Balloon Bash

Every summer I put on an ice cream social at my library, and every summer I go madly looking for a game which will help the teens burn off energy from all the ice cream they eat. This year I tried Balloon Bash, and it was a big hit.

You'll need enough balloons for everyone to have one, and a couple of Sharpies so teens can write their initials on their balloon.

Rules: Everyone has to keep their own balloon in the air by batting it (no holding your balloon), while simultaneously trying to knock everyone else's balloon out of the air. If a balloon hits the ground, that person is out. Play until there's only one person standing.

Simple game, but lots of fun. We played three rounds before anyone got tired, and I started those teens on a game of Apples to Apples while the rest continued to play Balloon Bash. I found the game here, and the site has a number of other balloon games to try.