There’s more than one type of balloon to choose from, and each material is suited to certain uses. Here are some popular options to consider:
Latex balloons: Think of these as your most common party balloons. Latex balloons are elastic and designed to stretch beyond their starting size. Latex balloons can be inflated with either air or helium, and come in a variety of colors.
Helium latex balloons: Although regular latex balloons will inflate with helium, they’ll usually only last about 10 hours. Helium latex balloons are designed specifically to retain helium, keeping them going for up to four days. Helium latex is perfect if you want your balloons to last longer, like for your child’s extended enjoyment or if setup needs to happen a day or more in advance.
Foil balloons: Foil balloons last even longer than their latex cousins, often surviving for up to two weeks. They are also reusable and are less prone to popping, which makes them ideal for more intricate shapes and giant balloons. However, foil balloons are less elastic and don’t do as well in the heat. Like latex, foil can be used with either air or helium.