How to Pop a Balloon

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1 Popping by Hand
2 Using an Object for Popping Other Sections
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Last Updated: March 26, 2022

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The satisfying “pop” of a balloon can be accomplished in many fun and unique ways. Popping a balloon starts with keeping the inflated balloon in place so that you’re able to make contact with it. While it’s easiest to pop a balloon using a sharp object, you can also pop balloons just by using your own hands or feet. No matter how you choose to pop a balloon, always put safety first and make sure you’re creating that pop without harming yourself or others.

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Method
1 Method 1 of 2:

Popping by Hand

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    • Try taping the tied-off end of the balloon to a surface using duct tape or another adhesive.
    • Grip the balloon tightly to secure it yourself, holding the tied-off end for the easiest handle.
  2. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Pop-a-Balloon-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Pop-a-Balloon-Step-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Pop-a-Balloon-Step-2.jpg\/aid600132-v4-728px-Pop-a-Balloon-Step-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:334,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:529,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 2 Apply pressure to the balloon if you don’t have a sharp object. There are several other ways to pop a balloon if you don’t have a pointy edge. Try using your feet, hands, or any other part of your body to put pressure on the balloon’s sides. [2] X Research source
    • Press down on the balloon until it pops — this may take longer than it would to pop the balloon using a sharp object.

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Method
2 Method 2 of 2:

Using an Object for Popping

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  1. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Pop-a-Balloon-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Pop-a-Balloon-Step-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Pop-a-Balloon-Step-4.jpg\/aid600132-v4-728px-Pop-a-Balloon-Step-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:334,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:529,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 1 Create an incision in the balloon for a quick pop. Find an object with a sharp point, such as a needle or pen. Push the sharp end of the object carefully into the balloon until it creates a pop. [4] X Research source
    • Make sure the balloon is attached to a surface or is being held securely so that you stab the balloon and nothing else.
    • Scissors, safety pins, and forks also work well to pop balloons.
  2. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Pop-a-Balloon-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Pop-a-Balloon-Step-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Pop-a-Balloon-Step-5.jpg\/aid600132-v4-728px-Pop-a-Balloon-Step-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:334,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:529,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 2 Burn the balloon using a lighter. If you have access to a lighter or matches, a small flame is enough to pop a balloon. Hold the balloon in 1 hand and turn on a lighter with the other hand, putting the flame close to the balloon until it pops. [5] X Research source
    • Always be extra cautious when dealing with fire and make sure that you know how to use a lighter or matches safely before using them at all.
  3. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Pop-a-Balloon-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Pop-a-Balloon-Step-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Pop-a-Balloon-Step-6.jpg\/aid600132-v4-728px-Pop-a-Balloon-Step-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:334,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:529,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 3 Blow air into the balloon until it pops. If the balloon isn’t already tied off, you can keep blowing air into the balloon until it eventually pops.
    • Using a smaller balloon will make popping the balloon this way easier as the smaller balloon won’t be able to expand as much.
  4. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Pop-a-Balloon-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Pop-a-Balloon-Step-7.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Pop-a-Balloon-Step-7.jpg\/aid600132-v4-728px-Pop-a-Balloon-Step-7.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:334,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:529,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 4 Turn popping the balloon into a game. To have a little bit of fun while popping a balloon, choose a game-like activity. This could be playing balloon darts where the balloons are secured to a board and you throw darts at the balloons to pop them, or trying to pop a balloon between your legs.
    • Other games include standing back-to-back with someone with the balloon in the middle of your backs as you both try to pop the balloon by pushing back against each other.
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  • Question Can a balloon cause a fire? Community Answer No, not unless it were to float past a lit candle and knock it over. Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.
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Tips

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

  • Another way to pop Mylar balloons is to sit on them or stomp on them barefoot. It will take a while but you will hear a nice, loud, satisfying pop from it.
  • Always be careful with using a flame to pop a balloon. If you use something highly flammable like propane, it may combust.

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