Stuff A Balloon – Without A Balloon Stuffing Machine

• Balloon (for this example, I will be using an 11″ balloon)
• Balloon hand pump (which can be found on Amazon here)
• Canning funnel (which can be found here on Amazon)
• Candy or some sort of weight (Optional)
• 12lbs fishing line
• Whatever you will be stuffing the balloon with

I have found that the wide-mouth canning funnel has become somewhat difficult to find so I have been looking for an alternative method.

I have found this balloon expander tool or balloon expansion pliers, they aren’t as easy to use as the funnel but they work.

Start by inflating the balloon several times with a balloon hand pump, holding it for a few seconds, and then releasing the air in order to stretch out the balloon as much as possible. Next, you want to stretch the opening of the balloon as much as you can. Hold the balloon open.

I’m not kidding, you are going to want to stretch the balloon a few more times. This step is vitally important to making the rest of the steps go smoothly.

This funnel isn’t just an ordinary funnel, it is a canning funnel specifically used for wide-mouth jars. You can find these at your local store that sells kitchen and canning supplies.

Next, we are going to stretch the mouth of the balloon over the end of the funnel. This part can get a little bit tricky if especially if you don’t stretch the balloon enough.

The first time I did this step it took me several tries to get the balloon over the funnel.

If using the balloon expander tool or balloon expansion pliers, place the lip and neck of the balloon over the four prongs. Check out my post Anatomy Of A Balloon, for more information about the parts of a balloon.

I found that rolling the neck of the balloon down a few times helps when attaching the balloon to the balloon expansion pliers.

This step is optional, I like to add some sort of weight (generally some sort of wrapped candy*) to the bottom of my stuffed balloons because it helps the balloon to sit upright when you are finished.

Carefully add the candy or some sort of weight through the funnel to the bottom of your balloon.

Prep the item to be stuffed into the balloon by tying the fishing line to the object. In this example, I’m going to use a stuffed animal and I am going to tie the fishing line around the stuffed animal’s neck. This step is going to help hold the stuffed animal in place and it will also help me position the stuffed animal later.

Now for the fun part, begin stuffing the balloon. Begin stuffing the balloon with the part you want on the bottom.

For example, if you are putting a stuffed animal inside a balloon and you want the stuffed animal to be sitting upright, start by inserting the stuffed animal’s feet into the balloon.

As you stuff your balloon you may need to use your hand holding the funnel and balloon to hold the balloon and stuff from coming unstuffed.

Carefully remove the funnel or pliers (depending on which method you used) from the balloon. You don’t want to rip the balloon, which can happen very easily. I found that rolling the balloon off the funnel works best.

Next, go ahead and inflate your balloon, while holding on to the fishing line coming out of the balloon.

Adjust the stuffed item as necessary using the fishing line. When you are satisfied with how the balloon and the stuffed animal look go ahead and tie the balloon.

If you need more information on how to tie a balloon check out my post Learn To Tie A Balloon Like An Expert.

You did it! You made your very own stuffed balloon without a balloon stuffing machine!