This post is sponsored by Bing.
When planning an event, I like to include one standout element that makes guests say “WOW!” It can be a subtle surprise or a bold statement piece. For our Meet/Make/Do event, we went big: a giant custom monogrammed beach ball. It made a huge impact, and since summer is on everyone’s mind, here’s a clear, natural guide to making your own giant custom beach ball for parties and outdoor gatherings.
My co-hosts Chelsea and Brittni and I started by hunting down oversized beach balls online. After a quick search we confirmed they exist in very large sizes, and then set to work on a plan to customize one for our event.
What you’ll need:
- Giant beach ball (ours was 7′ but they can be up to 10’—great for a dramatic focal point)
- Adhesive vinyl or contact paper (we used about two and a half rolls for our logo)
- Pencil
- X-Acto knife and cutting mat
- Tape
- Tracing paper and a computer (optional, if you want to trace a font or logo)
- Electric air pump (unless you plan to inflate a very large ball by hand)
Note: This is much easier with a partner. The size makes handling simpler when two people work together.
Decide on your message or design first. If you plan to freehand letters, you can draw directly onto the contact paper. If you prefer a font or logo, prepare templates. For large letters we wanted roughly 18″ height, so we traced the typography directly from a computer screen onto tracing paper. Tape tracing paper to the screen and trace lightly to avoid any damage.
Once you have your traced letters, unroll the contact paper and tape the tracing-paper templates to its backing, arranging the letters backward so they read correctly once applied (you’ll cut from the back). If you’re freehanding, draw the letters on the front of the contact paper and remember to cut slightly inside the pencil lines so the marks don’t show.
Place the contact paper on a cutting mat and use the X-Acto knife to cut out your letters, cutting through the tracing paper if you used it. Because the pieces can be bulky, roll finished letters around a paper tube (like a wrapping paper core) to keep them manageable until you’re ready to apply them.
Inflate the beach ball using an electric pump. Position the ball so it’s steady while you work—corral it in a tub or have a friend hold it steady. Important tip: don’t remove the entire backing from the contact paper at once. Work in small sections to avoid a sticky, unmanageable mess.
Start with a central word or letter. For example, we began with the middle word “Make.” Peel a portion of the backing and apply that section to the ball, smoothing out air bubbles as you go. Have one person hold the ball and the excess vinyl while the other adheres each piece. Continue peeling and applying letters in sequence until the full message is attached.
Done! The finished result is bold and playful—a perfect photo backdrop or conversation starter.
If you don’t have space for a giant ball, the same technique works on standard or smaller beach balls for a similar personalized touch.
Our giant beach ball was definitely a crowd-pleaser, and the setting made it feel even more magical. It’s a simple, high-impact DIY you can adapt for birthdays, graduations, yard parties, or any event that needs an eye-catching focal point.
Meet Make Do logo by Jordan Brantley. Step-by-step vinyl photos by Studio DIY. All other photos by Mary Costa Photography.
A big thank you to Brittni for helping bring this project to life—teamwork makes these big DIYs manageable. If you want a reliable backyard wow factor, a giant custom beach ball is a fantastic go-to. Need ideas for occasions? Birthdays, Father’s Day, graduations—there are plenty of reasons to celebrate.
This post is sponsored by Bing. All content and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting sponsors that keep Studio DIY going.