This fun balloon-shaped “happy birthday” banner is simple to do and a fun twist on more traditional pennant-shaped party banners. Print out our free template below and follow a few easy steps for the perfect party decor no matter your theme.
Happy Birthday Banner DIY
Supplies
- Free template
- Colorful cardstock, foam, or felt*
- Thin ribbon – I used 14 yards of 1/4″ wide ribbon
- Scissors
- Marker – disappearing ink is great but any marker or pen will work
- Hot glue
*My template uses one sheet of large 12 x 18″ foam for every 3 balloons so that’s 5 sheets for just “happy birthday!” Add more if you want to include your child’s name. I chose 5 colors so that each letter of “happy” would have its own color but choosing just 2 or 3 colors would look nice too.
Instructions
1. Download the template. It’s on two pages but you don’t need to print page 2 unless you plan to use the same letter font as I did. (Instructions for using a different font are below.)
2. My template uses the font Letters for Learners. If you want to add a child’s name in the same font, add the name to the “preview text” box, click “large” in the size drop down, and then when the page loads, zoom in via your internet browser until it’s the size you want (around 400% should be right). Then just hold a piece of paper or your final material (if it’s a light colored cardstock or foam) directly on your computer screen and trace lightly with a marker or pencil.
Want to use a different font? Find one you love at dafont.com and follow the steps above with whatever message you choose.
3. Trace the balloon shape onto your chosen banner material. Cut 13 for “happy birthday” or more if you want to add an exclamation point and/or your child’s name.
4. Hot glue the letters to your balloons.
5. Cut your ribbon. The length depends on how you plan to arrange them. You could have the ribbon hanging straight down, or collected into a bow like you see in my pictures. I used 38″ strands but they’re a little longer than necessary. 35″ would be fine. I also used grosgrain ribbon because I had a lot in my craft closet but less expensive gift wrapping ribbon would be totally fine. It would even be cute to see it curling a bit at the ends.
6. Hot glue ribbon to the back of the balloons.
7. Test your arrangement on a tabletop before putting it on the wall. When adding it to your wall, determine where the middle should be and put up the first “p” from “happy” first. Then space out the others around it. If doing “birthday” with no exclamation point like I did, the “t” and “h” should be in line below the “p.” You could also glue the balloons to each other so you don’t have to individually arrange them on the wall when it’s party time. But that will make the banner more awkward to store for future parties.
Simple right?! And such a fun alternative to the average banner. If you loved this tutorial, please pin it on Pinterest so others can find it.
Love color? My rainbow unicorn shirts with detachable finger puppets are now available! Check them out here.
PS: If you are planning a rainbow or unicorn themed party, snag my free printable cupcake wrappers, thank you cards, and party favor tags! Sign up to join my Happy Mail list via the box below and you’ll get all 4 in your inbox today.
