How to Make a Basic Balloon Twist

By
Wayne Kawamoto
Wayne-Kawamoto-about02.jpg
Wayne Kawamoto

Wayne N. Kawamoto is a full-time professional magician and author who has written about magic tricks and techniques for over 10 years. He is the author of "Picture Yourself As a Magician." Wayne also performs at corporate events and has entertained audiences for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Northrop Grumman, and Target Corporation.

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Updated on 07/06/20
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How to Make a Basic Twist for a Balloon Animal

Green balloon
The Spruce / Wayne Kawamoto

Here's the basic balloon twist that is the foundation for everything that you make through the art of balloon twisting. This skill allows you twist a balloon into segments that form your creations. The basic twist is used with a lock twist to create all types of balloon shapes.

Grasp the balloon in one hand near the end. You'll probably want to do this with your non-dominant hand.

How to Make a Basic Twist for a Balloon Animal

Basic twist
The Spruce / Wayne Kawamoto

Using your free hand, grasp the balloon with your other hand and twist the balloon until you're left with a segment in your left hand.

The arrow in the picture demonstrates the twisting action – think of turning a lid on a peanut butter jar. The dotted line represents the part of the balloon that will twist and form a segment in your left hand.

How to Make a Basic Twist for a Balloon Animal

Finished product
The Spruce / Wayne Kawamoto

This picture shows the final balloon segment, the basic building block of balloon sculpting, which you have just created.

An important point, notice how I'm holding both newly-formed sections of the balloon in my hand. At this point, if I let go of the second segment, the balloon will untwist. To keep the balloon twisted, you'll need to learn the lock twist.