Balloon Games
Balloons are a fun way to introduce striking, kicking and catching at a young age!
Set up
Blow up one or two balloons, making sure they aren’t over or under-inflated.
How to play
Step 1
- Stand, sit or kneel facing your child, about 1 metre apart
Step 2
- Tap the balloon into the air and encourage your child to keep it up
- Count how many taps you can keep the balloon in the air for
Step 3
- When the balloon hits the ground, start again or add in a variation:
- Use your left hand only
- Kick the balloon with your foot
- Hit the balloon with a paper plate
- No hands! Use other parts of your body to keep the balloon up
Variations
Make it easier
- Tie a string to the balloon
Make it harder
- Set a boundary that the balloon can’t go out of
- Set up a string or tape between a doorway and play a game of balloon volleyball
- Set a boundary that the balloon can’t go out of
Activity information
Age: 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-5 years
Participants: 1
+
Equipment: Balloons
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching
To keep the balloon up, ensure your child;
- Keeps their eyes on the balloon
- Moves their hands and feet towards the balloon
Activity summary
Physical literacy tips
- Each have a paper plate to use to strike the balloon (balloon tennis)
- Let your child make up a new way of tapping the balloon
