Best Bounce Houses
Best High End
Blast Zone Big Ol Bouncer
Best Mid Range
Blast Zone Magic Castle
Best Inexpensive
PicassoTiles Inflatable Bouncer
Last Updated: 6th Mar, 2022
Here's our review of 5 of the Best bounce houses, plus an in-depth buyer's guide for your reference.
Everyone remembers playing on bounce houses when they were a kid. They were a staple of birthday parties in the summer, as you could happily bounce away for hours. Now you have kids, you know that they love them too. Did you know you could bring a bounce house to your own yard whenever you want, with your very own model?
Whether you're looking for a small jump house for your toddler, a sturdy one for big kids, or an indoor bounce house, there are plenty of options.
There are many reasons for owning a bounce house. Got a lot of birthday parties to hold in the near future, and need something to keep the kids entertained? Want an alternative way to entertain guests at an adult party? Maybe you want to save money on a rental by buying a house between a few different parents.
Whatever the reason, you totally can and should buy your very own bouncy house. There are lots of models online now, so which one should you pick? Warning, if you buy any of them, your home will be the best summer hangout spot this year.
Here, we've rounded up 5 best bounce houses that we think would be a perfect addition to your home or backyard.
Our Top Picks for the Best Bounce Houses
- Blast Zone Big Ol Bouncer- Premium Pick
- Blast Zone Magic Castle - Best Overall
- PicassoTiles 12x10 Foot Inflatable Bouncer - Best Value (Comes with a slide)
- YARD Outdoor Indoor Bounce House - Best for bigger kids
- Intex Jump O Lene Castle Inflatable Bouncer, for Ages 3-6 - Best for toddlers (Small size)
1. Blast Zone Big Ol Bouncer
This is an excellent bounce house to start the list off with. It's a huge jumper, at 12 feet wide and 7 feet tall, so there's so much space to jump and tumble around in. If you have the space for it indoors too, you can even set it up on a rainy day to keep the kids entertained.
Safety is a priority with this model. Safety netting sits around the whole perimeter of the house, so your little bouncers are kept inside, no matter how rough and tumble they play. As it's netting, you can see inside at all times, so you can keep an eye on what's going on. As well as this, there is a safe slide that helps kids get in and out of the house without worry.
Included with the unit will be several anchors that will allow you to anchor the house the ground outside. This is vital if you're using the house outdoors, so having the anchors on hand means you can use the house right out of the box. You'll also see there's a DVD manual guide, which will guide you through the set up with ease.
Finally, the blower is included with this package. It's advertised as 'bulletproof', so you can confidently keep the structure inflated at all times.
Top Features:
- Safety netting to keep everyone safe
- 100 lb weight limit
- DVD manual for easy set up
- Huge footprint for multiple children to play
Final Note: This is our premium pick, and you'll see just why when you buy it. It's an excellent quality jump house, offering lots of room and top safety features too.
2. Blast Zone Magic Castle: Inflatable Bounce House With Blower
Think you can't have a bounce house around, ready and waiting for the summer? You'd be surprised. Many people think they take up too much space and can't be used in a regular home. However, this model is set to prove them wrong. The house, when fully deflated and packed away, only takes up the same amount of space as a rolled-up sleeping bag. When put like that, nearly anyone could put it away in a cupboard, ready for summer.
It's quick to set up too, only taking 2 minutes to fully inflate. That's brilliant for you and your kids, as they barely have to wait before they can start bouncing the day away. Have guests over and want to keep them entertained? You'll be ready in no time at all.
What's great about this house is that it's made from fully durable materials. Every parent knows how tough kids can be on their toys, and an inflatable bounce house is no exception. With durable commercial grade vinyl and quadruple heavy-duty stitching, you know your kids are safe as they play.
Top Features:
- Tiny size when rolled-up for easy storage
- Comes with blower and manual, so can be set up right out of the box
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Highly durable construction
Final note: This is our best overall pick, as it has so many good points. It's fun, safe, durable, easily stored, and of course, reasonably priced.
3. PicassoTiles (Upgrade Version) KC102 12x10 Foot Inflatable Bouncer
This bounce house is so packed full of features that it's hard to know where to begin. As well as a regular bouncing area, there's a huge inflatable slide, as well as a basketball hoop that comes complete with four different inflatable balls. There's so much to do in this bounce house that you'll never get the kids out of it.
As a grown-up, there's a lot about it that you'll love, too. There's a Velcro tape cover that can be attached and removed as needed, perfect when the sun's out and your kids need some shade. There are other nifty design features too, such as netted pockets on the side of the house designed to hold shoes. No more losing shoes, because you'll know exactly where they are.
Check out listings online, and you'll see that the manufacturer takes safety seriously. There are heavy-duty materials used everywhere in the structure, so children can play safely without worry. Mesh sides mean there are soft barriers keeping them inside, and all materials are deemed to be non-toxic.
Top Features:
- Packed full of features, including a slide and basketball hoop
- Pockets for shoe storage
- Removable shade to keep kids safe from the sun
- Safe materials used in construction
Final Note: It's hard to think of a child who wouldn't love this bounce house. It's packed to the rafters with play features, enough to keep anyone entertained on a summer day.
4. YARD Outdoor/Indoor Bounce House
As you can imagine, bounce houses take a lot of damage. That's why rented ones are so durable, as they're always in use. Can the same be said for home ones? If you're buying this one, then the answer is yes, they can be. This bounce house has passed several safety tests during its development, so you can see just how careful developers have been with your children's safety. Extra thick jumping areas mean that they're free to bounce around as much as they like, without worry.
It comes with a slide, in addition to the jumping area. The house can hold up to three children at a time, at a maximum of 100 lbs each. It can also be used indoors or outdoors, so no matter what the weather is like they can have fun and let off excess energy by jumping around in the bounce house.
As a bounce house, it's one that you'll feel comfortable in letting your kids use. It's so durable and sure to serve you well.
Top Features:
- A bounce area and slide, so there's plenty for kids to enjoy
- Highly durable materials used in construction
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
Final Note:
If you want a bounce house that can be used all year round, this is the one for you. You can keep the kids entertained indoors and outdoors, and this playhouse will keep on going.
5. Intex Jump O Lene Castle Inflatable Bouncer, For Ages 3 – 6
Just because you're buying a bounce house, it doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on it. Take a look at this excellent bounce house, for example. This castle-themed bounce house offers a wonderful springboard for your children's imaginations, letting them rule their own kingdom.
This house features soft inflatable walls, keeping the bouncing kids safe inside when they're playing. The smaller size of the house makes it perfect to use indoors. Got a winter birthday coming up? Set it up indoors and let children play for as long as they want, never minding what the weather is doing. The smaller size also makes it an ideal option for toddlers.
As a parent, you'll be impressed at how easy it is to care for this model. To clean it, all you'll need is some soapy water. Just wipe it down, let it dry and you're ready to go again. The high walls on it ensure kids are safe, and there are no sharp edges to worry about.
Top Features:
- Perfect for size to bring indoors during colder months
- Fun castle design
- Easy to take care of
- Excellent price point
Final Note:
Out of all of the bounce houses listed, this is definitely the best bargain. It's wonderful for younger children, so they can burn off energy either indoors or out.
Bounce House Buyer's Guide
Once you've decided to pick up a bounce house, it feels like there's just too much choice out there. How are you going to pick the right one, when there's so many out there? Using this buyer's guide, you'll be able to pick out the right house for you and your kids. Here's what to consider when choosing one for your home.
Key Considerations
<Pick The Best Materials>
Not all bounce houses are made equal, and that's made apparent when you see the different materials they're made from. You want something that will stand the test of time, that can be taken out again and again to be used by your kids. Take a look to see what materials have been used, and whether they're graded for commercial use. That's usually a good sign that it's a good quality material. Often, the best type to buy is Vinyl. This will offer the best wear possible, ensuring that the house will last for years to come.
While you're checking the materials used, take a look at the number of stitches used in the construction of the house. The rule of thumb is, the more stitches, the better. You can find bounce houses with double, triple or even quadruple stitches.
<Safety
Of course, safety should be your number one priority. That means you should be looking for several safety features that the bounce house should have. For example, there should be high walls that are soft, like a mesh screen that will keep the kids safe inside. There should also be no sharp corners anywhere on the house that could cause injury.
Remember to anchor down the bounce house with steel stakes no matter what! Choose only those models that come with sturdy straps to attach to the ground anchors. Anchoring down the structure prevents it from flying up in the air in windy conditions, which can lead to serious injuries. Here is the link to one such incident that occurred in Colorado and left two kids seriously injured.
Use an adequate number of stakes and avoid the plastic anchors at all cost.
When looking at bounce houses online, take a look at the packaging to see what safety ratings they have. The best houses will have excellent safety ratings that they will post prominently on the listing. If it doesn't have any of those, look for another one instead.
<Pick A Budget>
There's no denying that the prices of bounce houses vary quite wildly. What makes a cheaper one different to the most expensive one on our list? It usually comes down to the features. Those with extra features, such as slides for example, are going to cost more than those that are smaller, simple bounce houses. Decide on the features you want, and adjust your budget from there.
When setting a budget, be aware that you can't compromise on safety. If it's in your budget and it doesn't have the required safety standards, then it's never going to be a bargain. If you can't find a suitable bounce house in your budget, you may need to adjust it in order to get the best quality out there.
<Types>
Broadly you'll find three types of bounce houses: moon bouncer or jumping house, sliding, and a water bounce house.
Moon bouncer is the most popular option among home users due to its smaller size and ease of use. They come with a jump floor for the kids to continuously bounce and have hours and hours of unrestricted fun. In costlier models, protective inflatable walls on all sides are provided to protect the kids from falling off.
Sliding bounce house as the name suggests additionally comes attached with a climber and a slide along with the jumping area.
Next, you have is wet/dry combo slides. They come with a splash pool, and water continuously runs down the slide. This allows the kids to enjoy the inflatable playhouse both in summer and autumn. If you live in the southern part where it's mostly hot, choosing a water slide would make more sense.
<Size>
You also need to think about how big you want your bounce house to be. There's a huge range out there, from small indoor ones to large outdoor ones that could double as rental units. How big do you want your bounce house to be?
Firstly, think about where you'll use your bounce house. Will it be something that you'll use indoors or something you'll set up in the yard when the weather is good? Wherever it is, ensure that you go out and measure the space where they will go.
Remember to leave some space around the structure too, as children will be running around it. Also, remember that if you're using the house indoors, you'll need enough height to fit in, too. With that information, you should be able to pick up the right size jump house for the space.
You also need to think about the weight limit on the house. All good bounce houses will have a weight limit, so you'll be able to see how many kids you'll be able to fit at once. Be sure to read these carefully, and don't ignore them. If you let too many kids on the house at once, you're risking damage to the house and your kids' safety.
<Capacity of the blower>
The capacity or the size of the blower is equally important. The bounce house needs a constant supply of air to remain inflated. Using an under-powered blower on a larger unit would mean the structure would never fully inflate and rather leak more air than that's being pumped in.
Smaller bounce house with dimensions under 8'x8' (when fully inflated) should be paired with at least 0.5 hp blower. For medium bounce houses (12'x12' or less), you would need a 1 hp blower, and larger ones you need a 2 hp blower. For backyard or toy bounce houses, a 0.5 to 1 hp blower should be more than sufficient.
Always check the rating of the blower when comparing different models as that may very well make the difference. Lower powered blowers will take time to inflate the structure and may struggle to keep up, if too many kids are playing.
<Check For A Warranty>
Finally, take a look for a warranty that comes with your bounce house. This is a sizeable purchase, and you want to ensure that it will keep going for a long time to come. Of course, some of this is on you as the purchaser. Follow the instructions, take good care, and store it properly and you won't have anything to worry about.
In some cases, though, a bounce house may fail and that's where you want a warranty. Any good manufacturer will take pride in their products and so will want to ensure you're happy with what you've bought. If anything does go wrong, you want the ability to have it put right again to avoid having disappointed kids.
Check for a warranty with whomever you're buying a bounce house from. If there isn't one, then you'll need to look elsewhere.
<Maintenance & Cleaning>
No doubt, bounce houses are fun, but they do require proper care and maintenance to guarantee longevity. Constant jumping and climbing can lead to punctures that must be patched. Thankfully most manufacturers include patches to fix the punctures, or you can buy them separately. They aren't expensive either and are easy to put.
The other thing you need to look for is the dirt or mildew formation, especially if you have a water bounce house. The dirt can clog up the holes, which can reduce or even block the water flow while mold or mildew can make the structure unhygienic and unusable.
You need to keep in mind a couple of points while cleaning:
1) Don't use any harsh chemicals.
2) Don't use a brush with sharp bristles
What you would need: Vacuum cleaner, cleaning rags, disinfectant, and a cleaning solution like Lysol all-purpose cleaner or vinegar.
Keeping the structure inflated, use a vacuum cleaner to suck out loose debris and clean the corners. Next, use a mixture of vinegar and lukewarm water and spray down then the whole unit. Gently brush all the sections making sure you don't apply too much pressure. Once done, use the hose pipe to rinse the entire structure. Evenly spray the disinfectant both inside and outside of the structure.
For mold or mildew removal, I suggest using a diluted bleach solution (50% bleach/50% water) to clean the spot. Make sure you use the solution in the affected area only, not the whole surface. If you don't know, bleach can discolor the surface.
Finally, let the bounce house dry, or if you're in a hurry, use a rag to remove the excess water. And this is it; you're done with the cleaning.
Buying a Bounce House Vs. Renting one out?
The average daily cost of renting a decent-sized commercial-grade bounce house is around $230, and this does not include the shipping or set up charges. That sounds like quite a bit, isn't it? You may wonder, you can rather buy a top-quality residential or toy jump house for well under $500, then why would anyone rent one? Exactly those were my thoughts before I sat down for the research.
A Commercial bounce house starts from $2000 and can go as high $4000. You're paying here for the better build quality, size, and features. These bounce houses are made out of heavy-duty vinyl, which is puncture and tear-resistant, and they tend to handle abuse quite well. They also come with attractive designs, larger sizes, and support more activities.
On the other hand, the bounce house for home and backyard usage are built from nylon or polyester material, which are thinner, lighter, and not as long-lasting as vinyl. And for this very reason, they're cheaper. This does not make them bad or inferior; it's just the use case is different. The bounce house for homes does not see that kind of use or abuse as the commercial counterparts. If properly cared for and maintained, the consumer bounce houses can equally last for a longer duration.
That said, if you're looking for a bounce house for a larger event or party where a lot of kids are anticipated, it's best to stick with commercial ones. But if it's a small event like the birthday party of your young one, you can rather buy one instead of renting one out. You will recoup the investment in no time!
Let's Wrap Things Up
As you can see, there's so much to think about when you're buying a bounce house for your kids. No two bounce houses are made the same, much like your children. Which one is going to be best for them? You need to think about their age, interests, and more in order to pick the right one out for them.
This guide has gathered together 5 of the best bounce houses on the market, to ensure that you'll get the right one for your children. Whether you want to place it outside for a children's birthday party, or keep it indoors to keep them entertained at events, you're going to find one that's perfect for your family.
Use this guide to pick the right one, and ensure that you're getting the best value for your money. Soon, your kids will be the envy of the neighborhood.
Be careful though, or you'll soon see all the local kids coming into your yard wanting a turn on the bounce house.
