Skydivers Land on the Target

Children climb aboard the plane (a low bench), jump off like skydivers onto a mat and land with bent knees inside a hoop target; then they open their parachute (a scarf) and watch it float down. It practices jumping from a small height, safe landings and self-confidence.

How to play

1. Practice landing on the floor: jump in place and land feet together with bent knees, “like a spring” (2 min).
2. Set up two planes: a low bench with a mat in front and a hoop on it as the target. Each skydiver takes a scarf parachute (1 min).
3. Take turns boarding the plane, walk along the bench, and at the end say “one, two, three, jump!” and land on the mat (4 min).
4. Now aim for the target: land with both feet inside the hoop and hold still like a statue for two seconds (4 min).
5. After landing, open your parachute: toss the scarf up, watch it float down and catch it before getting back in line (2 min).
6. Last special jump: each child chooses how to jump (arms up, a small turn, a star shape) and everyone cheers the landing (2 min).

Rules

• Jump from the end of the bench, never from the middle.
• One skydiver at a time: wait until the last one leaves the mat.
• Land on feet with bent knees, never head first.
• If you don't want to jump, you can climb down the plane's stairs (walk off).

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child slides from the bench to the mat sitting down with an adult's help, or is the pilot who gives each skydiver the go.
• Autism: preview the steps with a picture and allow several jumps in a row to get comfortable.
• Visual impairment: an adult walks the child to the edge and gives the go with a tap on the shoulder; use a large mat and no target.

Learning goals

• Jump safely from a small height.
• Cushion the landing by bending the knees.
• Build confidence in one's own abilities.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Low benches: 2
• Floor mats: 4
• Hoops: 4
• Scarves: 25

Teacher tip

Always keep an adult beside the bench and use thick mats with no gaps. The usual mistake is landing with straight legs, so repeat “spring feet” before every jump and respect children who'd rather walk off.

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