Adam holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Linguistics, and creative writing has always been his greatest passion. For more than 25 years he's been working for several well-known automobile and travel magazines as an editor and expert consultant, but when Adam started his writing path here, at WisePick, it turned out that he's capable of writing practically anything about everything.
Initially being an engineering specialist, Tom has never stopped learning and acquiring other knowledge and skills. Now he’s involved in technical support for a well-known household appliances manufacturer, so no wonder he knows everything about almost everything you buy for your home.
Last updated: July 16, 2021
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The bounce house is a plastic house-like structure that takes shape after pumping gas into it. It is also called a moon bounce, bouncy castle, closed inflatable trampoline castle (CIT) or inflatable castle. It requires a permanent blower system that plugs into the mains, pumping air into it to stay upright during use. Generally installed outdoors, bouncy castles serve primarily for recreational purposes, especially for fun for children. But they are also rented out for social functions such as village festivals, church and school events. Most of the best bounce house models have the shape of a real fortress, with pillars, towers, and soft walls.
However, there is no shortage of models on the market. To narrow down to 5 of the best inflatable bounce house models on the market, we reviewed 40 castles that are performing really well on the market and in comparison sites. The overall best model and, of course, the editor’s choiceis the Blast Zone Magic Castle.We chose this because of its high weight capacity of 300lbs, quality stitching, 2-minute inflation time, among others. To help you get the best, we have 4 more bounce house products in the review section.
The important features we considered in our review, as you will see in the buying guide, includes the age and number of the users, size, inflate time, and the option of a blower. Sources used include experts’ opinions, users’ comments, manufacturers/sellers’ information, and other researches. Divided into four sections, there’s a comparison table, in-detail reviews of the products, a buying guide, and finally, a final recommendation or verdict on the best products.
"This Blast Zone model is constructed of high-strength polyester. The manufacturer complements it with commercial-standard impact PVC in high-traffic locations such as the jump area. This delivers nine times more resistance than a common residential inflatable."
"This product is neither bulky nor too small to be properly installed in your garden. Able to support 250lbs of loads, it can accommodate three children simultaneously."
"Fit for two kids, the bouncer is designed so that two children can jump and glide down the slide simultaneously. For safety reasons, it has high walls with meshing for ventilation."
"This model offers a large space to entertain up to 4 children above 3 years old. This makes it a commercial-grade bounce house. It has a weight capacity of 250lbs with a 6.5×6.5-inch play area."
The Blast Zone Magic Castle is constructed of high-strength polyester. The manufacturer complements it with commercial-standard impact PVC in high-traffic locations such as the jump area. This delivers nine times more resistance than a common residential inflatable. Blastzone also incorporates two-thread and four-thread stitching, a seven-stage quality control process, and a unique threading system for superior breakable durability.
It is indeed created for the entertainment of the smallest of the home. The Blastzone model is an ideal inflatable for backyards, gardens or interior rooms. With it, children can take advantage of any type of gathering with their friends to play and have fun safely. It is recommended for children from 3 to 8 years old.
The play castle comes with a complete set of accessories to make the inflatable easy to use. It comes with a repair kit with patches and thread and a latest-generation 50hz and 480w inflation turbine. In addition, it comes with 4 stakes and a heavy-duty bag for transportation.
It is very easy to install so you can do it yourself and store it once it has been used. The deflated product size is one rolled sleeping bag, so it is easy to store. It can support up to 300lbs in weight. Recommended for use by up to 3 children at a time, the maximum weight per child is 100lbs. Its small size makes it one of the best indoor bounce house models.
PicassoTiles is not a simple bouncy castle. It is a real playground that consists of several activities that will be very interesting for your little ones. Thanks to this, your cherubs can get their fill of sensations by hopping on the trampoline and sliding on the slide. Something to amuse them for a good time when summer arrives.
These activities are ideal for children over 3 years old. Moreover, the measurements of this playground which are 12 feet in length, 10 feet in width and 7 feet in height are adapted to this age group. This product is neither bulky nor too small to be properly installed in your garden. Able to support 250lbs of loads, it can accommodate three children simultaneously. In addition, the equipment also comes with its permanent blower, which guarantees that the structure will not collapse on children or that it will not become unbalanced when it is used.
As a safety measure, you may prefer to dismantle the castle once the day is over. The manufacturer has also thought about this. What sets this model apart from other bouncy castles is that it is very quick and easy to install and remove. Without much effort, you will be able to set it up in just a few minutes. The most impatient will be delighted. And when children no longer use it, it also doesn’t take a long time to uninstall it. Once disassembled, this playground can be stored very easily in its bag, which is provided with the purchase of the product.
The brand also offers you a repair kit, just in case. In addition, this article offers excellent robustness thanks to its resistant manufacturing material. It is in fact made of reinforced plastic canvas which will withstand the frequent jumps and slips of children. It has a built-in basketball rim for kids who love to dunk and slam. In addition, it comes with four sports ball, a football, baseball, basketball, and a soccer ball.
The Little Tikes Jump n’ Slide is a bouncer that comes with a slide at the same time. It is a place of fun where children can adopt several ideas. Fit for two kids, the bouncer is designed so that two children can jump and glide down the slide simultaneously. For safety reasons, it has high walls with meshing for ventilation. It has a 7×7-inch jumping area which may not be suitable for more than two kids.
The installation of this house is simple and requires only a few minutes. You don’t have to be a professional or have specific experience to be able to do this. Suitable for outdoor installation at home, the model is powered by a continuous electric blower. This product can simultaneously accommodate up to 2 children to allow them to have fun together.
Its dimensions indicate a length of 10 feet, a width equivalent to 7 feet and a height which is just 5 feet. This shows that the model is not too bulky. While it’s designed for outdoor use, its dimensions and users’ recommendations show it is the best bounce house for home use, especially during wintertime, if you have space. To guarantee the practicality of its storage, this equipment is offered with a bag. Thus, it is easier to move or store it outside the hours of use.
Overall, it is one of the best bounce houses with a slide model you can get for your kids.
More features: Commercial Grade Impact Surfaces, Double and Quadruple-Stitched Reinforced Assembly, Multi-Stage Quality Control and Exclusive X-Weave material, 1-year warranty
The biggest bouncer with the most occupancy, the Blast Zone Big Ol Bouncer is the best commercial bounce house in this pack. Coming in commercial-grade sizes and vinyl materials, the bouncer is designed to hold at least 6 kids at once.
When your children play, they spend a moment of relaxation, distraction, and pleasure while having the possibility of choosing between several games.
Despite its size, the item can inflate in a maximum time of 3 minutes since it is made available to you with a blower. The maximum load which it can support is 600lbs. Thus, you can have about 6 children whose age is between 3 to 10 years in it.
In addition, it has a total length of 12 feet, a width of 15 feet and a height of just 7 feet. Its moderate height makes it suitable for indoor use. Don’t forget that it is a bouncer that can also be deployed for commercial and outdoor uses. It can be used in festivals, as well as for school events.
The bouncer is reinforced with an X-weave material and a double and quadruple stitches to avoid gas leaks. The bouncer is enclosed with a safety mesh. This is soft in texture, preventing abrasions. Finally, the package comes with a blower, an instruction package available in manual and DVD forms, carrying straps, a sprayer system, and anchor stakes.
The YARD Bounce House Dual Slide is an inflatable castle with the best bounce floor among the best bounce house reviews here. However, what differentiates it from the other items in this guide is that it is accompanied by various elements that can make the feeling of fun more interesting. You can buy it if you are looking for a model that comes with a double slide and tracks.
It is easier to install or repair if necessary. Its dimensions indicate the following measures: 12.1 feet in length, 8.5 feet in width and 6.9 feet in height. These values show that this material offers a large space to entertain up to 4 children above 3 years old. This makes it a commercial-grade bounce house. It has a weight capacity of 250lbs with a 6.5×6.5-inch play area.
Although it’s a residential bouncy castle, the moonwalk has high-quality nylon polyester materials and stitches which make it easy to move everywhere without fear of getting damaged. It is ideal for use outdoors, inside the house, in a large living room or backyard. It can be used for a family reunion, school party, birthday party, or just any event you want to get the kids preoccupied with. You can even invite the kids next doors for more fun.
The package includes a blower, user manual, repair kit, carrying bag and stakes.
Why is it special?
Large occupancy
Commercial-grade
Suitable indoor and outdoor
Meshings for safety
Great bounce floor
What are the flaws?
Loud blower
Not easy to enter; kids need to climb
Things to Consider
Have you decided to install a giant bouncy castle in your garden and wanted to know the essential criteria for choosing the right one? Now that you’ve seen the best bounce house reviews, in this section, we’ll show you some pros and cons of your kids having this castle at home. After that, we’ll show you some features to consider before choosing and some maintenance tips. Finally, we’ll answer a couple of questions that prospective users like you ask most.
Bounce house pros and cons
There are so many advantages of getting a bouncy castle for your kids. But there are as well a few disadvantages you might need to consider before going ahead. Will the latter discourage you from getting one for your kid? Let’s see with an objective analysis of the benefits and downsides of letting your kids enjoy some play moments in a bouncy castle.
The pros
To improve balance and coordination
The bouncy castle is one of the best ways for children to develop their physical performance while enjoying an outdoor play area. Made of a soft structure, this material allows them to work on their balance and strengthen the muscles of their legs. It is also a structure that integrates different types of activity that will allow them to walk, run, jump, climb, slide, and throw themselves into a ball pool or a water pool. What is better for children to effectively practice a physical activity that combines leisure, personal and mental development?
To have fun safely
Mostly made of a fully secure, high standard and certified design, most of the best bouncy castles are safe for children, provided of course that you respect the age indicated on the model. It is a structure that will easily take a place in your garden. In the summer, your children will enjoy playing outside while enjoying the sun. In the winter, most are suitable for use indoors. This will make it easier for you to keep an eye on them. With a bouncer, you can avoid taking them to the park, at least not as regular as before. Indoors, you can also keep an eye on their activities while you are busy with your household chores. It is also a completely fluffy structure, with no hard or sharp parts which could injure the little ones. And for their safety, some models have side nets that prevent them from falling out of the rebound surface during jumps. Examples of safe-to-use bouncers with side nets for protection and ventilation include Blast Zone Big Ol Bouncer and the YARD Bounce House Dual Slide.
Promotes social interaction
Jumping on an inflatable is an activity where children can have fun alone; however, it is also perfect for meeting up with friends and playing together. It is a form of socialization, and a bouncy castle is a safe bet for parties and celebrations. You can invite the children from the neighborhood or the family. With a bounce house, children will be entertained and play together, slowly learning certain social skills.
The cons
Possibilities of accidents, although rare
Without supervision, a bouncy castle may not be safe for hyperactive kids. There are reports of kids jumping outrightly out of the castle, leading to injuries. This is why you have to ensure they comply with safety standards such as the option of side meshing. Also, the entryway must be as small as possible to avert problems like this. Finally, ensure you keep an eye on them while playing in a bouncy castle.
Features to consider while buying the best bounce house
This special part of the buying guide will allow you to better orient yourself on the model that most closely matches your needs. In this section, we’ll focus more on the age of your children, the size, number of users and weight capacity, among others.
Age
As our residential bounce house reviews have shown, the bouncy castles are a playhouse primarily meant for kids. Although we’ve seen some adult users saying they could not resist the thoughts of joining in the fun. Even though most castles are recommended for use by kids of age 3 years and above, you can find one for a population of kids with lower ages. For example, if you have a kid of 2 years old, you don’t have to make them wait till they reach their third year. The Little Tikes Jr. Jump ‘n Slide Bouncer is just one of the best bounce houses for kids of age 2 and above. Meanwhile, many castle manufacturers will indicate the range of 3-8 years old as the range for qualified users. However, there are models that can occupy kids up to age 10.
Nonetheless, remember that the smaller the kids are below the recommended age, the more you’ll need to supervise the playground.
We’ve seen cases where kids got stuck in the side mesh and got bounced out of the castle. If you wish to have bigger kids in it too, ensure the overall weight of users doesn’t exceed the indicated weight capacity. The weigh capacity often falls between the range of 250lbs for the best bounce house for toddlers and as much as 800lbs for large, heavy-duty and commercial-grade bounce houses.
Occupancy
Alongside the age, the occupancy detail of your bounce house is there to check whether you stay within the ideal weight capacity range set by the manufacturer. When choosing a bouncy castle, the right occupancy number will depend on the number of kids you have. There are castles that are indicated to have 2-kid occupancy capacity. Meanwhile, commercial-grade types that can hold birthday parties and reunions are usually larger. The latter can hold as much as 4 to 8 kids at the same time. The Blast Zone Big Ol Bouncer really fits into the category of bouncers with high occupancy (up to 6).
Size
The choice of the size of your inflatable structure will mainly depend on the space you have in your garden. The larger your yard, the more you have the opportunity to install a giant bouncy castle that will delight your little ones. However, you must also think about the number of children who will benefit from it at the same time. This is because, in general, the wider the structure is, the more it will be able to accommodate several users. The smallest models are generally the simplest or those intended for 3-year-old babies. They are just under 10 feet long. Then come the medium-sized models, such as the PicassoTiles bouncer, which can reach 12 feet of length and 10 feet of width. And finally, there are the giant castles that are within 13 to 17 feet long and wide, with a height that almost exceeds 7 feet. In any case, we advise you to always refer to the maximum load supported by the equipment, as well as the age indicated on it.
Blower and other accessories
In order not to end up with a structure bought at an exorbitant price and yet difficult to install, use, repair or even have poor quality, it is essential to check its accessories.
Never choose a model which is not supplied with all the materials necessary for its installation and continued use. Make sure it is equipped with a blower system to facilitate the inflation of the castle. Then a complete fixing system to prevent the structure from moving while your children are on it is necessary. The best home bounce house models to acquire are also those with a quick and practical repair kit to deal with possible damage, such as air leaks. Also, we advise you to bank on a high-density floor material for the robustness of your future inflatable, as it is by the Blast Zone Magic Castle. Ensure the floor is made of very resistant tarpaulin, a nylon canvas, as well as perfectly reinforced seams.
Weight capacity
As earlier mentioned, the weight capacity of a bounce house works closely with the dimensions and the number of occupants. For use at home by up to 4 kids, select a model which indicates a weight capacity of up to 400lbs. Manufacturers often recommend that each child who will use the product must not weigh more than 100lbs. So, with this in consideration, you can easily have more kids if they weigh below the recommended weight for each user. However, this will depend on the dimensions of the castle. In any case, for residential uses, depending on the number of users, you can find models within the range of 250 to 400lbs. However, if you need a commercial-grade or professional bounce house, there are models that can support a maximum weight of 1,000lbs. It all depends on the number of kids you have, for example, on our list the Blast Zone Big Ol Bouncer has the maximum weight capacity of 600lbs, which can be already considered as a commercial grade bounce house.
The safety features
Safety is certainly the criteria most studied by parents when it comes to leisure equipment for their children. This is why before setting your sights on a particular model, we recommend that you ensure the presence of lateral threads on the edges of the structure, same precautions are needed with trampolines. This helps to prevent the small ones from being accidentally ejected from it while jumping.
The best bouncy castle for babies is also the one with a roof that can protect them from the sun rays, especially when it is too hot. Also, ensure the quality of the blower system to prevent the structure from deflating and trapping your children inside. As for the models equipped with a water pool, you have to keep a wary eye on the young ones.
Warranty
We’ve come across many models that started developing air leakages after a few days of use. These have to either be returned, repaired or dumped in the waste bin. The former is always better for every consumer. Bouncy houses are playhouses that can break down anytime, especially if you’re buying from an unreliable and unpopular brand. So, to save your money in case of this possible occurrence, ensure the model you choose has at least a year of warranty – either limited or full, as you will see by the Blast Zone Big Ol Bouncer. The latter is rarely offered, but it is found with more premium-quality bouncers. A 90-day warranty can still be considered a fair deal but do not consider a product with no warranty offered. Asides the warranty offers, read the reviews of the brand by customers. Try to know what they say about the responsiveness of its customer service. A warranty offer from a non-responsive brand is just as useless and same as a model with no warranty.
Price
Like every other type of products, the price of virtually all bouncy castles usually reflects the quality, type and capacity. Most of the products in this review are fairly priced. However, the grade of the bounce house will largely determine how much you pay. If you have a low budget and between two to three kids, the best residential bounce house for you would be the Magic Castle from Blast Zone, for example. Do you need a commercial-grade castle or you want the best water bounce house with a water slide or park? Then be prepared to pay double the regular price.
Extra features
The full product features and the necessary accessories must be included in the pack. But asides these, you may need to check out some extra features. These may be considered the swaying features for your kids. They’ll always appreciate, for example, bounce houses with built-in hoops, sports balls, as you can see by the PicassoTiles bouncer, a ball pool, a water pool, and a slide.
How to maintain a bounce house
Like other inflatables, the bouncy castle is exposed to rain, high temperature, and the immediate environment. These factors influence its lifespan. It, therefore, requires regular cleaning maintenance to regain its radiance. Here are some practical information for cleaning your bouncy castle.
Wash the surface of the castle
The bouncy castle must be cleaned while it is inflated. To wash the surface, use an antibacterial cleaning product. Corrosive soap should be avoided. Most bouncy castles have a protective layer. These protect them from fire. The use of corrosive soap will destroy the layer irreversibly.
Preferably, combine your cleaning product with lukewarm water. You can use a sponge to get a better shine. Some stains can be difficult to remove, especially mold. In this case, the approach to apply is as follows:
Obtain an anti-mold product;
Spray the product on the area;
Let the product act for a few minutes;
Clean the sprayed area with a sponge and water;
Repeat the process until the stain disappears.
Some cleaning professionals have telescopic poles. They allow them to spray water or products in inaccessible places with ease. Just as effective hand cleaning is just as effective.
Clean the corners of the castle
Children will tend to bring objects inside the giant bouncy castle. These include sheets, scraps of plastic, garbage, etc. They must be removed using a simple or telescopic handle broom. Also, focus on the nooks. Dust quickly settles in its inaccessible areas. With a vacuum cleaner, you can dislodge sand and earth from these parts of the bouncy castle.
You can then use a watering hose to wet the inside of the castle. The sponge and cleaning products can also be used to a lesser extent. It is important to take care not to damage the painted decorations. In the case of rental, this could generate additional costs for you.
Dry with a clean cloth
As soon as you finish cleaning the inside and outside of your castle, you should dry it. To do this, use a dry, clean cloth. Pass it on the different parts to reduce humidity. It is strongly advised not to dismantle your castle without letting it dry. This can cause mold to appear.
After drying and deflating your bouncy castle, you can sprinkle it with a little baking soda. It is an effective technique to avoid the appearance of mold. The cleaning of your bouncy castle must be regular. It can be done just before disassembly.
What to remember? To clean your bouncy castle, you have to take care of the surface and the nooks. It is important to choose non-abrasive products to avoid damaging the structure. After washing, the castle must be dried before dismantling it.
Who says adults cannot share in the fun too? Although most models are designed for kids, there are some bouncy castles that adults can also get on too. The only reason most models are not recommended for adults is the weight capacity. An average bouncy castle has a 300lbs capacity. But yet, an average adult can weigh more than 180lbs. However, if you would like to get a model that will let you join your kids, get a heavy-duty castle with resistant vinyl and PVC materials. And also, the weight capacity must be in excess of 500lbs. Suitable models both for adults and kids are the YARD Bounce House Dual Slide and the Blast Zone Big Ol Bouncer.
By now, you must have done the cleaning. To store it, you have to deflate the castle and fold it for the next use. First, unplug the blower and open the zippers to release the air gradually. When you see that the inflatable is flat, start by folding the canvas from one side to the other. Besides, it is necessary to press and tighten the clearance as much as possible so that the air is completely emptied. Finally, the storage of the rolled-up structure must be done in a dry place to avoid mold.
Our Verdict
Bounce houses can have various designs dedicated to children’s personal development and leisure. This can be a bouncing surface, a slide, climbing walls, a ball pool, a basketball hoop or even a water pool. Our verdicts on the best models in this review are thus; the Blast Zone Magic Castle is the overall best bounce house model we found on the market. This is due to its high-quality construction material and stitching, medium dimensions and weight capacity, which can support up to three kids. However, if you want a model with highly valued features, then your kids will like the PicassoTiles bouncer which comes with a hoop and sports balls. Finally, if you have a low budget but want a lasting bounce house with a capacity for 2 kids to have fun, choose the Little Tikes model.
