If you love to add homemade elements to the parties you throw, you’re going to love this quick and easy Balloon Decoration DIY!
With some decorative paper or fabric, you can create homemade Balloon Signs for your party decor! Scroll down for a step-by-step tutorial.
This post is sponsored by Balloon Time Helium Tanks. I was an ambassador for Balloon Time for a few years and created many DIY balloon projects.
This post was originally published on November 18, 2015 and has now been updated with better directions so you can make the perfect DIY decoration every time.
Why Make This Balloon Decoration DIY
If you’re throwing a party at home and want to add a more festive touch, make this Balloon Decoration DIY!
This simple balloon decor is an inexpensive craft project that really creates a big impact when the guests walk in. You can customize the colors to fit your theme and it helps to fill out a space that might feel empty.
DIY balloon signs can help direct guests where to go for the bar, food and wish the guest of honor well.
I LOVE using balloons in my party decor. I love how a kid’s face lights up when they arrive somewhere where big balloons are floating in the air. And I’m sure you’ve seen an adult’s face light up too. And everyone loves a balloon chandelier or balloon columns!
For this styled party, I wanted to keep it masculine. With simple, modern patterns and a whiskey sour bar, these ideas are easy to recreate and low effort.
Supply Notes
To make your message stand out, you will want to get a plain colored mylar balloon. I used circle-shaped balloons but they come in a lot of different size options. Use what you like, just make sure you have a nice flat, open space for your message to adhere to.
Choose a color that coordinates with your theme. White is always perfect for making DIY Balloon Signs.
I used patterned napkins for a few reasons. They are really easy to find, they can be very inexpensive, it’s the perfect way to have it coordinate with the rest of your party decor and they are very lightweight.
When working with helium and creating a balloon decoration DIY, you want to keep your materials as light as possible. Anything heavy will work against the helium and your balloons might lose their float before your party is over.
You can also use tissue paper, but I think it can be harder to find printed sheets and it tears a little bit easier. You also might see the spray adhesive through it.
Scissors and spray adhesive will help you create the letters for your simple balloon sign and help them to stick on the balloon. I find the spray adhesive the easiest to use because it is strong, light and super sticky. It also doesn’t really require any drying time.
I LOVE my Balloon Time helium tank. I keep it in the garage and use it all the time. It ensures that you can create tons of easy balloons decorations, like photo balloons and balloon bouquets, when you need them.
Of course, they work amazing for creating your party decor with balloons, but they are also great for taking a single balloon to school for a teacher’s birthday or if a kid comes over who turns cranky…balloons for the win!
A string or paper ribbon is needed to secure the balloons and hold the sign where you want it. Again, you want this to be light. I’ve tried yarn and other decorative things but it can be too heavy.
Having plain balloons, in coordinating colors, is a great way to fill in space or make more of a balloon bouquet look.
How to Make Balloon Signs for a Party
First, you need to cut out your letters. You can free-hand the letters or you can create a stencil by printing out your phrase, in your desired font, on card stock.
The tanks are really easy to use (Hint, push the nozzle down after you’ve slipped on the balloon…I wasted lots of helium figuring that one out. Duh).
Find the opening of the mylar balloon and slide it onto the nozzle. Press down and the balloon should start to fill. Once it is full, (try not to overfill, you want it to be taught and smooth) slide it off the nozzle and pinch the tab together.
Although the balloons are self-sealing (ish), I like to tie the string around the tab, right away, to ensure a good seal. Or use a balloon clamp.
If you are blowing up a regular balloon, simply tie it off with a knot. This balloon tie tool makes it so easy and fast!
Next spray the backside of your napkin letters and stick them on the inflated mylar balloon. So easy. And so cute!
Keep in mind that spray adhesive is REALLY sticky. You need to do this part outside, it helps if you wear rubber gloves and be careful as you get to the later letters.
Your gloves or fingers will be sticky and you can potentially rip the napkin letter if you aren’t careful.
Also be sure to start with the letter that is in the middle of the word to help with spacing.
As you can see, these balloon signs work best for words with just a few letters. You can also make them smaller to fit more but that can get pretty tedious.
You can use the message balloons in all kinds of ways throughout the party. As a welcome sign, or to direct people to the bar, this DIY balloon decoration is useful and adds a touch of whimsy.
Tips and Tricks
- Make these balloon signs the day of the party for best results. Sometimes, a balloon with a decoration added to it doesn’t float as long as a regular mylar balloon.
- You can make this balloon decoration without helium by using one of these balloon sticks.
- If you need to blow up a lot of regular balloons to create more decorations with, this balloon pump is the fastest way to do it. And it’s so cute!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Because the circle balloons are fairly flat, you may be able to use painter’s tape to attach them to a wall.
No! You can blow up any mylar balloon by inserting a straw and blowing air into the hole. You can then add them to a balloon stick or hang them from something.
Where to Find a Helium Tank
You can find Balloon Time helium tanks at tons of stores. I picked this Jumbo Helium Tank at Party City but their site can help you find them at a store near you.
The Balloon Time site has all the information you need for using the tanks to create awesome balloon DIYS, party decor or even just making your kids smile.
They have info on everything from where to buy, how to use and how to recycle the tanks. PLUS they are a great resource for unique party ideas using helium-filled balloons!
The tanks are more expensive to buy on Amazon than in-store so pick one up on your next trip to Party City, Target or Walmart.
More Party Ideas
I always like to think of the guest of honor, and what they are into, when planning a party. In this case, I had my husband in mind. He loves a good whiskey sour so I created a whiskey sour bar where the guests could serve themselves.
I made a few homemade sour mixes plus set out fresh berries and herb for muddling. I made sure to set out a recipe for a Bourbon Champagne Cocktail which is a really celebratory cocktail also.
Just by setting out a few ingredients, the guests could create all kinds of drinks to suit their mood.
I kept the food really simple. Cured meats, dried beef rolls, cheese and bread or crackers are the way to my husband’s heart.
Also, dip. You can’t go wrong with dip. It’s a great party food and in my opinion should be its own food group.
I can bake things. But I am not really good at it. So I found this awesome little chocolate sheet cake from a local store. It’s delicious and let me focus more on the decor than on not burning a cake in my oven.
Or you can ditch the candle and use a small balloon for a cake topper.
Something like Fireball Cupcakes or Southern Comfort Cupcakes would have been a great dessert idea too.
Aside from keeping the food and drinks on the simple side, I also decided to stick with a black and white color scheme to keep things easy, and classy but feel a little masculine.
I stayed away from fresh flowers and used succulents instead. The pop of green adds a nice dose of color but helps to keep the decor muted and cool.
The only other decor I needed were these balloon signs and a few other decorative balloons. The balloon decoration DIY goes next level with these marble balloons, amIright? HBD, bro!
Images, except those of the tank, by Dez and Tam Photography
Related Posts
If you’ve ever wanted to incorporate your own personal touch into the parties you throw, this Balloon Decoration DIY is perfect for you. You can create homemade signs and decor with balloons in just minutes!
Pin this post for your next party planning session so that all of these ideas are at your fingertips when you need them most.
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