You don’t think about Thanksgiving without thinking of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. This iconic parade is a must watch for millions of people each year. What if we told you that you can bring the magic of this special event to your classroom? Read more about recreating the parade and so much more with Balloons Over Broadway inspired activities.

Check out these related posts:

• Turkey Trouble Book Activities
• Turkey in Disguise Activities
• Thankful Class Book

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Balloons Over Broadway History

Explore the history of the parade with students to build background knowledge. We suggest reading the Balloons Over Broadway book to your class. Follow the true story of the genius who started it all. Students will learn about the puppeteer Tony Sarg and the beginning of the Thanksgiving Day parade. Have students respond to the text with a read & respond sheet included in Simply Kinder’s NEW Balloons Over Broadway Bundle found HERE!

Check out real video and photo footage from the parade. This is extremely helpful for students who may not be familiar with the parade. Here are some helpful options when looking for footage.

• Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade – An Insider’s Look – Official site with real photos of balloons and a map of the parade route.
• Visual History Video of Parade – Take a look at the parade over the years with this 3 minute video.
• How Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons are Made – Scholastic video showing students how the giant balloons for the parade are created.

Create Balloons

It’s time to create balloons! You can create the balloons using paper plates, a balloon template or a real balloon. Suggested procedures for creating balloons are listed below.

• Students will brainstorm balloon ideas. We suggest creating a class list of options for students to choose from. This helps streamline the colors students will need for real balloons or paper plates (if using these options).
• Create a plan. Students will draw a picture of their balloon creation. They will also list the materials they need to complete their balloon (tape, paper, etc.).
• Provide students with pre-made costume templates from Simply Kinder’s Balloons Over Broadway bundle to create their balloon. You can use templates that students will color or templates that already have color. This can be tailored to fit the needs of your students.
• Students will cut out their pieces and attach them to their plate, balloon template or real balloon. It can be helpful to collaborate with older kids within your school if using real balloons. They can support students as they attach pieces.

Tips: Attach real balloons to balloon sticks so students can hold them steady while creating and during the parade. Tape is best for attaching pieces to real balloons.

Parade Time

Celebrate what students have learned and created with a Balloons Over Broadway parade! This can be done through the hallways of your building or a drive through parade. Students will carry their balloons as they weave through the parade route. Invite school staff, parents, and other students to watch the parade.

Here are some ideas to jazz up your parade:

• Create a cityscape to line the hallways using butcher and construction paper. Students cut out skyscrapers using black butcher paper and add windows with yellow construction paper. Tape the buildings on blue butcher paper to create the skyline.
• Bring a portable karaoke machine and MC the event.
• Add a balloon arch at the entrance of the parade.
• Create a banner that 2 students can carry as they lead the parade.

Reflection and Other Ideas

Don’t let the fun stop with the parade. Wrap up your Balloons Over Broadway event with reflection and extension activities. Check out ideas below.

• Create Balloons Over Broadway hats.
• Incorporate themed vocabulary writing activities in your writing center.
• Participate in puppet play using an interactive mat and puppet sticks.
• Write a story about the parade and create a bulletin display.
• Students can complete a balloon reflection and rate their balloon through a response activity.

Balloons Over Broadway Bundle

Are you ready to recreate this iconic parade in your classroom? All of the exciting activities mentioned above and MORE can be found in Simply Kinder’s NEW Balloons Over Broadway Bundle. Grab it HERE or HERE on Simply Kinder + Printable Membership!.

What’s inside the bundle?

• Read & Respond Sheets
• Balloon Planning Pages
• Small & Full Size Balloon Costumes
• Printable Hats
• Writing Printables
• Bulletin Board Project
• Puppet Activity
• Directions for working with a paper plate, balloon template, or real balloon.
• Vocabulary Writing Center