Keep the balloon up
You will tap a balloon gently before it reaches the floor. Its light shape falls slowly, but each tap also changes its sideways path.
- Move
- Starter
- About 15 minutes
Grown-up needed: yes for checking the space and supervising movement
This page asks a grown-up to inflate and check the balloon, so follow the page.
What you need
- A balloon inflated and checked by a grown-up
- A clear room
- A grown-up
The rule
It must never touch the floor.
How to do it
- Ask a grown-up to prepare the balloon and clear the room.
- Stand comfortably away from furniture and other people.
- Release the balloon just above comfortable hand height.
- Tap it gently upward without chasing it.
- Let it fall if reaching it would require a risky movement.
- Count comfortable taps and stop if the balloon bursts.
Why it works
Gravity pulls the balloon downward, while air resistance opposes its motion through the air. Its large area compared with its weight makes that resistance noticeable, so it can fall more slowly than a small dense object. A tap applies a force that changes its movement, often sideways as well as upward. Balloon shape and surrounding air affect the path too. Watching where each gentle tap sends it helps you anticipate the next position without treating a long streak as necessary.
Make it harder
- Compare two gentle tap directions.
- Predict the landing after a sideways tap.
- Explain why a small dense ball would fall differently.
Ask Taz
- Why does a balloon fall slowly?
- Why can a tap move it sideways?
- Why should I predict its path instead of chasing it?
For grown-ups
A grown-up handles inflation and immediately removes broken pieces. Keep balloons away from anyone for whom latex is unsuitable, and never put them near the mouth. Staying within comfortable reach is more important than preserving the streak. Ask at dinner: “Which tap changed the balloon’s direction, and how could you tell?”
Taz is an AI and can be wrong, so stay close by. Read how safety works on Taz.
Show us yours
Film your hands and what you made, not your face or name. Ask a grown-up before posting anywhere else.
Questions parents ask
Does the child need to reach the film’s target?
No. The film shows an example, not a required performance. Begin with a short comfortable attempt and stop whenever needed. The useful result is a description of what happened, and the stated time estimates preparation and discussion as well as the activity.
Can we adapt the movement?
Yes. Choose a comfortable version with a grown-up, or discuss the film instead of doing the action. Say clearly when the adaptation changes the stated challenge rule. Avoid making the activity faster, longer or less stable simply to make it harder.
Do we need to share a video?
No. Talking about the attempt at home is enough. Follow the privacy line above for any optional sharing.
More to try
See all Taz Challenges, or look through the science labs. One place for every why. Ask for early access at aitaz.com