The Racket Balloon Piñata

We hang balloons from a rope at the children's face height and tap them with cardboard rackets so they swing without flying away. It works on hitting a slow-moving object with a racket, without chasing balls.

How to play

1. The teacher ties each balloon with a string to a rope stretched wall to wall, at the children's face height (2 min).
2. In pairs at each balloon: one taps gently and the other watches it swing; switch every five hits (3 min).
3. We wait for the balloon to swing back toward us and hit it again, without stopping it with our hand (3 min).
4. We hit from low to high so the balloon goes up, and from the side so it swings far (2 min).
5. We untie the balloons with the teacher and each pair says goodbye to its balloon with a hand tap (2 min).

Rules

• I hit the balloon, not the string or my friend.
• Five hits, then switch.
• Balloons are never bitten or popped.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: lower one balloon to wheelchair height.
• Visual impairment: put a bell inside the balloon before blowing it up so the child can follow the sound.
• Autism: if possible popping is upsetting, hang foam balls in mesh bags instead of balloons.

Learning goals

• Hit a slow-moving object with a racket.
• Anticipate the balloon swinging back.
• Wait and take turns with a partner.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Balloons: 12
• Rope: 2
• Cardboard rackets: 25

Teacher tip

Use good-quality balloons that are slightly underinflated, since they pop less; remove any broken pieces right away. The typical mistake is hitting very hard: the balloon swings back better with a gentle tap.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary