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Create a show-stopping balloon garland in 5 easy steps

March 8, 2019 · 44 Comments

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!

{You may find affiliate links in this post. This means that I may earn a small commission, which does not cost anymore to you. Please reference my disclosure policy for further details.}

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):

  1. Balloons in various colors; usually 3-4 colors and 20-40 balloons in each color (depending on how long you want your balloon arch)
  2. Fishing line
  3. Threading needle
  4. Low temperature gun with glue sticks
  5. 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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Filed In: party crafts / Tagged: baby shower, balloon arch, balloon backdrop, balloon decorations, balloon garland, balloon ideas, balloons with flowers, balloons without helium, birthday decorations, diy balloon arch, easy balloon ideas, garland tutorial, how to make a balloon arch, pastel balloons, wedding

Comments

  1. Stacey says

    March 8, 2019 at 3:58 pm

    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! 🙂

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      March 9, 2019 at 9:48 am

      Awe, thanks so much Stacey for such a nice comment! I really enjoy what I do.

      Reply
  2. Jenn Summers says

    March 12, 2019 at 11:19 am

    I love this! Must remember for the next party!

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      March 13, 2019 at 8:19 am

      Thanks Jen! The garland will be a big hit at your next party.

      Reply
  3. Cameron says

    March 12, 2019 at 9:08 pm

    This is great! I will definitely keep this for our next big party!!!

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      March 13, 2019 at 8:18 am

      Thanks so much Cameron. I think you’ll really enjoy the garland at your next party.

      Reply
  4. Bri Adams says

    March 16, 2019 at 2:32 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      March 17, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      Thanks Bri! I researched a lot of ways to make a garland and this was by far the simplest way.

      Reply
  5. Emily says

    March 16, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    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!!

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      March 17, 2019 at 5:36 pm

      Thanks so much Emily! The project was much easier than I thought it would be.

      Reply
  6. Ao says

    April 4, 2019 at 6:45 pm

    Do you remember approximately how many hours this took? TIA!

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      April 5, 2019 at 12:39 pm

      I’m going to guess around 4 hours for a larger balloon garland.

      Reply
  7. Lindsay says

    April 9, 2019 at 8:21 am

    For clarification on step 4 you glue directly to other balloons?! This is kinda blowing my mind that they don’t pop.

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      April 9, 2019 at 4:33 pm

      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.

      Reply
  8. Tammy says

    April 13, 2019 at 11:37 pm

    So pretty. How long did your arch last before the balloons started to deflate?

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      April 17, 2019 at 4:37 pm

      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.

      Reply
  9. olatoun adebowale says

    April 29, 2019 at 5:27 pm

    Lovely, will definitely give it a shot soon on our next event. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      May 21, 2019 at 7:37 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  10. fish307 says

    April 29, 2019 at 10:46 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      June 18, 2019 at 3:32 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Alona says

    April 30, 2019 at 1:02 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      May 21, 2019 at 7:36 pm

      Sure, good luck!

      Reply
  12. Lanette says

    May 7, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    Did you use helium or just pain air?

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      May 21, 2019 at 7:35 pm

      Just air!

      Reply
  13. Heather g says

    May 10, 2019 at 5:33 am

    What do you mean you glue balloons to each other? Can you elaborate

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      May 21, 2019 at 7:35 pm

      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.

      Reply
  14. Susan says

    May 24, 2019 at 9:22 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      June 18, 2019 at 3:31 pm

      Thanks! Each balloon is added to the fishing line.

      Reply
  15. Melvina says

    June 5, 2019 at 10:52 pm

    Love this idea. I’m doing a birthday party for my bestfriend in July and this will knock her socks off. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      June 18, 2019 at 3:29 pm

      Awesome! The balloon arch is really a show stopper!

      Reply
  16. Cheyenne says

    June 13, 2019 at 8:12 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      June 18, 2019 at 3:28 pm

      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.

      Reply
  17. Rachel Ricks says

    June 21, 2019 at 8:30 pm

    I saw your last comment but I’m still confused how they are standing in an arch without helium? Can you please elaborate?

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      July 16, 2019 at 4:19 pm

      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.

      Reply
  18. Brooke says

    June 25, 2019 at 3:26 am

    So amazing! How did you get the balloons to form an arch and not fall down?

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      July 16, 2019 at 4:16 pm

      Thanks! I used the same fishing line that I used to string the balloons to hang the arch in the way I wanted it.

      Reply
  19. Jen says

    June 29, 2019 at 11:35 am

    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!!!

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      July 16, 2019 at 4:14 pm

      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.

      Reply
  20. Amanda says

    June 30, 2019 at 3:14 pm

    Looks lovely. How did you attach the flower embellishments?

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      July 16, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      Thanks! I used the LOW temperature glue gun that I used to add in the small balloons.

      Reply
  21. Tishda Morris says

    July 1, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    How long did it take you to make it?

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      July 16, 2019 at 4:11 pm

      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.

      Reply
  22. Tori says

    July 15, 2019 at 5:41 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Nikla Lam says

      July 16, 2019 at 4:09 pm

      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!

      Reply

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Hi Friends! My name is Nikki Lam. I'm a mom, wife, blogger, foodie, exercise nut, and coffee addict!  Cooking, baking, arranging flowers, gardening, and decorating! These are my passions, and they offer so much satisfaction and fulfillment to me!
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Hi Friends! My name is Nikki Lam. I'm a mom, wife, blogger, foodie, exercise nut, and coffee addict!  Cooking, baking, arranging flowers, gardening, and decorating! These are my passions, and they offer so much satisfaction and fulfillment to me!

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