Image: MomJunction Design Team
Balloon games for kids are entertaining and can keep them engaged for a long time.
Did you know, Michael Faraday created the first rubber balloon in 1824?. Since then, balloons have amused and entertained both adults and children. Balloons are bouncing objects that most children enjoy playing with. A balloon is a source of excitement, joy, and amusement for kids.
Whether it’s a birthday party, prom, school dance, Halloween, or Christmas, balloons are a great way to engage and excite children. They decorate every event and make celebrations memorable. So if you’re looking for fun activities to try with your little one, here is a collection of balloon games for kids that will bring a smile to their faces.
Key Pointers
- Activities with balloons are fun and exciting enough to keep the kids entertained.
- Balloon pop is one of the classic and familiar games that can amuse kids for a long time.
- Fun activities like balloon hovercraft, bubble butt, seize the balloons, balloon hunt, and screaming balloons are some fun balloon games.
- Make sure to buy proper accessories and colorful balloons to make their play activities more stimulating and engaging.
26 Fun Balloon Games And Activities For Kids
Want to engage children at a party or event? Here are some ways in which balloons can engage them and take the fun factor up by a notch!
1. Balloon burst
Image: IStock
Kids love doing naughty things like bursting balloons. So, here is a game that needs them to do just that!
Type: Indoor or outdoor game
What you’ll need:
Ten-12 Balloons
String
Number of players: Four to ten
How to play:
- Each person gets a balloon.
- The balloon should be tied to the kid’s left leg.
- The objective of the game is to burst the other players’ balloons, using the right leg.
- The kid who lasts until the end, with his balloon intact, is the winner.
You can also tie the balloon to the right leg so that the kids can use the left to burst balloons.
2. Balloon monsters
Image: Shutterstock
Balloon Monsters is an awesome Halloween balloon game for kids.
Type: Indoor balloon activity
What you’ll need:
- Balloons – one for each child
- Sketches
Number of participants:
Two to ten
How to:
- Each child gets one balloon and a few sketches. You could also keep a common repository of sketch pens from which the kids can use what they want.
- Ask the kids to draw the faces of their favorite Halloween monsters on the balloons, using the sketches.
- Balloon drawing can be tricky, so you may want to have a few spare balloons for each participant.
- After they finish drawing, you can display their art amongst the other Halloween decorations.
3. Balloon dart board
Image: Shutterstock
Remember the carnival game, where you had to burst as many balloons on the board as you could? It is called Balloon Dart, one of the best kids’ balloon games for those above eight years at least.
Type: Indoor or outdoor
What you’ll need:
- 25-50 small balloons (depending on the number of kids) of different colors
- A cardboard or a sticky board
- Tape or school glue
- Kid-friendly balloon darts
Number of players:
Four to ten
How to play:
- Blow all the balloons such that they are of the same size.
- Stick the balloons on the cardboard. You could also stick the balloons to a solid chart paper and stick that to the wall.
- Pick a specific colored balloon to be in the center.
- Each kid gets three tries to burst the middle balloon.
- The one who hits it gets a prize.
4. Volley balloon
Image: IStock
Volley Balloon is similar to volleyball, except that it is more fun when compared to the actual sport. It is a fun picnic game that both kids and adults can enjoy.
Type: Outdoor balloon game
What you’ll need:
- 15 big balloons
- A volleyball net
Number of players:
Ten – 20 (even number)
How to play:
- Divide the group into two teams of equal players.
- Set the net in place and define the boundaries.
- Give the teams a balloon and let them play volleyball.
While it is a fun activity, it is important that you make sure that the kids know the rules of the sport and adhere to it.
5. Catch that balloon
Image: Shutterstock
One of the best things about balloons is that they are not easy to catch. And that is precisely what makes them so much more desirable. This is one of the cutest fun balloon games for kids, aged five or less.
Type: Outdoor game
What you’ll need:
One big balloon, you can have a few more handy
Number of players: Five to ten
How to play:
- Stand in the center and have the kids stand around you.
- Pick one balloon, toss it into the air and call out a kid’s name.
- The child should try to catch the balloon before it hits the ground.
- Other players should not touch the balloon unless their name is called.
6. Match the balloon
Image: Shutterstock
Match the Balloon is like a treasure hunt, only it is simpler. The game is for toddlers and young kids.
Type: Indoor game
What you’ll need:
- Buttons of different colors
- Balloons of different colors (must match the color of buttons)
Number of players:
Four to ten
How to play:
- Blow balloons and hide them at different places.
- Give the children a button each – the buttons should be of a unique color.
- The objective of the game is to find a balloon that matches the color of the button.
7. Sunny balloon burst
Image: Shutterstock
Sunny Balloon Burst is more like a fun science experiment for kids that doubles as an engaging activity at summer camp, making it the perfect addition to summer camp activities for kids. You can also have them play the game at day parties.
Type: Outdoor balloon activity
What you’ll need:
- Big balloons
- Kids magnifying glass
- String or thumbtacks
- Clothesline, or an outdoor fence
Number of participants:
Two to five
How to play:
The balloon activity for kids has to be conducted outdoors, under the sun.
- Attach the inflated balloons to the clothesline, or to the fence.
- Ask the kids to stand or sit in front of the balloons. Give them each a magnifying glass.
- On ‘Go’, the kids should hold the magnifying glass about three inches from the balloon. The objective is to focus sunlight onto the balloon.
- Ask the kids to hold the magnifying glasses steady to let the sun shine through the glass. They will soon see a small bright dot on the balloon and ‘pop’, the balloon will burst.
8. Balloon pop surprise
Image: Shutterstock
This is another kids’ balloon game you can try at a birthday party.
Type: Indoor game
What you’ll need:
- Medium-sized balloons
- Small pieces of paper to make chits
- Prizes or gifts to give away
Number of players:
Five to 15
How to play:
- Write the name of one gift on each piece of paper.
- Inflate the balloons and drop one piece of paper in each balloon.
- Leave some balloons empty, without any paper.
- Mix the balloons and put them all in a room.
- Ask the children to go into the room and pop the balloons one by one. Let each kid burst one balloon at a time.
- If they get a paper with the name of the prize written on it, they get that prize.
9. Balloon stuffing race
Image: Shutterstock
Balloon stuffing race is a cool balloon game for older kids. It requires the use of a little tactic to win.
Type: Indoor balloon game
What you’ll need:
- Small balloons – should be slightly long, but not too round
- Two pairs of large t-shirts and large pants
Number of players:
Four to ten
How to play:
- Divide the participants into two teams.
- Each team gets a t-shirt and a pair of pants. The teams can choose one person to wear the oversized clothes. Make sure that the person is wearing clothes that cover most skin beneath the oversized clothes.
- On ‘Go’, the remaining team members have to inflate the balloons, and stuff them inside the t-shirt and pants. They have to put as many balloons as they can in the given time to ‘dress’ the volunteer.
- In the end, the team with the most number of balloons stuffed inside the t-shirt and pants wins.
10. Muscle builders race
Image: Shutterstock
Muscle Builders Race is similar to the balloon stuffing game, except that it is suitable for the younger kids.
Type: Indoor balloon game
What you’ll need:
- Small balloons, should be slightly long, but not too round
- Two pairs of one-piece long johns or jumpsuits
Number of players:
Four to ten
How to play:
- Divide the participants into two groups.
- One kid would be the volunteer who wears the long johns or the jumpsuit. The jumpsuit must be worn above whatever clothing they are wearing.
- The volunteer is the weak one, while the others are his or her personal trainers.
- The aim is to bulk-up the weakling using the balloons.
- The team with the most muscles (balloons) wins.
11. Balloon hunt
Image: IStock
This exciting balloon game encourages teamwork and is also a lot of fun.
Type: Indoor and outdoor
What you’ll need:
- Balloons
- Soft rope
- Pom-poms, beads, buttons, peanuts or Styrofoam balls
Number of players:
Four to ten
How to play:
- Put a bead each in each of the balloons and inflate them.
- Hide the balloons in and around the house. You can hide them in the yard as well.
- Divide the kids into pairs and tie a set of their hands and legs.
- On ‘Go’, the players will have to search for the hidden balloons and find as many beads as they can.
- The pair with the highest number of beads wins.
12. Bubble butt
Image: Shutterstock
Bubble butt is a simple, yet fun balloon race game for younger kids. The game is often a hit at parties.
Type: Indoor or outdoor game
What you’ll need:
- Chairs, one for each participant
- Balloons, one for each participant
- Tape
Number of players:
Five to ten
How to play:
- At one end of the room, line up the chairs in a row, with at least two feet gap in between.
- Stick a balloon on the seat of the chair using the tape.
- Let the kids stand at one end of the room.
- On ‘Go’, the children have to run to the chair and sit on the chair with all their weight, to burst the balloon.
- Once they burst the balloon, they have to run back to their original positions.
- The player who comes back first is the winner.
13. Balloon seize
Image: IStock
Balloon Seize is similar to the “grab all you can” game for adults.
Type: Indoor game
What you’ll need:
- 20 – 30 balloons
Number of players:
Five to ten
How to play:
- Inflate all the balloons and fill a room with them. Make sure that there are no obstacles in the room – use an empty room, without any furniture, if possible.
- On ‘Go,’ each kid has to try and take as many balloons as he or she can at once, using only their hands. The others cannot help and should not place the balloons down.
- The kid who can gather the most balloons in a minute or two wins.
14. Screaming balloons
Image: IStock
Have you ever heard a balloon scream? You will when you try this little experiment. The fun activity is a boon to an otherwise boring party.
Type: Indoor or outdoor balloon activity, experiment
What you’ll need:
- Balloons, one for each kid
- Hex nuts, one for each balloon
Number of participants:
Two to ten
How to:
- Put a hex nut each in a balloon and inflate it. Tie it up with a string.
- Give each kid a balloon and ask them to hold it with their hand.
- Now, ask the children to swirl the balloon round, and round.
- When the hex nut moves around the balloon and hits the walls, it creates a noise that sounds like screaming.
15. Googly balloons
Image: Shutterstock
Googly is one such silly balloon party game for kids that will get them into giggles.
Type: Indoor game
What you’ll need:
- Medium-sized balloons
- Small marbles, one for each balloon
Number of players:
Two to ten
How to play:
- The weight of the marble will make the balloon move in unexpected ways.
- Divide the kids into teams of three or four.
- On ‘Go’, throw four balloons (if there are three in a group) in the air and ask the kids to keep them in the air.
- The team that can keep the balloons in the air longest, wins.
16. Balloon roundup
Image: IStock
This is a fun game for toddlers and younger kids.
Type: Indoor game
What you’ll need:
- Balloons
- A room with a lot of space
- 2 brooms
- String to mark boundaries
Number of players:
Four to ten
How to play:
- Use the string to mark the area where the balloons have to be. You can create a square or a circle-shaped perimeter with the string.
- Divide the kids into two teams.
- Create an obstacle course through which the balloon must pass and into the perimeter.
- Give the teams a broom each and one balloon at the starting point.
- The kids should maneuver their balloons through the obstacle course and get it into the enclosure (area within the string) without bursting the balloon.
17. Balloon & bubble gum relay
Image: Shutterstock
This is a classic relay game with balloons and bubble gum.
Type: Outdoor game
What you’ll need:
- Balloons
- Wrapped bubblegum, one each for the players
- Open space with no obstacles
Number of players:
Six to 12
How to play:
- Divide the kids into teams of three or four.
- Put a wrapped bubblegum in a balloon, inflate it, and tie a knot.
- Create a track – use chalk, white powder, or ropes to determine how far the kids have to run. Draw as many lines as there are teams.
- Place one balloon at the far end of each line. Each line is for a team, and the kids will have to complete the task one by one.
- On ‘Go’, one member of the team crawls to the balloon end and bursts it. Unwrap the bubblegum, chew it, and blow a balloon with it.
- Once done, he comes back to the starting point and tags the next member, who will repeat the steps.
- All the members of the team have to finish the race.
- The team that finishes first wins.
18. Catch a balloon in a funnel
Image: Shutterstock
Catching a balloon is fun, but catching it with a funnel can be tricky.
Type: Indoor balloon game
What you’ll need:
- Small balloons
- Funnels, one funnel for one player
Number of players:
Three to six
How to play:
- Inflate the balloons. You will need as many balloons as the number of kids.
- Ask the kids to stand in the open area. Give them each a funnel.
- On ‘Go’, throw the funnel in the air and ask the kids to catch a balloon with the funnel and keep it from falling on the ground.
- The kid who can keep the balloon off the ground the longest wins.
19. Balloon rockets
Image: Shutterstock
Did you know you can create a cool rocket using a balloon? What’s more, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to do that! This balloon activity is ideal for kids aged six or up.
Type: Indoor balloon activity, experiment
What you’ll need:
- A piece of yarn, 6 feet in length
- Balloon
- Drinking straw
- Two chairs
- Scissors
- Tape
Number of participants:
Two or more
How to:
- Put the chairs opposite to one another, with a gap of six feet in between them.
- Tie one end of the string to one chair and slip in the drinking straw from the other.
- Now tie the other end to the other chair.
- Attach two small pieces of sticking tape to the straw. Keep a distance of an inch between the two pieces of tape.
- Inflate the balloon, but do not knot it. Instead, hold the open end with your hand to prevent the release of air.
- Ask one kid to bring the balloon to the straw that has the tape, and let another attach it to the tape as shown in the picture.
- Pull the straw, with the balloon, to one end of the string, such that the opening of the balloon touches the chair.
- Let go of the balloon and “whoosh!”, the balloon rocket goes to the other end of the chair!
20. Bouncy balloon painting
Image: IStock
This is a fun art experiment or activity you can try with kids of all ages.
Type: Indoor activity
What you’ll need:
- Small balloons
- Easy wash paints
- Large sheets of paper, or a chart paper
- Bowls to mix paints
Number of participants:
Two to five
How to:
- Inflate the balloons, no bigger than the size of your hand. They should be bouncy and not wrinkly.
- Mix the paints in the containers. Give each kid a sheet of paper and a balloon.
- Ask the children to dip the balloon in the paint and bounce it off the paper to create impressions.
- You can use different colors to make unique, beautiful patterns on the sheet.
21. Glow in the dark balloons
Image: IStock
Have you never seen a balloon glow in the dark? Well, you will now!
Type: Indoor activity
What you’ll need:
- A bag of big balloons
- Glow sticks, short ones are preferable
Number of participants:
Any
How to:
- Give each kid a glow stick and a balloon.
- Ask the children to break the glow sticks and shake them enough for a bright light.
- If you are using short sticks, put the glowing stick in the balloon and blow it. You can also inflate the balloon first and then slowly insert the glow stick into it.
- Once you do, tie a knot.
- Use different colored glow sticks to make the balloons colorful.
22. Balloon hovercraft
Image: Shutterstock
Rocket is not the only cool thing you can make using a balloon. You can make a hovercraft too! Try it now.
Type: Indoor activity
What you’ll need:
- Medium-sized balloons
- Old, unwanted CDs
- Soda bottle cap, one that is deep
- Thumbtack
- Glue gun
Number of participants:
Two to six
How to:
- Use the thumbtack to poke holes in the bottle cap.
- Let an adult handle the hot glue gun, to prevent kids from hurting themselves. Use the hot glue gun to stick the edge of the soda bottle cap top the center of the CD, covering the hole.
- Inflate the balloon, twist its neck to prevent the release of air and pull the opening of the balloon over the bottle cap. Make sure that the entire cap is covered by the opening end of the balloon.
- Place the CD on the table and let go of the twisted neck of the balloon.
- As the air slowly gets out through the holes in the cap, the balloon hovercraft will slide on the table.
23. Bending water with balloon
Image: Shutterstock
This is one of the coolest balloon activities for kids. Also, it a fun science experiment that teaches about static electricity.
Type: Indoor activity
What you’ll need:
- Balloons, one for each kid
Number of participants:
Any
How to:
- Inflate the balloons and tie them up.
- Give each kid a balloon and ask them to rub it against their hair or head. They can also rub it against their shirt. Rub it hard enough to create some friction, but not so hard that the balloon bursts.
- Ask them to hold the balloon over their head, and see how the hair stands up to touch the balloon.
- While there is still static, take the balloon to the water tap. Turn the tap on and hold the balloon close to the stream of water.
- The balloon will pull the water towards it, making the stream bend slightly.
Cool, isn’t it?
[ Read: Water Games For Kids ]
24. Balloon water fight
Image: Shutterstock
This is another funny water balloon game for kids they would surely love.
Type: Outdoor
What you’ll need:
- Small balloons
- Water
Number of players:
Five to 15
How to play:
- Fill up one-thirds or more of the balloons with water. The balloon should not be too small or too big.
- Make as many water balloons as you can for the party.
- Ask the children to gather in the garden, and divide the balloons in the bucket.
- Divide the kids into two teams, and give each team a bucket of water balloons.
- On ‘Go’, the kids can start throwing water balloons at each other.
Explain it to the kids clearly that they shouldn’t throw the balloons so hard that it hurts the other children.
Kelly DeYoung, a mother of four and a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, shares how much her children enjoy water balloon play. She says, “Once the weather gets warm enough that my kids don’t need a winter jacket, my kids are asking to play with water balloons! They don’t care that the temperature is in the low 70’s and still too cold for outside water play. But if my kids had a choice, they would be in the water or playing with water every day, regardless of the temperature (i)!”
Quick tip25. Ice balloons
Image: Shutterstock
Did you know you could make art with water and balloons? Well, you can when the weather is freezing outside!
Type: Indoor and outdoor balloon activities
What you’ll need:
- Big balloons
- Watercolors
- Water
- Scissors
Number of participants:
Any
How to:
- Fill one-thirds of the balloon with water.
- You can mix a few drops of watercolor inside the balloon. Alternatively, you can prepare colored water and fill the balloons with that.
- Tie the balloons with a knot and leave them out in the snow and cold, in a tray.
- Wait till they are completely frozen and use scissors to cut off and remove the plastic completely.
- You have colorful ice balloons for snow sculptures in the garden!
26. Pass the balloons game
Pass the balloons is a fun and energetic activity for children, promoting teamwork and coordination.
Type: Indoor and outdoor game
What you’ll need:
Two big balloons
Number of participants: This game is suited for a large number of children
How to:
- In this game, children form two teams, each standing in a line. The objective is to pass a balloon down the line using only their bodies, without using their hands.
- The balloon can be trapped between knees, elbows, or cheeks as it moves from one player to the next. The challenge lies in preventing the balloon from falling to the ground.
- If the balloon drops, the team must start again from the beginning. The first team to pass the balloon successfully to the end of the line wins.
Quick tipFrequently Asked Questions
1. Should children play with balloons?
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, uninflated balloons may not be safe for children under eight (1). When not inflated, balloons may increase the risk of suffocation when children try to inflate them (2). Inflated balloons may not pose such a problem, so that a child may play with them.
2. What do balloons teach children?
Balloons improve many skills in children. While children learn to catch the balloons, they improve their hand-eye coordination. Letting them play with balloons of many colors might improve their vocabulary. After the child grows, inflating a balloon might improve their respiratory capacity (3). Balloons also teach children the concept of resilience.
3. What are some variations of the classic balloon pop game?
Balloon pop surprise and bubble butt are some of the variations of the classic game. Other variations include using a particular part of the body to pop the balloon or sitting on the balloon to pop it.
4. What are some educational balloon games for kids?
Most balloon games are educational as they teach motor skills to children. Moreover, you can ask children to count and add the balloons they collect or burst to help them learn new numbers and concepts.
5. What are some balloon games that can be played with a large group of kids?
Games like bubble pop, bubble butt, balloon water fight, balloon and bubble gum relay, googly balloons, and balloon round-up are some interesting activities for kids that can be played with a large group of children.
6. What are some variations of the classic hot potato game using a balloon?
Some variations of the classic hot potato game are surprise hot potato, in which you can put a surprise gift inside a balloon, and paddle hot potato, in which you have to toss the balloon with a pad.
7. How many players can participate in balloon games?
Depending on the game, balloon games can be played by single players as well as multiple players up to 20-25.
8. What are the benefits of playing balloon games?
Balloon games are interactive and offer a fun and engaging way for children to improve their motor skills, hand-eye coordination, color recognition, and counting abilities.
9. What safety measures should be taken while playing balloon games?
Create a safe play area free from sharp objects and ensure the balloons are inflated, as deflated ones can pose a choking hazard. You should also supervise the children during playtime and remove any popped balloons from their reach.
Balloons are fascinating elements that almost effortlessly fill moments with happiness and laughter. In addition to their decorative appeal, balloons can be used in various fun and engaging activities for kids. If you are wondering how balloons can be used in different activities, this article lists several interesting balloon games for kids. Balloon monsters, volley balloons, match the balloon, balloon hunt, and many more games enlisted here will keep children engaged for a long time and provide unlimited fun. So, if you plan a party next time, make sure to include balloon games. Children are sure to enjoy them immensely.
Infographic: Exciting Balloon Games For Children
Children love balloons and playing with them gives children endless laughter and fun. Because of being inexpensive, balloons can also be a part of any big or small event, from decoration to games and activities, to keep the children entertained. Check out the infographic below for some amazing and fun balloon games for children.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Balloon Games For Kids That Will Fill Them With Excitement
Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team
Want to try new balloon games? Watch this video to know about different ways you can play with balloons.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Water Balloon Games that Preschoolers Will Love.https://otperspective.com/water-balloon-games-preschoolers/
References
- CPSC Warns Consumers of Suffocation Danger Associated with Children’s Balloons.
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/5087.pdf - Why are Latex Balloons a Danger to Children?
https://www.stlouischildrens.org/health-resources/pulse/why-are-latex-balloons-danger-children - Balloon Breathing Exercise for Improved Lung Capacity.
https://pulmonaryfibrosisnow.org/2020/03/10/balloon-breathing-exercise-for-improved-lung-function/
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