One perfect activity is the best bounce house. Even though you can easily rent the bounce house, it’s going to be far better to invest in your own. That way, you have a fun activity for every birthday party or just a good summer evening.

Even if you don’t have regular birthday parties like that, a bounce house can be a good way to give active kids a way to focus their energy on something healthy.



Best Bounce House

They are great exercise. They also keep kids focused in one area, making it easier to keep an eye on them in the backyard or in the basement if it’s set up inside.

We’ve put together a list of the best bounce houses so that you can make your decision and get to having fun. They were chosen based on durability, storage, speed of inflation, and general fun features. Let’s take a look.

Blast Zone Magic Castle Inflatable Castle – Best Indoor Bounce House For Kids

If you decided to relieve the boredom and get the excess energy off, then the perfect way is the Blast Zone. Castle style inflatable bounce house comes with a ball pit. The blower is included, and the inflation time is a mere two minutes. It measures 8.5′ W x 11′ L x 8′ H, and max occupancy is 3 at a time. When not inflated, it folds up to sleeping bag height.

The bright colors and playful style are perfect for smaller children who respond well to primary colors.

It can be set up indoors and outdoors and is made with reinforced PVC vinyl. The walls themselves have a safety netting to prevent falls.

First is turn the bouncer on. All you do is flick the button, switch on and it inflates. It is super quiet and it inflates very quickly. The slide in order to gain entry and exit. If you’ve got little ones you don’t have to worry about her tripping or trying to climb into it. Baby is able to go on and off the slide safely and quite honestly.

Another thing is that it’s not super high, but it is definitely large enough for three kids to play in. It’s highly durable with reinforced stitching, and it’s made to withstand some hard bouncing. There’s no holes and no rubbing marks. And it’s a very thick fabric. The netting goes all the way around super reinforced with the yellow on the bottom. And the velcro strips can hold the children in, especially the ninth month old that doesn’t know how to open and close.

It’s recommended to adhere strictly to the 3 child limit in order to prolong the life of your bounce house. So if you don’t want her to go up and down all the time she doesn’t. If you are looking for a bouncer that can fit into your house this might be the best solution.

Keep an eye on the fan component of the blower. Though the house itself is quite durable, the mechanical parts of the blower can malfunction if they aren’t cared for properly. The house itself will still work with a different kind of blower even if the included one doesn’t last as long as the house.

Pros Brightly colored and fun design

Brightly colored and fun design Highly durable

Highly durable Blower Included Cons Blower fan component can malfunction after some extended use

Little Tykes Jump n’ Slide Bouncer – Best Inflatable Bounce House

Green For a good, basic bouncer, the Little Tykes offers plenty of space with an easy slide dismount for kids. Inside bounce area – 84.00 L x 84.00 W x 47.50 H and offers three-sided mesh nets to prevent falls. The primary colors are perfect for younger kids.

The material itself is puncture-resistant, and the blower is a continuous airflow system. The seams are vented for air pressure. The slide is extra wide so that more than one child can slide at the same time.

It doesn’t have a roof or sunshade, and it is recommended for outdoor use. Make sure that you maintain it well so that it stays under warranty with outdoor wear and tear.

It doesn’t have all the features that some other houses on the list have, but it’s an excellent cheaper alternative without sacrificing quality. If all you want is a basic bounce house, this one is a good start.

Pros Cheaper without sacrificing quality

Cheaper without sacrificing quality Wide slide and smaller footprint Cons Stakes are plastic and can be hard to get in the ground

Picasso Tiles Jump and Slide Bouncer – Best Bounce House For Home

This is a fun bouncer with a classic design that includes a slide feature on the front and basketball rim. It’s for ages three to eight years of age and can accommodate three children under 250 pounds. Kids can enter a door in the netting through the back and slide down the front. It has bright, primary colors, and safety netting around three sides to prevent falls.

Inflatable Bounce House comes with a heavy-duty 580-watt blower, four different types of sports balls, six pieces repair kit, and enough stakes to stake down the house and the motor.

This bouncy house is so easy to set up. It measures about 12 x 10 feet, plenty of space for jumping. It’s built of puncture-resistant materials and features continuous airflow from the blower and venting in the seams to prevent bursts.

Unroll and unfold the bouncy house on a big tarp on the ground, that way it would protect it and keep it nice and clean. Then attached the longer fabric tube to the blower and fasten the velcro strap. Make sure that the tube is not twisted. Tie the drawstrings around the short tube. Plug in the blower and press the start button. It’s incredible how fast this bouncy house fills with air. It is really fascinating to what – every corner and column just fill with air and it’s ready to go. The company gives these states for the house and the blower.

One key point to mention is that you must keep the blower on. You’ll also notice that in some of the scenes that the air might leap a little, but that is normal.

The motor is not loud and it doesn’t vibrate. And if the kids go in for lunch – just turn it up, when they’re ready to play again – turn it back on. it has a mesh netting on the sides for protecting the kids from falling out. velcro tape covers, so whether you can provide shade when they’re bouncing on their, side pockets for shoes or toys and a back entry door. Very tough durable material to jump on.

To deflate the Playhouse simply – turn off the blower, disconnect the long tube, untied the short tube, fold the sides and then roll the Playhouse. Any leftover air inside just comes out very easy and then store it away for the next playtime. It’s on the smaller side so it’s possible to fit it in a larger area indoors. However, it’s recommended to keep it outdoors.

Be sure to keep an eye on the blower in case of malfunction. The company is good about replacing the blower due to defective fan mechanisms, but only if you catch it early.

Pros Fun colors and smaller design make it possible to use this indoors in larger spaces

Fun colors and smaller design make it possible to use this indoors in larger spaces Safety netting with hook and eye closures Cons Only three children can bounce at once

Only three children can bounce at once Blower fan component can malfunction after some extended use

Big Ole Bouncer Inflatable Moonwalk – Most Durable Bounce House

The Inflatable Moonwalk is a monster of a bounce house designed for slightly older children and to withstand a larger amount of wear and tear. It provides a larger bounce area, measured at 12W x 15D x 7H. It still inflates in a record time of a few seconds.

Kids have plenty of room to tumble around but are kept safe by the safety net features. The colors are more subdued and less elementary, which might please older kids.

It has reinforced stitching and an x-weave style to promote the durability of its commercial-grade jumping surfaces.

It comes with an instructional DVD to make operation easy, and a blower that provides continuous airflow to maintain bounce structure. Some of the air escapes from the seams, which helps to equalize the pressure as children bounce and make breakage less likely.

It provides a firmer jump space, so based on the preference of your children, it might be too stiff for what they like. Commercial bounce houses have a little give, and if your child is used to that, it might take some time to get used to this level of pressure.

Pros Larger jumping area for more fun

Larger jumping area for more fun Blower and seam style help to regulate internal air pressure to prevent breakage

Blower and seam style help to regulate internal air pressure to prevent breakage DVD instructions Cons More expensive than others

Little Tykes Shady Jump n’ Slide Bouncer – Best Bounce House Ever

Green The Little Tykes is an excellent bouncer for your smaller children, particularly if you don’t have shade covering the bouncer when outdoors. There are a generous 7-foot jump space and safety netting to prevent falls.

It’s designed for outdoor use only and for a maximum of three children in the jumping area.

However, the bright colors are a fun addition to a birthday party, particularly for young elementary age children.

One downside to this house is that taller children won’t be able to bounce as high because of the shade cover. This might be disappointing for them but not necessarily for cautious parents. On the other hand, it can help to regulate some of the more boisterous jumpings.

Pros Shade cover keeps sun away even where no shade is available outside

Shade cover keeps sun away even where no shade is available outside Bright, fun colors Cons Shade cover prevents bigger jumps and can be difficult for taller children

Bounceland Castle with Hoop – Best Bounce House for Small Yards

Another castle style bouncer is the Bounceland Castle. It has a smaller footprint than the previous bounce house but offers a hoop to play basketball. Bounce house measures approximately 12ft x9ft x7ft H and can accommodate up to 3 children bouncing. It also has safety netting to prevent falls.

It features a heavy-duty blower that provides continual airflow, and the seams vent to maintain internal pressure without bursting. The stitches are triple reinforced to last. The material itself is a durable material meant to hold up.

It can be used both indoors and outdoors with easy and quick set up. If your child has a wintertime birthday, this might be a good solution for something fun to do indoors. It’s highly durable, but the individual weight of each bouncer is capped at 80lbs.

Pros Smaller footprint can be used inside

Smaller footprint can be used inside Also has a basketball hoop Cons Weight requirements are more strict

Jump and Splash Bounce House Bouncer – Best Inflatable Water Slide

The Jump and Splash is a combination of splash pool and a bounce house that can be used wet or dry. it features a bounce house on top with a slide that goes into a small pool at the bottom. The total inflated size is 11.5’x9’x6h with a pool area of 78”x58”.

You can use this indoors and out. However, you will need a larger space for indoor use. It takes just minutes to set up and takedown, but it is recommended that you dry it completely before storage.

It’s on the more expensive side, but the investment is a good one if you plan to host summer children’s parties. A few uses and you’ve made back the money you would have spent renting it.

Kids can climb, jump, slide, and splash. It is bright, primary colors and has no recommended number of children, though the weight maximum is 300 combined pounds. The house comes with a hose, blower, stakes, and storage bag.

Pros Wet and dry use

Wet and dry use Indoor and outdoor use Cons More expensive than others

Little Castle Bounce House and Ball Pit – Best Indoor Bounce House For Toddlers

The Little Castle features both ball pit features and bounce features, but unlike the other on the list, the ball pit and the bounce floor are separate areas. This allows children to separate and play where they like.

It can be used indoors and outdoors, but only accommodates two children of up to 75lbs at a time. While this footprint may be easier for some parents, if you plan to use this for parties or other events, you might be disappointed.

This is an economical choice for younger children and smaller space requirements. If parents still have toddlers, this should be plenty for them to bounce and play without danger.

The fabric is durable and the blower works with the vented seams to produce continual airflow to maintain proper air pressure. This prevents bursts. It inflates in about sixty seconds.

Pros Economical choice

Economical choice Ball pit and bounce house are separate areas Cons Only accommodates smaller children

Only accommodates smaller children Accommodates up to 2 children at a time

Bounceland Royal Palace Bounce House – Best Bounce House With Slide

This is a wonderful, large bounce house that can accommodate more children and bigger jumps. It measures approximately 13 ft x12 ft x9 ft H and features a shade roof to keep the sun away. And can withstand up to 500 lbs. of weight.

The bounce house has other features to add to playtime. Not only can kids bounce, but they can slide, play basketball and climb.

Although it’s more expensive than the other houses on the list, it can withstand a lot of wear and tear and offers more than just bouncing.

Cost is one downside to this. It’s not just a buy on a whim bounce house although it does make a great investment. It only takes about 2 minutes to set up and takedown, and it comes with a storage bag. The blower itself is heavy-duty to maintain pressure in such a large area.

Pros Large bounce area

Large bounce area Other play features such as climbing wall and basketball goal Cons More expensive than others on the list

Mini Crayon Bounce House – Best Bounce House In The World

The Mini Crayon House is a great all around bounce house built for outdoor use. It measures 12 x 9 x 7.5. It has a capacity of up to 300 combined pounds and inflates in minutes for use.

The seams are reinforced but are vented to maintain proper air pressure with continuous blower airflow. This helps keep inner air pressure at the proper measurement to prevent bursting.

It’s a simple bounce house with no extra features aside from the slide, but for basic bouncing, this is a great, roomy choice. The material is durable and fire-resistant, and the blower has an extra-long tube to prevent damage from a close activity.

Pros Good all around bounce house

Good all around bounce house Fun design Cons None of the extra features available on some of the other houses

Best Bounce House – Buyer’s Guide

Bounce houses come with a lot of different things that range from basic bouncing to climbing walls and splash pools. What you need will depend on what kind of activities you plan to do with your kids. Investing in a bounce house is a great choice if you plan to host regular birthday parties with children involved. It’s also excellent for children who need a lot of activity. If you are looking to invest in a bounce house, then it’s helpful to know the kinds of things that are available.

Indoor and Outdoor use

Some bounce houses are only available to use outdoors. Although this may be fine for your purposes, if your child has a winter birthday, or you are worried about the weather, then it might be helpful to have one that can be inflated inside as well.

Some things to look for will be a smaller footprint to accommodate size requirements. For outdoor use, it might be helpful to purchase one that comes with a sunshade. If your yard is wide open, then the sun can bake the material on the bounce house and make it uncomfortable for children’s skin. A sunshade can offer protection from the sun.

The downside to a sunshade is that it prevents jumping from taller children or bigger children from going as high. This might be a natural safety feature for you, but you should consider who is going to be using the structure regularly.

Wet and Dry

Another feature is the ability to turn the bounce house into a splash house. Even though they are all made of weather-resistant material, not all bounce houses are made to be soaked with water. If you plan to use it in the summer, it might be a nice feature to be able to add water to cool things off.

If this isn’t a big deal for you, or your house will be inside a lot, then the water feature isn’t as necessary. Wet/dry houses can be more of an investment because of the materials needed to make them durable and safe for children. Be sure the check the safety netting because wet houses are slippery.

Air Leaks

When you first get your bounce house, it can be disconcerting to feel air leakage from the seams. It might seem like something is wrong.

However, a little air should be vented from the seams to accommodate air pressure changes as children bounce. Without venting, there is an enormous amount of pressure on the seams as children jump, and this can cause the seams to weaken over time and burst.

You will want to check for holes larger than a dime as this can prevent proper inflation, but seams that vent a little air are necessary to maintain the life of the bounce house. It is nothing to be worried about.

Blower

The blower is an important part of maintaining air pressure. Because the seams are vented to relieve pressure, the blower must maintain continual air pressure.

Blowers that have longer tubes are better protected from rambunctious children’s activities.

You will need to regularly inspect the blower parts to maintain functions. Many of the houses come with their own blowers, but you’ll want to check what is included in the package to be sure. If it doesn’t come with a blower, this only adds to your investment cost.

Other Features

Bounce houses can be very simple. Four walls, a bounce floor, maybe a slide to make getting out easier on little ones. Others can have a number of features that make them fun to use besides bouncing.

You can find splash houses with pools and sprinklers. Some have climbing walls to make getting into the house a fun, different activity. Many of them include basketball hoops and other such sports activities. Others have ball pits included in the bounce floor or as a separate wing.

Depending on what you need, the basic bounce house might be enough. Keeping the cost low will steer you towards the basic house, but if your budget is bigger, then you might want to go for something fancier to give kids more than one activity to do while bouncing.

How to clean inflatable bounce house

You will need the following tools: a shop vacuum, cleaning rags, disinfectant, cleaning solution, and slide surface lubricant. Start off by vacuuming debris and dirt from inside the inflatable. Next clean and disinfect the areas that riders have played on with a cleaning solution. Some cleaning solutions that work well are Simple Green, Awesome, Lysol and OdoBan. Most of these cleaners will need to be diluted with water.

You may use Steramine stuff and you can get it like the tablets. A whole bottle of 150 tablets for $10 or less than $10 and each tablet will make a gallon. So 150 gallons for like less than $10. This is what use in restaurants and stuff to sanitize surfaces. Then you may use a microfiber cheap cloth or whatever rag you have available and then you just spray.

Use a spray bottle. So that’s how you clean them you just spray it everywhere and clean it. I started one area spray it and then wipe it off that way it’s sanitized in that area. And I just go ahead and go through the slide and I like to get all the edges like this and everything and I sanitize the whole slide. It only takes a few minutes and that way I get the whole thing clean and then you can tell that like my inflatable unit is pretty clean. I’ve had a slide for two years and it looks amazing because I clean it every time it only takes.

Thoroughly clean the entire inflatable inside and out. If your inflatable consists of a slide use a lubricant wax such as ArmorAll, Pledge or SlideSlick to keep the surface slippery. Your inflatable should be cleaned after each use.

Are bounce houses safe?

Bounce houses are undoubtedly very fun for children and sometimes even adults. However, they’re very dangerous when misused. Children have a tendency to become overzealous in high action situations such as playing in a bounce house and can easily injure one another if the rules are not followed closely. The rules are commonly just used as a guide and often ignored. Some problems we’d like to point out are the flawed rule of age limits, anchoring the device and wind control and unsupervised children.

It is also important to be wearing proper attire while enjoying the bounce house – no shoes, exposed zippers, eyeglasses, or anything sharp should be worn in the bounce house. Under the bounce house rules, it states specifically no children over the age of 12. Bounce houses should be limited by a weight limit, similar to how trampolines are limited. However, adults should still not be allowed in the bounce houses, no matter how close to the weight limit you are.

Also, remember to sandbag your bounce house, stakes are not enough. not only are winds a problem, but children who run rampant can be a huge issue. It takes all of two seconds. If a child should get behind the device and cut off the airflow children inside of the house can become trapped and easily panic. If your child is under the age of five the collapse of a bounce house can easily cause injuries. Or potential death if your child should become trapped under the heavy plastic. It’s important that your child is supervised. As always please have fun and remember to be safe in your bounce house.

How to patch a bounce house or inflatable slide DIY

How to patch holes and tears in inflatables? To patch the inflatable you will need vinyl cement in commercial grade vinyl patch. First, clean the torn area to remove the dust and grease from the surface. Find a matching color vinyl for the patch. Measure a torn area and cut an oval or round shape vinyl patch. Approximately 2 inches larger than the torn area or the cut. Place the patch on the torn area and mark the surrounding area with a pencil.

Make sure the surface is dry before applying the vinyl cement. Apply vinyl cement on the patch and around the torn area. Allow vinyl cement to dry until it fills dried to touch around one to two minutes. Place the patch covering the damaged area and press with your palm for one minute. We suggest having the patch dry for a couple of hours before using the inflatable.

Conclusion

Renting a bounce house might seem like a good idea, but most kids enjoy bounce houses again and again. Deciding to invest in a bounce house is a good idea if you have active children or you frequently need something to do at a birthday party.

Many parents have reported better bedtimes and better-engaged kids when the bounce house is available. It uses all their gross motor skills and provides them with an outlet for pent up energy. This kind of activity is a great hit with both kids and parents.

Also with the best bounce house, kids congregate in one area. This makes it easier for parents to keep an eye on kids, instead of having them run around in all different directions. Anything that focuses on kids’ energy in one particular place causes parents to breathe a sigh of relief.

Whatever you choose, simple or full features, your children will love being able to bounce and do tricks whenever they want. Renting one time may seem economical, but if you think you’ll rent more than once, it might be better to go ahead and invest in something you can use again and again.

Let us know in the comments which best bounce house was your favorite and how it turned out for you. Be sure to share this with any parent you know who might need a little help finding an activity to occupy their active children or something to take the edge off the sugar during that summertime birthday party this year.