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Balloons add joy to various celebrations, be it birthdays, anniversaries, or welcoming a new member to the family. To make them float, you’ll need helium.
Helium, a colorless and odorless gas, is rare on Earth as its light nature causes it to escape into space. It forms underground through the decay of elements like uranium and thorium. While it’s a byproduct of the natural gas industry, finding concentrated helium sources is a challenge.
Historically, helium shortages occurred for various reasons, but fortunately, many stores still offer helium. The same places providing CO2 refills often have helium tanks to fill as few or as many balloons as needed for your special occasions.
Filling one balloon with helium typically takes 2 to 3 minutes. If you plan to fill numerous balloons, allow ample time at your local store.
Different places have varying policies on balloon filling. Some fill balloons from anywhere, while others require you to buy balloons in-store for filling. Many places offer free helium filling if the balloons are purchased in-store.
If you’ve been wondering, “Where can I get balloons filled with helium?” – this post has the answers you need.
Where to get balloons filled with Helium cheap
If you’re looking for places to get balloons filled with helium without breaking the bank, consider the following options:
1. Albertsons
Albertsons operates over 2,200 stores nationwide.
They provide in-store balloon-filling services for both latex and foil balloons.
- You can fill balloons at Albertsons even if you didn’t buy them from the store.
- The filling costs range from $1.50 to $7 per balloon, depending on size.
2. CVS
CVS offers helium services at over 9,900 locations across the USA. If your nearby CVS store has a party section, it provides helium services. However, smaller stores focused on pharmacy items may not offer this service.
Contact the store directly to check if your local CVS provides helium services.
Keep in mind that:
- CVS fills balloons only if purchased in-store.
- It’s free for balloons bought in-store.
Depending on the store’s policy, balloons bought elsewhere may be filled for a fee, but not all locations may offer this service.
3. Dollar General
Dollar General operates over 17,000 stores across 46 states and provides helium-filling services for latex, metallic, mylar, and jumbo balloons.
- In-store purchase requirement: Balloons must be bought in-store for helium filling at Dollar General.
- Cost: Latex balloons $0.50 to $1 per balloon, Mylar/metallic balloons up to $4 per balloon, Jumbo balloons up to $15 per balloon for helium filling.
Dollar General also offers a Balloon Time 9.5″ Helium Tank priced at $31.95, which includes 8.9 cu ft of helium/air and 30 colorful balloons.
4. Dollar Tree
With over 15,200 locations nationwide, Dollar Tree offers helium balloon filling services exclusively for foil/metallic balloons. Unfortunately, they do not fill latex balloons.
To avail of this service, you must:
- Purchase helium balloons from Dollar Tree either in-store or online. Dollar Tree will not fill balloons purchased elsewhere.
- The cost for helium balloon filling is free when accompanied by proof of purchase for balloons bought in-store or online. It is a cost-effective option considering Dollar Tree’s standard $1 pricing for balloons.
Additionally, Dollar Tree provides pre-filled helium balloons in various shapes, such as numbers, stars, circles, and squares, for different occasions.
5. Kroger
Kroger operates over 2,800 stores across 35 states and provides helium balloon-filling services.
They fill latex, mylar, foil, and jumbo balloons.
- In-store purchase requirement: Kroger fills helium balloons in-store, regardless of where you bought them. Whether purchased in-store or online, Kroger will fill your balloons.
- Cost: Filling latex balloons costs around $1 on average. Mylar balloons range from $3 to $8, depending on size. Oversized or jumbo balloons (20 to 50 inches in diameter) cost between $7 and $16 to fill. Prices may vary by store and depend on balloon size and quantity.
6. Meijer
Meijer is a family-owned retail chain headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 240 supercenters spanning six states: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
At Meijer, you can conveniently get helium balloons filled in-store. They offer pre-filled helium balloons for purchase as well.
- In-store purchase requirement: Meijer allows balloon filling without the obligation to buy balloons from their stores.
- Cost: Meijer charges $1 for each latex balloon. Filling a mylar balloon ranges from $3 to $8, with the price determined by the balloon’s size and shape.
7. Party City
Party City operates 830 company-owned and franchise stores across North America.
- Requirement: For balloon inflation, you can bring balloons purchased at Party City stores or online and balloons bought elsewhere.
- Cost: Free for in-store or online purchases of foil balloons (ensure the item mentions helium and bring your receipt). $0.99 to $1.29 for balloons from Party City or other sources. Foil balloons from elsewhere cost $1.99 to $15.99 to fill, depending on size.
Party City offers helium tanks for those who prefer self-filling. They have small and large tanks available for purchase online or in-store pickup.
8. Party Depot
Party Depot, located in Virginia, offers helium balloon-filling services.
- Requirement: Whether you buy balloons in-store or elsewhere, they’ll fill them for you.
- Cost: $0.75 for 12-inch latex balloons, $0.90 for 18-inch Mylar balloons, and $4 for 36-inch Mylar balloons.
Additionally, Party Depot sells helium tanks.
9. Publix
Publix is a U.S. employee-owned supermarket chain with over 1,286 stores across the Southern United States, including:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
At Publix, you can get helium-filled balloons. While not every Publix store offers this service, if your local store has a floral department, it can likely fill helium balloons for you. Publix fills both latex and mylar balloons.
- Requirement: They can fill helium balloons, whether purchased in-store or elsewhere.
- Cost: The service is free with a receipt for Publix-purchased balloons, while balloons from other stores cost $1.29 for latex and $2 for mylar.
Additionally, Publix offers pre-filled helium balloons for sale.
10. Ralphs
Ralphs is a subsidiary of Kroger, operating 189 stores in Southern California. Some Ralphs stores offer helium balloon filling services, but they vary by location. Contact your local store to inquire about this service.
- In-store purchase requirement: Varies by store.
- Cost: Latex balloons cost $0.99 each, while Mylar balloons are priced at $3.99 or more, depending on size.
11. Walmart
Walmart operates 4,743 stores across the United States, with a limited number offering balloon inflation services. Contact them directly to find out if your local store provides helium services.
- In-store Purchase Required?: Yes, Walmart only inflates balloons purchased from their store.
- Cost: Balloon inflation at Walmart costs approximately $0.25 per balloon. Prices may vary based on the size and type of balloon.
Alternatively, Walmart sells helium tanks for those who prefer to fill their balloons at home.
12. Target
At Target, while there’s no helium-filling service, you can still fill your balloons easily. Target’s stores feature a well-stocked party section offering foil and latex balloons in various shapes and colors, fitting different party themes.
The store updates its balloon selection according to major holidays, offering spooky balloons for Halloween and festive ones for Christmas.
These balloons are flat, requiring helium for inflation, and conveniently available at Target, as they sell helium tanks. Target offers larger helium tanks than other party stores, providing extended usage.
The heavy-duty helium tank, priced at approximately $50, contains 14.9 cubic feet of helium. For a more economical option, there’s an 8.9-cubic-foot tank available at around $25.
While Target doesn’t offer a helium-filling service, you can purchase the tank and inflate your balloons or seek filling services at another store.
The bottom line
Consider checking stores like Albertsons, Dollar General, and Walmart to find helium-filled balloons. Many of these stores offer helium balloon filling services, especially if you bought the balloons from them.
If you have a significant number of balloons, it might be cost-effective to buy a helium tank and fill them yourself.