Balloon - Page 3 of 5

Balloon Tap and Cup Sort

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie it tightly.
Place a basket on the carpet filled with five paper cups.
Set a second empty basket a short distance away.
Ask your child to tap the balloon into the air with their right hand.
While it is in the air, they must use their left hand to move one cup.
See how many cups they can move before the balloon hits the floor!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required because balloons and their broken pieces are a serious choking hazard for young children.

The Over-Head Balloon Drop

Steps:

Place a soft pillow on the floor for your child to lie on.
Set a large basket about a foot behind your child’s head.
Ask your child to lie on their back and squeeze a balloon between their ankles while holding the pillow sides.
Encourage them to lift their legs up and over their head.
The goal is to drop the balloon into the basket without using their hands!
Try it again and see how many times they can score in a row.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the area behind the child’s head is clear of hard furniture or sharp edges.

The Balloon Body Bop

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie it securely.
Tap the balloon into the air to show your child how it floats.
Call out a body part like Hand and help them tap it.
Try a harder part like Knee or Head to keep the balloon up.
See how many times they can tap it before it hits the floor.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is always required when playing with balloons. Balloons and broken pieces are a serious choking hazard. Dispose of any popped pieces immediately to keep your child safe.

Sitting Balloon Soccer

Steps:

Tape a large square on a clear wall to be the ‘soccer goal.’
Blow up a balloon and tie it securely for your child.
Have your child sit on a rug and lean back on their hands for support.
Challenge them to lift their feet and keep the balloon in the air.
Ask them to kick the balloon toward the masking tape goal.
See how many goals they can score in one minute!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play to prevent bumps or falls. Pick up broken balloon pieces immediately.

The Heavy Balloon Balance Walk

Steps:

Blow up a balloon and tie it for your child.
Use masking tape to create a long, straight path on the floor.
Ask your child to stand at the start of the line.
Have them hold the balloon in front of them with both hands.
Place one bean bag on top of the balloon.
Challenge them to walk along the tape line.
They must keep the bean bag from sliding off the balloon!
If the bag falls, they should stop, reset, and try again.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the walking path is clear of furniture and trip hazards to prevent falls while your child is looking at the balloon.