Foil Number Balloons: Helium or Air, and How to Display Them
Giant foil numbers and letters are the quickest way to say "happy birthday" or spell out a name. But should you fill them with helium or air, and how do you make them stand up? Here's a quick guide.
Helium or air?
Helium makes foil balloons float, and foil holds helium far longer than latex, often several days. Most party shops will fill them for a small fee, or you can buy a disposable helium canister.
Air is free and lasts even longer, but the balloon won't float. Air-filled numbers are perfect for photo walls, cake tables and balloon garlands, where you attach them rather than let them float.
How to inflate with air
- Find the valve at the bottom of the balloon (usually on a leg or the base of a letter).
- Insert a straw or the thin nozzle of a hand pump well inside the valve.
- Inflate gently until the balloon is firm but still has slight wrinkles at the seams. Foil doesn't stretch, so over-filling splits it.
- Pull the straw out. The valve seals itself.
Display ideas
- On the wall: stick air-filled numbers up with removable hooks or tape loops.
- In a garland: tuck a number into a balloon garland for an instant focal point.
- Floating bunch: tie a helium number with a few latex balloons and a weight.
- Cake topper: mini foil balloons on sticks look great on cakes and cupcakes.
Tips
- Temperature changes matter. Balloons shrink in the cold and expand in heat, so leave a little give if they're going from a warm house to a cool garden.
- Foil balloons can be deflated and reused: insert a straw into the valve and gently press the air out.
- Keep foil balloons away from overhead power lines outdoors.
Browse our foil balloons for numbers, letters, hearts and shapes.
