@k.turner Katelyn asked if there are larger sheets of heat-sealable materials to make larger inflatables.
I’ve tried getting those mylar emergency blankets, that can also be used in gardening. But when I tried it, those do not heat seal at all.
Here are some heat sealable materials, linked from ULINE. Yes, they are plastic. Turns out, the material layer that allows for heat-sealing at home iron temperatures is a plastic layer.
- Sheets of cellophane (clear): ULINE - Shipping Boxes, Shipping Supplies, Packaging Materials, Packing Supplies
- Most similar to chip bags: ULINE - Shipping Boxes, Shipping Supplies, Packaging Materials, Packing Supplies
- Clear cellophane tubing: ULINE - Shipping Boxes, Shipping Supplies, Packaging Materials, Packing Supplies
For scaffolding the creative experience, I recommend the tubing or the metalized food bags because 2 or 3 sides are already sealed. It can be challenging to seal edges using the Clover mini irons we recommended in the materials section of the PLIX Inflatables activity. For sealing straight lines, you can use an old hair straightening iron, or there’s a variety of mini bag sealers (some of them look like tiny straightening irons) you can find for purchase online.
If you don’t want to buy new plastic, I haven’t tested it out yet, but I think thin plastic grocery bags could also work, because they come pre-heat-sealed at the bottom.