- Understanding of the states of matter - solid (balloon when not filled with water) and liquid (water inside the balloon)
- Observation skills - noticing the changes in the shape and size of the balloon when filled with water
- Gravity - understanding how the water inside the balloon falls to the ground when the balloon is thrown or dropped
- Hand-eye coordination - aiming and throwing the water balloon at a target
- Force and motion - understanding how the force of throwing the water balloon causes it to move through the air
For continued development, parents can encourage their child to explore other states of matter such as gas (blowing up a balloon) and to experiment with different types of materials for the balloon (such as latex or plastic) to compare and contrast their properties. Parents can also introduce the concept of buoyancy by having their child experiment with objects that float or sink in water.