With the winter weather upon us, we'll soon find the kids indoors -
bringing with them the rainy day blues. Here are some tips for keeping
the kids busy - not bored - and beating those wet weather woes. And
all you need are a few simple helium balloons. They make great
boredom busters!
Bird in a Balloon
Here's a magic trick using a helium balloon that will keep everyone
guessing - except the kids who made it! Mix up one-fourth of a cup of
flour and 1 cup of water to make a thin paste. Inflate a helium balloon
for each child (use a Balloon Time Helium Balloon Kit to make it quick
and easy). Have the kids dip a few feet of colorful string or yarn into
the paste and let the excess run off. Wrap the paste-covered yarn
around the balloon — every which way (don't worry about covering
every inch.) Keep wrapping until the balloon looks like a cage. Let the
yarn dry by hanging it near a heating vent (not too close!) When dry,
pop the balloon and discard it. Tie a length of string or yarn to a small
toy bird (available at craft shops) — or make your own bird with
construction paper. Cut a small hole at the top of the cage, drop the
bird inside, and tie the other end of the string to the bottom, making
sure the bird dangles in the middle of the cage. Tie another length of
string to the top and hang the bird and cage from the ceiling.
Piggy Bank Balloon
A rainy day is the perfect time to save up for, well, a rainy day. Have
the kids make their own piggy banks and start saving for their college
educations. Inflate a helium balloon for each child and lay out several
sheets of tissue paper in a variety of colors. Cut out five cups from a
paper egg carton for each pig. Use masking tape to tape four cups
onto the bottom of each balloon to make the pig's feet. Tape the fifth
cup on the side to form the pig's snout. Tear the tissue paper into
strips. Pour white glue into a shallow bowl and add a little water to thin
it down. Dip a strip of tissue into the glue mixture and lay it over the
balloon. Repeat until the balloon is completely covered with several
layers of colorful tissue paper. Allow to dry, and then glue on googly
eyes and insert a pink pipe cleaner into the tail end and curl it. When
finished, parents should cut a slit at the top (popping the balloon) so
the kids can insert their coins.
Balloon Ride
Photocopy color pictures of the kids and cut them out. Stand the
pictures up in a strawberry basket or small, lightweight box (no lid),
with tape. Cut a ribbon into four equal pieces, 3.5 to 4 inches long
each. Inflate a balloon with helium and tie it off. Attach the ends of the
ribbon to the balloon. Now, release the balloon and watch it float
around the room.
Balloon People
Fill the room with balloon people featuring all your family and friends!
Inflate some helium balloons. Give the kids stickers and markers to
create silly, scary, funny or familiar faces, or use a Balloon Time
Create-A-Face Sticker Kit. Have them trace their shoes onto
construction paper and cut out the shapes. Decorate the shoes with
stickers and markers, and then overlap the insides slightly at the
heels. Punch a hole in the overlapped part and insert the tied end of
the balloon into the hole. Tape a few coins underneath the feet if you
want the Balloon People to stand on the floor or a table. If you want
them to float, just let them go!
Balloon Sink or Float
Here's an activity that will not only keep the kids busy for hours, but
they'll also learn something about scientific properties (just don't tell
them it's educational)! Inflate one helium balloon for each child and tie
it off with a three-foot string. Tell the kids to gather some things from
around the house to test a theory. The idea is to see if they can figure
out which objects will float in mid-air — not touch the ground or the
ceiling. For example, if they tie a shoe to the string, the balloon will
most likely sink to the ground. If they tie a piece of paper to the
string, the balloon will most likely touch the ceiling. What can they find
that will only float in mid-air, not touching the ground or the ceiling.
Penny Warner has more than 25 years of experience as an author
and party planner. She has published more than 50 books, including 16
specific to parties. Additionally, Warner writes a weekly newspaper
column on family life, penned a column for Sesame Street Parents
magazine and has appeared on several regional and national TV morning
programs. Her latest book, HOW TO HOST A KILLER PARTY, debuted in
February 2010 from NAL/Penguin.
Balloon Time is the leading brand of consumer helium balloon kits
in North America. Balloon Time kits feature a helium-filled tank, latex
or foil balloons and ribbon, and are available at national retail
chains, party goods and grocery stores nationwide.