Baby You’re A Firework! DIY Firework Balloons Parade Wagon

There’s something so magical and nostalgic about waiting until dark for the firework show to begin!  Now that I’m a parent, sharing it with my children makes it all the more special. Although the baby may be a bit young to hang for the real fireworks, that doesn’t mean he has to miss out completely! Follow along for an inexpensive way to make sure baby gets in on the fun with our simple DIY Firework Balloon tutorial and deck out his ride for your local parade!

Materials: twist balloons, balloon sticks, balloon pump, thin pool noodle, scissors

Start with the twist balloons, balloon sticks and balloon pump. I purchased all of these at my local Wal-Mart for under $10. But you can also use the above links to purchase via Amazon.

Inflate your first balloon with the balloon pump. Leave about an inch at the end uninflated. Twist the balloon about a third of the way in (vary the position of the twist for each balloon).

Once you have two balloons twisted, cross them at the twists and then twist them together. Twist several times until they stay put when released. Repeat with five twist balloons per firework.

Once all five balloons are twisted together, take your balloon stick and weave it into the center of the balloons, working the twisted parts of the balloons into the notches.

Now you have a balloon firework on a stick! Repeat this process for each color until you have as many firework balloons as you want.

Now you can attach your fireworks to a wagon for your little one to ride in style! You will need a thin pool noodle— I purchased mine for less than a dollar at Wal-Mart.

Use scissors to cut a slit on both sides of the pool noodle deep enough to allow it to slide over the edge of your wagon.

The slits will then slide over the sides of your wagon. If your wagon doesn’t have sideboards like mine, just slip it down over the wagon itself and secure with duct tape if needed.

Once you’ve cut and attached both sides of the pool noodle, you will have an arch over your wagon! And your “parade float” is ready to decorate!

Using your scissors, puncture a small hole in the pool noodle where you want to attach the first of your balloon fireworks.

Slide the stick into the hole you created. Keep the hole small as it will stretch and you don’t want it to be too loose to hold the stick.

Now you have a firework bursting over your wagon! Repeat these steps to attach all your balloon fireworks.

Check out those “bombs bursting in air” above your wagon! This DIY Fourth of July parade wagon is sure to delight kids and adults alike.

Now you can continue to deck out your wagon as you see fit. I kept mine simple and added some American flags. I can’t wait to take my little guy out for a ride in his Fourth of July parade wagon. Maybe I’ll try my hand at a firework balloon hat for him too! “‘Cause baby you’re a firework!” Have a happy Independence Day, everyone!