How to Make a Base for a Balloon Arch

Balloons can be formed into an arch for decorative and photographic purposes.

Balloon arches can be made using air-filled or helium-filled balloons, with helium-filled balloons the easiest type of balloon arch to create. Air-filled balloons must be adhered to a frame, but a helium-filled balloon arch can be fashioned by tying balloons together with thick nylon string and weighing down each end of the arch to hold the balloons in position. Different color balloons can be formed into a pattern to add interest to the arch.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bag
• Sand
• PVC pipe
• Nylon thread
• Balloons

Instructions

Base

1. Pour sand into a plastic bag and seal the end to stop the sand escaping the bag. Repeat the process to fill a second bag. When using a PVC frame for the balloon arch, the two base points of the arch must be weighted down to avoid falling over.

2. Tie the sand-filled weighted bags to the base of the PVC frame. Support must be provided from below for small balloon arches of 6 to 8 feet in height; taller arches should be tied off to a ceiling for extra support.

3. Blow up enough balloons to cover the arch when the balloons are pushed together. Lay the PVC frame flat on the ground and attach the balloons to the frame.

4. Place one balloon on one side of the frame and a second on the opposite side. Twist the tied ends of the balloons together around the frame and push to the base; attach more balloons in the same way until the frame is covered in balloons.

5. Lift the frame into its permanent position. The arch can be tied to a support above the frame for extra security.

Tips & Warnings

• Products are available that have notches for attaching the balloons without tying or twisting.

• Rice, pebbles or beans can be substituted for sand in the base of a balloon arch.

References

• Theme Parties n More: Make a Balloon Arch
• Balloon Decoration Guide: Balloon Arch 101