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Feature Articles for September, 2003
 You don’t have to inflate your budget to throw a fun party for your kids -just fill up some balloons. The average mom purchases party decorations four times a year at a cost of up to $49 a pop. Pro party planners say balloons can help deflate that figure. Balloons can be an inexpensive way to decorate and keep kids entertained at parties. Try these cost-cutting, ballon party tips: Decorating • Balloon Clusters: Fill two balloons with helium and tie them together. Fill a third balloon and tie to the first pair. The clusters can be hung from a chair, on the swags of a tablecloth, from drapes, or spaced on the walls around a room. • Balloon Arch: To let people know where the party is, fill balloons with helium and attach them several inches apart to a long piece of ribbon. Anchor the ends of the arch to the ground with beanbags. Games • Balloon Relay Race: Line up participants in two rows. Give the first child in each line a helium-inflated balloon and have them put it between their knees and run back and forth across the yard, tagging the next person on their team when they return to the starting point. • Pop The Balloon: Tie a weight to the end of some helium-inflated balloons and spread them throughout the room. Have participants take turns racing to a balloon and trying to pop the balloon by sitting or stomping on it. This game is not recommended for children under the age of 10. Favors • Balloon Surprise: Put special treats – candy, thank you notes, small toys, etc.-inside helium-inflated balloons and pass them out at the party. You could also have a contest where only one balloon has a treat inside it. Whichever guest finds it gets to keep it. This is not recommended for children under age 12. • Balloon Friends: Inflate some balloons with helium and use glue and cotton balls to make faces on them. Have children give the balloons silly names (Floaty Floyd, Barry The Balloon Baboon, etc.) and let them take their new “friends” home. Parents can get helium, balloons, and ribbon in Balloon Time Kits. The kits can be purchased at most major retailers and party stores. Adult supervision is recommended for all of the above activities. For more tips, visit the Web site BalloonTime.com. |
