Four Quarters Balloon Fiasco

Skill: Kick, Run, Strike
Time Required: 10
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space)
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the activity area.
Remind participants to be cautious of other participants when kicking or hitting a balloon.
Equipment: Balloons
Pylons/Rope (optional)
Objective:
Groups try to not let any balloons touch the ground in their quarter.
Other Skills:
Coordination
Set up:
Divide participants into four equal groups (groups will ideally have 3-5 participants).
Divide the activity space into four quarters. Could use the lines on the floor or use pylons or rope to set up the four quarters.
Have a bunch of balloons inflated and ready to go (try to have at least 1 for every 2 participants).
Step by Step:
1. Participants have to stay inside their quarter at all times.
2. The leader will start the activity by throwing in some or all of the balloons.
3. The leader could gradually throw in more balloons as the activity continues.
4. Participants are allowed to hit the balloon with their hands, arms, head, knees, feet and any part of their body.
5. They do not want the balloons to hit the ground in their quarter.
6. When a balloon hits the ground in their quarter, that team gets a point.
7. The leader will keep track of each groups' points.
8. At the end of a set time, the group with the least amount of points wins. Or the last group to get a set amount of points wins.
9. If the balloon lands outside of the activity boundaries, then no group gets a point.
10. If a participant catches a balloon, their group gets a point.
11. Optional rules: Participants cannot hit a balloon twice in a row, each group has 3 hits to get a balloon out of their quarter, participants can only use their hands and feet and so on.
Variations:
Groups could get a letter instead of a point, and when a group spells the word, they are out. Examples of words are: pop, air, four, loon and so on.
When a balloon hits the ground, then it is out of play for that round.
Use a volleyball instead, and participants have to volley or bump the ball.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.