Balloon Games

Thank you so much for the balloon and fly swat game suggestion. We have played it with our clients and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves as did we. A packet of three fly swats costs two dollars and a bag of balloons another three dollars so it's an inexpensive way to have fun.

Our residents love balloon tennis. We use badminton rackets - light as long as you sit the residents at a safe distance from each other.

Take a trip to the Dollar Store and buy plastic clappers to swat the balloons! The residents love to make them clap when they score a point!

Hi Solange,,,,,, well had some time to think over the xmas break,,, done and gave my resignation 23rd Dec. Lovely manager, who I've known for 30 years,,, only looked at it, put it on her desk and gave it a pat,,,, until Tuesday. ( in case I changed my mind ) Any way after all that and a re talk on Tuesday,, I have decided to retire,,, the most confronting time was when I had to sign the separation form at the hosp,,, extremely hard, because its now final.
So yesterday I spent some time in the blackcurrant patch,,, just me and my music and do you no what ???? it was wonderful,,, no forward planning etc going through my mind,,,, yes I think I am going to enjoy all this ME time,, just not looking forward to the 68th birthday in couple of weeks time... Lovely to be able to chat with you,,, Robyn

Happy retirement Robyn!!Best wishes!

Hi Robyn, I am sorry that the RN in question does not see that the game is beneficial to clients. Balloons have been fascinating human beings for ages; they are icebreakers, energisers, team building and so much fun!

We have been playing this game with fly swatter and parashut with balloons they all enjoy it and a lot of giggles from both genger

we use foam pool noodles cut in half, our residents love it.

Just to let you know that you can reuse special occasion balloons. Use a balloon pump to blow them up and only half tie the knot so you can easily untie them or use a knitting needle to untie knot - check youtube for a clip to show you how.

We also have great fun and laughs with balloons. We use plastic skittles at bats. Gaylene

Hi all,
I have been playing "balloon tennis" for some time now using new flyswats as racquets - my residents have always enjoyed it and the flyswats are really cheaps to buy and can been washed as needed.
Jeanette.

I have made tennis racquets from cardboard cylinders from foil, cling wrap etc, and oval plastic plates which I have covered with colourful plastic wrap. These are the same shape as racquets and you can tell the former tennis players when they serve and use their back-hand.

We use thongs as bats just enough extra reach without causing injury lol
Great Game idea. Jenny

Roll up a regular sized newspaper until firm - tape it up so it doesn't 'unwind' -create a big sock of soft silky colorful recycled fabric and shove it over the newspaper,as a big sock so to speak. If done well it will last you for years! I use an inflatable lightwheight plastic pool ball, the size of a small pumpkin. They just love to wack the thing!!!

We made bats from wire coathangers which are shaped into a diamond shape then old stockings are pulled over the diamond shape,cork stoppers for handles,then electrical tape over so no sharp edges,they can be personalized with ribbon or streamers or different colours for different teams.

I am going to do this left handed for international left handed day 13th August
Cheers Debbie

We played balloon fun for the first time in my facility, and the residents absolutely loved it, i made the rackets out of wire coat hangers and staockings. Sue

I tie a long string to a balloon, seat guests out of arms reach,or around a table and swat the balloon to a person, they hit it to the next opposite person, etc. Lots of giggles and it is a safe exercise. 2 people or more can enjoy this.

I agree, pool noodles cut in half can be used to play several indoor games.

Foam Pool Noodles cut into lengths are great for Balloon Activities
Shirley NSW

Badminton racquets are too big wit too many residents. I do like the idea of fly swatters and feather dusters

Hey Judy what a fantastic idea I am going to add this to my program, I have invested in a couple of balloon covers so that we can use the balloons without fear they will pop and cause a problem. Lisa

I get the residents playing 'Team Balloon Challenge' most Friday afternoons. I string a rope up onto 2 walkers at each end. On each side of the rope I have 3 residents either in wheelchairs or sitting on chairs. I have a whistle and we start the game. No bats, only using hands and one balloon. We trial a couple of balloons just to make sure we have the 'right' one to play with. One game is up to 11 points. The rules are 1. If it hits the floor on your side of the rope the other team score.
2. The balloon goes under the rope.
Sometimes I have many players so I use them as 'back ups'. One behind each team.
we play until one side has won two games and them I swap over some or all players.
After two matches i work out the 'grand final' team and we have the final games for the afternoon.
All in all it lastabout 1hour 15mins.
Great fun is had, It is amazing how long a turn can go before the balloon is deemed out.
I use my hands to signal the points and help out with getting the balloon back if necessary. Sometimes staff members join in.
It does get some very quiet residents. and those on big whelchairs a great opportunity to join in.
Much laughter is had..I can tell you!!

Hi Heather - we play with badminton rackets and also with feather dusters.
They love it; even clients that usually do not participate in other activities enjoy this game.

My folks love this game but I use lots balloons and I also use wooden spoons...can do balance game too and hockey

i play balloon tennis with my dememtia residents they all love it and have a good laugh

Hi Denise, this idea sounds really interesting though I cannot imagine how it looks like. If in the future you take a photo of the coat hanger bats, could you please share it with us?

I made some bats out of wire coathangers, shaped into a bat [ pull the wire into a circle shape ]and cover with some old stockings ... knee highs fit perfectly ....

i use those blow up bats that are given out free at netball games

Pool noodles cut in three make good "tennis rackets" and they can be used in lots of range of movement activities as well.

Whast a great idea! I shall add fly swatters to the activity.

I also find that using fly swatters works well with this activity