hot air balloon costume
 

STEP 1: Cut off the top and bottom flaps of a box (ours measured 18" square) with a utility knife. Spray-paint the exterior light brown. Let dry, then use the knife to trim four inches off the bottom of the box; set this piece aside.


STEP 2: Using a couple different shades of brown, paint alternating checks on all four sides of the box to give it the woven look of a basket, as shown.


STEP 3: Once the paint has dried, use wood glue to affix four 1/2" × 1/2" × 36" square dowels at least eight inches deep in each inside corner of the box.


STEP 4: Cut the four-inch piece you made earlier to mirror the shape of the upper trim holding the balloons at right. Attach this piece to the top of the dowels with wood glue. STEP 5 Next, cut four 20-inch lengths of 1/2" foam pipe insulation, snipping each end at a 45-degree angle. Slip the foam's precut slits over the top edge of the basket, and match up the angled ends so they fit flush against each other. Secure with wood glue and let dry.


STEP 6: Poke four holes right below the foam trim, two centered in the front of the basket, about six inches apart, and two in the back. String two 1 1/2-yard lengths of 2"-wide ribbon through the holes from front to back. Knot each piece of ribbon at the front and tie both pieces together in a bow at the back.


STEP 7: Punch small holes at the bottom of each of the box's corners. Using a black marker, label four plain paper bags as SAND and stuff with wadded paper or foam peanuts. Tie the bags closed with twine, then knot the string through the holes.


STEP 8: Securely tie at least 20 helium balloons, with ribbons cut to different lengths, to the basket's upper trim.

 

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