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 volleyball
Volleyball is a classic ball game.
It can be dangerous for small children and the fast pace makes it difficult, but using a balloon for balloon volleyball is a great option because there’s no risk of injury.
The basic rules are the same as volleyball, but with a few tweaks—like sitting in chairs or using handheld fans—you can even play it in a classroom.
It’s a recreational activity you can enjoy indoors, even on rainy days.
Balloon lifting
A few people stand in a circle facing inward, holding hands.
A balloon is tossed into the middle of the circle, and they keep it from touching the ground by tapping it upward with their hands or feet.
If the balloon hits the ground or anyone lets go of hands, that team is disqualified.
The team that keeps rallying the balloon without dropping it until the end wins.
Balloon Whack Game
Let’s try a game like the balloon version of watermelon splitting—Balloon Bashing! Unlike watermelon splitting, you don’t pop the balloon; you just hit it.
Prepare a balloon and secure it to the floor so it won’t move.
The person who hits the balloon wears a blindfold and gets ready with a light bat.
Once the game starts, they walk toward where the balloon is, guided by their friends’ voices.
When they think they’ve found the spot, they swing the bat down, and if they manage to hit the balloon, they succeed! Be careful when moving while blindfolded so you don’t trip or bump into anything around you.
Balloon Catch
These are games using balloons, which are used in a wide range of settings such as interior decor and toys.
The first is Balloon Catch, where you grab a balloon that floats upward at just the right moment—perfect for enjoying the lively motion of a fast-rising balloon.
The second is Balloon Hitting, played with your palm, a fan, or a towel.
It helps children adjust their strength and learn how to handle different objects.
The third is Balloon Basket, where you throw a balloon into a designated spot—timing is key.
Why not try these at-home play ideas that work well from small to large groups?
Balloon Relay
The “Balloon Relay” is where you walk while balancing a balloon on a uchiwa fan, clear the course, and pass it to the next person! It may seem easier than balancing a ball, but balloons wobble around just from walking, so it’s surprisingly tricky.
The key is how well you can walk without letting the balloon move too much.
If it looks like the balloon is about to fall, try giving it a gentle bounce with the fan to nudge it in the direction you’re going.
Uchiwa fans and balloons are easy to find at 100-yen shops or supermarkets, and they’re lightweight, so even younger children in nursery or kindergarten can handle them easily.
It’s an easy game to set up, so give it a try!
balloon mat
A balloon mat where kids can play safely and have fun.
Prepare balloons in various colors, pack them into a large compression bag, and use a vacuum to compress it—your very own balloon mat is ready in no time.
It’s surprisingly durable and resists popping even when children jump on it.
And if a balloon does pop, you can easily fix it by replacing the balloons, putting them back in the bag, and compressing it again.
The bouncy, tactile feel when stepping or touching it is delightful, sparking kids’ curiosity and plenty of smiles!
Balloon badminton
A game you can play indoors: balloon badminton.
You can play with just two people, and it’s fun with larger groups as well.
Make rackets by attaching chopsticks to paper plates.
You can use them as is, but it’s even more fun if the kids draw pictures on the paper plate part to create their own original rackets.
After that, just blow up a balloon and you’re ready to play.
Balloons don’t hurt when they hit you, so they’re safe.
Their floaty movement also makes it easy for little children to play.
It’s a game you can enjoy right away using things you already have at home.
