Prone Balloon Target Bop
- Play time:
- 5 to 10 minutes
- Setup:
- 5 minutes
- Where:
- Floor
Why it helps
This activity is perfect for building the muscles in your child's back, neck, and shoulders. By lying on their tummy and reaching forward, they are working on core stability and head control. These are important for sitting still in a chair later on. Using a balloon keeps it fun and slow-paced. This gives them time to coordinate their eyes and hands together. It also helps with motor planning as they decide how hard to hit the balloon to reach the targets.
Steps
- Tape the butcher paper to the floor so it stays still.
- Blow up a bright balloon and tie it securely.
- Use your markers to draw three large circles at the far end of the paper.
- Ask your child to lie on their tummy at the start of the paper.
- They must keep their chest up and use both hands to bop the balloon toward the circles.
- Challenge them to land the balloon inside each circle without their belly leaving the ground.
Safety tip: Always supervise your child when playing with balloons. Broken balloon pieces are a serious choking hazard.
Make it easier
- Place a small pillow under your child's chest so it is easier to stay lifted.
- Draw bigger circles and move them closer to your child's hands.
- Roll or toss the balloon to your child so they only need to bop it back.
Make it harder
- Bop with one hand at a time while the other forearm props the chest up.
- Number the circles and call out which one to land in next.
- Lift both arms and the chest off the floor for each bop, like a superhero flying.
What to watch for
- Notice how long your child keeps the chest and head up before resting on the floor. Short rests between turns are fine.
- Watch whether your child props on the elbows, pushes up on straight arms, or lifts both arms freely to bop.
- If the squeak of the balloon or the chance of a pop worries your child, use a beach ball or a soft, light ball instead.
Where this helps in daily life
Lifting the chest and reaching forward build the back and shoulder strength kids use to climb playground ladders, carry a backpack, and push up off the floor to stand.
Need personalized support?
While these activities are great for home practice, nothing replaces the guidance of a licensed therapist. If you are in Irvine, CA or the Orange County area and have concerns about your child's Core Strength, we invite you to connect with us.
Contact Tumble N' Dots Therapy →These activities are for home practice and don't replace the guidance of a licensed therapist.
