Skip to Content (Press Enter) Skip to Footer (Press Enter)
Save this Christmas with 3 for 2 on gifts
Stores
Stores
Workshops
Wishlist
Help
Basket

How to Make a Paper Mache Hot Air Balloon

Leave a review
Level
Intermediate
Time
1/2 day
Budget
10 - 30

Children love getting their hands messy with paper mache and paint and this easy peasy hot air balloon will allow them to do just that! It's a very easy make, just allow a couple of days to layer up and dry the paper mache.

You can pop a little character in the basket and hang it up on the ceiling to admire the view!

Project and instructions by Little Button Diaries

Discover more kids craft projects here >

 

Print Page

You will need

DMC Blue Mouline Special 25 Cotton Thread 8m (3845)

Is $ 2.49

Quantity: 1

Subtotal

Is $ 2.49

Decorate Your Own Small Metal Bucket 14 x 11 x 13 cm

Is $ 6.49

Quantity: 1

Subtotal

Is $ 6.49

Out of stock

Red Latex Balloons 10 Pack

Is $ 3.49

Quantity: 1

Subtotal

Is $ 3.49

Gloss Decoupage Medium 250ml

Is $ 7.49

Quantity: 1

Subtotal

Is $ 7.49

Bright Blue Acrylic Craft Paint 60ml

Is $ 4.49

Quantity: 1

Subtotal

Is $ 4.49

Pebeo Primary Yellow Studio Acrylic Paint 100ml

Is $ 3.49 , was $ 6.49

Quantity: 1

Subtotal

Is $ 3.49 , was $ 6.49

You’ve viewed 2 of 6 products

You’ve viewed 4 of 6 products

Total:

How to make

Step-1
Begin by preparing the balloon to be covered in paper mache. Tear newspaper into squares a couple inches in size and make a paper mache paste. Cover your work surface with newspaper, roll up your sleeves and be prepared to get messy! Dip your newspaper into the paste and attach them to the blown up balloon. Cover the whole thing in newspaper, leaving a gap around the balloon tie so you can remove it later. Apply three coats, leaving it to dry in between each coat.
mache-hot-air-balloon-1.jpg?sw=680&q=85
mache-hot-air-balloon-2.jpg?sw=680&q=85
Step 2

Once the mache is dry, pop the balloon. Don't be alarmed if it starts to implode, you can push it back into shape once the balloon is out.

 

Cut a hole around the base and remove the popped balloon.

 

Next, paint the hot air balloon. Draw a line a third of the way round from the top of the balloon. Paint the two halves in contrasting colours – we went for blue and yellow.

 

Apply several coats for even coverage.

mache-hot-air-balloon-2.jpg?sw=680&q=85
Step 3

Cut triangles of pink card to resemble bunting, about an inch high.

 

Fold the top of each triangle to create a slight tab and glue between the blue and yellow on the balloon. The bunting should stick out slightly.

mache-hot-air-balloon-3.jpg?sw=680&q=85
Step-5
Using a star cutter, cut out lots of yellow stars. Glue onto the blue part of the balloon. Cover the painted parts of the balloon in gloss Mod Podge to seal in the stars and add a coat of shine.
mache-hot-air-balloon-4.jpg?sw=680&q=85
mache-hot-air-balloon-5.jpg?sw=680&q=85
Step-6
Cut the handle off the small woven basket. To attach it to the balloon, take a needle and embroidery thread and feed it through each corner. Then use the needle to pierce the thread through the base of the balloon and secure with a knot. For a finishing touch, glue a bow onto the front of the basket.
mache-hot-air-balloon-6.jpg?sw=680&q=85
Step-7
To hang, pierce more embroidery thread through the top of the balloon from the inside and tie a knot.
editmache-air-balloon-little-button-diaries-1.jpg?sw=680&q=85
mache-air-balloon-little-button-diaries-2.jpg?w=660?sw=680&q=85
  • bvseo_sdk, dw_cartridge, 18.2.0, p_sdk_3.2.0
  • CLOUD, getReviews, 5ms
  • reviews, product
  • bvseo-msg: Unsuccessful GET. status = 'ERROR', msg = 'Not Found.'; Unsuccessful GET. status = 'ERROR', msg = 'Not Found.';

Craft with us at our workshops

View All Workshops

Related Products

How to Make a Decorative Floor Pillow
How to Make a Decorative Floor Pillow
Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner brings you a revised edition of this incredible guide, showing you a series of progressive lessons to demonstrate essential skills. Learn techniques such as recording edges, creating dimensions, adding accuracy, developing value, compositional ...
How to Make Poured Paint Flower Pots
How to Make Poured Paint Flower Pots
Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner brings you a revised edition of this incredible guide, showing you a series of progressive lessons to demonstrate essential skills. Learn techniques such as recording edges, creating dimensions, adding accuracy, developing value, compositional ...
How to Make a Halloween Mache House Play Set
How to Make a Halloween Mache House Play Set
Project by Hobbycraft Artisan: Rebecca Green Find out more. Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner brings you a revised edition of this incredible guide, showing you a series of progressive lessons to demonstrate essential skills. Learn techniques such as ...
How to Make an Air Dry Clay Candle Holder
How to Make an Air Dry Clay Candle Holder
Project by Hobbycraft Artisan: Irene De Sá Find out more. Have a drawer full of Cricut vinyl scraps? Prepare to decorate your home for Pride Month with this bright, vinyl wall art. It couldn't be easier to follow our step-by-step ...
How to Make Origami Fortune Tellers
How to Make Origami Fortune Tellers
Good drawing starts with good pencils and Derwent Graphic Pencils offer a wonderfully high quality selection, with a 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B and 8B included in this set.The hexagonal barrel is easy to hold, offering you great control when ...
2 Quick and Easy Kids Valentine's Day Cards
2 Quick and Easy Kids Valentine's Day Cards
Good drawing starts with good pencils and Derwent Graphic Pencils offer a wonderfully high quality selection, with a 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B and 8B included in this set.The hexagonal barrel is easy to hold, offering you great control when ...

Related Items

Related Categories

Trustpilot
Top