Bring the excitement of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to life right in your classroom with a creative, hands-on STEM activity inspired by Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet.
Students will engage in design thinking, collaboration, and the engineering process to create their own parade balloons. This activity is not only fun but also fosters skills in planning, problem-solving, and iterative design. Here’s a step-by-step guide to hosting your own classroom Thanksgiving parade!
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Simplifying Your Planning Process
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1. Read the Story and Set the Stage
Start by reading Balloons Over Broadway, the story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer who invented the iconic Macy’s parade balloons. This book sets the historical context and sparks students' imagination as they see how one person’s creativity changed a holiday tradition forever. If you don’t have the book, you can still discuss the Macy’s parade to set the tone.
2. Introduce the Engineering Design Challenge
Explain the challenge: students will design and create a balloon for the Thanksgiving parade. Their balloon will need to “float” as if it were helium-filled, requiring a device to keep it upright and elevated. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:
ASK: What do you want your balloon to look like? How will you keep it “floating”?
IMAGINE: Brainstorm ideas for the balloon’s shape, decorations, and structure.
PLAN: Draw a design and list the materials needed.
CREATE: Build the balloon and a supporting device.
TEST: Check if the balloon remains upright and can move along a “parade route.”
IMPROVE: Make adjustments to enhance stability or appearance.
3. Gather Materials
A well-stocked Makerspace will enhance creativity. Here’s a suggested list:
Balloons or Paper Plates/Paper Balloon Template
Straws, popsicle sticks, or balloon sticks
Tape and scissors
Craft supplies: construction paper, markers, fabric, and string
Optional: animal cutouts or templates for quicker setup with younger students
Tip: Encourage students to bring any recyclable materials from home!
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4. Design and Build
Give students 20-30 minutes to build their balloons and the support structures. Younger students can attach their balloons to a straw or balloon stick to keep it simple, while older students might enjoy the added challenge of designing a device that can support the balloon’s weight.
5. Test and Improve
After building, students should test their designs. Ask them:
Does it stay upright?
Does it reach a certain height (challenge: 2 feet)?
Can it be easily moved along the “parade route”?
Allow time for revisions and testing. This iterative process teaches resilience and the value of testing and modifying ideas.
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6. Host the Parade!
Set up a parade route in the classroom. Each student or group should walk their balloon along the route, showcasing their designs and explaining their process. Consider adding a voting element where students vote on their favorite design, best creativity, or most stable structure.
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7. Optional Extensions
Green Screen Parade: Record students parading their balloons in front of a green screen with a New York City background, making it look like they’re part of the real Macy’s parade!
Coding Challenge: If you have robots in the classroom, attach the balloons and code a path for the parade route.
Design Parade Floats: In addition to the balloons challenge students to design floats for the parade.
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8. Reflect and Share
Wrap up the activity with a reflection session. Have students discuss:
What challenges did they face?
What worked well?
What improvements did they make?
For a writing extension, students can write a short paragraph or story about the history of the Macy’s parade or their experience designing a balloon.
Hosting a Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in your classroom is an engaging way to bring STEM, creativity, and a touch of holiday magic into learning. With this activity, students get hands-on experience with engineering principles while celebrating Thanksgiving in a fun and memorable way!
By following these plans, you’ll be able to provide a rich, engaging STEM experience for your students throughout November, while keeping the activities aligned with seasonal themes and learning goals.
Ready to make STEM planning easier than ever? Join the STEM Teachers Club today and take the first step towards a successful and inspiring school year. Visit the STEM Teachers Club website for more information and to sign up.
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