How to Make Balloon Designs

Balloons can be used for myriad purposes. They can be used as table centerpieces, as a alternative choice to a floral bouquet; to decorate a package, or virtually any way you choose to use them. With a carefully planned balloon design you can celebrate any holiday, any event, or cheer up even the gloomiest day. All it takes is a little imagination.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Balloons (in the colors and shapes required for your design)
• Rubber bands
• Tree base
• Ribbon
• Weight

How to Make Balloon Designs

1. Decide what type of balloon design you want to make. Do you want to make balloon creatures, decorate a table, send a bouquet, decorate a package, or something else. Your design choice will have an impact on the remainder of your choices.

2. Sketch out your balloon design idea. Be sure to figure out the various colors and shapes that you will need to make your design complete.

3. If you don't have all of the materials you need to complete your design on hand, now is the time to make the necessary purchases. If you plan to make balloon animals, you may also need to look for instructions or guidelines on how to accomplish that. Some packages of balloons that are made for that purpose automatically come with instructions.

4. Layout all of your supplies so that you can begin making your balloon design. Blow up the various balloons that you need.

5. Make a balloon tree to decorate for a party. For example, for a Halloween Party, make the tree with orange and black balloons, filling in the remainder of the branches with hand made ghosts of white cotton, styrofoam balls for heads, and rubber bands to hold them together. Another option would be to float miniature witches that were purchased pre-made from a craft store.

6. Make a balloon bouquet by mixing and matching different types, sizes, colors, and shapes of balloons on long strings, tying them together and anchoring with a weight or use a stuffed animal, bouquet of silk flowers, or other gift as the weight.

7. Make a balloon centerpiece by wrapping a bouquet around a box or other weighted decorative item. Another option is to attach various sizes, colors, and shapes of balloons onto wooden dowels of varying length. Then place those into a pot or vase just as you would the stem of a flower to create a bouquet. Add a little silk greenery or baby's breath to polish off the look.

8. Decorate a package with smaller balloons (any shape and color you want) taped like a bow onto the piece. Fill in with actual bows, ribbon, foil shreds, or anything else you want to include on the package.

9. Make balloon creatures using the instructions that came with the balloons or according to the information you purchased.

Tips & Warnings

• Be creative and come up with your own balloon designs.
• When making balloon animals be sure to purchase good quality balloons made especially for that purpose.
• Avoid using sharp objects that could damage or destroy your balloon designs.
• Be cautious in blowing up balloons to not get them stuck in your throat.