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    Bounce House Rental Questions Answered

    Your Ultimate Bounce House Rental Questions—Answered


    Planning a party and thinking about renting a bounce house? You're not alone. Bounce houses are a go-to favorite for birthdays, school events, and neighborhood block parties—but if it’s your first time renting one, it’s normal to have questions. Is it safe? What size do I need? What does the rental include? This guide covers everything you need to know before booking a bounce house rental—so you can make informed, confident decisions and focus on what matters: giving your kids a great time.


    Are Bounce Houses Safe for Kids?

    Safety is the number one concern for any parent—and rightly so. The good news? Bounce houses are very safe when used properly. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), most inflatable-related injuries occur due to improper setup or lack of supervision. Working with a professional, experienced rental company greatly reduces that risk. A trusted provider will handle delivery and setup, secure the unit with stakes or sandbags, and provide clear instructions for adult supervision. Some even include safety features like watchdog alarms or reinforced seams to prevent accidents. When installed and used correctly, bounce houses are not only safe—they're one of the most active, fun ways for kids to celebrate together.
    • Separate age groups to prevent roughhousing between big and little kids
    • Never exceed the stated weight or occupancy limits
    • Always supervise use—no exceptions


    How Much Space Do I Need for a Bounce House?

    Not all yards are created equal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t host a bounce house party. You’ll just want to double-check the required space before reserving your rental. A typical standard bounce house measures about 13x13 feet, but larger combo units and obstacle courses can run 20 feet or more in length. Don’t forget vertical clearance, too—low-hanging trees, overhangs, and power lines can all interfere with safe setup. Ideally, the area should be level, grassy, and free from rocks or debris. If you’re planning to set up on concrete or asphalt, be sure to mention that when booking, as extra precautions (like weighted anchors) may be necessary.
    • Small yards: 10x10 or toddler-size inflatables
    • Standard backyards: 13x13 to 15x15 bounce houses
    • Larger spaces: Combo units or obstacle courses (20’+)


    What’s Typically Included in a Bounce House Rental?

    When you rent a bounce house, you’re not just getting the inflatable itself. Most rentals include professional delivery, setup, takedown, and sometimes even a safety walkthrough. But every company is different, so it’s worth confirming what’s included. Some rentals are all-day packages with flexible time windows, while others charge by the hour. You might also find options for add-ons like themed banners, extension cords, generators (for parks or outdoor venues), or even overnight rentals if you're hosting an evening event. Reputable companies will also provide a weather policy. Since inflatables shouldn’t be used in high winds or rain, it's important to know what happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
    • ✅ Is the unit cleaned and sanitized before each rental?
    • ✅ Are there additional fees for delivery or setup?
    • ✅ What’s your policy for rain, wind, or last-minute cancellations?
    • ✅ Is someone available for questions or emergencies on party day?


    What Kinds of Bounce Houses Are Available?

    Today’s bounce house options go far beyond the basic castle. You can choose from themed inflatables, combo units with slides and basketball hoops, obstacle courses, toddler-friendly zones, and even water slide hybrids for summer fun. Your choice should reflect the age group of your guests, the space you have available, and the vibe of your event.
    • Standard bounce house: Great for all-around use, typically 13x13 feet
    • Combo units: Bounce houses with slides in one unit with climbing walls, or interactive features
    • Toddler play zones: Smaller, gentler inflatables with soft bumpers
    • Themed bounce houses: Princess castles, jungle safaris, superheroes, and more
    For example, a combo bounce house with a water slide is a hit during Michigan’s warm summer months—especially if you're planning a birthday in July or August. Meanwhile, standard inflatables are great for indoor spaces or springtime school events.


    Can I Set Up a Bounce House at a Park?

    Yes—but you’ll need to plan ahead. Many parks allow bounce houses, but often require a permit and proof of insurance from the rental provider. You'll also need access to electricity or rent a generator if power outlets aren't available nearby. Be sure to check the park's policies before booking. Some venues limit what types of inflatables can be used or where they can be placed. And don't forget to bring a printed copy of your reservation and permit paperwork with you the day of the event.


    What Age Is Best for Bounce Houses?

    Bounce houses can accommodate a wide range of ages, but the best experiences happen when the unit is matched to the age group. Toddlers (ages 2–4) need smaller, gentler inflatables, while elementary-aged kids (5–10) are perfect for standard units or low-profile combos. Pre-teens and older kids may prefer larger obstacle courses or interactive games.
    • Ages 2–4: Toddler inflatables with soft landings
    • Ages 5–10: Standard bounce houses and small combos
    • Ages 10+: Obstacle courses, sports-themed units, or inflatable games


    FAQs

    How far in advance should I book a bounce house?

    During peak seasons (late spring through early fall), it's smart to book 2–4 weeks ahead—especially for weekends. Last-minute bookings are possible, but your preferred style or size may not be available.


    What happens if it rains on my party day?

    Most reputable rental companies will not set up in rain or winds over 15–20 mph. Look for providers with weather-related cancellation policies, so you don’t lose your deposit if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.


    Do bounce houses use a lot of electricity?

    Not really. Most units use a standard 110-volt outlet and require continuous airflow via an electric blower. The cost is minimal—usually less than running a space heater or small appliance for a few hours.


    Wrapping It Up: What You Really Need to Know

    Renting a bounce house can be a safe, exciting, and surprisingly low-stress way to elevate any celebration. The key is choosing the right unit for your space, age group, and event goals—and working with a professional rental provider that values safety, cleanliness, and clear communication. If you're in Michigan, companies like Five Little Monkeys offer a wide selection of bounce house rentals with exceptional service and stress-free support. From clean, safe equipment to flexible scheduling and weather-friendly policies, the right vendor can help make your party unforgettable—in all the best ways.
     
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    Inflatable Rental Safety 101 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

    Safety First Always

    1- Watchdog Series 2 Blower Siren: This blower siren was designed in 2018 to detect air loss caused by power loss to the blower, child mischief, or even a major rip/tear in the bounce house or other inflatable rental, sounding a loud alarm to make sure attendants are immediately aware. ASTM (American Society of Testing & Materials) requires these for any inflatable with a slide platform over 8’ tall, given the tip-over risk associated with the unexpected deflation of an inflatable slide unit, but we offer them - free of charge - with all of our inflatable slides, obstacle courses, and other larger inflatable rentals.

    2- Non-Slip Safety Mats: ASTM (American Society of Testing & Materials) and SIOTO (Safe Inflatable Operators Training Organization) recommend that, even on grass setups, all bounce house and inflatable rental entrances/exits have 2” foam non-slip safety mats extending 4’ in each direction, as slips/trips/falls are most common here. The surfaces of these mats should be non-slip, especially in the case of water slides. All of our bounce house and other inflatable rentals include these safety mats - free of charge!

    3- Sufficient Ground Anchoring: ASTM (American Society of Testing & Materials) has written highly technical guidelines for manufacturers regarding the anchoring of inflatables, and almost all manufacturers now abide by these. However, some party rental setup crews take shortcuts here, by skipping some critical anchor points to save a few minutes. ALL anchor points on EVERY inflatable should be secured using at least 18” steel stakes – do not accept shortcuts!

    4- Safe Entrances / Exits: Many older inflatables have unsafe entrance ramps, or none at all. Always look for bounce house and other inflatable rentals with entrance ramps, and ensure that these ramps have safety rails or, better yet, tunnel entrances like the one shown in the picture. Even with entrance/exit ramps that feature tunnels or safety rails, always ensure that 2" foam non-slip safety mats are placed to cover 4' in every direction of each entrance/exit - we include these - free of charge - with all of our ride-in/ride-on inflatable rentals.

    5- Finger-Safe Mesh Windows: To better supervise your little jumpers, it's important that your bounce house rental has sufficient meshed window walls. More importantly, the mesh utilized in these window walls (and in other areas such as covered slide platforms) should be finger-safe; that is, small enough to not allow little fingers to get caught/tangled in the mesh, which could result in broken fingers or sprains.

    6- Covered Roofs with Egress Ports: Bounce house rentals (and other inflatable rentals with bounce areas) without covered roofs can be tempting for little ones to climb up and out of – almost all new designs now have covered roofs. Also, ensure that the roof has an egress port (emergency exit) in the unlikely event the unit unexpectedly deflates and a secondary exit is required.

    7- Covered Slide Platforms: ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials) has issued guidelines requiring that all slide platforms be covered, and for good reason! Many older designs had open slide platforms where kids could fall (or more adventurous kids would attempt to jump) from the slide platform. The simple fix of having a covered slide platform is now the industry norm – all of our inflatable slide rentals feature enclosed slide platforms!

    8a- Soft and Contained Slide Landing Area: Inflatable slides should have a soft, 18-24” deep inflatable slide landing area base, surrounded by inflatable containment walls, to ensure a soft landing for participants and keep them from sliding off the end of the slide and onto the ground.

    8b- Inflatatable Water Slide Landing Areas: Our newer (safer) water slide designs keep water accumulation in the splash landing area to a maximum of 4" deep, instead utilizing an inflated base as a cushion (to reduce the potential for a drowning risk). Some states have already started to crack down on deep landing pools, such as Ohio.

    © Five Little Monkeys