Bounce houses are a fun way to get your child physically active. They’re perfect whether you’re looking for something entertaining for a backyard party or something for your little one to get their energy out alone or with friends.
Bounce houses usually cost at least a few hundred dollars. You’ll want to be sure you take the time to do your research and choose something that’s going to last. Below, you’ll find the best bounce houses and a handy buyer’s guide so you know what to look for.
Best Bounce Houses with Slide
Both the Little Tikes Jump ‘n Slide Bouncer and the Little Tikes Jump and Double Slide Bouncer can hold up to 250 lbs of weight; whereas the Inflatable Bounce House is able to hold up to 400 lbs of maximum weight.
Little Tikes Inflatable Jump ‘n Slide Bounce House
The Little Tikes Inflatable Jump ‘n Slide Bounce House is perfect for toddlers and younger kids. It has a maximum user limit of three kids and a maximum weight of 250 pounds. This makes it great for everything from sleepovers on the weekend to backyard parties.
The Little Tikes bounce house works with a continuous stream of air from the included heavy-duty air pump. It also comes with a hose that attaches the blower to the house, stakes for both the blower and bouncer, and a storage bag. Having a storage bag is important because it keeps the bounce house protected from dirt, water, and the elements when it’s not in use.
For parents worried about bounce house safety, they can feel comfortable with the three mesh walls that surround the bouncer. This lets you keep an eye on your little one while they’re inside. It also keeps them inside the bouncing area while they’re having fun.
The included blower blows up the slide and house in just minutes. It also comes with a long, heavy-duty cord to plug it in. Something to note is that the blower is very loud. Even though the bounce house could be used indoors or outdoors, the noise from the blower makes it better as an outdoor product. It’s also harder to stake the bounce house down indoors.
This slide comes with just a 90 day warranty on materials and workmanship. Unfortunately, many people who have had problems with the bounce house report that it was difficult contacting customer service or that the company decided rips were from use, not defects.
Pros
- Roomy bouncing area
- Bouncer/slide combo is fun
- 3 user and 250 pound max weight limit is good for kids
- Mesh sides for protection
- Blows up in just minutes
- Comes with blower, stakes, storage bag, and repair kit
Cons
- Only has a 90-day warranty
- Hard to get the company to honor the warranty
Sunny & Fun Inflatable Bounce House
The Sunny & Fun Inflatable Bounce House has a roomy bouncing area that is 12′ x 10.5′. It has a higher weight/recommended user limit so it’s a good choice for bigger kids. This bounce house can support up to four kids weight a combined weight of 400 pounds. The manufacturer recommends ages 3-10 for this bouncer.
In addition to the fun bouncing area, your child can exit this via the inflatable slide. There are also bop-it bags on the inside of the bouncing area that kids can hit, kick, and play with. The top is open so there’s no limit on how high your child can jump and the sides are surrounded in mesh.
The Sunny & Fun bounce house is made using heavy-duty synthetic nylon. It’s puncture resistant and has reinforced stitching, which adds to the overall durability. Some of the extras included with this are 8 stakes for the bounce house, 4 stakes for the blower, and a repair kit that has several patches. A carrying case, storage strap, and high-quality blower are also included. This bounce house also has a shoe bag that hangs outside of the bounce house. It holds your child’s shoes safely out of the way where nobody is going to trip over them.
The one downside of this is that there is only one entrance, which is the exit slide. Your child will need to climb the exit slide to get into the bounce house. If there are up to four kids playing, this can cause some congestion if they are having fun on the slide as well as the house. An adult may need to supervise closely, especially with younger kids.
Pros
- Posts inside that can be bopped for added fun
- Comes with stakes, repair kit, carrying case, storage strap, and blower
- Mesh so parents can see inside
- Higher weight limit
- Up to 4 kids can bounce at once
- Perfect for 3-10 year olds
- Shoe bag on the outside of the bounce house
Cons
- The slide is the entrance and exit
Little Tikes Jump and Double Slide Bouncer
The Little Tikes Jump and Double Slide Bouncer is a great choice for parents of younger kids. It’s big enough that up to three kids can play at once, but small enough that it works as an indoor bounce house if you’d like. It also has two slides in addition to the bounce area, so it’s easy for all the kids to get a turn. This has a maximum weight limit of 250 pounds.
This has mesh walls that surround the bouncing area and tall walls on the sides of the slides so your child can play safe. There is also a climbing wall that goes up the back of the structure to the first slide.
In addition to the bounce house, this comes with a heavy-duty blower, stakes to anchor the bounce house in place, a repair kit for tears, and a storage bag to keep everything in. It is easy enough to set up and your child will be bouncing within minutes. The blower is not especially loud, which makes this a good choice for indoors as well.
One thing to note is that the connection between the bounce house and the air blower could be better. An adult will need to watch closely because if it comes loose, the bounce house will quickly deflate. This can be scary for kids and can also become dangerous if it deflates a lot while they are inside.
You may also want to put a soft landing around the bottom of the climbing wall if your kids are young. They could fall off and hurt themselves because the climbing wall to the first slide is 4′ tall.
Pros
- Great choice for toddlers
- Has two slides
- Easy to set up in minutes
- Features bounce area and climbing wall too
- Comes with blower, stakes, repair kit, and carrying bag
- Small enough to be used indoors
- Blower is not especially loud
Cons
- Climbing wall on outside needs padded at the bottom
- Connection between the bounce house and air blower could be more secure
Best Bouncy Castles with Slide
The Jumping Castle with Slide has a wide jumping area and a 3 foot slide, while the Royal Palace Inflatable Bounce House has a jumping area and slide as well as a climbing wall and basketball hoop.
ACTION AIR Jumping Castle with Slide
The ACTION AIR Jumping Castle with Slide offers a wide bouncing area about 9′ x 9′ with a 3-foot slide. It’s perfect for younger children because of the large bouncing area. With a weight limit of 250 pounds, there is plenty of room for your child and their friends (3 total kids) to have some fun.
The Action Air inflatable bouncer and slide is perfect for indoor or outdoor use. For parents worried about safety, this has been certified by the CSPC (Consumer Safety Product Commission) and has a Children Product Certificate for safety. The bouncer is surrounded by three sides of mesh, which helps keep kids inside the bouncer while they are jumping. There is also a mesh bag on the outside of the bounce house that can be used to store shoes and objects from your child’s pockets while they are bouncing.
Since this is designed to use a continuous flow air pump, note that air should leak from the seams to stop it from being over-inflated. Even being designed this way, the materials used are extra thick and durable so you can get years of use out of this bounce house. If it does happen to become punctured or split, an included repair kit makes it easy enough to start having fun.
Setting this up and taking it down is also easy. After you attach the bounce house to the blower hose, it’ll blow up completely in about a minute. Then, the included stakes can be put in the ground to keep the bounce house secure. Once the air is out, it folds easily and conveniently in the included storage bag. You can put this away until your kids are ready for more fun.
Even though this is made from thick tarpaulin, the material used isn’t as thick as on some other bounce houses. It may split after being used a while, especially near the slide. Something else to note is that the customer service doesn’t always respond quickly if you do have problems.
Pros
- Up to three kids can play at once
- 250 pound max weight limit
- Inflates in just one minute
- Easy to put up and take down
- Stores away in storage bag when not in use
- Comes with stakes, storage bag, and repair kit
- Shoe bag on the outside of the bounce house
Cons
- Not as thick as some other bounce house material
- Customer service doesn’t respond quickly
Royal Palace Inflatable Bounce House with Long Slide
The Royal Palace Inflatable Bounce House, with Long Slide, Large Bouncing Area, Basketball Hoop and Sun Roof is a little taller than the bounce houses mentioned so far. The structure is over 9′ tall and there is several fun ways to play. Since this is taller, it also has a roof that can be sealed over the bounce area to protect your kids from the sun while they bounce.
This bounce house also has a higher weight limit and recommended number of kids. It supports up to five bouncers and has a maximum weight limit of 500 pounds. There are mesh sides around the bounce house and it has its own Velcro entrance. Inside the bouncing area, there is a climbing wall to get up to the slide and a separate basketball rim. With the higher maximum user limit, this is a contender for best party bounce house.
The entire structure is made of puncture-proof PVC tarpaulin that has double to quadruple stitching in some areas to add to the strength. It is also reinforced with polyester in key areas. Unfortunately, some users report that the wall between the slide and the bounce house has not been reinforced enough, as it often rips here and needs repaired after use.
The included blower can get everything inflated in about a minute. This set also comes with 9″ stakes, which are nice because the longer stakes provide better stability since this is a taller bounce house. A carrying bag, repair kit, and instructions are also included.
This slide and bounce house does come with a 90-day limited warranty on manufacturing defects and the blower also has a 1-year limited warranty. Something to note is that it can be difficult to contact customer service, so it might be easier to return through Amazon if you notice any defects.
Pros
- Taller than other bounce houses mentioned so far
- Has basketball rim, climbing wall, and slide in addition to bouncing area
- Made of puncture-proof PVC tarpaulin reinforced with polyester
- Blows up in about a minute
- Higher weight/recommended user limit
- Comes with 90-day warranty for bouncer and 1-year warranty for blower
Cons
- Wall between bounce house and slide could be reinforced more
- Customer service isn’t the best
Best Bounce Houses with Ball Pit
While both houses have ball pits, you will need to purchase extra balls. In addition, the Inflatable Bounce House, Jumping Castle Slide with Ball Pit has a slide, dart target game, soccer goal, and basketball hoop, and the BOUNTECH Inflatable Bounce House includes a tall slide, ball mesh, target game with darts, and a football net.
Inflatable Bounce House, Jumping Castle Slide with Ball Pit
The Inflatable Bounce House,Jumping Castle Slide with Ball Pit is a great interactive bounce house for your child. In addition to the bouncing area, there is a fun slide, ball pit area, target practice with dart balls, a soccer goal, and a basketball hoop for your child to play with. A bag hangs on the outside for children to conveniently store their shoes out of the way while playing.
This bouncing house comes with everything your child needs for a little more fun with their bounce house. In addition to the fun activities, it comes with three dart balls, an inflatable soccer ball, an inflatable soccer ball, and a small hand pump to inflate these balls. Fifty balls for the ball pit, the blower and hose, a carrying bag, repair kit, and stakes are also included. When inflated, there are also two posts inside that children can bop and play with. The posts also double as a goal for the soccer ball.
With the roomy area, there’s plenty of space for several kids to play at once, whether they are sharing the different games or playing on their own. This has a maximum user recommendation of three kids and a maximum weight limit of 300 pounds. You can keep an eye on your kids because of the mesh area surrounding the bounce house. The ball pit is closed in, however, there are two windows to promote air flow.
The WELLFUNTIME bounce house is made from puncture-resistant fabric to prevent rips and tears. There is a 90-day limited warranty on the bounce house and a 2-year limited warranty on the blower.
One thing to note is that this only comes with 50 small balls for the ball pit, which is not enough. You may want to get a few hundred more for it to be used as a ball pit. Additionally, the bouncing and play area is a little on the small side for several kids, especially if they’re doing different things.
Pros
- Comes with plenty of extras
- Blower and hand pump for the smaller balls included
- Maximum weight limit of 300 pounds
- 90-day limited warranty on the bounce house and 2 year warranty on the blower
- Comes with ball pit, ‘dart’ board, basketball hoop, and posts
- Plenty of different ways to play
- Shoe bag on the outside of the bounce house
Cons
- Could have more room inside because of all the activities included
- Need to buy more balls for the ball pit
BOUNTECH Inflatable Bounce House
The BOUNTECH Inflatable Bounce House is a great bounce house for parties because of the several features included. Since some of them can be used without being on top of the bounce house, even several kids can play at once.
While this can accommodate up to 4 kids, it is recommended for ages 3-10 years. There is a maximum weight limit of 400 pounds on the inflatable. However, one kid could also enjoy the ball pit which is on the outside of the structure while others are jumping.
In addition to a jumping area, this comes with a tall slide, ball pit, dart target, ball mesh, and football net. Your child will also love doing the different things to get through this, including climbing, jumping, and creeping. There are also two cone-like posts on the outside of the ball pit that could be used with rings for your child to toss, a little like a game of horseshoes.
In addition to the bounce house, this also comes with a blower and hose, ground stakes, repair kit, manual, and carrying bag. Small plastic balls for the ball pit are also included. Even though the ball pit is shallow, there are not enough to carry the whole bottom. You may want to invest in some additional balls for added fun. Additionally, rings are not included for the tossing game and there is no basketball for the hoop, so you’ll want to buy your own for your child to use this feature as well.
Pros
- Plenty of fun games your child can play
- Comes with blower, stakes, carrying bag, and some plastic balls
- Up to 4 users with a maximum combined weight of 400 pounds
- Roomy bouncing area
- Football goal, ball mesh, and dart target. Tons of jumping space too.
Cons
- Doesn’t come with basketball or rings
- Ball pit is shallow and you may want more plastic balls
Coolest Bounce House with Slide
PicassoTiles Inflatable Bouncing House, Jump Slide, Dunk Playhouse
![[Upgrade Version] PicassoTiles KC102 12x10 Foot Inflatable Bouncer Jumping Bouncing House, Jump Slide, Dunk Playhouse w/Basketball Rim, 4 Sports Balls, Full-Size Entry, 580W ETL Certified Blower](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bNGREULaL._SL500_.jpg)
The PicassoTiles Inflatable Bouncing House, Jump Slide, Dunk Playhouse w/ Basketball Rim, 4 Sports Balls is a great choice for parents who want their child to have plenty of options for fun in the bounce house. In addition to the slide and bouncing area, this also has a basketball room and comes with four sports balls for added outdoor fun.
The maximum weight limit for this structure is 250 pounds and up to three kids. It does have more than one entrance, including a full-size entrance in the back which is nice. The play area is 12′ x 10′.
This structure is as easy to set up as any other bounce house. Just unroll the bounce house, attach the hose from the blower to the bounce house, and stake it down. It blows up in just two minutes and deflates pretty quickly once you turn off the blower. Then, this can be stored in the included carrying bag so it’s ready for next time.
In addition to having the additional balls and play area, this uses Velcro in a few spots for better play. There is a Velcro strap that allows you to securely attach the blower to the bounce house, so you don’t have to worry about it coming undone and becoming unsafe while kids are inside. This also has a Velcro closure over the dunk area, which provides shade while your kids are playing if you choose to seal it.
There is also mesh surrounding the bounce house so you can keep an eye on kids while they play. Some other extras included are the balls (a basketball, baseball, football, and soccer ball) and the air blower, which is 580 watts and a little more heavy-duty than some others mentioned. There is a 90-day limited warranty on the bounce house and a 1-year limited warranty on the blower.
The one downside of this is that all the parts are hard to fold up once it’s un-inflated. That can make it hard to get it into the storage bag.
Pros
- Roomy bouncing area and dunk area
- Has more than one entrance
- Inflates and deflates quickly
- Comes with four sports balls
- Mesh netting around the house
- Velcro top cover on dunk area and Velcro around blower hose
Cons
- Can be hard to fit into the storage bag
Best Bounce Houses with Water Slide
The Bounceland Jump and Splash Adventure Bounce House is a more expensive, award winning playland that has several extra play options such as a climbing wall and basketball hoop, however, the Costzon Castle Bounce House with Water Slide is less expensive and better suited for young children that has less bells and whistles.
Bounceland Jump and Splash Adventure Bounce House and Water Slide
The Bounceland Jump and Splash Adventure Bounce House and Water Slide is a great all-in-one investment for backyard fun. In addition to having a bounce area, this also comes with a climbing wall, water slide, climbing wall, splash pool, and basketball hoop. As an added bonus, this pick was winner of the 2022 Creative Child Awards by Creative Child Magazine.
You’ll need to attach both the blower and your water hose for this to be used as a bounce house and water slide. The blower included is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about it being close to the structure. Once the hose is attached, water comes down at the top of the slide to wet it and make it slick. There is also a sliding surface provided for when this is being used as a water slide to add durability and make your child go faster down the slide.
The shallow pool area is flat on the bottom, however, this can be used with or without water. It’s nice that there are several ways to play with this house, so your children can have hours of fun with their friends. If this water slide doesn’t work for you, you can find more best bounce house water slide recommendations at this link.
In addition to the bounce house itself, this comes with a blower and blowing hose, repair kit, water hose, ground stakes, instructions, and a carrying bag. The blower can get the bounce house up and ready to go in around a minute. Something to keep in mind is that since this is a water slide, you’ll need to dry it completely before storing it. If you don’t, then it can cause mold or mildew to grow on the material and ruin your purchase.
Bounceland bounce houses come with a 90-day warranty that covers workmanship and materials. The included blower has a one-year warranty. While their customer service number and hours are easy to find, it is difficult to actually contact customer service.
Pros
- Can be used dry or wet
- Comes with limited warranty
- Water slide aspect adds more fun to play
- Also has a basketball hoop and climbing wall
- Small splash pool at the bottom
- Comes with extra sliding surface to make a slicker surface
- Winner of the 2022 Creative Child Award
Cons
- Customer service is hard to reach
Costzon Castle Bounce House with Water Slide, Jumping Area, Splash Pool
The Costzon Castle Bounce House with Water Slide, Jumping Area, Splash Pool is a good choice if you have one or two toddlers. It is more affordable than some of the other options, especially being designed for younger kids. This bounce house has a maximum weight limit of 150 pounds is recommended for only 2 kids at a time.
To use this, you’ll want to attach to the blower to the house and then attach the water hose, which activates a sprinkler to wet the slide. It’s easy to set up, but you should note that the blower is not included with this particular model. This is great if you already have the blower, or you can buy it with a blower for an additional cost.
This is made from Oxford materials that have been coated in PVC to prevent wear and tear. It takes just two minutes to inflate the bouncer when used with a 580W air pump. Some of the things that are included include a set of plastic balls that can float in the pool and a hose for added fun. Additionally, this comes with a repair kit, bouncer stakes, and a carrying bag.
Pros
- Best for younger kids
- Comes with balls and a hose for added fun
- Easy and fast to set up
- Good choice if you already have a blower, or you can purchase with the blower
- Good choice for parents of toddlers
- Comes with stakes, repair kit, and carrying bag
Cons
- On the small side
- Doesn’t come with a blower
Comparing Bounce Houses
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Royal Palace Inflatable Bounce House with Long Slide | 6.1 | 9.4 | 439.00 |
| Sunny & Fun Inflatable Bounce House | 3.9 | 8.8 | 369.99 |
| Little Tikes Jump and Double Slide Bouncer | 4.3 | 9.4 | 329.98 |
| Bounceland Jump and Splash Adventure Bounce House and Water Slide | 8.3 | 9.4 | 290.52 |
| ACTION AIR Jumping Castle with Slide | 9.9 | 9.4 | 259.99 |
| Little Tikes Inflatable Jump 'n Slide Bounce House | 9.3 | 9.4 | 214.54 |
| Inflatable Bounce House, Jumping Castle Slide with Ball Pit | 8.4 | 9.0 | 204.99 |
| BOUNTECH Inflatable Bounce House | 7.3 | - | 199.99 |
| PicassoTiles Inflatable Bouncing House, Jump Slide, Dunk Playhouse | 9.0 | 9.4 | 179.99 |
| Costzon Castle Bounce House with Water Slide, Jumping Area, Splash Pool | 5.9 | 9.2 | 149.99 |
Bounce House Buying Criteria
Safety
Safety should always be your top concern when buying a bounce house or other play structure for your child. On the plus side, bounce house manufacturers must adhere to certain safety standards or their product cannot be sold to consumers. This included things like choosing non-toxic materials for the bounce house and being sure that it is stable enough that it will not collapse or injure the people inside.
You can do your part in making sure your child stays safe in bounce houses by adhering to safety standards. Keep shoes off the bounce house to prevent rips and tears, as well as stop kids from hurting each other while bouncing. You should also follow manufacturer guidelines for weight and age limits, as well as the recommended maximum number of users. Finally, read bounce house reviews to be sure no other users have ended up with injuries after using the bounce house before purchase.
Durability
The biggest factor aside from safety when buying a bounce house is durability. You don’t want to spend hundreds only for your kids to destroy the bounce house after a few uses. PVC and woven Oxford material are among some of the most common choices for bounce houses. They are durable, resist water, and can easily be wiped clean.
Choosing something with continuously flowing air can also improve durability. A continuous air flow means you don’t have to worry about rips as much. In fact, most continuous air bouncers have small holes that allow air to escape so the house does not inflate too much. Something to note, however, is that even continuously flowing air won’t help larger rips. Be sure that the bounce house you choose comes with a repair kit or invest in one yourself.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Having an indoor bounce house means you don’t have to worry about the weather or other factors that might damage your investment. There is no risk of sun exposure or wind causing tears or weakening the materials of the bounce house. However, most people have more room for a bounce house outdoors than they do inside their home. Alternatively, you could buy an indoor/outdoor model and store it in the garage if you have enough space and don’t want to worry about the weather.
If you’re looking for the best indoor bounce house for home, you’ll want to consider how much space you have. You’ll need to check the height and area and be sure it’ll fit comfortably inside. This also applies if you have limited space outdoors. It doesn’t make sense to buy a bounce house that is too big if you’re not going to be able to use it.
Features
Bounce houses usually have different features that make them fun. In addition to being able to bounce around in them, they might have slides, ball pits, or climbing areas. Keep in mind that the overall size is going to be affected by the number of features. While more features will make it more fun for your child to play with, you’ll also want to be sure you have enough space for the extra features.
Some bounce houses also come with a water slide alongside them. This is great for adding to outdoor fun. If you are going to choose a slide with water features, you’ll want to be sure you can adequately dry the water out after each use. If you don’t dry it out completely, mold or mildew can grow in the folds while the bounce house is in storage.
Set Up and Take Down
Whether you’re setting up for play time or setting up for a party, you want it to be as little hassle as possible. Bounce houses should be about having fun and not causing stress. In most cases, bounce houses work by being attached to a blower. Some inflate and then seal, especially smaller models. Others (especially bigger bounce houses) need to be attached to a blower. This means you’ll need to have access to an electrical outlet or run an extension cord if the set up is outdoors.
One of the advantages of the houses that attach to a blower is that they can withstand small holes without being ruined. In fact, many have tiny holes in the seams to prevent the bounce house from over-inflating. The best bounce house for parties usually has a blower attached which makes it safe for several users at once.
If you choose an outdoor model, you’ll also want to be able to easily deflate it. If you leave it up, the sun and other elements can damage the fabrics. You’ll also want to keep the bounce house dry, since trapped wetness can cause mildew growth.
Size and Maximum Capacity
Sizing is an important factor as you look for the best bounce house. Start with finding out how much size you have in your yard or indoors. Measure the area if you need to. Then, look for a bounce house that fits within those dimensions.
As you think about size, keep in mind that the overall size affects capacity. Bounce houses have weight limits and restrictions on how many kids can be inside. If you want adults to be able to use the bounce house too, you’ll need a bigger one. Paying attention to the recommended number of users and the maximum weight is important because you can damage the bounce house otherwise.
Warranty
Choosing a bounce house that comes with a warranty is a good way to protect your investment. In most cases, you’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely for the warranty to remain valid. Most bounce houses offer some type of limited warranty that covers flaws in workmanship or the quality of materials. The best bounce house manufacturer doesn’t mind providing this warranty because they stand behind having a quality product.
Something else to remember is that you’ll need to be able to contact customer service to fulfill your warranty. Reading user reviews can help you determine which companies are most effective at responding to customer service requests.
FAQs About Bounce House
Where is a good place to set up a bounce house? Can you put a bounce house on a driveway?
The biggest requirement as you choose somewhere to put the bounce house is that it sits on flat land. Setting a bounce house on a flat surface keeps it stable and prevents it from tipping over. A flat surface is also important for avoid sharp sticks, rocks, and other things that could puncture and damage the underside of the bounce house.
Grass, asphalt, and concrete are all surfaces that bounce houses can be set up on safely. You can set them up in your yard, in a large garage, or in your driveway. There will be slightly more abrasion from harder surfaces, however, most houses are constructed from durable materials that resist this abrasion. If you’re concerned about it, you can easily lay a tarp down underneath the bounce house.
Is buying a bounce house worth it?
Today, there are plenty of companies that specializing in renting bounce houses to consumers for event. This is a viable option if you only need a bounce house once for a party. For people who regularly host parties or who have kids that will use the inflatable frequently, buying a bounce house online might be the best investment.
Most bounce houses are durable. If they’re used correctly, they’ll last for years of fun at parties and even just for your kids to play on in the backyard. The initial investment for buying instead of renting is going to cost more. However, most parents find that they make back their money after just 2-3 uses so buying costs less in the long run.
How safe are bounce houses?
Bounce houses are a lot of fun for children. Unfortunately, there is also a risk of injury. According to the NCBI, 5 children of every 100,000 children that use bouncy houses each year are injured. These injuries are most common in the preschool age group. Younger children often lack the balance, coordination, and muscle strength to use a bounce house safely. Additionally, their bones and muscles are still developing so they cannot withstand the same force as older kids.
Most authorities recommend that bounce houses only be used by kids over the age of six. If younger kids are permitted to use bounce hoses, it should be alone or with kids of the same age/weight. Following bounce house safety guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of injury.
How can children use a bounce house safely?
When parents rent or buy a bounce house for their child, their intention is that their child is going to have fun. Unfortunately, bounce houses can be dangerous. This is especially true for younger kids because their bones are not as strong.
The first thing that you should do is follow manufacturer instructions. Adhere to restrictions on the number of users, weight limits, and age limits. Additionally, be sure to set up the bounce house on a flat surface that’s free of any sharp objects or debris. Use stakes to keep the bounce house upright and in place. When kids are playing, be sure an adult is supervising. Instruct them to bounce away from each other, because being pushed or bouncing into others can cause injury.
Even though many bounce houses are designed for kids ages 3 and older to use, many experts recommend kids under six do not use bounce houses because they may not have the balance or coordination to use it safely. If younger kids are using the bounce house, having kids that are approximately the same size is best.
Additionally, check the bounce house for any rips or tears before kids climb inside. You should expect that there will be small pin holes, often near the seams. This is for continuous air flow because it prevents the bounce house from over-inflating. If the blower hose becomes detached or malfunctions, you should have all users exit immediately. You should also have everyone exit if it becomes too windy.
Finally, be sure kids remove anything from their pockets, their shoes, and sharp objects before entering the bounce house. This will prevent rips and tears in the fabric.
Can adults use bounce houses?
As an adult, I can say how tempting it is to jump when my kids have gotten bounce houses for their birthday parties. When looking at residential models like these, however, it’s not advisable for adults to use them. Most of those mentioned have a maximum recommended weight limit of 100 pounds or less per user. Having someone heavier bouncing puts stress on the bounce house and can cause damage. Additionally, when adults bounce with kids who are smaller, it is more dangerous because of how the weight is distributed.
If you want to safely use something for bouncing at home, a trampoline is a better investment for adults. Even then, you’ll want to take precautions like jumping separately from your kids to stop them from getting hurt.
Are bounce houses safer than trampolines for kids?
Parents sometimes consider bounce houses as an alternative to trampolines. The softer sides and padding provided by a bounce house just look safer. Something to keep in mind, however, is that bounce houses often result in the same kinds of injuries as trampolines. Bruises, bumps, and even broken bones can result from your child falling inside a bounce house just like it can happen while jumping on a trampoline. You’ll still want to take plenty of precautions to keep your child safe.
How long will a bounce house last?
When considering your investment and whether buying a bounce house is worth it, many people want to know how long a bounce house will last. The average commercial bounce house can last as long as 2-4 years, depending on usage. However, bounce houses sold for residential use are not as durable and may only last a year. This is the reason that many residential bounce houses have shorter warranties.
