The Only Balloon Garland Tutorial You will ever Need

I promise you, this is the ONLY balloon garland tutorial you will ever need! Balloon garlands and balloon arches are an easy way to wow your guests at your next party!

Balloons are simply the best – they just make me so happy! So, when balloon garlands started becoming a thing a few years ago, I just knew I had to figure out how to make my own!

There is a plethora of balloon garland tips, tricks and kits out there that it can get overwhelming really quick. So I am here to help with THE ONLY BALLOON GARLAND TUTORIAL YOU WILL EVER NEED! Seriously, this tried and true method will get you a beautiful balloon garland EVERY SINGLE TIME even if it’s your first time!

Decorating with balloon arches are the easiest way to add a pop of color to any event whether it’s a birthday party, baby shower, bridal shower or even a corporate event, and this method doesn’t take much time, either! Low effort, huge impact!

This post is the best balloon garland tutorial you will ever find!

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Materials to Make your Own Balloon Garland

All materials can be found in the Party Supplies section of my Amazon Store.

• Variety of latex balloons – I suggest using at least 3 different sizes 18″, 12″ and 5″
  • Unpopular opinion – I don’t believe in high-quality balloons and buy my balloons from anywhere and everywhere
• Electric Pump
• Balloon Tape
• Glue Dots
• Fishing Wire
• Clear Command Hooks
• String
• 2 Chairs
• Scissors

The Only Balloon Garland Tutorial You’ll Ever Need

1. Use the Right Tools

Having the right tools will set you up for success when creating your own balloon garlands. Can you make a beautiful balloon garland without these suggested tools? Yes. However, I personally wouldn’t attempt it. Using the right tools will make creating your balloon garland foolproof. Plus, most of these items are reusable and the total cost is equal to 2 trips to Qdoba. I talk more about this in my Balloon Tips blog post.

Electric Pump

If you only buy one of my suggested tools, it’s a good idea to make it this one! There is no way I will ever make a balloon garland without an electric balloon pump. It blows up the larger balloons in seconds and you can even do two at a time (however, I’m not that coordinated).

If you don’t have time to purchase an electric balloon pump, I would at least try to find a hand pump to save yourself from a headache. You do not want to blow all of these balloons up!

Balloon Tape

Balloon tape is the secret ingredient to this recipe for sure!  I don’t know why it’s called balloon tape when it’s really just a plastic ribbon (or balloon strip) with holes in it, but it’s still magical. It’s what holds the shape of your balloon piece and makes creating the garland so simple. I have a few tips and tricks of how to use it, but it pretty much does the magic on its own. Seriously, you can’t mess a garland up when you use balloon tape. Bonus! It’s reusable!

Yes, you can use string or twine instead of balloon tape, but this is WAY easier and will make your garland look more professional!

Glue Dots

Glue dots are what I use to incorporate the smaller balloons into the garland at the very end. Using the small balloons to fill in a big hole or any gaps will take your garland to the next level. Plus a roll of glue dots comes with the roll of balloon tape I have linked! Score!

I’m sure you can make tape work, but my regular ol’ gift wrapping tape was not strong enough! Glue dots are extra sticky and will be sure to hold your balloons in place.

Fishing Line

The fishing line comes in handy when you need to hang your garland from awkward places. Fishing line can help center the garland, without interrupting your design. I usually use twine and it works fine, but always have fishing line on hand in case it can’t be hidden.

Clear Command Hooks

These babies come in handy for hanging your garland on a wall. Make sure you get the clear ones! Enough said!

2. Set up your Workspace

How much Balloon tape do you Need?

This is when I place my command hooks if I need them. Then I unroll the tape and hang them from end to end. If you want your garland to droop down a bit, leave enough hanging off the hook to do so. I usually cut the tape, but you can roll it up and tuck it behind the balloons if you want for future use.

Hang the tape between Two chairs

To set up your workstation, you will want two chairs, balloon tape, and some string.  Once you know how much tape you will be using, tie both ends of the tape to the back of two chairs and spread the chairs out until the tape is taut. Almost like you’re setting up for a round of limbo 😊. Now you can start blowing up your balloons and connecting them to the tape.  

3. Prep your Balloons

Do you know the saying, quality over quantity? Well, that doesn’t apply to balloon garlands. Using a variety of sizes in your garland will be sure to set it apart from most. The size of the balloons matter! I usually stick with 18″, 12″, and 5″ balloons. I personally don’t worry too much about the quality of my balloons. I’ve bought them from Amazon, Dollar Tree and Walmart and can’t really tell a difference. However, I do have a few tricks to make my balloons last and look as if I spent a ton on them.

Double Stuff Your Balloons – Optional

Have you ever noticed how balloons change color once they’re inflated? Avoid this issue using the double stuffing technique. You can also achieve a specific color scheme that’s not readily available on Amazon. Although it takes a bit longer to prepare, this method ensures your balloons last longer. While I don’t use it every time, it’s a fantastic trick to have up your sleeve when creating balloon garlands. Check how to double stuff here.

Double Stretch and Blow Up Twice

Stretching your balloon a few times before blowing it up really helps them last and makes it less likely for the balloon to pop. Think of it as warming up your muscles before working out. Also, I’ve read that it helps to blow up your balloon twice before tying it. I forget to do this usually, but it’s worth a shot.

Think bubble, not Balloon

The shape of your balloon can make or break the overall look of your balloon garland. So, think about the shape of a bubble and not the typical shape of a balloon. I like to blow my balloons up until they take the “balloon shape”, then press the top of the balloon against my stomach and let some air out until it looks more like a round bubble. Round balloons look more professional!

What I used for this Balloon Garland Tutorial

Using a variety of sizes makes a huge difference and gives the garland more character. For this tutorial, I used about 4 feet of balloon tape for this garland. I used 3 18″ balloons, 12 12″ balloons, and 11 5″ balloons. This is the typical ratio no matter how long I make the garland. So if you are making an 8 ft garland, double the number of balloons. I usually shoot for an odd number of balloons for each side at first, and then add more if needed.

4. Final Step – Start Placing your Balloons

Instead of blowing up all my balloons at once and then arranging them, I like to blow the balloons up as I go. I do this for two reasons: I waste fewer balloons and I don’t run the risk of the balloons attracting dog hair or lint off the floor. Hairy balloons are not a good look.

Start by blowing up an odd number of your large balloons (18”) first. I usually start with 3. Then arrange them on the balloon tape spaced equally apart. Do this by inserting the balloon knot into the small hole of the balloon tape/strip. Repeat this process for your medium balloons (12”). I think I started with 5 of each color. Don’t overthink balloon placement too much. I usually don’t start adjusting until the garland is hung up on the wall.

Hang your garland

Once your 18” and 12” balloons are attached to your balloon tape, you are ready to hang the garland on the wall. If your hooks end up being too far away, try tying some fishing line or twine to the ends of the tape and then attach it to the hook.

Once your garland is hung, take a step back and observe. How does it look? Do you need more 12” balloons? Or maybe less? Or maybe you have a lot of the same color in one area? Adjust and step back again. Once you like the overall look you are ready to move on to the smaller balloons.

How to Achieve an Asymmetrical Garland

If you are going for an asymmetrical look (like my example), attach your tape to the hook further down instead of attaching it from end to end, to allow the tape to hang off the hook a bit.

Attach the 5″ Balloons

Now that your garland is hung, you are ready to attach the 5” balloons – aka your filler balloons. I usually blow up about 3-5 of each color to start with. Then attach two glue dots a few inches away from the balloon knot (opposite from each other) and stick it to the garland. Use the filler balloons to cover up exposed balloon knots, break up colors, and wherever else you see fit. I like to step back after every filler balloon I place.

If you attach a filler balloon in a place you don’t like, I recommend making it work or popping it instead of trying to move it. The glue dots tend to pop the large balloon it’s attached to.

FREE BALLOON GARLAND CHEAT SHEET

Balloon garland step-by-step instructions! Once you have read the full tutorial, snag this balloon garland cheat sheet to help guide you through the perfect garland every time. CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE COPY!

Here are a Few of my Favorite Balloon Garlands

Want some more Party Planning Inspo??

• More balloon garland tips and tricks here: 9 Balloon Garland Hacks
• Check out some of my hacks for when we host in our home: Hosting in your Home Post
• Or see how I decorated for my friend’s bridal shower last summer: Bridal Party Decorations – How to Decorate for a Bridal Shower Post

5. Share your Balloon Garland

And there you have it! The only balloon garland tutorial you will ever need!

As always, thank you for following along with me in my creative journey. Be sure to tag me and use #meagannicholedotcom when sharing your Balloon Garlands! Thanks for stopping by MeaganNichole.com

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