Balloon Release

Suggested Group(s): Young/Middle/Teen

Purpose: To encourage the children to view their relationship with their family member from different as before, but still present

Task/need: Converting the relationship…to one of memory

Activity Setup Ideas:

• For younger kids: The book Where Do Balloons Go? by Jamie Lee Curtis is a good way to introduce this activity.
• Introduce the activity by discussing the difficulty of not being able to communicate with their family member. Wonder if they ever experience times when they have something that they would normally tell their family member, and for a brief moment they forget that their family member has died. What things would they like to tell their family member if they had the opportunity?

Materials:

• Helium filled balloons with ribbons — 1 for each child (remember to make arrangements with CP staff in advance)
• Strips of light weight paper
• Hole punch
• Pencils, pens or fine tip markers

Description: Although the relationship with their family member has changed, encourage the children to continue to express things that they would like to say to, or share with their family member. Let the children know that they can do this in many ways. One way is to write a message to their family member, attach it to a helium balloon and release it outside. Give each child a balloon with a ribbon attached (provided, as pre-arranged, by Caring Place staff.) Cut a strip (1 ½ by 6 inches) of the lightest weight paper available for each child, and punch a hole in the end. Have the child write a message to his/her family member on the strip of paper and attach it to the balloon by gently tying the ribbon through the punched hole in the paper. (They may also want to use markers to decorate their balloon.)

Once all children have prepared their balloons, prepare them to take them outside for the release. As a group discuss whether the children want to release them together, or in their own time. Remind them to hold on tightly to their balloons until the group reaches the release site.

Activity Wrap Up Ideas:

• Ask group members to share their thoughts about the balloon release

Suggestions: Work with convening staff to recruit an additional volunteer to assist in escorting the group safely to the release site (in Pittsburgh — the park area near Duquesne Blvd.) Once there, have the children release their balloons as planned according to the plan developed inside. Children may want to watch their balloons until they are out of sight, so allow plenty of time outside. While outside, encourage the children to express their thoughts and feelings.

Some children see this as another leave taking. You may want to prepare for this by asking for extra balloons, giving each child two balloons. One balloon can be used to release and one can be kept to take home.