twitter facebook instagram bloglovin google plus pinterest youtube

Thursday

Make Your Own Balloon Bracelets

Walking through the party store a few weeks ago, we came home with something not on our list.

A Twisty Balloon Kit!

Somehow my kids talked me into buying it. 
(Are they getting better at sweet-talking me into things?!)

However, with the purchase there was one condition...


they had to make dog balloon animals for Nana's upcoming Puppy Party.


The kids definitely came through with their end of the bargain!
The balloon dogs were adorable!



But... there were 2 problems with the balloon art. 
1)  The sound of twisting balloons almost killed my husband.
Balloon art is now only created when dad is at work!

2)  For every balloon that turned out, about a third of them did not! 
The popped balloons started adding up which gave me an idea...



Why not use the popped balloons to make balloon bracelets? 
I had seen these bracelets in a gift store recently and thought, I can make those!



First, gather all those popped balloons (or use new twisty balloons, if you'd like) and find some stretchy cord or elastic.
We found this 3mm elastic at the Dollar Store---perfect!



Next, cut your balloon strips into 2 inch pieces.  These are your balloon beads.
(You can use smaller pieces, but it's a little harder to keep them tight.)


Measure your child's wrist and add about 2 inches.  This is the length of elastic to use.
Tape one end of the elastic onto your surface. (Be sure the tape can come off easily.)



Thread a balloon bead onto the elastic and squish it tight to the tape. 
Hold it with your finger, then...


tape it down to stay in place.
Repeat.



-Thread balloon bead on.
-Push tight.
-Tape down.
Repeat and repeat until you have about a half inch of elastic left.


Peel off the tape and squish the balloon beads tight. 
(You may want to add a few more if needed.)
Tie a tight double knot with the two elastic ends.
Trim knot ends. 


Push the balloon beads over the knot, so it doesn't show.



With just a bit of help, my 9 year old was able to make these!



Now, this looks really strange, but these are old puppy balloon animals that we took apart.
The balloons were getting old, I was ready to pop them and throw them out, but decided to try and save them for bracelets.  I undid the twists and got this funny looking pile of deflated balloons.



I didn't let their funny looks stop me...


The finished bracelet almost looks like fabric.


Just in case you don't want to make a balloon bracelet there are many companies that sell them. 
I even found one on Etsy.  Click here for source.

Oh, and just to warn you...
These little bracelets are highly addicting!
 If you choose to make one--you won't be able to stop!


Linking up to:

Visit thecsiproject.com

25 comments :

  1. Michelle, those are so cute! My girls would love to wear bracelets like that. :) Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and commenting today. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I bet if my daughter was older she would love these - at 2 she's already into all things girly - I've never seen them in the store - great job!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are awesome Michelle! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. These bracelets look like great fun! Thanks for stopping by my site! I am glad to have you aboard. I am following you back!

    ReplyDelete
  5. those are pretty darn cute and creative...my daughter would love these...i don't know if i can stand the smell of the balloons though!

    thanks so much for linking up to fridays unfolded...so nice to 'meet' you too!

    alison

    ReplyDelete
  6. How cool are these!
    I'm hosting a link party today over @ For Mamas. I'd love it if you stopped by & linked up!

    Chrissy
    www.formamas.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. These are such a great idea. They would make a great party craft, too!

    My first blog party is going on now until noon tomorrow, and I'd love for you to link this beautiful project up! It's a party specifically for kids and teens crafts and projects, so your idea is perfect! Hope to see you there!

    Melanie
    http://bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com/2011/08/crafts-for-under-twenty-somethings.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. It is just amazing what people come up with! Great idea! Thanks for shareing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. These are so super cute! I will definitely be doing some of these. Thanks for sharing! I tweeted and shared on facebook!

    ReplyDelete
  10. These are great!! I can't wait to make them with the kids at my after school program and my nieces! awesome, thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love it! What a great and original idea. Thank u for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hey I wanted to let you know that I featured your balloon bracelets on my blog today!! Please feel free to stop by and check it out and grab a featured button if you'd like :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh my gosh! Genius!!! I'm totally pinning this so I can make these with my daughter. She'll love them!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is great, I love it! You did a fantastic job, I bet your kids love them!

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are so awesome that I featured you this week at my Hookin Up with HoH party!

    Feel free to stop by and grab a button if you'd like. :)

    Allison @ House of Hepworths

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love this idea! We are featuring it on our blog tomorrow! Stop by and grab your braggin' button ;)
    Britney
    www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. featured this today! it's fantastic!
    www.kimboscrafts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you so much for linking up at Savvy HomeMade Monday, Michelle. I hope you will party again tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is so cool! I am linking to it from my blog. I knew that there was something popped balloons could be used for!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hmmm... I'm thinking this would be a great for Sunday School in place of The Jelly Bean Prayer
    Red is for the blood He gave.
    Green is for the grass He made.
    Yellow is for the sun so bright.
    Orange is for the edge of night.
    Blue is for the sins we made.
    White is for the grace He gave.
    Purple is for His hour of sorrow.
    Pink is for our new tomorrow.
    A colorful bracelet, cheerful and sweet,
    Is a prayer, is a promise, is peace.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Just stopping by to let you know that I've featured your craft on Family Fun Crafts! You can see it here:
    http://funfamilycrafts.com/balloon-bracelts/


    If you have other kid friendly crafts, I'd love it if you would submit them. :) If you would like to display a
    featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm a professional balloon artist and come home with a apron full of balloon scraps everynight. I never throw them out because it feels wasteful. Now I have something to do with them! SO EXCITED!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. About how many balloons did you use for each bracelet?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Super cute!!! Pinning to my activities for my grandchildren board!

    I would love for you to share and link up at my weekly TGIF Link Party if you haven't already this week. Your favorite posts, most popular, recent or new! The party is open every Thursday night and closes Wednesday's at midnight. Followed by (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/. I would be honored if you join us! Have a wonderful week!

    Hugs, Cathy

    ReplyDelete