Whats new at Fun 'N' Frolic?

If you didn't know already, we had a major overhaul the past few months with a new logo, store front and a website and as Halloween being the busiest month of the year for fancy dress, the blog was put on a back burner but we are back with lots more ideas on party, costumes and balloon decor.

• Our store front has been vamped up with our new logo and decked out with festive season so that you wouldn't miss us if you are travelling to the store. 

• In addition to the storefront, our website had a complete overhaul and we have added in 1000 of products of costumes, party goods, decoration and balloons. 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE NEW WEBSITE

 Tell us what you think:

Looking at the History of Balloons

At Fun 'N' Frolic, we do balloon decorations for any events from birthdays to wedding ceremonies as we believe that balloons always brighten up the venue and everybody from young to old loves them.

Wondering about the origin of the Balloons, we unearthed some facts on it: 

• The word 'balloon' has its origin in the French word "ballon" meaning a huge ball. Similarly, in Latin, the word "ballone" and from old German, the word "balla" both means a ball.
• Balloons were originally made out of dried animal intestines and bladder and were mainly used by clowns for entertainment

Children blowing up animal intestine 

• The first rubber balloons were made by Professor Michael Faraday way back in 1824 for use in experiments with hydrogen at the Royal Institute of London. 

Professor Michael Faraday

•  Balloons were filled with hydrogen gas in the early days but later found out that the hydrogen gas was highly flammable and hence was replaced with helium gas.
• Rubber balloons became accessible to people in the year 1825 which was marketed by England's pioneer rubber manufacturer, Thomas Hancock. 
• Price for the balloon in US in early 1890s was 4 cents each or 40 cents a dozen.
• The world's first novelty-shaped and printed balloon was a balloon shaped like a cat's head with pointed ears and a whisker printed face. 

Vintage balloon ad posters from Qualatex

Hope you had fun reading some facts on the history of balloons. You can get your hands on various ranges of balloons here. 

However if you are planning an event and you want balloon decor, then don't hesitate to give us a call: 0800 294 1130  or get to our other site: www.berkshire-balloons.co.uk for more information. 

5 Things You Should Know About Us

No. 1: Our store in 16a Richfield Avenue, Reading RG1 8EQ(opposite Rivermead leisure Centre) is 10,000 sq ft that houses everything your party needs from party wares to fancy dress even balloon decorations. Give us a visit and see for yourself!

No. 2: We have been in the business for almost 27 years from the humble beginning at the center of Reading in 1987 to our superstore in Richfield Avenue where we have been since 2008.

No. 3: We not only sell 1000 of costumes for any occasion, we even hire them out. Have a peek at the products online: www.funnfrolic.co.uk 

No. 4: We like to think of ourselves as a one stop party store so we got our selves an in house expert on balloon decorations, so if you want huge balloons for an extravagant event or just a balloon bouquet for someone special, just drop in store. For further information,  visit our sister site: www.berkshire-balloons.co.uk

No. 5: If balloons are not the pop you want in your event, we got fireworks as well to put the bang. 

 For any inquiries regarding costumes, products, balloons or fireworks give us a call at: 0800 294 1130 or drop us an email at: info@funnfrolic.co.uk or come and see us at our store, you won't be disappointed.