Leader Guide
Balloon Game
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
- Rope, string, or yarn—about 2 feet per child, but not cut into sections
- Scissors for the teacher
- Six round balloons
- Permanent marker
- Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
Write the SuperVerse on the board: John 15:5:
Carefully cut two long sections of rope, string, or yarn for two teams. You will need about 2 feet per child, so for a team of ten children, the rope should be about 20 feet long. Extra rope can remain at one end. For large classes, add additional teams of a maximum of ten children each. Smaller classes can play with fewer children on teams.
Inflate balloons and tie closed.
Write “FRUIT” in large letters with the permanent marker on each balloon.
Never Let Go! Play a game connecting to a vine.
Before we start our game, let’s answer the question from Large Group. In our Superbook adventure, what kind of flowers did Jesus say we should look at? Lilies of the field.
Let’s say the SuperVerse together from the board. John 15:5:
To remain means to stay joined, united, or connected. When we stay joined to Jesus by choosing to walk in step with Him, the Holy Spirit produces fruit inside us. The fruit can be things like joy, peace, patience, and kindness, to name a few. We cannot produce this fruit ourselves. That is why Jesus says that without Him, we can do nothing. We must stay connected!
Hold up a section of rope and a balloon. This is what our game is about today. Each team will stay joined to the vine, represented by this rope. You must not let go of the vine! You will all work together to move the three fruit balloons from one end to the other. As long as you are connected to the vine, the fruit will flow! But if you let go of the vine, you can’t do anything. So if you let go of the vine, you’re out of the game for that round!
Divide the class into two equal teams. A teacher or an assistant can play to even out teams if necessary.
Each team makes a separate line, standing side-by-side with space between each child.
Give a rope to each team and have them stretch it out.
Players must hold the rope with at least one hand at all times.
Give a balloon to the first player of each team.
The goal is to move the balloon to the other end of the line before the other team does.
Each player must bounce or bat the balloon in the air with either hand to the next player beside them. Players cannot be skipped. If the balloon touches the floor, it must be picked up and returned to that player—all while each player holds the rope with one hand.
A new balloon can be started once the previous balloon reaches the other end.
Anyone who lets go of the rope is out of the game for that round.
The team that passes all their balloons to the other end first is the winner.
Play again as time permits, allowing children who let go of the rope earlier to rejoin the game.
Conclusion: Was it tempting to let go of the rope? Why? Children respond.
Sometimes we may think we can live for Christ on our own. However, we need God’s help to be successful and to produce good fruit. We can’t do what is pleasing to God on our own. Let’s learn more about staying joined to Jesus.