Once their attention is captured, even the most impatient child can be fascinated by watching a skilled person craft an animal from a balloon. If you can stand the resultant “squeaking,” it’s a skill in great demand, even today. The balloons used for this form of art are usually oblong in shape, and are specifically made for balloon animal construction.

Initially, the balloon must be partially inflated and knotted. Instead of blowing up the balloon manually, the balloon artists tend to use pumps. These devices will inflate a uniform amount of air throughout the balloon. As one part of the formed balloon animal has to be held while you are creating the other parts, this is one of those rare exercises that uses all of your fingers of one hand at the same time. The technique takes practice, as different parts of a long balloon are twisted and secured to form desired shapes from the bubble parts between the twists. Advanced practitioners of this “art form” can actually reuse severed parts of balloons for future creations. Speed of execution is another requirement. Even the most experienced balloon artist will lose some air during the creation of a balloon animal. It has been recommended that balloon animal artists don gloves before attempting some of the more difficult maneuvers.

Like any other art form, the creation of balloon animals requires patient discipline and a steady hand. The required skill and speed will come with time.

Once their attention is captured, even the most impatient child can be fascinated by watching a skilled person craft an animal from a balloon. If you can stand the resultant “squeaking,” it’s a skill in great demand, even today. The balloons used for this form of art are usually oblong in shape, and are specifically made for balloon animal construction.

Initially, the balloon must be partially inflated and knotted. Instead of blowing up the balloon manually, the balloon artists tend to use pumps. These devices will inflate a uniform amount of air throughout the balloon. As one part of the formed balloon animal has to be held while you are creating the other parts, this is one of those rare exercises that uses all of your fingers of one hand at the same time. The technique takes practice, as different parts of a long balloon are twisted and secured to form desired shapes from the bubble parts between the twists. Advanced practitioners of this “art form” can actually reuse severed parts of balloons for future creations. Speed of execution is another requirement. Even the most experienced balloon artist will lose some air during the creation of a balloon animal. It has been recommended that balloon animal artists don gloves before attempting some of the more difficult maneuvers.

Like any other art form, the creation of balloon animals requires patient discipline and a steady hand. The required skill and speed will come with time.