As I am sure you recall I have a pet hate for Balloon arches. Well, how about this? A beach ball arch. It looks simple, affordable, and totally doable and it is perfect for Summer Pool Parties!
Buy beach balls
and pool rings
then assemble them shortly before the party to create a fun summer Beach ball arch. If you don’t have time the day of the party, do a test run, blow one of each item up and see how long it stays full. If it lasts 2-3 days, then you can go ahead and make your beach ball arch in advance.
Personally, I would make mine the night before as the last thing I did, then all the glue has time to dry and if any issues come up I can fix it. I leave as little as possible for the day of the party, because there is always a 100 things to do.
Assemble the arch on the day of the party to ensure it remains in pristine condition and retains its buoyancy. Begin by inflating the beach balls and pool rings using an air pump or by blowing them up manually. Make sure they are fully inflated for optimal effect.
Next, find a suitable location for the arch. It could be near the entrance, along a pathway, or as a decorative backdrop for a designated area. If needed, enlist the help of a friend or family member to assist you in positioning the arch correctly.
WikiHow has easy-to-follow instructions. The key thing to remember is that you’ll need a latex-based glue
to hold the arch together if you don’t want to risk it coming apart if it’s bumped in the middle of your party.
You could also use a latex rubber repair glue
if that is easier to find.
Looking for a quick and easy purchase? you can now buy the kit to DIY your Balloon arch.
How to do it?
Firstly, you’ll want to gather approximately 11 beach balls with a diameter of at least 28cm or 12 inches. These vibrant and colorful balls will add a festive touch to your arch and create a joyful atmosphere. Choose a variety of colors to create an exciting visual display that captures the essence of a sunny beach getaway.
In addition to the beach balls, you’ll need around 10 small inner tubes. These smaller inner tubes will add a whimsical touch to the arch and create a sense of fun and playfulness. You can opt for brightly colored inner tubes that match the beach balls or choose contrasting colors to add visual interest.
To form the sturdy base of your arch, you’ll require 2 larger inner tubes or flotation tubes. These larger tubes will provide stability and ensure that your arch stands tall and proud. Opt for durable and high-quality tubes that can withstand outdoor conditions and provide the necessary support for the beach balls and smaller inner tub
It is important to prioritize safety and ensure that the arch remains stable and secure throughout the duration of your gathering. One crucial step in achieving this is to anchor down your beach ball arch with weights or sandbags.
As you know beach balls are lightweight and can be easily influenced by wind or movement. Without proper anchoring, your arch may become unstable, potentially causing it to topple over or shift out of place. To prevent any mishaps and keep your beach ball arch securely in position, it’s essential to use weights or sandbags as a form of anchoring.
Looking for more beach pool party ideas? Check out our dedicated Pinterest board or these Beach Ball Party invites over on Etsy.
How Many beach balls do I need to make a Beach ball party arch?
To determine the approximate number of beach balls and inner tubes needed for your arch, there are a few calculations to consider. First, ensure you have an even number of small inner tubes and two larger ones for each base. Additionally, you’ll want an odd number of beach balls for a visually appealing design.
Don’t worry if this looks too complicated, just make an arch of any size and make it work for your party space, BUT if you need your Beach Ball Arch to fit a particular space then go ahead and try the math below.
Let’s take an example where your arch spans 20 feet (6.1 meters) from end to end, with beach balls measuring 16 inches (41 cm) in diameter, large inner tubes about 10 inches (25 cm) thick, and small inner tubes around 6 inches (15 cm) thick.
To begin, convert the length of the arch to inches. In this case, 20 feet (6.1 meters) equals 240 inches (610 cm). This measurement represents the total size of your arch.
Next, subtract the width of the bases, which is 20 inches (51 cm), from the total arch length. This leaves you with 220 inches (560 cm).
To ensure an odd number of beach balls, subtract the diameter of a beach ball (16 inches or 41 cm) from the remaining arch length. In this example, subtracting 16 inches (41 cm) leaves you with 204 inches (520 cm).
Now, calculate the total length taken up by each beach ball-inner tube pair. Since each pair occupies 22 inches (56 cm) of space, divide the remaining arch length (204 inches or 520 cm) by 22 inches (56 cm). The result is approximately 9.27, which we can round up to 10 pairs. (Rounding down would result in an even number of pairs, which is not desirable.)
Therefore, for a 20-foot (6.1-meter) arch using the specified beach balls and inner tubes, you will need approximately 11 beach balls, 10 small inner tubes, and 2 larger inner tubes to create a visually pleasing and well-balanced structure.
Hopefully, by using these calculations you can ensure you have the right quantities of beach balls and inner tubes for your arch. Have fun!
