Balloons. We all have a bag or two around the house, which has pretty much remained unused since that last birthday party. But is a balloon simply a party ornament, or can it be much more than that? With a little bit of imagination and the right tips from the best DIY pros, you can give new life to your old, dusty balloons.

Since balloons are made out of a highly flexible material, they can be used with great effect in all sorts of hacks, from the kitchen to the garage. Check out our balloon hack suggestions for some top-quality, time-saving, and even entertaining tips.

Ready-To-Use Ice Balloons

Going from water balloons to ice balloons takes little imagination, but this hack is still relatively unknown. If you're tired of your old ice cube trays and looking for an alternative, this is the tip you need! Just grab a normal balloon, put it in the tap, fill it with water, and place it in the freezer.

Wait for a couple of hours, and you'll have your very own free-of-charge, ready-to-use, fun-looking ice cube tray! The best part is that, unlike regular ice cubes, the balloons will keep the water inside and prevent spilling, which is excellent if you like to keep things clean and tidy. They're also reusable!

Helium Balloon On The Spot

Kids love helium balloons, but they can be expensive and hard to find. But did you know you can craft your own helium balloon at home with nothing but vinegar and baking soda? Use a small bottle to keep the vinegar and place the soda inside the balloon. Using a funnel for this last part is advised.

When all is done and ready, insert the bottleneck into the balloon's end, and don't forget to straighten it! A chemical reaction will follow, as the vinegar's acetic acid will meet the soda and make for a DIY helium balloon. Please remember not to add too much soda to the mix.

A Fun Ping Pong Slingshot

Balloons are associated with fun, but they can be even more entertaining than people think. For one, you can design your own ping pong slingshot using nothing but a balloon and a paper/plastic cup. Here's how to do it: cut the bottom of the cup (making for a baseless cylinder shape) and place the balloon in one of the ends.

Since balloons are made of very flexible materials, such as latex or polychloroprene, you can use their elasticity to create momentum. It works exactly like an old-school slingshot and makes for a super fun birthday party game for kids.

Money-Saving Party Popper

To make the most out of a balloon's flexibility, why not design a DIY party popper? It's so easy to do; you won't want to miss it. The perfect New Year's Eve money-saver, all you need to complete this hack is a balloon, an old toilet paper roll, and tiny pieces of colored paper as confetti.

Cut the end of the balloon and place it on the bottom of the roll. Try to use strong glue to attach it to the roll, making sure your party popper's going to work. You can even decorate your DIY party popper to fit the spirit of the party.

Relax With This DIY Stress Ball

We all need to squeeze a stress ball from time to time. But spending money to get one can be, well... stressful. If you don't want to waste a few bucks on a store-bought stress ball, don't worry: all you need to make one is a balloon and some toothpaste.

Make the most out of the tube's end to fill the balloon with some refreshing toothpaste. Then, close the balloon as tightly as possible. The result? A proper stress ball that made zero damage to your wallet and can be squeezed as violently as you need!

No Cover? No Problem!

Isn't it annoying when you lose the cover of a perfectly good container? Sadly, it happens a lot, and it makes us want to throw the whole thing in the trash. But this balloon hack will save every coverless container from meeting a tragic, precocious end.

The trick to pulling off this hack is to make the balloon larger. You can do it by filling it up almost to the end and then releasing the air. The balloon will be loose and ready to adapt to any type of container. It sounds too good to be true, but the balloon will actually hold up pretty well.

Anti-Slip Balloon Magic

Rubber is great for all kinds of anti-slip needs, and some balloons are actually made out of rubber. This means that you can use any old balloon to make any everyday object as rough and dry as possible. In some cases, like this cup of water, the balloon will naturally hold up without the need to add glue.

With this in mind, it's easy to find all kinds of new applications to this balloon hack. Anytime something's too slippery, just grab an old balloon and make the most of its anti-slip material.

Free-Of-Charge Pressure Washer

If you don't have a pressure washer in your sink, you're probably aware of how much you miss it. These things are super useful and make for a great timesaver in the kitchen, especially when you're trying to get rid of stains and grease left in the sink.

Luckily, balloons make for a tremendously flexible object. Just cut a tiny piece so the water can get out and attach the balloon's end to your kitchen sink tap. You can use your hand to squeeze the balloon and adjust the water pressure at will, all for the cost of virtually nothing!

Recycling Fashion

While the words "balloon" and "fashion" are seldom put together, balloons can make for the best Barbie bikinis. This hack takes some artistry and can be used in highly creative ways. The idea is to use the balloon's rubber or latex to design clothes for your kid's toys. This beach-ready Barbie-type doll makes for a perfect example.

Balloons are made out of both resistant and very adaptable materials, so why not make the most of them? Your child will love the new Summer collection of his/her toys, and you'll get to experience what it's like to be a fashion designer.

Yummy Chocolate Bowl

What's better than a delicious dessert? What about a delicious dessert served in a bowl of chocolate? If you want to take your baking to the next level, it's probably a good idea to start taking balloons to the kitchen. But how is this yummy-looking bowl even made?

To start, place the chocolate on a non-stick baking mat. Then, press the balloon's round end against the chocolate. It will stick to the balloon, hence acquiring a bowl-like shape. Finally, you just need to put the chocolate in the freezer, wait for it to solidify, and blow up the balloon.

Balloon Beauty Blender

Have you ever felt silly for spending money on a beauty blender? If so, this hack is for you! You can make a DIY balloon beauty blender using nothing but a regular balloon, cornstarch, and hair conditioner. The first step is to put the cornstarch and the conditioner in a bowl and mix it together.

You'll get a soft dough-like material from the cornstarch and conditioner that should then be placed inside the balloon. To do so, you can divide the putty into smaller pieces. Finally, you just need to tie the filled-up balloon and get rid of the excess to make the beauty blender's shape.

Easy Eggshell Separator

Whether you're preparing a fun Easter party or just looking to separate an eggshell from its interior, this is a hack worth remembering. Start by using a small pointy object to create a tiny hole in the egg. Then, carefully crack the egg's other end so the white and yolk can be removed.

Now comes the "magic" part! Use the air inside a balloon to push the white and the yolk away from the eggshell. The air will pass through the tiny hole and cause the egg's inside to come out. The result? A beautiful, clean, and flawless eggshell.

Magic Water Balloon Trick

Not all balloon hacks are meant to be helpful. Some are just impressive, making for the perfect magic trick to break the ice. Whenever you need to lighten up a party, try to show this one to your friends. Balloons and candles tend to make for an explosive match, but water balloons react differently to the heat.

While balloons filled with air explode immediately when in contact with a flame, water balloons get burned up just like wood and will never pop! Why? This happens because water, unlike air, is an optimal heat conductor, which doesn't allow the balloon to overheat.

The Perfect Paint Cup

If you or your kids enjoy painting, this hack is a bonafide lifesaver! There's no bigger disaster in the world of amateur painting than spilled paint. It can outright destroy your furniture and make for an uncleanable mess. But not if you apply this brilliant balloon hack.

By covering your paint cups with a balloon, you'll get the best of both worlds: you can easily dip the brush tool in the paint and never have to worry about your paint cups falling and making a mess. This hack works best with acrylic paint since it is thick enough to clog the balloon's end.

An Explosive Gift

If you're giving someone a regular-sized gift, this easy-to-make balloon hack can add a lo excitement to the special moment. It doesn't work for bigger objects, but as long as the gift fits inside a balloon, it makes for a hack worth testing.

The technique is simple: place the gift inside the empty balloon, fill it up with air, place it on a box, and close the lid. If you want to make things extra special, you can even customize the package and add a little toothpick, so your friend knows what needs to be done.

Getting Rid of Oil Spillage

For some reason, most motor oil containers are made in a way that's not ideal to avoid oil spilling. And if there's something we don't want, that's greasy oil going all over the place. Once again, the mighty balloon is the answer to this minor but annoying issue!

Using the same technique you've applied to make your customized kitchen sink pressure washer, you can easily create the perfect motor oil spout. Just cut a tiny hole in the balloon and attach it to the motor oil container's end. It's a guaranteed way of getting rid of oil spillage.

Protective Phone Case in Under 2 Minutes

Materials like rubber, latex, or nylon fabric are ideal for protecting all kinds of objects. And since such materials can be found in ordinary balloons, there's an easy way to make a new case for your smartphone by using nothing but a balloon. How?

Start by filling up the balloon, but don't close it! Then, place your phone on top of the balloon and press it down. While you do so, gently release the air by controlling the balloon's end. The emptied balloon will adjust perfectly to your phone's shape and make for a nice protective case.

Fix Your Strength

Most jars work out just fine, but there's always that one annoying mayonnaise jar that gives us a lot of trouble. Trying to open jars by applying sheer strength can damage your back and, in extreme cases, self-confidence. So why not do it smartly?

The pressure and air-release technique you've used to make a new protective case for your phone can also be applied to open stubborn jars. The flexible balloon material will attach to the jar's cover and help to release the pressure. It makes opening relentless jars feel like child's play.

Elastic Band On The Spot

Doesn't it feel like you always run out of elastic bands at the time you need them the most? These small rubber strips are handy, but they're also very easy to lose. Luckily, any balloon has enough material to make for 15 to 20 proper elastic bands. And all you need is some scissors!

To complete this hack, cut small strips from a balloon; make sure they're not too thin, as they can be fragile. Then, apply the strips to any object in the same way you'd apply an elastic band. It's great for keeping your cable drawer tidy and organized.

Colorful Balloon Gift Wrap

For a fun and colorful balloon hack, why not give new life (and personality) to your gifts? If you're tired of the same old gift packaging, using balloons to wrap your holiday presents is an excellent way of standing out. To do so, you just need to tie empty balloons together in the same way you'd tie traditional gift wrapping.

For a pro tip, try to combine different colored balloons in the same line to make a beautiful overlapping effect. This hack is not only great to give character to your gifts, but it's also a great way of recycling old, unused balloons.

Other Design Applications

Balloons are so flexible and colorful that they have all kinds of design applications, not limited to gift wrapping. They make for a fun and affordable way of personalizing your wine glasses. In birthday parties (especially for children), they can be used to add color and charisma to the snack table and decorate your home.

It's up to you to decide how and where you want to use balloons. They look perfect in a garden setting, for instance. They can also be used to color-code certain objects to distinguish one from the other easily.

Another Balloon-Related Magic Trick

If your friends were impressed by your candle-balloon magic trick, they would probably ask for an encore. Once they do, remember to teach them a lesson about pressure. While balloons tend to explode when in contact with a single nail, they can comfortably lie on a bed of nails. But how?

This easy-to-perform magic trick is explained by the way pressure works. When all of the pressure is concentrated on a single point, it causes the balloon to blast. But in a bed of nails, the pressure is so evenly distributed that it makes for a good balance, preventing the balloon from popping.

Create A Self-Moving Toy

You don't need an engine to build a fun, self-moving toy for your children to play with. All you need is some controlled air release! To make this sci-fi-inspired hack, start by attaching the top end of a plastic bottle to a CD, as shown in the picture. Then, place a filled-up balloon on the bottle's neck.

When the setup is complete, the air released from the balloon will cause the bottle and CD combo to spin around, making for a fun ready-made toy. DIY lovers have known about this hack for a while now, and YouTube is filled with inventive, moving toys created using this technique.

Cancer-Free Smoke Rings

There's nothing fun about smoking—except, maybe, for the smoke rings. Some experienced smokers are great at making smoke rings, but is there a way of getting in on all the fun without having to pick up a nasty cigarette? Well, we guess everything is possible if you have enough balloon hacks.

To build your own smoke-ring-maker, start by cutting the top half of a plastic bottle and cover it with an empty balloon. Then, light up a match to create smoke and carefully place it inside your DIY smoke-maker. After that, you just need to use the balloon's momentum (just like the slingshot) to make some fun, cancer-free smoke rings.

Another Balloon Slingshot

Remember the ping pong slingshot? This is its "street" version and makes for arguably the best-known balloon hack around. All you need is the very top of a plastic bottle and an ordinary balloon. Folding the balloon into the bottle's top creates a DIY slingshot that can throw tiny objects at an impressive speed.

Make sure your fingers are pressed against the balloon's fold, so the slingshot holds it together. Alternatively, you can use glue to make for a sturdier combo. Keep in mind that this slingshot can be dangerous if you use it to throw solid objects (like small rocks), so please be responsible.

DIY Armrest

Spending too much time on the computer can hurt your arms and make you feel like you need a break. But with an easy combo of starch and water, you can make the perfect DIY armrest to work for hours on end. Just fill a balloon with the mix and close it tightly to have a tiny pillow to rest your arms on.

This same technique can be used for all kinds of purposes, as we've seen with the balloon stress ball. With enough starch and water, you can even make a proper pillow using a bigger balloon.

Yes, Balloons Make For a Great Eraser Too!

The never-ending list of balloon-related hacks and tricks still surprises us, and this is one of the most useful. To use a balloon as an eraser, the only thing you need is... a balloon! Thanks to their ingenious material, balloons can be effectively used as erasers and should definitely be added to your pencil holder.

You can use any part of the balloon as an eraser, but we suggest using the balloon's end. Since it is smaller and more concise, it will reduce the possible damage made to the paper, and it will also make for a more precise eraser.

Dress-Up Your Vases

Balloons are so flexible that they can be stretched to cover all kinds of surfaces. Vases are no exception, and adding a lovely balloon to your household vases works beautifully, as seen in the picture. You can even attach small ornaments to the balloon to make your vases look even prettier.

To pull this off, start by cutting the balloon's end. Then, place the balloon in the vase, starting from the bottom. By making the most out of its rubber/latex material, you can then stretch the balloon all the way to the top. The result is a beautiful vase that looks like something you'd buy at the store.

Fruit Cover

The stretchable power of balloons can also have more practical uses. This homemade fruit cover is a great example. Some pieces of fruit are way too big to eat in just one meal, so they need to be stored away. But sometimes, cut-open fruit such as the watermelon can start to smell and rot if left uncovered.

To keep the bugs away from your precious fruit, all you need to do is apply the same vase-cover technique to your stored fruit. Cut the balloon's end, and you'll have a ready-to-use fruit cover that works beautifully and looks very good in the fridge.

Party Balloons Made Better

As we've seen, balloons can be used in many ways. But, for the most part, they still function as a party object, a fun decoration for every celebration. So, why not make the best possible balloons for your next party? Using a pump makes things a lot easier to pull off this hack, but it's not essential.

Grab a see-through balloon and an opaque balloon and place the latter inside the first. Then, start by filling up the opaque balloon. Finally, use a pump (or some acrobatics) to fill up the outside see-through balloon. The result is this quirky effect that will give your parties a whole new character.