This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. View my Affiliate Disclosure page.

When it's summer in Japan, you'll find lots of festivals. There will be food stalls and game/activity stalls. It's like going to a carnival and winning a toy and eating lots of snacks.

Today’s home (DIY) activity is called Yoyo Balloon, also known as Yoyo Tsuri (ヨーヨー釣り). It means Yoyo Fishing in Japanese because you have to catch the ball from a container filled with water. It's a small balloon with water inside (like a water balloon). At the end of the balloon, it has a long rubber band. After you have caught the balloon, you can pull it up and down like a yoyo.

I'm going to show how you can make this fun activity at home. This can be played with all ages, kids and adults. For the kids, this is good for their motors skills and they can help decorator the balloon. As a bonus, everyone loves playing with water and getting wet.

Does it sound fun? It's a small activity that’s good for a hot day and once the balloon burst, everyone can catch another balloon.

Lets get started. You'll need the following items:

Balloons. Can use normal party balloons or water balloons. I’ve used 2x happy birthday balloons as an example.
About 15cm rubber band. Make sure the rubber band is thin and stretchy. If the rubber band is too thick, it won't be springy.
Balloon tie/clips. I brought a packet from the $2 shop. Make sure it has a hole, so you can tie the rubber band onto the tie/clip.
Amazon has a good selection of balloon clips.
Strings.
Paperclip and/or pegs. For catching the balloons.
Small tub
Paint (optional). For decorating the balloons.
Small jug of water (optional). Or can use the tap.

If you don’t feel like buying separate items, you can buy a complete set of yoyo tsuri balloons on Amazon.

Once you have all the items, now we can start the messy bit.

Start with the balloon clips. With the small string, tie it on the balloon clip/tie and make a loop. This will help catch the balloon with the hook/peg. But If you want more of a challenge, you don’t need the string and can try to catch the balloon with the balloon clip/tie instead. Examples pictures near end of this page.

Start with filling up the balloon to the very top. You can fill it under the tap slowly or pour water in with a small jug of water.

Afterwards blow up the balloon up with the water inside. I like to blow it up to 8-7cm then slowly deflate it. Your goal is to have 4-6cm balloon. If it is too big, the balloon won't be heavy enough to spring up and down. So remember, the smaller the better! Once you're happy with the size, tie it up with the balloon tie. You can double check if it springs up and down with the rubber band attached.

Optional part: You can decorate the balloons now or decorate it after the balloon has been caught.

Now the fun part begins. You can do this outside or in the bathroom. As long as you are aware this is where the splashing will happen.

Fill the tub with 1/3 water. Then add the balloons in.

Each person can grab a peg or paperclip and try to catch the balloon from the tie or string. Using the Peg is easier for the younger kids. Paperclips is for the kids who wants a challenge. If you open the paperclip, it'll become a hook, like the picture below:

If you want to be authentic, in Japan, they use a tissue paper and tie it on hook. So if you take too long while getting the tissue wet, you'll loose your hook and a chance to get the balloon.

Below is a picture of how to catch the balloons with the string or no string: