Popcorn
Soft balls on the parachute. Shake it to make them pop like popcorn, then try to pop every last one off. Loud, joyful, and everyone is busy.
Overview
You need
ParachuteSoft ballsOptional: Balloons
Skills developed
- Teamwork: shared shaking rhythm
- Strength: arm and shoulder work
- Tracking: watching many objects
NEL Framework: Motor Skills Development.
Set up
1Step 1
Parachute flat, children around the edge holding on.
2Step 2
Coach tips a bucket of soft balls onto the middle.
ChildTagger / team BCoachHoopSpotConeBallBeanbagRope or lineMarked areaWhere they move
How to play
- "Slow popcorn": gentle shakes, balls roll around.
- "Fast popcorn": shake hard, balls fly up. Try to pop them all off the parachute.
- Then the reverse: keep every ball on for a count of ten.
Tips for explaining
"Small fast shakes." Big slow waves do not pop anything.
"Chin up." Watch the balls, not your hands.
Make it easier / harder
EasierFewer balls, slow popcorn only.
HarderBalls must be popped off on one side only. Count them.
Safety
Soft balls only. Retrieve balls after the game, not during.
More teamwork & parachute games
Parachute MushroomEveryone lifts the parachute together, steps in, and pulls it down behind them to sit insi...Cat and MouseOne mouse crawls under the parachute, one cat crawls on top. Everyone else ripples the par...Pass the BeanbagSit in a circle and pass a beanbag round, faster and faster. Then two beanbags going oppos...Human TrainHands on the shoulders in front, and the train goes wherever the driver goes: around the c...
Rather we ran it for you?
This is one of the games our coaches run in pre-schools every week, with our own equipment. Weekly enrichment, sports days, or a whole holiday programme for your centre, planned in one message.