Wahoo! It’s BALLOON TIME!
Kids love balloons – no doubt about it. Here are some ways to incorporate balloons into your pre-school gymnastics programs:
BASIC KEEP UP!
– challenge the kids to see how long they keep their own balloon off the ground!
BODY PART KEEP UP!
– limit the body parts that kids are allowed to use (elbows only, head, knees, upper body but no hands, pinky finger…etc) –
– ask the kids to choose which body part and give it a try… even if they say something like “tummy” which is obviously not as conducive as other body parts. It’s good learning (and funny to watch!) 🙂
TEAM KEEP UP!
– work as a group to keep the balloon up in the air (this teaches sharing!)
– make it harder by slowly adding in more balloons!
FINGER BALANCE
– Balance the balloon on one finger! Don’t let it fall or bounce!
HOW HIGH?!
– Challenge the kids to see how high they can hit the balloon!
TOSS & CATCH!
– teaching those physical literacy skills! Challenge the youngest ones to toss up a balloon and catch it! It’s nice and slow, so good for developing reaction times.
(Don’t be afraid of balloons in your themes too! Check out the rest of Minion Week!)
BALLOON TOSS STRAIGHT JUMPS!
– teach extension of arms up high in a straight jump! Start holding the balloon low and then swing the balloon up and jump – release the balloon when arms are up as high as can be!
BALLOON TUCK JUMPS
– hold the balloon by the belly button (kid or coach can hold) and then jump and hit balloon with knees – see if it goes flying!
BALLOON LOCOMOTIONS!
– Move in various ways – run, hop, jump, skip, tip toe, crab walk, etc – all while holding onto the balloon (over head, on belly, in front, behind, swinging the balloon back and forth, etc.)
FREE PLAY!
– Let the kids invent their own fun!! 🙂
