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.
- Time
- 30 min
- Cost
- $0
- Ages
- 4 to 10
- Where
- Living room
What you need
- A pack of latex balloons (you blow up one, plus one spare)
- String or yarn, tied between two chairs at kid shoulder height
- Painter's tape for a floor net and court lines
- Paper and a marker for the score
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
- Set up the court. Tie string between two chairs at kid shoulder height, or tape a floor line. Tape a back line on each side.
- Blow up one balloon. Blow up one balloon partway and tie it. Put the rest away and keep one spare in your pocket.
- Say the rules once. Hands only. Hit it over the net. If it lands on your side, the other side gets a point.
- Warm up by keeping it up together. Play together first: count hits in a row without a floor touch, and try to beat your record.
- Play to 7. Kid serves first. First to 7 wins. Switch sides between games, and handicap yourself if you're winning easily.
- Clean up the balloons. Pop the balloon and throw the pieces out right away, or store it up high. Take down the net 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.
Keep-it-up record · games won
Signed off: can do this.Signed by Date