Bounce House. The name brings out all the nostalgia from our carefree childhood. I think one of the hardest moments for your parents might be to take you out of that inflatable fun zone thanks to your childish tantrum and your dream to fly off the ground.
Now the child has grown but not necessarily the dream has to be gone. You are probably thinking about passing down those carefree moments to your children.
Now, one of the perks of being a child is that you didn’t have to worry about how should the bounce house be set up. But now you have to.
However, don’t sweat too much. All you need is a backyard or open space to set up the bounce house and your patience to read the whole article because I am about to guide you step by step on how to set up a bounce house.
Some bounce houses are easier and faster to set up and inflate than others, depending on the design. It takes between 10 and 35 minutes to set up a bounce house, which involves unpacking, setting everything out, and turning on the blower.
You can try to find out how long it takes the manufacturer to inflate the bounce house. Because youngsters aren’t known for their patience, it’s always advisable to choose a bounce house that inflates rapidly.
Precautions Before Setting Up a Bounce House
Bounce houses are not dangerous per se. Unfortunately, they foster risky physical activity, which can result in damage. When allowing children to play, it is critical to keep safety in mind.
Bounce houses are not inherently unsafe in comparison to other types of children’s play. They are, in fact, one of the safer solutions, but they can be misused. With that in mind, we’ve put together this safety guide for large and small bounce houses for kids of all ages.
1. Supervise the Area
Supervision is the most important recommendation we can provide you for keeping your children safe when playing on a bounce house.
Children are astute; they will devise different methods to play in a bounce house that endanger themselves or others simply because it appears to be a pleasant thing to do at the moment. Some people never grow out of this way of thinking.
Make sure that at least one parent supervises youngsters who are using a bounce house. Ideally, this parent is alert, not distracted, and has a close-up, unobstructed view of what is going on within the bounce house.
It’s also helpful if this parent has first aid training and can provide first assistance in the event of an injury, such as bandages for any unforeseeable injury.
This is especially critical for youngsters under the age of ten, who lack the foresight and awareness to realize the consequences of their actions.
We all know that small children appear invulnerable to bumps and scrapes, but they aren’t, and this gives them a false sense of safety when doing risky things.
2. Examine the Insurance, Registration, and Legality
Inflatables typically have specific laws limiting how and when they can be set up and utilized at the state, city, or municipal level. Many of these rules apply particularly to companies that rent such inflatables, but others apply to anyone who uses them, regardless of who owns them.
It may be worthwhile to speak with your municipal representative to see if they have any knowledge of specific laws and regulations or can assist you in locating any that may apply.
3. Prohibited Items Must Be Banned
Making sure that nothing that shouldn’t be there gets into the bounce house is an important component of bounce house safety.
Anything with a pointy end – Sharp objects are not only dangerous to youngsters, but they also endanger the bounce house’s integrity. Damage to the bounce house might lead to more serious concerns and injuries.
Food and beverages – Food is a potential choking hazard. Food is also a tripping hazard in an inflatable, and a spilled beverage can be a tripping danger.
It also necessitates cleaning and may cause issues with your rental company in the future. Some tougher foods, such as little chicken bones, can also be harmful.
Toys that are tough and hard- Anything that could cause injury if you landed on it should be prohibited from the bounce house. Toys such as blocks, dolls, dart guns, figurines, and other items fall under this category.
Glasses and jewelry- Jewelry can be a hazard if it gets caught on something within the bounce house, and sharp jewelry can harm the bounce house’s surface. Earrings can become stuck and rip the skin, necklaces can suffocate, and glasses can break.
It is critical that whoever is supervising the bounce house inspects all children and their hidden belongings who enter the inflatable. Children, regardless of safety issues, love to carry contraband where they shouldn’t so be thorough.
4. Select an Appropriate Size Bounce House
The age and quantity of children attending your event will decide the size of the bounce house you should rent, and whether you should rent more than one. Smaller bounce houses have fewer capacity options. Remember that bounce houses are available for children of nearly all ages, from toddlers with small, toddler-friendly bounce enclosures to larger inflatables and obstacle courses designed for pre-teens.
5. Limit the Number of Children Who Can Play
Almost all bounce houses have a limited capacity. A single child at a time is optimal for safety, however, the children may wish to play together. You may want to limit the capacity of the bounce house to two, four, or five children at a time, depending on its size.
Larger bounce houses and inflatables can accommodate more. For appropriate capacity information, examine the instruction manual, the manufacturer, or the rental provider.
6. Be Aware of the Weather
When building bounce houses, you must consider the weather. On hot summer days, make sure to shade the bounce house, wet it, or do something else to keep it cool. On a 90-degree day, some exposed surfaces of a bounce house can become extremely hot, posing a burn danger to children.
If the weather prediction calls for rain, ensure sure your bounce house can get wet and is safe to use when wet. Because not all bounce houses are water-resistant, you may need to deflate and store your bounce house before the rain arrives.
Read More Here: Can You Use a Bounce House in the Rain?
Storms can be hazardous for a number of reasons. Lightning is a major concern, yet it is extremely rare for bounce houses to be struck by lightning. The wind is a more immediate concern. High gusts can endanger a bounce house no matter how securely it is secured.
If the weather changes, make sure no one is playing in the bounce house and, if possible, deflate it. Even an empty bounce house can be dangerous if it becomes dislodged and flies into someone.
In general, you should never have an inflated bounce house when the wind speed exceeds 25 mph. Many bouncy houses are also only rated for 15 mph winds, so check the rating of the bounce house you’ve been using.
How Much Room Is Required for a Bounce House?
In addition to the inflated footprint, the most popular 13 × 13 feet bounce house requires a 3-foot safety zone to surround the unit, requiring a minimum of 16 × 16 feet clearance.
Pay close attention to the top space and make sure it’s not too close to tree branches or overhead power wires. If you set it up indoors, keep it away from the walls and leave at least 2-3 feet between the bounce house and the ceiling.
Step by Step Guide to Set Up a Bounce House Properly
For a beginner, this may take a few trials to perfect the house. However, follow the instruction for minimal hazard and maximum results.
Step 1: Select a Good Setup Location
An inflatable bounce house is best suited to a big open flat space. This location, which can be either indoors or outdoors, should be as flat as possible; a slight incline is acceptable, but a severe slope is completely unsuitable. Because a bounce house must be anchored with stakes, it is best to set it up on the grass.
However, if you have sufficient anchoring, such as sandbags, you might choose to set it up on asphalt or concrete. To keep your bounce house and kids safe, the surface must be checked before installation to remove any sharp items, rocks, sticks, garbage, or animal droppings.
Step 2: Spread Out a Tarpon on the Ground
To keep the inside of the inflatable clean and clear of trash, place a thick sheet between it and the ground. The tarp also works well as a mat for youngsters to take off their shoes and keep their socks clean while playing inside the bounce house. If required, use pegs to fasten the tarp to the ground outside.
Step 3: Open the Bounce House
Once the tarp is in place, remove the folded inflatable unit from its storage bag and set it on the tarp. Untie and unroll the inflatable after ensuring that the unit’s door is facing in the desired direction. When you unfold it, it will be a perfect square.
Step 4: Connect the Blower
Blowers are used to inflate a bounce house, and the air is forced into the structure’s interior. A blower requires electricity to operate; connect the blower to the power supply with cords; if your setup location is in a park or elsewhere without power, a generator will suffice.
Close the zipper on the back of the bounce house and link the air blower to the input tube, tying the connection as tight as possible to ensure that the air pumped out by the blower does not leak.
Connect the blower to the power source using cords, making sure that the cord does not constitute a tripping hazard.
Step 5: Fill the Bounce House With Air
After you’ve double-checked the blower and power cord connections, it’s time to turn on the blower and begin inflating. You may be wondering how long it takes to inflate a bouncy castle.
The time it takes to inflate your inflatable bouncer is determined by the size of the inflatable bouncer and the number of air blowers you employ.
It can take up to 2 minutes to inflate a conventional 13 × 13 foot jump house with a single blower. It can take up to 4 minutes for a larger 18-foot jumping castle or slide. To expedite the process, use two blowers and remove the excess one while your bouncer is fully inflated.
Step 6: Secure the Bounce House to the Ground
Once the bounce house is fully inflated, we must anchor it to the ground to prevent it from rolling over or being blown away by the wind. To secure each anchoring D-ring at the bottom of commercial-grade bounce houses, use the appropriate steel stakes.
Drive the higher restraint anchors, attach the upper ties, and uniformly tension. Stakes should be pushed into the firm ground; if you’re setting it up on loose tilled soil, sandbags should be used instead of stakes. Create a no-walk zone around the blowers and higher tethers by posting signage.
Step 7: Double-Check Your Work for Safety
Always double-check every location before allowing the children to play. Examine the inflation and anchoring thoroughly. First and foremost, safety! Keep in mind that you should never set up a bounce house on a rainy or windy day. The entire process of erecting a bounce house takes between 10 and 35 minutes, depending on its size.
How To Deflate and Take Down a Bounce House
After a successful fun party, it is time to take down the house. I understand that exhaustion may weigh on your body by now. Follow the right directions to take down the bounce house effortlessly and swiftly.
- First, inspect the inflatable. Before deflating the inflatable bounce house, stroll through it and inspect it for any defects or leftovers.
- Begin cleaning the inflatable and packing the removable accessories such as the climb and climb cover, ropes, harnesses, and so on. Check for any form objects that may have fallen between the inflatable seams.
- Disconnect the large inflatables, such as the water slide and slip n slide, and pack all inflatable sections separately.
- Turn off the electricity and wrap the blower and cable in plastic wrap. Then begin deflating the inflatable unit. Unhook the blower tube strap, open the blower ports/flaps, and unzip the deflation zipper, then open all deflation holes to let air to escape fast.
- After the inflatable bounce house has collapsed, remove the anchoring poles and untie the ropes before packing them away.
- Remove the blower tube and walk on the inflatable to expel any remaining air through the blower tube.
- Inflate the unit neatly, then fold the PVC materials toward the center and walk around the unit to remove air.
- Depending on the size of the inflatable unit, you may need to fold the sides toward the center multiple times before walking around to press out as much air as possible.
- Make sure there is no excess air before laying the blower tubes on top. Then, like a sleeping bag, roll this inflated item from the front to the tube side. If it’s too difficult for you, you can do it with your coworkers. Make sure to roll it tightly, then have someone step on it in front of you to keep it flattened. The rolling will be completed at the blower tubes.
- Keep the blower tubes on the outside, then slide the straps under the coiled inflatable unit and squeeze tight before tying it up securely.
- Fold the ground cover tarp up and store it with the other tools.
- Open your durable storage bag and place the rolled inflatable unit in the bottom of the bag, working it down as deep as possible to allow room for other supplies. Make sure there are no omissions when packaging things.
- Tie the storage bag and transfer the inflated unit with a hand truck. Check again to ensure that nothing has been left behind, and then proceed. Keep the storage bag in a dry location until it is rented again.
How To Roll Up the Bounce House
The key to a good roll is to precisely fold the material into the center of the inflatable.
1. Fold all material toward the center of the Inflatable and locate the bottom seams.
2. Fold the Inflatable in half like a giant bed sheet. To avoid contact with the ground, tuck all vivid designs inside your folds.
3. Fold in the sides 2-3 feet lengthwise.
4. Continue folding the inflatable from the outside in until the folded layers overlap, leaving a 2-3 foot fold.
5. Tuck any excess material in. (Leave Ports open to allow air to escape while rolling.)
6. Walk the air out of the Inflatable by walking it towards the Port (Blower tube). (This pushes air out and allows air to escape.)
7. Tuck in rope or strap 2-3 feet beneath the Inflatable that will be used for tying where the Inflatable roll will terminate. (Doing so allows you to tie off without having to hoist the entire roll.)
8. Begin rolling from the place farthest away from the Port (Blower tube). (This causes air to escape when you roll.) Roll as firmly as you can. Maintain the roll’s alignment by tucking any surplus material in and avoiding allowing any area of the roll to sag. Moving slack rollers is tricky. Roll it tightly and slowly.
9. Tuck Ports in (Blower tubes).
10. Secure the roll with a rope or strap. Tuck in any excess material and hoses. When applicable, place it in the bag.
And Viola! Congratulations! You have proved yourself a worthy parent and adult.
I know as an adult you may not always bounce the responsibilities off your shoulder, but I presume the responsibility to set up and take down the bounce house will never add another stress to your plate.
So, Happy adulting and happy bouncing.
