All participants need to stand in a circle holding the edge of the parachute. Go round the circle giving the children a type of bird to be for the remainder of the game in the same way as you would normally number them into groups, some children will be robins, some flamingos, some sparrows, some eagles etc. You can use this helpful RSPB guide to find different types of birds in the UK to use for this game.
Fix a position as the place where the caller stands, thus ensuring that different people get a turn to be the caller. The first caller shouts out at least one type of bird, but possibly two or three.
All children who are that bird have to change places under the parachute. Whoever is now standing in the caller’s position is the caller for the next turn. If the caller shouts “Fly away”, everyone must change position.
TIP
This game can also be played without a parachute, if the children sit in a circle and run round the outside when their type of bird is called.
