Games that children with and without disabilities can easily play together.

 Parachute Games                     Other Games                      Resources


Parachute Games
 

TRADING PLACES
The group evenly spaces and holds the parachute.  The leader calls out “one, two, three, UP” and lifts the parachute.  On the signal “DOWN,” the group pulls the parachute down towards the ground.  Once the group understands this movement, the leader waits until the parachute is going up, then call the names of two children.  The children must run under the parachute and trade places before the parachute falls to the ground.

POPCORN
If you have lots of soft balls, you can make a giant popcorn machine.  Just throw the light, spongy balls or beach balls on the parachute and wave the parachute up and down.

MERRY-GO-ROUND
Everyone grabs an edge of the parachute with one hand and begins walking in a circle.  To really get into the mood of a carousel, you can start bobbing up and down as you walk, just like the wooden horses.  Remember to switch directions occasionally.

TREASURE HUNT
Throw various objects under the parachute.  When the parachute is going up, the leader calls for one or more players to go under the parachute and search for a particular treasure.

SHARK
Players hold the parachute about waist high and stretched taut.  One player, the shark, goes underneath the parachute with a Frisbee.  The shark holds the edge of the Frisbee against the parachute while circling underneath to make it look as if a shark fin is rising up out of the water.  The shark will choose one person to “bite” by grabbing a leg.  This player becomes the new shark.

 


Various Other Games
 

SHOE FIND GAME
You need just your shoes for this activity.  Have everyone sit in a circle, take one shoe off, and place in the center.  The leader will give one person at a time someone else’s shoe, and ask him to find the owner.  (This can also be a parachute game where one “stinky” shoe goes in the center to be “washed” by the parachute.  The shoes are tossed up and down until clean.  Then one person at a time will find the owner of someone else’s shoe.)

HIDE & FIND
Play basic games such as hiding some toys on the playground and encouraging children to run and find them.

IN ‘N’ OUT RELAY
You will need 2 or more players for at least 2 teams.  Supply 3 milk cartons and 1 hula hoop per team.  Place 3 milk cartons inside a hula hoop.  Have 1 player run up and put the cartons outside the hula hoop and the next places them inside.  Repeat until everyone has had a turn.
 


Helpful Resources

Gould, P. & Sullivan, J. (1999). The Inclusive Early Childhood Classroom: Easy Ways to Adapt Learning   Centers for All Children. Highland Park, NJ: Gryphon Press.

Rappaport Morris, L. & Schulz, L. (1989). Creative play activities for children with disabilities: a resource book for teachers and parents. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers.

Strong, T. & LeFevre, D. (1996). Parachute games. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers.




 

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Created Spring, 2004.

Last updated: 08/27/2008