You can use regular party balloons in place of water balloons, but they may not pop as readily as dedicated water-fight balloons. Water balloons tend to be smaller than air and helium balloons, and they are usually made from a thinner material.
This step is less important if you are using a funnel, a nozzle attachment, or a water balloon-filling device. These nozzles are typically much thinner than the average faucet, meaning that the balloon neck doesn’t have to stretch so much to fit.
Be careful when you stretch the balloon over the faucet. If you haven’t pre-stretched the neck—and even if you have—it is very easy to rip the rubber when you try to snap it onto something. Make sure that there is a place for water to drain if you pop any balloons during the filling process. Sinks, lawns, and outdoor areas are great for this.
You can use hot or cold water – or, for that matter, any other liquid with about the same density as water. If you are filling water balloons in the summer, you may want to use cold water for the sake of cooling off.
If the balloon is too full to tie, let out a bit of water. Release your grip on the neck, but keep your fingers ready to pinch it shut again as soon as you’ve freed enough space. Tilt the balloon and pour a small amount of water into a sink, a potted plant, or a lawn.
Alternately, make a loop with the neck and pull the end through. Pull the wrapped neck of the balloon away from the two fingers, creating a slight gap, and poke the loose end in. Pull the loose end of the neck through the other side of the gap. In one fluid motion, pull the whole neck of the balloon away from your two fingers.
This method may come in handy if you’re having a water fight with a lot of people. You can use one water balloon to soak multiple friends, making each throw more efficient.
