Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock.com
Bounce House Buying Guide
Why should you buy a bounce house?
If you’re looking for more activities to do with your family outside (or even inside on a rainy day), a bounce house might be just what you need. They’re a great way to get kids to channel their energy into a fun and productive activity instead of running around the house or asking for a favorite TV show.
Bounce houses are also great main attractions for large gatherings or birthday parties. Instead of having to plan several different activities to entertain a group of young children, a bounce house can take care of it, so you have one less thing to worry about as the party host.
What should you consider when buying a bounce house?
Extra activities: If you think you can only get a bounce house that is a closed square or rectangle, think again. Instead, you can find others that have slides, ball fields, sports accessories, climbing walls or even splash pools. Whatever type of event you’re having, or whether you want to use it regularly on the weekends for your kids, there’s a bounce house that will fit your wish list.
Indoor/outdoor use: Many bounce houses can fit inside because they are below the standard ceiling height. If you’re curious about using a bounce house indoors, make sure the dimensions fit the room, as well as whether it’s designed to be used indoors without stakes holding it in the ground. All fans will be at least a little noisy, but if a fan is particularly loud, it may not be the best choice for indoor use.
Why does a bounce house leak air?
Some people don’t understand that every bounce house needs to leak some air to prevent them from bursting beyond repair. Since a bounce house is powered by a fan that continuously blows air inside, the air needs somewhere to go; otherwise it would explode! If you see some reviews that say a product is leaking air, don’t panic; which may be by design.
Our picks for the best bounce houses
The best choice
$239.99 
$309.99 Save 23%
Advantages: Your kids won’t just jump and fight in this bouncy castle. It’s full of extra fun! The target is perfect for ball throwing challenges, and the double chute invites racing. Let the children play until the evening with the light that can protect everyone. The jump and slide area of the bounce house is made of canvas, which resists signs of aging, is easy to clean and holds up to frequent, long-term use. You’ll have everything you need to set up this awesome bounce house because it comes with a fan and has a GFCI outlet to protect you from shortages. Set up and take down is easy, so the waiting group of kids won’t be too impatient.
Cons: The maximum weight limit is 250 pounds, a bit lighter than other options.
Bottom line: This bounce house is big enough to fit many kids, but small enough to fit inside as it’s only 6 feet tall. This makes for an incredible energy saver when the weather is bad and you’re tired of them circling the kitchen island.
Amazing offer
Advantages: This bounce house is best suited for children aged 3 to 6 years. It has a small footprint, meant to be used in any room indoors, and can also be used outside as long as there is nothing sharp to poke it. Because it doesn’t require a blower for inflation, you don’t have to remove it after each use, which is especially convenient if it’s a regular request for your little ones.
Cons: This bounce house offers fun for the shortest duration, and this can be attributed to its size. Inflation comes from a pump rather than a blower and must be inflated in the order given in the instructions. The maximum weight limit is only 120 pounds and it is more susceptible to bursting.
Bottom line: Rather than being the main attraction for energetic children at a birthday party, this bouncer is designed for everyday use by younger children. The design of the castle invites your imagination to fly. If you’re looking for a little extra fun for your little ones, but don’t want a big bounce house, this is a wonderful addition to your kids’ play. Because it is designed for smaller children, the recommended weight limit is only 120 pounds. It is more sensitive to punctures, so be aware of anything that could damage the gorilla.
Best bounce ball court
$199.99
$349.99 Save 43%
Advantages: If you’re torn between a bouncy house and a bounce house for your kids, go with this pick and get both! It inflates with the included fan in seconds and takes just minutes to secure so your kids can bounce right away. They will love the slide and you can add the balls for extra fun! All sides are closed with a net, so the balls will not constantly come out. This bounce house castle has reinforced seams for durability and a vinyl floor to withstand long-term jumping. The height of this bounce house reaches 8 feet, so it can be used in some indoor spaces. One thing that really impressed users is how many years it lasts with regular use. The maximum weight capacity on this bounce house is 300 pounds.
Cons: The balls provide a lot of extra fun, but they’re also more items to track and clean up. It is one of the more expensive bounce house options.
Bottom line: This bounce house castle will be something your kids and their friends can enjoy until they outgrow it! Quality materials can withstand hours of wild play indoors on a cold or rainy day and outside in the sun. While the bouncy balls are an exciting feature, they could become a bit of a nuisance for some. If this is the case, it can be easy to pack away the balls and let the kids enjoy the awesome bounce house and slide.
Most features
$199.99
$259.99 Save 23%
Advantages: What’s even more fun than a bounce house? Try one that has multiple activities! This bounce house features a target game, ball field, main jump area, slide, basketball hoop and soccer goal. All of these activities can inspire kids to get active in a variety of ways. The whole package of this inflatable bounce house includes a foosball, three dart balls, a basketball, 50 bocce balls and installation and repair materials. Even with so much going on, set up is quick with the included fan and has a GFCI outlet to protect against power outages. The maximum weight capacity is 300 pounds.
Cons: Unlike other bounce houses, this one is designed for outdoor use only.
Bottom line: Your biggest concern with this bounce house may be having to convince your kids and their friends that it’s time to retire it for the weekend. Kids can choose from six different activities in the bounce house alone. Installation and removal are quick, so even after a long day of outdoor fun, be sure to remove it to keep it dry, resist mold and preserve the material Because this bounce house has a larger footprint than others, it is intended to be staked to the ground, for outdoor use only.
The best with a pool
$309.99
$399.99 Save 23%
Advantages: Let your kids have a blast in this bouncy castle on a sunny day! They’ll work off all their energy on the bouncy pad in the bounce house, the short or long slide, and the climbing wall that’s the perfect height for toddlers. The kiddie pool at the base of the long slide provides the perfect amount to keep your kids cool and splashing safely. At less than 7 feet tall, the bounce house can be used indoors and you can fill the pool with balls instead of water. Whether you use the bounce house indoors or outdoors, it’s a durable center for activities and hopefully will bring joy to your kids for many years to come! The fan, a repair kit and stakes are included for a safe outdoor setup. The maximum weight capacity is 300 pounds.
Cons: If you are using the paddling pool, allow it to dry thoroughly before packing to prevent mold and mildew. You will need to purchase breast balls separately if you want to fill the pool with balls.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a way to combine water fun with the joys of a bounce house, this is the option for you. Keep the kids cool with the kiddie pool that’s just the right size for a few kids to splash about safely. There’s a bounce floor, two slides and a climbing wall for kids to provide extra inflatable fun.
Final thoughts
Bring the childhood joys of a bounce house into your home without having to rent an oversized unit. These options provide all the excitement of a bounce house, plus some extra activities and attractions for a price that will quickly prove its worth.
