Team Balloon Keep-Up
A circle of children keeps one balloon in the air. Everyone must hit it once before anyone hits it twice. The group counts every hit out loud.
Overview
You need
BalloonsOptional: Hoops
Skills developed
- Teamwork: sharing the balloon
- Manipulative: striking upwards
- Counting: group score
NEL Framework: Motor Skills Development.
Set up
1Step 1
Children stand in a circle, arms' length apart.
2Step 2
Coach in the circle with one balloon.
ChildTagger / team BCoachHoopSpotConeBallBeanbagRope or lineMarked areaWhere they move
How to play
- Hit the balloon up. Count each hit together.
- You can only hit it if you have not hit it yet this round. When everyone has hit once, the round is over: count the hits.
- Beat the score. Then try with two balloons.
Tips for explaining
"Hit it to someone who has not had a go." Look for the child with their hands up.
"Up, not across." High hits give time to move.
Make it easier / harder
EasierAny order, just keep it up.
HarderHeads only. Sitting down.
Safety
Clear every popped piece at once, they are a choking hazard. If any child has a latex allergy, swap the balloon for a light chiffon or juggling scarf: thrown up, it floats down slowly like a balloon, so the game still works. A foam ball falls too fast.
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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.