Need helium-filled balloons for a party? Helium-filled balloons last longer than air-filled ones because helium is lighter than air — about 0.18 g per litre versus 1.25 g per litre for the nitrogen in your breath. That’s why a balloon you blow up by mouth sinks while a helium one floats. This guide lists the US retailers that still fill balloons in 2026, what they charge, and where to get the service free.
Quick Comparison: Where to Fill Helium Balloons
| Retailer | Cost per balloon | Fills outside balloons? |
| Walmart | $0.25–$1.50 | No — receipt required |
| CVS | Free with balloon purchase | No |
| Kroger | $1 (latex), $3–$8 (foil/mylar) | Yes |
| Meijer | ~$1–$5 | Sometimes (call first) |
| Publix | Modest fee | Yes |
| Dollar Tree | Free with foil-balloon purchase | No |
| Dollar General | Included in balloon price | No |
| Albertsons / Safeway | $1–$3 | Sometimes |
| Party City (online) | Pre-filled, delivered | — |
Stores That Fill Balloons with Helium
Walmart
Not every Walmart fills balloons — only Supercenters with a party department do. The service runs about $0.25–$1.50 per balloon depending on size and type, with foil costing more than latex. Walmart only fills balloons bought in-store and will ask for your receipt at customer service. If you want to inflate at home, Walmart sells single-use helium tanks that fill 30+ balloons. Call your local store to confirm before driving over.
CVS
CVS larger stores have a party section with a small balloon range. Filling is included in the balloon price — no extra service fee — but you must buy the balloon there. Smaller pharmacy-only CVS branches don’t carry helium. Some clerks will fill an outside balloon for a small charge if you ask politely.
Kroger
Kroger is the most flexible chain on this list. Most locations fill latex and foil balloons whether you bought them at Kroger or anywhere else. Latex fills run about $1, mylar/foil run $3–$8 depending on size. The flower department also stocks pre-filled helium balloons for impulse buys.
Meijer
A Midwest supermarket chain with a strong party section. Meijer takes phone orders for bulk balloon fills (20+) and gives you a delivery window — usually 3–4 hours for a large order, faster for a few balloons. Outside-balloon policy varies by store; ring ahead.
Publix
A Southeast US chain that fills both Publix balloons and outside balloons for a modest fee. There’s no upper limit — Publix will fill 200+ balloons for an event if you book in advance.
Dollar Tree
Dollar Tree fills foil balloons only bought in-store, free of charge. Latex isn’t filled at any Dollar Tree location. They also stock pre-filled foil balloons for grab-and-go shoppers. Online orders from dollartree.com can be filled at the store with your receipt.
Dollar General
Dollar General sells helium-filled balloons direct from the shelf and will fill empty balloons bought in-store. They do not fill outside balloons. Dollar General also stocks small disposable helium tanks (about $35 for an 8.9 cu-ft tank, enough for 30 9-inch balloons).
Note: Dollar Tree and Dollar General are not the same company despite the similar names. Dollar Tree owns Family Dollar; Dollar General is a separate corporation.
Albertsons and Safeway
Both Albertsons and Safeway (under the same parent group) fill balloons in their floral departments. Cost is $1–$3 per balloon. Some locations fill outside balloons; some don’t.
Party City (online only since 2025)
Party City closed all of its corporate-owned US stores by February 2025 after a second Chapter 11 filing. The brand returned in mid-2025 under new ownership (Ad Populum), now operating online at partycity.com and through select Staples store-in-store partnerships. You can order pre-filled helium balloons online and pick up at participating Staples locations.
Read also: Engine oil specs: what to consider when buying engine oil.
Tips for Helium Balloons
- Fill on the day of the event. Standard 9-inch latex balloons last 8–12 hours filled with helium. Foil balloons last 3–5 days.
- Add Hi-Float for latex. A liquid coating that extends latex float time to 1–3 days.
- Avoid heat and sun. Heat expands helium and can pop balloons; cars in the sun are the most common culprit.
- Transport balloons unfilled. Take loose balloons to the store and have them filled there to avoid pop-on-arrival.
- For 50+ balloons, rent a tank. Renting a helium tank from Walmart, Amazon, or a local rental shop is cheaper than per-balloon store fills.
FAQ
Can I get helium balloons filled for free?
Yes — CVS and Dollar Tree fill foil balloons free with purchase. A few smaller party stores still offer free fills as a courtesy on event days.
How long do helium balloons last?
Latex: 8–12 hours, up to 3 days with Hi-Float treatment. Foil/mylar: 3–7 days. Cold weather and direct sun shorten both.
Can I bring my own balloons to be filled?
Kroger and Publix routinely fill outside balloons. Meijer, Albertsons, and Safeway sometimes do — call first. Walmart, CVS, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General do not.
Is renting a helium tank worth it?
For under 30 balloons, store fills are cheaper. For 50–100+, a rented tank costs less and gives you flexibility on timing.
Why do helium balloons float?
Helium is lighter than the nitrogen-rich air around us. The lift force is the difference between the weight of the helium inside and the weight of the air the balloon displaces. A balloon you blow up by mouth contains air heavier than the surrounding air (because of body heat and CO₂), so it sinks.