Balloons can be used as a festive decoration at birthday parties and various other events. However, blowing up balloons is not a fun task as it generally requires a good lung or balloon pump, as well as time and patience. Whether you need one or more balloons, or want to use them as decorations or science experiments, there are a variety of ways to make it easier for you to blow up balloons, which can even be fun.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Blowing Balloons Using Your Mouth
Step 1. Stretch the balloon by pulling it in all directions
Latex balloons will be easier to inflate with your mouth if you stretch them with your hands first. By stretching it, the resistance of latex when inflated will decrease.
Pull the balloon in all directions, but be careful not to tear it. Don't over-stretch the balloon, as this can cause it to pop when you inflate it. You just need to stretch the balloon just enough
Step 2. Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch the neck of the balloon
This is to keep the balloon from changing its position when inflated. Hold the end of the balloon about 1 cm below the opening. Place your index finger on the top and your thumb on the bottom.
Step 3. Take a deep breath and insert the lip of the balloon into your mouth
Use your lips to close the neck of the balloon opening. The lips should be just outside the opening of the balloon, and against the index and thumb.
Step 4. Blow air from the lungs into the balloon
Do this as if you were inflating your cheeks with air. However, the air should flow into the balloon and the cheeks should remain relaxed.
- Keep your lips pursed and tight as you blow up the balloon. Air will fill the cheeks, but not too much, but the balloon should be inflated.
- Imagine when a trumpeter blows his instrument: you have to maintain a mouth position or facial muscle tone, especially if you have weak lungs, or have difficulty inflating a balloon.
- Keep your lips tightly closed to the balloon opening to maintain pressure.
Step 5. Work on overcoming the initial obstacles
It has become a scientific debate that may be more exciting than you think, namely that the first blow into the balloon is always the most difficult task. However, the balloon will gradually inflate after the initial strong pressure. You need time to get used to it. So keep blowing until the balloon is inflated, then use this experience as a guide for blowing the next balloon.
- If you're still having trouble blowing up the balloon after the first attempt, try gently tugging at the tip of the balloon when you blow it a second time.
- If you find it difficult, pull on the neck of the balloon, then lock the neck with your index and thumb as you inhale.
Step 6. Close the balloon by pinching it if you need to pause
If you need to take a break from blowing, cover the balloon with your index and thumb. Next, release the finger lock when you've put the balloon back in your mouth.
Step 7. Stop before the balloon risks popping
If you feel that the balloon is fully inflated, it means that the inflating process is complete. If the neck of the balloon is inflated to a large size, it means that the balloon is too inflated and the air inside will have to be released a little until the neck is flat again.
Step 8. Tie the balloon
When the balloon is fully inflated, you should tie it now. You've successfully blown one balloon, and now you can start blowing one more balloon, or even more.
- Use your index and middle fingers to pinch the base of the neck of the balloon.
- Pull the neck of the balloon and wrap it around your index and thumb.
- Insert the mouth of the balloon into the loop you made, then make a knot by pulling the mouth of the balloon tightly until your fingers are released from the loop of the balloon.
Method 2 of 4: Blowing Balloons Using a Manual Pump
Step 1. Plug the balloon opening into the pump nozzle
The nozzles should be striped so that the balloon openings can stick together tightly.
Step 2. Start pumping
If using a hand pump, pull and push the lever repeatedly. On the foot pump, repeatedly step on and off the pedal. You don't need to stretch the balloon first.
Step 3. Tie the balloon when it is full of air
Use the wikiHow guide to tie it!
Method 3 of 4: Using a Helium Tank
Step 1. Install the inflator on the helium tank
The inflator is a metal tube that has a thread at one end and a nozzle at the other. Twist and screw the inflator into the threaded hole at the top of the helium tank.
Step 2. Plug the proper adapter into the end of the inflator
Most inflators are equipped with 2 plastic conical adapters. The small adapter is for foil balloons, while the larger one is for latex balloons. Plug the adapter securely according to the size of the inflator.
Step 3. Open the tank valve
Turn the handle at the top of the helium tank counterclockwise to open the valve and drain the helium into the inflator. There will be a short "pffft" sound when the valve is opened. However, if there is a continuous hissing sound, it means the tank is leaking. Close the valve and contact the tank seller.
Step 4. Insert the balloon into the adapter
Insert the desired hole in the balloon until it sinks deeply into the adapter to serve as a base grip. Wrap your index and thumb around the mouth of the balloon to strengthen the grip.
Step 5. Press the adapter
Gently push the adapter down using the hand holding the mouth of the balloon. This will open the tip of the inflator and allow the helium to flow into the balloon. Stop pressing when the balloon is full.
You should always be on the alert because filling balloons using a helium tank is very fast. Don't be surprised if you pop a few balloons at first
Step 6. Tie the balloon
On latex balloons, tie as usual, by making a circle around two fingers, then inserting the mouth of the balloon into the loop to make the knot. On the other hand, most foil balloons are self-closing, so all you have to do is squeeze the mouth of the balloon firmly to close it.
Step 7. Turn off the helium
When the balloon is finished filling, follow the steps below to safely return the helium tank:
- Close the valve located at the top of the tank (by turning it clockwise).
- Press the adapter to release any remaining helium in the inflator.
- Unplug the adapter and remove the inflator.
Method 4 of 4: Creating a Science Experiment
Step 1. Add 2 tbsp. baking soda into an unblown latex balloon
Stick the small end of the funnel into the mouth of the balloon to make the process easier. Two tablespoons is roughly equivalent to 30 grams.
Step 2. Pour about 100 ml of vinegar into a small soda bottle
Use an empty, dry and clean bottle. Again, you can make the process easier if you use a funnel (but you'll need to rinse off any excess baking soda that's still stuck to the funnel first).
Step 3. Place the mouth of the balloon on the top of the bottle
Stretch the mouth of the balloon against the mouth of the bottle so that it fits tightly. Let the rest of the balloon dangle to the side to prevent the baking soda from falling into the bottle.
Step 4. Allow the baking soda to enter the bottle
Lift the balloon that is still limp above the bottle and pull it up a little so that the baking soda goes straight into the bottle. Do not let the mouth of the balloon slip out of the bottle.
Step 5. Watch the chemical reactions that occur
Baking soda and vinegar will make the balloon inflate due to the increase in carbon dioxide that arises due to the chemical reaction of the two ingredients. The kids would love to see the balloons inflate this way in front of them.
Tips
- Very large or small balloons may be a little difficult to inflate at first, so you will need to take 2 breaths to blow them up in the first step. The small, long balloons used to make shapes are very difficult to inflate.
- Biting the lip of the balloon gently as you blow it can sometimes hold the balloon in position.
- Consider buying an inexpensive pump if you blow balloons a lot. It will be worth the results you get. Store the pump in an easy-to-find location.
- If you need to blow up a lot of balloons and do it in high school or another similar setting, ask the kids there to blow up the balloons. Most children at this age are very fond of blowing up balloons and will help you have a lot of fun.
Warning
- People can feel dizzy if they blow up too many balloons. If you feel dizzy, take a break by sitting down and catching your breath.
- Be aware that some people can't blow up a balloon because they don't have enough energy. If you experience it, don't push yourself. Use a pump to do this task, or enlist the help of someone else who has big, strong lungs. Not everyone can blow balloons.
- Don't blow the balloon too big as it may pop. Over time, you will notice if you have overfilled the air.
- Don't be too loud when you blow up the balloon (this is indicated by the "squirrel cheek" look). If done, this can increase the pressure in the sinuses.
