EXPERIENCE THE WORLD FROM THE INSIDE OUT!

A teacher explains geography using a large globe to attentive children.

The Earth Balloon is a unique 19-foot high, 20-foot wide inflatable, interactive teaching tool designed to engage students in geography, culture, environmental sciences, and more! 


This immersive experience allows learners to explore the world from inside the globe, making education both fun and memorable.

 

  • Made of 24 panels, each representing a time zone
  • Zipper for entry along the international dateline  
  • Uses over 2,000 high-resolution NASA satellite images with oceans, deserts, and other landmarks labeled
  • Accommodates up to 30 students per session
  • Comes in a giant duffel and a carrying case for the blower 
  • Easy set-up and tear-down

What's included

Children holding up a globe outdoors, symbolizing unity and care for the Earth.

Free K-12 curriculum kit, instructional video, and laser pointer with any multi-day rental

We provide interactive curriculum ideas to make learning fun and effective; you lead the sessions! This provides you the flexibility to cover only the topics most applicable to you and your groups. Comes with instructional video and laser pointer.

Free delivery to schools & organizations within a 30-mile radius of Matthews, NC

If your school or organization is within 30 miles of Matthews, NC, we will deliver the Earth Balloon to you. Outside of this radius? You can request shipment of the Earth Balloon by submitting an inquiry below.

Free set-up and demonstration

Our trained experts will inflate the Earth Balloon for you, show you how it works, and go over some basic safety features.

Free 'all-world flag', pole, and base with any multi-day rental

To recognize the various cultures represented in your school or organization, you will also receive a beautiful all-world flag with a pole and base to display outside the Earth Balloon.

Free tear-down and pick-up at end of rental period

At the end of your rental period, our team will come to you. At that time, we'll inspect the Earth Balloon for damages, deflate and pack it up.  

Support services

We're here to support you every step of the way. Our dedicated support team is available to answer your questions and provide guidance throughout your learning journey. 

what's required

Three children holding hands around a chalk drawing of Earth on pavement.

Signed liability waiver

You will need one point of contact at your school or organization to sign a liability waiver for the period of time the Earth Balloon is in your possession.

Fully refundable security deposit for damages

The Earth Balloon is durable but not indestructible. Due to its high value, we charge a $1,000 fully refundable security deposit in case any damages occur.

Indoor use and ceiling height requirements

The Earth Balloon MUST remain indoors and requires at least a 17-foot ceiling.

Care and respect for the Earth Balloon

Everyone who enters the Earth Balloon must take off their shoes and may not carry any sharp objects.

Curious and open minds!

To get the most out of the Earth Balloon, it's best to approach it with curiosity and an open mind. This will ensure a memorable experience for everyone. At Smile Big World, we believe in asking good questions, lifting one another up, and smiling big!

rental packages*

Two children drawing a colorful Earth with chalk on asphalt.

3-Day Rental (Most Common Option)

$1,450

Perfect for larger schools/organizations. Up to 8 sessions/day @ 30 min each.

Four children explore a large globe in a bright educational space.

4+ Day Rental (Best Value)

$1,600+$200 each additional day

Ideal for larger schools/organizations. Must be consecutive days.

Children happily exploring a globe together in a classroom.

2-Day Rental

$1,250

Perfect for smaller schools/organizations. Up to 6 sessions/day @ 30 minutes each.

People gather in a spacious indoor area with a large globe display and casual seating.

1-Day Rental

$850

Perfect for special events or cultural celebrations!

Children and a teacher holding up a globe in a bright classroom.

Renting outside of delivery radius

$1,900/week

Live outside the 30-mile Matthews, NC delivery radius? With a one-week rental, we can ship to you. Fee does not include return shipping.

*No more than 30 students allowed in the Earth Balloon per session.

photo gallery

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    video gallery - SEE THE EARTH BALLOON IN ACTION!

    Group of young people examining a globe together.

    Earth Balloon Overview

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl7DZpKrO-A

    Earth Balloon Set-Up

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp9k-ljH6eM

    Earth Balloon Inside

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyt2E9KJ0xY

    testimonials

    An unforgettable experience!

    An unforgettable experience!

    An unforgettable experience!

    Stepping inside the earth balloon for the first time as a 10 year old was an unforgettable experience. It was very exciting to be inside the earth with my classmates!

    Engaged Learning

    An unforgettable experience!

    An unforgettable experience!

    As a teacher, I've rarely seen my kids as engaged as they were the day the Earth Balloon came to our school. We had just discussed the Ring of Fire, and being able to see it from the inside the Earth made the learning come to life!

    Flexible Learning Options

    An unforgettable experience!

    Flexible Learning Options

    My daughter's Girl Scouts group recently attended a cultural festival and came home raving about the Earth Balloon! The kids all had fun locating the countries they had learned about using a laser pointer.

    About Smile Big World

    I named my company 'Smile Big World' in honor of my brother who passed away in 2002. He notoriously signed all of his letters, 'Smile Big' from wherever he was in the world. Shaped by our family's values including curiosity, creativity, and compassion for others, they serve as part of the foundation of this company.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Please reach us at denise@smilebigworld.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

    The Earth Balloon allows learners an interactive experience like no other - to actually enter the Earth. There, they can engage in a variety of subject areas including science, math, history, languages, music, and more. It offers incredible flexibility for schools and  organizations to use it as their needs dictate!


    The first Earth Balloon was designed by an architect in the early 1970s as an 8-foot prototype for college students in Minnesota and hand painted by a local entrepreneur/artist. From there, it was expanded in size and a zipper was installed allowing people to enter the Earth, all while being inflated by a box fan. Eventually, NASA satellite images were incorporated, therefore eliminating the need for hand painting. 


    Smile Big World works with students of all ages, from elementary school through college and beyond but is most commonly used with Kindergarten through 8th grade.


    Each organization has different needs, but there are some common themes. Start by deciding how many people you'd like to offer the experience to, then consider how many groups you have. The Earth Balloon can accommodate up to 30 people at a time. Then calculate how long each session would be. Normally this is between 20-30 minutes.


    For a large elementary school it might look something like this:

    • Roughly 700 students and 4 classes per grade level
    • A 3-day rental would allow K-1st on day 1; 2nd-3rd on day 2; and 4th-5th on day 3.
    • This would allow 8 lessons/day @ 30 min each = between 4-5 hours, allowing time for transition, lunch, etc.


    interested in learning more and/OR MAKING YOUR RESERVATION?

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    Let us help!

    If you're unsure about what type of experience will work best for you, just tell me a little more about your needs and I will get back to you as soon as possible!

    Denise Medeiros, Founder of Smile Big World, LLC

    My Blog - coming soon!

    Copyright © 2025 Smile Big World - All Rights Reserved.


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