Renting
Renting a bounce house: what to know before the party
Party-company versus neighbor bounce house rentals, how to set one up safely on grass, and the supervision and weather rules that keep the day fun.
A bounce house is the one rental every kid’s party wants and no household should own. Party companies deliver commercial units with staff; neighbors on Rentsome list residential units you pick up and set up yourself, for a fraction of the price. Both work. The difference is what you are responsible for.
Party company versus neighbor
- Party companies: commercial units, delivery, setup and takedown, higher price, sometimes a minimum rental window.
- Neighbors: residential units rated for a handful of kids, you transport and set up, lower daily rate, no delivery fee.
- Either way, an adult has to watch it the whole time it is inflated.
Setting it up
- 1Flat grass, away from fences, trees, power lines and the grill.
- 2Stake every tie-down. Wind is the number one cause of bounce house injuries.
- 3Run the blower on its own outlet with a grounded outdoor extension cord.
- 4Keep it inflated while in use and deflate it if the wind picks up or it starts to rain.
Returning it
Sweep out grass and crumbs, let it dry fully, and fold it the way it arrived. A unit returned wet mildews inside a day and that is a deposit claim. For the rest of the party, use the party rental checklist, then find a bounce house near you.
Frequently asked
How many kids can bounce at once?
Follow the label on the unit. Residential units are typically rated for a few similar-sized kids at a time with an adult supervising.
Can I set it up on a driveway?
Grass is strongly preferred so stakes hold. On hard surfaces you need sandbags on every tie-down, and the listing should say whether they are included.
What if it rains?
Deflate it and wait. Wet vinyl is slippery and the blower should not sit in water.
Borrow it from a neighbor instead.
Deposit-protected bookings, priced by the day.
More party to rent from neighbors
Priced by the day, deposit-protected, from people nearby.
Rent by town
Keep reading
Party rental checklist: tables, chairs, décor and everything people forget
What to rent for a backyard party or small event, how far ahead to book, and how to coordinate pickups when you are borrowing from several neighbors.
What happens if a rented item breaks? Claims, explained
The step-by-step claims process on Rentsome: the 72-hour filing window, the renter’s 72-hour response, review, and what can be deducted from the deposit.
How security deposits work on peer-to-peer rentals
What a rental deposit is, how Rentsome sizes it (30% down to 10% of item value, capped at $2,000), why it is a hold rather than a charge, and when it is released.