B is for Balloons

• Read: A Balloon for Isabel by Deborah Underwood
1. Experiment – after reading the book use playdoh, toothpicks, and balloons.
• Put a ball of playdoh on the table and add toothpicks all over it (as in a porcupine like in the book).
• Test 1: Use a balloon and hit it against the toothpicks (make sure it pops!).
• Add balls of playdoh to the ends of the toothpicks (like the gumdrops in the book).
• Test 2: Use a balloon and hit it against the covered toothpicks.
• Compare what happened. Why did the gumdrops work in the story to prevent the balloons from popping?

**Find more BALLOON inspired preschool activities HERE**

Balloons

• B Balloon
1. Cut out pictures that begin with B.
2. Blow up a balloon & glue them on
3. Bat the balloon back & forth.
4. Say the alphabet & see how far you can get.
• Decorate the room with lots of balloons!
• Blow up a balloon (don't tie it!), let go and let it zooom around the room.
• Water Balloon Toss
1. Fill several balloons up with water and tie the end.
2. Go outside and stand a foot apart
3. Toss the balloon to each other until it POPS!
4. TIP: to make it a little simpler for little guys, have them hold a bowl to catch the balloon in. Or fill the balloon with just a little bit of water so when it falls, it won’t pop easily.

• Batting Balloons
1. Blow up several balloons and hang them from the ceiling with string.
2. You can write a big B on the balloons if you’d like.
3. Turn on some fun music and let the kid BOP, BAT and BONK the balloons.
4. Have them say the /b/ sound as they bump the balloons.

Treat Idea: Decorate a rice cake with frosting. Add a licorice string!