The Best Balloon Games for Kids Parties

Balloon games and parties go together like jelly and ice-cream, but there are so many more ways to have fun with balloons than just using them as decorations. We’ve got some of the best balloon games for kids parties right here!

Raspberries

This is a great game for older children, but it might make them dizzy! Set up a start and finish line and hand each child a non-inflated balloon. The object of this game is to be the first to get your balloon over the finish line by repeatedly blowing it up and letting it go. Inflate your balloon and release it in the direction of the finish line (the balloon will make a fun raspberry sound as it de flates!). Wherever the balloon lands is your new starting point. Inflate and release the balloon again and again until someone’s balloon makes it over the finish line! This one is best played outdoors.

Get stuffed!

For this balloon game you will need • 2 oversized tracksuit pants • 2 oversized t-shirts • lots of deflated balloons of various shapes and sizes. Divide your party people into two groups and get each group to select a volunteer to “get stuffed”. The volunteer must put on the tracksuit pants and t-shirt over their own clothes. The other members of the team then inflate as many balloons as they can and stuff them into the volunteer’s pants and shirt before the buzzer sounds. The winning team is the one whose volunteer has the most inflated balloons in their clothing or looks the funniest!

Round ‘em up cowboy!

The herd has escaped and you need to round them up! For this balloon game you will need • a balloon for each player • a marker pen • a designated cattle pen (a small room or the corner of a larger room) • something to round the herd up with.

Draw a cow’s face on each balloon (or have the kids draw on their own balloon) and set the herd free. The object of the game is for each player to herd his or her balloon back into the pen without touching it with their hands or feet. You can use a pool noodle (which doubles up as a great bronco!), a sheet of paper to waft the herd, a wooden spoon, paper plate or anything else you think appropriate, but beware – the party host is also the cattle rustler and can sneak in to set the herd free again! Set a timer and anyone who has their cow safely back in the pen when the buzzer sounds gets a prize.

Roaches on the wall

This balloon game is a lesson on static electricity and party fun all rolled into one! Play this game indoors where there is lots of internal wall space – a hallway is ideal. Fill the hallway with inflated balloons and give each child their own designated wall space, then set the timer and let the fun begin! The object of the game is to get as many roaches (balloons) crawling on the wall as possible using only static electricity. Each child must charge their balloon with static by rubbing it vigorously on their clothing or hair (cue crazy hairstyles!). Once charged, slide the static side of the balloon gently onto the wall so that it sticks. The child with the most roaches on the wall (and most outrageous hair) when the buzzer sounds is the winner!

Obstacle course

Set up a simple obstacle course and time how long it takes for each player to blow their balloon, using just their mouth or a straw, through all the obstacles and over the finish line. Obstacle ideas can include the balloon passing under tables, through hula-hoops, weaving in and out of cones, going over low objects etc. This game works great indoors but is even more fun outside where there’s a breeze to thwart your efforts!

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Balloon skirmish

You will need two different coloured sets of inflated balloons and lots of space! This game is better suited to older children and teenagers. Divide the players into two teams with each team assigned an equal number of balloons in their colour. The object of the game is to capture as many of your opponent’s balloons as you can whilst protecting your own – teamwork is a must! At the end of the designated time, count up the balloons and award 10 points for each balloon saved, and 20 points for each balloon captured. The winning team has the most points.

Balloon tennis / balloon volleyball

Back and forth ball games are heaps more fun with an unpredictable ball, and what ball is more unpredictable than a ball-oon? It won’t go in a straight line and you can’t power drive it, so it’s giggles galore with these silly games. For balloon tennis, make your racquets out of paper plates with lollypop stick handles and determine your playing court. To make the game even more interesting, put a ping-pong ball or small marble into the balloon before you blow it up! For balloon volleyball, string a net or rope between two trees or posts and you’re all set. For added ‘danger’ part fill the balloon with water or flour and watch those serves!

Balloon stomp

This is a classic balloon game that’s been a favourite for decades. For this game you will need one balloon per player and string. Players begin the game with an inflated balloon tied to their ankle, on a string about 80-100cm long. The object of the game is to burst everyone else’s balloon whilst keeping yours intact. The winner is the last player with an inflated balloon.

For safety’s sake this game needs a few rules and full adult supervision. Rules are • you can only stomp on another player’s balloon with your untethered foot (if the balloon is tied to your left ankle you can only stomp with your right foot) • you cannot use your hands or any other part of your body • no pushing or shoving! Any deliberate contact with another player results in your elimination

Balloon party bags

This is a great game for younger children and it helps with their colour matching cognition. For this game you will need a different coloured balloon for each player with a matching coloured token. Push a few lollies and small toys inside the balloons before inflating, then hide the balloons all over the house, garden or designated party area. Each child must find the balloon that matches the colour of his or her token. If they find another coloured balloon they must put it back in its hiding place and continue to search for their own.

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Balloon pop relay

This balloon game works well indoors or out, provided you have enough space. For this game you will need to divide the players into teams, with each team given a chair and an assigned colour of balloon. Set a start line and place the chairs a few metres beyond it. Scatter a number of inflated balloons in each team’s colours between the start line and the chairs. Each team must send a player out in turns to find one of their own balloons, race to their chair, and pop the balloon by sitting on it. When their balloon pops they can race back to the start line to tag the next player. The winning team is the first one to have each player pop a balloon and make it safely back behind the line.

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Balloon word search

The object of this game is to be the first team to find all the letters and spell out their assigned word. Each team is given a word of equal length to spell, and balloons with the corresponding letters written upon them are scattered throughout the party area. The teams have to race to find all the letters and spell out their word correctly with balloons, and the first team to complete the task is the winner.

Musical balloon

Show off your moves and be the last player dancing! The object of this game is to keep the balloon in the air.

All players begin on the dance floor with one balloon for the whole group. As players dance to the music they must pass the balloon around and not let it touch the floor. When the music suddenly stops the player with the balloon must toss it into the air and call out the name of another player. The player whose name is called must reach the balloon and keep it in the air until the music begins again. Any named player who doesn’t reach the balloon in time or lets it touch the floor is out. The game continues until you have one clear winner.

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Mystery balloons

Fill a number of balloons with mystery substances and objects and number each balloon. You can fully or partially inflate each balloon or leave them deflated so they can be squished (a great sensory game!). Each child must try to guess what is in each balloon without popping it. The winner is the person with the most correct guesses. Suggestions for mystery fillings are: Custard, Small Toys, Sand, Flour, Cereal, Rice, Marbles, Crumpled paper, Lego people etc.

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Don’t forget the clean up!

Balloons are fun, but they’re not great for the environment. Protect our wildlife and waterways by making sure no balloons are released outside and that all popped balloon fragments are collected and put in the bin.

For more great balloon games and birthday party ideas, go to www.familiesmagazine.com.au/brisbane/be-yourown-party-planner