How to Make Twistie Balloons

Start using long balloons to create twisted balloon animals.

Twistie balloons are long skinny balloons that clowns and entertainers use to twist into different shapes. They can be difficult to blow up using your mouth because they have such a small diameter and the pressure is greater. Small pumps can be bought to help with blowing the balloons up easier and with greater speed. Twisting the balloons into shapes takes practice, but starting with a simple shape can lead to more complex designs. Dogs are good ones to start with as they look more difficult than they are, and they will please both boys and girls alike.

Things You'll Need

• Long balloon (No. 260)
• Balloon or bicycle pump (recommended)

Instructions

1. Blow up the balloon using the pump and tie off the end. You should leave about 4 inches at the end uninflated.

2. Fold the balloon roughly 5 inches from the knot.

3. Grab the balloon in the middle of the section you just folded down. You should have two pieces of balloon in your hand. Twist the two pieces together several times. This creates the nose and ears of the dog.

4. Fold the balloon about 5 more inches down, grab in the middle and twist again. This creates a short neck and two legs.

5. Fold the balloon one more time. The end of the balloon should come up and just touch the dog's neck.

6. Twist about 4 inches from the fold. This will create two more legs and a body. The very end piece is the tail of the dog.

7. Shift any parts of the dog that you need to so that it looks like a dog.

Tips & Warnings

• You can change where you make the folds and twists to change the size and shape of the dog.

• Always make sure to leave a few inches of deflated balloon at the end when blowing it up. This allows space for displaced air to go while you are folding and twisting the balloon. If you don't leave that space, it could pop in your hands.

References

• Mr. Twisty: Dogs
• Balloon HQ: Dogs
• Creativity Portal: Blowing up Balloons