Balloon Costume
Float above the crowd in a whimsical, DIY hot air balloon.
The hot air balloon costume is a whimsical, highly creative DIY favorite that always stands out at Halloween parties and community events. This look features a wearable basket suspended by shoulder straps, topped with a colorful cluster of balloons. It is a fun, interactive project that is surprisingly easy to assemble using everyday household items.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~60 min
- Budget
- $20–50
Try it on
See yourself as Balloon
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Balloon costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Balloon costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Wicker or plastic laundry basket
A lightweight, rectangular basket with the bottom cut out to fit around your waist.
DIY: Use a large cardboard box painted brown with woven basket patterns.
Thick ribbon or suspenders
Two lengths of wide brown or black ribbon to act as shoulder straps to hold up the basket.
DIY: Use an old pair of adjustable clip-on suspenders.
Colorful latex balloons
A pack of 12 to 15 latex balloons in bright, contrasting colors like red, yellow, blue, and green.
Wooden dowel rods
Four sturdy wooden dowels, about 36 inches long, to support the balloon canopy from the basket corners.
DIY: Use sturdy cardboard tubes from wrapping paper rolls.
Striped shirt
A classic red-and-white or blue-and-white striped long-sleeve shirt for a vintage aeronaut aesthetic.
DIY: Any solid bright-colored t-shirt or a plain white shirt with a red scarf.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Balloon costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Carefully cut out the bottom of the laundry basket or cardboard box using utility shears so you can easily step inside it.
- 2
Line the cut edges of the basket with duct tape to prevent them from scratching your legs or snagging your clothes.
- 3
Measure and attach two loops of wide ribbon to the front and back of the basket to act as suspenders, ensuring the basket sits comfortably at your waist.
- 4
Secure the four wooden dowel rods to the inside corners of the basket using strong duct tape or zip ties.
- 5
Inflate your colorful latex balloons with air and tie them securely.
- 6
Attach the balloons to the tops of the dowel rods using tape, string, or wire to create a dense, floating canopy cluster above your head.
- 7
Put on your striped shirt, step into the basket, slip the ribbon straps over your shoulders, and adjust for a secure fit.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neat and pulled back so it does not tangle with the balloons. Add a touch of rosy pink blush to your cheeks to mimic a fresh, high-altitude breeze.
Balloon for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person goes as the hot air balloon, and the partner dresses as a vintage aviator with a leather jacket, pilot cap, and goggles.
- group
- Dress up as characters from the movie 'Up' with one person wearing the balloon basket, another as Carl, and another as Russell.
- kids
- Use a smaller plastic bucket or a lightweight cardboard box for a kid-sized basket that is easy to carry.
- Plus size
- Use a wide, flexible plastic laundry basket or a larger cardboard box to ensure a comfortable fit around the waist.
- pet
- Attach a few small, air-filled balloons to a dog harness to make your pet look like they are floating.
Tips
- If using real helium, inflate the balloons on the day of your event so they do not lose buoyancy before the party.
- Keep the basket lightweight so it remains comfortable to wear and walk around in for hours.
- Navigate doorways and low ceilings carefully, as the balloon canopy will make you significantly taller than usual.
Balloon costume FAQ
- How do I keep the balloons standing upright?
- Attach sturdy wooden dowels or PVC pipes to the corners of the basket, then tie or tape the balloons directly to the tops of the rods.
- Is it hard to walk around in this costume?
- It is easy to walk, but you will need to be mindful of doorways, low ceilings, and crowded spaces due to the balloon canopy.
- Can I make this without helium?
- Yes! Air-filled balloons taped to wooden dowels or a wire frame work perfectly and won't deflate as quickly as helium.
Did you know? The first hot air balloon passengers in 1783 were not humans, but a sheep, a duck, and a rooster, sent up to test the effects of high altitude.