Balloon animals are one of those activities that instantly feels fun and a little magical. With just a few balloons and some twisting, kids can turn simple shapes into animals, hats, and all kinds of creative creations.
Sunday mornings tend to bring out the most creativity in our house.
This particular Sunday started the way many of ours do: coffee for the adults, 90’s cartoons playing in the background (because apparently we’re raising 90’s kids too), and the kids spreading projects across the kitchen table.
My daughter suddenly announced she was making balloon animals for everyone. And just like that, our quiet Sunday morning turned into a full balloon animal workshop.
The Activity
Activity at a Glance
Activity: Balloon animals
Time: 20-30 minutes
Age Range: 6+ (with adult help)
Mess Level: Mild
Best For: Creative play and simple party fun
Balloon animals have become one of my daughter’s favorite creative projects. Last year, my mother-in-law took the kids shopping for her birthday, and my daughter picked out a balloon animal making kit. She had just turned six, and it immediately became a hit in our house.
Learning the twisting patterns does take a little help from an adult or older child at first, but once kids understand the basics, they quickly take off with it.
Before long, they’re creating their own animals and experimenting with shapes, colors, and designs.
Supplies
- Balloon animal making kit (this comes with a detailed guide, a bunch of balloons in different colors, and a balloon pump)
- Drawstring bag to hold supplies
- Sharpies (for decorating faces or patterns)
How It Went
My daughter decided everyone in the family could put in an order for their favorite animal, and she would make it for them. Lucky mom got first-round pick, and I requested a giraffe.
She pumped up the balloon, tied it off herself, and began twisting the balloon into sections, and then those sections into even more sections, until—voilà—we had a giraffe.
She grabbed her Sharpie and added giraffe spots and a cute smiling face before proudly handing it over like a professional balloon artist at a birthday party.
She’s even brought the kit to school for show-and-tell and made balloon animals for her classmates. I have a feeling this might become her signature activity.
Why I Love This Activity
Activities like this are the best kind of creative play. Balloon animals help kids build fine motor skills and dexterity, while also encouraging patience, creativity, and problem solving as they figure out how each twist transforms a long balloon into something new.
And the best part is the pride kids feel when they finish something they’ve made themselves. Before long, our kitchen felt like a tiny balloon workshop, with my daughter proudly handing out her creations to the rest of the family.
Not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning.
Looking for more ideas to make together? Browse the full Made Together collection here.
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