No.212
Keep the Paper Balloon Up
Japanese name: 紙風船つき
Materials
- One inflated paper balloon
How to play
- Check the inflated paper balloon for creases and holes, supporting it gently from below. One adult handles inflation and provides a ready-to-play balloon.
- Playing alone, gently tap it upward from below and tap again before it lands. Begin with one tap followed by a catch, then progress to consecutive taps.
- For two or more players, make a circle, call a partner's name, and send it gently toward them. Start with a version that allows consecutive touches by the same person.
- After a drop, pick up and reset the balloon, then restart with someone other than the previous starter. An adult reshapes a collapsed balloon; do not hit it forcefully to inflate it.
- Finish on reaching a shared target, such as ten linked taps. Collect torn paper and store the balloon somewhere dry.
Ways to adapt
Preschool children: one exchange out and back. Younger primary school children: link taps freely. Older primary school children: agree on turn order.