Today’s post is sponsored by Scotch Colors & Patterns Duct Tape.
I’ve loved entrepreneurship since childhood—my friend and I ran a “paper crafts” stand by the road. Watching my niece Quinn embrace the same creative spirit has been so rewarding. Quinn’s go-to medium is duct tape; she’s a natural. When Scotch Colors & Patterns Duct Tape asked us to collaborate, Quinn and I teamed up to build a playful, kid-friendly balloon stand to inspire summer and school-year creativity. We designed two unique sidewalk-stand ideas, starting with a colorful balloon stand full of fun accessories like balloon wands and stickers. Here’s how we did it.
I’ll break down the DIYs for the items we sold at the balloon stand and show how we built the stand itself. First up: balloon wands, tassels, bows, and stickers.
Supplies:
Scotch Color & Pattern Duct Tape (we used Hot Pink, Sunshine Yellow, Green Apple, Blue Turquoise, Metallic Pink, and Pearl White)
Cutting board
Rotary cutter
Balloon sticks (available at party stores)
Balloons
To make tassels: cut a 10″ strip of duct tape and stick it sticky-side down to the cutting board. Overlap a second 10″ strip slightly on top. Peel the layered strips off the board, flip them over, and add another 10″ strip to the back, overlapping as before. Continue alternating sides until you have a layered section about 7″ long. Fold over any exposed sticky edges.
Use a rotary cutter to slice 1/4″ fringe strips, leaving roughly 1/2″ uncut at the top. If making a standalone tassel, roll the fringe along the uncut section and secure it with a small piece of tape wrapped around the top.
To make a bow: start with a 10″ piece of tape and lay a second 10″ piece directly on top to create a double-sided strip. Fold it in half with the ends overlapping about 1/2″ in the middle, then fold both edges inward to meet in the center. Pinch or fold in half to form the bow shape and secure the pinch with a small piece of tape.
Trim wand sticks to the desired length and wrap them with a long strip of tape if you like. Inflate balloons with air (not helium) and tie them off with a knot. Use a small piece of tape to attach the balloon to the end of the wand. Wrap the fringed piece around the balloon tail and wand, forming a tassel; secure with tape around the top, then add a bow with a small piece of tape.
Sticker supplies:
Scotch Color & Pattern Duct Tape (same colors as above)
Cutting board
Rotary cutter
Parchment paper
Making duct tape stickers is simple. Cut 1″ wide strips in various colors and stick them onto parchment paper to create sticker sheets. Cut shapes or confetti-style pieces from the tape. To apply to balloons, peel the sticker from the parchment and press it onto the inflated balloon. Avoid repositioning stickers once applied, as moving them can cause the balloon to pop.
Stand supplies:
Cardboard stand (we used a simple corrugated display)
Scotch Color & Pattern Duct Tape (Sunshine Yellow for the stand)
Balloons, balloon wands, and stickers
Poster board and marker for a sign
Small display table or accessories
We covered the existing stripes on our cardboard stand with Sunshine Yellow duct tape to give it a fresh, cohesive look. A cluster of tied balloons brightened the display. We set out a small table with the balloon wands and sticker sheets so visitors could decorate their own balloons, and finished with a hand-drawn sign on poster board.
Once the stand was set up, we were ready to sell. This idea works well at school fairs, birthday parties, or neighborhood events—kids love choosing a balloon and decorating it with sticker confetti and fun wands.
Quinn’s giant bow used the same bow method described above and was attached to a headband with a piece of tape for a quick, wearable accessory.
All photos by Studio DIY
Did you ever run a small business as a kid, or do your kids have one now? Try this balloon stand for a simple, creative activity at your next event. Check back soon for another sidewalk-stand DIY you’ll want to try.
This post is a collaboration with Scotch Colors & Patterns Duct Tape.
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