How much space do i need for a bouncy castle?
All bouncy castles and inflatables come in various shapes and sizes, so it’s important to check space requirements to ensure you have enough space to accommodate. For outdoor hire, you should take into account any extra space you may need for additional activities such as climbing frames and trampolines etc, especially if these cannot be stored away safely out of the way. Our recommendation is to allow more room than what is actually required for an inflatable and our minimum allowance guidance can be seen in the example illustrations below. Note, we have given an example of a standard 12ft x 12ft bouncy castle, hired in an outdoor garden setting.
In this example above, for a 12ft (Width) x 12ft (Length) inflatable to fit, the required minimum space of would be 16ft (Width) x 19ft (Length), with a power access point no longer than 40m away from the set-up location.
- Allow at-least 3ft clearance at the rear of the inflatable for the purpose of the blower fan and tube
- Allow at-least 4ft clearance at the front of the inflatable for safety mats to positioned correctly, and
- Allow at-least 2ft clearance either-side of the inflatable for securing of pegs / sandbags
For some outdoor areas, you may also need to take into consideration height limitations, such as washing lines, overhanging tree’s and power cables which could be damaged during the erection of an inflatable.
Garden Gates / Access points
We cannot stress enough how important it is to check your access point width and ensure it complies to the minimum requirements specified on each inflatables description (use ‘size’ tab). Whilst you may have a big enough space in your garden, the first obstacle is getting it in there. All of our inflatables are transported on a dolly-trolley, compactly rolled with numerous straps holding it together. All inflatables must be transported to the desired set-up area using this method of transportation and under no circumstances can we elevate over fences or un-roll and drag through a garden gate or alley. This is prevent injury and/or damage to equipment and team. It is the responsibility of the hirer to check the access point width before booking.
Indoor Venues
Whilst the size guide above is still relevant, indoor venues tend to sometimes have more restrictions such as low height ceilings and extra doorways you have to be mindful of. Take into account the main entrance door may be a different width to an inner door, and whilst an exit door may be the quicker route for entry, consider parking and ways to get to the inflatable to that particular door.
Every indoor venue is different, and one of the hardest things to judge is height. A bouncy castle’s height cannot be adjusted to suit the size of a ceiling. So it crucial that you measure accurately and allow at-least 1 extra foot of movement space above the height of the inflatable. Please do not rely on the word of a staff member’s measurements. You must measure the ceiling height yourself and ensure there is adequate room.
Ground Suitability
Ideally, bouncy castles should be placed on grass wherever possible, and lay on a flat surface (although a small slope may be acceptable (for reassurance, you should contact us)). Raised stones and slabs that are within the set-up area will prevent the correct installation of an inflatable. The ground should be free from any litter or dirt and a general sweep of pathways should be performed prior our arrival. Be mindful of trip hazards, wet floors that may become slippery and moss that may have grown in winter months (can create a slippery surface also).
Where to position a inflatable
The inflatable should face directly where the majority of adults will be watching (this will help relieve some pressure from the responsible adult supervising users whilst the inflatable is in operation). Inflatables are fantastic fun, but they also can be dangerous when used incorrectly. Stepping onto a uneven surface knocks your balance, and trying to balance whilst other users are jumping can be incredibly difficult. Take care to look carefully at the manufactures recommendation as to how many users can be on the inflatable at any one given time and, if you feel the inflatable is overcrowded, be sure to step in and ask some users to take a short break.
Remember to double-check
Your hired equipment may be the main feature at your party for your guests to enjoy, so it’s best to raise any concerns before booking by contacting us directly. Keep in mind we don’t carry spare inflatables and rely 100% on your judgement.