Question: I’m a Looner and very into balloons. But I don’t know how to talk to my partner about it. Any tips?

Blowing up balloons. Popping balloons. Orgasming because of balloons. Balloon fetishes are some of the most niche and interesting. 

What’s more, the ways in which balloons play a central role in some people’s lives can go beyond sexual arousal. Some adults just absolutely love balloons and want to play with them. This can bring with it some complex emotions, as our society doesn’t encourage adult humans to play like children. But it shouldn’t be seen as anything weird, shameful, or otherwise. There is nothing wrong with getting your jollies from a blown up bit of latex. 

This multifaceted fetish is incredibly expansive and the ways in which balloons can be involved in your play (both sexual and non-sexual) deserves to be laid out so we can all understand it a bit better. 

Why? Because it’s actually freakin’ cool … and pretty complex. We’re talking about sub-categories, different levels of sexual involvement, and about 50 trillion different ways people might play with balloons. While there is hardly any research on balloon fetishes directly, a 2007 academic article does highlight the many ways this fetish plays out within the community. It’s deep, y’all.

This fetish may look like child's play, but it is a psychological soup. Let’s break it down.

What is balloon play?

Balloon play is a sexual fetish that involves, you guessed it, balloons. 

People with this fetish will often refer to themselves as “Looners.” Looner communities can be found all over the internet - which is the case for basically all niche interests. You can always find your people.

There are 2 main categories of Looners: Poppers and Non-Poppers. Poppers enjoy building up the tension and anticipation around popping the balloon. Non-Poppers enjoy playing with the balloon, but have no desire to destroy it. 

The degree to which the interest in balloons is sexual will vary from person to person. Some people may find the smell, feel, sound etc. of balloons very sexually arousing and exciting. Others may simply find playing with balloons to be a stress relief. Basically, it varies.

And yeah, most of the time, the balloon play is probably sexual, but that doesn’t mean it is ~always~ sexual. While we refer to balloon play as a “fetish,” it doesn’t always center sexual excitement or release. 

How these fetishes develop.

To be totally transparent: There just isn’t a whole lot of scientific data around balloon play and sexual arousal.  I know. It’s really shocking that universities wouldn’t invest millions of dollars to research this. #Offended. General research around where fetishes come from suggests that they can develop both in childhood and later in life.

For balloons specifically, it is likely a conditioned fetish. This is when we experience sexual feelings toward something non-sexual as children. This correlation continues over time, eventually becoming a strong sexual interest. You have a lot of access to balloons as a wean so you may start associating them with sexual feelings.

Perhaps you experienced feeling sexually aroused while blowing up balloons and then started thinking balloons = erotic — just to name one example, anyway.

Why balloons can be sexually arousing.

When it comes to the “why,” it’s pretty complicated and varied. It can be about the sound and feel of the latex, the sound of popping, the emotional buildup of waiting for a balloon to be popped, etc.

Some ways a scene may go gown.

• Blowing up balloons 

• Watching attractive people blow up balloons

• Blowing up balloons until they pop (or watching others do so), AKA “blow to pop” or “b2p.”

• Masturbating with balloons.

• Sitting or laying on balloons.

• Playing with balloons.

• Being in small spaces filled with balloons, such as a closet or shower, to experience touch and pressure from latex against the skin.

• Popping balloons and the excitement, fear, and anticipation that goes along with waiting for that release.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it certainly paints a picture. If you can dream it, you can blow it up (sorry).

Is it normal to have a balloon fetish?

In a nutshell: Hell yeah, it’s normal. Who is even to say what’s normal anyway? We’re all unique.

 Basically, what happens between consenting adults is no one else’s business. 

How to talk to your partner about a balloon fetish.

It can be really frightening to talk to a partner about a non-vanilla sexual interest. It’s a vulnerable state to be in. You want to start by getting really clear on what you enjoy about balloons in order to explain them to a partner in a clear and simple way. Is it about a certain sensation, psychological component, or simply trying something new? Give it some time to percolate. 

Next, bring it to your partner. Ask your partner for empathy, as you’re being transparent. Let them know you’re very nervous to talk to them about this interest. Let them know you want to talk to them about this because you value your relationship and want to be honest. If we can set things up in a positive light, we’re more likely to be met with curiosity instead of anger or disgust.

Most partners want us to feel good and to have a nice time sexually. So if you’re with someone kind and who you trust, it should be all good. And if they are a jerk about it, that’s probably not your person.

Keep in mind that balloon play is not a super common sexual interest. It’s extremely niche. So, there may be an opportunity for you and your partner to do some research online in order to learn more about it together. 

We all just want to be understood by the people we care about. Remember that we don’t have to engage in a partner’s fetish if it’s not our thing, but we also don’t have a right to shame or harm another person. People are into all kinds of varied things when it comes to sexuality and being willing to be open, honest, and empathetic is key to healthy partnerships and healthy sex.

XOXO GIGI