How to Make Balloon Swords

Balloon animals are always a hit with kids at parties and other functions. Balloon swords are some of the easiest balloon animal shapes to make. Anyone with basic knowledge of modeling balloons can use the sword as a starting point for modeling all kinds of balloon animals. The standard sword and the pirate sword are among the easiest balloon swords to make.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Make a Standard Sword

1. Inflate the modeling balloon to nearly full length.

2. Twist off a section about 6-inches long from the rest of the balloon. This portion of the balloon will be the handle.

3. Pull down another section of about 6 inches above the existing twist and fold it into a loop. Twist the loop so that it consists of two 3-inch halves and sits perpendicularly to the rest of the balloon.

4. Twist another 6-inch section into a loop opposite the existing loop. The small portion of the sword is the handle, the 2 loops serve as the hand guard, and the rest of the balloon is the blade.

5. Add another loop to the hand guard if desired.

Make a Pirate Sword

6. Inflate the modeling balloon to nearly full length.

7. Twist off a 1-inch section at the base of the balloon.

8. Bring the 1-inch section about 8 to 10 inches up the length of the balloon and twist it onto the rest of the balloon, forming a large loop. Push the tip of the loop down to open up the hole.

9. Grab the opposite end of the balloon and tuck it through the loop. Pull the balloon through the loop, leaving enough for a handle underneath the loop.

10. Shape the rest of the balloon into a curved blade by gently bending the balloon to mold it.

[Kidlutions]

on 10/15/2008 Wow! Who knew this would be the top find for making a balloon sword! I should have known to come here to ehow, first! I made one in about 2 minutes! I can't beleive how easy it is! Once I got over my fear of the balloon popping during all of these twists and turns, it worked GREAT! Just in time for a therapy session with a kid who needed it!

THANKS!

Wendy
www.kidlutions.com