Making a balloon that carries 18 people is not a realistic project to do in the garage but creating a small one and see if it flies, yes. With some basic materials you will spend an afternoon with your head facing the sky.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Kitchen paper
Step 1. Find the materials
You will need a lot of space to work so set up a large area - you will use panels that are 1.5m long. You will need:
- Kitchen paper 61x76 cm
- Cutting patterns (try for example on Web Weather for Kids)
- Scissors
- Pins
- Glue
- Pipe cleaner
- Propane or other heat source
Step 2. Overlap the paper
So you will create a 1.5m panel. Use glue to hold the pieces together. They must be well attached. If there are losses, the balloon will not fly.
- Make seven more cloths for a total of eight.
- Think about the order of colors you want to give your balloon but don't glue them yet.
Step 3. Arrange the panels on top of each other and cut according to the pattern
They need to be very straight so that they are all the exact same size.
Pin them to keep them from moving as you cut. This way you won't tear or break the paper
Step 4. Glue the panels together
Use a 2.5cm border to overlap them by gluing opposite sides together. Once they are all together it should look like a fan blade.
Formed a line of panels glue the first and last together with the open sides. You will have a ring. The glue goes all over the strip of each panel
Step 5. Cut out a circle of paper to cover the opening at the top
It will be easier if the ball is flat on the ground. Glue the paper to the top hole.
Better to cut it out wider than not right. The paper is light enough and a few more inches will not affect the weight of the balloon
Step 6. Keep the bottom of the balloon open
With the pipe cleaner you will have to create the skeleton.
- Give the pipe cleaner the shape of a circle which will be the upper part.
- Place it inside about 2.5 cm from the edge.
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Fold the paper over the pipe cleaner and glue it.
If you don't have pipe cleaners, metal wire is fine. It should be at least 61cm long and 16 gauge. You will also need wire cutters to cut it
Step 7. Check for holes
If there are problems it is time to resolve. Paste some paper where it is missing.
If you want you can attach a tag with your name and address
Step 8. Hold the bottom of the balloon over a heat source such as the camping doll
Give her a minute to fill up with hot air.
- A couple of blow dryers also work.
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You will feel it begin to resist as you hold it. When it gets to that point, give it a gentle push and watch it fly.
Depending on where you are you may be most successful in the evening, morning, night, during the winter and or the summer. The cold usually makes it more effective
Method 2 of 3: A garbage bag and a hairdryer
Step 1. Get organized
If you have everything at your fingertips it will be easier and faster. Set up the table. Get the following items:
- Plastic bag (from garbage)
- Clips (used for weight)
- Small pieces of paper or stickers (decorations)
- Rope
- Scissors
- Phon
Step 2. Decorate the sack
Better to use small pieces of paper or stickers, light stuff in short. Glitter is fine as well as chaotic.
This is the part that children prefer. Each child can make their own balloon and give it a unique design
Step 3. Tie a string around the top of the bag
It should look like the bottom of an ordinary garbage bag. Once tied, cut the extra string.
Step 4. Add the clips around the bottom of the bag
It may sound silly (don't you need a little weight to fly it?), But it's actually for balance and stability.
Do not overdo it. About 6 are enough for a balloon
Step 5. Hold the bag over a blow dryer
Shoot hot air and inflate the balloon completely.
- The bag will begin to float. When he pulls, let him go. Hot air will make it fly.
- As soon as it starts to descend, give it another shot of hot air.
Method 3 of 3: Garbage bag and lighter
Step 1. Put it all together
You will need to work outdoors and away from flammables. You will need:
- Lots of garbage (recently is fine.)
- Lighter (Even a Zippo works)
- Mechanical wire (about 18 gauge)
Step 2. Cut three pieces of wire
One should be much shorter than the others (approximately 10 cm). The other two about 61 cm.
Step 3. Screw the wires together
Form an "X," by screwing the long ones together five or six times. This structure will keep the structure open while it flies.
Screw the short one into the center of the X. Leave the ends exposed; they will keep the lighter. They should point towards the ball when you set them up
Step 4. Thread the ends of the thread through the bottom of the bag
Fold it to keep it in place. Repeat for each side using the full width of the bag. You should have a square shape.
Do the ends of the short wire point towards the balloon? If not, fix them now
Step 5. Attach the lighters
Most lighters have a large body. You will have to try a couple of times to find out what works best. Find two medium sized ones and attach them at each end.
If the lighters are too big the bag will melt. If they are too small it will not fly. Approximately 5 cm in diameter would be the right size for a 20 liter bag
Step 6. Hold the bag open from above and light the lighters
Adjust the bag if necessary to ensure it inflates fully. It will swell and look like it wants to escape. When you start having to hold it back, give it a push and watch it soar into the sky.
- Attention! If your lighter is too big the bag could melt.
- This method works best when it is cold. The difference in temperature will allow the heat to work better.
Advice
- When the balloon turns, look to see if it folds to the side. You can fix it by placing a small counterweight. Use something like a clip.
- Kitchen paper is fine because it is light and flies easily but beware of the glue that tears it easily.
