Types Of Inflatables: Choosing The Right One For Your Event

Organizing an event for kids? The inflatable you choose can make or break the day. There are so many choices, it is easy to get overwhelmed. The trick is to appropriately pair the inflatable with the occasion and the ages of your attendees. This way, you will have satisfied children, thankful parents, and a stress-free period on your part.

The classic bounce house

A bounce house is what comes to mind when you think of an inflatable. These are the popular castle-like buildings for small kids. They are suitable for:

• Birthday parties
• Family reunions
• Smaller events.

They allow the kids to jump, laugh, and release. Bounce house inflatable rentals are also available in various themes, such as princess castles and superhero themes. You can choose the one that is close to your party. They suit 3-8-year-olds best. Older children may not be interested in plain bouncing any longer.

Inflatable slides

Want something with a bit more wow factor? Inflatable slides are ideal for larger events. You have two options:

• Rent dry slides to have fun in the backyard
• Rent water slides to have fun during hot summer days. 

The water ones are essentially an instant pool party. The dry slides are better for school fairs or community gatherings. In other words, any event where you don’t want to deal with splashing children.

Slides are effective across a broad age group, both young children and teenagers. All you need is a big space. They are higher than bouncing houses and require a flat area to set up.

Obstacle courses

An inflatable obstacle course is a great choice for organizing a high-energy event where you want people to compete. These inflatables merge:

• Climbing walls
• Tunnels
• crawl spaces
• Slides.

You will find all this in a single giant play arena. Children are fond of speeding through them, and are particularly sought after at:

• School events
• Church picnics
• Sports events.

Obstacle courses are very popular among older children and even teenagers. They are always a great option when you have a wide age group. They also carry kids up and down so fast. This is beneficial in large events where you do not want to have long queues.

Combo units

Undecided as to whether to have a bounce house or a slide? Combo inflatables are a combination of the two. They typically incorporate a jumping zone, a climbing area, and a slide into one. They are also an excellent option in medium-sized events where you desire variety and cannot afford or place several inflatables because of space. Combo units are used with children between the ages of 3-12. 

Specialty inflatables

In addition to the classics, there are also a lot of custom inflatables that can be used to add some extra flavor. Imagine huge inflatable games such as:

• Soccer darts
• Jousting fields
• Other inflatable mazes. 

They are ideal for community festivals or themed events.

Finding the right inflatable for your event.

Here’s a simple way to decide:

• Birthday party for little kids? Bounce house or combo unit.
• Mixed-age school or church event? Use an obstacle course or slide.
• Summer backyard bash? A water slide is unbeatable.
• Big festival? Mix and match. Provide a slide, obstacle course, and perhaps a specialty inflatable.