As you plan your family’s first hot air balloon
adventure, get the kids involved in the excitement with hot
air balloon crafts. Depending on their ages, you can use hot
air balloon craft ideas ranging from simple to complex. For
example, younger children will be content with gluing
colorful squares of tissue to a balloon-shaped piece of
cardboard while older children may want more of a challenge.
No matter which craft you end up working on, this is an
excellent time to talk about the science behind ballooning
and prepare youngsters for the big event. Here are a few hot
air balloon crafts to help set the mood.
Hot Air Balloon Crafts for Preschoolers
You’ll need two paper plates, two pipe cleaners, glue,
one-inch squares of colorful tissue, a hole punch, and a
pencil for this simple craft. First, take one paper plate
and cut out a square shape for the basket. Use the hole
punch to punch a hole on each side of the top of the basket.
Next, help your child draw a pattern on the other paper
plate such as vertical stripes or horizontal zigzags. Punch
two holes at the bottom of the pattern (for attaching the
basket) and one hole at the top (for hanging the finished
balloon craft). Using the pipe cleaners, attach the basket
to the balloon.
Now, show your child how to wrap a square of tissue on the
end of a pencil. Once in place, dip the pencil and tissue
into the glue and place the tissue wad onto the plate. Use
different colored tissues according to the pattern you
created earlier. Use brown tissue wads for the basket and
allow the craft to dry completely. Finally, hang the
finished balloon using the top pipe cleaner.
Elementary Hot Air Balloon Crafts
Paper mache is fun for all ages. Though a bit messy, it’s
the perfect medium for hot air balloon craft projects. For
this project, you’ll need strips of newspaper, a mixture of
equal parts water and glue, a small air-filled balloon,
construction paper, paint, a paper cup or a plastic
strawberry basket, and four pipe cleaners.
Blow up the balloon to a size that will be suitable for the
basket. If you’re using a small paper cup, you’ll use a
smaller balloon than if you’re using a strawberry basket.
Dip strips of newspaper into the glue mixture and cover the
balloon leaving an opening at the bottom. Prop the balloon
on the paper cup and allow to dry overnight. Meanwhile,
decorate the paper cup or basket using construction paper or
paint.
Once the paper mache balloon is dry, paint it using colorful
paints and allow it to dry before popping the air-filled
balloon inside. Punch a small hole in the top and thread a
pipe cleaner through for a hanger. Punch two or three holes
along the bottom of the balloon and attach pipe cleaners to
each one to join with the basket.
Making Memories
Hot air balloon crafts are a fun way to start your
adventure. By getting the kids involved, they’ll be as
excited as you are in anticipation of your hot air balloon
ride or annual hot air balloon festival. Plus, after the fun
is over, you and your children will have keepsakes to share
and decorate bedrooms with for years to come.
How to Make a Hot
Air Balloon
Hot Air Balloon
Festivals
Hot Air Balloon Rides |
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