Helium balloons are one of the most colorful and inexpensive ways to decorate for a party. Choose Mylar or latex helium balloons with a "Happy Birthday" message. Birthday party themes are an excellent way to engage your guests and express your creativity. Helium balloons tied to champagne bottles add color to party food displays. Other possible ideas include covering the ceiling with small balloons or decorating a room with individual balloons, balloon bouquets, arches or clusters. Another option would be to print familiar faces for each balloon, such as movie icons, singers or sports stars. Then, attach the faces with tape and make "clothes" out of construction paper to hang from the balloon.
Assemble two teams in single file to participate in a balloon relay race. The first player in each line would hold a helium-inflated balloon. When the whistle blows, players should race back and forth across the yard with the balloon between their knees and tag the next person in line upon return to the starting point. If the balloon pops or falls on the ground, the team loses. A special prize may be awarded to the fastest team.
Kids can create a simple, helium UFO spacecraft model that hovers outdoors. This project requires a large latex balloon, helium canister, one-inch glow sticks, kite string and silver plastic bag. Insert one or two glow sticks inside a balloon before inflating the balloon with helium. Place the helium balloon in a plastic bag. Then tie a long kite string to the bag and keep it away from trees and buildings. Release your UFO spacecraft at dusk for the best effect. Take pictures, make a video of your project and let your friends know about your UFO experience.
Halloween decor would not be complete without a ghost that sways, falls, rises up or shakes in the wind. Open a package of white latex balloons and inflate each balloon by attaching it to a canister filled with compressed helium. Place a white, sheer, lightweight fabric over each balloon. Draw a face using a permanent marker or glue felt cutouts to create the eyes, nose and mouth. Then tie the ghost to a mailbox, rail or other location. If the fabric is too heavy for the ghost to rise, tape a second balloon underneath the first to give it more lift. The second balloon should be hidden underneath the fabric.