Balloon Game
Using a balloon game during a party can help keep your expenses down. Balloons are inexpensive and lend themselves to many party games and crafts.
Laytex balloons are by far the most popular type of balloon to use for party games.
They are easy to inflate with air, are available at most stores and are inexpensive.
Water balloons are smaller, thicker and built to hold liquids. They are perfect to use outdoors for water balloon drop games.
Trying to blow air into a water balloon will make your cheeks hurt!
This page has game instructions for a Keep Away Game and a Musical Balloon Game.
These two games can be played by children as young as two or adults up to 102 depending on mobility. For the Keep Away game, attach the balloons to foot rests on a wheel chair or to the legs of walkers.
Keep Away Balloon Game
The object is to keep your balloons from being burst by the other players while at the same time trying to burst their balloons.
Supplies Needed
2 inflated balloon per person
Two 12" pieces of string, yarn or ribbon per person
Preparing the room for the game
This game can be played on a room-size carpet or a marked off area approximately 12' x 12'. Move all furniture out of the way of this area.
Preparing the players
Tie the balloons to the ankles of each player. The balloons should be as close to their ankles as possible and sit towards their sides.
Have all the players group together in the center of the game area.
Start The Balloon Game
On the word "go" the game begins. Players try to protect their balloons while popping the balloons of the other players. As soon as someone loses both of their balloons they sit out. Play continues until there is only one player left.
Fun Variations to try:
1. For older kids you can blindfold them before starting the game. Just make sure the game area is clear of tripping hazards.2. For younger kids you can use one balloon instead of two.
Musical Balloons
The object of the game is to have a balloon in your possession when the music stops.
Supplies Needed
Inflated balloons, enough for all but one player.
To Start The Game
The players form a circle facing each other. They can be standing or sitting. All but one player has a balloon.
Start the music and have the players pass the balloons to the person on their left. Keep passing while the music is playing. Every so often stop the music. A player without a balloon when the music stops is out of the game.
Play continues until one person is the winner.
If a balloon pops during the game, the person holding the balloon when it popped is out.
Fun Variations To Try
1. Blindfold the players so they can't see where to pass the balloons. This makes the game a real challenge.2. Play the game outdoors using water balloons.