Do you know the secret to a great library program? One that captivates young audiences right from the start, and leaves them wanting to learn more?
Presented by Smarty Pants, the Big Balloon Show delivers.
The Big Balloon Show is a one-of-a-kind stage production featuring magic, all-ages comedy, interactive storytelling and of course, Smarty’s award-winning, larger than life balloon props.
Throughout the show, Smarty uses his humor and balloons to excite kids about reading books and exercising their imaginations. By the end of the hour production, every audience member knows the library is a very exciting place to visit!
Presenting library shows since 2007!
Show runs 45 minutes
Perfect for all ages
We can work with the space you have available!
“Thank you for your fabulous balloon show – our staff and our patrons have been raving about your production. We will have you back again soon!”
– Kathy Burns, Palatine Public Library
The Magical World of Balloons
In 1876, Melville Dewey created the Dewey Decimal System (As a librarian, you may already know that!)
To create a new show for 2025, Smarty Pants turned to one truly “magical” section — the 793.8!
Inspired by the magic held within the 793.8 books, the Magical World of Balloons combines the timeless appeal of magic with Smarty’s trademark giant balloon props and all-ages comedy.
It’s a show that will have your kids saying, “How Did Smarty Do all those Amazing Things?!”
The Out of this World Space Show
Does kindness exist throughout the universe? This summer, we’ll find out as Smarty Pants and your youth audiences embark on an awesome trip into the furthest reaches of space and time!
Kids will discover how our space program got started, and about the original rockets that first traveled into space.
Learn about the planets of our solar system!
What training do astronauts need to complete their space missions?
And don’t miss the show stopping finale as Smarty travels right into the heart of our sun with the world’s largest balloon!
This is the perfect program that combines solid educational content about the solar system with a fun, entertaining all-ages program. You’ll be amazed at how many parents in the audience will say, “Wow! I really learned a lot from this show!”
The Mousetrap Machine Show
(Perfect for any STEM related programming)
A mouse is loose on the library! Ordinary mousetraps can hurt a mouse – or worse!
Our mission this summer … to build a better mousetrap that will catch our pesky mouse without hurting him.
With the help of over twenty audience members, we’ll learn about the five simple machines – the wheel, lever, pulley, inclined plane and the screw, then put all five machines together to create a Rube Goldberg inspired Mousetrap Machine.
And since it’s a Smarty Pants show – the entire Mousetrap Machine will be made of giant balloons! Wow!
We have been presenting this show in schools since 2009 – we’ve created a special edition of the show just for library audiences.
For more information about the Mousetrap Machine Show, see our dedicated website at www.MousetrapMachine.com
Smarty Pants Balloon Under the Sea
Take a trip under the sea with Smarty Pants!
We’ll learn about all the charming creatures that live under the waves and have fun along the way:
Learn about the fantastic new fish just recently discovered – the Balloon-O-Fish!
How does undersea pressure work – and how can fish survive the ocean depths?
Witness the world’s biggest flying fish reunion – over a hundred fish flying at once!
The Big Balloon Show is expertly designed to include plenty of interaction to get the entire audience involved.
And since it’s a Smarty Pants show – you know it will be packed with those amazing balloons that make your audiences go WOW!
The Big Balloonosaur Adventure!
In 2026, Smarty Pants is taking your youth audience back to the fabled Age of Dinosaurs with this all-new dinosaur themed Big Balloon Show program!
Designed to match the 20206 CLSP theme, this show is packed with magic, comedy, Smarty’s trademark “dinosaur” sized balloons and of course, a healthy dash of paleontology. Guaranteed to thrill all your young dinosaur fans, and make plenty of new ones!
We’ll meet a terrifying (not really!) T-Rex, an adorably shy Brontosaurus, learn how the dinosaurs lived (and sadly, went extinct) and even witness a giant eight foot dinosaur egg, with a very mysterious baby inside!
Coming to your library for Summer 2026!
Balloon Twisting Workshops!
A change from our other shows, the Smarty Pants Balloon School teaches kids how to make their own balloon twisting creations!
With absolutely no experience necessary, by the end of the workshop, kids will learn how to make a classic balloon dog, an octopus, and even their own fashionable hat.
Perfect for that “tween” audience looking for something engaging, interactive and fun!
GALLERY
