WHY DO KIDS LOVE HOT AIR BALLOONS SO MUCH?
Why Kids are Completely Obsessed with Hot Air Balloons
(And Honestly, We Get It.)
There are few things in this world as universally magical to a child as a hot air balloon. Maybe dinosaurs. Maybe glitter. Maybe snacks shaped like animals. But hot air balloons? Total showstoppers.
Here at Pagosa Adventure in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, we’ve seen it firsthand: the wide eyes, the dropped jaws, the tiny humans gripping their parents’ hands and whispering, “Whoa…” like they’ve just seen a dragon land in a field. Which, let’s be honest, is kind of what a hot air balloon looks like when you’re three feet tall.
It’s a Real-Life Floating Rainbow
From the moment our balloons start inflating, kids are all in. They don’t care how it works—they just know something enormous and colorful is breathing fire and getting ready to fly. It’s like watching a giant come to life. For kids, it’s the closest thing to stepping inside a storybook. For parents, it’s the best way to entertain your child without handing over a screen.
Bonus points if they get to watch it from their pajamas. Even more bonus points if there are snacks. (There are always snacks.)
They Think the Pilot Is Basically a Wizard
To adults, a pilot is someone with a license and great wind-reading skills.
To kids, the pilot is a sky captain who commands fire and controls the weather. When they hear that whoosh of the burner and see the balloon lift off, it’s pure sorcery.
Our crew has answered every version of:
“How do you steer it?”
“Can it go to the moon?”
“Can I drive it when I’m seven?”
To which the answers are: “The wind,” “Not yet,” and “Let’s talk when you finish third grade.”
It’s the Ultimate Adventure Story
Flying in a hot air balloon makes a kid feel like the star of a movie. There’s an epic soundtrack playing in their head (probably “Up” or “How to Train Your Dragon”). They’re floating above mountains, spotting animals, waving to ants who are actually people. It’s the kind of adventure they’ll draw pictures of and tell their teacher about for weeks.
And let’s be real—parents get to be the cool ones who made it happen.
“Remember that time you took us in a balloon, Mom?”
Yes. Yes, you do.
They’ll Talk About It Forever
Even the shyest, quietest kids come down from a flight ready to talk everyone’s ears off: the dog, the neighbors, the mailman, strangers in the grocery store. It becomes part of their identity.
“I like soccer, macaroni, and I’ve been in a hot air balloon.”
Try topping that.
Ballooning Is for All Ages (Especially the Young-at-Heart)
At Pagosa Adventure, we fly families with kids of all ages—from toddlers who just want to see the big balloon go “WHOOSH!” to tweens who post it all on TikTok like seasoned travelers. Ballooning is gentle, peaceful, and full of jaw-dropping views—no sudden drops, no scary noises (unless you count giggles), and no screens required.
And the best part? It’s not just something your kids will see—it’s something they’ll remember.
Ready to Be the Hero of Their Childhood?
We’ve got the balloons, the mountain views, the expert pilots, and yes—even the muffins. All we’re missing is your crew of tiny adventurers.
So bring your kids. Bring their imaginations. And prepare for a skyWhat to do for kids in Pagosa Springs-high family memory they’ll never forget.
🎈
Pagosa Adventure
Where childhood dreams take flight—literally.