Bring home the whimsy of the Canada Balloon Festival with these bright, floaty balloon festival crafts that kids absolutely adore.
From preschoolers to tweens, these colorful balloon-themed ideas are perfect for summer afternoons or as part of a balloon party craft station.
Let’s make some hot air balloon magic – no passport needed.
1. Paper Cup Hot Air Balloon Hanging Craft
Transform a simple paper cup into a dreamy floating balloon.
Start with a sturdy paper cup (bright colors work best), punch 4 evenly spaced holes around the rim, and tie strings to attach it to a paper lantern or inflated paper balloon.
Use rainbow tissue paper strips to decorate the “balloon” and add glitter stars for that sky-high sparkle. You can’t go wrong with this iconic balloon DIY – pure magic every time.
Pro Tip: Let your child pick a theme – rainbow, animal, or galaxy – and decorate the cup and balloon accordingly. It brings in a dash of personality and sparks imaginative flair..
2. Tissue Paper Suncatcher Balloons
Light up their little imaginations with balloon-shaped suncatchers.
Cut out balloon outlines from black cardstock, and have kids fill them with torn bits of tissue paper in sunset colors – think peach, fuchsia, lavender.
Cover with contact paper to seal the magic in. Tape them on windows to mimic the glowing skies at St. Jean’s Canada balloon festival.
Pro Tip: Layer colors like a watercolor painter to create a radiant sunrise or sunset effect when the sun shines through.
3. 3D Montgolfière Balloon Sculptures
Step it up a notch with a 3D Montgolfière-style paper balloon that actually stands up!
Bend strips of construction paper into an arched shape and staple the ends to build a balloon-like cage. Attach a tiny “basket” made from a cupcake liner or mini box with twine.
This gives serious Canada balloon festival vibes when displayed on shelves or as party centerpieces.
4. Balloon Festival Diorama in a Shoebox
Go full-on immersive with a shoebox diorama that recreates the breathtaking scenery of a Canadian balloon fiesta.
Line the inside with sky-blue paper, use cotton balls for clouds, and hang mini tissue paper balloons from fishing line.
Add paper mountains or a tiny park scene below. Kids love storytelling with this one.
Pro Tip: Add a photo of your child inside one of the hot air balloons – they’ll feel like they’re flying over Quebec!
5. Fingerprint Balloon Bouquet Canvas
Sometimes simple turns stunning. Give your kids a blank canvas or thick paper, and have them stamp fingerprints in circular balloon shapes using bright paint colors.
Use a black marker or yarn to “tie” the balloons together into a bouquet.
A keepsake-worthy balloon festival craft that captures the joy of childhood with literal fingerprints.
6. Balloon Garland Wall Hanging
Turn a bare wall into a mini balloon sky! This balloon festival craft doubles as festive room décor.
Use pastel or bold-colored balloons (not helium), inflate them to various sizes, and string them together using a long thread or twine.
Toss in some tassels or fluffy paper clouds for that whimsical vibe. Hang your garland vertically for that “balloons rising into the sky” effect.
Kids love the instant transformation, and it’s also a fun backdrop for photos.
Pro Tip: Secure tiny balloons onto the string with glue dots for extra dimension and no sag.
7. DIY Floating Balloon Puppets
Whimsy gets interactive with these playful balloon puppets. Inflate small balloons and attach them to craft sticks or paper straws.
Let kids decorate their “floating friends” using googly eyes, foam wings, pipe cleaners, and yarn for hair.
It’s the perfect mix of balloon festival fun and imaginative play. Think flying creatures soaring above Ottawa’s colorful summer skies.
8. Glow-in-the-Dark Paper Lantern Balloons
Take the Canada balloon festival indoors – with a magical nighttime twist. Use small white paper lanterns as your balloon base.
Glow-in-the-dark fun meets creativity – let kids decorate, then hang mini baskets with string and cardstock.
Hang them from the ceiling or use battery-powered tea lights inside for a soft floating glow.
Pro Tip: Want extra magic? Transform the lantern into a stargazer’s dream by adding glowing stars and constellations.
9. Hot Air Balloon Paper Plate Spinner
A moving craft that twirls with the wind – how cool is that? Use a sturdy paper plate, cut into a balloon shape, and have kids paint it in vibrant stripes or dot patterns.
Attach streamers at the bottom and a small paper basket. Suspend it with string and watch it spin.
This spinning balloon mimics the swirling winds above Quebec’s summer balloon launches.
10. Recycled Egg Carton Balloon Mobiles
From trash to treasure! Cut individual egg cups from a cardboard carton, paint them in cheerful colors, and string them up like mini balloons.
Use recycled paper for the balloon tops and thread them vertically to create a charming mobile.
This eco-friendly balloon festival craft teaches kids to upcycle while embracing the whimsy of a balloon-filled sky.
Pro Tip: Use fishing wire for a nearly invisible “floating” effect, and hang from a wooden embroidery hoop for a rustic finish.
11. Cork Stamped Balloon Art
Little hands + paint = pure magic. This one’s a breeze to set up and surprisingly striking! Dip old wine corks into acrylic paint and stamp circular “balloons” onto white cardstock.
Add strings with a black marker or thin yarn, then let kids draw in clouds, stars, or even tiny festival-goers below.
A nod to Montreal’s vibrant balloon art displays, this craft is minimal mess and high impact.
Pro Tip: Use metallic or neon paints for a modern twist that pops off the paper.
12. Balloon Festival-Inspired Story Stones
Give this one a storytelling angle! Use smooth pebbles or stones, paint little hot air balloons, clouds, sunbursts, and even animal balloon riders on them using acrylic markers.
Once dry, kids can arrange and narrate their own Canada balloon festival adventure using these stones. It blends art, imagination, and literacy beautifully.
Pro Tip: Seal the stones with mod podge or clear spray paint so they last longer – and can be reused for storytime.
13. Balloon Festival Photo Frame Keepsake
Craft a memory! Use colorful cardstock or foam to make a frame, then glue on mini hot air balloons made from pom-poms and paper.
Add pipe cleaner “strings” and sticker clouds. Insert a favorite photo from summer – or better, print a photo of your child watching balloons rise into the sky.
It’s a personal, heartwarming balloon festival craft you’ll actually want to display year-round.
Pro Tip: Add the date or a short quote to capture the vibe of the moment (“Up, up and away!” or “Summer Soars”).
Final Thoughts
The beauty of these balloon festival crafts isn’t just in the vibrant colors or fun textures – it’s in how they capture a moment, a feeling, a story.
Whether you’re celebrating the Canada Balloon Festival or just looking to keep little hands busy with meaningful creativity, these projects offer the perfect mix of skill-building, bonding, and joy.
From eco-friendly mobiles to story-telling stones, every craft here is designed to ignite imagination while giving a playful nod to one of the world’s most magical festivals.
And don’t forget: kids aren’t just making art – they’re building memories, one floating balloon at a time.
So gather the paints, snip the string, and start crafting skies full of wonder.
