How to Make a No Sew Falcon Heene Balloon Boy Costume

Six year old Falcon Heene made news on October 15, 2009, when the world watched a giant silver mylar balloon float through Ft. Collins, Colorado, skies. Falcon's father, Richard Heene, had called news stations, 911, and the FAA to report that his child was on board a make-shift weather balloon that he and his family had constructed to look like a UFO.

Much to the public's relief, young Falcon was found safe and sound, inside his family's attic, where he had been hiding inside a box for five hours.

A day later, the story crashed around the Heene's, as it was revealed that the family had fabricated the entire story.

The Falcon Heene "Balloon Boy" costume is sure to be a popular one.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large silver mylar balloon
• Silver duct tape (optional)
• String
• Disposable pie pan
• Box large enough to fit across wearer's shoulders

1. Inflate the silver mylar balloon with helium. If you can't find an all silver mylar balloon, simply attach aluminum foil to the printed side of the balloon with scotch tape. Hey, that's exactly the method Richard Heene used to attach some of the aluminum foil to his air craft, so who are you to sway from his methods for your Balloon Boy costume?

2. Lay the ballon on its side (so that there is a flat side facing up, and one facing down). Use the silver duct tape to affix the pie pan to the bottom of the mylar balloon.

3. Create a simple net to drape over the top of the balloon, using the string. This can be as simple as a simple "tic tac toe" pattern, knotted to keep it together.

4. Tie tether strings down the sides of the net, so that they hang down at least three to four feet. Make at least four of these tethers for your Balloon Boy costume. You want them long enough to keep your balloon up above your friends.

5. Gather the strings together, and tie together at the bottom.

6. Punch a hole through a flap on the box, and tie the strings to the box flap.

7. Pull the box over your head and shoulders, or whatever way feels most comfortable to you.

Resources

• Balloon boy hat costume

[dinaca81]

on 10/27/2009 This is great!! I think my son would love this (he's 5).