TinyStepper
Laughing boy running across a field with arms wide, daisies in the grass

Balloon Hockey

Use cardboard tubes as sticks to bat a balloon into a goal.

Activity details

2y–4y10 minshighindoorBalloonsMasking TapeToilet Roll Tubes

Instructions

Tiny Steps

Get ready
  • Mark out two goals on the floor with masking tape at opposite ends of the room
  • Give each player a cardboard tube — toilet roll or kitchen roll tubes work well
  1. Mark out two goals on the floor with masking tape at opposite ends of the room
  2. Give each player a cardboard tube — toilet roll or kitchen roll tubes work well
  3. Blow up a balloon and drop it in the centre
  4. Show your toddler how to bat the balloon along the floor with their tube
  5. Play together: try to bat the balloon past each other's goal line
  6. Celebrate goals wildly — do a lap of honour around the room
  7. For younger players, work together on the same team batting towards one goal

Parent tip

Set out balloons and masking tape before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Child smiling on a cushion after active play with a ball and scattered cushions nearby

What success looks like

Flushed cheeks, big smiles, and a calmer child afterwards. If they want to do it again, you’ve found a winner.

Tape a masking-tape goal line on the floor, hand each player a cardboard tube, blow up a balloon, and play! The slow float of the balloon gives toddlers time to track, aim, and swing — making this a perfect introduction to stick-and-ball sports. The gentle rallies build naturally into full-speed chasing and whacking.

Why it helps

NHS Best Start in Life recommends practising throwing, catching and kicking a ball as simple activities that teach coordination, balance and agility. Tracking a slow-moving balloon and timing a swing develops visual tracking, hand-eye coordination, and motor planning. Using a tube as an extension of the arm strengthens tool use — a cognitive milestone that requires the brain to integrate the tool into its body schema, the same mental process needed for using cutlery, pencils, and other implements.

Variations

  • Use two balloons at once for chaotic, hilarious double-balloon hockey.
  • Replace the tubes with wooden spoons or fly swatters for a different hitting sensation.
  • Draw a face on the balloon so it 'watches' them play — toddlers find this endlessly amusing.

Safety tips

  • Supervise balloon play at all times — burst balloon pieces are a serious choking hazard.
  • Ensure cardboard tubes are not crushed or splintered — replace damaged ones immediately.
  • Clear breakable items from the playing area before the game begins.