Four Ways to turn a Tired, Boring Balloon into a Super Cool Toy

Camp Classic Play!

by , posted on June 18th, 2012 in Arts & Crafts, Games & Creative Play, Kids DIY



Well hello there balloon! Are you tired of being just another birthday party treat? Well, be glum no more. Today at Camp Classic Play we’re giving you a makeover. And not just one makeover but FOUR! Ready?

The Amazing Electric Balloon

     

Blow up a balloon, rub it on your head and see what happens when you put it on a wall. It sticks! Make your hair go crazy or make a game out of it by using it to pick up small pieces of paper.

Water Balloon Yo-Yo

     

Take a balloon. Fill it with 1 part water, 2 parts air. Cut a rubber band so it’s one long strip of elastic and securely tie it to the balloon. Note: This one’s probably best done outside. You know, just in case… POP!

Rocket Balloon

To make a rocket balloon, you’ll need: a balloon, straw, tape and string or fishing line. All you do is blow up a balloon (don’t knot it), tape a straw to the top of it, fish the string or line through the straw, release the air and watch ‘er go! Look out NASA.

Daredevil Penny

     

It’s the Evel Knievel of pennies. The incredible Daredevil Penny will astound and delight its audience. It’s just like watching a motorcycle in a cage if the motorcycle was a penny and um, the cage were a balloon. Here’s how to make one: take a penny, put it in a balloon, then blow it up. Knot the end and give it a good swirl to get the penny started. If you want to work in a little extra learning, you can discuss centripetal force. We’ll leave the learning bit up to you.


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Comments

6 Responses to “Four Ways to turn a Tired, Boring Balloon into a Super Cool Toy”

  1. Carla Says:

    June 18th, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    I love this! I don’t know what’s cooler the ideas or the descriptions!

    [Reply]

  2. Kelli Says:

    June 19th, 2012 at 9:58 am

    Super cool indeed!!! :) My kids would totally get a kick out of that yo-yo, and we’ll have to try the penny trick too!

    [Reply]

  3. lynn Says:

    June 20th, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    i don’t get how the rocket is suppose to work…

    [Reply]

    Jennifer Cooper Reply:
    June 20th, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    Hi Lynn, sorry ’bout that! I revised the instructions to make it clear not to knot the balloon. When you release the air, the balloon, powered by its air, will zoom across the string.

    [Reply]

  4. Sue Says:

    June 20th, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Actually, it’s “centrifugal” force, as in centrifuge. Great ideas!

    [Reply]

    Jennifer Cooper Reply:
    June 20th, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    Hi Sue! Thanks so much! Here’s what I ran across in my research: “The real force in action here is called centripetal force, which means center-seeking. This is a force that is always directed toward the center of the circle and is actually responsible for keeping the penny moving in a circular motion inside the balloon.”

    And here’s a link that explains the difference between centrifugal and centripetal: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00305.htm

    I think you could also work inertia into the discussion if you use this in a classroom or STEM project.

    HTH! : )

    [Reply]

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