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 2006!
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
Choose Your Balloon Adventure
(Perfect for the CSLP 2024 “Adventure Begins at Your Library” theme!)
This summer, Smarty Pants presents Choose Your Balloon Adventure, a brand new show where the kids decide where the show will go!
Like all editions of the Big Balloon Show, this program is packed with magic, family friendly comedy and giant balloon props … plus a healthy helping of hilarious improv!
At critical junctures in the show, the kids will decide the direction of the show, just like the classic “Choose Your Own Adventure” books we all know and love!
Will Smarty win the battle against a ridiculous balloon monster, or will he go down in flames?
Smarty can create the world’s largest balloon sculpture…. or the world’s smallest! What will it be?
Our balloon story features three kid actors in balloon costumes – but will we have a happy ending? A sad ending? Or better yet, the CRAZY ending?!
And tons more surprises!
It’s a entertaining, educational, all-ages program that will have your kids raving about the library this summer, and inspired to create their own stories!
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 Balloon VIRTUAL Show
In this hilariously fun Zoom program, Smarty uses his humor and balloons to excite kids about reading books and exercising their imaginations.
Smarty will also present some totally amazing, totally new balloon illusions that would be impossible in a live show – they’re only possible with the “Magic of Zoom!”
Plus stick around after the program to enjoy a “virtual Q&A” with Smarty Pants and literally ask him whatever questions you may have about balloons – or anything else!
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
Let's Keep our Eyes on the Balloon!
34248_143093012373552_4906119_n_143093012373552Keep your eye on this guy!
34248_143093015706885_3015896_n_143093015706885The Big Balloon Show at your local public library
34248_143093019040218_7277152_n_143093019040218Let's take a closer look!
34248_143093022373551_6319331_n_143093022373551Big Balloon Show is filled with amazing Balloon Balancing Tricks!
34248_143093025706884_8169942_n_143093025706884Big Balloon Show heads into Outer Space!
34248_143093029040217_4885859_n_143093029040217The Big Balloon Balancing Act!
34248_143093032373550_177176_n_143093032373550The Big Balloon Show at the Library
34248_143093035706883_8332605_n_143093035706883Kids love to volunteer for the Big Balloon Show
38300_143093115706875_5544995_n_143093115706875Darth Vader ready to battle in the Big Balloon Show
38300_143093119040208_53655_n_143093119040208Kids Had a Blast at the Big Balloon Show
38300_143093122373541_52111_n_143093122373541The Six Foot Giant Balloon Ready to Go
38300_143093125706874_7592255_n_143093125706874Cute Balloon Animals from the Big Balloon Show
38300_143093132373540_5286169_n_143093132373540Smarty Pants at the Addison Public Library
38932_149859548363565_1945065_n_149859548363565Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show at the Public Library
38932_149859551696898_7752125_n_149859551696898Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show at the Public Library
40047_149859518363568_5758349_n_149859518363568Smarty Pants presents the Big Balloon Show
10399685_1257072220975620_738950344248437627_n_1257072220975620The Big Balloon Show packs the local public library!
23031661_1895957023753800_4200177873275994580_n_1895957023753800Kids love to volunteer for the Big Balloon Show!
23032662_1895953767087459_4038857669448928913_n_1895953767087459Kids love the Big Balloon Show at their local public library!
Librarians love the Big Balloon Show!
Kids Enjoy the Big Balloon Show at their local public library
Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show for Summer Reading!
Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show for Summer Reading!
Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show at the Public Library
Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show at the Public Library
23120032_1895951877087648_2884241256802440866_o_1895951877087648Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show at the Public Library
Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show at the Public Library
23130587_1895957927087043_958577138622379113_n_1895957927087043Kids Love to Volunteer in the Big Balloon Show!
23130714_1895954443754058_1419218951752574882_n_1895954443754058Families enjoy the Big Balloon Show at their library
23131647_1895954287087407_3631200958904028493_n_1895954287087407Kids Love Visiting the Library to see the Big Balloon Show
23131951_1895955560420613_6150138771339926681_n_1895955560420613It's Smarty Pants at your local public library
23157088_1895951633754339_2346300597855048554_o_1895951633754339Public Librarians after the Big Balloon Show
Kids are having a blast at the Big Balloon Show
23172613_1895954093754093_7223638676100464897_n_1895954093754093The Big Balloon Show meets the Big Balloon Diner!
Kids Love the Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show!
That's one Giant Six Foot Balloon!
The Big Balloon Show hits the public library!
A Giant Shark Balloon in the Big Balloon Show!
Under the Sea Balloon Sculptures by Smarty Pants
44475391_2359439290738902_1135051026156486656_n_2359439284072236Kids of all ages enjoy the Big Balloon Show!
44504869_2359439294072235_7010962059730878464_n_2359439287405569Lots of Balloons After the Show!
44526668_2359439280738903_5332571471329886208_n_2359439270738904Kids Enjoy the Big Balloon Show
45169606_2377714442244720_4139010616801099776_n_2377714435578054Kids Enjoy the Big Balloon Show
45265700_2377714445578053_4203619736820383744_n_2377714438911387A Big Balloon Balancing Act!
It's Confetti to Wrap up the Big Balloon Show!
Smarty Pants at the St Charles Public Library
The Giant Six Foot Balloon
The Big Balloon Show gets Rave Reviews
Wilmette Beacon Reviews the Big Balloon Show!
The Pants Family
Six Foot Balloon
Smarty Pants wows audience!
Smarty Pants Big Balloon Show - Great Review from Parents!