How To Make A Balloon Arch (Easy DIY Balloon Garland) – Darling Celebrations

If you’re looking for a great way to add impact to your party, consider a balloon arch or a balloon garland! After all, balloon arches are beautiful, eye-catching, and make a great party centerpiece! Plus, they add height to a design and color scheme in your party set-up. Read on for exactly how to make a balloon arch.

Balloon arches are popular for Baby Showers, Gender Reveal Parties, and Birthday Parties. And they’ve made recent appearances at many Drive-By Baby Showers and Drive-By Gender Reveals. For good reason too, as a balloon arch is a perfect way to make a great statement at your next event. This is one of us favorite birthday tradition in our house!

For a long time, I didn’t believe that making a balloon arch was a project that you could DIY and I thought about how to make a balloon arch! So needless to say when I found out I could make a balloon arch myself, I started making it for every event I could think of!

So we put together some instructions for anyone who wants to know how to make a balloon arch or balloon garland the easy way! Or check out our video tutorial above.

How to make a DIY Balloon Arch

Step 1. Plan your DIY Balloon Arch Design

Now there are a few different ways you can make a balloon arch. First, decide what shape you want your arch to be. Depending on the arch’s location, you’ll want to figure out what shapes will best suit your space.

Balloon Arch Design Ideas – What shape balloon arch should I make?

You can go for a traditional balloon arch shape like this one that spans the area like a rainbow.

Or more of an inverted L balloon arch design like this one, which works well as a backdrop.

Alternatively, you can create more of a side balloon arch shape like this one. In the end, don’t worry too much about the final shape as you can adjust the shaping as you go. Just make sure you have a rough idea of ​​how you want your balloon arch to look. Plus, it will help position your hooks.

TIP… Make sure your balloon arch goes around the edge of a structure like a chair, backdrop frame or wall.

Once you’ve decided on your shape, think about your color palette for your balloons. Similar tones work well for a more muted and subtle effect. Or choose contrasting colors for a bolder, more colorful vibe.

TIP… you’ll want to tie in the color scheme of your balloon arch with the rest of your party decor.

Adding extra touches like leaves, flowers or bows also gives a really nice and professional finish.

I like to make a very rough sketch of how I want my balloon arch to look so I have a visual to go with the loose shape (it doesn’t always turn out exactly but hey that’s OK!).

TIP… add extra touches between the balloons like fake leaves and flowers to add flair.

Step 2. Shop for Balloon Arch supplies!

Next, shop for all your supplies! Use our Amazon shopping list feature to find everything you need in one place.

These are the things you will need:

• wolves. You will need at least 100 balloons for a small balloon arch. Get 150 balloons for a fuller, bigger display. These pastels from Amazon is great for a pastel color scheme.

• Balloon Pump. An electric balloon pump will save you tons of time and energy! This is what we use.

• fishing line or string. This Fishing Line is strong and transparent so it hides well from wolves. This way, the balloons appear to be floating instead of hanging.

• Balloon Tape. It is a great alternative to fishing line and is very simple to use. Simply push the knot of your balloons through the holes in the tape to create a “string” of balloons.

• Hooks to stick on the wall (or where you position your Balloon Arch).

3. Pop the balloons!

Next, you want to blow everything up wolves.

Remember to make sure you create different sizes to fill in any blank spaces. So blow some full, some half full, some small, make sure they are all different sizes to add interest to your balloon!

TIP… different sized balloons will add interest to your balloon arch.

How to put together a Balloon Arch…

4. Start saving!

Now get yours blunt sewing needle and fishing line with a knot at the end.

Just start threading your needle by extra balloon material under the knot.

Now slide each balloon to the end of the fishing linespinning balloon color, size, and direction. Squash up as much as possible to get a fuller arch.

Line up about two-thirds of your balloons, and save the rest for the next step. I like to save the smaller balloons for the next part.

If you are using Balloon Tapethen just start attaching the balloons to the tape by pushing the knotted part of the balloon through the holes in the tape.

TIP… remember to save your smaller balloons for the next step.

5. Finish it!

Once you have two thirds of your balloons lined up, cut and tie the fishing line.

Of course, double-check that your shape and fullness is where you want them that before you cut. And don’t worry if it looks a little bare, we’ll add in the fullness in a minute!

6. Hang your hooks!

Next, snake hooks to the walls or structure where you want the arch to go. I personally love the 3M Command hook so that they can be easily removed without damaging your walls.

7. Fill in the blanks on your balloon arch!

Now, this is the fun bit where you can add all the finishing touches and your design will come together beautifully!

Very carefully, using your LOW TEMP (very important) glue gun, hover over the spots that need to be filled with your remaining small balloons. Or use Sticky Glue Dots rather, both work well.

Now add just a little glue without touching the metal tip to your balloons. And attach small balloons to larger balloons to give your arch a nice full look!

8. Hang your finished balloon arch!

Finally, place your fishing on the hooks wherever you want!

Finally, add any floral accessories, leaves or bows you plan to add to give a truly professional finish. If you want to add fake flowers, plants, glitter strips, streamer paper, or any extra embellishments for the wow factor, do it after hanging it to make sure it ends up where you want it!

These arches make a fantastic backdrop and decoration at a party! A balloon arch behind a dessert table or gift table looks amazing.

Ready Made Balloon Kits

Ready Made Balloon Arch Kits

If DIY isn’t for you and you’re nervous about your skills, there are some great DIY balloon kits out there.

This is my favorite that contains 140 balloons, tape, sticky dots and hooks. And it comes in a range of colors to suit your color scheme. All you need to do is create your own arch!

This is another great option and comes in blue, pink and peach with different colored balloons.

Balloon Arch Structures

If you are looking for your arch to be more stable and free to stand or hold its form without being against the ball, you will want to use chicken wire in the middle of the structure. Alternatively, you can purchase a structure like the ones below to support your balloons.

How to make a Balloon FAQ

How Soon Can You Make a Balloon Arch?

Helium-filled balloons are at their peak for about 12 hours after inflation, so if you’re going to make a helium balloon arch, try to do it as close to the event as possible.

However, if you are using air-filled balloons, they last a few days so you can easily prepare your air-filled balloon arch a few days before your event.

That way, you’ll also be able to enjoy it longer and not have to do it the day of the party.

Do you have to use helium balloons for the Balloon Arch?

No, you don’t have to use helium balloons for a diy balloon garland because the balloons are secured in place and don’t need to float.

What do I need to buy to make a balloon garland?

You will need to purchase balloons, fishing line, sticky dots, balloon pump and a blunt needle.

How many balloons do you need for a balloon arch?

Around 100 balloons is a good starting point. Depending on the size of your arch you may want to add more.

What kind of balloons should I use to make my own balloon garland?

Regular 5″ latex balloons are the best type. You may want to blow them up in different sizes to add to the balloon styling interest.

How to Make a Balloon Arch Final Note

A balloon arch is a great addition to a party. And it’s a relatively inexpensive way to add a big impact.

If you love a little craft and DIY, then making your own Balloon Archway is fun and you can really let your creativity run wild. And with a little work, your Balloon Arch is sure to be the highlight of the party decorations!

For more fun party ideas, check out our Party Page here.