Balloons and the environment: how wildlife are suffering for the sake of a decoration

With birthday party season upon us we’ve been turning our mind to how balloons affect the environment and what alternatives we can use to make a small change with a big impact.

Why are balloons bad for wildlife?

Marine and land species all suffer because of balloons… Sadly they are all too often released into the air, and when they land it is common for animals and sea life to swallow them. The balloon blocks the digestive tract, leaving the unfortunate soul unable to absorb nutrients and in turn starve to death. The danger doesn’t stop with swallowing either: so many animals get entangled in either the balloon itself or in the ribbon they’re invariably attached to.

Balloons can also take YEARS to break down (including the ones claiming to be biodegradable). This means that the longer they are ‘hanging around’ then the more chance there is for an animal to get entangled in it or swallow it accidentally.

What can I use as an alternative?

There are so many options to make your parties look wonderful without having to worry that your décor is hurting the environment. Options include:

• • Paper or fabric bunting and banners.

• • Paper chains and garlands.

• • Pinwheels.

• • Pompoms.

• • Bubbles.

• • Paper streamers.

• • Paper flowers.

• • Kites.

Why not outsource your birthday party to us?

If you’re not feeling a party at home then why not outsource your birthday party to us? When it comes to birthday parties in Essex, we’ve got you covered! We’ve just launched three, affordable options for all your animal-loving children…

SANCTUARY PARTY

• • Kids lunch box per child

• • Use of the party room

• • Free entrance for the birthday child’s parents

• • Party bags

• • Free return tickets

• • Downloadable party invites

• • Free animal sponsorship pack for the birthday child

• • Kids activities / arts & crafts

Minimum of 10 children, maximum of 18.
No age limit.
£17.99 per child.

PONY PARTY

• • Pony to groom for the morning (for each participant)

• • Arts & crafts

• • Use of the party room

• • Kids lunch box per child

• • Free return tickets

• • All day sanctuary access

• • Downloadable party invites

• • Free animal sponsorship pack for the birthday child

• • Free entrance for the birthday child’s parents

Minimum of 4 children, maximum of 6.
Suitable for age 6+.
£35.00 per child.

SOFT PLAY BUS PARTY

• • Exclusive use of our party bus, packed with ball bit, soft play, and slides (for 1 hour)

• • Kids lunch box per child

• • Party host

• • Use of the party room

• • All day sanctuary access

• • Free animal sponsorship pack for the birthday child

• • Free return tickets

• • Free entry for the birthday child’s parents

Maximum of 10 children.

Suitable for age 3-11 only.
£220 total price

To get your party booked please email office@hopefield.org.uk so we can get the ball rolling, and don’t forget that as well as being a great choice for birthday parties in Essex, we also have a couple of options here at Hopefield that would make the perfect birthday present for your animal-loving child too. Lots of our animals, birds and reptiles are part of our sponsorship scheme (more on that here) and we also have Ethical Animal Experiences that you can buy as a gift (click here for all the details). Please do also keep helping us to spread the word to your friends and family if they’re looking for things to do in Essex with kids: as a charity entirely dependent on public support, every share means the world to us and our residents!

Now go have a wonderful, balloon-free party and don’t forget to #hopefieldanimalsanctuary so we can see all the fun!