It appears to be about 23 feet in diameter and perhaps 10 feet high at its center (see images at http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Boy-not-found-adrift-balloon/ss/events/us/101509balloonboycolo and compare to man's size).

From the claim that the balloon can go to 10,000 feet altitude one can estimate the volume at about 2500 cubic feet (using the density of helium, the density of air at 10,000 feet), the density of Mylar (probable material of the balloon skin), the approximate surface area of the balloon skin and its likely thickness.

This results in a net lift of between 50 and 60 lbs at ground level. The average weight of a 6 year old child is 46 lbs (http://www.medindia.net/patients/calculators/height_weight_forchildren.asp).

Thus the answer is that the balloon is certainly big enough to hold the boy, and is also likely capable of lifting him to a few thousand feet. Keep in mind that these numbers are estimates, and are likely not accurate to better than 50% at best. It is possible the balloon volume is even larger, and that its free lift is higher.

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