Basics of Balloon Animals

When you perform balloon twisting, spectators will often ask if you are using special balloons. The answer is "yes." Here's what you need to know.

If you're getting into balloon twisting, you'll want to invest in a good pump, as well as quality balloons. Somehow, you have to inflate your balloons and here you'll learn how.

Proportions are the key to successful twisting and animal balloons. And to twist, you'll need to allow extra space in a balloon after inflating and tying it to accommodate the twists that you will be applying. Here's how.

Here's the basic balloon twist that is the foundation for everything that you make through the art of balloon twisting.

After the basic twist, the second fundamental skill in balloon twisting is the lock twist, which you'll learn here.

The fold twist is a fundamental twist in making balloon animals. It is often used to make "ears" and is the foundational twist in a basic sword.

If you're learning how to make balloon animals, here are tips and solutions to some common problems.

Almost everyone who performs magic professionally learns how to twist balloons. Why is this the case and why is balloon twisting considered an art that complements magic? Some of the reasons are due to market forces while others can help you to become a better performer. I'll explain.

The dog balloon is a fundamental sculpture in the art of balloon twisting and balloon animals. Many animals balloons such as the deer and giraffe are variations on the dog balloon. And you’ll find that the basics that you master when twisting a dog balloon, will apply to more difficult balloon sculptures.

This is the basic sword balloon that is easy to learn and twist. You'll find that kids, especially boys, love these swords.