15 Balloon Games for Kids

Balloons are a fun and inexpensive toy that will keep kids entertained – at birthday parties, holiday gatherings, active playtime indoors – or anytime you’re looking for fun things to do with balloons! There are fifteen here The best balloon game Play with the kids.

1. Balloon Race Game #1
Party guests lined up along the starting line. Place an inflated balloon between each player’s knees.

In the “Go” race, contestants must hold the balloon between their knees without touching it with their hands as they sprint toward the finish line. If you have a large group, race it as a balloon team through a relay race.

Hot Tips: The best jumping effect!

2. Kids Balloon Race #2
Divide contestants into teams of two. Each pair places a balloon between their chests or backs, and when they “go” they must run to the finish line without losing the balloon along the way – no hands allowed! If the balloon falls, the pair must return to the starting position to repeat the run.

3. Glow Balloon Race
Great for sleepovers, night parties, or camping games, Glow Race simply requires you to smash a series of glow sticks, place one inside each balloon, and then inflate the balloons. You can then use the inflated glowing balloons to play the balloon race game mentioned above.

4. Balloon Face Contest
In this competition, players must work in pairs to deliver balloons placed between their foreheads. If the balloon falls, the pair must return to the starting position to repeat the run.

Relevant: For more race and relay ideas for birthday parties, youth groups or school classes, check out our collection 10 Tag Games for Kids and 25 Relay Race Ideas for Kids.

5. Keep it up
This popular balloon game for preschoolers is perfect for playing indoors and is super easy.

Simply give a small group of children one or more balloons (up to three or four to avoid confusion!) to keep in the air. The only rule is to keep the balloon from touching the ground; the kids need to work together to keep it going!

Hot Tips: On any day when inclement weather makes it difficult to get outside for active play, give your preschooler a balloon to keep them indoors for some individual holding play.

6. Balloon volleyball
Divide the players into two teams, with one team standing on either side of a ribbon spanning the room, representing the volleyball net.

During the game, each team shoots balloons through the net at their opponents. Members of one team can hit the balloon up to three times before the balloon must pass through the net to the other team’s side.

If a team fails to hit the balloon into the net after three shots, the other team scores a point. If the balloon hits the floor at any time, the other team scores a point. The first team to score the agreed points wins.

Hot Tips: Set the winning number to a small number, such as 5, and mix teams between rounds to keep progress going.

7. Seated Balloon Volleyball
This version of balloon volleyball is played the same as the game above, except the players are seated on the floor and the “net” is lowered to compensate for “short” players.

8. Let go! balloon game
Looking for balloon indoor games? Try this version of Keep it Up with your teens – it’s a great school, camp or teen group game.

Divide players into groups of five or six. Team members stand in a circle holding hands. Each group will get a balloon.

In “Go,” teams must keep a balloon off the ground for as long as possible—no hands allowed. Players need to get creative with their head, shoulders, knees, feet and even their back!

The team that keeps the balloon off the ground the longest wins.

9. The floor is lava!
Divide party guests into teams of two and give each person an inflatable balloon.

The kids had to hit each other’s balloons, trying not to let it touch the ground. If their balloon does hit the ground, the two get out and must sit down. The last group standing wins.

10. Musical balloon rising
Prepare for this game by blowing up a series of balloons, each with a dance challenge written on it, and inserting a small piece of paper before inflating. Challenges may include action, such as performing a specific dance move, as well as music-related trivia questions.

While playing, put on some music and have the children hit a balloon to keep it in the air until the music stops. The last person to touch the balloon before the music stops must pop it and perform the challenge hidden inside.

Replace the balloon with a new one and play the music again to continue playing.

11. Water Balloon Pinata
This is a great balloon party game for pool parties.

Fill balloons with water (at least one per player) and hang them on a tree or clothesline. Blindfold one player at a time, give them a plastic bat, and let them spin within the reach of the balloon. Players are encouraged to make wide swings to try and connect with the balloon.

There are no winners in this game. It’s just for a laugh and chill!

12. Balloon Blowing Contest
Simple balloon game filled with hot air! Give each guest an uninflated balloon. In “Go,” guests compete to blow up and tie balloons. The fastest and biggest balloons will win prizes!

13. Step on the balloon
This classic balloon popping game is a fun game for older kids. Tie a balloon around each player’s ankle with a short length of string.

When the music starts or “Go” is called, all players must try to pop the other contestant’s balloons by stepping on them. The last player whose balloon doesn’t pop is the winner.

14. Whoosh!
This is a balloon party game for teenagers.

To play, give each party guest an uninflated balloon. Players line up behind a marked line. Place prize boxes containing candy or small gifts approximately 9 feet (3 meters) from the guest line. Invite each player to inflate the balloon, but hold it firmly by the neck without tying the knot, until it is their turn. When each player reaches the starting line, they release an inflated balloon.

The guest whose balloon lands closest to the prize box wins the prize.

15. Balloon Adventure
Unlike Truth or Dare, this balloon game is a fun sleepover game for teens. When playing, prepare a set of inflated balloons in advance. Each balloon has a small piece of paper with a challenge written on it.

Some bold suggestions: Sing “I’m a Little Teapot” with all the moves, bite a lemon slice, peel a banana with your feet, do a crab walk across the room, roll 3 times and try not to laugh. Makes you laugh) Sing the nursery rhyme “Humpty Dumpty” with a marshmallow in your mouth and act out scenes from your favorite movies.

Players take turns selecting a balloon, popping it and completing the challenge.

For more content like this, be sure to check out our collection 21 Sleepover Games for Kids.

Balloon Play Tips for Parents

If you want your balloons to last, choose good quality balloons. Also look at the size and shape to determine if your balloon is suitable for your chosen balloon play.
A balloon pump is a convenient, inexpensive way to blow up lots of balloons for a balloon party game.
Balloons may pose a choking risk to infants and young children who are still holding objects in their mouths. Please supervise young children carefully.
Young children are often afraid of balloon popping – that’s why we suggest some of these games are better suited for older teens.
Please handle balloons and balloon fragments with caution as they may pose a risk to small children and pets.
When playing balloon games outdoors, be sure to collect all balloons and balloon fragments to avoid posing a threat to wildlife.