Activities

Virtual Team Building Events

Activity Description

Bloop Ice Breaker Energizers

Benefits of playing Bloop 

  • This is a great exercise to energize a group
  • Is a good way to encourage co-operation.
  • Great interactive game, fun game
  • Physical activity, creating movement

Bloop Fun group team building game for smaller groups. 

Larger groups of people can be separated into smaller groups of 2 to 4 people. Each group will then be given a balloon, which must be inflated until it reaches about a diameter of 20cm or 25cm.

Have all members and groups hold hands and to form a circle. The balloon must then be pushed into the air and should be kept in the air without touching the ground. This must be attempted for as long as possible. You will notice everybody moving around in all kinds of ways to keep the balloon floating.

To make it more challenging, inform the players that you will now be asking them to keep the balloon afloat with a certain body part. Each member can only use this body part to keep the balloon in the air. Begin this part of the game with something easy, such as the arms then move to something more challenging like a foot or even their noses.

This game doesn’t have any penalties for letting the balloon fall to the floor or touching it with another part of the body. If it does occur, just let them pick it up and start again. Teams can carry on with the game for a few minutes, then ask for everybody to stop and rest a little. The biggest challenge is yet to come.

Have everyone remain in the proper position, holding hands, but instead of bouncing the balloon off something, everybody must now keep the balloon in the air without touching it. This means they have to blow and keep the balloon up with their breath. This is quite fun to observe, and most groups will quickly find themselves on the floor along with their balloons. Completely out of breath but having a fun time.

You can also add a number of different variations for this activity, for example:

  • Make a move: This is best done in a larger space where everyone can move around while trying to ‘Bloop’ their balloon. This could be done outside if the weather plays along.
  • Play Swap: Have groups swap balloons while in mid-air.
  • Bloop Bloop: Introduce two balloons into the game, groups now must keep two in the air without falling to the ground.
  • Eliminations: Make it more into a competition type game, whereby each group that lets their balloon fall, is eliminated. Last group standing wins.

Step by Step Instructions to facilitate Bloop

  • All you need for this activity are some balloons
  • This game should be played indoors and is great for smaller groups of 2-4 people.
  • If you have a larger group, have everyone form pairs.
  • Hand out the balloons to each pair and have them blow the balloons up until they are about 20cm-25cm.
  • Each pair must hold hands and then push the balloon into the air. They must then keep the balloon in the air for as long as they can.
  • Once everybody gets the hang of the it, you can then add some challenges. Have them bump the balloons into the air with their arms, feet, heads and other parts of the body.
  • The best challenge is, tell everyone to keep the balloon in the air without touching it. This means they must use their breath only to keep the balloon afloat.
  • There are a few variations to this game or you could just get members to swap partners.

Facilitating Tips for playing  Bloop

Balloons are so versatile when using them in games or different activities. Balloons make certain challenges difficult because they are so light and can be blown around very easily. You always have somebody playing and punching balloons in the air when they are around. One person is okay, but what will you do if you are connected to somebody else. How challenging and difficult would it be to bounce a balloon? Let’s find out with this activity.

This game is a great way to help improve the energy of a group and, of course, there is always great fun and laughter that goes along with it. There are also many other balloon games to play and choose from, such as, Balloon Tag.

Questions, tips and reflections

There are a number of reflection strategies you can use, and with them you could use some of these questions. These questions can help the group process what their experiences were during the game.

  • Did you keep the balloon in the air successfully? How?
  • Did you enjoy the game and why?
  • Do you think there was something that hindered the success of the group?
  • Can your group relate to this task in some way?

Bloop Balloon In Air

Basic Details
Property Type : Energizers
Listing Type : Placeholder
Activity Type : Energisers
Focus On : Having Fun
Outcome Based : No, just fun
Facilities : Indoor
Duration : 1 - 5 minutes
Exertion Level : Medium
Group Size : 1 - 8, 9 - 16
Age : Children, Youth, Adults