Our number one tip for getting the most bang for your buck when decorating a party would be to make your own balloon garland! We received so many compliments on our balloon garland from our Toy Story post that I knew it was essential for us to write a step-by-step guide that illustrated how to assemble a balloon garland. You will not believe how easy and inexpensive this project is! Your guests will gasp when then see it!
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Personalize the balloon arch by incorporating your color scheme, adding flowers, or incorporating other whimsical elements. For this party, we celebrated unicorns, and the color scheme was seafoam teal, pink, white and lavender. The addition of flowers made an extra special touch to this girly party.
Let’s get started! Here are the materials you will need for this project (I will link my favorite brands below):
- Balloons in various colors; usually 3-4 colors and 20-40 balloons in each color (depending on how long you want your balloon arch)
- Fishing line
- Threading needle
- Low temperature gun with glue sticks
- Embellishments. I will link some flowers below that may be lovely in your garland.
Step 1: Arrange each color of balloons into three separate piles. You will need 1/3 very small balloons, 1/3 medium sized balloons, and 1/3 large balloons.
Step 2: Blow up your balloons! Please do not attempt to blow up your balloons manually. For this many balloons, I highly recommend an air compressor or balloon pump below. After the balloons were inflated, we placed them into large trash bags. All of the large purple balloons went into one trash bag, and all the large pink balloons went into another large trash bag.
Step 3: String your medium and large balloons together with fishing line and needle. String fishing line into the eye of the needle and tie a knot so that the fishing line doesn’t escape the needle. Pull a tremendous amount of fishing line from the spool but do not cut it. Poke the tied end of the balloon with your needle and string the line through.
Make sure to pull the balloons taut together and alternate between large and medium sizes and colors.
Continue this process until you have the length you desire. When you’ve reached your desired length, cut the fishing line from the spool and tie off with a double knot. Make sure you leave excess fishing line so you have adequate line to hang your project.
Step 4: Use a low-temperature hot glue gun to glue the small balloons where you find gaps in your arch. It is crucial that you only use a low temperature glue gun for this project. If you try to use a regular glue gun, it will pop the balloons you worked so hard to inflate!
Step 5 (optional): Add any embellishments to your balloon arch that you see fit. We added wispy looking flowers to go with the unicorn theme.
Again, make sure you have plenty of fishing line on both ends of the balloon arch. The fishing line is perfect for hanging your garland because it is strong but also hard to see. If you run out of fishing line, tie more fishing line to your strand.
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What an absolutely amazing addition to our unicorn party. This was a show stopper for sure. Everyone loved it! I’m more and more impressed with your talent with every post! Thanks again! 🙂
Awe, thanks so much Stacey for such a nice comment! I really enjoy what I do.
I love this! Must remember for the next party!
Thanks Jen! The garland will be a big hit at your next party.
This is great! I will definitely keep this for our next big party!!!
Thanks so much Cameron. I think you’ll really enjoy the garland at your next party.
This garland is so beautiful! I had already pinned your image from Tailwind and absolutely love it. Your tips are great too. I’ve tried a few and they are always a bit awkward. Great job on this!
Thanks Bri! I researched a lot of ways to make a garland and this was by far the simplest way.
I wish I had seen this a couple weeks ago! I made an arch using balloon tape for my son’s birthday and it it took forever! I think your way would have by so much easier. Next time, I’m doing it this way!!
Thanks so much Emily! The project was much easier than I thought it would be.
Do you remember approximately how many hours this took? TIA!
I’m going to guess around 4 hours for a larger balloon garland.
For clarification on step 4 you glue directly to other balloons?! This is kinda blowing my mind that they don’t pop.
Yes Lindsay glue right on top of the balloons. Make sure that you’re using a low temperature glue gun!! If you use a regular glue gun the balloons will pop. The low temperature glue gun works like a charm. I have a low temperature glue gun linked below if you’re not sure where to find one.
So pretty. How long did your arch last before the balloons started to deflate?
Thanks! I usually make the balloon arches the day before. They deflate a little bit overnight so I always have a few small extra balloons to use to fill in gaps. I don’t think I’d try to make it ahead more than a day.
Lovely, will definitely give it a shot soon on our next event. Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much!
This is probably the most “it actually makes sense” kind of post I’ve seen on on this subject. Best part… I didn’t have to go digging through some weird web design to find it. Awesome! PLEASE keep posting new material!
Thank you!
I’ll be sure to try this in June. My grandaughter wants a superhero birthday party. Thanks for this tip because I was dreading using balloon tape or tying to fishing line.
Sure, good luck!
Did you use helium or just pain air?
Just air!
What do you mean you glue balloons to each other? Can you elaborate
The medium and large balloons are held by the fishing line. When I’m done with the large and medium balloons I hot glue small balloons in the gaps with a low temperature glue gun. I place some of the hot glue on the small balloon and fit it into the gap.
Hi , this I beautiful and it seen so easy . Question
Each balloon is added to the fishing line or do you tie 2 balloons together then add them to the line
Thanks! Each balloon is added to the fishing line.
Love this idea. I’m doing a birthday party for my bestfriend in July and this will knock her socks off. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome! The balloon arch is really a show stopper!
Hey!!
So I’m really wanting to make this for my twins party! How did you shape the balloons into the arch? Is there something that the balloons are tied too.
When you tie them together with the fishing line (make sure they are tight together) they will form an arch. Then you hang it how you like.
I saw your last comment but I’m still confused how they are standing in an arch without helium? Can you please elaborate?
I use the same fishing line that I used to string the balloons to hang the balloon arch. So when I want it to curve I will tie fishing line from the arch to a place above. Then a few feet down some more fishing line, etc.
So amazing! How did you get the balloons to form an arch and not fall down?
Thanks! I used the same fishing line that I used to string the balloons to hang the arch in the way I wanted it.
Approximately how long does this take you to make? I need to make a large and a smaller one and I just want to take your time and double it!!! And be sure I set aside enough time =) Also, should I use a certain gauge needle or fishing line?
Your work is absolutely stunning by the way!!! I think with your step by step we can actually do this!!!
Thanks so much! I don’t think that the gauge of the needle is that important. I’m going to guess that it took me about 3 hours or so. I usually do this in stages. First blow up my balloons, string them, and then add small balloons and embellishments later.
Looks lovely. How did you attach the flower embellishments?
Thanks! I used the LOW temperature glue gun that I used to add in the small balloons.
How long did it take you to make it?
Hmmm… I’m going to guess about 3 hours or so. It’s hard to say sometimes but I usually start and stop. So I’ll blow up all the balloons and then take a break, etc.
Where do you buy your balloons? I’m having a hard ti.e finding different shades of purple and the different sizes? Can you please help! Thank
you.
Sure! First of all, I buy all the same size balloons and then blow them up in different sizes. I do have some links from Amazon for balloons that I like. I also found that gorgeous teal color balloon at Target. Hope this helps!