There’s no denying that hiring a bouncy castle for your child’s birthday party is a lot of fun. Those little ones will have a blast jumping and climbing around in it for hours. Whether you have your child’s party at home or at an outside venue, this is going to be one of the highlights of their year. But it's important to do your homework on what these things cost, and other important details. And that’s why we want to help you avoid as much stress as possible while planning your awesome event. Follow our guide and you won’t go far wrong!
Decide where you will hold the party
This is the first and most obvious thing that needs to be taken care of. There are many places you can choose to host your party. You can have it at your home if your garden is large enough. You could have it at a park. You could even have it at a local community centre or sports facility. One place you may not have considered is a bouncy castle hire company. Yes, you can hire a bouncy castle or other type of play inflatable and have it come to you. This obviously limits your options as to where you can have the party, but it also saves a lot of hassle and stress.
Will there be other party entertainment
This is an important thing to discuss with the company you are looking to rent from. Some companies offer extras like face painting and balloon artists as part of their overall package. If you are hosting a small party and don’t need all that other stuff, you may be able to save a little money by not opting for it. On the other hand, if you have a lot of little ones and need something to keep them entertained before the bouncy castle is ready, it wouldn’t hurt to ask about adding it in.
Get a safety inspection and make sure everything is in working order.
You definitely don’t want any kids getting hurt, so make sure you get a safety inspection on the inflatable equipment. Check the bounce surface to make sure it is still in good, safe condition. There are a couple of other important safety things you should discuss with the company before you sign the contract. First, make sure the power source is in a safe location. You don’t want kids climbing on it, so make sure it is away from foot traffic and behind a barrier if necessary. The second thing to discuss is the weather. If there is a chance of rain, make sure they have a rain cover they can place over the bouncy castle to protect the surface.
Ask if they provide delivery, set up, and take down.
Most places will deliver the bouncy castle to you, but you need to double check. They may not do it, so it’s worth checking. Setting up the bouncy castle is something that should be done by an adult. You don’t want kids playing on it while it’s still being set up. You also don’t want their little fingers getting pinched or poked by the pieces as they are being put together. Taking it down at the end of the day is also a job for the adults. A lot of places will do take down for you, but again you need to ask.
Ask about the cancellation policy.
Most bouncy castle hire companies will have a cancellation policy. It’s important to understand what it is. This is especially true if you are renting for a special occasion, like a birthday party. You don’t want to rent from a place that has a strict cancellation policy that leaves you no room for error. Most places will allow you to cancel up to 24 hours before the event. After that, you may be stuck with a cancellation fee. There are some places that don’t require a deposit, but they will likely have a cancellation policy in place. If they don’t have a cancellation policy, they may be willing to work with you if you have a legitimate reason for cancelling.
Conclusion
Organising a children's party is a lot of fun - but can also be stressful. Renting a bouncy castle is a brilliant way to reduce your stress levels, but you need to undertake research before you make a decision. Take the time to read reviews, compare prices, and ask lots of questions. You’ll be happy you did when you have a great time with your child without getting stressed!
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