Parachutes

A staple in physical education, play parachutes bring energy, teamwork, and creativity into every class. These colorful tools are a pastime favorite and continue to be one of the most popular items in PE. Used widely for both indoor or outdoor parachute games and group activities, they keep a large number of students engaged, moving, and having a ton of fun! From quick warm-ups to full-class games, a giant rainbow parachute supports active, engaging learning across all grade levels. 

Who Made the Rainbow Parachute? 

The rainbow parachute used in physical education evolved from recreational parachutes originally designed for group play and movement exploration in the 1970s and 1980s. It was popularized by physical educators and recreation leaders rather than a single inventor, eventually becoming a standard tool in PE programs. Today, Gopher has refined the design to meet the needs of modern schools with durable, teacher-tested features and bright, fun student-tested designs. 

What Are the Benefits of Using PE Parachutes? 

Made of lightweight, durable fabric and surrounded by evenly spaced reinforced handles, using a Gopher parachute helps students build essential motor and social skills. Lifting, shaking, and controlling the parachute improves coordination, timing, and muscle development. Group play encourages teamwork, communication, and inclusive participation, while structured games help students follow directions and explore creative movement patterns. Inclusive for all ages, from your youngest elementary kids to high schoolers, there are many unique rainbow parachute games.  

How Do I Choose the Right Parachute for My Class? 

Selecting the right gym parachute depends on class size and activity goals. Our sizes vary to accommodate small groups or full PE classes, making it easy to scale activities, while bright panels help organize movement and create visually engaging parachute games for kids. 

Our smaller options work well for stations or elementary school parachute games, while larger options support full-class participation for older kids. Look for designs built to last with reinforced handles and durable materials made for daily use. Easy storage solutions, such as compact folding and included bags, help teachers stay organized. 

As you compare products, consider these questions:  

• How Important is Durability? With quintessential PE activities like the parachute, students get excited which often leads to constant tugging and pulling. We know parachute price is important, but ensure whatever option you buy can stand up to rough use over time to stretch your budget further. UltraChute is the most durable option on the market with rip-stop polyester and double-stitched handles.
• Do I Want Handles? While some students may hold onto the perimeter of the parachute, adding handles often improves grip and control, making activities safer and more inclusive. All of our ElevAir and UltraChute parachutes include handles!
• What’s the Best Size for My Students? Different age levels and class sizes require different equipment. Our ElevAir Deluxe parachute comes with or without handles in 7 sizes to accommodate the needs of any program!  Follow our approximate sizing guide below.
  • Before you browse: Most Gopher parachutes follow the same sizing & handle options, but due to its unique, extra-durable design, UltraChute has additional handles and can accommodate even more students! Those numbers are called out separately in the table.
  • Remember! You know your students best. Consider age (preschool or elementary students might have a more difficult time creating waves, so we recommend leaning toward the smaller side of each range) and skillset (middle or high school students have more upper body strength, so it's less likely a parachute being too big would be an issue). As always, our Customer Care team is here to help answer any questions you may have!  

You also may want to consider specific colors or what the purpose of your parachute will be. Still need help deciding? Read our blog with tips to help choose the best option for you. 

Popular Rainbow Parachute Activities and Games 

There are endless activity options for your program. You can easily integrate parachute games into warm-ups, cooperative units, or movement exploration lessons. Gopher even offers PE parachutes designed specifically for active, engaging games, including Sid the Spider, Stella the Starfish, and Ollie the Octopus that all come with their own activity instructions! 

Classic kids parachute games include: 

• Popcorn Pandemonium: Place small, lightweight balls on top of the parachute. Students work together to shake the parachute and pop the balls into the air, erupting like a volcano to teach arm strength, timing, and coordination. Have students use waves to push objects to the other side or attempt to catch them as skills progress. 
• Wave Maker: Students create waves of different sizes or follow rhythm-based cues together, helping develop timing, cooperation, and upper-body coordination. Assign weather types (ex: Thunder = Hard Shaking, Rain = Slow Up & Down, Sun = Standing Still) to keep students engaged.
• Exploration Stations: Call out colors, numbers, categories or more and have students run or crawl under the parachute to switch spots before it falls. This will teach students listening skills, quick decision-making, and agility—and is easy to adjust for varying skill levels!
• Umbrellas, Mountains, and Igloos, Oh My! Students lift the parachute high to make a mushroom shape, then bring it down to trap air to create different variations; create a mountain by sitting with knees around the edge of the parachute, an umbrella by stepping underneath the dome, and then an igloo by sitting around the inside edge. This will help develop timing, cooperation, and spatial awareness skills!
• Cat & Mouse Chase: Students move around or underneath the parachute playing tag games. A "mouse" moves underneath while a "cat" tries to find them with guidance from the group, teaching locomotor skills, reaction time, and strategic movement. 
• Skill-Building Bulls-Eye: Incorporating this versatile parachute will allow students to turn cooperative movement into precision-based games. Develop control and endurance or catching/tossing skills using specific color zones to create cross-curricular lessons!

Ready to take your lesson plan to the next level? See the following Gopher contributor blogs: 

• 3 Parachute Games Your Students Will Love explains how to play Cat & Mouse, Shark Attack, and Climb the Mountain. There are videos from Shannon Jarvis Irwin to coach you through!
• Mini Parachute Team Critter Quest is a great lesson plan for older kids from PE Teacher Tim Mueller, who details how to play here. 
• Looking to connect with other PE teachers to see what ideas they have? Join us on PE Universe to find more great options.  

Gopher is Here to Help Make Parachute Play Successful!  

Safe and effective use starts with clear expectations and consistent routines. Use simple cues and signals to manage large groups, and adapt activities by changing speed, direction, or complexity to support all skill levels. This keeps every student involved and active. Read this article on tips and tricks to make every parachute lesson a success. 

Built to last and made for daily use, a Gopher parachute is engineered for unmatched durability, standing up to constant pulling, lifting, and high-energy play better than other standard options on the market. With rugged construction and educator-focused design, they are trusted worldwide and built to outlast while supporting active, engaging learning in every lesson. Teachers consistently rely on Gopher products for their reliability, ease of use, and ability to handle high-energy group play, as well as our responsive customer support team, fast shipping, and Unconditional Satisfaction Guarantee.

As a trusted partner in physical education, Gophers knows parachutes are a powerful tool for movement, teamwork, and fun. Whether you are introducing new parachute games for kids or upgrading your current gear, a high-quality school gym parachute helps create inclusive, engaging experiences. Explore Gopher options and bring new energy to your program today! 

We’ve gathered answers to the most common parachute questions to make your shopping experience simple. Questions are organized by category and include detailed answers, practical tips, and helpful resources all in one place! 

Are Gopher parachutes durable? 

Absolutely. Most are made with durable, coated rip-stop polyester, making them nearly indestructible. Handles are also double-stitched and many include a rope sewn into the perimeter for additional strength & grip.

What size parachute should I choose for my class? 

You know your students best! While group size is the most important factor, consider factors such as age (preschool or elementary students might have a more difficult time creating waves, so we recommend leaning toward the smaller side of each range) and skillset (middle or high school students have more upper body strength, so it's less likely a parachute being too big would be an issue).

Most Gopher parachutes follow the same sizing & handle options, but due to its unique, extra-durable design, UltraChute has additional handles and can accommodate even more students! Those numbers are called out separately in the table.

Follow this approximate guide to find the best option for your program: