Parachute Birthday Cake
Together the class "bakes" a giant cake with the parachute: stir the batter, whisk it, put it in the oven, add the candles, and blow them out. Kids work on cooperation, expressing feelings, and coordination, and it is perfect for birthdays.
How to play
- Children stand in a circle around the parachute on the floor. Say: "Let's bake a cake for everyone." Everyone grabs the edge.
- "Stir the batter!": walk in a circle one way and, on a clap, the other way (2 minutes).
- "Whisk!": shake the fabric very fast, then very slowly. "Into the oven!": lift it slowly while counting to 5 so the cake rises. Lower it slowly (3 minutes).
- "Add the candles!": name 4 or 5 kids who step into the middle and stand tall with arms stretched up. Everyone else gently lowers the fabric to the candles' shoulders.
- "Blow!": everyone blows hard, and the candles go out by slowly sitting down. Lift the fabric and the candles return to their spots. Repeat until everyone has been a candle (5 minutes).
- Finish by lifting the fabric and singing the title of the birthday song while gently waving it. Then everyone "eats a slice" with a pretend bite (1 minute).
Rules
- Candles walk in and out, no running.
- Lower the fabric slowly to shoulder height, never over faces.
- Blow into the air, not in a friend's face.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use only two candles and walk them to the middle.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use five candles per round and have the group count them out loud.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, candles go out in different ways (spinning, melting statue) and the group guesses how.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child is a seated candle in the wheelchair with arms up.
- Shy kids are a candle with a buddy or next to the teacher.
- More skilled kids choose how their candle goes out; less skilled kids copy a neighbor.
Learning goals
- Cooperate in a group task by following a sequence.
- Express joy and celebrate together without competing.
- Control the speed of movement: fast, slow, and stop.
Equipment for a class of 25
- play parachute: 1
Teacher tip
If someone has a birthday that day, let them be the first candle. Have the parachute spread out before the kids come in so you do not lose time.
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