Balloon Keep-Up

What: An icebreaker/energizer activity suitable for all ages and ability levels ... a hacky sack circle for the rest of us!

Group Size: From 6 on up, divided into groups of six to eight participants.

Time: 15 Minutes.

Props: One 12-inch round balloon per group.

Objective: For the group to work together to keep the balloon in the air using selected body parts.

Instructions:

Divide your group into smaller groups of six to eight, hand each a balloon, and ask them to form a circle holding hands. Tell them that, on your cue, they are to put the balloon in the air between them and to keep it up using the body part you call (e.g., knees) without letting go of hands. They are to continue until you call out a different body part.

Ask for questions. Ready, set, go!

Facilitator Notes:

1. Remember to review safety guidelines before beginning.
   • For this activity, make sure that participants do NOT interlock fingers as a way of holding hands.
   • You as the facilitator should be conscious of the various groups as they move with their balloons and be alert for potential collisions as the group's collective attention will be on their balloon.
   • Also, you may want to suggest to your groups that each person "calls" for it when it comes to him/her to avoid a hitting of body parts, e.g., knees if that is called.

2. I suggest you begin by calling out "wrists." This allows the participants to get used to the action of the balloon and moving together as a group at a very low challenge level.

3. Other body parts: knees, heads, elbows, shoulders, feet, chests, etc. I often call out "chests" when I am ready for the action to end because the balloon inevitably comes down at this point.

4. What happens when a balloon hits the ground? I usually instruct the group to just pick it up and continue as my goal is to stimulate group interaction, the beginnings of team formation and fun. You have the option of making the rule that a group is "out" when its balloon touches terra firma, but be aware that you will then switch the focus to the competition itself.