Gentle exercise for the arms as well as an opportunity to socialize! Great for game for the elderly. Also suitable for people living with dementia.

Gentle exercise for the arms as well as an opportunity to socialize! This is a great for game for the elderly which is suitable for people living with dementia.

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Madeleine 23rd May 2017
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.
Talita 24th May 2017
Thanks so much for your feedback Madeleine!
Lorraine 7th Apr 2017
Our residents love balloon tennis. We use badminton rackets - light as long as you sit the residents at a safe distance from each other.
Carla 22nd Dec 2016
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!
Robyn 7th Jan 2016
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
Solange 15th Nov 2015
Happy retirement Robyn!!Best wishes!
Robyn 24th Nov 2015
morning Solange, thank you for the wishes,,,, now on 2 weeks leave and have begun to get the ball rolling. Bit of slow process, but it fall into place.
again thank you,,, will keep you posted
Solange 13th Nov 2015
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!
Robyn 15th Nov 2015
Hi Solange,,,, thanks for your reply, after more explanation to the big manager re the noodles and balloons, she could then see that it was beneficial and also encouraged exercise. Even the Dr who also saw this had a smile and she also said it was good.
I have a 68th birthday in Jan and have now decided to retire, I am swamped with paperwork,,, unbelievable. End of this week I will use all my leave up and then finish.
Lovely to talk to you.
Robyn
Bronwyn 5th Apr 2017
Such a shame the RN doesn't see the smiles and even the concentration on the residents faces, they just totally enjoy it. RN has no idea what an RAO does and maybe should continue to do what they know best!
Patricia 3rd Nov 2015
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
Tina 26th May 2015
we use foam pool noodles cut in half, our residents love it.
Robyn 12th Nov 2015
This is also is very popular where I am. The one that asks for this the most is 98 yrs old and she loves, it as do the other residents that join in. BUT the acting NUM, only a RN thinks it is childish. I am finding this so hard to deal with, I am past retiring age so might bow out very soon in the next few weeks.
I'll guarantee that the same lady will still ask for the noodles and balloons, and I hope she continues to do so.
Lifestyle 13th Oct 2014
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.
Gaylene 31st Aug 2014
We also have great fun and laughs with balloons. We use plastic skittles at bats. Gaylene
Jeanette 19th May 2014
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.
Joy 13th May 2014
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.
jennifer 30th Apr 2014
We use thongs as bats just enough extra reach without causing injury lol
Great Game idea. Jenny
kurt 25th Oct 2013
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!!!
Libby 3rd Aug 2013
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.
debbie 28th Jul 2013
I am going to do this left handed for international left handed day 13th August
Cheers Debbie
Sue 29th May 2013
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
Jessie 13th Feb 2013
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.
Solange 15th Oct 2012
I agree, pool noodles cut in half can be used to play several indoor games.
Laura 7th Sep 2016
Hi Solange, I am Laura quite new working with activities I saw your comment about Foam Noodles what other games can we play please?
Thank You
Laura 7th Sep 2016
Hi Solange, I am Laura quite new working with activities I saw your comment about Foam Noodles what other games can we play please?
Thank You
Talita 19th Sep 2016
Hi Laura,

Have you tried noodle soccer?
https://www.goldencarers.com/noodle-soccer/4629/

There are also some more noodle game ideas in the comments section of that activity.
Love to hear how you go with it!
Shirley 14th Oct 2012
Foam Pool Noodles cut into lengths are great for Balloon Activities
Shirley NSW
heather 14th Oct 2012
Badminton racquets are too big wit too many residents. I do like the idea of fly swatters and feather dusters
Lisa 12th Oct 2012
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
Judy 6th Oct 2012
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!!
Solange 3rd Oct 2012
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.
heather 3rd Oct 2012
My folks love this game but I use lots balloons and I also use wooden spoons...can do balance game too and hockey
paula 19th Jun 2012
i play balloon tennis with my dememtia residents they all love it and have a good laugh
Solange 25th Sep 2011
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?
Denise 20th Sep 2011
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 ....
Kelly 25th May 2013
Ditto Denise, we also make our bats this way. It is cheap and is light for the residents to hold. This game is awesome for float chair & wheelchair bound residents also. We play at least once weekly with our high care.
mary 19th Feb 2011
i use those blow up bats that are given out free at netball games
Patti 23rd Oct 2009
Pool noodles cut in three make good "tennis rackets" and they can be used in lots of range of movement activities as well.
Solange 22nd Jul 2009
Whast a great idea! I shall add fly swatters to the activity.
robyn 21st Jul 2009
I also find that using fly swatters works well with this activity

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