How to Make a DIY Balloon Garland

Creating your own balloon garland is a fun way to add a burst of colour and flair to any celebration. Whether you're decorating for a birthday party, wedding, or baby shower, a DIY balloon garland is an impressive yet surprisingly simple decoration you can customise to fit your theme.

With a few basic supplies and a bit of creativity, you can craft a stunning balloon garland that will impress your party guests.

Planning Your Design

Creating a DIY balloon garland can transform your event space with a burst of colour and festivity. To get started on your balloon garland, you'll need balloons in various sizes and colours that match your theme, balloon tape or a strip to hold your design together, and something to hang your finished balloon garland with, such as command hooks or nails.

Choosing Balloons

You can have as little as 30-40 balloons to make a smaller garland or as many as 100-200 balloons to make a larger garland. To create dimension and texture, you need to use a variety of different sized balloons within your garland.

Standard latex balloons are a top choice because they're easy to tie together and offer a traditional balloon texture.

• Standard Latex Balloons: Commonly used and available in various sizes.
• Specialty Balloons: Mylar or foil balloons can add unique elements.

Colour Scheme

Your colour scheme sets the mood for your event. Opt for harmonising colours that match your event’s theme, or use a gradient of shades for a sophisticated effect. For bold statements, contrasting colours can create a striking backdrop for photos.

Some of the most popular/trending colour themes we have noticed instore for balloon garlands include:

• Neutral: Muted colours, like beige and white, that create a natural look are very popular for baby showers.
• Complementary Colours: Opposite on the colour wheel, they offer high contrast and are very popular for Kids' birthday parties - think Wiggle's themed!
• Themed Colours: Depending on the occasion, pastels are trendy, particularly with matching party decorations.

Garland Size

Consider the area where you'll display the garland - will it be the centrepiece or a photo backdrop? Measure the intended space to estimate the length you'll need.

• Small (1-2 metres): Suitable for a doorframe or small feature.
• Medium (3-5 metres): Ideal for running the length of a standard table.
• Large (5+ metres): Best for substantial backdrops or draping across larger areas.

Remember to account for the quantity of balloons you'll need based on the garland's size; more length means more balloons.

Gathering Materials

Before you start crafting your balloon garland, ensure you have the right materials on hand. Glue dots or double-sided tape work wonders to fill in any gaps with smaller balloons after you've hung your garland.

Balloon Pump

Get yourself a quality, electric balloon pump. This will save you from the dizziness and exertion of inflating balloons manually. An electric balloon pump is faster, but a hand pump does the job efficiently.

Fishing Line or String

Secure a spool of clear fishing line or strong string. This will act as the backbone of your garland, to which balloons will be attached. Go for a fishing line if you want it to be less visible.

Adhesive Hooks

Collect a few adhesive hooks to mount your balloon garland. Ensure they're strong enough to hold the weight of your garland and can adhere well to your wall without causing damage.

Creating the Structure

Inflating Balloons

Due to the number of balloons within balloon garlands, it is recommended to inflate the balloons using an electric balloon pump rather than manually.

If you place slight pressure on the top of each balloon whilst it is being inflated, it will ensure they turn out nice and round rather than egg-shaped. If you are not a frequent balloon user or struggle to tie off balloons, you should also grab a balloon tie tool. Saves you time and from tired hands!

Assembling Your Balloon Garland

There are many different ways to assemble a balloon garland. Each method depends on your preference, garland size, and desired shape.

Balloon tape or a balloon decorating strip is recommended for beginners as it is quite straightforward. Gently tread the knot of each balloon through the holes provided in the strip and pull them forward to ‘lock them’ into place. 

You can space out each balloon as you desire to achieve your desired look, alternating colours as you go.

Another method is to use balloon ribbons or modelling balloons to tie all of the balloons together.  With this method, the balloons are often tied together in clusters of 3-4 balloons, and then the clusters are tied together using the ribbon or modelling balloon. 

Customisation Ideas

Consider interspersing fresh flowers or faux greenery between balloons to add texture and colour. For instance, you might weave in some eucalyptus for a touch of green or include bright gerberas for a pop of colour.

You can attach tassels or streamers to your balloon garland, or hang small lanterns or baubles for a bit of sparkle and party decoration. A few well-chosen additions, like metallic or pastel ribbons tied to the balloon knots, can really make your garland shine.

Assembly and Installation

Hanging the Base Structure

To start, you'll need to secure the base of your balloon garland. Use command hooks or nails at the points where you want the garland to hang. Ensure they are placed firmly and at proper intervals to support the weight of the balloons.

Adding Balloons for Fullness

With your base in place, begin adding balloons. Garland tape or a balloon strip with pre-made holes is handy. Start by inflating your balloons and tying them off. Then, push the tie through the holes in your balloon tape.

Mix different-sized balloons for a more dynamic look, adding the larger ones first and then filling in gaps with smaller ones.

Final Adjustments

Once the garland appears full, step back and look for any gaps or areas that may need a few extra balloons. Use balloon glue dots to attach these additional balloons directly onto the garland, filling in spaces for an even, rounded look.

Remember to adjust the positioning of balloons so the colours are spread out evenly, and the overall shape suits your vision.

Still Need Help with Your Balloon Garland?

The beauty of a DIY balloon garland is in its customisation – you decide the length, colour scheme, and shape to suit your event perfectly. However, if you're having trouble picking which colours you like and what size balloons you need, why not use a pre-made DIY balloon garland kit?

We sell a range of DIY kits to make a balloon garland that will impress your guests at your next party! All kits include balloons and garland tape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you need to create a DIY balloon garland from scratch?

To start your DIY balloon garland, you'll need assorted balloons, a balloon pump, balloon tape or strip, hooks or command strips for hanging, and glue dots to fix gaps with extra balloons.

What are the steps for crafting balloon arches by yourself?

You'll first inflate your balloons and tie them off to craft a balloon arch.

Next, attach them to your chosen structure (balloon tape, string, or wire) by threading them in an alternating pattern until you achieve your desired shape and fullness.

How do you utilise balloon garland tape during assembly?

Balloon garland tape, or strip, is utilised by poking the latex balloon knots through the holes in the tape. This method allows for a precise arrangement, and the non-sticky tape firmly holds all the balloons in place.

Is there a specific technique for tying balloons with string for a garland?

Aim for uniformity when tying balloons with string for a garland by tying similar-sized balloons evenly spaced along the string.

Secure each balloon with a double knot to prevent slipping. You could consider using double stuffed balloons for this.

Where can you find a balloon garland kit, and what should it include?

We sell them! Our DIY Balloon Garland Kits include balloons and balloon tape.