How to Make Dog Balloons

Balloons have delighted young and old alike for decades. When used to decorate parties and special events, they add color and excitement. But nothing compares to the excitement balloon animals create. Anyone can learn to twist balloons into animal shapes, such as a dog. It's simple to do if you have the right tools and the right type of balloon.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Inflate a 260 balloon all the way using a hand pump and then let out the air. This will help stretch the balloon making it easier to twist. A 260 is a balloon that is 2 inches wide and 60 inches long when fully inflated.

2. Inflate the balloon a second time, but leave about 4 to 5 inches uninflated in the end. Then tie the balloon off with a simple knot.

3. Holding the end with the knot, twist the balloon a few times about 3 inches from the knot. This creates what's called a bubble. Repeat this step and twist the joints of the two bubbles together forming the nose and one ear.

4. Make a third bubble and twist it into the joint of the ear and nose. This forms the second ear.

5. Twist another bubble that's slightly longer than the first three as it will be the front legs. Twist that bubble into the joint of the ears and nose.

6. Move down the balloon about 4 or 5 inches and make another bubble to form the back legs and twist it just like you did the front legs. As you're doing this, you need to hold the head and legs you already twisted or they may untwist themselves while you're working on the other end.

7. Check to see how much balloon you have left for a tail. It it's too much, untwist the back legs and retwist further down the balloon, making the body a little longer.

Tips & Warnings

• When twisting bubbles, twist the balloon several times, and always twist in the same direction.