Paper Hot Air Balloon * Moms and Crafters

Learn how to make this super easy paper hot air balloon with this step-by-step tutorial and free template! When you’re done, check out this Paper Tube Gingerbread House Craft. This post contains affiliate links.

I love to explore all kinds of craft materials, but there’s nothing like good old paper – easily available, environmentally friendly, and endlessly versatile! Here’s an original 3-D paper craft that anyone can make.

This paper hot air balloon would be a great decor item for a party or bedroom. You can also use it for imaginary play, placing little people or figures in the basket to have fantastic adventures!

The balloon part of this craft is made with simple craft paper folded for support – you can use cardstock for extra sturdiness, but construction paper is fine too. You can even use scrapbooking paper in fun or fancy designs to add some extra personality!

paper hot air balloon with a blue background

The basket of the balloon is made from a cardboard tube. I like to use a finished paper towel roll cut down to size – if you don’t have one, you can pre-cut your next roll of paper towels or toilet paper…or simply roll up a piece of light cardboard or heavy paper and tape it shut into a cylinder shape. And yes, you can purchase them too.

The only other thing you’ll need is string – any type will do! Twine or yarn are perfect. You only need a little bit, so you can use any leftovers or scraps from a project you’ve done in the past.

This is an excellent activity for young crafters. They’ll be using basic cutting and gluing skills, and the 3-D build will teach them to follow directions that are just a bit more complex than the flat projects they may be used to. You’ll want to help them poke the holes for the string. You can also help young crafters stay neat by using glue sticks instead of liquid glue – both types work fine on this kind of paper project.

paper hot air balloon with detailed basket and multi colors

Pick your favorite colored paper and get ready to soar!

What you’ll need:

Colored craft paper
Cardboard tube (e.g. toilet paper roll)
String (e.g. yarn or twine)
Pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Glue
Tape (optional – you can use more glue instead)
Awl, (adults only)or something else sharp you can use to poke holes
Paper hot air balloon template printed

Hot_Air_Balloon_Template Download

How to make a paper hot air balloon

1. Get or make a cardboard roll. Cut it to the desired size – if you’re using a toilet paper roll, just cut it in half. If you’re using a paper towel roll or something else, just imagine about half a toilet paper roll. The exact size isn’t so important.

2. Cut a strip of brown or tan paper that’s as wide as the height of your cardboard tube.

3. Cut out the balloon shape from the template. Trace it 8-10 times on various colored paper and cut them out.

cut papers for the balloon shape from the template

4. Fold each balloon shape in half.

5. Take one of the balloon shapes and spread glue on one half of it (one of the sides that faces outward when folded)

6. Stick it to a matching half of another balloon shape.

continue gluing the balloon shapes to each other

Then, apply glue to the other outside half and stick the next balloon cutout onto that.

Continue until all the pieces are attached, but don’t connect the first and last balloons just yet.

7. Cut a piece of string. This is the string the balloon will hang from, so think about where you’ll want to hang the balloon when deciding how long to make the string. If you’ll want to hang it from a loop, double the length of the string.

8. Glue the string to the center where all the balloon pieces connect.

9. Spread glue on one of the end pieces of balloon.

10. Stick it to the other end balloon so that all the balloon shapes form a full circle.

11. Here’s where you’ll want to help a young crafter – use an awl or another sharp object to poke holes near the bottom of the balloon. You’ll need holes in 4 of the flaps, spaced out around the balloon.

adding the bottom stings to the balloon shape from the template

12. Cut four pieces of string, a few inches long. Thread your string through the holes. If it’s not going through easily, try wrapping some tape around the end of the string and making your holes a little bigger. Tie a knot at the end of the string to hold it onto the balloon.