Where to fill up balloons with helium for free: Balloons are a defining feature of any great party. Without a doubt, balloons filled with helium last longer than balloons filled with air. As you know, helium is lighter than air, so balloons filled up with helium are lighter and rise better.
What we mean is this: Helium weighs 0.1785 grams per liter on average. This contrasts with nitrogen, which weighs 1.2506 grams per liter. When you breathe into a balloon, nitrogen comes out of your lungs. Balloons filled with air from your lungs will not rise as high as helium balloons because they are heavier.
Helium is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless monatomic gas that is non-toxic and inert.
If you want lighter and better balloons, you have to get them filled with helium. But the question is, where to fill up balloons with helium for free?
Here are some places where you can get helium-filled balloons for free.
Where to fill up balloons with helium for free
There are numerous occasions when balloons are appropriate, such as a birthday, an anniversary, or the birth of a child. You’ll also need to have them filled with helium. So, where can I fill up balloons with helium for free?
Many places will actually fill balloons for free, provided they were purchased in-store. Here are the top 10 places where you can fill up balloons with helium for free:
1. Party City
Because they sell almost everything you could possibly need for your party, the nearest Party City in your city is an ideal place to fill your balloons with helium for free. This includes a variety of balloons filled with helium.
One of the most common ways to get helium-filled balloons is to simply purchase pre-filled helium balloons. Every day, Party City uses helium to fill a few balloons. These balloons are ready to use and must only be purchased. You can then choose which balloons best suit your theme and proceed.
Uninflated balloons are another option for getting your balloons filled with Party City. Some of their balloons include free helium fill-ups. However, not all of them do, so it’s worth double-checking the balloon in question. When you’re ready to fill your balloons, you buy them and have the cashier blow them up for you.
Party City tries to make purchasing and inflating balloons as simple as possible. As a result, they also offer delivery services. You can order balloons online and have them filled for you at the store. Then you have the option of driving to the store to pick them up or having them delivered to your door.
Another option for getting your balloons filled at Party City is to buy them elsewhere and bring them to the store. Party City will still fill the balloons, but you will have to pay a small fee.
Party City’s Helium Service Fees
The cost of filling balloons at Party City is determined by several factors. If you purchased a foil balloon from Party City, the helium service is free. The balloon will have a note indicating whether or not the helium service is free.
If you buy a latex balloon, you must pay a small fee for helium. This fee ranges between 99 cents and $1.29. The number and size of balloons will determine how much you will have to pay.
If you buy your balloons elsewhere, the helium service fees will be slightly higher. If you buy a foil balloon from another store, for example, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1.99 to $15.99.
Also, if you buy a latex balloon from another store, you can expect to pay between 99 cents and $1.29. It is determined by the number and size of balloons.
To ensure you receive your helium service for qualified balloons, bring your receipt with you to the store or use the service immediately after purchasing the balloon in-store.
Finally, a helium tank can be purchased. Party City has a variety of tanks in various sizes. They have you covered whether you need a large one for several parties or a small one for just a few.
Purchasing a tank is more expensive than having the service performed for you.
2. Dollar Tree
Another place where to fill up balloons with helium for free is Dollar Tree.
You can use Dollar Tree’s services in a variety of ways. The first option is to purchase filled balloons directly from them.
Another way to use their service is to purchase a balloon and have them fill it for you. This service is only available for foil balloons.
They will also not fill balloons purchased from a different store.
You can also purchase foil balloons from Dollar Tree online and have them filled with helium at the store.
Filling your balloon with helium is very inexpensive at Dollar Tree.
In most cases, it is free to fill your balloons with helium because the cost of the balloon includes the helium filling service.
However, in some cases, you may be required to pay a fee. The good news is that the fee is only one dollar.
3. Target
Another place where to fill up balloons with helium for free is at Target stores.
Foil and latex balloons in various shapes and colors for various party themes are available in the party section of a Target store.
Unlike other party stores, Target sells large helium tanks. Their heavy-duty helium tank costs around $50. It holds 14.9 cubic feet of helium. The 8.9-cubic-foot tank is the less expensive model. That one is around $25.
4. Dollar General
You can get helium-filled balloons at Dollar General. They are available for purchase directly from the store.
Dollar General also offers helium filling, but only to customers who purchase their balloons from Dollar General.
They are unable to fill a balloon purchased from a different store.
For around $35, they also sell an 8.9-cubic-foot helium tank. You can purchase this tank and fill your balloons at home.
Because Dollar General only fills foil balloons and not latex balloons, you may need the tank if you plan on purchasing latex balloons.
You can also purchase balloons from their online store and have them filled for free in-store. You must bring your receipt to receive the free service.
5. Walmart
If you live near a Walmart Supercenter, there’s a good chance you can get helium services – even for free. Walmart also has a variety of helium-filled balloons.
You can find a variety of balloons with various themes in their party section. Some stores even have a few balloons pre-inflated. This enables you to purchase the inflated balloon without having to wait for helium service.
Walmart will fill any type of balloon, foil or latex. They will not, however, fill a balloon purchased from a different store.
Helium tanks are also available at Walmart. This allows you to fill the balloons at home, potentially saving money over time.
Their helium service is relatively inexpensive. The average cost of a balloon is 25 cents.
Having said that, the price does vary depending on the number of balloons and their size. They may also charge you more depending on the type of balloon you choose.
Must Read: Does Walmart Sell Alcohol 24 hours?
6. CVS
CVS has a party section in addition to providing first aid, a few groceries, and being an ideal store for medications.
There is a small selection of balloons in that party section.
CVS sells balloons and also provides helium services. The good news is that CVS does not charge an additional fee for helium service.
Most of them will not fill balloons purchased elsewhere, but it’s worth checking with your local CVS. Those that are willing to fill your balloon from another store will likely charge you a small fee for the service.
7. Kroger
In addition to the various services that Kroger provide, they also fill balloons with helium.
One of the benefits of choosing Kroger to fill your balloon is that they accept balloons from anywhere.
Kroger provides a helium fee service.
Kroger carries a wide variety of balloons. Latex and foil are the most common. They also sell various sizes of balloons.
The price of helium service is determined by its quantity, type, and size. The cost of using Kroger’s helium services ranges between $3 and $8 on average. A standard latex balloon can be purchased for as little as $1.
8. Meijer
Because Meijer sells balloons, you might be wondering if they also offer helium services.
Meijer fills balloons and provides services that other grocery stores do not. Meijer allows you to place a large number of balloon orders over the phone. You can contact Meijer and ask them to fill 20 or so balloons for you.
Meijer also sells pre-filled helium balloons that can be purchased in-store.
Because every store is different, it’s worth calling your local Meijer to see if they will fill balloons purchased elsewhere.
9. Publix
Another major store that fills up balloons is Publix.
Publix, like other stores, charges a fee to fill balloons. Even if you purchase the balloon from Publix, you must pay a small fee to have it filled.
The good news is that there is no limit to how many balloons you can fill at Publix. If you buy 200 balloons for a special occasion, Publix will fill them all for you.
10. Albertsons
Another place where to fill up balloons with helium for free is at Albertson stores. There are more than 2,200 Albertsons stores across the United States.
Albertsons will fill latex and foil balloons in-store.
You can purchase helium-filled balloons in-store. And also, Albertson’s will fill balloons purchased elsewhere too.
The cost is around $1.50 to $7 per balloon. Though the cost varies depending on the size of the balloon.
Where Can I Get Foil Balloons Filled With Helium?
Helium is available for free at places like Dollar Tree, CVS, Walmart, and Party City. These balloons are extremely long-lasting and can stay inflated for up to two weeks.
Where Can I Get Latex Balloons Filled With Helium?
Latex balloons can be filled with helium at Party City, CVS, and Walmart. Latex balloons are elastic and can stretch a lot. They will gradually lose helium after being inflated.
How to Make a Balloon Float Without Helium?
To make a balloon float without helium, you can create Hydrogen Gas for floating balloons.
To create Hydrogen, you need to bring sodium hydroxide and aluminum in contact with each other.
Here are the steps to create it at home:
- Sodium hydroxide, also commonly known as Caustic soda, is generally available at home and in grocery stores as well.
- Aluminum is readily available in the form of kitchen foils.
- Take a big bottle and fill it with the mixture of Sodium hydroxide and pieces of aluminum foil.
- Add water inside the bottle.
- The next step is to attach a balloon to the mouth of the bottle containing the mixture.
- The mixture inside the container will automatically generate hydrogen gas that will rise and fill the balloons.
- Once the gas completely inflates the balloon, take off the balloon and tie it with a thread.
- Now you can see the balloon will float without helium.
How Much is a Tank of Helium?
| Tank Size | Tank | Helium |
| (Cubic Feet) | (Cost) | (Price) |
| 291 C.F. | $410 | $329 |
| 244 C.F. | $396 | $289 |
| 160 C.F. | $298 | $199 |
How Long Will Helium Balloons Last?
Helium-filled latex balloons float for 8-12 hours, whereas helium-filled balloons float for 2-5 days.
If you want your latex balloons to float for a longer period of time, you can buy the Helium Hi-Float Treatment Kit, which allows the balloons to float up to 25 times longer!
We hope you have gotten all the information on where to fill up balloons with helium for free.
Do connect with us in the comment section below if you have any questions or inquiries.
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