The Parachute Goes on a Trip
The whole group, holding the parachute, moves together across the yard to visit different places marked with cones, without letting go and without the fabric touching the ground. It builds spatial orientation, side-stepping and group decision-making.
How to play
- The teacher places four cones at familiar spots in the yard, such as the tree, the water fountain, the goal or the gate, and explains that the parachute wants to go on a trip (2 min).
- Practice moving together: one step to one side, one step to the other, without letting go (2 min).
- First trip: the teacher names the destination and the group walks there; some go forward, some backward and some sideways (3 min).
- A child chooses the next destination and the group decides which way to go without bumping into anything (3 min).
- Head home to the starting point very slowly with the fabric held high (2 min).
Rules
- Nobody lets go during the trip.
- Walk slowly so nobody gets dragged.
- If someone says "Stop!", we all stop.
- The fabric doesn't touch the ground.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, short, straight trips with the teacher leading the group from the front.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, children choose the destinations and go forward, sideways or backward depending on their spot.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, trips come with conditions: "to the tree with the fabric very high" or "to the goal making ripples."
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair carries the parachute on their lap and the group sets the pace to match the chair.
- Visual impairment: the child walks between two classmates who warn about turns and obstacles.
- Autism: show the destinations beforehand with photos or by pointing, so the child knows where the trip is going.
Learning goals
- Move as a group forward, sideways and backward.
- Find their way around the familiar yard.
- Make route decisions with classmates.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Rainbow parachute: 1
- Cone: 4
Teacher tip
Check the route beforehand: no steps or curbs. The hardest part is keeping the backward walkers from tripping, so ask for small steps and stop often.
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