Get Your Kid Fit with Fun Balloons

Every kid loves balloons. I keep a package of balloons on hand for playtime emergencies. A playtime emergency is when the kids have far more energy than I have, and they’re restless and don’t want to play with any of the toys at their disposal. They are too antsy to read books or watch tv or even sit still to color. When kids have this kind of energy, it’s a recipe for destruction unless you can direct that energy in a fun, healthy way. That’s when I bring out the balloons. There are a couple of games I use to get things rolling.

BALLOON BONANZA
Ages: 2 to 9 (the upper limit is whatever age they roll their eyes at you)
Number of kids: 2 or more
Supplies: Balloons – several more than the number of kids you have playing. NO helium.
Activity Type: Indoor & Active

1. Balloon Soccer: Blow up enough balloons so that the balloons outnumber the kids by at least 2. Set up one child as the Goalie toward the end of a room and set up toys or furniture to indicate where the goal lines are. All the other kids are the Soccer Players. The Soccer Players hit and kick the balloons to try to get them past the Goalie, while the Goalie tries to bat them back into the room. When all the balloons get past the Goalie (or the Goalie gets too tired), the kids switch and someone new takes a turn as the Goalie. This game is super fun and burns a lot of energy. When I play it as the Goalie, I burn the same number of calories per minute as a Zumba workout!

2. Up Up Up: Give each child a balloon and write their name on it in permanent marker. Each child has to keep their balloon up in the air. This game has several variations:

- Start out just keeping the balloons in the air, and the kids can use any part of their bodies.

- Hands only! Kids must keep their balloon in the air using just their hands.

- Feet/knees only! You guessed it – no hands or head bumps. Just feet and knees.

- Head only! Kids must keep their hands clasped behind their backs and bump the balloons with their head like a circus seal. Encourage them to “arf!” like a circus seal while they’re at it!

After these couple of games, most of the crazy, destructive nuclear energy has been burned off, and the kids are happily playing with the balloons and making up their own games. Make sure the balloons outnumber the children so you don’t have problems with bickering and hoarding. And now, you make your escape to another room to take care of the laundry or enjoy a nice cup of coffee. Whew! Playtime emergency averted.

Birthday Party Balloon Fun: For my daughter’s 3^rd birthday we hosted the party at home and filled the playroom with colorful balloons – enough so they covered the floor. My husband and I stayed up late the night before, inflating balloons until we were lightheaded! The party included kids of a variety of ages, but all kids love balloons, so it was a hit. We didn’t plan any party games – the kids just played in the playroom with the balloons and the toys. The adults convened in the kitchen and living room for relaxing grown-up conversation, and we took turns keeping an eye on the kids in the playroom. The result was a great birthday party for kids and adults, with minimal planning and work on my part.