Decorating and Blowing Up a Foil Balloon

Foil balloons are not as porous as other balloons and tend to stay inflated much longer than untreated latex balloons. Discovered in the late 70’s, these airplane foil birthday balloons are made using a thin, less permeable, and continuous metal film over nylon. They are easy to print on, lightweight, buoyant, and can retain helium for up to 20 days.

These balloons can be blown up manually with a straw, using an air pump, or by filling them with helium.

How to Blow Up a Foil Balloon

Method 1: How to blow up a foil balloon manually

Tools Needed

• A balloon
• A drinking straw
• Air from your lungs

The Blowing Up Process

• Firstly, find the small filling tab located on the balloon. This filling tab measures from 1-2 inches (2.5-5.1 cm) and is often placed around the bottom of the balloon. About 2-3 layers made of plastic is used to secure this tab.

• Secondly, get a drinking straw that will fit into the filling tab will be nice. Simply insert the straw in between the 2 layers of plastic until you get to the seal and break it. This seal is about 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) in and will snap when you push in the straw. Some of these kits come with a straw and directions included.

• Afterward, hold the straw in place and use your fingers to pinch each of the sides. Maintain your hold on the straw while you blow air from your mouth into the balloon.

• Take in a deep breath and slowly but steadily blow air into the straw. Take in one more deep breath and blow some more air into the balloon. The shape and size of the balloon will determine the number of breaths you will need.

• You will know the balloon has gotten enough air when you touch it and it is firm. Blowing in the air when the balloon is already firm may make it pop.

• After ensuring the balloon is full, pull the straw out gently with the filling tab in between your 2 fingers. The filling tab can reseal itself so the balloon will be secured automatically. The balloon can stay inflated for over a month with this method. You can then attach it to a string, or place tape on it and attach to a wall.

Method 2: How to blow up a foil balloon with an air pump

Tools Needed

• A balloon
• An air pump, preferably one with a narrow tip

The Blowing Up Process

• Get an air pump. It is better to use a hand pump that has a thin tip that is about 1-2 (2.5-5.1 cm) long. A smaller tip is easier to adequately fit into the filling tab.

• Locate the filling tab, which is a small part of the balloon through which you will blow in the air. The filling tab typically has 2 plastic layers in it. Place the tip of the air pump in between these plastic layers in order to fill the balloon up.

• Pinch the opening of the airplane foil birthday balloon with one hand to ensure the pumped air does not escape. You can do this conveniently with your non-dormant hand.

• Use your dormant hand to crank the pump or press the pumping unit up and down repetitively. Do this until the balloon is around 98% full so that it will be a bit bouncy without being overfilled.

• Afterward, use your hand to secure the filling tab while you carefully pull out the pump’s tip from the balloon.

• The filling tab has a self-sealing adhesive coating inside it. This will secure the air in the balloon and enable the balloon to seal itself.

Method 3: How to blow up a foil balloon with helium

Tools Needed

• A foil balloon
• Helium tank

The Blowing Up Process

• Set the opening of the airplane foil balloon’s filling tab around the helium tank’s nozzle. Insert the nozzle about 1-2 inches (2.5-5.1 cm) into the filling tab. Secure the filling tab while you fill the balloon.

• To fill the balloon with air, hold the filling tab while you push the nozzle downward a little. Keep pressing the nozzle down, while maintaining a secure grip on the tab, until the balloon is filled completely.

• When the center of the balloon is firm and a little wrinkled, slip the filling tab out of the nozzle. The adhesive strip inside the balloon’s filling tab will seal up the balloon automatically.

How to Decorate with a Foil Birthday Balloon

Foil balloons can take on different shapes like star foil balloon, alphabet foil balloon, airplane foil balloon , and lots more. These balloons are great for decorating any event, including birthday parties.

Foil birthday balloons are budget-friendly and colorful, so there is no doubt they will light up your birthday parties. Here are some steps to take before you get creative with your balloons:

Step 1: Cover the Basics

• Choose a color scheme. Balloons come in many colors but you have to pick a color scheme and decide how many colors you need. Schemes can be in the form of rainbow colors, three-toned color schemes, or hues of fire.

• Decide on the location size and quantity of balloons. Bigger places usually require more balloons, especially if they are not well decorated. You can also decide to get a lot of these birthday balloons for more fun.

• Choose what to blow up the balloons with. Helium is a pricey option that works best if you have a lot of balloons to blow up. However, if you want something cheaper and easier, you can go for non-helium balloons.

Step 2: Get Creative

Decide on where and how to hang your balloons

• Decide on where and how to hang your balloons.
  • With helium balloons, you can tie strings to the end and attach to the golf tees in your garden.
  • With the ends tied with strings, you can also tape the balloons to form a wall from the floor.
  • For non-helium balloons, however, you can pin different sizes to the wall to look like bubbles.

• Use the balloons to form impressive shapes.
  • Form a balloon arch by tying helium balloons with a string.
  • You can also form flowers by making a petal with four balloons of same color. A differently colored balloon can then be attached to the middle, like an eye.
  • Streamers can be formed using a needle and thread to string through different rows of balloons.

• Decorate the balloons in many fun ways:
  • Dip the balloons in glue and then dip in glitter to produce the two-tone effect.
  • You can also use permanent markers to write names, wishes or draw happy faces on the balloons.

• Fill the balloons with things like LED lights, glow sticks, frozen water, or even beans, instead of just air.

• Use your balloons with a purpose:
  • Use a thick tape or streamers to tape your balloon against a closed door. It should pop when an expected guest opens the door.
  • You can use them to make crafts like vases, molds, or small lamp shades.
  • These balloons serve as place tags by filling them up with helium and stringing them to chairs.

Foil balloons are exceptional and very delightful inflated bags that work great for birthday parties. With these balloons, you are sure to have a memorable and fun-filled party.