Ocean Drift

Name and Purpose

• Ocean Drift is a gentle parachute game of hiding and finding that builds suspense and group awareness.
• Players practise stillness, patience, and gentle movement in a playful shared experience.

a.k.a.

• Parachute Tag, Wave Catchers

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 7-12 | 10-30 players | 10-20 minutes | Large flat open space, indoors or outdoors

Materials

• One large parachute

Quick-Run Card

1. All players sit around the parachute holding the edge to their waist with legs underneath.
2. One Seeker goes underneath the parachute.
3. Edge holders ripple gently to hide the Seeker from view.
4. Seeker moves gently underneath and taps one player’s leg.
5. Tapped player lifts the edge, surfaces, and becomes the next Seeker. Original Seeker joins the edge.

Setup and Boundaries

• Lay the parachute flat on even, clean ground before play.
• All players sit with legs extended under the parachute at the start.
• Signal: one short whistle to pause; two to stop.
• Staff position: one staff member at the edge to monitor the Seeker underneath.

How to Play

1. All players sit in a circle holding the parachute edge to their waist, with legs under the parachute.
2. One volunteer starts as the Seeker and moves under the parachute.
3. Edge holders ripple the parachute gently so the Seeker is hidden from view.
4. The Seeker crawls slowly and gently underneath, looking for legs. They tap one player’s leg once.
5. The tapped player lifts the parachute edge and surfaces. They become the new Seeker.
6. The original Seeker takes the open spot around the edge.
7. Continue until everyone who wants a turn has been the Seeker.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Go underneath as the Seeker and move around.
• S (Support): Hold the edge and ripple to help hide the Seeker.
• Q (Quiet): Hold the edge with small, steady movements.
• O (Observer): Sit near the edge without legs under; watch and join as an edge holder when comfortable.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who prefer not to go under the parachute can stay as edge holders every round.
• Seeker can use a gentle verbal cue (‘Found you!’) instead of a leg tap for players with sensory needs.

Stewardship Moment

• Fold the parachute together at the end of play.
• Reflection: ‘What was the hardest part, hiding or finding? What does that tell you about perspective?’

Consent

• Pre-brief: ‘This game has an option to go underneath the parachute as the Seeker. For those not comfortable being under the parachute, holding the edge and creating the ripples makes the whole game possible.’
• Mid-game check: After two or three rounds, pause and ask for a thumbs up, sideways, or down.
• Opt-out/re-entry: Any Seeker can tap the edge twice to signal they want to come out. Edge holders can volunteer to be Seeker at any point.

Risks and Mitigation

• Seeker moving too fast and bumping into seated players: remind the Seeker to move slowly and gently.
• Players uncomfortable with leg contact: Seeker can use a verbal cue instead of a tap, or tap the parachute fabric near the player.
• Discomfort under parachute: always allow immediate opt-out; staff monitor the edge for signals.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• Ripple practice: everyone practices making small, medium, and large waves on cue.
• Stillness game: everyone freezes on signal for five seconds, then ripples again. Practises control.

Debrief Questions

• What? ‘What did you notice while you were the Seeker underneath?’
• So What? ‘What made the edge holders good at hiding the Seeker?’
• Now What? ‘When do you play an unseen but important role for others?’

Cleanup and Reset

• Fold parachute together as a group.
• Check ground for any debris.
• Return parachute to storage.