An adjustable weight ballast for lighter-than-air balloon with a predetermined lift is disclosed, comprising at least two individual weights. There is a first means on each individual weight for selectively attaching two or more weights to each other to form a composite weight having a total weight at least equal to the predetermined lift of the balloon, and a second means for tethering the lighter-than-air balloon to this composite weight, in which manner a ballast for a balloon can have its weight incrementally adjusted to an amount just greater than the balloon's predetermined lift to thus securely tether the balloon to a surface on which the composite weight is supported without significantly exceeding the lift of the balloon.