Make your own EZ tube - the easiest solar balloon to fly! Takes less than an hour (1 person) to build.
Supplies:
6 30-gallon black trash bags (must be 0.5 MIL or thinner for best results)
Masking tape (1 roll), scotch tape (1-2 rolls), or any other lightweight tape
Directions:
Cut open all 6 bags (as shown on the main how-to page)
Tape three bags together by their long sides:
Repeat proccess with the remaining three bags and tape the two together as shown.
Fold the sheet in half and tape the long ends together to form a tube:
Tape one end shut
Fold up the edges on the open side about 1 inch, and tape all the way around to form a "hem" for the balloon.
Cut a small hole through one of the seams in the hem, and reinforce the hole with several strips of tape.
Cut a 9 ½-foot length of string. Secure it to the end of a dowel or other slender rod. Use the rod to thread the string into the hole and all the way through the hem.
When the string is completely threaded through the hem, tie the ends together. Test your drawstring by holding the balloon and pulling the loop of string until the mouth closes. Don't worry if there's still a small opening - this helps air to get sucked into the balloon to keep it inflated.
