1. Creatively divide your group into pairs.
2. Provide each person with an inflated balloon.
3. Each person faces their partner about 2 to 3 metres apart.
4. Demonstrate the ‘balloon propulsion’ technique, eg hold the balloon gently in one hand and pull the tied tail back with the other hand then release, propelling the balloon forward.
5. Partners propel their balloons at the same time, aiming to have their balloons collide or connect.
6. When balloons collide, invite each person to share a response with their partner to a question you have posed to your group.
7. Repeat process with more questions or new partners.

Video Transcript for Balloon Propulsion Debrief
presented by Nate Folan

So take a minute and find someone this time with the same colour balloon as you. You might need to move across the circle, maybe there’s someone next to you, but find someone with the same colour, see how that lands.

We have one unique. Maybe the two of you could come together. That’ll be great.

So in this time you’re going to take a minute and face your partner again, this new partner, and from here this is a… it’s Balloon Propulsion Debrief or a Balloon Propulsion Reflection.

So the way this will work is you want to have a fair distance between the two of you, and maybe… could we demonstrate with the two of you if that’s okay?

(Sure.)

So the two of you will face each other. The spacing’s great. You’re actually going to pull back on the balloon going towards one another. Your goal in this case is to have the balloons make contact with each other. So let’s see if that happens.

(Okay. One. Two. Three.)

Great, so you made contact, and again you can play with the distance to make it more challenging, whatever.

If the balloons make contact, it’s a moment to share what connections are you enjoying amongst the group or what joy are you having just being amongst this space doing what we’re doing. Right?

So let’s give that a go and see if there’s a connection or a joy that you would share.

(Ready? One. Two. Three.)

Great. So a connection occurs. Maybe you can share a connection amongst this group that you’re enjoying or just the joy of being together in the group.

(Alright. I’m enjoying the physical activity.)

(I’m enjoying learning new games.)

Great. So just a quick moment, what are you enjoying, what’s the joy that’s coming up for you. And in this case if you miss…

So let’s just say you miss so we can demonstrate that. It’s just a moment to do that. Let it be. At the same time let’s provide this space. If there’s a miss what’s missing for you? We’ll offer you to share that, so it’s a joy and a miss. And is there anything missing for you?

(Doing alright.)

Doing alright. Great.

So what I’ll ask is with your partner again find a distance that feels good, allow for that challenge when you connect sharing something that you’re finding enjoyment or joy with. If you miss, what’s missing for you in this moment?

(people playing Balloon Propulsion Debrief…)

Balloon Propulsion Debrief is an excellent interactive debrief to follow any balloon-based activities (when balloons are left intact, of course!) such as Frantic, Boop, Balloon Propulsion Greetings, etc.

To start, creatively divide your group into pairs (see Getting Into Pairs for some fun ideas.)

Since this debrief activity works well after engaging in a activity that uses balloons, it’s likely that the your group will still have inflated balloons. If they do not, provide balloons and instruct everyone to blow them up and tie off the tails.

Once in pairs, introduce or review the balloon propulsion technique by means of demonstration. Hold a balloon gently in one hand and pull the tied tail back with the other hand, then release to send the balloon propelling forward.

Invite each person to face their partners, then practice the technique attempting to have their balloons collide or connect. Allow for the group to play a bit and challenge them to have their balloons collide or connect from distances that are progressively further apart.

After a short while, introduce a debrief question or prompt for people to answer when their balloons collide or connect. For example, invite people to share a highlight or appreciation when their balloons collide or connect.

After a short while, consider mixing partners or mingling the group until sufficient sharing has occurred.

If time permits, invite a few people at the end to share a response they shared with their partner that may be relevant to the entire group.

Use as a debrief structure following balloon-based activities such as Frantic, Boop, Star Wars, Balloon Propulsion Greetings, etc.

Use the colours of balloons to form random pairs or small groups.

If Balloon Propulsion Debrief is the last balloon based activity in a sequence, consider ending with Fire In The Hole to dispense with these colourful props.

Beware windy conditions if playing outside, for obvious reasons. A little breeze is okay, but gusty conditions are best to avoid.

You could integrate Balloon Propulsion Debrief as part of a well-designed SEL program to develop your group’s ability to understand and manage their emotions, thoughts and values and those of others.

Specifically, this activity offers opportunities to explore and practice the following social & interpersonal skills:

Self-Awareness

• Identifying Emotions
• Linking Feelings, Values & Thoughts
• Identifying Personal, Cultural & Linguistic Assets
• Recognising Strengths, Prejudices & Biases
• Demonstrating Self-Confidence, Honesty & Integrity
• Experiencing Self-Efficacy

Social Awareness

• Taking Other’s Perspectives
• Appreciating Diversity
• Respecting Others

Relationship Skills

• Communicate & Listen Effectively

Responsible Decision-Making

• Demonstrating Curiosity & Open-Mindedness

You can learn more about SEL and how it can support character education here.

Emotional Intelligence

Most forms of reflection activities are ideally suited to building emotional literacy. The key is to frame your questions carefully so that it is possible for your group to focus on those skills you want to explore and develop. For example, you may choose to present this exercise to debrief a problem-solving activity that sourced a lot of frustration for many team members. To this end, you could prep each of your Balloon Propulsion pairs to respond to a series of questions such as:

• What sensations and thoughts did you notice in your own body?
• What signals did you observe that told you other members were getting frustrated?
• What did you make these signals mean?
• How did you respond to these signals? Was this effective?

You can learn more about SEL and how it can support character education here.

• Mingle, Connect & Share: Invite your group to mingle and attempt to collide or connect balloons on the fly. When a connection occurs, each person shares a response to a debrief question or prompt. This can be done from the start or after pairs have connected with each other (if divided into pairs.)
• Connected or Disconnected: Provide questions or prompts whether or not the balloons collide or connect. For example, if the balloons collide, invite people to share a moment they felt connected to either the group or the task. If the balloons do not touch, invite each person to share a moment they felt disconnected from the group or the task.
• Questions: Before engaging in the debrief, invite participants to write a question on their balloon. This invitation may sound like, “Think about a question that would explore how well we worked together as a team. Write that question on your balloon.”

It may sound like:

• LET’S REFLECT WHILE PLAYING. GET YOURSELF INTO A GOOD STANCE AND BE READY TO CONNECT…
• IT’S LIKELY, WE ALL HAVE MOMENTS WHEN WE FEEL CONNECTED OR DISCONNECTED. LET’S EXPLORE THAT IDEA AS WE REFLECT ON OUR EXPERIENCE…