The urgency to improve fitness levels and decrease the rate of childhood obesity has been at the forefront of physical education philosophy and praxis. Few would dispute that school-age youth need to participate regularly in physical activities that enhance and maintain both skill- and health-related physical fitness. Regular physical activity during childhood and adolescence is associated with numerous physiological and psychosocial benefits and has the potential to improve the quality of life for boys and girls as they move to adulthood and beyond. Despite these potential benefits, numerous studies show that children and adolescents are not just far less active than their predecessors, but often completely physically inactive. Because of the current health state of children, the National Task Force on Community Prevention Services recommends modifying school physical education in order to enhance physical activity behaviors and improve physical fitness. This recommendation has prompted the development of new and creative approaches that provide an opportunity for children and adolescents to participate in regular, healthy physical activities. Currently, a trend yielding positive results in terms of fitness has been medicine ball (med-ball) training. One concern with med-ball training is that the actual med-balls were expensive and too heavy (primarily with K-2 students), which made it unsafe and too physically challenging for some elementary children to use. Although the med-ball activities and concepts were still applicable to elementary students, a simple modification, using punch balloons, make it safe and fun for all students. (Contains 10 figures.)