Weekly Blog

Up, Up and Engaged: The Power of Balloons in Early Physical Development

By Nick Clement

If you've ever handed a balloon to a group of children and just watched, you'll know the magic. There's immediate engagement, movement, laughter—and a surprising amount of learning happening right in front of you.

Through our work with Flying Start via Confident Healthy Active Me CIC, we've found that balloons are one of the simplest, cheapest, and most effective tools for developing hand-eye coordination in young children.

Why balloons beat balls!


We often think of throwing and catching a ball as a basic childhood skill—but for many little ones, a ball just moves too quickly. Their eyes can’t quite track it, their hands can’t quite catch it, and it can lead to frustration before fun has even started.

Balloons, on the other hand, move slowly. They dip, float, wobble and hang in the air long enough for children to:

  • See it coming

  • Decide what to do

    Move their body with purpose

    That’s hand-eye coordination in action—the brain processing visual information and the body responding with a movement. Balloons give children the time and space to succeed.

    They also support:

  • Gross motor skills – jumping, reaching, swatting, running

  • Fine motor control – gentle taps, pinches, catches

  • Balance and spatial awareness – learning where their body is and how it moves in relation to the balloon

    Balloon play that fits any theme
    One of the best things about balloons is how adaptable they are. We've used them across a whole range of themes in our sessions—from nature to space to superheroes. Here are a few ideas you can try:

  • Catch the Bug! Add some paper wings or eyes to green balloons, and suddenly they’re bugs that need to be caught before they fly away.

  • Swat the Bug Away A brilliant game for developing reaction times and upper body strength. Use soft paddles or fly swatters and challenge children to tap the balloon “bug” away before it lands.

  • Balloon Tennis Great for pairs or small groups. Use paper plates on sticks or hands as rackets—encourages turn-taking, coordination and focus.

  • Space Adventure The balloon becomes a floating planet or asteroid. Children can move like astronauts, keeping their space balloon from touching the floor.

    Accessible, affordable, and always engaging balloons are not just fun—they’re inclusive. Whether a child is full of energy or needs a quieter way to join in, balloons offer a gentle way in. They're soft, safe, and perfect for adapting to a child’s confidence level or mobility.

    And let's not forget—they’re incredibly cheap!

    Final thoughts
    In a world full of shiny new resources and digital tools, it’s easy to overlook the power of something as simple as a balloon. But in our work with early years children, we’ve seen just how powerful they can be for developing coordination, confidence, and connection through movement.

Mum Guilt & the Gym: Let’s Change the Story

By Stacy Clement – Wife, Mum of 2, and Founder at Confident Healthy Active Me CIC 04/05/25

When Self-Care Feels Like a Luxury

As a mum, I know the tug of war between looking after ourselves and caring for our little ones. One of the first things many of us let go of when life gets busy? The gym.

But it’s not just a time issue—it’s the guilt.

That creeping feeling that we’re being selfish for taking an hour to move our bodies. The worry that our children are missing us… or that we’re missing something important in their day.

And yet, deep down, we know how much we need that space. For our bodies. For our minds. For ourselves.

What If the Gym Could Be Shared?

Here’s where I think we need a shift—especially through the work we’re doing at Confident Healthy Active Me CIC.

What if the gym wasn’t a solo act or something mums had to “escape” to?
What if it became a shared space—a place where children aren’t just allowed, but welcomed?

I believe we can create fitness environments where both parent and child grow together. Where kids absorb the value of health and strength simply by being near it. Where they feel involved, not excluded.

A New Kind of Community Space

With a bit of thoughtful planning, we can reimagine our approach to fitness:

  • Classes where little ones can safely join in or play nearby

  • Gyms and bootcamps with child-friendly zones

  • A culture that embraces family wellbeing—not just individual results

Let’s move away from the idea that self-care comes at the cost of parenting. Instead, let’s build spaces where looking after yourself is seen as something smart, strong, and even generational—because your kids are watching and learning too.

What We're Building at Confident Healthy Active Me

At Confident Healthy Active Me CIC, this is our mission.

We support mums (and all parents) through inclusive, empowering, child-friendly fitness opportunities. With backgrounds in primary education and sport science, we know how to create engaging, safe experiences for children—so parents can take care of themselves without the guilt.

Because this isn’t just about getting stronger.
It’s about showing our children what it means to care for our bodies, our health, and ourselves.

Ready to Be Part of the Change?

If you’re a mum who’s ever felt the tension between self-care and parenting—we see you. And we’re building this with you in mind.

💬 We’d love to hear your story, collaborate with you, or invite you into our movement.

📩 Email us at stacyclementcham24@gmail.com