Water Balloon Games

• Split the children into pairs for a water balloon toss. Each pair needs one water balloon. Form the children into rows with each child facing her partner. On the count of three, the competitors must toss their balloon to their partners. After each toss, have them take a step back, and repeat the process until only one pair remains. Add blindfolds for an extra challenge.
  
  Organize a water balloon relay race with two teams. One member from each team must tuck a water balloon under their chin and run to the other end of the yard. Next they must run back and pass the balloon to the next runner on their team. If the balloon breaks, the runner must fetch a new balloon and start over. Whichever team runs all of its player first wins. (reference 1)
  
  

Dry Balloon Games

• Organize a game of balloon tag with air-filled balloons and string. Tie a 2- to 3-foot length of string to each balloon and attach the other end to the back of each child's leg. All players should have the same number of balloons. Players run around trying to stomp other players' balloons while protecting their own, and the last child with a balloon wins.
  
  Situate two chairs at one end of your yard for a balloon-pop relay race. Split the children into two teams. For the relay, each child must carry a balloon from one end of the yard to the chair, sit on the chair and pop the balloon, and then run back to their teammates before the next child can run. Whichever team pops all their balloons first wins.
  
  For a more challenging race, replace the chairs with boxes of accessories (hats, gloves, jacket). Now each child must run to the box while bouncing the balloon in the air. The runner must then put on an article of clothing while keeping the ball in the air and run back to his teammates.
  
  Give the kids' legs a rest with a game of balloon jam. Split the children into two teams and give each team a suitcase and an equal number of inflated balloons. Set a timer for 30 seconds. The children must fit as many balloons into their team's suitcase as possible and shut it before the countdown ends. The team with the most balloons wins, and popped balloons don't count towards the total.
  
  

Considerations

• Have the children clean up any broken balloon pieces at the end of each game to avoid a large mess when the party ends. Balloons pose a choking hazard for young children, wild animals and pets.