Up, Up and Away!
Have you ever looked up at the sky and seen a giant colorful bubble floating gracefully among the clouds? That’s a hot air balloon, and it’s not just any ordinary balloon. It’s a special craft that can carry people on a thrilling journey across the sky!
How Do They Work?
Hot air balloons work on a very simple principle: warm air rises above cooler air. The balloon has a big bag, called an envelope, which is filled with air that is heated by a powerful burner. The hot air inside the envelope makes the balloon buoyant because it’s lighter than the cooler air outside. This causes the balloon to lift off the ground and ascend into the sky.
The pilot can control the altitude of the balloon by adjusting the temperature of the air inside the envelope. If the pilot heats the air, the balloon rises; if the pilot lets the air cool, the balloon descends. However, the direction the balloon travels is determined by the wind. This means each journey is unique because the wind patterns are always changing!
The First Flight
Did you know that the first passengers on a hot air balloon were a sheep, a duck, and a rooster? It happened in France, over 200 years ago! The first human flight took place shortly after, and since then, these balloons have been carrying explorers up, up, and away into the sky!
Festivals of Color
All around the world, people celebrate hot air balloons with festivals. These events fill the sky with balloons of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Some balloons are even shaped like animals, houses, or other fun objects!
Join the Soaring Story
Imagine you are in a hot air balloon, feeling the gentle breeze as you float above the earth. Below you, the world looks like a patchwork quilt of fields, rivers, and houses. You wave at the birds that fly past and watch as other balloons drift on the horizon, each one a speck of color in the vast blue sky.
Now, you can be part of this soaring story! Download the coloring page and add your favorite colors to the hot air balloons. Will you make yours red like a ruby, or blue like the ocean? It’s your adventure in the sky, and you get to choose!
