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 (11–20)
Making a drum with a balloon
Let’s try making a drum using a balloon! Cut off the mouth of a balloon and stretch it over a roll of packing tape.
Secure it firmly with electrical tape, and decorate the outside however you like to finish the drum.
For the drumsticks, attach a small, tightly balled piece of tissue to the end of a chopstick and fix it with electrical tape.
Then cover it with two plastic bottle caps and secure those with electrical tape as well to complete the sticks.
Since there aren’t many steps that require scissors, lots of kids can easily enjoy both crafting and making music!
Fun for kids and adults! Balloon Battle
Here’s a game called “Balloon Battle” that uses long balloons and round balloons.
Prepare one long balloon for each participant.
After inflating the balloons, each participant holds a long balloon, and at the start signal, they pass the round balloon to the opponent.
The rule is that you can’t use your hands—you must pass using the long balloon.
Balloons are light, and if you misjudge your strength, they’ll drift away.
If you drop the balloon, you lose, so be careful when passing.
The game is basically played by two people, but it could also be fun as a team relay.
Balloon roly-poly game
https://www.tiktok.com/@soramame.sensei/video/7464447014768528658First, attach a weight to a balloon to make one that pops back up when knocked over.
Create a 3×3 grid on the floor with hula hoops or similar, and you win by lining up three in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally! This activity effectively improves motor skills, hand–eye balance, and sense of force control.
Kids are sure to be captivated.
It’s easy to prepare and safe to enjoy indoors, so adults can join in the fun too.
It promotes growth through play, so be sure to enjoy it together with the children!
Balloon Play
Balloons floating softly in the air are very safe, so kids can play with them with peace of mind.
Here are some indoor games using balloons.
The “keep it off the floor” game naturally encourages kids to cooperate, calling out to each other to keep the balloon from touching the floor and getting excited together.
In the balloon passing game, form groups of about six and split into teams.
Enjoy sending the balloon from front to back, or passing it under the knees.
The team that can pass the balloon the fastest wins.
You can also stick a strip of plastic tape across the middle of the room and enjoy balloon volleyball or soccer.
Please choose and enjoy games suited to the children’s ages.
Pool cue air cannon
Let me introduce an air cannon made from a pool noodle that you can complete in no time.
Prepare a pool noodle, a balloon, a pom-pom ball, and vinyl tape, and let’s get started.
Cut the pool noodle, tie a knot at the mouth of the balloon, and then cut the top part of the balloon horizontally with scissors, leaving more material on the bottom section.
Fit the cut balloon onto the end of the pool noodle and secure it firmly with vinyl tape so it won’t come off—now it’s ready.
To launch, place a pom-pom ball inside and pull back on the balloon section, then aim upward and release.
The steps are simple, so it’s also recommended for busy teachers.
Indoor game with pool stick rackets
This is a pool noodle racket game that kids and adults can enjoy! First, bend a halved pool noodle into a ring and secure it with tape.
Next, wrap plastic wrap across it in a cross pattern three times, and you’ve got a clear racket! It’s fun to play solo with a balloon, but making another racket to play with a few people sounds great too.
Raising your head and lifting your arms in a “hands up” position is said to help strengthen your back muscles.
Because it’s very light, it’s safe for toddlers to play with.
It’s recommended for both outdoor and indoor play!
Let's bring it into childcare! Fun balloon play ideas (21–30)
Balloon Carry Relay
https://www.tiktok.com/@bear_kids_official/video/7406297632772984081Here’s a fun balloon-carrying relay where you work together with a friend.
Form pairs, hold a balloon between two paper cups so it doesn’t fall, and carry it to the goal—simple and enjoyable! If your strength and speed aren’t in sync, the balloon may drop along the way and you might not make it to the goal, so communicate with each other and aim for the finish.
If you drop the balloon, start again from where it fell.
Make sure you have plenty of space and be careful not to bump into friends.
Doing it in teams is also recommended.