Balloons are an inexpensive and fun way to entertain the kids with an endless array of games and activities you can do with them. Below are 10 of the best fun balloon games to play with kids.

1. Surprise Pop

Blow up lots of balloons, filling some with treats such as small lollies, trinkets, notes and toys. Let the kids work hard to pop the balloons to retrieve their surprises. Great group or party activity. For older kids (with tons of hardcore supervision) you could even try some darts)

2. Balloon People

This is the perfect indoor game for rainy days, mixing balloons and creativity. Have a variety of balloon colours, some markers and stickers ready for  children to decorate. Kids can decorate their balloons by adding faces, hair and other features.

You can even create little paper feet and hands to stick on, but remind them to be gentle. Tip: sticky tape the balloon to the table to keep it in place and keep spare balloons on hand for accidental bursts.

3. Protect Your Balloon

A great activity for larger groups of five or more. Give each child a balloon and a length of string, approximately a metre long. Have them blow up their balloon, tie it to the string and tie it around their ankle. The aim is to protect their balloon while trying to bust everyone else’s, with the winner being the last balloon standing. Supervision essential.

4. Balloon Waddle Races

An outdoor game for two or more participants. Have them start at the starting line, place a balloon between their knees and race to the finish line without dropping or bursting their balloon. If you have a large group and limited space, the races can be done as relays. You can have a lolly in the balloon as a way to limit any losing upsets.

5.  Pass the Balloon

If you have at least ten children, split them into even groups and have them stand in parallel lines, each child approximately half a metre apart. Give the end person an inflated ballon. Once you call start, the teams are to pass the balloon under legs then over the next person’s head until it reaches the first person in the line. The first team to hold their balloon up at the front of the line is the winner!

6. Keep It Moving/Keepy Uppy

A classic balloon game (made famous in the TV show ‘Bluey’) is perfect for indoors with one or more children. The aim is to simply keep the balloon in the air and not let it touch the ground.

Be sure to have adequate space, free from fragile items and tripping hazards. This is also a great time to play to loud, hilarious party music.

7. Balloon and Spoon Race

Great game for two or more kids and ideal for outdoors, this game is much like the traditional egg and spoon race, but instead using large wooden spoons and balloons. The kids are to balance their balloon on their spoon and be the first to make it to the finish line, but if it drops to the ground or bursts, they must return to the start and try again.

8. Balloon Tennis

Using paper plates and paddle pop sticks, create tennis racquets. Clear a large space, free of tripping hazards or breakables. Blow up a balloon and play an indoor game of tennis, hitting the balloon back and forth with the plate racquets. This is a great game when you have lots of kids, it’s non competitive and just a whole lot of fun!

9. Balloon Power

Add a bit of science to balloon play, introducing kids to some basic motion activities. Great for solo play and teaching young kids about cause and effect. Get a light ball such as a ping pong ball or similar light rolling toy. Have it sitting on a smooth flat surface, blow up the balloon, then release the air, using it to propel the ball or toy. You may even want to have races using balloon air to power the toy across the finish line.

10. Balloon Painting

For some messy, sensory fun, get out the kid-friendly paints and some sheets of paper. Partially blow up a few balloons and show the kids how to use the balloons to create a painting, dipping the balloons in the paint and using them to make circular shapes in different colours.

Water Balloon Games

Water balloons can be a great way to cool down and have fun with water play when the weather warms up. Here are a few fun games to play with water balloons, which no doubt will result in lots of laughter. 

Bouncing Water Balloons

After filling up several water balloons, gently place them onto the trampoline and get the children to bounce up and down. You could impose new rules for each game – how long does it take to pop them all, which balloon can go the highest, can you bounce all the ‘blue’ balloons off the trampoline etc.

Water Balloon Dodge Ball

A classic game with a watery twist! Familiarise children with the rules of dodge ball, emphasising safety and rules to minimise injuries (aim below the head and not in close range). Fill up heaps of water balloons and place them in buckets, having a bucket for each team. After dividing into teams, players aim to hit their opponents with the water balloons. If you are hit by the opposition, and the balloon breaks, you are out. The game continues until there is a winner (the last person standing).

Batting Practice

Fill up lots of water balloons and put them in a bucket. There should be a batter and a bowler, with additional players being the fielders. Using a cricket bat, baseball bat or tennis racket, batters aim to hit as many water balloons as they can. Perhaps batter’s could try and hit catches to the fielders. Allow each batter to hit 5-10 balloons then swap over.

Please consider the environment and wildlife by collecting all balloon fragments and disposing of them appropriately. You could even turn this into a game!

Balloon Games – Tips for Parents and Carers

• Not all balloons are created equal. Certain games will work better, and for longer, if you have better quality balloons. Generally, price is a good indication as to the quality of the balloon. 
• Some balloons contain latex, so keep this in mind if anyone who may come into contact with the balloon has a latex allergy.
• Balloons come in a variety of sizes, colours and shapes. There are also balloons with specific uses, e.g. Water balloons, balloons for helium, balloons for twisting, etc, so make sure you buy the right type.
• If you are having trouble tying off balloons, a variety of ties and clips can be used. These can be purchased from most party supply stores, supermarkets or discount stores.
• If you have a security system with sensors inside, ensure you ‘lock up’ your balloons when you turn on the alarm, as movement could set off the alarm.
• Due to the nature of balloons, there is always a very small chance of suffocation with smaller children. Always supervise young children when they are blowing up balloons and discard popped balloons immediately.
• Balloons can also pose a danger to wildlife. If using balloons outside, dispose of balloons and balloon fragments safely and immediately following use.

Balloons are so much fun and ridiculously cheap and ensure you minutes of fun while you have a relaxing cup of coffee, supervise, and hopefully join in some balloon games yourself!

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