Hi, I have been asked to balloon twist on Thursday 16th July 2015 from 9am till 3pm (1hr out for lunch) by my childs school, they require for around 300 children I am not being paid for this event so want to keep costs to a minimum but I am not sure which designs to do or if to keep all the same or do different designs. But want quick, simple, fun. (no weapons).  Please could anyone advise what to do for the best as I have been asked to visit each class (9 classes in total) during the day entertaining them and handing out. Not sure with the amount of time given what is realistically possible to achieve and designs to choose? I can do some in preparation for 1 to 2 hrs the day before but thought I would inflate a few 260q's before hand in that time. Any ideas would be much appreciated, Thanks in advance.

So you have 5 hours for 300 children, a minute per child..........................what to suggest, go sick!  :lol:

I would make 3/4 really nice models in the class while chatting and having a little fun with the children and have pre-made the balloons to hand out.

Having said that I'm not sure I would,
it will take you 5 hours to make 300 swords then the 6 hours on the day and all for free, assuming you will be handing out flyers to get more work from the event?

You also have to allow for poppage as well with the pre-made.

Are all the children expecting balloons? Are the school paying your expenses?

I agree with Graham that this is a tough job.
I am also going in to school on Thursday to show 60 children how to make balloons during their end of year party. This is for my wife's school and so I was only asking to cover expenses which they were more than happy to do (and a little extra).
My intention is to make a few cool premades, one or two cool things whilst there and then have preinflated balloons for them to have a go at making their own dog/sword/four petal flower once I have demonstrated.
I shall then assist and as those that master it to help others.
This is by no means an exact science but in he hour and a half I have there, it should be just about manageable and they all should end up with a simple balloon.
In your shoes, I would demo a cool thing per class to be given as a prize by the class teacher later in the day and then demo a one balloon dog or similar and get them to make their own. You then only need to preinflate 400 balloons (still no easy task but perhaps easier than trying to make them something in advance).
Do try to get expenses covered (buy five bags of 260 carnival and a hand pump and show receipt if necessary- you can then leave he pump and remainders behind for the school to have a go or make sure all children get a dog if they pop or were unable to do it)

No flyers or promoting, just helping out school for leaving party day as they asked me to, but I agree I think I should cover myself for the bags of balloons at least as some designs may take 2 balloons and I think your right I will need 5 to 6 bags, I like the idea of getting the kids involved I shall put it to the school, and pre check that no kids have allergies to latex. Hopefully they will go for that, as I think it would take the pressure off me pre making loads. and I think its great idea making their own dog/sword/four petal flower once I have demonstrated. Their ages range from 4yrs to 7yrs but still think they could manage something even if just a fish they would be chuffed with themselves. Even get teachers involved. And yes Graham I think they expect me to do something for every child, so this way if they do themselves I'm covered, Thanks so much guys I will put it to the school.

I was just searching the forum as I did a school a while back, 3/4 years ago and had the car all loaded with balloons but was allowed to take pictures of all the class's at the end, it made for an excellent shot but struggling to find it here on the forum. If you are looking for work with balloons then you definitely need to hand out flyers, that is a must.

I believe we made a balloon dog and then a 4 petal flower, YES I did explain a 4 petal flower but it was for children 8/11 years old.

Just found it, here you go................hope it helps?

school-workshop-t4388.html?hilit=school workshop

That's Brilliant Graham thanks, I am looking to set up soon once little one off to school, but unsure they will let me promote, and they are quite funny about photos, but no harm in taking pics before set up and just some of the models we make only, did you have to double up classes in the end for time issues. I like that you pre made double balloons tied together for flowers as some may struggle tying up, so they just twist.

I agree with the advice to not do it!

£40 in balloons plus a days time, maybe 2 days if you pre twist. Combined with the lack of promotion its starting to sound like hard work!

I would just tell the school if you are doing it for nothing then every child has to take some of your publicity home, I don't think that is too much to ask.
It was a while ago, did I tie up the flowers so they only had to twist, if so seemed like I had a good idea.

And yes if you are using 4 balloons per child then you would need to ask for nearly £50/60 to cover your costs.

Again thanks guys, good suggestions.

Thanks Guys it was a huge success, I took your advice and got them to participate and twist something for themselves,  everyone enjoyed it and had fun (also took pressure off me making up loads of models in advance), even teacher/teacher assistants also get the Head of school involved they loved it, One lady said she will be 60 years old soon and never knew how to make a balloon dog and was over the moon she now knows how. Thanks x