Make your own solar balloons

Here you can learn how to build your own solar balloons using nothing but black trash bags, tape & scissors. This page will help you get started, then you can use the links near the bottom to start building.

Select the right bags

Bags should be no thicker than 0.5 MIL for best results!

It is very important that you use the thinnest bags possible. Ruffies used to make all their black bags in a 0.5-MIL thickness, ideal for building solar balloons.

Some time ago, however, they upgraded their bags to 0.7 MIL. This is too thick for most solar balloons, so I had to find a different brand. I discovered the Hefty Basics 30-gallon black bags, which are 0.5 MIL thick.

Now I had found new bags that were thin enough, but not too long after that, I discovered that Ruffies still sold black 30 gallon bags that were 0.4 MIL thick. These only came in 22-packs, but I have been using them since. I usually get them at Wal-Mart, but I've seen them at Target as well (not all stores will carry them). These are the two brands I have come across that work for building solar balloons. I personally prefer the Ruffies bags, but I have used both and they both make good balloons that fly well.

Can't find the right materials? Don't want to make your own? You're still in luck. I build solar balloons to order, so you can have fun flying without doing the work. Click Here

Getting started: cut open the bags

You'll have to know how to cut open a bag so that it is a 5' x 3' sheet of plastic. It is fairly easy to do. Make sure your bags are no thicker than 0.50 MIL. See the steps below:

Take a bag off the roll and find the end with the seam.
Cut the seam off, making sure you cut as close to the seam as possible.

The removed seam:
Find the side of the bag where it is folded over several times. Slip the scissors into one of these folds and cut along the edge. Be careful to cut only one fold.

Cut all the way across:
Now you can spread the bag open. It should look like this:

Make a good seam

It is important when sealing balloons with tape to have a small overlap. I drew a diagram (below) to show how to do it correctly. If you are careful when you do this, your balloon will turn out better and won't have leaks or sticky areas. I always use a small overlap for maximum surface area, but it doesn't hurt to use a larger overlap.

Cross-section of balloon seam

Instructions for building

Ready to make your balloon? Here are the links to instructions for several different balloon models.

Couldn't find the right bags? Order pre-built balloons today.

Inflating and Tethering

Inflating and tethering your balloons is easy and can be done quickly.

Inflating and tethering

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