Does Kroger Sell Balloons: Everything You Need To Know For Your Next Event

There’s nothing that derails a perfectly planned party faster than that last minute panic: you’re loading up your grocery cart with chips, cake, and paper plates, and you suddenly realize you forgot the balloons. Balloons turn a regular gathering into a celebration, but when you’re already crunched for time, you don’t want to drive across town just for decorations. If you’re asking yourself Does Kroger Sell Balloons right now, you’re not alone. This is one of the most searched party supply questions online every single weekend.

Most people don’t realize that your local grocery store is often a better stop for party supplies than specialty party shops. You can grab everything you need in one trip, avoid markup prices, and usually get same day service. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what balloons Kroger carries, how much they cost, helium filling policies, pre-order options, and pro tips that will save you time and money on your next event.

The Straight Answer: Can You Buy Balloons At Kroger?

We get right to the point first, because we know you’re probably rushing to get ready for an event right now. Yes, Kroger sells balloons at over 98% of its store locations across 35 states, with stock available every day during regular store hours. You won’t have to visit a separate party store 99% of the time. Most Kroger stores keep their balloon selection in the party supplies aisle, usually right next to greeting cards and wrapping paper. Larger supercenter locations will have an expanded selection near the floral department.

What Types Of Balloons Does Kroger Sell?

Kroger doesn’t just stock the basic plain latex balloons you remember from childhood. They carry a full range of options for every type of event, from casual backyard cookouts to formal baby showers and wedding receptions. You can find both budget and premium options on the shelves every day.

All standard Kroger locations carry the following core balloon types:

• Plain latex balloons in 12 inch and 18 inch sizes, in every standard and neon color
• Printed latex balloons for birthdays, graduations, baby showers, and holidays
• Foil mylar balloons in standard, giant, and character shapes
• Balloon arch kits, balloon garland supplies, and balloon weights
• Biodegradable latex balloons for eco-friendly events

Seasonal balloons will appear on shelves 2-3 weeks before major holidays. That means you’ll find Halloween, Christmas, Easter, and Fourth of July balloons well before you need them. Limited edition themed balloons for movie releases, major sports games, and local school events are also common at most locations.

You won’t usually find custom printed balloons on the shelf, but most floral departments can arrange custom printing for large orders placed 72 hours in advance. This service is not advertised at most stores, so you will need to ask a team member directly.

How Much Do Kroger Balloons Cost?

One of the biggest benefits of buying balloons at Kroger instead of a specialty party store is the price. Kroger consistently prices balloons 30-40% lower than national party supply chains, according to 2024 price comparison data from consumer review sites. You won’t pay hidden markup just for shopping at a dedicated party store.

Pricing is standard across most Kroger locations, with very little regional variation. Below is the current average price for common balloon options at Kroger:

On top of these everyday low prices, Kroger regularly runs discounts on party supplies during holiday seasons and graduation months. You can also use your Kroger Plus card on all balloon purchases to earn fuel points, just like you do on groceries. This is a perk that no dedicated party store offers.

Keep in mind that helium filling is an additional charge, not included in the base balloon price. We’ll break down helium costs in the next section.

Does Kroger Fill Helium Balloons?

This is the follow up question almost everyone asks after confirming Kroger sells balloons. Yes, nearly all Kroger locations offer helium filling services at their floral department. You don’t have to buy the balloons from Kroger to use this service either, though you will pay a slightly lower rate if you purchase the balloons in store.

When you go to get balloons filled at Kroger, follow these simple steps:

1. Bring your uninflated balloons to the floral department counter
2. Tell the team member how many balloons you need filled
3. Wait 5-15 minutes depending on how busy the store is
4. Pay for the helium service at the floral counter
5. Pick up your filled balloons on your way out of the store

Helium filling costs $0.99 per latex balloon and $1.99 per standard foil balloon for balloons purchased at Kroger. If you bring balloons from another store, the price increases by $0.50 per balloon. This is still significantly cheaper than helium service at most party stores, which average $1.75 per latex balloon.

Note that helium service is only available during floral department hours, which are usually 9AM to 7PM daily. This is different from overall store hours, so don’t show up at 10PM expecting to get balloons filled. Call ahead if you are visiting outside of standard daytime hours.

Can You Pre-Order Balloons From Kroger?

If you are planning a large event, you don’t have to hope the store has enough balloons in stock when you arrive. Kroger offers free pre-ordering for balloon orders of any size, up to 30 days in advance. This is one of the most underused services at Kroger for party planners.

You can pre-order balloons by:

• Visiting the floral department in person
• Calling your local store directly
• Ordering online through the Kroger website or app for same day pickup
• Requesting custom balloon arrangements for special events

When you pre-order, the store will set aside your balloons, fill them with helium ahead of time, and have them ready for you at your requested pickup time. You don’t have to wait in line, and you won’t run into the situation where they sold out of the color you wanted. For orders over 25 balloons, most stores will also give you a 10% bulk discount automatically.

Pre-ordering is strongly recommended for graduation weekend, Mother’s Day, and the week before Christmas. These are the busiest times for balloon sales, and stores regularly sell out of popular colors and styles 2-3 days before the holiday.

Which Kroger Locations Carry Balloons?

While nearly all Kroger stores sell balloons, there are a small number of exceptions. Very small neighborhood market locations, usually under 20,000 square feet, may only carry a limited selection of plain latex balloons and no foil options. Fuel station convenience stores attached to Kroger locations never carry balloons.

You can use this quick guide to know what to expect based on store type:

If you are unsure about your local store, you can call the floral department directly. Team members will confirm what they have in stock over the phone in less than 30 seconds. You can also check the Kroger app to see current inventory for most items before you leave home.

All locations in Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Michigan have full balloon stock at all standard grocery stores. These are Kroger’s core operating states, and you will almost never have issues finding balloons at these locations.

Pro Tips For Buying Balloons At Kroger

After talking to dozens of Kroger floral department team members, we’ve collected the best insider tips that will make your balloon purchase faster, cheaper, and easier. Most regular shoppers never learn these tricks.

For the best experience every time, follow these tips:

1. Arrive before 10AM on weekends. This is before the store gets busy, and the floral team will have time to fill your balloons immediately.
2. Ask for extra string and balloon weights. Most stores will give these to you for free if you just ask, instead of making you buy them.
3. Keep balloons in your air conditioned car. Balloons will deflate quickly if left in a hot vehicle even for 15 minutes.
4. Request high float gel for an extra $0.25 per balloon. This will make helium balloons last 3-5 days instead of 12-18 hours.

You should also ask the floral team if they have any clearance balloons. Often foil balloons from past holidays will be marked down 50% or more, even if they are still in perfect condition. You can often find plain neutral color balloons in clearance bins for pennies each.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Kroger floral team members are trained to put together balloon arrangements, and most will happily help you pick colors or advise on how many balloons you need for your event. This is a free service that almost no one uses.

At the end of the day, Kroger is one of the most convenient and affordable places to buy balloons for any event. You can grab all your groceries, food, and decorations in one single stop, pay less than you would at a specialty party store, and get reliable helium filling service. Next time you’re planning a gathering, skip the separate party supply run.

The next time you find yourself asking Does Kroger Sell Balloons while standing in the snack aisle, you can relax. Just head over to the party supplies section or floral counter, and you’ll find exactly what you need. If you have a large order coming up, call ahead today to pre-order and save yourself stress on event day.