Last Updated on 6 May 2021 by Colette
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I’ve known Marc for 15 years now and despite our birthdays being just days apart we’ve never really managed to celebrate them together . . . until this year! We decided that we’d have a bit of a get together at our house – much easier than trying to arrange baby sitters or deal with children in restaurants right?
We did a buffet which everyone contributed to, including lush homemade pizzas (thanks for that Richard) and a Batman birthday cake – clearly this is what every 35 year old needs right? Ben and Chloe certainly enjoyed free reign of the buffet – I dread to think what they actually ate but I’m not one for enforcing rules on party food.
Ben, Chloe and Amy were thrilled to have everybody round and the addition of helium balloons from Balloon Time added to the atmosphere and excitement of our little party.
I had picked the Balloon Time kit up in Tesco a few days earlier but hadn’t told Ben and Chloe anything about it. They’ve only recently discovered the joy of helium and I loved their little faces when they realised these weren’t just “normal” balloons!
The Balloon Time kit is super easy to use – everything you need comes in one box – the helium tank, balloons and ribbon. According to the instructions the balloons have a float time of around 5 to 7 hours (though hours lasted about 10 before unceremoniously collapsing to the floor). With a relatively short float time I would suggest inflating your balloons at the last possible minute – this certainly isn’t a job to do the night before your party! Oh and make sure you pre-cut the ribbons otherwise you might end up with a lot balloons lost on your ceiling! It’s also worth considering if you are going to leave your balloons to float freely as we did or if they need tying to anything, you may need to invest in some balloon weights if you want them in the middle of the table or or on the floor.
To inflate your balloons you just have to fit them over the end of the nozzle and press down – make sure you don’t over inflate your balloons or you’ll soon find you’ve run out of helium. The tank contains just enough helium for the provided balloons.
One thing to bear in mind is that the tank does need to be disposed of carefully after the event – this isn’t just something you can plonk in your household waste (and as such is still sat in our dining room waiting for Dave’s next trip to the tip!)
What we loved:
* Everything you need comes in one box – the helium tank, balloons, ribbon
* The balloons are easy to fill
* There’s just enough helium in the tank for the 30 provided balloons
* At £25 it’s great value
What we’re not so keen on:
* Having to dispose of the tank is a bit of a pain
* The balloons only last for a short time (around 5 to 7 hours according to the instructions though ours lasted about 10 hours in total) so you can’t inflate them too far ahead of your party
*I’m working with BritMums and Balloon Time as part of the “Celebration Club”, highlighting inventive and fun ways of using balloons. I was provided with a Balloon Time helium kit and have been compensated for my time. All editorial and opinions are my own. Visit www.balloontime.com for more information and party inspiration.*
Oh wow! Sounds like you had a lovely time. I think I may need one of those helium tanks for balloons!
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Oh I love all the pretty colours and the kids look so excited! We have one of these kits for Little Man's birthday and I can't wait to give it a go now! x
They'll love it!
I have seen this in my local supermarket and I have always wondered if it was any good. Great review.
Ooh I looked at these in Tesco I think it was, they look good. Not a bad price as the large ones can get so pricey, this is a nice amount to make a statement!
Oooh how fab! Pretty good price too! Will be putting this on the list for Baby B's first birthday party as she adores balloons at the minute! Thanks for highlighting that the tank needs to be disposed of safely as that's a very good point. Fortunately we have a great council run waste processing site relatively close so it won't be a problem. X
We had one for Ben's first birthday years ago and it was great 😀
We reviewed these a few weeks ago too and loved them. They were such a great addition to the party 🙂
Great idea for a party rather than buying them ready blown up…that can get so expensive.
Balloons set my anxiety off so much! I'm not looking forward to J getting older and bringing them home from parties! Having a helium canister to blow them up would make life a lot easier for me though, at least I know if it was to burst as I was blowing it up it wouldn't be in my face. X
#triedtested
This sounds like great value and ideal for a party celebration. Love your photos!
Ahhh sounds like you had a brilliant time. I love balloons at parties but I always get a little scared blowing them up on those tanks. But so handy too! Great review Colette! Thanks for hosting. #triedtested
My guys love balloons and the fact you can get these from Tesco is perfect. The tank thing might be an issue but I'll do my research to see what I can do about it. #triedtested
Looks great! We would definitely use this! Good value too by the looks of it #Triedtested
Happy birthday! My daughter is terrified of balloons popping (which makes parties fun) so helium ones are ideal as she doesn't seem scared of those. #triedtested
Have to say these didn't make such a loud bang when they pop x
oh, this sounds great. and in Tesco you say? Will have a lot for this next time I hold a birthday party #TriedTested
Oh wow this looks awesome and it looks like you had a great time. Boo loves balloons so this is something I think I will use in the future
Sounds like a great kit and good it all comes in one box. We used a helium tank over a year ago and still need to dispose of it so I do agree that bit is a pain.
Tin Box Tot loves 'bubbles'. This looks great for kids parties and would save on a lot of puff! #TriedTested
These look great, will be keeping them in mind for future birthdays especially since I am particularly useless at blowing up balloons myself!
That's a great price for that kit I paid £20 for only a couple of balloons from a local gift store for Mini's birthday. This set would been much better value!
What is it with kids and balloons? My little boy is absolutely obsessed with them, he would love this kit.
#Tried/Tested
Such a great idea and for £25 that's a bargain. I wish I'd known about this for my dad's 60th birthday. It's a shame they don't stay up a bit longer but still great value
This is a great idea, I love the third photo down, would be a great one to print out x
Nice idea – That is not very long for them to last though is it – #TriedTested
We've used balloon time before for our parties. Always worked really well and adds an extra something to the decorating when the balloons are floating #TriedTested
We got a helium ballot kit for my daughter's 2nd bday party. They're not expensive and they make a at-home party seem more festive!
Balloons are a must at a party!! This looks great! x
Looks fab although I'm always terrified I over fill the balloons and they burst!!
Sounds great, but you'd think Tesco (or the company that produces them) would offer a recycling service, seems such a waste to just have to dump the canister at the end.
The balloons look great! Love that they come with a canister rather than having to get them inflated first and then bring them home.
We love balloons – they look so colourful too. Interesting shelf life, we tend to find if you keep them warm (by a radiator) they last longer… I know where I'm heading to get balloons now! Thanks for hosting #triedtested xx
Looks like an awesome kit for birthdays, definitely worth looking into.
Hope you had a good time 🙂 x #triedtested
I've never tried inflating helium balloons, as we have a shop fairly nearby who will do it. But I would have hoped for a longer last time than 5-7 hours as I do like to prep the day before. #TriedTested
It's a good idea if you're having a party at home, and saves money rather than buying pre inflated balloons.
I LOVE balloons! These look fab! Happy late Birthday! X
I didn't realise you could buy helium balloon kits for use at home, or that you could get them in Tesco! They look great, and certainly add to the party feel….just a shame I'm scared of them (well not of balloons themselves but of people popping them!)
Looks fun and happy birthday! I'm disappointed not to find a video at the end of you speaking whilst having helium-filled lungs…
Haha Dave that made me laugh – unfortunately it says quite clearly on the packaging that you shouldn't do it so I figured best not to be putting it out there on my blog 😉
My girls love helium balloons – what a great idea for a party!
Looks brill – love your photos you look hot! 🙂 xxx
We have one of these ready for Jacob's birthday, although it's a bit of a pain about getting rid of the tank!
I have this ready and waiting for Isaac's birthday at the end of the month
I think these wee tanks are brilliant and we've used them often for party balloon goodness! x #Tried&Tested