It's the question we're asked more than any other, usually the day before a party: if I get these now, will they still be up tomorrow?
The honest answer is that it depends almost entirely on which type of balloon you're buying, and then on where you put it. Here's what to actually expect.
The short answer
- Latex balloons (helium-filled): best enjoyed on the day. Plan for the party, not the week.
- Foil number balloons: several days, often longer, kept indoors and away from sun.
- Bobo balloons: the longest of the three — commonly a week or more indoors.
- Air-filled balloons (no helium): won't float at all, but hold their shape far longer than any helium balloon. This is why balloon garlands and wall displays last for days while a floating bouquet doesn't.
Why latex is the short one
Latex is a natural material and it's porous — at a microscopic level, helium molecules are small enough to work their way straight through the wall of the balloon. That's not a defect, it's just what latex is. It's also why latex looks its absolute best in the first few hours, when it's fully round and taut.
If your event is on a Saturday afternoon, latex should arrive Saturday morning. Ordering it Thursday for a Saturday party is the single most common mistake we see.
Foil numbers hold much better
Foil balloons — the metallic-lined ones our number balloons are made from — have a far less porous wall, so they hold helium for days rather than hours. Indoors, out of direct sun and away from a heat pump, a foil number will typically still look good several days later, and often considerably longer.
They can also be topped up. If you're reusing a number balloon for a second event, most party shops will refill a foil balloon for a small charge.
Bobos are the long-distance option
A bobo is a stretchy clear balloon rather than a latex one, and it's the best performer of the three. Kept inside, a bobo will usually float for a week or more, and often keeps its shape long after it has sunk — which is why so many people keep them sitting in a corner of the room afterwards.
What shortens float time in New Zealand
Our conditions are harder on balloons than people expect. The main culprits:
- Direct sun. The single biggest factor. UV degrades latex quickly and heats the helium inside every balloon type.
- Heat. Warm air expands the helium. On a hot day a fully inflated balloon can over-expand and pop — which is why we deliberately don't fill to absolute maximum in summer.
- Cold. The opposite problem. Bring balloons in from a cold car or a cold morning and they'll look half-deflated — they usually plump back up within an hour indoors.
- Wind. Outdoor balloons take a physical beating and rub against fences, trees and each other.
- Salt air. If you're anywhere along the Hibiscus Coast, a beachfront party is a tougher environment than an indoor one.
- Cars. A car parked in the sun is the fastest way to lose a set of balloons. Seats down, air conditioning off, straight home.
- Rough ceilings. Textured or artex ceilings can slowly abrade a balloon that's pressed against them for days.
How to get the most out of them
Keep them indoors until the last possible moment. Choose a spot out of direct sunlight and away from a heat pump or a fireplace. If your party is outside, weight everything properly and accept that outdoor balloons are a same-day proposition. And if you want something that will still look good on Monday, ask for an air-filled display rather than a floating one — garlands, arches and wall numbers last far longer because they aren't fighting gravity.
So when should I order?
For an Auckland delivery, we'd suggest:
- Outdoor party: delivery the morning of the event.
- Indoor party: the morning of, or the evening before if that's easier for you.
- Anything with latex: the day itself, always.
- Bobos and foil numbers only: a day or two ahead is fine.
Everything we make is made to order, so we ask for at least 48 hours' notice — and about a week if you'd like custom colours or lettering.
A safety note
Uninflated and broken balloons are a choking hazard for young children. Keep balloon pieces away from under-eights, pick up popped fragments straight away, and never let a child mouth an uninflated balloon.
Ordering for a specific date? See delivery on the Hibiscus Coast or the North Shore, browse BOBO Balloons, or choose Ready to Ship if you'd rather inflate at home.