How to make a balloon bouquet centerpiece without helium

Hey guys in this tutorial I will be showing you how to make a popular balloon bouquet without having to use any helium. These are perfect to use time and time again for any special event you have coming up in the future, ideal for a birthday party, baby shower, mothers day, corporate events, or even valentine’s day, anytime you want to add a pop of balloons to your party, these balloon decorations will be a great addition to your party space or outdoor events.

Balloon Bouquets are a popular choice for party decorations. They are relatively inexpensive and can be used to decorate for a wide variety of occasions. There’s a good reason to choose Balloon Bouquets for your party decorations. They are cheerful and fun and the good news is that they are super simple to make.

What are balloon bouquets?

Take a look at this pinterest board I created showing you examples of some amazing balloon bouquets made by talented creatives using helium-filled balloons.

They look great made using all latex balloons or a mix of both latex balloons and foil balloons. These are made by filling the balloons up with helium to make the balloons float, They are then tied onto balloon weights using long ribbons, balloon ribbons or string.

The float time for these bouquets varies depending on the type of balloon used and whether they have been treated with balloon float which prolongs the life of latex balloons.

Helium-filled latex balloons float for around 8-12 hours

Helium-filled latex balloons that have been treated with balloon float (a special gel that is inserted into the balloon before inflating), float for around 3 days.

Mylar balloons (foil) can float for 2 weeks plus

What are balloon bouquets used for?

Balloon bouquets are popular for table decorations at birthday parties and any special occasion. They are a great way to incorporate color schemes and themes at your party venue creating an exciting atmosphere. They look good at home for your child’s birthday alongside the presents, cake, and a happy birthday banner or balloon garland. You can see our matching balloon garland tutorial HERE.

Disadvantages of using helium.

Helium in recent years has become very expensive, there is an actual helium shortage that has raised prices for a disposable helium tank to well over $40.Latex helium balloons do not float for long periods of time and can’t be made the day before the event to save time unless treated with balloon float which is another cost and can be very messy if not used properly.

Alternative to Helium?

A popular alternative and a great solution is to use balloon stick stands, also known as balloon trees with helium-free balloons, which are air-filled instead of helium. These make great balloon centerpieces on your party table, they are a great option to reuse time and time again for your next party. Balloon stands are an easy way to make a balloon arrangement and can be made in different heights depending on the look you would like to achieve, the shorter length looks great on table tops and the full length look great on the floor for a more statement look. They can be made with all latex balloons or you can add a large foil balloon or bobo balloon on top, They are so versatile. You can use all the sticks to create a really full-looking bouquet or fewer sticks with balloons for a more classic look.

Here is another Pinterest inspiration board showing these in use.

Air filled balloons will last for weeks on a balloon stand.

How to make an air-filled balloon bouquet using a balloon stand

What you need to make a helium-free balloon bouquet!

9 -10 inch balloons

8 – 5 inch mini balloons

Balloon inflator

Balloon stand

If you want to personalize without a cutting machine like my design 

Paint pen 

Stencils

Here are all the items that I used with links to purchase

Party glow up is part of the Amazon affiliate program, which means if you make a purchase using one of our affiliate links we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Although the commission is tiny it all goes to help run Party Glow up so I can keep finding you the best top-rated party decor

Here is a video I made of me making the bouquet, I have also broken down the steps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd8jMp9ETKY&t=49s

Step one 

Gather all the items needed to make the bouquet. You need your balloons, balloon pump, and balloon stand kit. 

Optional foil balloon, paint pen and stencils.

Empty the balloon kit and sort the poles by lengths.

 

Step two 

 

Add water to the base for more stability  and start to construct your main poles (these are the widest poles that slot into the base), I used all 3 poles and connectors for height.

Add balloon holders to 9 rods. 

Step Three

Add 3 rods per level.

Bottom level – I used 3 of the largest rods, with the middle one I added a connector and then a small rod on top so it was longer.

Middle Level – I used 3 of the longest rods.

Then add the last remaining pole to the top with the largest round balloon holder.

Top Level – I used 3 of the smallest rods.

Step four

Blow up 9 balloons either all the same size or a range of different sizes, I kept mine all the same size, gently press the balloons against your hand to get a nicer shape and tie the neck in a knot. 

 Then, insert the neck of the balloon through the loop at the top of the balloon stick holder. Pull the balloon down so that the knot rests on the top of the holder. Pull the neck of the balloon across to the opposite side of the attachment and make sure the knot is resting on the second loop to secure it in place.

Make sure the balloon is centered and balanced on the stick holder.

Step Five

You can either add a fully inflated latex balloon on the top or if you would like to add a foil balloon like my design read below.

Take your foil balloon and lie flat on a hard surface. Get your first stencil lined up and gently start to stencil with the pen

 Pro Tip – do not go right up to the edge of the stencil as this can cause bleeding underneath its best to use the stencil as an outline and then color in the remaining space. 

Leave to dry

Step Six

Using a hand-held balloon pump gently start to blow up the foil balloon, be careful not to over-inflate. As soon as it looks full stop and seal the opening by pressing firmly down with your finger. 

Take a stretchy 260q balloon, fold the neck around it, and then tie a knot. 

Attach to the very top of the center pole by pulling it through the attachment and wrapping round until its in the right place then tie it onto the little bit of plastic (hook) on the side of the attachment. 

Step Seven 

To add your mini balloons inflate using a handheld pump trying to keep all the balloons the same size. Tie into pairs by tying two balloon knots together, Take the pair and twist onto the pole, add your remaining pairs until you have the look you desire. 

The best part is that these bouquets of balloons can look different every time by simply changing the colors of balloons or by adding foil numbers, clear balloons, or even giant air-filled balloons. They look amazing as part of a bigger party set including a balloon wall, balloon garland, and balloon arches are a common addition.

Some balloon FAQ’S

Balloons are one of the most popular and versatile party decorations around. They come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes, they are made with either latex or foil and can be used for everything from simple birthday parties to elaborate weddings and corporate events. However, despite their popularity, many people still have questions about balloons and how to use them. That’s why we’ve put together this list of balloon FAQs to help answer some of the most common questions people have about these fun and festive decorations.

One of the most frequently asked questions about balloons is how long they last. The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the type of balloon, what you fill the balloon with, the conditions in which it is stored, and the quality of the balloon. Generally speaking, latex balloons filled with helium will last for about 8-12 hours before they start to deflate, while foil balloons can last for several days or even weeks. Air-filled latex balloons & foil balloons can last weeks if stored in the right conditions.

If you want your balloons to last as long as possible, it’s important to store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat.

Another common question about balloons is how to inflate them. There are several different methods for inflating balloons, including using a hand pump, an electric air pump, a helium tank, or even your own breath. The method you choose will depend on the type and size of the balloon you are inflating, as well as your own personal preferences. When inflating balloons, it’s important to be careful not to overinflate them, as this can cause them to burst. Balloon garlands and arches are filled with air, floating balloons are filled with helium.

One of the most important things to consider when using balloons for decoration is safety. Balloons can be a choking hazard for young children and pets, and can also pose a fire risk if they come into contact with open flames or heat sources. To keep your event safe and enjoyable for everyone, it’s important to follow some basic safety guidelines when using balloons. These include keeping balloons away from young children and pets, avoiding placing them near open flames or heat sources, and never releasing balloons outdoors which is really bad for wildlife and the environment.

In conclusion, balloons are an incredibly versatile and fun party decoration that can be used in a wide range of settings. By following a few basic guidelines and understanding some of the most common balloon FAQs, you can ensure that your event is safe, enjoyable, and memorable for all of your guests. So whether you’re planning a birthday party, a wedding, or a corporate event, consider incorporating balloons into your decor for an added touch of fun.

Here at Party glow up I find you the best-rated party decorations for your next event, everything I recommend has been vetted by me to make sure they will give you a stunning balloon decoration. 

I hope you found this tutorial helpful, please leave a comment if you gave it a try.