Fun With Balloons

Balloons Photo by Warren Denning

The first rubber balloons were made by Michael Faraday in 1824

Latex balloons, similar to the ones we have today, were first manufactured by J.G. Ingram of London in 1847

Activity: Balloon Badminton

You will need: A paper plate for each player, a wide craft stick for each player, packing tape, and a balloon
Optional: crayons

What to do:  Make your paddles.

– Decorate the front of the paper plate with crayons if desired.

– Tape a wide craft stick to the back of a paper plate in order to create a handle.

Alternate handle: Another way to keep the craft stick and the paper plate together is to put 3-4 staples through the front of the paper plate: one on the top, two in the middle and one near the end of the paper plate. Then use tape to keep the staples from popping the balloon and to keep the craft stick in place better.

How to play:

Blow up a balloon and hit it back and forth with the paddles or bounce the balloon on your paddle as a single player.

How many times can you hit the balloon back and forth before it falls to the ground?

Question of the day:

What were the first “balloons” made of?

Learn more:

Balloonhq.com
Learn the history and science of balloons.

Wikipedia: Michael Faraday
Learn more about the man who invented the rubber balloon.

Artists Helping Children: Balloon Crafts and Ideas
Science projects and craft ideas.

PBS Kids: Zoom: Balloon Brain
Protect a balloon as you would your brain.