Inflatable castles (also called bouncy houses, bouncy castles, jumping castles, moon bounces, moonwalks, or closed inflatable trampolines) are temporary inflatable structures and buildings and similar items. They are rented for backyard and block party functions, school and church festivals and village fetes and used for recreational purposes. The growth in the use of such devices has led to a rental industry that includes inflatable slides, inflatable water slides, obstacle courses, and giant games, carnival games, and more.
Inflatable castles have been suggested as having some therapeutic value for children with certain sensory impairments, similar to ball pits.[1]
American engineer John Scurlock is credited as inventor of the modern inflatable tent design,[2] in .[3] Scurlock, a plastics specialist who taught at Tulane University and worked for NASA, later also invented the Space Walk safety air cushion used by stunt performers and fire brigades responding to high-rise fires. According to his family, he was inspired in the late s while designing inflatable tent covers for tennis courts. Scurlock's original design was known as the "Space Pillow", it had very little in common with modern bounce houses. In he also founded Space Walk Inc. In the s the family business operated an indoor amusement park, The Fun Factory, in Metairie, LA, and today continues to rent heavy-duty inflatables for occasions ranging from county fairs to children's birthday parties.[3] The idea to rent inflatables for parties is attributed to Scurlock's wife[2] Frances, who was running a rental business by .[4]
Bob Regehr is also credited for inventing the bouncy house in , under the brand name Moon Walk.[5]
As part of the space-themed toy trend sparked by the space race, 'The Moon Walk', a closed inflatable trampoline with a plastic roof designed for children's safety, was available for mail order in the Neiman Marcus catalog.[6]
The original bouncy house was essentially an air pillow with a roof, but the hundreds of modern models include inflatable waterslides, basketball gyms, a game in which players attempt to knock each other over with a large inflatable wrecking ball, and characters licensed from multimedia franchises such as Frozen. Thousands of companies now rent inflatable castles in the United States. The market has also diversified to include lighter retail designs. By , the industry was estimated to be worth $100 million.[3]
The world's largest inflatable castle, The Big Bounce America, was certified in at 1,062.252 square metres (11,433.99 sq ft). It includes multiple zones, such as ball pits, an obstacle course, a slide, a basketball court, and a DJ booth.[7][8] It was designed as an inflatable theme park for all ages, and started touring the United States in the summer of as a traveling festival.[9]
With adult play a growing trend,[9] bouncy castle rentals have also seen increased popularity at weddings.[10]
Inflatable bouncy houses, slides, pools, and other large outdoor toys for retail home use became more popular in the summer of due to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a means for parents to entertain their children while maintaining social distancing.[11] With schools and daycares closed, parents bought inflatables to occupy their children while conducting remote work.[12]
The surfaces are typically composed of thick, strong PVC or vinyl and nylon, and the castle is inflated using an electric or petrol-powered blower. The principle is one of constant leakage, meaning small punctures are not a problem – a medium-size "bouncy castle" requires a fan with a mechanical output of about two horsepower (about 1.5 kW) and consumes around 2 kW of electrical power, allowing for the efficiency of the motor.
UK and Australian bouncy castles have specifications calling for fully inflated walls on three sides with an open front and foam "crash mats" to catch children who may jump or fall out of the structure.
Modern moonwalks in the US are typically supported by inflatable columns and enclosed with netting. The netting allows for supervision as adults can see in from all sides.
While bouncy castle manufacturers adhere to voluntary standards, no national safety standards exist in the U.S., although some states such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey require that inflatables pass engineering and safety standards before allowing the equipment to be rented out.[13] In , roughly 25 U.S. states had regulations governing permits, inspections and insurance, although a private investigation by the Pew Charitable Trust has shown significant shortcomings by industry operators and regulators to do their part.[14] North Carolina requires amusements rides, including inflatables, to be inspected annually by the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL).[15][16] For inflatables to pass inspection, operators in North Carolina are required to have all training records, a current certificate of insurance, and device manuals. Inflatables that are damaged and not safe will not pass inspection until they are repaired.[17]
There are also inflatable obstacle courses that allow for participants to have races and sword fights and compete against one another. These are commonly rectangular in shape, but they can also be square if the course is maze-like. Most obstacle courses have two lanes, but some can have three or four. They feature various such as pop-up obstacles, climbing areas, slides, and tunnels. These are the best choice for very large events since participants move through them quickly.
The phrase "inflatable park" may refer to both a collection of portable inflatables set up temporarily as one attraction,[18][19] or a permanent attraction consisting of inflatables.[20][21]
Some inflatables are designed to allow games such as boxing rings, water football, penalty shootouts, basketball, rumbling, tug of war, and gladiator duels. These interactive inflatable games are made out of the same material that a continuous airflow bounce house is made of. Quad tracks are also popular and provide the perimeter for quad bike racing.
Injuries are common. According to Jim Barber, spokesman for the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials, "It happens all the time. These are probably the most dangerous amusement devices they have. You see more injuries on inflatables than almost any other amusement ride you can think of – more than roller coasters."[22] In , "as many as 31 U.S. children per day were treated for injuries sustained in a bounce house, or one child every 46 minutes". An estimated 65,000 children under the age of 17 were injured from to .[23] In May , the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission released a bulletin outlining the dangers and recommended safety precautions for operating an inflatable structure.[24]
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Injuries caused by inflatable rides were rising in the United States, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, which found a 15-fold increase from to ,[23] a trend corroborated in the – period by a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report.[25] Frank Scurlock, son of inventor John Scurlock and manager of bouncy inflatable rental company Space Walk, ascribes the increase to rising non-commercial use of inexpensive retail "backyard" units,[2] while bounce houses have also become more common overall.[26] Although rising, the number of injuries related to inflatable amusements is small when compared to the more everyday hazards of playgrounds and skateboards, which respectively were linked to an estimated 270,000 and 114,000 injuries in .[2] In , after studying the incidence of injury the commission released a revised bulletin for the recommended safety precautions for operating an inflatable device.[27]
In a survey spanning –, the most common injuries were fractures, strains, sprains, dislocations, contusions, abrasions, and lacerations. An estimated 88% of the injured were less than 15 years old.[25] Most injuries occur due to falls or collisions with another child. Some severe fall injuries occur after wind lifts bouncy castles skyward.[2]
From to early , there were 64 bounce house accidents worldwide caused by wind, resulting in 271 injuries and 10 deaths.[28] Some more notable incidents have included:
Inflatable parks are becoming increasingly popular for family gatherings, birthday parties, and outdoor events. They provide endless fun for kids and adults alike, offering a variety of exciting activities, from bouncy castles to inflatable obstacle courses. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create the ultimate inflatable park for your next party, using different types of inflatables to ensure your event is a hit.
Inflatable parks offer something for everyone. Whether it’s a backyard birthday party or a larger community event, inflatables can turn any space into a playground full of fun. Here’s why inflatable parks are the perfect choice for your party:
To create a memorable inflatable park, you’ll need to choose the right combination of inflatables. Here are some of the best options to consider:
Bouncy castles are the heart of any inflatable park. These classic inflatables offer a large area for jumping, bouncing, and tumbling. They are available in a variety of sizes, from small versions for toddlers to large ones for adults. If you’re expecting a mixed-age crowd, consider a medium or large bouncy castle that caters to both children and adults. You can even opt for a bouncy castle slide, combining two favorite activities into one inflatable.
Adding an inflatable slide to your park is sure to excite guests of all ages. Slides can range from simple single-lane slides to larger, multi-lane slides for racing. Some inflatable slides also come with splash pools, making them perfect for summer events. Pairing a bouncy castle with a slide is a great way to offer guests a range of activities and keep everyone entertained for hours.
For guests who love a challenge, an inflatable obstacle course is a must-have. These inflatables feature a range of obstacles, such as tunnels, walls, climbing features, and more. They are great for competitive play, where guests can race against each other or simply try to beat their personal best time. If you’re hosting a larger event, you can even organize obstacle course competitions to keep the energy high. You can easily find an obstacle course for sale that suits your event size and budget.
Why not combine the best of both worlds with a jumping castle inflatable that includes a slide? These combo inflatables are perfect for children who want to switch between jumping and sliding without leaving the inflatable. Combo units are particularly popular for birthday parties, as they keep children engaged and entertained.
If you have a larger space or a big budget, consider creating an expansive big fun inflatable park. This can feature multiple inflatables, such as several bouncy castles, obstacle courses, slides, and more. A large inflatable park offers endless entertainment and can be designed to accommodate large crowds, making it perfect for festivals, corporate events, and community gatherings.
Once you’ve chosen your inflatables, it’s time to plan the layout and logistics of your inflatable park. Here are some key steps to follow:
The first step is to select a location that can safely accommodate your inflatables. Ideally, the location should be a flat, open area with enough space for each inflatable to be set up without crowding the others. Outdoor spaces such as parks, large backyards, or sports fields are perfect for inflatable parks. Make sure to check the ground for sharp objects, rocks, or uneven surfaces that could damage the inflatables.
When setting up your inflatable park, think about the flow of foot traffic and how guests will move from one inflatable to the next. It’s a good idea to place high-energy inflatables, such as obstacle courses and slides, near each other so that guests can easily transition between them. Bouncy castles and jumping inflatables can be spaced out slightly to give guests room to enjoy each activity.
Safety is crucial when setting up an inflatable park, especially when children are involved. Make sure each inflatable is properly secured with stakes or sandbags to prevent it from moving or tipping over. It’s also essential to have adult supervision at each inflatable, particularly for high-activity inflatables like slides and obstacle courses. You may want to designate one or more adults to act as supervisors or hire professional event staff to monitor safety.
When it comes to obtaining inflatables for your park, you have two main options: renting or buying. For one-time events, renting inflatables may be the most cost-effective option. However, if you plan to host multiple events or want the flexibility to set up an inflatable park whenever you like, investing in inflatables for sale can be a great long-term decision. You can find a wide range of inflatables, from basic bouncy castles to big inflatable parks, available for purchase.
To make your inflatable park truly memorable, consider adding a few extra touches to enhance the overall experience:
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