Bubbles and Balloons

I think two of the most important ingredients to a fun and simple party are bubbles and balloons*. They are a fail safe that fairly much every child loves and can enjoy without much organisation.
Balloons are good for decoration, but be sure either to have extra for the children to play with or expect the decorations to come down!!

Balloon game ideas:
1) Keep it up in the air - don't let the ballons touch the ground. Children can play this for hours!
2) 'Parachute' style game - get a large bed sheet and get the children to hold the edges, but the balloon(s) in the centre and get them to bounce the balloon(s) without them falling off.
3) Relay race - children stand in a line and need to pass the balloon down the line over their heads / between their legs / throwing to each other etc.
4) Ballon Stomp - this is probably not the best game for very young children but the older ones will love it. Attach a string to a balloon and then tie is loosly around the childs ankle, the string should be just long enough for the ballon to be able to touch the ground - about 20cm long, do this for each of the children. The children then need to try and stomp on each others balloons whilst trying to protect their own. The winner is the last person to still have an inflated balloon .

*Allergy aware - latex. (Although I have only ever come across one child who was allergic to latex and couldn't play with balloons)