How to Make a Balloon Garland at Home (Step by Step)
A balloon garland instantly turns a plain wall, doorway or dessert table into a party backdrop. It looks complicated, but the secret is simple: lots of balloons in two or three different sizes, clustered tightly together. Here's how to make one yourself.
What you'll need
- A balloon garland kit, or latex balloons in your chosen colours and at least two sizes (for example 5, 10 and 12 inch)
- A balloon decorating strip (a plastic tape with holes) or fishing line
- Glue dots, to fill gaps and attach small balloons
- A hand or electric pump. Blowing up a hundred balloons by mouth is no fun
- Command hooks or removable adhesive hooks to hang it
You'll find pumps, strips and glue dots in our balloon accessories.
1. Plan the length and colours
Measure where the garland will go. As a rough guide, most kits of 100–120 balloons make a garland around 3–4 metres long. Pick a palette of two to four colours. Mixing finishes, such as matte pastels with a few metallic or chrome balloons, adds depth.
2. Inflate in different sizes
Inflate most balloons to full size and some to slightly under-inflated. Keep the small 5 inch balloons aside for filling gaps later. Different sizes are what give a garland its natural, cloud-like shape, so avoid making them all the same.
3. Thread onto the strip
Push the knot of each balloon through a hole in the decorating strip. Work in pairs: tie two balloons together at the necks, then twist pairs together into groups of four and push them onto the strip close to each other. Twist each new cluster slightly so the balloons sit in different directions.
4. Fill the gaps
Step back and look for gaps or flat spots. Fill them with small balloons stuck on with glue dots. This is where the garland goes from "homemade" to "wow".
5. Hang it up
Attach the garland to hooks at a few points along its length. Shape it into a curve, an arch or an asymmetrical swoop across a backdrop. For extra impact, tuck in a few faux eucalyptus or ivy stems or artificial flowers.
Tips for a garland that lasts
- Make it the day before, but keep it indoors away from radiators and direct sunlight, which can make latex balloons go cloudy or pop.
- Air-filled garlands last much longer than helium, often several days indoors.
- Don't over-inflate. Balloons that are slightly under full size are stronger and look more matte.
Ready to start? Browse our balloon garland and arch kits, with everything matched in one box.
