Let's incorporate it into childcare! Introducing fun balloon play ideas
Round, fluffy, floating balloons are full of charm that sparks children’s curiosity.
Just seeing balloons in bright, colorful hues is enough to make some children’s eyes light up with excitement.
Unlike balls, balloons don’t hurt when they hit you, and they’re easy to prepare—benefits that make them a great, accessible activity in nurseries and kindergartens.
So this time, we’re introducing play ideas that use balloons.
From group games to DIY toys and even mats you can lie on, there are plenty of ideas that make the most of balloons’ unique qualities and can be enjoyed with friends or as a parent-child activity!
Find your favorite way to play and give it a try!
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Let’s incorporate it into childcare! Fun balloon play ideas (1–10)
Balloon target game
How about a balloon target game? Prepare several inflated balloons and stick them to a wall.
Instead of using real balls, crumpled newspaper balls are recommended.
Have the kids throw those “balls” at the balloons again and again! You can write numbers on the balloons to keep score, or draw different pictures on them and have the kids aim for the balloon with a specified picture—try adding various rules to make it fun.
Balloon air cannon
Let’s make a balloon air cannon you can use for target practice! You will need a balloon, a plastic bottle, a toilet paper tube, and vinyl tape.
Remove the cap from the plastic bottle, and cut off a bit of the bottom to make an opening.
Then slightly trim the top of a balloon, tie off the mouth of the balloon, and attach the balloon to the bottle’s opening.
Next, cut slits in one end of the toilet paper tube and spread them out like petals, then attach the tube around the middle of the bottle to make a handle for the air cannon.
Decorate as you like, and you’re done! When you pull the balloon, the air inside the bottle shoots out and knocks over objects set up in front.
Please divide the tasks between the teacher and the children according to the children’s ages.
Balloon Carrying
Balloon Carry is a game where two people face each other and carry a balloon as fast as possible without using their hands, holding it between them.
It could be fun to do at a school sports day! If you’re playing with a friend, try to move in perfect sync.
The balloon tends to float and fall easily, but it’s a game that gets everyone excited when you compete.
All you need is a slightly larger balloon, so why not try it when the kids are getting bored?
Let’s incorporate it into childcare! Fun balloon play ideas (11–20)
Flying Twirly Balloon
Let’s play with balloons that float softly and spin through the air! You’ll use a hair dryer to make them fly.
It’s fun to fly a single balloon, but if you want to enjoy balloons that spin as they fly, you’ll need to combine several balloons.
Connect a few inflated balloons with double-sided tape to make a ring.
Once it’s ready, aim the hair dryer’s air at the balloon ring.
The ring of balloons will start spinning! If you make a large ring, you can even pass through the spinning balloons.
Water Balloon Splash Ball Toss
At a summer outdoor sports day, I highly recommend adding the “Water Balloon Splash Ball Toss”! Normally, ball toss games use fabric balls, but this version uses water balloons.
Of course, any that miss the basket will hit the ground and burst into a watery splash! But that’s exactly what makes it so fun.
In summer, getting wet isn’t too cold—if anything, it’s refreshing, right? Kids will surely love it.
Just wear swimsuits or water-friendly clothing so you’re fine even if you get soaked, and have a great time!
Three Balloon-Popping Games
Soft balloons let kids play safely indoors! Here are three recommended balloon-launch games perfect for indoor play—all using materials from the 100-yen shop.
1) Turn a 100-yen planter stand into a chimney by rolling an A3-size PP sheet and attaching it on top.
Stuff balloons into the chimney and use a handheld fan from below to blow them out—great fun! 2) A super-simple game: put balloons in a plastic basket and throw rubber balls at it to launch the balloons out.
3) Make a frame using a hula hoop and plastic bottles, place lots of balloons inside, and toss rubber balls to send the balloons flying—easy and exciting.
With just a bit of creativity, you can make games your kids will love.
Give these a try!
Balloon Popping Game
The “Balloon Stomp Game” is a game where all participants tie an inflated balloon to their ankle and try to pop each other’s balloons.
Since it requires a fairly large space and a good number of players, it’s recommended for events like Christmas parties with many children.
You can’t just run away forever—go ahead and step on your friends’ balloons and pop them! As long as the children are old enough not to cry from the popping sounds, they should have a great time!