Hot air balloon posters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from the cutouts to the ones that look like painting stills. All of these posters capture the fun of a balloon as it floats through the clouds. Creating these posters is an enjoyable hobby for children and fans of hot air ballooning. Making your own poster is simple and only requires a few tools and materials to get started:

1. Scissors
2. Colourful plastic bags
3. Magazine pages
4. Poster board
5. Glue
6. Round plate
7. Ruler
8. Crayons, markers, paint

How to make a hot air balloon poster

On the poster board, make a circle by drawing an outline of the plate. Use a larger or smaller plate (or other round object to make the circle as large or as small as needed. This will be the balloon in the poster. For more options when decorating this balloon later on, the larger the circle is the better as, there can be more creative decorating added to a bigger circle than a smaller one.

Using the ruler, draw two lines on either side of the circle

Next, draw a square attached to both the lines to represent the basket hanging from the lines holding it to the balloon. Erase the lower part of the circle that is directly about the basket and draw a straight line across joining the two lines on either side of the circle. The balloon should now look like a large light bulb.

Decorating the Balloon

If you look at pictures of hot air balloons online, you will see that they are always multicolored with shapes and patterns that are meant to draw attention to them while they are in the sky. The same should be dont with hot air balloon posters. The more colourful the better. There is also the option to add different materials to the balloon so that it will have different textures and be fun to touch as well as beautiful to look at.

For a simple design, draw random shapes or lines, or stripes in the circle and colour them in with paints, marker or crayons. To start decorating the balloon with texture, cut out strips of magazine paper, coloured paper and plastic bags and attach them to the poster board with glue. Cut the shapes so that they fit the outline of the balloon perfectly and to make sure that it keeps its shape. For a realistic looking balloon, use strips cut from colorful plastic bags.

Finally, draw in the scenery for the balloon. Hot air balloons are usually flown at sunrise or sunset in good weather with very little wind. Try including a sunrise on the horizon, mountains, birds, or an ocean in the background to give the impression that the balloon is floating in the sky.

Hot air Balloon Poster Competitions

Many hot air balloon festivals have competitions for hot air balloon posters. Balloon pilots act as judges in various categories for the posters and prizes range from trophies and ribbons to hot air balloon rides. Practice makes perfect, so try creating posters with different materials and different sizes as art projects.

Hot Air Balloon Albuquerque

Albuquerque’s Original Balloon Ride

With 38 yrs of continued excellence in the skies, Albuquerque’s Original Balloon Ride is a company that is truly backed by revered tradition. Pioneering commercial hot air ballooning in the South West, one is sure to be a part of something thrilling and captivating. Albuquerque as a city hosts the biggest hot air ballooning event anywhere with skies being painted with over eight hundred hot air balloons in the spectacular International Balloon Fiesta. This company is sure to meet ones safety needs as all pilots are certified fully with the FAA to fly commercial hot air balloons, and to meet ones budget with packages such as the Champagne flight which costs $150 per individual and $125 per child which is the most popular flight, transporting a maximum of eight passengers at sunrise with champagne celebrations. The Exclusive flight package costs $250 per adult and $200 per child, which is most suitable for occasions in which one does not wish to share with others, such as, birthdays and engagement proposals; this package comes with all the services of the champagne flight. The City Lights package is also available costing $300 per adult, $275 per child; these flights are similar to the champagne package except that flight begins just before dawn, which later allows passenger to gaze upon the stars and city lights in which, whenever the burner is aflame, the balloon will brightly illuminate. To get more information or booking, dial 1-800-351-9588 for customer services or 505-293-6800 in Albuquerque.

Sky Span Adventures

Being in Albuquerque means being in the hot air ballooning capital of the entire world. Albuquerque is the home to over 300 FAA certified pilots which puts experience at its utmost prime. Sky Span Adventures takes full advantage of this prestige, offering flights over New Mexico’s Rio Grande Valley, which is said to have weather perfect for hot air ballooning all year. Flights will last for about an hour, which is dependent on the package chosen; afterward upon landing is met with the traditional toast (which is done in the local park and followed with a continental breakfast,) certificates and lapels in memory of this experience are also offered. Sky Span Adventures is not famed with having cheap flights, as it keeps experience and safety at the fore front; regardless, the packages are fairly affordable with Champagne flights costing $150 per adult, $125 per child under 15 years; the Exclusive flight costing $250 per adult, $200 per child under 15 years; City Lights flight costing $300 per adult, $275 per child under 15 years; and the famous balloon festival flights during October 1-9 costing $250 whether adult or child. To have hotel pickup added to any package (except festival flights,) an additional $15 is required per person. To make these payments, American Express, MasterCard, Discover and Visa cards are all accepted along with travelers’ checks, personal checks or cash. For information or booking, dial 1-877-SKYSPAN or 505-250-2300 locally.

Hot air balloons symbolize a fantasy world for children, and making paper hot air balloons is a creative and playful activity that will appeal to children three to five years of age. Cover your work surface with newspaper to protect from spills before you begin. Start by visualizing the shape and final outcome of the balloons, and organize all your supplies. In this article we will guide you into creating an amazing mini hot air balloon out of paper-mâché.

Supplies

• Balloon
• Papier-mâché (mold ahead of time, at least one day in advance)
• Glue
• Hole punch
• Paper cup
• Child-Safe Scissors
• Paint
• Paint brushes
• Strings

Step 1

Make a papier-mâché using an inflated balloon, knotted at the end. A papier-mâché is made with strips of flimsy pulp paper pressed together with glue. It is then molded when moist to take the form you desire; this is will be your mold.

How to make papier-mâché:

Materials

• Balloon
• Newspaper
• Glue
• Shallow Container

Inflate balloon to a size, not too large for the children. Tear newspaper into broad pieces. You will need enough newspaper to create three layers covering the balloon. Start by mixing two parts glue with one part water in a bowl. Soak newspaper pieces with glue mixture. Remove excess moisture and layer the balloon with paper. Continue this process until you cover the balloon fully with three layers. You will find it easier to work with the balloon if you set it on top of a bowl to keep it stable. You may use a paint brush to smooth out the edges.

Let dry outside in sunlight, if necessary. Drying may take a couple days.

Step 2

Once papier-mâché is completely dry, pop the balloon inside. Remove the pieces. Then, cut a two or three inch diameter opening at base of balloon. Punch four evenly-spaced holes around the opening.

Step 3

Use a sharp object to bore a hole at the top of the balloon. Knot one end of a string or yarn, and then insert the free end of the yarn through the bottom opening of paper-mache. Pull it all the way through the small hole at the top.

Step 4

Create an open knot or loop from the protruding end of the yarn, like a handle to hang your balloon. You may paint the balloon with white acrylic paint and let dry completely before going on to the next step.

Step 5

Get creative with your papier-mâché! Think of a nice design and colors for your hot air balloon and paint it using poster paint, if desired. Get color ideas from the young ones.

Step 6

To make the basket for the hot air balloon, trim a paper cup to the desired height. Punch four evenly-spaced holes around the rim of the paper cup to match the holes in the base of the paper-mache. Paint the paper cup.

Again, get creative with your colors!

You can decorate your hot air balloon further with glitter glue, craft foam shapes, and paper dolls as passengers in the basket. Make it fun for the children to enjoy, remember you are creating the fantasy world they would want!

Hot air balloon books are not only for those that pilot, love to fly or want to experience hot air balloons. In fact, there are many different types of books centered around hot air balloons. These include children’s, instructional, historical, story and even picture books. The list of these types of books is very large and keeps growing as many people seek to document their love for this wonderful mode of transport.

Books about Hot Air Balloons

Children’s Books

Violet the Pilot: this is a series of books for the five to nine age group. Violet the Pilot has adventures in almost any country all around the world. This book is a good one to start with when introducing a child to series books. It is adventure filled, as Violet encounters new people and circumstances on her way around the world.

Hot-Air Henry: this is a book for children between the ages of 4 and 8. It deals with the adventures of a Siamese cat that ends up on a hot air balloon. It does not give specific information on how the hot air balloon operates, instead it is a fun book that will expand your child’s imagination.

Photo Books

Photo hot air balloon books often show the adventures of the pilot over a specific time period. the books listed below show adventures from particular years and balloon festivals. They are all loaded with colourful images of hot air balloons and beautiful scenery.

• Ballooning Over 2000
• The Art of Ballooning
• The Joy of Ballooning
• Colourful Air Too

Historical Books

The Dominion of the Air: John McKenzie Bacon is the author of this book. He did a great job in capturing the history of the hot air balloon in its entire marvel. This book is an ode to hot air balloon navigators from 1793 to around 1902. This book came out in the early 20th century but still has much relevance to today’s hot air balloon fanatics. It shows a part of history that some hold very dear to them.

Instructional Books

There are many instructional books about hot air balloons. Some provide explanations about how to build small hot air balloons or sky lanterns or large ones capable of carrying a pilot and passengers. Some even give advice on how to pilot a hot air balloon. these books are usually very thorough since they give professional advice and most of them can be followed word for word. If however, one is not certain about building a hot air balloon, especially one that has the potential to carry passengers, seek professional help. The books listed below are two very thorough instructional books.

• How to Build Your Own Model Hot-Air Balloons
• Balloon Builders Journal CD

Story Books

A Skylark in Blue Yonder: this is a funny book about the journey one man (a high school principal) to become a hot air balloon pilot. The book is the non-fictional account about the adventures the hobby of hot air ballooning brought this man and essentially how it changed his life.

Hot air balloon books are available to all age groups and are very diverse even though the central point is always about a hot air balloon. These books whether, children’s, historical or story books are sure to give more knowledge about the human connection with hot air balloons.

People that are considering taking a flight in a balloon do not always take time out to learn how to make a hot air balloon. Although there are specialized areas to learn, still it is not hard to master the trade as long as one follows the directions given by experienced people.

When one is learning how to make a hot air balloon, there are some things he or she will have to get together first. These are Gift Tissue, Elmer’s glue, hatpins, a pair of sharp scissors, AWG wire, 3 coke cans, a pair of metal snips, some denature alcohol, pencil or marker, matches and fuel.

When making a hot air balloon, the first thing to do is group the tissue into six sets of threes. Once this done, line up the tissues to form a sheet that will be 60 by 26 inches. Follow through by overlapping each sheet by 3/8 of an inch. To do this however, use a light amount of Elmer’s Glue to hold them together. Because glue has a way of getting soft once the balloon flies in the air, it is better not to use Elmer’s School Glue and others. To make a stronger connection, one can smear the glue along the length of the sheet.

Once you have the 6 sheets that are 60 by 26 inches, stack them directly on top of each other and pin them together with hatpins. With the hatpins in place, use a pencil or marker to mark the sheets so that they cut to make gores at the sides of the balloon.

The first marking should be at the top of the balloon and then proceed to the bottom and neck. Because of the markings, the shape of the balloon is established. Do not be overly concerned if the shape of the balloon does not come out the way you desire it, just make sure that the top of the balloon ends up having more volume than the bottom (this will ensure its stabilityar). The next step is for you to fold the stack of sheets back so that the marked half of the sheets are on top. When doing this however, you must ensure that all 6 sheets are folded in the middle.

With the use of a pair of sharp scissors, cut the sheets and then separate them into sets of twos. Then using your Elmer’s Glue, glue 1 side of each set and you will find yourself with 3 sets of 2-glued gores.

The next step is to put the three pairs together so that the seams are all on the inside. For reference purposes, it is better to number the pairs of gores. Next, fold the top of number 1 gore down the center to the right. Follow up by folding gore number 2 the same way and then flip it (number 2) over so that the unfolded part lines up with the top of number 1 gore. Then fold back number 2 down the centerline to the right. Now it is time to deal with number 3. Fold the top of number 3 down the centerline towards the right. Then flip it over to lay on top of numbers 1 and 2 (which are by now glued together). Glue all the gores together.

The above steps should allow you to have only 1 seam remaining. The next step is for you to fold number 3 and insert the entire stock of gores so that the balloon is inverted with its seams on the inside. Since the last seam will be a bit difficult and may take a while, do so by working your way from the top downward, folding a little bit inward at a time and gluing.

Now using the 20AGW wire, make a circle out of the radius of the mouth of the balloon, insert the ring, and fold the paper of the mouth up around the ring to keep it in place. The next step for you to do is fold about 1 inch of paper around the ring.

With the help of 3 coke cans, use a metal snip or sharp scissors and cut the cap of one can off just below the bend in the top of the can. Then cut the bottom and top off the remaining 2 cans. Apply some force and bend the cans, then stack them vertically. With the cans stacked, poke some holes into the joints where they overlap and insert 2AGW wire through the holes and tie it so that the cans hold together. Again, poke holes around the perimeter of the engine and connect 3 wires that are about 9 inches long through the 3 equally spaced holes in the top.

With the balloon upright (make someone hold it), center the engine within the mouth of the balloon and connect the 3 wires to the ring inside the balloon (to do this you will have to poke the wires through the balloon paper). Check to ensure that wires are evenly spaced around the perimeter of the balloon.

When the above steps are finished, the balloon is complete and ready to fly. On a day when the wind is right, have some friends hold the balloon up and out. Under no circumstances should the balloon paper get near the engine. Pour some denatured alcohol into the engine and light it through the lower sets of holes. This is done to make the engine heat up and begin to show 8 to 10 inches flames coming out of the top of it. Depending on the wind, or how much the balloon weighs, it will take off in 30 to 120 seconds. If the balloon catches fire do not hold it, just build another one. If the balloon does not fly, then lighten or increase the weight.

When going ballooning, it is better that one knows how to make a hot air balloon in the off-chance he or she wants to build one for them self. Knowing how to make a hot air balloon may just be the challenge one needs to ensure a strong knowledge in the area.

Many parents want to get their children interested in hot air ballooning. So why not build or purchase a toy hot air balloon for them? Toy hot air balloons have been on the market for years. Since real hot air balloon rides are hard to come by, especially in some countries, why not build miniature ones so that children can play make belief they are flying in the real thing?

Toy hot air balloons are made from scraps of tissue paper and glue. In addition, a basket is made to carry a burner; this is created from balsa wood.

Fire balloons and solar balloons are two kinds of toy hot air balloons you can build for children.

Fire balloons are around since 180 AD and was first invented and used in China as “sky lanterns.” Fire balloons made from tissue or paper heated by fire as well as by a cotton ball soaked in alcohol. Countries like Latin America, Thailand, Burma and China still use fire balloons.

The downside to fire balloons is they are heated by fire. This means they tend to ignite and become a hazard to houses, trees, and people. Therefore, be careful when using them.

Solar balloons get their power from the sun and not from fire. They are much safer to use than fire balloons. Some solar toy hot air balloons are made from trash bags, and can be large enough to carry a video camera and even a grown person.

Some toy hot air balloons are radio-control models and require special burners.

If one wants to build a toy hot air balloon all he or she has to do is draw designs or patterns and leave the ink to dry. Then cut the strings into twelve inch lengths and tape those to the balloon about half way up, spacing them evenly all the way up. The next thing to do is tie the strings to the edges of the basket and make sure to cut off any excess strings. Finally, place a doll or toy inside of the basket and let it fly. You might need to place into the basket a lighter toy if the one you put into it is too heavy.

If one cannot find the time to build a toy hot air balloon, then he or she can buy an air balloon kit. Buying an air balloon kit will give the children more fun as they can use indoors as well as outdoors (depending on the inclement weather of course). In addition, an air balloon kit is safer to use and there is less danger of them catching fire.

A toy hot air balloon is the way to go if one is thinking of bringing joy to his or her child. Parents today are passing on the love of hot air ballooning to their children by buying them a toy hot air balloon. Who knows, this move may just make your child or children the next to create history in hot air ballooning.

Hot air ballooning has become famous in modern society; hence, manufacturers, companies and pilots are seeking hot air balloon parts to buy. Whether for used or new hot air balloons, the need to buy parts will become necessary as time passes. In addition, although flying in a hot air balloon makes one feels on top of the world, few people ever take time out to understand the parts used to make the apparatus.

Hot air balloon parts made of three areas. These are the basket, burner and envelope.

The basket usually made from wicker, which is comfortable, durable and is able to take the force out of landing. The basket is where the pilot and passengers are held during the flight.

The burner is what propels the hot air up inside the envelope. The burner is really the engine of the balloon. It uses propane gas to heat up the air inside the envelope in order to move the balloon from off the ground.

The actual balloon is referred to as the envelope. The envelope constructed from nylon sections known as gores, which extend from the base to the crown is made up of many smaller panels.

Places to locate hot air balloon parts in the UK are Lindstrand Balloon UK and Cameron Balloons UK. Lindstrand Balloons manufactures hot air balloons, gas balloons, air ships and tethered aerostats while Cameron Balloons UK specializes in making all kinds of balloons including special shapes, airstrips, Rozier balloons and projections spheres.

Other places to buy balloon parts in Europe are Ballonbau Warner in Germany, Kubicek Balloons from Czech and Ultramagic Balloons from Spain. Ballonbau Warner is manufacturer of helium and hot air balloons as well as aerostats. Kubicek Balloons make standard and special hot air balloons as well as hot air airships. Ultramagic Balloons produce hot air balloons for sport and advertising purposes.

Places to buy hot air balloon parts in the United States are Aerostar, Avian Balloong Corporation, Fire Fly Balloons, Head Balloons and National Ballooning Limited. Aerostar makes hot air balloon and aerostats. Avian Balloong Corporation is one of the oldest manufacturers of hot air balloons in the United States. Fire Fly Balloons are manufacturers of hot air balloons for passengers, graphic, adverting, sport and commercial purposes. Head Balloons manufacture handcrafted balloons, replacement envelopes, burners and baskets. National Ballooning Limited is a manufacturer of high technology, state of the art aerostats.

In Australia, a company by the name of Kavanagh Balloons manufactures hot air balloons as well as design, construct, and certify balloons for sports, private and commercial purposes. Kavanagh Balloons have been around since 1979 and presently is the only manufacturer of hot air balloons in Australia.

Since the sport has become famous in some parts of the world, hot air balloon parts are only available in a section of the world; however, people are making sure to get their hands on new or used parts before they become out of stock items. Why not pick up yours today before it is too late.

Kongming Lattern

The earliest type of air-borne craft based on the principles of a hot air ballooning, dates back to 220 to 280 AD in China. Zhuge Liang of the Shu Han Kingdom used these sky lanterns (or Kongming Lanterns) for military signaling. The lanterns consisted of oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame, with a small candle or waxy flammable material. When lit, the flame heated the air inside the lantern, causing it to rise. Similar lanterns were also used in World War II.

Hot Air Balloon Pioneers

Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier pioneered hot air ballooning in France after discovering that heated air in a lightweight bag would cause it to rise. They demonstrated their discovery publicly in 1783 in Annonay, France. They repeated the experiment a few months later, with a sheep, a duck and a rooster as passengers. Later that same year the first manned hot air balloon flight took place in Paris, coördinated by the Mongolfier brothers, Pilatre de Rozier and the Marquis Francois Laurent d’Arlandes. These men were aboard the paper and linen balloon, with smoke and heated air as the lifting gas.

Other Early Hot Air Balloon Exploration

Early hot air balloon explorers needed to consider balloon materials, the design, the correct lifting gas, the length of travel, and the ability to breathe at the designated altitude. In 1785 Jean Pierre Blanchard and his copilot flew across the English Channel. Pilatre de Rozier, hailed by some as the first balloonist, unfortunately died trying to cross the channel, when his half helium, half hot air balloon design exploded half an hour into flight. Blanchard later flew in North America. In 1978 Ben Abruzzi, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman were the first explorers to cross the Atlantic in a helium balloon, the Double Eagle II, flying for 137 hours. In 1981 the four pilots of the Double Edge V were the first to cross the pacific. The first trans-Atlantic hot air (as opposed to helium/gas-filled) balloon ride took place in 1987. Pilots Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand flew 2,900 miles in a record-breaking time of 33 hours. The envelope used was the largest ever flown, at 2.3 million cubic feet of capacity. A year later, Per Lindstand set yet another record, for the highest solo flight ever recorded in a hot air balloon, when he reached 65,000 feet. Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand paired up again in 1991 and became the first to cross the Pacific in a hot air balloon, traveling 6,700 miles in 47 hours. In 1999 Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones completed the first round the world flight in a hot air balloon. They left from Switzerland and landed in Africa, smashing all previous distance records, flying for almost 20 days.

High-Altitude Ballooning

Beginning with the 18th century, balloonist continually tried to fly their balloons at increasingly higher altitudes. In 1931 the Swiss explorer Auguste Piccard invented the stratospheric balloon,, which opened up new avenues in exploration. The stratospheric balloon was an inverted version of a 1905 invention that Auguste Piccard had carried out with his twin brother, Jean Piccard, for a bathyscaphe diving ship. The balloon consisted of a spherical aluminum pressure cabin and a 14,000-cubic-metre (500,000-cubic-foot) lightweight rubberized-cotton hydrogen balloon. This balloon made the first successful stratospheric flight, which went to 51,775 feet. In 1934 Jean Piccard and wife Jeanette flew a larger version with a magnesium alloy cabin to 57,579 feet. Shortly after Picard’s invention people used plastic high altitude balloons for cosmic ray research, photographic flights over foreign terrain, air sampling for detecting atomic explosions, observations of disturbances above the troposphere, and aerodynamic testing of free-falling payloads. Captain Joe Kitchner achieved the highest altitude, when he parachuted from his balloon at a height of 102,000 feet, breaking the sound barrier with his body. A balloon is the only stable craft that can fly above the height of an airplane and below the height of space craft. Today some high altitude balloons consist of nylon laminated with a polyester film, but most research balloons have polyethylene materials. Balloonists maintain internal pressure with liquid oxygen and carbon dioxide scrubbers.

Upper Air Beauty

Floating through the sky is a brilliant and romantic way to spend some quality time with your special someone. The natural beauty of the Earth as seen from above is sure to have you both looking at life in a different sense. The leisurely pace of a hot air balloon is ideal for you both to enhance the spirituality of your bond, as you gaze lovingly at the mastery of creation below. Hot air balloon rides for 2 are a cheap way to spend time together doing something you both enjoy. You can talk about things which you need to discuss, without fear of interruptions. As long as your flight is supervised by an experienced hot air balloon pilot, you have nothing to worry about, as hot air balloon accidents are few when compared to successful flights. You will also find that the hot air balloon ride is only for days with fair to fine weather, so you should plan your excursion carefully.

Where to Go,

Hot air balloon rides for 2 are done at just about every place where flights take place. California Dreamin’ does flights up to 15 times per day for less than $150 per person. If you’re in Canada, the Sundance Balloon park is the place to go for your rides. The Balloons above the Valley company is slightly more upscale and will charge $210 per person. However, you will get a tour of California’s vast wine vineyards as well as the city scape during both the night and day. Special guest rates are available if you reserve your space for your flight early and you can take advantage of discounts as well. The Napa Valley rides are among the most romantic, and several beaus use the opportunity to propose to their bettys! You can even buy a gift card for a couple you know and have them experience the opportunity of a lifetime, soaring through the air and enjoying each other’s company. Western U.S. residents can visit the Western Sky Hot Air balloon air field for their excursion and can take advantage of the same low rates and frequent flights each day. Weekends and holidays attract a special cost, but will be easier to pinpoint and easier to get through with.

Ballooning for the Beginner

There are some special steps you can take to ensure your safety before you hop into the ride. If you or your special someone has a natural fear of heights, it is a good idea to leave the ride alone and decide on something less dramatic. Although the ride is quiet and charming, balloons soar to as much as 10,000 feet and are not for the faint of heart. When going on hot air balloon rides for 2, always listen to the pilot and ensure that you do not tamper with the equipment. It is fascinating but still dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. Just enjoy yourself. A hot air balloon ride is an opportunity only a few people get to undertake.