How To Make A Free Mosaic Balloon


Have you ever seen those big numbers, letters, or shapes filled with balloons and wondered what they were?

In this experiment, I used what I had on hand to reduce (or completely eliminate) any associated costs. I was able to make this Free Mosaic Balloon.

Mosaic Balloons are big (typically 3′ – 5′ tall) marquee numbers, letters, or shapes filled with balloons. This type of balloon decor has been around for a long time. Still, in the last several years they have exploded in popularity due in part to the pandemic and due in part to the many innovative methods of making them, check out my post How To Make A DIY Mosaic Balloon – Three Ways To Make A Mosaic Balloon.

This particular post will focus on the print method covered in my post, How To Make A DIY Mosaic Balloon – Three Ways To Make A Mosaic Balloon although you could just as easily use the freehand method or the projector method and get the same type of results.

The main cost of a Mosaic Balloon is the foam board and the balloons. So instead of using foamboard, I opted to use a cardboard box which you have plenty of if you are anything like me. As for the balloons, I always have lots of balloons in stock, although maybe not the exact colors I want or need.

Steps To Make A Free Mosaic Balloon

  1. Gather Your Ingredients
  2. Print, Assemble, And Cut Template
  3. Trace Image On Cardboard Box
  4. Cut Cardboard Shape(s)
  5. Cut Mosaic Sides
  6. Wrap Main Cardboard Shape With Cardboard Sides
  7. Glue Cardboard Sides Onto Main Cardboard Shape
  8. Paint
  9. Fill With Balloons
  10. Enjoy!

1. Gather Your Ingredients

  • Tape (In this example I used blue painters tape so you could see it better but most types of tape will work)
  • Scissors
  • Cardboard Box
  • Pen / Pencil
  • Knife – Exacto or box cutter
  • Ruler / Measuring Tape (Optional)
  • Glue (glue gun, craft glue, Elmer’s glue, whatever you have)
  • Balloons
  • Hand Pump

2. Print, Assemble, And Cut Template

Print your mosaic balloon template. There are several different places you can get free or for a minimal fee, templates for mosaic balloons. Check out my Mosaic Balloon templates; Mosaic Balloon Letters, Mosaic Balloon Numbers, Mosaic Balloon Punctuations, and Mosaic Balloon Shapes.

Layout the picture. Tape images together. Cut out around image.

3. Trace Image On Cardboard

Using your pen or pencil trace the image out on your cardboard or cardboard box.

If your image doesn’t fit completely on the box, fold the image over where it meets the edge. Then trace around the folded edge.

4. Cut Cardboard Shape(s)

Using the box cutter gently cut out the image(s) from the cardboard box

If the image didn’t fit as one piece, gently cut the additional pieces out and tape them (front and back) to the main cardboard shape.

5. Cut Mosaic Sides

Cut strips of foam board 3″ – 6″ thick depending on your desired Balloon Mosaic size.

For a smaller Mosaic Balloon use smaller sides, for a larger Mosaic Balloon use larger sides. It is a personal preference, depending on the look you are going for with your mosaic balloon.

6. Wrap Main Cardboard Shape With Cardboard Sides

Start with the innermost parts. For example, if you are doing a number 8, start with the 2 holes on the inside.

Secure the sides using tape. This will help hold it in place for the next step.

7. Glue Cardboard Sides Onto Main Cardboard Shape

Secure the sides of the mosaic balloon with glue.

Make sure the mosaic balloon is fully dry before moving on to the next step.

8. Paint

9. Fill With Balloons

10. Enjoy!

How To Make A Mosaic Balloon For Free Video

I am so excited that I was able to make a Mosaic Balloon completely free. I had to adjust some of the things I used (ex: swapping foamboard for cardboard and opting to use balloons I had on hand) but I think this Moasic Balloon turned out fantastic!

I hope this post brought value to your day. If it did, please consider sharing it with a friend or on your favorite social media. Thanks For Reading Fun With Balloons!

Christie @ FWB

I am the creator of the FunWithBalloons.net blog and the YouTube channel Fun With Balloons. I will show you step by step how to make different balloon decor such as; balloon columns, tabletop decor, centerpieces, and more.

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