One player wears a large jacket while their partner stuffs inflated balloons inside and buttons it shut. The padded player sprints to the finish line and back. Points for every balloon still intact on return. The jacket is always too small, the balloons keep escaping, and the laughter makes running harder.
What you need
- 1 large old jacket or coat per pair
- 6–10 balloons per round (pre-inflated)
How to do it
- 1Inflate 8–10 balloons per pair before the game starts.
- 2Player A puts on the jacket. Player B stuffs as many balloons inside as possible and does it up.
- 3On go, Player A runs 10 metres to the finish line and back.
- 4Count the surviving balloons on return. Burst ones score zero. Swap roles.
Variations
- If they don't want to race: "That's okay. Want to try it slowly instead, or try a different move?" Start solo and let them join when the momentum builds.
- "Best of three, then we cool down." After the final round, suggest a transition activity (water, rest, move to next thing).
💡 Parent tip
Use your oldest, largest winter coat — the more balloons it holds, the better. A tight modern jacket ends the game in 10 seconds.
What your child develops
- Cooperation: the stuffer's technique matters as much as the runner's speed
- Physical problem-solving under pressure: how to run while carrying something unstable
- Controlled movement: fast enough to win, careful enough not to pop
Safety notes
- Burst balloon pieces are a choking hazard for children under 3. Collect all pieces immediately. Keep younger siblings at a safe watching distance.
More for “Outdoor & nature”
See allPuddle Stomp
Boots on, straight into the puddle - the splash is the entire point, and nobody needs to explain why.
Water Paintbrush Walls
A paintbrush dipped in plain water, 'painted' onto a fence or pavement, and watching the picture vanish as it dries.
Mud Pie Kitchen
Soil, water, and old kitchen tools turn a patch of garden into a working bakery - and getting dirty is the entire point.