20+ Fun Balloon Games for Kids

Who knew something as simple as a balloon could bring so much joy? Balloon games are a big hit with kids, and it’s easy to see why! They’re colourful, bouncy, and full of surprises. Whether you’re planning a party, a playdate, or just want to beat boredom on a rainy day, balloon games are a fun and easy way to get kids moving and laughing. If you want to know about fun and exciting balloon games for kids, then you are in the right place. In this article, you’ll find 21 exciting balloon games that are sure to keep the fun floating all day long!

Indoor Balloon Games for Kids

Here are some creative ways you can engage children to play some indoor balloon games:

1. Match the Balloon

This is one of the most exciting balloon party games for kids.

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons and buttons

Number of Participants

• 10 players

How to Play

• Take different coloured balloons, blow them and hide them in different places.
• Hand over a different coloured button to each child and ask them to collect as many balloons of the matching colour.
• The child with the maximum matching balloons will be the winner.

2. Balloon Emoji

The Balloon Emoji game can be one of the most creative balloon games for kids’ birthdays.

Things You’ll Need 

• Balloons
• Different coloured sketch pens

Number of Participants

•  2 to 10 players

How to Play

• Start by giving one balloon and a few sketch pens to every child.
• Ask them to make different types of faces on the balloon such as, happy, sad, excited etc.
• Drawing on a balloon may get challenging for young children, and they may burst balloons, keep few spare balloons handy.

3. Balloon Popping Surprise

This is one of the most thrilling children’s party games with balloons.

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons
• Notepaper
• Goodies for the kids

Number of Participants

•  10 to 15 players

How to Play

• Take the note paper and write the name of the goodies on each piece of paper.
• Inflate the balloons and place one chit in each balloon.
• Inflate few balloons without the chits.
• Put all the balloons in a room and ask the children to go and pop up balloons one by one till they get a surprise gift.
• Let them burst one balloon at a time.

4. Stuff the Balloon

This game requires children to think and apply little tactics.

Things You’ll Need

• Elongated balloons
• Oversized t-shirt and trousers

Number of Participants

• 4 to 10 players

 How to Play

• Each team gets divided into two equal groups.
• One member is made to wear over-sized clothes.
• Other members stuff as many balloons as they can inside the oversized clothes.
• The team which stuffs maximum balloons will be the winner.

5. Balloon Seizing

This balloon game is on the similar lines to “Grab All You Can”.

Things You’ll Need 

• 20 to 30 balloons

Number of Participants

•   4 to 10 players

How to Play

•  Fill an empty room with inflated balloons.
• Ask the children to grab as many balloons they can.
• The kid with the maximum balloons is the winner.

6. Keep It Up

A classic game that never gets old.

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons

Number of Participants

• Any number

How to Play

• The goal is simple: keep the balloon from touching the ground.
• Kids can only use their hands (or challenge them with elbows or heads!).
• Make it harder by adding more balloons or setting a time limit.

7. Balloon Balance

Perfect for testing focus and balance.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons

Number of Participants

• Any number

How to Play

• Each child balances a balloon on one part of their body, like their head or back.
• The goal is to walk across the room without the balloon falling.
• Change the body part each round for more fun and giggles!

Outdoor Balloon Games for Children

Here are some enthralling outdoor balloon activities for children:

1. Balloon Popping

This balloon popping game for kids can make any party an instant hit.

Things You’ll Need

•  A sticky board
• Balloons
• Glue or tape for sticking balloons
• Darts (child-friendly)

 Number of Participants

• 5 to 10 players

How to Play 

• Stick balloons with glue on the board.
• Place a specific colour balloon in the centre.
• Give three chances to every kid to burst the balloons.
• The kid who bursts the balloon in the centre gets a prize.

2. Balloon Volleyball

This game is a twist to the usual volleyball game and can be played for picnics or outdoor parties.

 Things You’ll Need 

• Balloons
• Volleyball net

 Number of Participants

•  10 to 20 players

 How to Play

• Divide the children into two equal groups.
• Place the net and set the boundaries.
• Hand over the balloon to the kids.

3. Balloon Catching

This is a fun balloon game for toddlers and preschoolers.

 Things You’ll Need 

• Large balloon

 Number of Participants

• 4 to 10 players

 How to Play

• You can stand in the centre and tell the kids to stand around you.
• Call out a kid’s name and toss the balloon in the air.
• The aim to catch the balloon before it touches the ground.
• Other kids are not allowed to touch the balloon until their turn comes.

4. Sunny Balloon Bursting

This can be played on a bright sunny day

 Things You’ll Need

• A rope or a clothesline
• Balloon
• Magnifying glasses
• Thread

Number of Participants

•  2 to 6

 How to Play

• Stick the inflated balloons to the clothesline.
• Assign one balloon and magnifying glass to each kid.
• The kids are required to focus the sunlight onto the balloons.
• The kid who pops the balloon first will be the winner.

5. Water Balloon Fight

This is a funny and crazy balloon game that also involves water.

 Things You’ll Need

•  Balloons
•  Water (you may add non-toxic colour in the water)

 Number of Participants

•  4 to 16 players

 How to Play

• Divide the kids into two equal groups.
• Hand over a bucket filled with water balloons to both the teams.
• Tell them to target the opponent team with the water balloons.
• The team with more number of dry members will be the winner.

6. Balloon Relay Race

A fast-paced team game full of excitement!

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons and cones (or any markers)

Number of Participants

• Two or more teams of 4-6 players

How to Play

• Each team member runs to a marker and back while holding a balloon between their knees.
• If the balloon drops or bursts, they must start over.
• First team to finish the relay wins.

7. Balloon Sit Pop

A hilarious game that kids absolutely love!

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons and chairs

Number of Participants

• 6-10 players

How to Play

• Place inflated balloons on chairs.
• Kids race to sit on the balloons and pop them using only their bottoms; no hands allowed!
• The first to pop their balloon wins.

Balloon Game Kids Can Play Indoors As Well As Outdoors

 Here are some balloon games that can be played indoors as well as outdoors.

1. Frozen Balloon Art

Bring out the Michelangelo in your kid with the help of this trick. You can feel free to let them decorate the porch or your garden with these beautiful ice sculptures.

Things You’ll Need

• Watercolours.
• Balloons
• Water
• Scissors

Number of Participants

•  Any number

How to Play

• Take the balloon and fill one-third of it with water.
• Put watercolours inside the balloon, or you can make coloured water outside and then fill the balloon with it.
• Secure the water in the balloon by tying a knot.
• Place the balloon in the freezer.
• After it freezes, cut the balloon with the scissors.

2. Noisy Balloon

This is one of the most fun balloon activities for pre-schoolers and young kids.

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons
• Hex nut

Number of Participants

• 2 to 10 children.

How to Play

• Inflate each balloon with a hex nut inside it.
• Give one balloon to every child.
• Ask the kids to move round and round.
• When the hex nuts also move inside the balloon and touch the surface, it creates a screaming noise.
• The kid who makes the loudest noise, wins.

3. Balloon Bursting

This is a fun racing game for the kids’ parties.

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons
• Chairs
• Tape

 Number of Participants

• 4 to 10 players

 How to Play

• Place the chairs in a row.
• Stick one balloon on every chair.
• Make all the children stand in one corner.
• At go, children should run to the chair and burst the balloon by sitting on it.
• The first kid who runs back to the starting point after this, wins.
• The balloons can also be tied with string to the chairs to prevent it from flying off!

4. Treasure Hunt

This treasure hunt involves hunting treasure hidden inside the balloons.

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons
• Buttons, marbles etc

Number of Participants

• 5 to 10 players

How to Play

• Inflate the balloons with buttons, beads, pom-poms or marbles in them.
• Hide the balloons at various places in the house or your yard.
• Pair the children in groups and ask them to look for the balloons.
• The pair or group with the most treasure-items wins!

5. Balloon Dance

This is one of the most exciting dance games for kids.

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons
• Thread
• Music

Number of Participants

•  4-10 players

How to Play

• Tie a balloon on every kid’s leg.
• Play the music and tell them to dance.
• The idea is to burst other kid’s balloons.
• The kid with the last intact balloon wins.

6. Balloon Push Race

A no-hands race that’s full of laughs!

Image Credit: Pinterest

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons

Number of Participants

• 2-6 players

How to Play

• Kids must push a balloon from start to finish using only their noses, elbows, or feet—no hands allowed!
• Set up a simple track using tape indoors or cones outdoors.
• First one to the finish line wins!

7. Balloon Between the Back Race

Image Credit: Pinterest

A hilarious partner game that builds coordination!

Things You’ll Need

• Balloons

Number of Participants

• Pairs (4-8 players)

How to Play

• Partners must hold a balloon between their backs (no hands) and walk to the finish line without dropping it.
• If it falls, they must start over.
• First pair to cross the finish line wins.
• Works great in hallways, gym spaces, or grassy yards.

FAQs

1. Are balloon games safe for young children?

Yes, balloon games are generally safe when supervised by an adult. However, for kids under 3 years old, uninflated or broken balloons can pose a choking hazard. Always monitor children closely, use good-quality balloons, and clean up popped pieces right away.

2. How can I prevent balloons from popping too easily during play?

Avoid overinflating balloons, as this makes them more likely to burst. Use good-quality latex balloons, and keep them away from sharp objects or rough surfaces.

3. How many balloon games should I include in a party?

It depends on the party length and the number of kids. For a 2-hour party, 3 to 5 balloon games spaced between snacks, cake, and free play work great. Keep a couple of extra games ready just in case you need to fill time or switch things up.

Apart from the above-mentioned balloon games for children’s party, there are many exciting games such as balloon shooting games for kids, Muscle Builder Race, Googly Balloons etc., that can make any party, camping, or picnic more fun.

Also Read:

Fun Indoor Games for Kids
Easy Card Games for Children
Memory Games for Children
Running Games for Kids

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