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!
- Types of Fun Balloon Art and How to Make Them
- [Childcare / Physical Play] Fun Activities to Get Moving
- [Childcare] Perfect Indoor Play Ideas for 0-Year-Olds!
- [Childcare] Full of energy! Indoor activity ideas to get kids moving
- [Childcare] Fun recreation ideas using paper cups
- [Childcare] Parachute (paraballoon): Classic techniques and fun activities
- Indoor games that different ages can enjoy! Ideas for fun everyone can get excited about together
- [Childcare] Play ideas using hula hoops: Have fun by making the most of simple equipment
- Recreation for daycare centers and kindergartens: fun activities for children
- Useful for childcare! Today’s recommended recreational activities, including fingerplay and games!
- [For toddlers] Simple but amazing craft ideas — including toys they can play with
- Fun! A collection of handmade toy ideas made from Styrofoam
- [For 5-Year-Olds] Recommended Indoor Play! A Collection of Exciting Games
Let's bring it into childcare! Fun balloon play ideas (21–30)
Balloon Basketball
Basketball with fluffy balloons!? Here’s a balloon-basketball idea.
When you think of balloons, you probably imagine them popping up and then drifting down slowly.
But apparently, with just a simple wrap of something, a balloon can transform into a ball.
All you need is a balloon, vinyl tape, and a pool noodle.
Inflate the balloon and wrap it with vinyl tape, and your ball is ready! Cut a pool noodle in half to make a hoop, and you can enjoy basketball at home.
It’s a fun idea that even infants can play with!
Balloon Shiritori
It’s a game where you pass a balloon around while playing shiritori, trying not to let the balloon fall.
When the previous person says a letter and passes the balloon, the next person must add a shiritori word before touching the balloon.
It may seem easy, but sometimes you can’t think of words when you’re focused on the balloon.
This game helps develop various skills in children—not only physical ability but also recognition skills and a sense of rhythm.
When playing indoors, trying it while seated offers a different kind of fun and is recommended! Feel free to adapt it to suit the age of the children.
Swirling Balloon
@mamatastv Is there an at-home activity this fun? Spinning with a hair dryer!? Trying the Whirling Balloon. Reference: Yonemura Denjiro Science Production, “Whirling Balloon Experiment.”Mamatase#MoreFreedomForMoms#ReiwaMom#ReiwaParenting#ReiwaHousework#Indoor Play
♪ Original Song – mamatas (MAMATAS) – mamatas (MAMATAS)
A unique game using a hair dryer! Here’s a fun idea for a spinning balloon ring.
Balloons are exciting and enjoyable for kids, right? Their colorful, lightweight movement makes them irresistible, and part of the charm is how play expands as children touch, toss, and chase them.
This time, let’s connect balloons to make a spinning balloon ring.
You’ll need balloons, tape, and a hair dryer.
Inflate the balloons, connect them with tape to form a loop, and you’re ready! Blow air with the hair dryer, and the balloon loop will spin round and round—it’s super fun!
Touch-in game
@bear_kids_official Group therapy: Touch-in Game. Purpose: - Develop the ability to track with the eyes. - Learn to control the strength of movements. Everyone had fun challenging themselves while cheering each other on 👏Child Development SupportAfter-school day service# developmental support (ryōiku)#Nursery school#KindergartenElementary school
♪ Original Song – BEAR KIDS – BEAR KIDS 🧸 Child Development Support / After-School Day Service
Let’s develop tracking skills and a sense of force! Here are some ideas for a touch-in game.
These are perfect for nurturing visual concentration and control of force.
Children can aim to improve their physical abilities while having fun by keeping a balloon from falling and collecting colored balls from the floor into a basket.
Simple yet effective for building concentration, this idea lets kids play by controlling balloons and colored balls—making it a fun game that can be used in after-school day services!
Alien Repatriation Game
@asobiinlife The Ministry of Play is born! Alien deportation 👽 Let’s all work together and see how many we can send back!#asobi_in_lifePlayMinistry of Play#Yoshi Oniisan#playGo viral#LOLTrendy oneAkikusa Gakuen Junior CollegeAliensAlien Repatriation
♪ Original Song – Asobi Agency – Asobi Agency
Let’s work together with friends to help the aliens! Here’s an idea for an Alien Return game.
You’ll need balloons, markers, and something to mark the start and finish lines.
In this simple game, you carry balloon “aliens” to the goal—but cooperating with friends is absolutely required.
That’s because you play in teams of four, holding hands, and the rule is that you can’t let go! Coordinate your moves using your linked hands, heads, shoulders, or hips, and call out to sync your timing.
Work together and save the aliens!
In conclusion
We’ve introduced several games that use balloons.
There were so many fun activities that make your heart leap just by watching! Games that make the most of a balloon’s unique feel and mysterious movements are sure to give children plenty of stimulation.
Let’s actively incorporate them not only in nurseries and kindergartens but also for play at home! Try enjoying them together while adding adjustments to suit the children’s ages and stages of development.