Do Foil Number Balloons Need Helium? Everything You Need to Know
Share
Short answer: no, foil number balloons do not need helium. You only need helium if you want them to float. To stand a number on a table or stick it on a wall, plain air works perfectly, lasts much longer, and costs nothing.
Helium vs air: which should you use?
Use air if you want the balloon taped to a wall, fixed to a backdrop, or stood on a cake table. Air-filled foil numbers stay looking good for a week or more.
Use helium if you specifically want the number to float up on a string. Helium lasts only 1 to 3 days before the balloon sinks, so fill it on the day of the party.
For most birthday setups, air is the better choice.
How to inflate a foil number balloon with air
- Insert a thin straw into the self-sealing valve at the base of the balloon.
- Blow through the straw, or use a balloon pump for speed.
- Stop when the foil is firm but not rock hard. Foil over-inflates and splits easily, so go gently.
- Remove the straw. The valve seals itself. Tape or string it up and you are done.
Making a two-digit age like 25 or 50
Order one balloon per digit. For a 25th, you need a 2 and a 5; for a milestone like 50, a 5 and a 0. Browse the full range of gold and silver foil number balloons and milestone balloons to build any age.
Frequently asked questions
Do foil number balloons come with helium?
No, they arrive flat and uninflated. You add air or helium yourself at home.
How long do air-filled foil numbers last?
Often a week or more, which is why air is ideal for decorations you set up in advance.
Can I reuse them?
Yes. Gently press the valve to release the air, store the balloon flat, and reuse it for the next celebration.
What size are they?
Festi Duck's foil number balloons measure 16 x 40 cm, a great height for cake tables and backdrops.
Shop foil number balloons at Festi Duck, in gold and silver, with free shipping across India.