The sheer excitement and joy of hearing children playing with a parachute makes anyone smile. Something about the giant rainbow color and fun parachute games that have kids come running from all over.
It gets kids talking, laughing, socializing, and most importantly playing outside. We are huge advocates for the benefits of outdoor play. Being that Parachute is a group game, it teaches social and teamwork skills.
One thing I like most about these parachute games, besides the fact that it is really fun, is how compact they are and easy to store. It rolls up into such a small bundle and comes out for picnics, beach days, camps, kids birthday party games, and even let the kids bring it to school.
You might think there’s just that one signature game of bouncing the balls on the parachute, but there are TONS of creative parachute games you can play.
Parachute games are featured in our outdoor games kids list and beach games for kids list. Keep reading for our list of 23 favorite parachute games that will be the biggest hit at your next event. My favorite game is at the end!
Where to Buy a Parachute for Parachute Games
Age and use are factors to consider while choosing your parachute size.
Choose between an 8, 10, 12, or 14-foot parachute. Ideally, you will want a 10 Foot that is perfect for 4-6 kids. If you are looking for a large group of 8+ we would recommend the 14 feet.
Here are 20 Parachute Games for kids:
Popcorn Game
This is one of the simplest parachute games to play and is typically the first game we play. It’s probably the game you played in elementary school.
Place a number of beanbags, small tennis balls, ping pong balls, or whatever you can find onto the parachute. Then when you give the signal, everyone shakes as fast and hard as they can making them pop like popcorn. Try to pop all the balls out of the parachute.
Some variations have the children sit in a circle with their legs underneath the parachute before popping begins.
Parachute Launch
This parachute game does not need much explanation. Essentially you are seeing how far and how high you can launch an object into the air.
Place an object like a soccer ball in the middle of the parachute ad have the children lift it above their heads. Try a couple of practice motions because the kids will need to pull down and up as quickly as possible launching the object into the air.
I especially love this game for the teamwork and communication skills required. You cannot launch that ball into the air successfully without all working together.
Parachute Tug of War
Most play parachutes you purchase will be strong enough for this game. Ensure your parachute is good quality before trying.
Roll up the parachute to be as thin, but thick as possible. Split up the kids into 2 teams (ideally matched with the same strength) and have them hold their ends. The first team to pull the other team past the center line wins.
Parachute Ball Roll
There are a few variations of this parachute game as well. Try to have the kids roll the balls in the center hole of the parachute.
Another version is to see how long the kids can go without having the ball land in the middle, but this can take a lot longer. For the ball, a smaller soccer ball works great.
Poison Snakes
Place several jump ropes on to the parachute, and make sure it does not touch you. Have all the children shake the parachute up and down and make sure you move it hard enough the keep the snakes from touching you.
Making Waves
Have the kids hold on to the edge of the parachute and pretend to be the ocean.
Make up a story about a ship in the middle of a stormy ocean. From a calm breeze to a thunderstorm, the kids will have to act as a team in synchronizing the waves to match the weather conditions.
Parachute Volleyball
Place a ball in the middle of the shoot, and divide the kids into 2 teams. For this parachute game, 1 team will try to keep the balls on the parachute, and the others will try to knock it off.
Matching Colors
One of the more popular parachute games, similar to Duck Duck Goose. For this version, assign each child a color.
While the parachute is in motion, when your color is called you must run to the other side before the parachute comes down. Have the parachute move up and down slowly, so that when it is lifted the child can run to the other side before it falls on them.
Circus Tent
It takes a lot out of the kids with all the jumping up and down, so it is nice to sit and relax a bit. We call this the Parachute Circus Tent game because it resembles the big show.
Hold the parachute high enough for the kids to crawl in or find some props like a fence to keep it up. In here you can sign some songs, tell some stories, or just escape the hot sun.
Fly Away
The goal for this one is to see how high and how far you can make the parachute soar. If it is extremely windy out, you may not want to consider this. You may be going for a jog while the kids laugh.
Inform everyone that on the count of three, you will fly the parachute away. Pull it quickly towards you so that it looks like it’s flying.
Parachute BFF
Partner up all the children with a friend and have them sit on opposite sides of the parachute. Once you call their names they will need to run under the parachute, high-five each other, and make their way back.
Everyone will try to billow the parachute up and down as high as it can go, on once pulling down (so it shoots up) give them time to race across.
Parachute Go-Round
Very similar to a merry-go-round except using a parachute.
For this parachute game have the kids all hold the sides of the parachute with one hand. With this, you turn it into a circle having everyone jump or skip to some music.
Once you stop the music, all the children must quickly stop and reverse going in the opposite direction.
Parachute Tag
Much like Parachute BFF, except with Parachute Tag when calling each other names they must trade spots with the name of the child you choose. They must make it to their spot, without colliding, before this happens.
Mushroom
For this parachute game, the goal is to make the parachute look like a mushroom. For this have the children lift the parachute up and down for a few practice rounds. Once they get the hang of it, on the count of 3 they lift it up as high as they can, crouch on their knees, and pull the edges down outside of them.
This way all the children are inside the parachute and it looks a lot like a mushroom.
Around the World
For this game, you need to roll a ball around the outside of the parachute in the circle. It appears to look a lot like a roller derby, or Indy 500, but we like to call it around the world.
As the ball comes towards you, you lower your edges and raise it as it goes past. See how many times you can roll the ball around without falling off, or going in the middle.
Shoe Shuffle
One of the funniest games to watch, as well as play.
You will normally need 2 adults holding the outside, and have all the children take off one shoe and put it in the middle below the parachute. On the count of 3, everyone lifts the parachute as high as they can, then run to the middle to find their shoes before the parachute comes down on them.
Tortoise
Everyone must work as a team to get the tortoise to move about. All the children get underneath the giant shell on their hands and knees.
With this you have them walk around in a fun little obstacle course.
The Mad Scientist
This is a great demonstration to show the children what static electricity is and will end up giving them crazy-looking hair. Have the children all hold the edges of the parachute with one or 2 kids below. On the signal, you have all the children outside the parachute pull on the parachute back and forth in a saw-like motion.
One child is below the parachute with their hair touching the fabric, making it statically charged. With this, the child’s hair stands up, and looks a bit like a mad scientist. This is guaranteed to give everyone the giggles.
Parachute Golf
For this parachute game, you throw a ball in the middle and count the number of waves it takes to get the ball in the hole. When you count the number of waves the parachute makes and watch them try to get it in the hole.
Scatter Brains
Have the kids each pick a spot on their favorite color and wait for this to be called. Once the other players lift the parachute up high, the color you called earlier runs in and out to the middle. When the parachute starts coming down you quickly run back to your original position without it trapping you.
Selfie Time
Rules are the same as hot potato, but using a parachute instead. Pass a ball into the middle, and do not get caught with it when the whistle blows. If it falls through the middle, or off the side, we create a penalty or punishment rules (perhaps running in a circle 3 times around the shoot).
Hot Potato
Rules are the same as hot potato, but using a parachute instead. Pas a ball into the middle, and do not get caught with it when the whistle blows. If it falls through the middle, or off the side, we create a penalty or punishment rules (perhaps running in a circle 3 times around the shoot).
Knock Off
This game is a lot like popcorn, except you time how quickly the kids can knock off all the balls from the parachute. I would put around 15 tennis balls, and use a stopwatch to record the time.
Cat and Mouse
This list of Parachute Games wouldn’t be complete without the best game of all, cat and mouse. Have one child on top of the parachute and one below the parachute, both blindfolded.
The remaining children are the wave makers who will continually flap the parachute. The kid on the top, the cat, must find the mouse below the parachute. But they are both blindfolded, so they don’t know where each other are and have to listen for clues. The clues might be the sound of the parachute or from the hecklers.
