Who says you need to leave your living room to embark on a thrilling, sky-high adventure? Today, we’re about to set your child’s imagination soaring with a wonderfully creative, easy-to-make project that’s as vibrant as a sunny afternoon sky. Yes, you guessed it! We’re making a charming 3D hot air balloon craft!
Crafting activities are more than just a way to keep the little ones occupied – they’re a fantastic method to stimulate their creativity, improve fine motor skills, and make those precious memories together.
Our DIY hot air balloon not only serves these purposes but can also be hung up as a decoration to transform your kiddo’s room into a beautiful sky-filled landscape!
Ready to reach for the skies? Buckle up, and let’s dive into this whimsical craft journey that’s fun for kids of all ages!
How to Make a 3D Hot Air Balloon Craft with Kids
3D Paper Craft Hot Air Balloon
Float into the whimsical world of crafting with our vibrant 3D Hot Air Balloon! This easy-to-create, eye-catching craft project is the perfect blend of simplicity and creativity that kids of all ages will adore.
Crafted from colorful construction papers, our hot air balloon paper craft makes a fun decoration, too!
Materials
- Construction Paper in your choice of colors
- Gluestick
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Pipe cleaners
- PVA Glue / white school glue
Tools
- Scissors
Instructions
- First things first, let's prep our balloon. Print and cut the template provided, and gather all of the materials for this hot air balloon craft.
- You're the master of this sky vessel, so feel free to pick any color of construction paper that catches your fancy. You will need 4 balloon shapes for each one 3d balloon. Once you've traced them all, let those scissors work their magic and cut it out.
- It's time to give life to our balloon. Fold the cut-outs in half and attach each side together using your glue stick.
- This is the fun part! Start to piece together your hot air balloon, connecting all 4 folded shapes to create that 3D effect.
- Cut a short piece of yarn
- Make sure to insert the strip of yarn in between the pieces as you glue them together. This will act as our hanging string, letting our balloon float effortlessly mid-air.
- Now, every hot air balloon needs a basket to carry its brave adventurers. Cut a rectangle from the white paper, then roll it into a cute little cylinder to make a round paper basket.
- Cut an fold a piece of pipe cleaner or fuzzy wire, this will be used as a handle to connect the basket to the hot air balloon.
- Slide the two strips of pipe cleaner on either side of the basket to create handles
- And attach it to the balloon using some glue.
- Hold your breath because... drumroll, please... there you have it! Your very own whimsical 3D Paper Hot Air Balloon is ready to take flight!
As you and your little one watch this joyful creation hover in the air, remember that the sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning! You can make a whole fleet of these paper hot air balloons in various colors and sizes, creating a mesmerizing sky scene right in the comfort of your home.
Hot Air Balloon Craft Template PDF
If you would like to use our template for the hot air balloon shapes, download and print the PDF file below. If you don’t have printer access, you can draw a basic balloon shape freehand and it will still work great.
Terms of use: free for personal ue and free for classroom use
Benefits of the Craft
Buckle up, parents and little crafters, because our fun-filled 3D Hot Air Balloon Craft is more than just an enchanting decor item! Amidst the laughter, creativity, and bonding, this buoyant DIY project is also a brilliant opportunity to build vital skills and expand your kiddo’s knowledge horizon.
Here’s a quick lowdown on how this colorful creation not only decorates your home but also enriches your child’s developmental journey.
- Boosts Fine Motor Skills: The gentle art of gluing, folding, and assembling these radiant balloons isn’t just fun; it’s also a powerful exercise for those tiny hands! Each little action helps in enhancing dexterity and hand-eye coordination, strengthening your child’s fine motor skills one fold at a time!
- Sharpens Scissor Skills: This craft involves a fair bit of snipping, making it an excellent practice ground for scissor skills. Learning to handle scissors correctly and safely is an essential milestone for kids, and our hot air balloon project provides a vibrant (and fun) cutting canvas!
- Enhances Spatial Awareness: As your young one pieces together their 3D balloon, they’re also navigating the exciting world of spatial relationships! Understanding how the different parts come together to form a three-dimensional object encourages a greater awareness of space and depth.
- Integrates Learning Topics: What’s a craft that can’t integrate with learning? Our hot air balloon ties in perfectly with various topics. If you’re learning about transportation, it’s a splendid way to introduce air travel. For those studying the weather, it can spur conversations about wind currents and what makes a hot air balloon rise. And of course, it’s an ideal summer craft – symbolizing the season’s bright colors and the joy of outdoor exploration!
- Promotes Creativity: Lastly, but most importantly, this craft lets imagination take flight! Kids can experiment with different colors, designs, and sizes, transforming their room into a dynamic air show. It’s a creative outlet that not only entertains but also encourages self-expression.
So parents, ready to float into this world of crafting adventure? With our 3D Hot Air Balloon Craft, you’re not just making a decorative piece, but launching a fun-filled developmental ride!
Up, up and away!
Hot Air Balloon Fun
Check out some of these fun hot air balloon books and toys available at Amazon (affiliate links below)
More Fun Paper Crafts for Kids
- Easy Lemonade Craft for Kids
- Easy Paper Craft Cactus (Free Printable Template)
- Super Cute Fairy Paper Craft with Free Printable Template
- Paper Plate Plane in the Clouds
- How to Fold Paper Planes (with free Printable Folding Plans)
Share
Please go ahead and share this cute craft idea with friends, family or on social media so that more kids can benefit from our fun and free craft ideas.
Thanks so much!
Happy Crafting!
This is adorable and can be used in so many ways. Something to keep the grandkids busy with, thanks.