One of the first inexpensive toys given to children is a balloon. Even in infancy, we have been known to entertain children by floating a balloon nearby and watching their reaction. Due to the overwhelming popularity of balloon animals, children are usually familiar with them after attending a birthday party. By now, these children equate balloons and balloon animals with fun activities and have begun what could be a life-long inexpensive form of entertainment.

Sooner or later, after watching more than one balloon artist perform, parents are beseeched with requests to begin learning balloon art. Before beginning this instruction, there are many important factors to consider. First and foremost, will active parental supervision be available?
Children should not ingest balloons on any occasion, and if that is a possibility, he or she is not ready to learn balloon art. Therefore, the age and maturity level of the child is a paramount safety concern. Second, neither adults nor children should ever manually inflate balloons. Although many of us from earlier generations blew up balloons on a regular basis, we now know that ingesting the chemical components of balloons, and the powder contained therein can be quite hazardous. Allergic reactions to latex or even neurological problems have been reported. Of course, some artists wear gloves to avoid latex contact; therefore, becoming a balloon artist is not impossible, just slightly more difficult.

Finally, it is important to consider the child’s level of dexterity and his or her personality. For more patient young souls, learning the art of making balloon animals can be wonderfully fulfilling, exposing them to the benefits of patience, and perseverance through frustration. If a child frustrates easily, but is insistent upon learning, break each part of constructing the bubbles and twists into small steps, only attempting a complete animal when these techniques have been mastered. Let your knowledge of your child be your guide.

One of the first inexpensive toys given to children is a balloon. Even in infancy, we have been known to entertain children by floating a balloon nearby and watching their reaction. Due to the overwhelming popularity of balloon animals, children are usually familiar with them after attending a birthday party. By now, these children equate balloons and balloon animals with fun activities and have begun what could be a life-long inexpensive form of entertainment.

Sooner or later, after watching more than one balloon artist perform, parents are beseeched with requests to begin learning balloon art. Before beginning this instruction, there are many important factors to consider. First and foremost, will active parental supervision be available?
Children should not ingest balloons on any occasion, and if that is a possibility, he or she is not ready to learn balloon art. Therefore, the age and maturity level of the child is a paramount safety concern. Second, neither adults nor children should ever manually inflate balloons. Although many of us from earlier generations blew up balloons on a regular basis, we now know that ingesting the chemical components of balloons, and the powder contained therein can be quite hazardous. Allergic reactions to latex or even neurological problems have been reported. Of course, some artists wear gloves to avoid latex contact; therefore, becoming a balloon artist is not impossible, just slightly more difficult.

Finally, it is important to consider the child’s level of dexterity and his or her personality. For more patient young souls, learning the art of making balloon animals can be wonderfully fulfilling, exposing them to the benefits of patience, and perseverance through frustration. If a child frustrates easily, but is insistent upon learning, break each part of constructing the bubbles and twists into small steps, only attempting a complete animal when these techniques have been mastered. Let your knowledge of your child be your guide.