Balloons Over Broadway: Questions and Activity Ideas for this Read Aloud

• What clues does the cover give you about the story?
• Where do you think this story takes place? The title mentions “Broadway.” What do you know about Broadway?
• Have you ever watched or participated in a parade? What do you remember about it?
• What do you think a puppeteer does?
• What do you think the giant balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade looked like when they were first created?

• What did Tony enjoy making when he was a child?
• What did Tony create for children when he grew up?
• Which department store asked Tony to create a marionette display?
• What challenges does Tony face as he works on his ideas?
• How did Tony create marionettes that were large enough for people to see from the street?
• Why was it difficult to use regular marionettes for the parade?
• What problem does Tony need to solve? How do you think he will solve it?
• How does Tony use creativity and problem-solving to overcome challenges?

• Why did Tony need to replace the animals in the parade?
• How did Tony’s ideas change the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
• Who was the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade originally created for?
• What character traits made Tony Sarg a successful inventor and puppeteer?
• What is one thing you learned from Tony Sarg?
• If you could design a giant parade balloon, what would you create?

This activity is perfect for the days leading up to Thanksgiving break!

Have students design their own parade balloons inspired by the giant balloons Tony Sarg created. You can give students a balloon template to decorate, or let them design their own balloon completely from scratch on paper.

Encourage students to think creatively. Will their balloon be an animal, a character, a food, or something completely new?

To make the activity even more exciting, have your own classroom parade! Students can display their balloons as they walk through the classroom or school. Depending on your school, you could even invite another class to watch the parade.

And, of course, don’t forget to add some fun parade music in the background!

This activity can be adapted for almost any grade level and gives students a fun opportunity to express their creativity.

Do you want your balloon to make it into the Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Have upper elementary students imagine that they are applying to have their balloon featured in the parade. Students can draw their proposed balloon design and write a detailed description explaining what it looks like.

Encourage them to include details such as:

• What does the balloon look like?
• How big is it?
• What colors will it have?
• Why did you choose this design?
• What makes your balloon special?
• Why should the parade organizers choose your balloon?

This is a great activity for upper elementary students because it combines creativity with descriptive writing.

Those parade balloons work long hours and have some pretty tough working conditions! They have to spend the entire day high in the air, getting pulled along by people below them. They can't even stop for a Thanksgiving feast!

So, what would a parade balloon have to say about its big day?

For this activity, have students “interview” a balloon from the parade. Students can imagine what the balloon might be thinking, feeling, or complaining about.

The sillier, the better!

Students could write a list of questions and answers, such as:

• What is your favorite part of the parade?
• What is the hardest part of being a parade balloon?
• Are you scared of heights?
• What do you think about being pulled by those strings?
• What would you rather be doing on Thanksgiving?
• What is your favorite parade snack?

For an oral component, have students read their balloon interviews to the class. You could also turn this into a partner activity: one student plays the interviewer while the other becomes the balloon.

This activity gives students plenty of opportunities to practice writing, speaking, and creative thinking—all while having some fun!

Or, you could have students write a short story of the Thanksgiving Day Parade from the point of view of the balloon!

Balloons Over Broadway is a Thanksgiving classic that introduces 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to the fascinating story behind one of America's most beloved holiday traditions.

Tony Sarg's story is a wonderful reminder that creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to solve problems can lead to something truly amazing.

So grab a copy of Balloons Over Broadway, try one of these fun activities with your students, and then tune in to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Your students may never look at those giant balloons the same way again! 🎈