Age group(s) for this birthday party activity:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School

Cost of birthday party activity:
Usual cost of food and cake
Cost of balloons and party favors. Cost of filling some balloons with helium. (Small tanks are available in stores; however, many florists will fill for minimal cost and NO fuss!)

Birthday party planning information:
Brighten birthday parties with festive bunches of colorful balloons.
Invitations - Cut out circles from colorful construction paper and attach a string. Fill out the information and send.
Decorations: Tie colorful curling ribbon to helium filled balloons in assorted colors. Tie bunches to chair backs; let some float to the ceiling. Twist assorted colored streamers together and stretch them across the walls and windows.
Food: Anything circular! Round crackers and cheese cut into circles; mini pizzas - spread pizza sauce on English muffins, top with pepperoni; fruit salad with round fruits - berries, melon balls, grapes.
Cake: Bakes cupcakes in the child's favorite flavor. Frost in as many different colors as possible. Arrange the cupcakes in a cluster like a bunch of balloons. Make the strings of the balloons with red licorice. Join all the strings together at the bottom and finish with a licorice bow.

Other suggestions or comments:
Activity: Water balloon races! Fill small balloons with water and tie. Pick several games to play - balloon toss between partners; balloon relay races; water balloon tag.
Favors: Make special favors by tucking bouncy balls or other small toys into balloons and blowing them up. Make sure each guest goes home with a helium balloon!
NOTE: Balloons pose a choking hazard to young children. The same is true with small, circular food.