.
  • Parachute games are not only fun, but also promote physical development.
  • Try games like Fleas off the Parachute, Parachute Turtle, Parachute Mushroom, Circus Tent, Alligator Alligator, and Parachute Tug of War.
  • Make sure to supervise your child during play to prevent injuries.


Let your kids have fun with these exciting parachute games! Learn how to play and enjoy the laughter and joy of these fun activities.

Personal Experience: Source

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Parachute games; The Genius of Play
  2. Cognitive Development In School-Age Children: Conclusions And New Directions; National Library of Medicine
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