Balloon Pop

Structure to destruction and (maybe) back again. Group pressure, as it were, usually prompts everyone to go along with the idea.

Objectives

Children ages 2 can understand and follow single directions Lang. IA
and ages 1-1 ½ years can imitate sounds Lang. IA
All children participating will learn to partake in group activity SE I

 
 
 

Materials

None.

Procedures

1. This game should be done in a large, open space with plenty of room to move and fall.

2. Have all the children hold hands and form a circle. Discuss the action of a balloon, stressing that the balloon gets bigger (expands) as we blow (volume of air increases). The balloon then bursts when it is stretched so far that it finally can't hold the air.

3. With the children still holding hands have them move towards the center and huddle together. Show the children how to exhale like blowing a balloon while moving backwards and expanding the circle. When the tension on the hands becomes great, everyone falls down yelling BOOM!

4. This game can be used as a ploy for getting kids into a circle. Instead of popping, the balloon is tied off.

Variations

1. Be popcorn kernals ... get really small.  Adult pretends to pour oil on children.  Feel heat.  POP! Jump up and down..

2. Be rubber bands. ... start small, then stretch, stretch, stretch.  Break!  The whole group in a circle can then act as a single rubber band.