Cooperative Game

Balloongame
Cooperative Relay Time: 10–20 min

Purpose: To practice working cooperatively and thinking creatively.

Skills: Communication, Cooperation, Creativity, Patience, Problem solving, Team building, Trusting others

You 4–30 players

will
need… Upper elementary age players or older
Inflated balloons (one for each pair)
Enough space for players to safely move about freely

Before Designate and label a Point A at one end of the space, where players will begin and
You a Point B at the opposite side of the space, where players will end.
Begin
In this game players will be working in pairs. Consider whether you will assign
partners before the game or guide players to choose their own partners.
Prepare the reflection questions you will ask players in the debrief.

Directions

Introduce the game Balloon Relay. Use this time to reinforce any established
expectations that are important for players to remember during the game.
Explain that the objective of the game is to work together in pairs to carry a balloon from
Point A to Point B without using their hands.
Demonstrate with a player how to walk and hold a balloon between two people without
using hands. You might place the balloon between both of your heads, hips, or
shoulders.
Ask players if they have any questions about the game.

Tell players to find a partner and have the pairs form a line behind Point A.

Tip: Consider dividing the group into two or three different groups, so that players do not
have to wait as long for their turn.
Distribute one inflated balloon to each pair.

Remind players that they must not use their hands. If they do, or if the balloon falls to
the ground, they must go back to the beginning and try again.
Tell the first pair in line to go from Point A to Point B. Once the first pair is done, send
the next pair, and so on until every pair has gone.

© 2012 Peace First www.peacefirst.org/digitalactivitycenter 1

BALLOON RELAY

DIRECTIONS CONTINUED
Tip: If players are quick to accomplish this task, add more rules such as:
Complete the task silently
Have pairs race each other
Have multiple pairs form groups to compete against each other in a relay
Add obstacles to the course
Explain to players that now they will reflect on how they experienced the game.

Debrief

Debrief the game with players. Remember, cooperative games are only as effective as
your debrief. This is your opportunity to help players connect the game to personal
experiences, actions, and beliefs. You will want to reinforce any skills or beliefs you are
hoping players will carry beyond the game.
For more on facilitating debriefs, refer to the Debriefing Tip Sheet on our Digital Activity
Center.
We’ve included some suggested questions below to get you started.
Ask:
What happened during the game?
How did it feel to work together?
How did you communicate with your partner?
Did you face conflict with your partner? Why or why not?
What peacemaker skills did you use in this game?
Thank players for their participation.

© 2012 Peace First www.peacefirst.org/digitalactivitycenter 2