How Long Do Helium Balloons Last?

All You Ever Wanted to Know And Ask

Written by Camilla Moln. Updated on How Long Do Helium Balloons Last

Balloons are one of the most favorite and funniest things both for kids and adults.

They are nice and bring us joy and happiness. What could be better than a bunch of bright and colorful floating things brought to a party?! Of course, we would like to keep them up in the air more! 

If you have ever wondered how much time noble gas playthings last, this article will help you to answer this question!

How Long Will Helium Balloons Last? What It Depends On?

You have probably noticed many times that the ordinary balloons that you inflate yourself with your own breath only don’t last so much time and usually, they are already wrinkled after less than a seven days.

It’s mostly because we can’t sufficiently inflate them whilst when being inflated correctly, they can last for a very extended period of time, approximately for weeks or even more! 

Another odd trait of the playthings inflated with the air is that they won’t float if you put them in a indoors.

That is why noble gas-inflated balloons have become so widely popular nowadays!

How Long Do Foil Helium Balloons Last
Beezzly.com

How many days does inert gas in these toys last?

The balloons inflated with helium last less than air-inflated ones but they can charmingly float in your house or flat making it look cheerful and nice.

How Long Will Helium Balloons Last
Photo by Danilo Batista on Unsplash

How much time does inert gas last in the playthings?

Usually, when being inflated with helium, an eleven-inch balloon can last approximately from ten to twenty hours.

If someone blows it up accidentally, its duration won’t be that long.

So what affects the lifespan of the noble gas-filled floating toys?

  • First of all, a inert gas toy lifespan depends on how tightly and thoroughly the end of the balloon is fixed and how safe the balloon is itself.
  • Also, the temperature in the area where the balloons are kept matters a lot. The balloons inflated with helium are best to be kept at the even and comfortable room temperature, not too hot and not too cool.
 how long helium balloons last
Photo by Senjuti Kundu on Unsplash

That’s why it’s also advised not to transport your balloons in a car when they are already inflated.

Moreover, leaving them close to the heaters or the air conditioner can also cause them to deflate soon.

  • Another issue that you might not be aware of is that the balloons must be taken out of the balloon transport bag ASAP because when staying inside for too much, their durability becomes lower.
  • The material which was used for the balloons is also essential. For example, latex balloons release helium faster because this material is porous whilst foil balloons can remain afloat much more time.
  • And finally, the bigger the balloon the more it will last! The average 11 inches balloon made of latex normally remains afloat for a maximum of twelve hours. Instead, the same latex balloon of 90 cm will last for three to five days!

Pay attention to all of these factors when choosing what balloons to purchase!

 How Long Do Foil Helium Balloons Last?

helium balloon lifespan
Photo by Minh Trí on Unsplash

Foil balloons filled with helium usually last for five or even seven days if they are being kept under the proper conditions and were blown up correctly.

How often do you buy helium balloons?
Only for holidays
50%
When I want to cheer myself up
31.25%
I do not buy helium balloons at all
18.75%

Foil doesn’t release helium so easy as latex does so that’s why this sort of balloons is more durable compared to how much time latex inert gas items last.

Helium Balloon Fill Chart

Photo by Minh Trí on Unsplash
Photo by Emin Sefiyarov on Unsplash

Is it possible to calculate how much helium the balloons of different sizes will need?

Absolutely!

Simply use the following chart and go back to it whenever you need to doublecheck.

Balloon Size Helium Amount per Balloon
7’’ latex balloon 0.15 cubic feet
9’’ latex balloon 0.27 cubic feet
10’’latex balloon 0.30 cubic feet
11’’latex balloon 0.50 cubic feet
12’’latex balloon 0.52 cubic feet
14’’latex balloon 1.00 cubic feet
16’’ latex balloon 1.25 cubic feet
20’’latex balloon 2.42 cubic feet
36’’ latex balloon 14.10 cubic feet
18’’ foil balloon 0.44 cubic feet

This chart will allow you to know precisely how much helium each type of balloon needs.

Frequently Asked Questions. Extra Hints to Know About the Balloons

If you still have doubts regarding the specifics of balloons usage, we have prepared a list of the most frequently asked inquiries that may be interesting and useful for you to check out. 

These are good to keep in mind when going to get some balloons for a party or as a gift.

  • How much time will noble gas toys float?

A ten-inch latex balloon inflated with helium will float for eight to ten hours whilst twelve-inch one will last for twelve hours.

  • How many days do latex floating playthings last?

Latex floating toys are quite durable. They can remain afloat for ten to twenty hours depending on their size.

  • Will inert gas toys last overnight?

If they are foil balloons, then they will. Otherwise, simple latex balloons won’t be able to keep their shape so much time.

Helium Balloon Fill Chart
Photo by Hybrid on Unsplash
  • How to make helium balloons last more?

If you want to prolong the lifespan of the latex helium balloon, use a Hi-Float, a protective substance that is inserted into the balloon to cover its insides and prevents helium from leaking out.

  • How many days do helium foil balloons last?

Foil balloons, when being kept properly, can delight you for many days and sometimes even for months!

  • How much timeм does balloon with Hi-Float last?
latex helium balloons last.
Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

When applying Hi-Float, the lifespan of a balloon can be extended for several more days and up to one week.

So, before purchasing ballons for a party of a birthday, ensure that you remember all the useful advice given above. 

Maintaining the balloons under the correct conditions and respectfully prepared for being used will allow them to last longer without becoming wrinkled and dull.

These life hacks and tips can help you not only to correctly calculate the load of helium required for the ballons but also they will allow you to enjoy these beautiful and joyful floating things much longer!

Enjoy!

Fun And Joyful Things To Do With Balloons At a Birthday Party

Fun And Joyful Things To Do With Balloons At a Birthday Party
Photo by Amy Shamblen

Balloons give us tons of fun and laughter no matter whether it is an event for adults of a Birthday celebration for kids.

This product of the entertainment industry has become extremely popular and loved, so much that we can find these floating colorful toys everywhere, from a corporate event to homemade feasts with the company of friends.

That is why we decided to somewhat expand the area of balloons use and suggest several funny ways how these flying products can be used except for gathering them in bunches and decorating with them.

1. Paint with balloons

Take as many balloons as needed and inflate them slightly. They must be bouncy enough but not float, a fist-size ones will be just fine. Tie them thoroughly with a string. 

Now prepare paints and water, and start creating! Instead of brushes, use balloons! When you dip them into paints, they will leave colorful prints after the contact with the paper or even canvas. A perfect option for a Birthday party since not only kids but even adults will enjoy this game.

2. Catch balloons in a funnel

Another easy to prepare entertainment for a company of kids for Birthday. Prepare inflated colored balloons and plastic funnels of different shades. The task is to catch all the balloons into the funnels and hold them there. The one whose balloon loses the contact and falls out of the funnel stops playing!

3. Play balloon tennis!

A perfect game for any Birthday! You’ll need plastic plates (big enough) and colorful inflated balloons. Each kid takes the plate and…here we go! They can play with each other using one balloon for two, or try to bounce the floating fun as many times as they can – they choose!

4. Balloon dartboard

This one is better for elder children, either for the Birthday celebration or for weekend rest. Take a stiff board big enough to attach around twenty-four balloons there, and prepare darts. The task is known well: to hit the targets. Each contact with the balloon counts as one point!

Fun And Joyful Things To Do With Balloons At a Birthday Part
Photo by Curology

5. Make squeezy balls

We all know those things filled with different powdered products to make them stretchy.

But this toy can be made at home!

You can take starch or other similar products to fill it with.

Draw a funny face on the outside, tie the top tight, and the toy is ready! By the way, that could be a nice gift for a kid’s Birthday!

6. Create!

Want to make a special bunch of balloons for someone’s Birthday?

We know how to make it creative!

Try to buy white balloons and glue glittering pom-poms to them, or attach ribbons, feathers, tinsel, or streamers (or everything at once!) to the tied and inflated balloon, and make a dreamy-like bunch of those!

7. Fun drink-cooler

Instead of the ordinary ice bucket, fill the balloons with water to get them fist-size and toss to freeze overnight.

Now you can fill glass buckets with those colored icy things and serve drinks in them! A great choice for a creative Birthday party! Why not?

8. Play paintball!

If we fill balloons with non-toxic paint, it will be cool fun entertainment for any Birthday or weekend party!

These are not all the ideas on what can be done to these truly multipurpose things!

We are sure that you can find way funnier versions of where to use balloons either for a Birthday celebration or just for having fun with your kids!

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Camilla is an experienced Consultant with more than 20 years of preparing professional articles for numerous online resources. She has done a tremendous job and has learned a lot during her career. Camilla will advise you on the latest trends and give amazing tips on how to decorate a house.
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