5 Balloon Animals You Need to Know for Parties

By
Wayne Kawamoto
Wayne-Kawamoto-about02.jpg
Wayne Kawamoto

Wayne N. Kawamoto is a full-time professional magician and author who has written about magic tricks and techniques for over 10 years. He is the author of "Picture Yourself As a Magician." Wayne also performs at corporate events and has entertained audiences for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Northrop Grumman, and Target Corporation.

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Updated on 11/07/24
Toy of balloons isolated
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For your next party, why not wow your guests with balloon animals? The first step is to learn how to make some tried and true creations that you can whip up quickly and effortlessly.

You'll notice that some of these designs aren't actually animals. But, they're suitable for parties of all ages, from the youngest school-age children to kids in their elementary years, just like balloon animals. In general, you should practice in advance with some good quality balloons (not the kind you get at the party store), before you get in front of an audience to create them.

Once you're feeling confident, you may want to add a little banter to your balloon-making routine so you can chit-chat with guests while you put together their requested creations. It can add an extra aspect of entertainment to the whole performance. 

If you're performing for a group of kids, it's not a bad idea to make a few sample animals ahead of time and display them at a table where you'll be doing your magic. That way, you won't have a child asking you to make something that's not in your repertoire.

  • 01 of 05

    Balloon Hats

    Boy wearing colored balloon hat

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    What's a party without fun hats? Balloon hats vary in difficulty; some are simple and fast while others are more colorful and detailed. Start slow and don't try to do one of these before a crowd before you've practiced. And a bonus: balloons are a very inexpensive way to provide cute hats for your guests. Never mind that it's not an animal, a balloon hat is a good trick to have in your repertoire.

  • 02 of 05

    Dog Balloon Animal

    Balloon dogs
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    The dog balloon is a fundamental sculpture in the art of balloon twisting and creating balloon animals. So, once you know how to make a basic dog, you can create a giraffe, wiener dog, and mouse from the same foundation.

    You'll start your dog with three basic balloon twists. The first will be about two inches long, which will form the snout of the dog. The second and third twists will be smaller, about an inch each, to form the dog's ears.

  • 03 of 05

    Flower Balloons

    Lovely child smiling joyfully at camera
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    Like the sword, the flower balloon is not a balloon animal, but it is cute and it is a crowd-pleaser. For this creation, you'll want at least two 260 balloons (made specifically for twisting and designs) in different colors. You'll start with two loops on a twisted axis to make the petals (it sounds more intimidating than it is), and work in the "leaves" from there. 

  • 04 of 05

    Poodle Balloon Animal

    balloon animal poodle
    akiyoko / Getty Images

    The most difficult of the balloons on this page, the poodle balloon animal is not one you want to try for the first time at your first gig. Get a little practice under your belt before showing this one off to a crowd. 

    It starts with the basic dog, so learn that one first and then adapt your creation to turn it into a poodle.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below
  • 05 of 05

    Sword Balloons

    Two boys (5-7) playing with balloon swords, laughing, low angle view
    Zac Macaulay / Getty Images

    Sword balloons are your basic, most straightforward balloon design. While not actually a balloon animal, most kids will dig having a sword to play with. A good basic design starts with two balloons that you braid like challah bread, but there are a couple of variations you should try to learn.