9 Places Where to Fill Up Balloons with Helium for Free (or Cheap!) (2024)

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Discover where to fill balloons with helium for free or at a low cost. This guide details stores offering helium services with balloon purchases and answers common helium-related FAQs.

9 Places Where to Fill Up Balloons with Helium for Free (or Cheap!) (1)

Searching for where to fill up a few balloons with helium for free often comes with a catch – the cost of the balloons themselves. Before your next event takes flight, our guide will show you where you can get your balloons filled with helium for cheap or even free right at the store. Got a birthday coming up? There are dozens of other places to score other free birthday stuff, too.

9 Stores with Helium Balloons and Helium Filling Services

While completely free helium services are a rarity, there are select stores that offer free balloon filling when you purchase foil balloons or latex balloons directly from them. Here's a list of stores where you can expect this perk:

1. Party City

If you've got a party or birthday coming up, stop by Party City. With a wide variety of pre-filled helium balloons and uninflated balloons available for every occasion, Party City offers free helium filling for balloons purchased in-store.

2. CVS

When you buy balloons at your local CVS store, they often provide a free helium filling service. Just be sure to check with your local CVS as services might vary by location.

3. Dollar Tree

Known for its affordable party supplies, Dollar Tree fills helium balloons for free if you purchase their balloons.

4. Michael's

Michael's is another place you can buy balloons and get them filled with helium. They have many colors and shapes to choose from for any party. If you want, you can also buy a small tank to fill balloons with helium at home.

5. Publix

If you've got a birthday, anniversary, or graduation coming up, Publix (and many other grocery stores) have you covered. Whether you need latex balloons or mylar balloons, you can buy pre-filled balloons right in the floral department.

6. Walmart

Some Walmart locations have a party or floral department where you can buy both pre-filled helium balloons and uninflated balloons. If you're looking to fill balloons purchased, Walmart offers helium services so you can inflate balloons before you even checkout.

7. Safeway

At Safeway, customers can purchase helium balloons for various celebrations. They offer a selection of both latex and mylar balloons that can be filled with helium right in the floral or party supply section.

8. Kroger

Kroger is another place you can get balloons filled with helium. They have latex and foil balloons, both single and sets, available to buy, and they offer helium-filling services.

9. Dollar General

If you're looking for no-frills helium balloons, Dollar General is another great place to consider to get balloons inflated. For pretty cheap, you can get your balloons filled with helium right in the store.


Buying Your Own Helium Tank


If you're looking to have more control over filling balloons, purchasing your own helium tank might be the right choice for you. Here are a few stores where you can buy helium tanks:

Walmart

Walmart offers small helium tanks that are perfect for parties. These tanks are available in various sizes, depending on how many balloons you need to fill.

Party City

At Party City, you can find helium tanks for sale. They come with easy-to-use nozzles and instructions, making the balloon-filling process a breeze.

Michael's

Michael's craft stores carry helium tanks as well. They often have tanks in different capacities, suitable for events of all sizes.

Target

Target is another retailer that sells helium tanks. They offer tanks that are simple to use, so you can inflate balloons right at home.

Amazon

For convenience, you can order large helium tanks online right from Amazon. They have a wide selection of tanks with various helium capacities to suit your needs.

Remember, when handling helium tanks, always follow the safety instructions provided to ensure a fun and safe experience.


Filling Helium Balloons: FAQs

Does Michaels fill helium balloons?
Yes, Michaels now fills helium balloons!

Does Walmart fill helium balloons?
Certainly, Walmart provides a service to inflate helium balloons purchased at their establishment. Alternatively, you can purchase a small helium tank from them and fill the balloons with helium on your own.

Does Dollar General fill balloons with helium?
Yes, Dollar General does fill balloons with helium for a varying cost per balloon.

Can I bring my own balloons to Party City to get helium?
Certainly, you can take your personal balloons to a Party City location, where they will be inflated with helium for you. It’s not necessary to buy the store’s balloons.

Can I get balloons filled with helium at CVS?
Certainly, if you buy balloons in store at CVS, they can be filled with helium at no additional cost. It’s recommended to confirm this service with the particular CVS location prior to your visit.

- Vanessa

9 Places Where to Fill Up Balloons with Helium for Free (or Cheap!) (2024)

FAQs

9 Places Where to Fill Up Balloons with Helium for Free (or Cheap!)? ›

If you purchase your balloons from another store, your local Party City can fill those with helium, too. Helium prices can vary depending on your location, so it's a good idea to call ahead.

Can I bring my own balloons to get helium? ›

If you purchase your balloons from another store, your local Party City can fill those with helium, too. Helium prices can vary depending on your location, so it's a good idea to call ahead.

How much does it cost to fill 1 balloon with helium? ›

As an approximate estimate, a standard 18-inch helium balloon can typically be filled for around $1 to $2 at a party supply store or other supplier that offers helium balloon filling services. However, prices may vary depending on location and other factors.

How much does crazy store charge to fill a balloon with helium? ›

welcome to supply your own balloons. R9. 99 per helium fill, excluding balloon.

Can I put helium in a helium free balloon? ›

All balloons can surely be filled with helium but not all of them will float.

Can I take balloons to Dollar Tree for helium? ›

Does Dollar Tree fill helium balloons? Dollar Tree stores often provide helium balloon filling services, but it's typically for balloons purchased in-store. Policies regarding helium filling may vary depending on the location, so it's advisable to inquire with your nearest Dollar Tree store to get accurate information.

Can I take balloons to Party City for helium? ›

Helium is colorless, non-toxic, odorless, tasteless and doesn't burn. To fill balloons with helium, you can use a Balloon Time helium tank or go to your local Party City store to have balloons inflated.

Does Walmart fill helium balloons? ›

Does Walmart inflate balloons with helium? They will if you buy the balloons from them. Otherwise we sell small helium tanks in party supplies and you can inflate them yourself.

How to make balloons float without helium? ›

Instead of filling the balloon with helium, you need to fill it with hot air. You can do this by using a hairdryer, holding the end of the balloon close to the hairdryer and letting the hot air fill it up. Once it is full of hot air, tie off the end of the balloon and watch it float!

How much helium do I need for 100 balloons? ›

If you're trying to inflate 100, 9-inch standard latex balloons, you will need approximately between 25 to 27 cubic feet of helium.

How to get helium gas for balloons? ›

The helium used in balloons is obtained by deep-freezing natural gas. Unfortunately, since it's impossible to make helium via a chemical reaction, it would require a considerable sum of money to blow up helium balloons yourself.

Can you put money in helium balloons? ›

Loosely roll the bills and put 3-4 bills inside the clear balloon. Using a funnel, add in the confetti to the balloon. Fill the balloon with helium, make sure to fill it to the max so it will still fly in the air with the money. The money can be heavy and weigh it down.

Can you fill normal balloons with helium? ›

Most balloons can be filled with helium or air, simply check the instructions provided or on the product page for details. Some balloons can only be filled with air due to their size (like mini latex and foil balloons), and some balloons are not designed for helium (like balloon garlands).

Does Dollar General inflate balloons? ›

Yes, DG's blow up balloons. The one I worked in blew up the mylar balloons that we sold, and also the latex ones we sold in packs for about $1 for each balloon. We have even blown up balloons bought at a different store, still $1 per balloon.

Does Walgreens do helium balloons? ›

Festive Voice Latex Solid Helium Balloons | Walgreens.

How to stand balloons without helium? ›

Take a big bottle and fill it with the mixture of Sodium hydroxide and pieces of aluminum foil. Add water inside the bottle. Next step is to attach a balloon to the mouth of the bottle containing the mixture. The mixture inside the container will automatically generate hydrogen gas that will rise and fill the balloons.

Can I bring my own balloons to get helium card factory? ›

We are able to inflate balloons purchased from an alternate retailer, but we will apply a charge to the inflation as listed below: Latex Inflation Charge £1.49 - €2.25. Inflation charge 34” Numerals £2.99 - €4.50.

Can you use normal balloons for helium? ›

Most balloons can be filled with helium or air, simply check the instructions provided or on the product page for details. Some balloons can only be filled with air due to their size (like mini latex and foil balloons), and some balloons are not designed for helium (like balloon garlands).

Can you fill balloons with helium yourself? ›

Using Helium Canisters

With our range of helium canisters, you can fill up balloons at home ahead of your big occasions.

Can you get helium from balloons? ›

You can inhale helium directly from a balloon for a few seconds and then say something funny to enjoy the effects! Just make sure to use caution and stop immediately if you get lightheaded or dizzy—when you breathe in helium you aren't getting oxygen, so take frequent breaks to breathe normally.

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