Make a Balloon Jet
Balloon animals are popular and a special treat for many kids. They look intimidating to make but are actually quite easy. All they require is a little time, patience, and practice. Once you get the techniques down, you can make all sorts of shapes, not just animals. One of the most unique and interesting shapes is the jet.
Contents
Steps
Making the Nose and Body
- Blow up a balloon animal balloon ¾ of the way. Tie the end off. You can use any color your want for the jet. If the balloon feels a little firm, give it a gentle squeeze to soften it up. This will prevent it from popping.
- Twist a 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) section from the knot. Measure up about 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) from the knot. Twist the balloon to create a section. This will be the nose part of the jet.
- Pinch and twist a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) section right behind it. Measure up 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) from the twist you just made. Pinch and twist the balloon to make a small bubble. This will eventually turn into a joint.
- Fold the 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) section against the rest of the balloon. Hold it against the body of the balloon. The 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) section should be right between the two sections at the joint.
- Pinch and twist the 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) section again. This will help the balloon hold its shape. When you let go of the 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) section, you will have something that looks like a 7.
- Repeat the previous steps. Make another 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) section. Pinch and twist a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) section right about it. Hold the new 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) section against the rest of the balloon, and pinch-twist the new 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) section again. You will get a shape that sot of looks like a J.
- Twist a 6-inch (15.24-centimeter) section. Measure up 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) from the last bubble you made. Give it a twist to create the section. This completes the body of the jet. You are now ready to make the tail.
Making the Tail
- Make two tail flaps by twisting two 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) petals. Use the rest of the balloon to make a small loop behind the 6-inch (15.24-centimeter) segment, about 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) long. Twist it so that it holds its shape. Make another 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) loop right across from it, and twist it as well. They should be roundish.
- Start making the tail fin. Measure up about 2.5 inches (6.35 centimeters) along the rest of the balloon. Give it a twist to create a section. Twist two 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) bubbles right about it.
- Fold the tail fin in half. Fold the two 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) bubbles against the 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) piece. Tuck the rest of the balloon between the two tail flaps you made earlier.
- Twist the remaining balloon around each of the tail flaps. You want it to be nice and tight in preparation for the final step in this section. If it is not tight enough, the balloon may deflate.
- Deflate the end of the balloon, then wrap the excess around the tail. Twist a small bubble at the very end of the balloon. Pop the bubble. Untwist it and let the air slowly come out of the remaining balloon. Wrap the remaining deflated balloon around the tail flap joints to hide it.
Making the Wings
- Blow up another balloon animal balloon ¾ of the way. Give it a gentle squeeze so that it is nice and soft. You can use the same color as the body of your jet, or a different color.
- Twist a 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) section. Measure up 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) from the tail-end of the balloon. Give it a twist to create your first section.
- Make a pinch-twist. Twist a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) section. Hold the 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) section against the body of the balloon. Twist the 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) section again. This is the same technique you used on the jet's nose.
- Finish forming the first wing. Measure down 7 inches (17.78 centimeters). Twist a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) bubble for the joint. Twist a 3-inch (7.62-centimeter) section after the bubble.
- Start forming second wing. Make another 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) bubble. Twist a 3-inch (7.62-centimeter) section, then another 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) bubble. Finish off with a 7-inch (17.78-centimeter) section. You will have a short, 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) section left at the end of the balloon.
- Fold and twist the balloon in half. Start by folding the balloon in half so that the sections match up. You will have a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) bubble at the folded part. Twist that bubble to hold the shape.
- Twist the two ends of the balloon together to make a diamond shape. Go back to the two 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) sections at the end of your balloon. One of those sections will have a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) bubble right above it. Twist the other 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) section around that bubble to form a diamond shape. Make sure that those two sections are perpendicular to the diamond.
- Fold the knotted end of the balloon to the top of the diamond, and twist. Make sure that the two 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) sections are perpendicular to the balloon. Find the end with the knot on it, then pull it towards the 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) bubble at the top of your diamond. Twist them together to form a sort of V shape.
Assembling the Jet
- Place the wings alongside the body of the jet. You want the two long central pieces on both the wings and the body to match up.
- Pinch and twist the two bubbles at the front together. Repeat for the back. This will join the wings to the body. Don't worry about them being on the side for right now; you will fix that in a later step.
- Get rid of end balloon piece on wings. Use the same technique as you did for the body of the jet. Twist off small bubble at the end of the balloon. Pinch it to pop it, then untwist it and let it deflate. Twist the deflated balloon end around the joints. Make sure that you twist tightly.
- Straighten the balloon up so that the wing piece is on top of the body. You will need to do this carefully and alternate sides. Move the body and wing pieces between the connecting bubbles bit by bit until the wing piece is on top.
- Add some finishing touches, if desired. Your jet is done, but you can draw details on it using a permanent maker if you want to. A black marker will work on most balloons. If your balloon is already black, then try gold or silver instead. Add a cockpit window and some designs, such as stripes, a number, or insignia.
Tips
- You can blow the balloons up with your mouth or using a special pump sold with balloon animal kits.
- You can find balloon animal balloons and kits in craft stores and party stores.
- Use clear balloons to make Wonder Woman's jet.
- Balloon animals don't last forever and will eventually lose their shape.
Things You'll Need
- 2 balloon animal balloons
- Balloon animal pump (optional)
- Permanent marker (optional)
