As balloon professionals, we are all pretty obviously passionate about balloons. We love the way they can completely transform a room or venue, and how they can instantly bring a smile and joy to those who receive them! But, there are more uses of the humble balloon that we may not have considered.
Balloons and Education
Schools often use balloons to demonstrate scientific experiments, or as part of interactive craft projects!
As we know, balloons are associated with all things fun, which is why children really enjoy balloon experiments, whether they are building a balloon-powered boat or powering a light bulb with static electricity. Did you ever do the experiment where you push a needle through a balloon without popping it or use a balloon to make the body of a piggy bank in a craft class?
Some situations in life can render words inadequate or uncomfortable. At such times, balloons serve as tangible expressions of encouragement. Even in our absence, they offer enduring cheer, comfort, and companionship to those we love.
#adoptagrandparent - Send a Smile!
Balloons really can be very uplifting and bring smiles to so many! During the restrictions of the COVID pandemic, many balloon artists signed up to be part of a national movement known as Adopt-A-Grandparent. This campaign was intended to bring smiles to residents of care homes that had not had visitors for many months. This project was funded through sponsorship, and it proved to be very successful!
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| Photograph credit: Karen Ford, CBA of BalloonWorks in Pennsylvania, US. |
Balloons Delight All Ages
From newborn babies to someone celebrating their 100th birthday, balloons definitely delight all ages!
We often think that balloons are just for children. However, people both young and old naturally find them appealing. We never outgrow the pure innocence and unfettered joy we feel with balloons.
Consumer fact - Balloons are for the young & old! Consumers consider balloons indispensable, with 91% of over 7,000 surveyed consumers indicating that they enjoy playing with balloons & nearly 80% agreeing that balloons bring pleasure to people of all ages.
Balloons Deliver Joy
Balloons have the extraordinary power to bring joy and enchantment anytime and anywhere. Because of this, you can count on them to make people laugh and smile. In the famous words of Winnie the Pooh, “Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.”
Balloons Create Jobs and Careers
Though many consider balloons to be a niche industry, the balloon industry actually employs tens of thousands of people in the USA and around the world.
The balloon industry actually consists of many individual industries, starting with the rubber tree farmers who grow, manage and tap the latex from the rubber trees. Most of these trees are grown on plantations owned by small-scale farmers. These plantations are a definite benefit to our ecosystem; it is estimated that over 16 million trees that feed the global balloon industry sequester over 363 kilograms of carbon from the atmosphere each year.
Balloons are manufactured around the world: Qualatex itself has plants in Mexico, Canada, and the US.
Balloons are sold through many different outlets, most of which are small and medium size enterprises:
- Entertainers, magicians and clowns
- Balloon artists
- Party shops
- Card shops
- Florists
- Wedding & events planners
- Small family businesses
- Cafes & restaurants
A huge thank you to the European Balloon & Party Council (EBPC), Party Safe, and Balloon Facts for their help with resource information and facts. This post is based on an original post from Balloon Facts with some updates and additions.
Happy Ballooning!
Sue
Follow me @suebowler