Sometimes, when you are having a party, you may want a lot of balloons floating up in the air. For that, you need to fill up your balloons with helium.
With its close to 4,800 locations in the United States, a wide range of products, and everyday low prices, Walmart is a very convenient and popular choice for buying party supplies. One common question we keep hearing from our readers is – does Walmart fill up balloons with helium?
Does Walmart Blow Up Balloons?
Walmart will fill up your balloons if you bought the balloons at Walmart. On average, you will be charged 25 cents per balloon for having your balloons filled up at a Walmart.
You should call ahead of time to confirm before you go because only 1 out of 10 Walmart locations offers this service.
If no Walmart store close to where you live offers balloon filling service, you can do it yourself by using a helium tank. Walmart sells helium tanks both in its bricks and mortar stores and online at Walmart.com. You can also find helium tanks in other retailers such as Target and Amazon.
Most of these helium tanks cost less than $60. At Amazon, you can find a helium tank that can fill up to 50 9″ latex balloons or 25 18″ foil/Mylar balloons for around $55 including free shipping.
At Walmart stores, you can find a helium tank that can fill up to 30 9″ latex balloons or 14 18″ foil/Mylar balloons for around $25.
Finding a Location That Offers This Service
The vast majority of Walmart locations do not offer the service of filling up balloons with helium. On average, only about 1 in 10 Walmart locations offer this service. You can call ahead of time to confirm before you visit a Walmart.
To find a Walmart store that will fill up your balloons with helium, follow the steps below:
- Go to the online Walmart Store Locator
- You will see a list of Walmart stores close to where you are located together with their addresses
- Choose a store from the list that is conveniently located. Click on the Details icon located on the right side of the store address
- On the store details page, you will find the main phone number of that store
- Call the store you have chosen, ask them if they will fill up balloons with helium
- If they do not offer that service, try another Walmart store from the list in Step 2 above
- If they do offer that service, ask them during what time is that service available. Some stores may not offer balloon filling service the entire time they are open. For example, a store may be open from 7 am to 11 pm but it only offers balloon filling service from 9 am to 8 pm. So, make sure you get the business hours of the balloon filling service at your store
Walmart Balloons Service Process
To get your balloons filled up at a Walmart store, follow the steps below:
- Find a Walmart store close to you that offers balloon filling service (see the section above for more detail)
- Visit your chosen Walmart store during the hours in which its balloon filling service is available (see the section above for more detail)
- Speak to a Walmart associate there to confirm that they can fill up your balloons. Each Walmart store will only fill up balloons that are purchased from that store. You want to make sure your store can fill up your balloons before purchasing any balloon there
- Make your balloon purchase. Balloons can usually be found at Walmart in the party supplies aisle
- Take your newly purchased balloons to a Walmart associate and ask to have them filled up with helium. You may have to show your receipt to prove that your balloons were bought from that store
- The exact price for filling balloons up with helium varies based on the location of the Walmart store. But on average, it will cost about 25 cents to fill up 1 balloon
You Can DIY With a Helium Tank
If no Walmart store close to where you live offers a balloon filling service, you can do it yourself by using a helium tank. You can buy a helium tank at any Walmart store or online at many websites such as Walmart.com, Amazon.com, and more.
These tanks are very easy to use – just seal the balloon around the nozzle of the tank, turn the nozzle on, wait until the balloon is fully inflated, and then turn the nozzle off.
Most helium tanks cost less than $60 and can fill up to 30 to 50 of the 9″ latex balloons or 13 to 25 of the 18″ foil/Mylar balloons. Latex balloons have 5 to 7 float time, and foil balloons will remain full for 3 to 5 days.
Here are some helium tanks:
- Will fill up to 50 9″ latex balloons, 27 11″ latex balloons, or 27 18″ foil/Mylar balloons
- Comes with 50 9” latex balloons in various color
- Around $55 from Amazon
- Free shipping
Unique Industries Jumbo Helium Balloon Tank Kit
- 14.9 cu ft of helium & air mixture
- Will fill up to 50 9” latex balloons
- Comes with 50 9” latex balloons in various color & 55 yards of shiny curling ribbon
- Around $35 from Walmart
- Can be bought in-store or ordered online for in-store pickup
- Not available for delivery
Balloon Time 9.5 in Standard Helium Tank Kit
- 8.9 cu ft of helium & air mixture
- Will fill up to 30 9” latex balloons, 12 12″ latex balloons, or 14 18″ foil balloons
- Comes with 30 9” latex balloons in various color & white ribbon
- Around $25 from Walmart
- Can be bought in-store or ordered online for in-store pickup
- Not available for delivery
Cheapest Alternative Stores to Fill Up Balloons
One of the cheapest places to fill up balloons with helium is Party City or Party Depot, starting at $0.75 for 12-inch latex balloons and other choices. You can also consider cheap buying options at 99 Cents Only Stores or the popular Dollar Tree, they are only $1 and you don’t have to fill them up, it’s ready to go.
| Store | Starting Price | Store Locator |
| Party Depot | $0.75 | Link |
| Zurchers | $0.85 | Link |
| Party City | $0.99 | Link |
| Ralphs | $0.99 | Link |
| Publix | $1.00 | Link |
| Smith’s | $1.00 | Link |
| Wally’s Party Factory | $1.29 | Link |
| Albertsons | $1.99 | Link |
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