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Balloon Parade Engineers

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Grades K-230-40 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Kids build a balloon figure on a rolling base and work to keep it balanced through a mini parade route without any tip-overs. A big, bouncy way to explore balance and stability.

Budget levels

Materials list coming soon to members

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Quick Start

Digital downloads only. $0 to buy. Printing is noted separately.

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one class period, one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one class period on a single day.

Scale back: Fit it into a shorter period, use fewer effects, or run a demo instead of a build.

Scale up: Add one extra effect, or spread the share-out across another day.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Full Experience

Up to $25 per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one school day.

Scale back: Fit the build into one period with fewer effects.

Scale up: Spread the work across days, or add more effects.

Total Transformation

The bigger kit, priced per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day (one session, one-day event).

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one session, a one-day event.

Scale back: Shorten the event, or run a demo for a smaller audience.

Scale up: Spread the build and the event across days, or invite a bigger audience.

Choose your version

Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Student time: 40 min, one class periodTeacher prep / build-ahead: 8 min$0 to buy. Printing noted separately.One table or a small area of floor spaceBeginner-friendly

Setup

Gather balloons, cardboard, craft sticks and clear a small work surface. Read the Balloon Parade Engineers mission aloud, then place the supplies where children can choose and compare them safely.

Activity

  1. Look at pictures of giant parade balloons and discuss how they stay balanced above their moving platforms.
  2. Build a small balloon figure attached to a rolling cardboard base with a craft-stick frame for support.
  3. Roll the base slowly across a table, discovering the balloon tips over at a turn, then widen the base or add a lower weight to balance it.
  4. Lead a mini parade of the finished balloon figures across the parade route without any tipping over.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Done when: Children complete the core mission and lead a mini parade of the finished balloon figures across the parade route without any tipping over.

Materials

small balloons, craft sticks, cardboard base, tape, small wheels or bottle caps

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change.

As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Steps

  1. Look at pictures of giant parade balloons and discuss how they stay balanced above their moving platforms.
  2. Build a small balloon figure attached to a rolling cardboard base with a craft-stick frame for support.
  3. Roll the base slowly across a table, discovering the balloon tips over at a turn, then widen the base or add a lower weight to balance it.
  4. Lead a mini parade of the finished balloon figures across the parade route without any tipping over.

Standards mapped

  • NGSS · K-2-ETS1-3

    Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.