In today’s article we will show you how to make a balloon sculpture with this easy step by step guide.
Balloon Sculptures are air-filled so they sit either on the floor or on a sideboard. Air-filled designs will last for much longer than helium balloons, they will last you for weeks!
This is perfect if you are spreading out your celebrations over a longer period of time as you can enjoy them for longer!
In this tutorial, we’ll show you step by step how to create an amazing birthday balloon sculpture.
- Blowing up the balloons
- Making the base of the sculpture
- Assemble all the parts together
- Add the foil number balloon
- Decorate your sculpture
Materials needed
For this type of Balloon Sculpture you will need:
-12 x Large 11โ Balloons
-6 x Mini 5โ Balloons
-1 x Giant Foil Number Balloon
-Roll of Glue Dots
-Ribbon
-Handle Pump or an electrical pump (faster)
- Optional : 3 Small Foil Balloons or Paper Cuts
Tips & Tricks
-It is advisable to inflate the balloons a little bit less than the actual maximum size of the balloon. E.g a 11โ balloon to inflate about 9-10โ and a 5โ balloon to about 4โ. Reason being that the balloons burst much more easily if they are too inflated.
-It is no problem to prepare the balloon sculpture the evening before it is actually needed.
-Make sure that the floor you are preparing the balloon sculpture on is clean. Otherwise you might end up with dust sticking to your balloons.
-You might have noticed that in the instructions there are very often the words โtightlyโ or โas tight as possibleโ. This is for a reason. Should your balloon sculpture be unstable, this is most likely because it has not been tied as tightly as it should be. If this is the case, simply unwrap the ribbon and put the sculpture together again. If the foil number balloon is still unsteady, use some of the additional glue dots to stabilise it.
-Balloons do not do too well in direct (strong) sun light. They might change their colour slightly and /or might burst.
1. Blowing up the Balloons
Let’s start with blowing up the balloons. Since you will need to blow up quite a few balloons, you may need a hand held balloon pump. Alternatively, you can invest in an electric balloon pump to get faster results.
Inflate 12 of the 11 inch balloons to equal size of about 9-10โ.
To achieve the best results inflating your balloons you can read our tutorial about Blowing up Party Balloons [ Hints & Tips ]
2. Making the Base of the Sculpture
Link two balloons by tying them together at their knots. ( Do not worry to pull on them gently. As long as you do not over-inflate the balloons, they will not burst easily.)
Take two pairs of balloons and intertwine them to create a single group of four balloons. Do so by placing one pair of balloons on top of the other pair and squeeze the top balloons between the bottom balloons. Twist two adjoining balloons so that they change position.
Tip:
- Take one spare 11โ inch balloon and fill it with water so it is about the size of your palm. Close it with a knot and tie the ribbon to it. ( The water balloon is needed to add weight to the column.)
- Tie the water balloon tightly to the first 11โ balloon group by wrapping the ribbon around the middle of the cluster of balloons.
- Turn the balloons the other way around so that the water balloon is at the bottom of the structure.
3. Assemble all the parts together
Place the second balloon group on top of the first balloon group. Wrap the ribbon numerous times around the middle of the balloon cluster. It is important that while doing so to press down the middle of the balloons in order for the balloons to be tightly connected to the balloon group underneath. Repeat this step with the final balloon cluster and cut the remaining ribbon.
4. Add the Foil Number Balloon
Inflate the number balloon and tie the remaining ribbon to it.
Tie the number balloon tightly to the top of the latex balloon cluster. If tied tightly it should stand upright.
Inflate the foil balloons ( if included ) with the balloon pump or the help of a straw. Inflate the 5โ mini latex balloons.
To attach the 5โmini latex balloons, the foil balloons or cutouts to the sculpture, you will need to use the glue dots provided. Cut off one glue dot from the strip. Stick it to the balloon and then peel the paper off.
Extra tips: Add Vinyl Sticker with personalised name
To go even extra with your Balloon Sculpture you can add Vinyl Stickers with a personalised name. You can add them to the top of the number foil balloon. They are very easy to apply, just peel them from the plastic and position them in the balloon.
Watch our Video Tutorial
Well done to you! You have created an amazing birthday balloon sculpture!
Thanks for reading! We hope you have enjoyed our tutorial! Stay tuned for more tutorials!
Check out now our Balloon Boutique and get inspired with our new Balloon Garlands and Balloon Sculptures!
