What Types of Balloons Can You Fill with Helium?

Any type of balloon can be filled with helium. Balloons vary by material, shape, size and purpose — from small decorative balloons and toys to large parade balloons, weather balloons or airships.  As long as the balloon is made of non-porous material it will hold helium.  Whether to use helium depends on what you want to do with the balloon. If you are using small balloons to twist into animal shapes, you probably want to use air.  If you want the balloon to float, then you should use helium.  Weather balloons and airships need to float. The most common balloons that are filled with helium are latex and foil/Mylar party balloons. You want party balloons to float.

To float, the volume of the inflated balloon must be large enough relative to its weight to hold enough helium to lift it. Size and shape determine whether the balloon will float and for how long. Round latex balloons inflated to 9 inches or larger will float with helium.  Float time for latex balloons is about 8-10 hours.  Bubble balloons are similar to latex but standard sizes start at 20 inches and float time can be as long as 3-4 weeks.  Foil is somewhat heavier than latex so it requires more helium and more room to hold the helium.  Foil balloons generally come in more shapes and the minimum size that will float depends on the complexity of the shape.  For round, heart-shaped, or square foil balloons the standard size is 18 inches.  A slightly more complex star shape is usually about 20 inches.  A more complicated shape, such as a hashtag, would need to be bigger and require more helium. Float time for foil balloons is usually about 3-4 days.

Where can you find helium to fill balloons? Small balloons can be filled with helium gas at most party stores. For large supplies of helium, you’ll need to go to a wholesale helium supplier or even a national helium supplier.