Whether it’s a birthday party, family reunion, class party or just for fun, here are 20 super easy balloon games for kids. Plus, they don’t require a ton of supplies and that makes your life easier. Check it out!

I have thrown my fair share of carnival games and birthday parties. It seems like I always gravitate towards the balloon games. Kids love balloons and any game associated with them. So, I’ve compiled a fun list of balloon games for kids that you can use right away. Let’s get started!

#1: Balloon Stomp

Players run around a room and try to stomp on the other balloons that are tied to the other players. The player with the last remaining balloon wins.

#2: Riddle Balloon Game

Players pop their own balloon and match the riddle inside their balloon with the answer that is found in someone else’s balloon. At the end, everyone can take turns reading their riddles in front of everyone.

#3: Balloon Pop Surprise Game

Fill multiple balloons with activities for kids to perform such as, “Do 10 push ups” or “Bark like a dog”. Each child chooses a balloon, pops it and performs the action. A select few kids will pop a balloon with a “Prize” paper inside.

#4: Bombs Away Water Balloon Game

Instruct one child to sit down on the grass. Tell another child to grab a water balloon and climb up above the child who is sitting on the grass. Then, tell the child on the ground that they have 20 seconds to name 10 items from a given category. If they can’t name at least 10 items before the timer goes off, the child above gets to pop a water balloon onto his or her head! 

#5: Balloon Pop Scavenger Hunt

Fill multiple balloons with different letters that form a specific phrase. Scatter the balloons all over the floor or hang them throughout the house. Give each child a wooden skewer and allow them to pop all of the balloons. Collect the letters and organize them on the table to form the phrase. The phrase can say something like, “Your prize is in the car” or “We’re going to Disneyland!” It can be anything you want.

#6: Balloon Dart Game

Players take turns throwing darts at a wall of balloons filled with various prizes in each one, including money and candy.

#7: Water Balloon Volleyball

Using a volleyball net, players (in teams of two) toss a water balloon back and forth using a towel.

#8: Balloon Rocket Races

Race balloons across the room using string and straws. The fastest balloon wins!

#9: Balloon Pop Roulette

Cover a balloon with a cardboard box. Remove the cardboard from one side and the top. Replace the top with paper. Players take turns pushing skewers through the paper on top to pop the balloon inside the box, even though they can’t see the balloon. The first player to pop the balloon loses. Continue each round until one player is left.

#10: Kangaroo Hop

Each team is given a balloon. Players hop to the goal line with the balloon between their knees. They can then take the balloon from between their knees and run back to the team. If a child loses the balloon on the way to the goal line, it may be picked up.

#11: Hot potato or Keepy Uppy

Players form a circle and try to keep a balloon in the air for as long as possible by giving it gentle taps before it hits the ground. You can add a layer of difficulty by adding multiple balloons.

#12: Bubble Butt

Divide players into two teams and have each team form a single line. When you say, “Go”, one player from each team runs to the other side of the room and tries to sit on a chair with a balloon on it until the balloon pops. Once the balloons pop, the players run to the back of the line and the next players try to the pop the next balloon on the chairs by sitting on them. Repeat this process until every player has had a turn. The first team to finish wins.

#13: Balloon Launch and Catch

Using a water balloon launcher, shoot water balloons towards a group of players and see who can catch the water balloon. Repeat over and over for loads of fun.

#14: Water Balloon Toss

Grab a partner and stand two feet apart. Take turns tossing a water balloon back and forth to each other, stepping back one foot after each toss. See how far apart you can go. The team that goes the farthest wins without dropping their balloon wins.

#15: Water Balloon on Spoon Race

Players line up and race each other to the finish line while holding a water balloon that is balancing on a spoon. If they drop the water balloon, they have to go back to the beginning and start again. First player to the finish line without dropping the water balloon wins.

#16: Balloon Hockey

Players try to hit as many balloons into a laundry basket using only pool noodles.

#17: Balloon Spin the Bottle

Fill various balloons with different items such as glitter, flour, candy, money, etc. Tape the balloons on a table to form a circle. Then, each player takes turns spinning the bottle. Whichever balloon the bottle points to when it spots gets pops over the head of the spinner. They don’t know what’s going to be inside when it’s popped. Continue until all the balloons are gone.

#18: Surprise Pop

Divide into teams of two. Partners help each other attach 5-10 on to each other’s clothing using clothespins or duct tape. Each team should have their own color of balloon so everyone know who the teams are. Then, form a circle and see which team can pop everyone else’s balloons and be the last team standing.

#19: Balloon sniper

Each player inflates a balloon without tying it. Then, everyone takes turns releasing their balloon and tries to get as close to a prize box about three meters away. Whoever gets the closest wins a prize.

#20: Mystery Sensory Balloons

Without inflating the balloons, fill them with various items such as shaving cream, popcorn seeds, powdered sugar, etc. Players will take turns feeling the balloons. You can give them a piece of paper where they can match the color of the balloons with the item they think is inside.

I hope these balloon games for kids will jump start your next party. Let me know if you have any other fun balloon game ideas in the comments below.

More from My Silly Squirts: How to make a balloon arch in under an hour

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I don’t know what it is about pinatas but they are an absolute blast. Every kid loves them for their birthday, but they can be really pricey. So, here’s how to make your own DIY pinata for only $5 for your next birthday party. Yep, that’s right. Check it out!

So, if you’re lucky, you might be able to find a pinata that costs less than $25. Instead, why not grab some cardboard and crepe paper and make your own for only $5? It’s super easy and you can customize it based on the age of the person’s birthday that you are celebrating. The best part is that it’s cheap. Check these simple steps to get started.

Gather your pinata supplies

In order to make your own pinata, you can probably find most of your supplies around your house. The only thing I ended up spending money on was the crepe paper. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Large regular cardboard box (old diaper boxes work great)
• Scissors
• Duct tape
• Crepe paper (tissue paper works too)
• Glue sticks (hot glue might work in a pinch)
• Pipe cleaner
• Bulk candy

Step #1: Cut out your pinata shape

This DIY pinata can be made in any shape that you want. I decided to make a number eight for my son’s eighth birthday. However, if you want to do a race car, unicorn, ice cream or a fish, the sky’s the limit. To start this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll want to draw your shape onto a large piece of cardboard. The number eight that I drew was about 17 inches tall and 11 inches wide. Then, cut it out. Repeat this same process so that you have two identical shapes.

Step #2: Tape everything together

Once you have the main shape of your pinata cut out, you’ll want to tape together the sides. This will be what makes your pinata three dimensional. I cut out the flaps on the diaper box that I used but you can use whatever you want. Just make sure you have long strips of cardboard that are all the same length. Some people recommend using a cereal box because it’s thin cardboard, but I felt like the cardboard was sturdier. Start taping the cardboard flaps along the edge of one of the two shapes that you cut out earlier. I used small pieces of duct tape. It holds really went. You can bend the cardboard before you tape it if your shape curves like mine did. Then repeat with the other shape.

Step #3: Glue on your crepe paper

This step is definitely the most time-consuming part. But if you really focus, you can probably finish it in about an hour. Grab the color crepe paper of your choice and cut one large length (about three feet) and then fold it a few times. Cut little strips on one side about an inch and a half up but don’t cut all the way through. Once complete, unfold the paper. It should look like a fringe garland. Then, using a glue stick, add glue your piece of crepe paper directly onto the pinata where you want it. It’s easier to glue from the bottom up instead of the top down. Repeat this process until the entire pinata is covered.

Step #4: Cover any holes and add pipe cleaner

If you have a number pinata like mine that has holes in it, you’ll need to cover those so candy doesn’t fall out. Just color a circular piece of cardboard black and tape it from the inside. Then, in order to hang your pinata, you’ll need to add a pipe cleaner to the top of the piñata. Just cut to holes on the top to make a small opening, thread the pipe cleaner though and tie in a knot. Then, you can hang it from a tree branch.

That’s it’s! Overall, it only took me about three hours to complete this homemade piñata. Once you’re finished, buy a big bag of candy or small toys and fill it up. You can also add some cute decorations to the front. My son was having a Super Mario Brothers birthday party so I printed off some cute pictures and taped them on. He loved it.

Pinata making tips and tricks

• Diapers box: A big Huggies diaper box was the perfect size to make a pinata out of
• Duct tape: This is much stronger than masking tape. I would recommend it.
• Decorations: Make it your own by decorating the outside with cute cutouts or paper flowers based on your party theme. If you print them at home, there’s no additional cost.
• Not just for kids: Try making a party pinata for an adult, they are just as much fun.
• Buy online: If you’re still not convinced and you want to just buy a pinata online, Amazon has some cute number pinatas, tacos and even poop emojis.
• No more paper mache: There are different ways to make a pinata, but this carboard pinata is a much better option than the traditional method of adding layers of paper mache with sticky paper mache paste and newspaper strips.

Let me know how it goes when you make your own diy piñata in the comments below. Check out my quick video on how to make a pinata below. Cheers!

More from My Silly Squirts: Birthday Treasure Hunt for all ages

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Do you remember the TV show Fear Factor with Joe Rogan? Well, you can bring back the cinematic fun to your next party with a Fear Factor Food Challenge. And here’s 100 different and disgusting food ideas for you to choose from.

Our family began the food challenge tradition during our annual family reunion. All 18 of the kids–from toddler to teenager–love it. It was fun for younger kids and older kids. Everyone was a good sport. There’s just something about watching kids eat food that they don’t like that brings a smile to your face. This game also works for a birthday party or Halloween party. Check it out!

How to play the Food Challenge

Gather at least 10 different foods that will be used for 10 rounds. You can do more or less rounds. It’s up to you. Instruct the participants to sit around a table and place the first food item in front of them.

Announce to the group the item that they are about to eat. To make it extra fun, you can give each item disgusting names instead of the real names. Here’s some examples:

• Stuffed olives = snake eyes
• Baby food = vomit
• Anchovies = fish bait
• Seaweed = sea monster skin
• Dog food = puppy bites

Serve the items in small cups, disposable snack cups or muffin liners. Instruct everyone to give the cups back at the end of each round so you can wash them out and re-use them. You’ll probably want someone dishing up the items to the side so each round flows without a break.

As a rule, we told everyone that they can’t wash the food down with ice water. They have to wait to drink until after they have completely eaten each item. They also have to eat all of each item, not just part.

Start with the first player and go around the room. If someone in the group refuses to eat the food or throws it up, they are out for the rest of the game. The remaining participants at the end of all 10 rounds are the winners. I provided some boxes of candy as a prize.

Pick your poison: 100 food ideas

Alright, now let’s get down to the nitty gritty. I compiled a list of 100 different food ideas that you can choose from. If you have kids playing, you might want to go a little easier on them. But teens and tweens can handle it just as much as the adults can.

You can find tons of gross food at your local Asian store or grocery store such as red worms, cow tongue and rotten egg. That’s where half of this food came from. You can also find a bunch of gross stuff on Amazon. Here’s a handful of your favorite food ideas:

• Crickettes
• Dried mealworms
• Squid legs
• Pigs feet

But here are 100 food ideas to get the ideas flowing (printable below):

Fear Factor Food Challenge Ideas Printable

A lot of the kids in our group were able to stay in until about round five. But they were out when we served them pickled eggplant. My nephew tried super hard, but in the end he couldn’t hack it and threw up in the garbage can. You can adjust your game and make it a preschool toddler activity by giving them easier foods such as gummy worms, gummy eyeballs, whip cream, cocoa puffs, lemon juice, cold spaghetti or tomato sauce.

In the end, my niece was the brave soul who won the entire disgusting food challenge, beating her sister in the process. She ate half of a freshly fried grasshopper plucked right out of the backyard moments before. Although there wasn’t a winning team, there was one lucky winner. Of all the grosses food challenges out there, this was definitely the most fun to watch.

The players were all good contestants. This game is perfect for birthday parties, family reunions, Halloween parties or just an outdoor game with your friends and family. Here’s some other fun party ideas:

• 10 Fear Factor Party Game Ideas
• 30 Easy Minute-to-Win-It Games for teens
• Kids party games (for the classroom too!)

Next time, we’ll choose even more disgusting food. What food ideas do you have for your next food challenge? Leave your comments below.

Related link: Halloween advent calendar with a twist

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Exploding popsicle sticks are way fun! Your kids will love it. But, first, you gotta figure out how to do it. As a cub scout leader, making a chain of exploding popsicle sticks is one of the requirements. I admittedly wasn’t very excited about it, until I realized it wasn’t as hard as I thought.

Watch the popsicle sticks in action

Before you make your own popsicle stick chain reaction, check out this video of what ours looked like. My boys loved it!

Get started in six steps

All you will need to get started is a package of jumbo colored wood craft sticks.  Then, follow the six easy steps outlined below. Here’s a FREE PRINTABLE – Exploding Popsicle Sticks instructions if you want to print them out.

After you complete step six, just keep placing the popsicle sticks under and over as you make the chain. The key is to ALWAYS apply pressure on the most recent stick that you place on the chain otherwise it will explode. Here’s a great video that shows these steps as well.

Tips and tricks

• Only use JUMBO craft sticks. The regular-sized popsicle sticks are aren’t as flexible.
• Colored popsicle sticks make it easier to follow the steps, but you can use plain popsicle sticks if you’re in a pinch.
• Continually adjust the popsicle sticks as you go so they are aligned correctly.
• Try setting up your exploding popsicle sticks on carpet. It makes it easier to place the sticks.
• If you need to step away from your popsicle stick chain, use another popsicle stick to hold down the end sticks where you were applying pressure. Then, just pull that stick out when you’re ready and watch it explode.

Let me know how you liked this popsicle stick chain reaction in the comments below. If you want more easy craft ideas, check out my “Crafts for Kids” idea list.

Related link: How to organize your kids’ shoes for good

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