The Balloon in the Circle of Feet
Sitting in a circle on the floor, leaning back on their hands, children keep a balloon inside the circle by tapping it with their feet so it can’t escape. It builds kicking a moving object and caring for something shared.
How to play
- Groups of six to eight sit in a circle, legs stretched toward the middle, hands on the floor behind them (1 min).
- The teacher drops a balloon in the middle: move it with your feet without letting it leave the circle (2 min).
- Balloon to the clouds: tap it up with your feet so it doesn’t touch the floor in the middle (2 min).
- If the balloon escapes, whoever is closest brings it back with the feet, no hands (2 min).
- Two balloons in the same circle (2 min).
- Sleepy balloon: leave it in the middle and surround it with our feet without touching it (1 min).
Rules
- Hands stay on the floor.
- Gentle feet: we tap the balloon, not our friends.
- The balloon belongs to everyone; we all take care of it.
Variations
Easier
Age 3: a small circle with an adult; pushing the balloon along the floor with the feet is enough.
Standard
Age 4: keep the balloon in the air inside the circle.
Harder
Age 5: two balloons, or count out loud how many taps the group makes.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child who can’t use their feet plays with hands or a pool noodle from their spot.
- Visual impairment: a balloon with a bell and classmates who call the child’s name when sending it.
- Autism: a fixed spot in the circle next to the adult and a heads-up before the second balloon comes in.
Learning goals
- Strike a moving object with the feet.
- Hold a seated position supported by the hands.
- Cooperate to take care of a shared object.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Balloons: 4
Teacher tip
Space the circles well and leave a foot’s width between children so nobody gets kicked. Hard kickers learn quickly when the teacher says “The balloon is sleepy, gently.”
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