Drop the Balloon and Boom, to the Sky

Each child holds their balloon, drops it in front of them, and kicks it upward as if sending it to the sky. It builds tracking a slowly falling object and kicking it at the right moment.

How to play

1. Each child has an inflated balloon, spread out around the room. Free play: drop it and watch it float down slowly (2 min).
2. The teacher shows: hold the balloon at tummy height, drop it, and kick it with the top of the foot (the shoelaces) (1 min).
3. Try it: drop, boom, and go get it (3 min).
4. With the other foot, which wants to play too (2 min).
5. Challenge: after the boom, can I catch it with my hands before it touches the floor? (3 min).
6. Put the balloon on the floor and sit on it very gently without popping it (1 min).

Rules

• Everyone has their own balloon.
• I kick the balloon, never a friend.
• We don’t bite or squeeze balloons.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: seated, hit the balloon with a hand or whichever foot moves; a classmate drops it in front of them.
• Visual impairment: a brightly colored balloon with a large bell inside.
• Less balance: do it sitting on the floor with hands behind for support.

Learning goals

• Strike an object with the top of the foot.
• Track the balloon as it falls.
• Coordinate dropping with the hands and kicking with the foot.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Balloons: 30

Teacher tip

Keep spare balloons on hand; some will pop. Pick up the pieces right away, and don’t give balloons to children who still put everything in their mouths.

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