Tying balloons is not easy. However, as with shoelaces, once you get the hang of it, previous bad experiences will soon be forgotten. Your fingers are more nimble than you might think and just need a little help to get started!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Tying an Air-Filled Balloon
Step 1. Understand the structure of the balloon
To understand the instructions in this article, you need to know the parts of the balloon in question. Learn these terms or take a look at the list if you start to get confused. This step will make your job a lot easier.
- The body is the main part of the balloon. This is the round or oval part that will fill with air.
- The mouth is a slightly thicker rubber band that encircles the opening of the balloon and where air enters and leaves the balloon.
- The neck is a narrow part that slightly extends between the body and the mouth.
Step 2. Blow up the balloon
Whether you're using an air compressor, a pump, or the old fashioned way, namely your lungs, start blowing the balloon through your mouth. If you have trouble holding it in as the balloon's body begins to inflate, gently grasp the neck.
- The balloon should feel full, but not inflated to its maximum capacity. Stop blowing once the balloon has maintained its shape, but is still slightly pliable. A balloon that is blown too full will burst easily and be difficult to tie.
- Make sure you can still distinguish the neck. If you can't determine where the torso ends and the neck begins, the balloon is too full.
Step 3. Pinch the neck of the balloon
You have to make sure no air escapes. So, one hand should always clamp the neck for this purpose. Pinch the neck of the balloon once you've expanded it enough.
Step 4. Stretch the neck of the balloon
You need to make sure the neck is limp and flexible for the next step. Pull the neck of the balloon several times with the hand that is not clasping the neck. Three or four pulls are enough.
When stretching your neck, try to extend it about 7-12 inches. You need to stretch it long enough that it can be wrapped around two fingers. If it's less than that, you'll have a hard time tying it. If you can stretch longer than that, the balloon hasn't inflated enough
Step 5. Pinch the neck of the balloon between the index and middle fingers of one hand
Hold the neck as close to the body as possible while the mouth of the balloon is facing you.
Step 6. Pull the lip of the balloon towards you with your free hand
At this point, you should place the thumb of the pinching hand on the index finger of the pinching hand.
Step 7. Wrap the neck of the stretched balloon around the top of the thumb and forefinger of the pinching hand
Pull the lip so that it is completely around the pinching finger, without including the middle finger.
If you can't pull the neck far enough, this could be an indicator that the balloon is too full, or that the neck isn't stretched properly. Loosen the clamp on the balloon to slowly deflate it a little
Step 8. Pull in your lips and tuck them between your wrapped index and thumb
The neck of the balloon is now tightly wrapped between the index and thumb of the hand holding the balloon, but the middle finger is free.
Step 9. Pull your lips and tuck them between your wrapped index and thumb
The neck of the balloon is now wrapped tightly between the index and thumb of the hand holding the balloon, but the middle finger is free.
You should pull your thumb and forefinger toward your hand
Step 10. Let the hoop slide forward and off the finger
If your other hand keeps a good grip on your mouth, you'll make a knot. Now, the balloons are ready to decorate the party!
Method 2 of 2: Tying Water-Filled Balloons
Step 1. Stretch the mouth of the balloon around the faucet hole
Hold the mouth of the balloon around the hole in the faucet to prevent it from falling off when the balloon starts to become heavy with water. If you're having trouble keeping the mouth of the balloon from falling off, use your other hand to hold the balloon from the bottom.
- The mouth of the balloon is the thick circular section surrounding the opening, through which water and air flow.
- Make sure you fill the balloon with water in a safe place so that in the event of an accident such as a balloon bursting (even experienced people often experience it), spilled water is harmless. Make sure that there are no electrical appliances or valuables that could be damaged if exposed to water near you.
Step 2. Fill the balloon with water
Make sure you attach the balloon properly before opening the faucet, hose, or spout. Only with experience can you learn to determine the correct speed of water when filling a balloon. Start slowly the first time you fill, increasing the flow rate as you get used to the procedure.
- In general, water balloons are smaller than balloons designed to be filled with air or gas. Keep this in mind if you're used to using conventional air-filled balloons.
- If you fill the balloon too much, it will just pop. If the balloon pops, make sure you remember at what point it happened so you can avoid it the next time you fill the balloon.
Step 3. Remove the mouth of the balloon from the faucet, then pinch the neck of the balloon between the index and middle fingers of one hand
The mouth of the balloon should face up and the full weight of the balloon should stretch the neck. If the weight of the balloon doesn't pull the neck long enough (you need about 7-12 inches), you are filling the balloon too full.
The "neck" of the balloon is a slightly elongated part where the body and mouth of the balloon meet
Step 4. Pull in the mouth of the balloon with your free hand and loop the neck of the balloon over the thumb and forefinger pinching the neck
The mouth should encircle the two fingers and emerge from under the pinching hand. Make sure the middle finger is not caught.
Step 5. Make sure the mouth of the balloon passes through the fingers wrapped around it
Hold the mouth with the index and thumb of the other hand.
Step 6. Pull the mouth of the balloon back, along with your index and thumb, through the loop wrapped around it
You should pull your thumb and forefinger inward, toward your hand
Step 7. Let the hoop slide forward and off the finger
The weight of the water will naturally tighten the bond of the balloon.
Tips
- Did you know that before the popular use of helium, balloons were initially filled with hydrogen in order to float? This practice was discontinued after experience taught that filling balloons with flammable gas was certainly not a good idea.
- Once you've mastered the basics, how about improving your balloon creation skills by making animal balloons!
Warning
- Exploding balloon debris can be dangerous for pets and small children. If the balloon bursts, remove the debris immediately. Leaving water balloon debris strewn across the lawn can pose a dangerous risk to neighboring pets who may try to eat them.
- Be careful when tying balloons. Your fingers can be scratched by rubbing against the rubber.
- Use the appropriate balloon for its designation. Water balloons are designed to be smaller and break more easily; long, thin balloons specially designed to be twisted to shape into animals; and latex balloons are designed to contain either helium or oxygen. Filling a latex balloon with water, for example, could injure a person if it fails to pop or be irritating to a person with a latex allergy.
