How to Use a Balloon Arch Kit

September 7, 2026

Learning how to use a balloon arch kit is much easier than it looks, as most kits contain just three basic items to get you started. This UK guide explains exactly how to turn a simple packet of balloons, tape, and glue dots into a stunning party display in under two hours. We will help you understand what each component does so you can create a professional look at home.

A balloon arch kit is mostly the same three things in different packaging: a roll of decorating strip, a bag of mixed-size balloons and some glue dots. The price varies more than the contents do.

This guide explains what each piece is for, what the kits usually leave out, and how to get from an unopened bag to a hung arch in about ninety minutes.

If you already have balloons, you can skip the kit entirely — a £4 strip and a roll of glue dots do the same job.

What's in the box

Before you begin inflating anything, it helps to unpack your set and see what you are working with. While packaging varies, almost every standard balloon arch kit relies on the same core elements to help you structure your display. Knowing how these components fit together will make the entire assembly process much smoother and faster.

Balloon decorating strip: the plastic tape with holes, and the only essential part.
Mixed balloons, usually 100 to 120 in three sizes and four colours.
Glue dots for tucking small balloons into the gaps.
A plastic tying tool, which is genuinely useful if you're doing 100 balloons.
Command hooks or adhesive pads, in the better kits only.
Sometimes a hand pump — slow, but better than nothing.
Occasionally foil stars or a number balloon as a centrepiece.

What kits usually leave out

While a basic balloon arch kit provides the absolute essentials, relying solely on the box contents can sometimes lead to a disappointing finish. To achieve that lush, professional look you see in party photos, you will usually need a few extra tools and decorative extras. Here is what you should source separately before you start.

An electric inflator. About £15, and it turns 90 minutes into 40.
Enough balloons: most kits cover about 1.5 metres, not the 2 metres pictured.
Greenery. A single bunch of faux eucalyptus lifts a plain kit noticeably.
Extra 5in balloons for filling gaps, which is the step that makes it look finished.
Fishing line or cable ties for anchoring outdoors.
A banner to hang behind it — the kit is the frame, not the focal point.

Building it step by step

Once you have gathered your materials, it is time to put your balloon arch kit to work. Creating a beautiful garland requires a methodical approach, from preparing your workspace to building up the structure. Following a logical order ensures your display remains secure and looks balanced, saving you plenty of time and frustration during the setup.

Lay the strip out on the floor at full length and check it against the wall.
Inflate in three sizes and resist filling every balloon to the same size.
Tie in pairs, twist two pairs into a cluster of four.
Thread each cluster onto the strip, two balloons through one hole each.
Alternate colours and rotate each cluster so it faces differently.
Hold the finished strip up and mark the gaps.
Glue-dot 5in balloons into every gap you marked.
Hang from Command hooks at both ends and the middle, then add greenery.

Is a kit worth it?

With so many options available online, you might wonder whether buying a pre-packaged balloon arch kit is actually the best route for your event. Depending on your budget, your styling needs, and how many times you plan to build these displays, sourcing your own components can sometimes be a smarter choice. Let us weigh up the options.

First arch: yes — the strip, sizes and colour mix are chosen for you.
Second arch: buy balloons in bulk packs and a strip separately, it's cheaper.
For a matched colour scheme, buy loose balloons; kit palettes are fixed.
For a children's party, kits are fine — nobody is auditing the shade of pink.
Ignore kits that only include one balloon size; the arch will look like a tube.
Check the balloon count against 60 to 70 per metre before you buy.

Key things to remember

Check the balloon count, not the photo, before buying a kit.
Keep the strip after the party — it's the reusable part.
Add a bag of 5in balloons for the gaps; kits never include enough.

Frequently asked questions

What comes in a balloon arch kit?

A roll of balloon decorating strip, 100 to 120 mixed-size balloons, glue dots and usually a tying tool. Better kits add adhesive hooks; most leave out a pump.

How many balloons does a balloon arch kit cover?

Most cover about 1.5 metres at 60 to 70 balloons per metre, even when the photo shows a full doorway. Buy a second pack of balloons if you want two metres.

Do you need a pump for a balloon arch kit?

Not strictly, but an electric inflator at around £15 turns a 90-minute job into 40 minutes and saves your hands on 130 balloons.

Can you reuse a balloon arch kit?

The decorating strip yes, the balloons no. Keep the strip, buy fresh balloons, and you'll spend a fraction of the kit price next time.

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