Balloon Keep-Up
Keep a balloon in the air using hands, then heads, then feet. Slow enough to track, so it teaches catching and striking to children who cannot yet manage a ball.
Overview
You need
BalloonsOptional: Music player
Skills developed
- Manipulative: striking, catching
- Tracking: watching a slow object
- Coordination: eye-hand, eye-foot
NEL Framework: Motor Skills Development.
Set up
1Step 1
Blow up one balloon per child, or one per pair.
2Step 2
Children spread out in a space with nothing above them (check ceiling fans).
ChildTagger / team BCoachHoopSpotConeBallBeanbagRope or lineMarked areaWhere they move
How to play
- Keep the balloon up with your hands. Count your hits.
- Coach calls a body part: head, elbow, knee, foot. Use only that part.
- Pairs: keep one balloon up between two, taking turns.
Tips for explaining
"Under it, then hit it up." Get below the balloon before striking.
"Soft hands." Tap, do not smack.
Make it easier / harder
EasierCatch and throw the balloon instead of hitting.
HarderTwo balloons. Keep it up while walking to a line.
Safety
Popped balloon pieces are a choking hazard, so clear every piece immediately. If any child has a latex allergy, do not use balloons at all: use a light chiffon or juggling scarf instead. Thrown up, a scarf floats down slowly in the same way a balloon does, so the game plays almost identically. A foam ball drops too fast and turns it into a different game.
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Rather we ran it for you?
This is one of the games our coaches run in pre-schools every week, with our own equipment. Weekly enrichment, sports days, or a whole holiday programme for your centre, planned in one message.