Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Make a Balloon Bow for Gifts and Décor
The balloon bow tutorial that you didn’t need in your life is here! I’m on a roll for balloon sculptures and after practicing the balloon puppy and balloon sword from my balloon workshop book, I am now figuring out my own balloon sculpture methods. For this tutorial I’ll show you how to make the balloon bow for the gifts you give as well as for cute party décor.
The balloon bow + pet parent gift idea!
The Inspiration: Gifting something simple to a new dog parent
When my neighbor asked me to go with her to pick up her new puppy, I felt honored. I love animals and knew God was sending her a new fur baby as God knew how much she needed that little bundle of fun energy that a puppy can bring into your life. In thinking about what to give a new pet parent, I turned to my husband’s friend’s advice we received when we first got our puppy, Minnie Pearl.
We got her some Nature’s Miracle (Amazon) as we travel everywhere with it when we travel with our pets. It doesn’t stain, cleans tile, wood, fabric and more and is safe for our pets. I decided to gift it to her with one of my balloon bows as well as a cute balloon puppy that I made. It’s a simple way to add a cute touch of décor to any gift.
My cute balloon dog
My Balloon Puppy Tutorial
I’ve given balloon puppy dogs to people’s children and they sparked joy in their life….that’s why I do it. To see a kid’s or adult’s face light up when they are given something they didn’t know they needed is just pure joy to me. Nothing you gift needs to cost a lot and balloon creations are cheap but super cute.
See me create the balloon puppy here on my website or on my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Other Pet Parent Possible Needs
When we got Minnie Pearl, it had been a long time since having a puppy, so I ordered the book Training the Best Dog Ever from Amazon (the person that wrote it also trained dogs for the White House residents), picked up some washable potty pads, bought a crate, puppy collars and harnesses (we love Lupine Pet’s collars and harnesses), had a name tag made, bought new water and food bowls, and got some durable puppy toys.
You can see how I made my washable dog tug toy on my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden or in my 1-minute video tutorial below:
How to Make Someone’s Day Better
Try making a balloon creation and leave it on the nightstand next to your sleeping child or grandchild, husband, wife, spouse or roommate. Or give one to a neighbor. If they like these little things, you’ll make their day get off to a great start! You can even use a permanent marker (my kit came with one) to add details and I did to my neighbor’s balloon puppy, adding a face and the puppy’s name to the collar area.
A great new dog mom gift idea
How to Attach the Bow (Gifts and Party Décor)
If hanging the balloon bow on the wall for party décor, or for gifting, you can loop a piece of ribbon around the balloon bow center and tie onto a gift, or tie it to a straight pin or thumb tack for hanging on a wall or around your house for party décor (think: birthday parties, wedding showers, bachelorette/bachelor parties, baby showers and more).
How Long Do the Balloon Creations Last?
Mine get tiny after week 1. When I wake up and see my balloon creations, even when they are shrinking, it just makes me smile. Those little happy moments, especially when you first wake up, can make your whole day better.
The balloon bow would look cute on a wall for a party
Now for the tutorial. Here’s what you need:
Balloon animal kit (I used this one from Amazon, by Dan&Darci, which came with instructions, balloons and the pump and it’s a really well thought out “workshop”)
Notes: I tested other balloons (some metallic ones I tried were pretty terrible and I sent them back) too but the ones in my kit were really, really good. Funny thing is that not all balloons are created equal. The ones in my kit were very durable, stretchy and easy to work with. The booklet was pretty good that came with the kit and takes you through many tutorials with codes to watch videos. Also note that practice makes perfect! The first one you create may not be exactly the way you want it, but keep trying!
There are many other kits online and in stores and here’s some to try if you want:
Learn & Climb Balloon Sculpting Kit for Beginners, Amazon, $17
Deluxe Balloon Animal Kit with Web App, Amazon, $20
How to Make Balloon Animals Kit, Walmart, $15
Way to Celebrate! Twist and Shape Party Balloon Kit, Walmart, $4
100 piece Vibrant Balloons Kit, $5, Temu (If you are a new Temu app user, use code afe55197 or my link here for 30% off)
Just need the balloons? Target has them here.
See my step-by-step 1-minute video tutorial for this balloon bow project now on my TikTok and coming soon to my YouTube!
Blowing up the balloon with a pump
How-To:
Select the balloon color and place it on the pump. I held onto the balloon at the pump tip and pumped air into the balloon. If you don’t hold it on the end, it may fly off when you start pumping.
Pump up your balloon all the way, then let out a tiny bit of air to make sure it stays flexible. Knot the balloon.
Blow it up all the way
Hold the balloon with the ends in your hands. Curve one end up and down towards the center of the balloon and repeat with the other end (it will look like a pretzel).
The balloon “pretzel”
Pinch the “pretzel” in the center with your hands, making sure the loops and ends are even.
Twist this section together a few times.
A gift for a new pet parent
By the center of the twist (to form the center of the bow), make a “bubble” from the “ribbon end” that is around 1 inch in length. You basically pinch the balloon where you want to make the bubble, twist it around 3 times to make a “knot” BUT HOLD THE BUBBLE in your hands while you make the next bubble to make sure it stays twisted. Repeat, making another bubble on the other “ribbon end”.
Twist together the two bubbles at the bottom to seal them (this forms the center of the bow), and then use your hands to gently twist and adjust your bow as needed.
Three of many of my balloon bow experiments
As I said above, the balloon will deflate about 50% in the first week, so your bow will gradually get smaller.
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.