Nur’s Nook—Hopeful Horizons: Make a Hot-Air Balloon
“O Thou beloved of my heart and soul! ... Thy love encompasseth me and Thy grace is perfect. My hope is in Thee.”
—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
My teacher invited me to enter a project in our community arts and crafts show. I’d love to try, but I’m nervous. I’m afraid I’ll mess up, or my friends won’t like what I make.
This morning, I flew to the top of our treehouse to watch the sun rise over the hills. It was so beautiful! It filled me with hope and reminded me that each day is like a new start. Then, guess what appeared in the sky? A hot-air balloon! As it floated by, my imagination lit up, and I got a cool idea for the show—to make my own hot-air balloon! It reminds me to stay hopeful as I soar toward my goals and dreams. You can make one too!
You’ll Need: 4 drinking straws, two 9 oz. (266 mL) paper cups, 11" (28 cm) round balloon, 2 coated paper bowls, ruler, scissors, modeling clay, pen, hole punch, duct tape, 1 cup (237 mL) white glue, tablespoon, water, paintbrush, paper towels, colorful tissue paper, small slips of paper
Step 1: Cut paper cup in half and use bottom for balloon’s basket. Press clay evenly inside basket so it’s half full.
Step 2a: Cut along seam and base of other cup and press flat. Turn basket upside down on flattened cup, trace, and cut out.
Step 2b: Trim circle to fit in cup over clay. Punch 4 evenly spaced holes ¼" (.6 cm) from circle’s edges. Push circle into basket.
Step 3: Press pen’s tip through holes into clay. Pinch end of each straw and push straws firmly into clay holes, slightly angled outward. Attach straws to inside of basket with tape.
Step 4a: Blow up balloon to 7" (17.8 cm) and knot the end. In bowl, mix ½ cup (118 mL) glue with 2 tablespoons (29 mL) water for a thick mixture.* Set balloon in other bowl.
Step 4b: Tear paper towel into stamp-sized pieces. Coat pieces in glue mixture. Without covering 1" (2.5 cm) around knot, cover rest of balloon with 2 or 3 smooth layers. Let dry 1–2 days. Rotate balloon now and then so it dries evenly and won’t stick to bowl.
Step 5: Mix ¼ cup (59 mL) of glue with 3 tablespoons (44 mL) water (so it’s thinner than in Step 4a). Cut tissue paper in stamp-sized pieces, coat with mixture, and apply to papered areas of balloon in one smooth layer. Let dry as in Step 4b.
Step 6: Cut off balloon’s knot to deflate and remove it from papered balloon. Punch four evenly spaced holes ¾" (1.9 cm) from opening’s edges.
Step 7a: Wrap thin strip of tape around each straw 2" (5 cm) above basket, so taped portions are thicker than holes.
Step 7b: Turn balloon upside down. Pinch straw ends closed and thread straws through holes, stopping at tape. Turn balloon right side up and balance it evenly on taped parts of straws.
Step 8: Decorate balloon and basket by adding tissue paper cutouts with glue.
Step 9: Write your goals for the future on slips of paper. Put them in the basket to remind you to soar toward your dreams!
*Use a table cover to protect furniture.
For a printable version, download a PDF.
Characters493 Nur152 Nur’s Nook100 Arts84 Arts and Crafts222 Crafts213 Balloons3 Hopes3 Hope43 Creativity295