Did you know that balloons were once made from cat stomachs? The Aztecs, who lived in Central America hundreds of years ago, twisted them into animal shapes and offered them to their gods. Today balloons are made from either latex (natural rubber) or plastic and other human-made materials, but they’re still a big part of celebrations. Some you can blow up yourself but many are filled with helium to make them float. As well as bobbing about at parties, helium balloons are sometimes released on special occasions. However, when balloons pop or deflate they fall to Earth and animals and birds can mistake them for food. Some people think helium balloons are a danger to wildlife, others say they bring joy. What do you think? Should helium balloons be banned?
Yes – They harm wildlife
It’s hard to control where helium balloons land and nearly 40% of UK beaches in a 2025 survey had balloon litter on them. The animal charity Peta says many dolphins, whales and sea turtles die after eating balloons because they look like jellyfish, one of their favourite foods. Balloons also harm animals on land; farmers have said that cows and sheep sometimes swallow balloons that land in the fields. Instead of big balloon releases, some people say it is just as much fun to use bubble machines. Helium is also a limited natural gas – it can’t be made. Some scientists think using it for balloons is wasteful when it’s needed for medical equipment such as MRI scanners, which help detect diseases.
No – There are enough rules already
There are already lots of rules about helium balloons. More than 100 councils across the UK have banned balloon releases (where lots are released all at once), and you need permission from the Civil Aviation Authority, which keeps planes safe, to release more than 5,000 in one go. Also, many balloons are made from latex, which comes from rubber trees and breaks down eventually, unlike some plastics that remain in the environment. What’s more, studies show that bright colours affect your mood – red balloons, for instance, are associated with excitement and energy. The Open University says watching balloons fly into the sky is a symbol of letting go, which can comfort people who release them in memory of loved ones.