How to Make Balloon Animals

Making balloon animals is a classic amusement at kid’s parties, carnivals and fairs. And it's not just party clowns who twist and tie balloons into rubber dogs, swords and hats. With a little patience and practice you, too, can make balloon animals to entertain children of all ages. Just follow these balloon altering steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Bag of animal balloons
• Balloon hand pump
• Patience

Inflating Balloons

1. Stretch a pencil balloon a few times.
2. Place balloon opening over the end of the pump so that it fits snugly.
3. Hold the balloon in place with your non-dominant hand.
4. Inflate balloon slowly and steadily with the pump. Hold the balloon onto the pump the entire time.
5. Remove the balloon by pinching the end near the pump and slipping off the balloon.
6. Inflate balloon until there is about six inches of uninflated balloon left.
7. Release a tiny bit of air so that there is enough balloon material to tie a knot.
8. Tie a single knot. This end of the balloon will be referred to as the knotted end.

Twisting Balloon Animals

9. Measure about six inches from the knotted end of the balloon and bend until the balloon lies flat against itself.
10. Grasp the balloon about two inches from the bend you made.
11. Squeeze both sections of the balloon together at this two-inch mark and twist three times. The short section with the knot will be the balloon animal’s nose and the loop will become the animal’s ears.
12. Move your fingers about an inch down the balloon and pinch; this will be the starting point for the front legs.
13. Measure about six inches again and bend these six inches in half.
14. Twist the balloon together three times where the front legs begin and the bent end comes back to meet this point. Angle this newly made section downward to be the legs.
15. Measure about two inches and pinch the balloon. The section you pinched off will be the body and the point that is pinched will be the beginning of the back legs.
16. Repeat step 5 and step 6, but realize that this time you are making the back legs. You should have a small bit of balloon left. That will be the tail.
17. Adjust angles of nose, ears, legs and tail as needed.
18. Practice until it comes easily.

Who Can Help:

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Tips & Warnings

• By varying the lengths you can create different four legged animals.
• Be creative and try other balloon twisting creations.
• At a children's party, be sure to include everyone in the fun.
• Balloons are choking hazards. Keep balloons and balloon pieces away from young children and animals.
• Balloons often pop. Warn children that this may happen.