Three Balloons Up: The Group Keeps Them Flying

Groups of five keep three balloons in the air while moving around the space, hitting them with the body part shown on a card. It is a low-impact warm-up that activates reaction, short movements and communication.

How to play

1. Each group of five gets three balloons and keeps them up by hitting them with any body part, never holding them (1 min).
2. Show cards with the allowed body part: hands only, head and shoulders only, knees and feet only, elbows only; switch every 40 seconds (3 min).
3. Travel: the group must cross the space from one line to the other and back without dropping any balloon (2 min).
4. Record challenge: each group counts how many hits in a row they make without dropping a balloon and without the same person hitting twice in a row (2 min).

Rules

• Balloons are tapped, never caught or held.
• Look up and around, and call out before going for a balloon.
• If a balloon pops, pick up the pieces right away so nobody slips or puts them in their mouth.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: hit with hands and forearms, and the group tries to send balloons at chest height.
• Hearing impairment: cards are held up high and a raised arm signals each change.
• Latex allergy: use latex-free balloons or light beach balls for the whole group.

Learning goals

• Activate reaction and short movements in every direction.
• Control a slow-moving object with different body parts.
• Coordinate as a group so two people do not go for the same balloon.

Equipment for a class of 25

• balloons: 20
• cards: 6

Teacher tip

Ask about latex allergies before class and bring spare balloons. It does not work outdoors in the wind, so use the gym or a large classroom.

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