Sensory balloons are a very useful tool to develop tactile sensitivity in children and familiarize them with different textures. In addition, they serve to stimulate fine motor skills, a fundamental skill so that later children can begin to draw and make their first strokes.

Sensory balloons also allow children to channel their negative emotions, helping them manage them, making them an excellent tool for children suffering from anxiety and hyperactivity problems.

How do sensory balloons work?

As the child presses on the balloon, the accumulated tension is released, so that anger, anxiety, frustration or any other negative emotion begins to diminish. In fact, this technique is also very useful for children who have self-control problems, behavioral disorders, or autism.

As if that were not enough, the sensory balloons also favor the consolidation of conceptual and logical thinking since while children play, they learn the difference between basic concepts such as soft and rough, heavy and light or light and dark. In addition, they stimulate creativity and children’s imagination, while enhancing concentration.

The most interesting thing is that they can be used at any time. Children can always carry the balloons with them and use them when they feel anxious, irritated or bored. You can also keep them in a specific place in the house that the little ones can access at any time.

A very useful strategy to motivate children to use sensory balloons is to make them at home with their help. The fact of participating in the process of its preparation and printing your personal seal will surely encourage children to play with the balloons and take them with them.

What materials do you need to make sensory balloons?

• Medium water balloons, preferably in various colors
• Filling for the balloons: rice, jelly balls, seeds, chickpeas, water pearls…
• Funnel
• Hilo
• Brushes
• paints of different colors
• Water

How to make sensory balloons step by step?

1. Insert the balloon into the exit hole of the funnel, press it hard and tie it with the thread so that it does not slip and come out.

2. Choose the filling for each balloon and slowly introduce it through the funnel until you have filled approximately ¾ of the balloon’s capacity. Then add water until the balloon is full.

3. Untie the string from the balloon, remove it from the funnel, making sure to squeeze out any remaining air. Then tie the balloon.

4. Let the child decorate the balloon to his liking using the brush and paints. You can draw your favorite cartoon character or let your imagination run wild and draw anything else you want.

Now you just have to repeat the same procedure with the rest of the balloons, but changing the filling to diversify their texture. Ready! Your child already has their own sensory balloons.

How to use sensory balloons at home?

Sensory balloons are designed for children to squeeze as they please, especially when they feel anxious or irritated. However, they can also be part of children’s play. You can ask him to organize the balloons according to their color, volume or texture, the little ones will love doing it, a task that develops their perception and thinking.

Another very fun idea is to guess what the balloons have inside, by closing your eyes and using only your touch. You can also place a deep container with water and ask the child to insert the balloons to see which ones float and which ones sink to the bottom.