Purpose
Help children socialize and build relationships by making balloon cars and racing them against each other.
Activity Suggestion
To build balloon cars, you will need the following supplies:
- Balloons
- Empty plastic bottles or cardboard containers
- Plastic bottle lids for wheels
- Wooden skewers and plastic straws for axles
- Tape and cardboard or paper
Make the Cars
1. Cut the top of the bottle as needed to allow the balloon to rest on the bottle. Leave the mouth of the bottle intact (see accompanying images).
2. To attach the axles to the bottle or cardboard container, cut a straw in half. Tape each half crosswise on the bottom of the bottle or container, one on the front and one of the back. Insert the skewers through the straws. The axles should extend out farther than the edges of the bottle or container.
3. Create a hole in the center of the lids that will serve as wheels. Put the wheels onto the ends of the skewers.
4. Cut a hole into the lid of the bottle. Push the end of the balloon through.
Race the Cars
1. Identify a starting line and finish line.
2. With the lid attached to the bottle, blow up the balloon. Pinch the balloon closed or place your finger over the hole until you are ready to release the car.
3. When all the cars are lined up on the starting line, ask the children to release their fingers from the balloons.
4. The air will release from the balloon and the cars will be pushed forward.
Discuss
Explain that the cars moved because of Newton’s third law of physics: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that for every force pushing on an object, there is an equal but opposite force pushing back. The balloon pushes the air in one direction, and the air pushes back on the balloon to make it go in the other direction.
Please adapt activities as necessary to ensure all individuals are able to participate, belong, and contribute. If any children in your group have latex allergies, please use balloons made of other materials or adapt the activity in other ways.
Adaptation Ideas
- Hold boat races! Help the children cut pieces of foam, like a kitchen sponge, into a boat shape. Cut a hole for the balloon through the foam. Place the balloon through the hole and add a small straw or piece of plastic tubing just inside the end of the balloon. Blow up the balloon and hold the end before placing the boat in the water. When you’re ready to start the race, let go of the balloon.
- Service idea: Encourage the children to serve others by helping younger children and siblings make and race balloon cars and boats.
Discussion
Encourage children to talk about how what they are learning can help them and others grow closer to Jesus Christ. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity and should last just a few minutes. You could ask questions like the following:
- Why is it important to have fun with one another and build relationships? How can doing so help us keep our baptismal covenants?
- How can understanding science and physics help us better understand Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?