Balloon Partner Dance

In pairs, students dance while holding a balloon between two body parts without using hands: foreheads, backs, shoulders or bellies. Each time the music stops, the body part changes. Students work on body control, adjusting to a partner and rhythm.

How to play

1. Make pairs and give each pair a medium-size balloon; spread them out with 6 feet between pairs (1 min).
2. First challenge: with the balloon between their foreheads and hands behind their backs, partners sway side to side to the music without dropping it (3 min).
3. Stop the music and call a new body part: shoulder to shoulder, back to back or belly to belly; pairs reposition the balloon without hands within ten seconds (5 min).
4. Once they can sway, have them travel: circle a cone or take four steps forward and back without dropping the balloon (3 min).
5. Finish: each pair makes up an 8-count mini routine with two balloon position changes and shows it to the pair next to them (3 min).

Rules

• Hands don't touch the balloon except to pick it up off the floor.
• If the balloon drops, pick it up and keep going: nobody is out.
• Don't squeeze the balloon hard, so it doesn't pop near anyone's face.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the pair holds the balloon between a hand and a shoulder, or between forearms, at wheelchair height.
• Sensory sensitivity or autism: use a foam ball instead of a balloon to avoid fear of popping.
• Skill level: challenge very skilled pairs to do a full turn without dropping the balloon.

Learning goals

• Control pressure and posture to hold an object together with a partner.
• Coordinate movements with a partner to the beat of the music.
• Create a short partner movement sequence.

Equipment for a class of 25

• music: 1
• balloons: 20

Teacher tip

Don't fully inflate the balloons: they pop less and are easier to hold. Keep spares ready and pick up popped pieces right away; check for latex allergies before class.

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