Everything You Need to Know About 17-Inch Balloons for Your Next Celebration

Everything You Need to Know About 17-Inch Balloons for Your Next Celebration

17-inch balloons have become my go-to size for party decorating, and I’m about to tell you exactly why they should be yours too.

Listen, I’ve thrown enough parties to know that balloon sizing can make or break your entire decor scheme. Too small and they look pathetic. Too large and you’ve suddenly turned your living room into a circus tent.

17-inch balloons hit that sweet spot—noticeable without being obnoxious, versatile without being boring.

Why 17-Inch Balloons Are Actually Perfect (And I’m Not Just Saying That)

I stumbled onto 17-inch balloons after a disastrous baby shower where my 11-inch balloons looked like sad little dots against my friend’s cathedral ceiling. Never again.

Here’s what makes this size special:

The Goldilocks principle applies here:

• Large enough to create visual impact
• Small enough to arrange in creative clusters
• Won’t overtake your entire venue
• Easy to handle without wrestling them through doorways

They photograph beautifully too, which matters if you’re planning to plaster those party pics all over social media.

Latex Balloons: Your Budget-Friendly Workhorse

Let me be brutally honest about latex balloons—they’re not fancy, but they get the job done.

What You’ll Find:

Assorted Color Packs: These little beauties start around $1.80 for a 3-piece set. I keep several packs in my party closet because you never know when you’ll need a last-minute celebration.

The assorted packs usually include:

• Primary colors (red, blue, yellow)
• Pastels (perfect for spring parties)
• Jewel tones (when you’re feeling fancy)

Single-Color Options: Need 50 pearl white balloons for a wedding? Done. Want all black for a moody milestone birthday? Absolutely.

Single-color 50-count packs give you consistency without breaking the bank.

Bulk Premium Latex: Some brands offer premium latex that actually stays inflated longer than 6 hours. Worth every penny if you’re decorating the night before.

Pro tip I learned the hard way: Cheap latex balloons deflate faster than my motivation on Monday mornings. Invest in quality if your event is more than a few hours away.

Foil Balloons: When You Need to Show Off a Little

Foil balloons are the divas of the balloon world—shinier, longer-lasting, and significantly more expensive.

But sometimes you need that diva energy.

Character Balloons That Kids Actually Recognize

I’ve watched kids’ faces light up over these, so I can personally vouch for their worth:

The Usual Suspects:

• Frozen (still going strong years later)
• Paw Patrol (every toddler’s obsession)
• Hello Kitty (timeless, honestly)
• Doc McStuffins
• Miraculous Ladybug

These typically run $5.75-$8.69 per balloon. Expensive? Yes. Worth it to avoid a 4-year-old’s meltdown? Absolutely.

Milestone and Message Balloons

Happy Birthday foil balloons come in more variations than I can count:

Birthday Options:

• Classic “Happy Birthday” in multiple color schemes
• Age-specific designs
• Elegant script versus bold block letters

Other Occasions:

• Anniversaries (because flowers die but balloon photos last forever)
• Mother’s Day (pair with brunch for maximum points)
• Get Well Soon (way better than another box of tissues)

I used a gorgeous rose gold “Happy Birthday” foil balloon for my sister’s 30th, and it literally became the photo backdrop for the entire night.

Sports and College Pride

Sports-themed balloons with university logos on star-shaped backgrounds are perfect for:

• Graduation parties (finally!)
• Game day celebrations
• Signing day announcements
• Tailgate decorations

These run on the higher end of the price range, but die-hard fans don’t care about your budget.

Metallic and Shaped Designs

Heart-shaped metallic balloons work for:

• Weddings (obviously)
• Valentine’s Day (if you’re into that)
• Anniversary celebrations
• “I’m sorry” displays (desperate times)

The metallic finish catches light beautifully in photos, which is the entire point of party decorating anyway.

The Real Talk on Pricing

Let’s break down what you’re actually going to spend:

Budget Tier: Standard latex balloon packs: $1.80-$3.83. Perfect for casual gatherings where quantity matters more than pizzazz.

Mid-Range: Basic foil designs: $5.75-$7.00 per balloon. Great for adding a few statement pieces to your latex balloon base.

Splurge Territory: Specialty foil balloons: $7.00-$8.69 each. Reserve these for the balloons that will be in every single photo.

I typically mix tiers—mostly latex with a few foil statement pieces. Nobody needs to know your entire balloon display didn’t cost a fortune.

Number Balloons: When You Want to Scream “I’m 17!” (Or Any Age)

Here’s where balloon sizing gets confusing.

If you’re specifically looking for the number 17 rather than 17-inch balloons, you’ll need number balloons in larger sizes.

Available Sizes for Number Balloons:</strong