Balloon Workshop
Start with a Balloon. Finish with a Monster.
One balloon can become a puppy, a sword, a hat or something nobody has successfully identified yet.
Hundreds of balloons—and an entire group working together—can become a monster larger than any of them.
Cirque Um Navigate’s Balloon Workshop combines individual creativity, guided instruction and one enormous collaborative build. It is a lively, hands-on activity created for vacation care, OOSH and club holiday programs.
There will be twisting.
There will be teamwork.
There will almost certainly be popping.
Learn the Twists of the Trade
Our balloon artist begins by introducing the essential techniques behind balloon twisting.
Participants learn how to handle, shape and connect balloons before following along to create something of their own. The project can be adapted to suit the ages, experience and available time.
Every participant finishes the first part of the workshop with a balloon creation to take home—and the knowledge that a long balloon is merely an undecided sculpture.
Build Something Enormous
Once everyone has mastered the basic twists, it is time to think considerably bigger.
The group works together to build a giant balloon monster taller than they are.
Some participants create limbs. Others construct eyes, tentacles, teeth and whatever peculiar anatomical features the creature appears to require. Individual pieces are then brought together until the room contains one enormous collaborative creation.
The final monster is colourful, ridiculous and completely unique to the group that built it.
Naturally, it will require a name.
Creativity Through Cooperation
The giant build gives every participant a meaningful way to contribute.
Children practise following instructions, solving construction problems and working towards a shared outcome. They see how many small creations can be combined into something none of them could have made alone.
The workshop encourages:
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Creativity and imagination
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Fine motor skills and coordination
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Listening and following a sequence
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Cooperation and communication
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Problem-solving
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Confidence through learning a new skill
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A healthy response when something unexpectedly goes pop
Participants leave with their individual creations, while the group finishes with a giant monster and a shared story.
Vacation Care & OOSH
The Balloon Workshop is ideal for vacation care and OOSH because it combines structured instruction with energetic group participation.
The personal project gives everyone time to learn and practise. The monster build then brings the group together for a lively collaborative finale.
It is substantial enough to become a feature incursion and adaptable enough to suit different group sizes, ages and holiday themes.
Club Holiday Programs
For clubs and hospitality venues, the workshop provides a colourful school holiday activity that produces excellent photographs and an impressive final display.
Children can take their individual balloon creations home, while the giant monster can remain on display where arrangements and space allow.
Tell us about your venue, expected attendance and desired session format. We’ll recommend a setup suited to your holiday program.
Hundreds of Balloons. One Remarkable Creature.
We bring the balloons, equipment, instruction and experience required to keep the workshop moving.
Many balloons can be prepared before the session, allowing participants to spend more time creating and less time waiting for inflation.
Workshops are best held in an appropriate indoor or sheltered space. We’ll discuss participant ages, venue conditions, available room and any relevant allergy or accessibility considerations during planning.
Make Something Bigger Together
Tell us about your group, venue and holiday program.
We’ll teach everyone how to create something marvellous from a balloon—then help them combine their new skills to build something far too large to take home in the car.
“It's hard to be brought down when you have a balloon"
– W.Pooh
