60-second
Balloon Stomp
Also called Balloon Stomp War, Pop the Balloon, Balloon Ankle Pop
Everyone has a balloon tied to their ankle. Stomp on other people's balloons and protect your own.
- people
- 6–40
- time
- 10 min
- energy
- Chaos
- materials
- Cheap to buy
Kids-safeChurch-safe
Before you start
Tie one inflated balloon to each player's ankle with about 30 cm (1 ft) of string. Mark an arena on the floor big enough that players are an arm's length apart at the start.
- 1On go, players try to pop other players' balloons by stepping on them.
- 2No pushing, holding, tripping or using hands on other players.
- 3Once your balloon pops, step out of the arena immediately.
- 4Last player with an unpopped balloon wins — or most balloons still alive after 60 seconds in the team version.
What to say3
- 1“Balloons on ankles — protect yours, pop theirs!”
- 2“No hands, no pushing! Feet only!”
- 3“Three left! Who's the last balloon standing?”
Host tips3
- This gets physical fast with adults and teenage boys. Run heats of 8 rather than everyone at once, and stop the round the first time someone pushes.
- Long strings get tangled around ankles and trip people. Keep the string short — balloon just behind the heel.
- The popping is loud. Warn the room before you start and keep babies and anyone with noise sensitivity away from the arena.
Variants2
Teams
Two teams with different coloured balloons. After 60 seconds, the team with more balloons left wins.
Heats
Run groups of 8 at a time, with winners meeting in a final. Safer than everyone at once.
Safety4
- Stomping injures toes and ankles: shoes on, no high heels, no barefoot players.
- Latex allergy: ask first; use latex-free balloons where needed.
- Balloon fragments are a choking hazard for small children — clear them up after every heat.
- Not for seniors, pregnant guests or mixed small-children-and-adults heats.
Good for
Occasions
BirthdaySchoolFiestaRetreat
Venues
Indoor, largeOutdoorChurch hall