--- title: "Balloon volleyball in the living room" published: "2026-10-15" updated: "2026-10-15" author: "Dad Field Manual editors (drafted with AI help)" time: "30 min" cost: "$0" ages: "4 to 10" where: "Any room with a clear patch of floor about the size of a rug, with breakables and lamps moved out of the way." topics: ["indoor"] print: "https://dadfieldmanual.com/print?p=balloon-volleyball" url: "https://dadfieldmanual.com/plans/balloon-volleyball/" --- # Balloon volleyball in the living room > A balloon floats slowly enough that a small kid can hit it and win a point. In half an hour you set up a net, learn the rules together and play a few games. ## What you need - A pack of latex balloons (you blow up one, plus one spare) (have / $3) - String or yarn, tied between two chairs at kid shoulder height (have) - Painter's tape for a floor net and court lines (have / $5) - Paper and a marker for the score (have) ## Before you start - **Balloons are a choking risk for kids under 8.** You blow them up and tie them. Keep the uninflated ones in your pocket, not on the floor. - **Pick up every piece of a popped balloon right away** and throw it out before play goes on. Little ones are never alone with a balloon. - **Clear the court.** Move lamps, glasses and anything breakable, push the coffee table back, and keep play away from stairs. - **Hands only.** No diving over furniture for a save; a dropped point is fine. ## Steps 1. **Set up the court** (Dad) Five minutes. Tie a string between two chair backs at about your kid's shoulder height, or run a line of tape across the floor. Tape a back line on each side so everyone knows where their side ends. 2. **Blow up one balloon** (Dad) Blow it up only partway so it's a bit heavier and floats less wildly. Tie it off and put the rest of the pack away. Keep one spare in your pocket. 3. **Say the rules once** (Dad) "Hit it over the net with your hands. Don't let it touch the floor on your side. You get three hits to get it over." For little ones, skip the three-hit rule. 4. **Warm up by keeping it up together** (Together) Before you play against each other, play together: count how many hits you can make in a row without it touching the floor. Try to beat your record three times. 5. **Play to 7** (Together) Kid serves first. First to 7 points wins a game. Play about three games, and switch sides between them. Play with one hand behind your back if you're winning too easily. 6. **Clean up the balloons** (Together) When you're done, pop the balloon yourself and put the pieces straight in the trash, or put it up high out of reach of younger kids. Untie the string and pull up the tape together. ## If it stalls - If they get upset about losing points, go back to the keep-it-up record. Everyone is on the same team. - If the balloon floats too much and they miss it, blow up the spare a little smaller, or lower the net so they can reach it sooner. - If two kids fight over hits, call out whose turn it is, or play two against Dad. - If the balloon pops, stop play and pick up every piece before you blow up the spare. ## Variations - **Ages 4–5:** No net and no points. Just keep it up together and count out loud. You stay within arm's reach the whole time. - **Ages 6–8:** Add the three-hit rule and a bonus point for a hit with your head or elbow. - **Ages 9–10:** Raise the net, play two balloons at once, or add a rule that you can't hit it twice in a row. ## Sources - **Balloons and choking.** The AAP says balloons, balls, marbles and other small round objects cause the most choking deaths in children, lists balloons among household items to keep away from young children, and says balloons are a choking risk for children up to 8. (checked 2026-10-15) - **Deflated balloons and kids under 8.** CPSC advises keeping deflated balloons away from children younger than eight and checking packaging for choking-hazard warnings on balloons. (checked 2026-10-15) - **How much kids should move.** CDC says children 3 to 5 should be active throughout the day, and children 6 to 17 need 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous activity each day. (checked 2026-10-15)