Balloon Animals

Android app for making balloon animals.

Have you ever considered the motor planning, fine motor skills, and visual perceptual skills required to make balloon animals? I have used this in therapy many times and I was tickled the day I stumbled onto this app. Instead of following my instructions, kids could work from a video. Step by step directions allow you to stop or replay a step over and over. You can also slow down or speed up the rate of the movements as you work your way through the steps. Items are rated from easy to difficult. This activity has been popular with almost everyone I have tried it with.

Important - all balloons and balloon pumps are not created equal. I started with Walmart balloons and pump. The balloons were thin and popped fast or when you tried to twist them, and the pump just plain didn't work. I tried and liked the Qualatex brand (below), whose products are made for this purpose.

WARNING: Check for allergies to latex before introducing this activity. Also, some individuals do not like the feel and/or sound of a twisting or popping balloon. 

Here is a fun website that I also use for this activity.  Michael Floyd, the balloon twister, is entertaining and explains each step as he goes.  Check it out. http://balloon-animals.com/  Use it in therapy or just to teach yourself.

Try this:

• Model each move on your balloon and let the individual copy you. I also explain verbally as I go. One step at a time.
• Practice tying knots on balloons beforehand or be prepared to tie for them. It is hard to manage a long balloon full of air if you are just learning to tie the knot.
• Have balloons already blown up and tied if that part would add too much frustration for beginners or it is too much to learn in one session.
• Start with very simple shapes for beginners. Everyone seems to like the sword, or light saber as most kids (Star Wars fans) call it and it is the easiest model.
• Work on visual discrimination, spatial relations, visual closure, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, strength, in-hand manipulation, motor planning, coordinated use of both hands, executive functioning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

If you are interested in purchasing this app or balloon making supplies, click on the images below to go to Amazon.com.