Making balloon animals is not only fun, but also a very constructive way to develop dexterity and focus. Balloons animals are now used in place of decorations at many social events and have taken the place of streamers, party favors and hats. Huge animals are created by companies wishing to catch your eye while driving (perhaps not the safest strategy), and lure you to their car lot, store grand opening, or other commercial endeavor.

Specific shapes of balloons are used to make balloon animals, with longer, tubular balloons preferred by most balloon animal artists. There are a few artists who have developed animal figures using round balloons, but this technique is relatively new. The first step is to blow up, or inflate the balloon. It may surprise you that usually the balloon is inflated by a pump, instead of your lungs. A series of sections, or “bubbles” are formed by making twists in the inflated balloon at certain intervals. On occasion, these bubbles are joined together by a special twist, also known as a “lock twist.” Students normally begin by mastering the formation of the bubbles and the attaching of bubbles to each other with the lock twist.

Becoming proficient at balloon animals takes time. Although watching a balloon artist perform gives the mistaken impression that it’s easy to learn, this is a classic case of the deception of appearances. The types of figures made using balloons are only limited by your imagination, your ability to practice, and the amount of time that you can devote to this skill.

Making balloon animals is not only fun, but also a very constructive way to develop dexterity and focus. Balloons animals are now used in place of decorations at many social events and have taken the place of streamers, party favors and hats. Huge animals are created by companies wishing to catch your eye while driving (perhaps not the safest strategy), and lure you to their car lot, store grand opening, or other commercial endeavor.

Specific shapes of balloons are used to make balloon animals, with longer, tubular balloons preferred by most balloon animal artists. There are a few artists who have developed animal figures using round balloons, but this technique is relatively new. The first step is to blow up, or inflate the balloon. It may surprise you that usually the balloon is inflated by a pump, instead of your lungs. A series of sections, or “bubbles” are formed by making twists in the inflated balloon at certain intervals. On occasion, these bubbles are joined together by a special twist, also known as a “lock twist.” Students normally begin by mastering the formation of the bubbles and the attaching of bubbles to each other with the lock twist.

Becoming proficient at balloon animals takes time. Although watching a balloon artist perform gives the mistaken impression that it’s easy to learn, this is a classic case of the deception of appearances. The types of figures made using balloons are only limited by your imagination, your ability to practice, and the amount of time that you can devote to this skill.