I keep thinking about that balloon barn I featured last month here on the blog and about something that Leesa Zelken, of the party-planning company Send in the Clowns, said about using balloons at parties.
Leesa never just sets out a bouquet. She said she likes balloons to be interactive and have a purpose.
I think a simple balloon bouquet can be charming (case in point: this wedding inspired by the movie Up), but Leesa's right--you can do so much with those helium-filled latex balls o' fun besides tying them together with string.
Here are some simple ideas--hopefully the kinds of projects you could pull off yourself--for balloon decorations that go beyond the bouquet.
- Balloon ice cream cones from Martha Stewart's Crafts Dept. blog.
- Balloon flowers from Martha Stewart.
- Balloon snowman from Theme Party Palace.
- DIY Yo Gabba Gabba balloons, from Gabbafriends.com.
- Balloon bats and spiders from Tiny Prints.
- Balloon eyeballs from Yahoo.com.
- Water pinatas from Ziggityzoom.com.
- Balloon wreath from How Does She? (No inflation required on that one.)
- Bee balloons from Danielle's Place (scroll about halfway down the page).
- Balloon animals from Martha Stewart.
- Confetti-filled balloon fireworks from Martha Stewart.
What ideas do you have for easy balloon decorations for kids' parties?
I admit I was a little put-off by the balloon barn — too expensive and ephemeral for my budget/liking. But I LOVED all the links! I will definitely incorporate those into my kid parties: the water pinata will appear at our neighborhood end-of-school “splash” party; those eyeballs will adorn this year’s neighborhood Halloween party; the balloon wreath will likely join the family birthday party decoration arsenal (as well as a black and orange one for Halloween)….oh the inspiration!! Thanks so much!
I’m so glad you liked the links, Tango! How fun to see how you’re going to use all the ideas. Please send photos–I’d love to post them here! (<a href="mailtokidsparties.guide@about.com)
Thanks for your honesty, too, about the previous post. I try to offer a mix of ideas–something for every budget.