Buying Guides

What Comes in a Balloon Arch Kit? Every Item Explained (and What You’ll Still Need)

A tour of the box, item by item — and the short list of things worth having on hand.

Mint and Pearl balloon arch: fresh mint, pearl white and lilac chrome balloons with white roses and lanterns for a garden-party look
Featured kit Mint & Pearl balloon arch kit Fresh mint, pearl white and lilac chrome. 5, 10, 20 & 40 ft kits from $68 · free shipping. Shop Mint & Pearl → Styled photo — props shown for inspiration; the kit is the balloons + build kit.
Quick answer

A Party Box balloon arch kit includes hand-graded premium latex balloons in the theme palette (counted and bagged by cluster), long loop balloons, Magic Tape, a step-by-step how-to-hang guide and spare balloons in every colour. You’ll also want a pump (hand $12.50 or electric $29.50, available as add-ons), scissors and removable hooks for mounting.

Quick takeaways

  • Balloons come flat (uninflated) and bagged by cluster for fast building.
  • Loop balloons form the arch’s spine; clusters twist onto them.
  • Magic Tape fixes small balloons into gaps and helps mount the arch.
  • A pump isn’t included by default but saves a lot of time.

The balloons

The heart of the kit. Every Party Box uses hand-graded premium latex in the theme’s exact palette, with large statement balloons, medium cluster balloons and small fillers. They’re counted and bagged by cluster, so instead of one giant mixed bag you have neat groups that map to the how-to-hang guide. Kits ship flat — that keeps balloons fresh and shipping free — and you inflate them with air, no helium needed.

Free planning toolNew to balloon arches? Our step-by-step balloon arch guide covers planning, building and hanging from start to finish.

Mint and Pearl balloon arch: fresh mint, pearl white and lilac chrome balloons with white roses and lanterns for a garden-party look
Shop this look Mint & Pearl balloon arch kit Fresh mint, pearl white and lilac chrome. 5, 10, 20 & 40 ft kits from $68 · free shipping. Shop Mint & Pearl → Styled photo — props shown for inspiration; the kit is the balloons + build kit.

Long loop balloons

These long, thin balloons are the arch’s backbone. You twist your four-balloon clusters onto them, one after another, and the loop balloons hold the shape while staying hidden behind the clusters. They’re flexible, so the arch can curve over a doorway, drape across a table or climb a wall.

Magic Tape

Double-sided balloon tape is the stylist’s secret weapon. Use it to tuck small filler balloons into gaps, to stick floating “bubble” balloons to the outside of the garland, and to attach the ends of the arch to your wall or backdrop. On delicate paint, pair it with removable hooks or strips — see hanging an arch without damage.

How-to-hang guide and spares

The guide walks you through inflating, building clusters, attaching and finishing — the same steps in our setup guide. And because even great latex occasionally meets a sharp corner, we pack spare balloons in every colour, so a pop is a 30-second fix instead of a crisis.

What you’ll still want on hand

ItemWhyHave it?
Balloon pumpInflating by mouth is slow and tiringAdd at checkout ($12.50 hand / $29.50 electric)
ScissorsTrimming tape and loop endsKitchen drawer
Removable hooks or stripsSupporting the arch every couple of feetHardware store
Step stoolReaching the top of a doorway archGarage
Optional accentsGreenery, signs, lights, propsAdd-ons or your own

Stylist tipAn electric pump turns the most tedious step into a few minutes — it’s worth it for any 20 ft or 40 ft kit.

Lavender Haze balloon arch: soft lavender, lilac and cream balloons with dried lavender bundles, lanterns and woven baskets
Shop this look Lavender Haze balloon arch kit Soft lavender, lilac and cream. 5, 10, 20 & 40 ft kits from $68 · free shipping. Shop Lavender Haze → Styled photo — props shown for inspiration; the kit is the balloons + build kit.

Unboxing: how to prep in 10 minutes

When your Party Box arrives, open it somewhere cool and away from direct sun. Check the cluster bags against the how-to-hang guide, set the loop balloons and Magic Tape aside, and leave the spares bagged until you need them — that way you always know where they are. If the party is more than a few days away, close the box back up and store it somewhere dark and room-temperature; latex lasts best away from heat and light.

The night before (or morning of), clear the wall, mark your end points, charge or plug in your pump, and follow the step-by-step setup guide. Most hosts are surprised how quickly it comes together when everything is already sorted.

Why kits ship flat (and why that’s good)

Inflated balloons don’t travel well: they take enormous space, they’re vulnerable to heat in delivery trucks, and the clock on their lifespan starts the moment they’re filled. Shipping flat keeps the latex fresh until you need it, keeps shipping free, and means your arch looks its best on the day of the party rather than the day it left the studio. Inflating is the quickest part of the build — especially with an electric pump.

What’s not in the box (on purpose)

Our styled photos show arches with gift boxes, lanterns, signs and plush animals around them. Those are styling props for inspiration, not kit contents — the kit focuses on what makes the arch itself great: the balloons and the supplies to build and hang it. That keeps the base price fair and lets you choose your own finishing touches. If you love a particular look, the personalized sign, greenery, LED lights and themed props add-ons get you most of the way there, or you can shop your own home for candles, baskets and frames that already match your style.

Optional add-ons

Ready-to-build kits

Shop the looks in this guide

More kits that suit this guide: Still Us balloon arch kit · Pink Parade balloon arch kit · Bohemian Bloom balloon arch kit

Frequently asked questions

Does a balloon arch kit come with a pump?

Party Box kits don’t include a pump by default, but you can add a hand pump ($12.50) or electric pump ($29.50) at checkout.

Do balloon arch kits come with a stand?

Standard kits mount to a wall or backdrop with tape and hooks. Add the floor base & columns option if you want a freestanding arch.

Are the balloons in a kit already blown up?

No, kits ship flat. You inflate them with air; the balloons are bagged by cluster to make it quick.

What is Magic Tape for balloons?

A double-sided balloon tape used to tuck filler balloons into gaps, stick accent balloons on, and help attach the arch to a surface.

How many balloons are in a Party Box arch kit?

The count scales with length, and every kit mixes large statement balloons, medium cluster balloons and small fillers, plus spares in every colour. Each kit is counted and bagged by cluster so you never run short mid-build.

Do I need anything else to build the arch?

A pump, scissors and a few removable hooks or strips. A step stool helps for doorway arches. Everything else, including loop balloons, Magic Tape and instructions, is in the box.

Can I add flowers or lights to a kit?

Yes. Greenery and florals, fairy and LED lights, custom numbers and letters, signs, props and a floor base are available as add-ons, or you can add your own.