Parachutes are a great item to add to help increase physical activity. The great thing is that it can get kids of all ages involved, which is very important. I know there are a lot of games that can be played and I would really enjoy if someone added to my list, but these are the ones I know of.

Running around - This is where the kids all run around the parachute in the same direction to see how fast they can go without falling down. Simple and fun game though make sure kids are spaced out enough so they don’t hurt each other when they go down.

Cat and Mouse – This is where you have the people holding the edges of the parachute hold it close to the ground and shake it fast up and down. One person who is selected as the mouse goes under the parachute. Then a person is selected as the cat and they need to try to chase the person that is under the parachute by being on the top of the parachute. When the cat successfully gets the mouse then the game is over.

Under the Chute – I wasn’t sure what to call this game so I figured Under the Chute would do. The group is divided into two and each is given a number which corresponds to someone in the second group. Everyone then goes to the parachute and holds the edge and waves it up and down. When a number is called, the two people who have that number run under the parachute (and need to avoid running into each other) and switch places. The parachute needs to be held up high enough by the kids so that no one gets hurt running underneath.

Cauldron – Again I had no idea what to call this one so I figured that name would do. A few light and soft balls are placed on the parachute while the kids are waving it up and down furiously. The _object_ is to try to wave it as furiously as possible to make the balls bounce up in the air as high as possible without falling off the parachute.