10 Hot Air Balloon Coloring Pages (Download Free Printable PDF)

7 Crafts for Kids Using Hot Air Balloon Coloring Pages

Hot air balloon coloring pages are magical because they make kids curious, make them daydream, and take their imaginations to a whole new level. I’m James, and I’ve spent many afternoons using these printable pages to make fun projects with my family. What began as a simple way for Lisa and Mike to pass the time has become one of our favorite ways to spend time together, laugh, and make something special.

This article features a selection of imaginative, practical crafts created around free printable hot air balloon coloring pages. My own two young artists have tested and loved every concept. These projects, which range from dreamy garlands to sensory collages to pop-up cards, are ideal for igniting imagination and creating wonderful memories together.

The best thing is that you only need your printer, some crayons, and some time; you do not need fancy supplies. Download the free PDF below and let the imagination of your child soar.

Ready to craft something amazing? Let’s go.

⬇️ Jump to Download Coloring Pages

1. Pop-Up Fun with Hot Air Balloon Coloring Pages

Materials Needed:

• Printed hot air balloon coloring pages
• Safety scissors
• Glue stick
• Colored paper or cardstock
• Markers or crayons

Steps:

1. Encourage your child to select a balloon design they favor from the printable collection. Lisa’s eyes gleam upon discovering the one adorned with small stars; Mike consistently smiles and selects the one featuring large swirls.
2. Hand over the art supplies and encourage them to color freely. Lisa adds sparkly dots while Mike swears his green balloon is going to Mars.
3. Once the masterpiece is complete, help cut out the balloon carefully along the lines. I usually let Lisa do hers solo, while Mike and I team up with our snip-snips.
4. Grab a fun-colored sheet of paper and fold it like a secret card. We use sky-blue for that floating-in-the-air vibe.
5. Add a dab of glue at the base of the balloon and stick it inside the card so it pops up when opened. Lisa had the genius idea of folding mini clouds out of white paper to float nearby.
6. Let the kids decorate inside the card however they like—draw birds, suns, or even a flying cat. Mike once added a banana rocket. Yes, really.

Fun Tip: Use gel pens to write little messages inside, like “You’re going to do amazing things!” or “Adventure Awaits!”

2. Dreamy Sky Hot Air Balloon Garland

Materials Needed:

• Several hot air balloon coloring pages
• Twine or string
• Mini clothespins or washi tape
• Coloring tools

Steps:

1. Print several balloon outlines and let your kids pick a theme for each. We once did “seasons of the year,” where Lisa colored a winter balloon with snowflakes and Mike made a fall-themed one with crunchy leaf colors.
2. After coloring, help cut out each balloon with smooth, rounded edges. Younger kids might prefer pre-cut shapes they can just color and decorate.
3. Lay out a long string on the floor and let the kids arrange the balloons in any order they like. Mike loves patterns, while Lisa goes full rainbow chaos.
4. Use mini clothespins or colorful tape to attach each balloon along the string. We once let each kid write their name on a balloon and hung it over their bedroom doors.
5. Hang the garland across a wall, above a window, or over a party table for instant cheer. It’s perfect for birthdays, sleepovers, or just a Monday.

Pro Tip: Encourage adding dangling paper clouds or stars between the balloons to create a whimsical floating effect.

3. Sensory Art Using Hot Air Balloon Coloring Pages

Materials Needed:

• Hot air balloon coloring pages
• Tissue paper scraps
• Cotton balls
• Glue
• Crayons or markers
• Optional: glitter, sequins, or sand

Steps:

1. First, use crayons or markers to help your child draw a border around the balloon. Along with setting the tone for the project, this helps make a clear space to work in. When Lisa made a “sleepy sky” balloon, she used soft pastels instead of bright neon colors that Mike likes.
2. Offer a treasure trove of materials like crumpled tissue paper, puffy cotton balls, and shiny sequins. Encourage kids to fill each balloon section with a different texture. Lisa calls this “giving the balloon its personality.” One time, she used glittery paper scraps to make her balloon look like it was going to a disco party.
3. Use glue to attach cotton balls at the bottom to resemble fluffy clouds. Mike gets very creative and names each cloud like it’s a pet: “Fluffster,” “Zoomy,” and “Puff-Puff.”
4. Add some sequins to the sky or sprinkle glitter if your child wants a magical vibe. Underlay a tray or big sheet to simplify cleanup. For children, watching the sparkle catch the light can be hypnotic.
5. Before proudly showing it, let everything dry totally. Running their fingers over the rough textures and recounting fresh tales about where their balloon is flying, Lisa and Mike enjoy going back over their art days later.

Sensory Tip: Try adding aluminum foil for a shiny effect or small textured fabric pieces for the basket to make the balloon feel more real. For more ideas on using sensory crafts to support child development, visit Pathways.org. They offer expert-backed insights on sensory play and motor skill building.

4. Build-a-Balloon Puppet Adventure

Materials Needed:

• Craft sticks
• Paper cups
• Hot air balloon coloring pages
• Scissors, glue, tape
• Stickers or mini drawings

Steps:

1. Let kids pick out a balloon design and color it however they want. Lisa enjoys putting tiny flags from different countries on her balloon to make it look like it’s going on a world tour. Mike, on the other hand, likes to draw racing stripes and a superhero logo on his balloon.
2. Turn the colored balloon into a puppet by flipping it over and taping a craft stick to the back. Reinforce it with strong glue or extra tape to ensure it can survive all the future flying adventures.
3. Make a small paper cup look nice to use as the balloon’s basket. You can use stickers, doodles, or even small cutouts of people to decorate. Lisa drew a family of dogs solving mysteries in the sky one time, and that made us want to tell stories all afternoon.
4. Attach the cup to the balloon with rope-like strips of paper or string. For the puppet play to work, make sure the knots are tight.
5. Your kid should put on a show with their balloon puppet. Mike and Lisa have sent their creations on trips to pirate islands and marshmallow mountains. It tells stories in 3D and makes you imagine a world.

Smart Tip: Keep finished puppets in a labeled folder or large envelope to preserve them. Bring them out on rainy days for instant fun.

5. Window Catcher Balloon Craft

Materials Needed:

• Hot air balloon coloring pages
• Clear plastic sheet or a Ziplock bag
• Hot air balloon outline
• Permanent markers
• Masking tape

Steps:

1. To prevent shifting, gently tape your hot air balloon outline under a clear plastic sheet. Carefully follow over the outline with permanent markers. Like turning the balloon into a stained-glass window.
2. Load the balloon with striking, lovely colors. Try combining ombre effects, sunset colors, and even glow-in-the-dark markers. Mike once fashioned an all-green jungle balloon, and Lisa designed a night sky pattern including glittering stars.
3. For a neat finish, gently peel the plastic off and cut around the edges once the coloring is finished. Like peeling off a sticker after much effort, this section is quite fulfilling.
4. After selecting a sunny window, tape the completed artwork up. The light streaming through accentuates the colors so exquisitely. Lisa enjoys seeing her balloon glow like it’s flying every morning.

Safety Tip: Always place an old magazine or paper under your plastic sheet to avoid staining your table.

6. Create Wall Art with Hot Air Balloon Coloring Pages

Materials Needed:

• Large poster board or cardboard
• Multiple hot air balloon coloring pages
• Scrap fabric, buttons, tissue, magazine clippings
• Markers, glue

Steps:

1. Print and color several unique mood balloon pages. Lisa created a dream lavender balloon, and Mike created one with comic book explosions. Give your youngster ideas like “midnight explorer” or “party balloon.”
2. Together, plan the layout on a large poster board. This part is like solving a giant art puzzle. Lisa groups by color gradients, and Mike loves to build fantasy scenes like “Balloon Festival on Mars.”
3. Add fun textures with fabric scraps, yarn clouds, or button stars. This is a great way to reuse old crafting materials. The more variety, the more the collage comes alive.
4. Glue on magazine cutouts of birds, stars, or silly animals to build a whimsical scene. Our last collage had a hot air balloon chased by flying spaghetti—Mike’s idea, of course.
5. Finish the artwork with your child’s name and a fancy title like “Sky Adventures by Lisa and Mike.” Hang it proudly in your home as a gallery-worthy masterpiece.

Creative Tip: Take a photo of the final collage and print copies to send as postcards to friends or grandparents.

7. Hot Air Balloon Memory Match Game

Materials Needed:

• Two copies of several hot air balloon coloring pages
• Cardstock or recycled cereal boxes
• Glue, scissors

Steps:

1. Print two copies of every hot air balloon page initially. Glue them on robust objects like cardstock or former cereal boxes. This not only makes the cards last longer but also recycles. Usually, we flatten ours overnight under a book stack to prevent curling.
2. Let your children color every matching pair with the same patterns. Mike likes numbers and zigzags; Lisa prefers patterns like hearts and stars. This is a fantastic opportunity to discuss shapes, colors, and even simple math.
3. Cut every card precisely to match in size and form. If you have wavy or zigzag edges, use fun scissors with those. This phase can also be a good teaching moment on symmetry and measurement. Usually, I assist Mike here, as he still finds scissor work challenging.
4. Turn all the cards face-down and shuffle them. Play a basic memory match game, alternately turning over two cards and looking for a match. Mike occasionally forgets the policies, but Lisa gently reminds him. It’s a fantastic bonding exercise that also helps one focus.

Pro Tip: Laminate the cards with clear tape if you don’t have a laminator. This makes them spill-proof and travel-friendly. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate educational games into your child’s routine, the Harvard Graduate School of Education explains how learning through play can boost memory, focus, and creativity.

Final Thoughts

These 7 balloon-themed crafts go far beyond cutting and coloring. They create laughter, spark imagination, and become meaningful memories shared between grownups and kids. From storytelling puppets to window art and photo keepsakes, each activity is a chance to connect and create.

Be sure to grab your free Hot Air Balloon coloring pages PDF below to get started. And if your kids love anything that soars, check out the free helicopter coloring pages linked inside this blog too.

Download Free Coloring Pages: