Weighted Balloon

Uses

• This object serves as an easier alternative to striking a ball. A balloon can be a great tool to learn how to track and strike and object, but may simply float too long for some learners.
• Adding a small amount of weight to the balloon increases its weight and decreases its floating time. It still remains a floating object, but simply travels slightly faster if your child is ready for more speed and challenge when practicing tracking and striking an object with an implement.

Construction Materials

• Balloon
• Filler (coin)
• Funnel (depeding on filler)

Instructions for Construction

1. Insert desired amount of filler into the balloon.
   • use funnel if filling with sand or flour
2. Blow up balloon & tie off.

Modifications of Equipment

• Draw faces and/or designs on the balloon to make it more fun!
• Differentiate amount of filler depending on the skill of your child.
  • more filler = faster travel = harder to track and/or strike
  • less filler = slower travel = easier to track and/or strike
• Find alternatives fillers if you don't have coins.
  • nuts, washers, small rocks, sand, sugar, flour, pencil tip eraser, etc.
• Find alternatives if you don't have a funnel.
  • plastic bottle (cut off bottom or fill bottle with sand before wrapping balloon around the lid opening)
• Spin balloon quickly and watch coin continue to spin for fun science trick! (Centripidal Force)