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How to Tie a Balloon Elephant

Balloon animals are a highlight of parades and fairs. Children marvel as a balloon artist twists and squeaks the various body parts on a multitude of balloon animals or other objects, such as bicycles. Balloon elephants are a particular favorite, with their long trunk and stubby legs. Skilled balloon artists are able to make these animal lookalikes in a matter of seconds, leaving children wide-eyed with their jaws hanging open.

Instructions

- 1
  Inflate a long, skinny balloon until 6 inches of area remains not inflated. Tie a knot at the end of the balloon.
- 2
  Twist the balloon two times about 5 inches from the tied end to separate the air in that section from the rest of the balloon. This will be the elephant's trunk.
- 3
  Twist the balloon about 3 inches from the last twist for an ear. Fold down the first section to the largest section of the balloon and then twist the ends of ear section together twice.
- 4
  Twist another ear about 3 inches from the previous ear. Fold the two ends of the balloon to the largest section and then twist the ends of the second ear section together.
- 5
  Twist the largest section about an inch from the elephant ears. Fold down the largest section and then twist the ends of new section together. This is the elephant's mouth. Position it so it is under the ears.
- 6
  Twist about an inch from the mouth to create the neck and then immediately twist the first leg 2 inches from the neck. Fold the large section of the balloon and then twist the first leg with the large section of the balloon to create a second leg.
- 7
  Twist the large section about 2 inches in from the front legs. Fold the balloon in half and then twist the first back leg with the large section to create two back legs. You now have two back legs and a tail. Push the tail through the two back legs. Turn each section of the balloon, if necessary, to ensure all the legs are at the bottom and the head and tail are at the top.

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