I’m not a rebound parent. Yes, I will happily let my little one jump into her reach at a birthday party and really enjoy her treat. However, introducing a giant inflatable structure into my everyday life, into my own space? Absolutely out of the question. At least I thought so. Then I found myself The incredibly stylish version of Smoland everything changed.
The mom duo who founded the brand have achieved the unthinkable: an aesthetically pleasing bounce house that puts those nasty entertainment centers to shame. Its range includes two styles:Rainbowwith a trending arch facade, and fall, which has a more traditional, castle-inspired shape, which comes in three muted, parent-friendly colors (pink, blue and neutral). Fortunately, I’ve found that flashy primary colors aren’t a requirement for fun; kids enjoy bounce houses so much when they end up in dusty shades of blush. What’s more, these are available in two convenient sizes: a 6-foot square and an 8-foot square, the former compact enough to be inflated in my living room by a pint on rainy days in the time that it takes my daughter to finish a snack.
All you need is a flat surface and access to a power outlet, and you can use it indoors or outdoors. Inflating it is incredibly easy and quick – just connect the house to the electric fan (included with your purchase), plug it in, hit the power switch and watch it come to life in seconds. Frankly, I was a little intimidated to assemble mine when it arrived, imagining a complicated user manual and fiddly setup, but now I do it on a whim regularly.
I was on the phone with a friend the first time I blew it. Five minutes into the inflation, I invited her and her son to join in the fun; this product is just something you want to share with as many people as possible. But it’s also like a unicorn. Whether you’re texting or talking, describing a bounce house as stylish elicits gasps of shock and disbelief—every single parent I’ve mentioned it to immediately demands visual proof. So I’ve brought it in its custom storage bag to most playdates since then, usually after asking the host if that would be okay (no one has refused yet).
The ease of installation/disassembly/general use compounded by the joy it brings to both children and parents has turned this seemingly cumbersome toy into an item that I happily carry around. (Disclaimer: I have a car. Public transit users might think twice about taking it to a friend’s house, though it’s doable.)
When you consider their weight capacity (80 pounds for small, 180 for large), Smol’s structures are expensive (starting at $379). But for me, it’s more than worth it, especially after considering the two small miracles this brand has accomplished: creating a truly beautiful bounce house and transforming me into a proud bounce house parent. This is the power of good design.
