20+ years full time 200+ schools every year
School Assemblies & Library Shows
Middle School Assemblies
NY · PA · OH · CT · MA · NJ $500 guarantee, never claimed
20+ years full time 200+ schools every year
School Assemblies & Library Shows
Middle School Assemblies
NY · PA · OH · CT · MA · NJ $500 guarantee, never claimed
A hands-on balloon twisting workshop where every single attendee gets balloons in their hands and learns to twist several shapes — and a full magic show wrapped around it.
Learning to make balloon animals has never been this much fun. Picture the look on every face when the room is surrounded by hundreds of inflated modeling balloons — and then you tell them there is a magic show as well.
I am Cris Johnson, a school assembly and library show performer. For more than 20 years I have traveled across the United States and Canada performing for audiences of every shape and size. I understand children and, perhaps more importantly, I know how to relate to them — probably because I have been accused of having the maturity of a five-year-old.
All of my programs feature goofy, age-appropriate humor, magic, games, music and join-in fun. For the balloon workshop I go further than that: every single child takes part. This is not a show with a few volunteers. It is a room full of people all twisting at once.
A show is something you watched. A workshop is something you can still do a week later.
A full, fast-moving magic show with the audience participation everything I do is built around. This settles the room and earns their attention before anybody is handed a balloon.
Hundreds of modeling balloons come out and every attendee gets their own. I teach several different shapes step by step, slowly enough that nobody is left behind.
Not a balloon somebody made for them — a skill they can repeat at home that afternoon. That is the difference and it is the whole point.
This program travels well. It has run in all of these:
Ages 8 and up works best. Younger children can take part with a hand from an adult, but eight is roughly where the fingers and the patience arrive at the same time.
“Cris – Just wanted to drop a line to let you know how much we enjoyed your show! The summer theme was projected excellently and with such fun. I received many a good word in regards to your performance. I think we all can agree that we liked the monkey! Glad to have you back again. Thanks!”
Kathryn M. PuehnChildren’s Librarian
Elma Library Elma, NY
“Cris, your program was great! I especially appreciate that you arrived early with everything you needed so that I could focus on greeting families and promoting our summer programs. The kids really enjoyed your magic and I noticed some of the moms who had brought their books were laughing along with the kids! Thanks!”
Susan CarlsonLibrary Assistant, Children and Teen Services
Hamlin Public Library Hamlin, New York
“Cris Johnson’s building and construction show had great enthusiasm and had many of the children laughing the whole show! Many of the library patrons expressed how much they enjoyed the show and thought it was a great time for the whole family! It was a pleasure working with Cris and the communication was super and professional. We would love to have Cris again at our library! thank you so much!”
Ashley MoyerClerk
Town of Collins Public Library Collins, NY
Plenty. I bring hundreds of modeling balloons and nobody runs out — part of learning to twist is popping a few, and a child who has just popped one needs another immediately or the afternoon is over for them.
Not messy at all. Loud in short bursts, because balloons pop and children find that hilarious. If the program room is next to a quiet study area, that is worth knowing in advance.
A power outlet, somewhere for the group to sit, and roughly 10 feet by 10 feet. I bring my own tables, PA system, microphone and every material the program uses. Nothing needs to be ordered or borrowed.
About 30 minutes, and I arrive with enough margin that a difficult parking situation or a locked side door never becomes your problem.
For a workshop the practical limit is how many you can seat with elbow room — everyone is working with their hands. Thirty is comfortable and more is possible. Tell me your expected numbers and I will bring materials for more than that, because a workshop where somebody misses out is worse than no workshop at all.
My regular library area is roughly a three-and-a-half hour circle around Niagara Falls — Western New York out toward the Finger Lakes, plus parts of Pennsylvania. Further is possible when several libraries in a system book within a concentrated span of days, and that works out cheaper for each of them rather than more expensive.
Yes, and it is the most economical way to do it. Two programs at one branch, or one each at two branches in the same system, share the travel between them. System coordinators are often surprised how much difference it makes.
Summer fills first and fills completely — in recent years I have had to turn libraries away because the calendar was already gone. For a summer reading slot, ask earlier than feels necessary. The rest of the year is a good deal more relaxed.
Yes, fully insured, and I will send a certificate the same day you ask. Most library systems need one on file before a purchase order can be raised.
I bring everything — the balloons, my own tables, PA system and microphone. Set-up takes about 30 minutes and I need roughly 10 feet by 10 feet. You need a power outlet and somewhere for people to sit.
If you are unhappy with the program for any reason you receive a full refund, plus $500 donated to your school or library treasury. In more than 20 years of professional work across North America, nobody has ever taken me up on it.
Tell me your dates, your grade levels and what you are trying to accomplish, and I will come back with real answers — not a brochure.
Prefer to talk? (716) 940-8963
No obligation and no sales call — you get program information and a real answer from me, usually the same day.
Cris Johnson's Amazing School Assemblies · Niagara Falls, NY ·
(716) 940-8963
Serving New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts & New Jersey