About Bounce Houses

What Are Bounce Houses?

Bounce Houses are temporary inflatable structures and buildings and similar items that are rented for private and commercial functions, school and church festivals and used for recreational purposes, particularly for children. The growth in popularity of moonwalks has led to an inflatable rental industry which includes inflatable slides, obstacle courses, games, water slides and more. Inflatable Structures are ideal for portable amusements because they are easy to transport and store.

The name given to such structures varies. They have been marketed with such names as “Bounce House”, “Moon Bounce”, “Astrojump”, “Moonwalk”, “Jolly Jump” and “Spacewalk”. “Brinca brinca”, another name commonly used by Latinos, is Spanish for “jump jump”. The term “Jolly Jumps” is often used to describe the inflatable playground structure in rural areas and some areas in the Western United States, but the term is otherwise obsolete. In Southern California, another popular term is “Closed Inflatable Trampolines”, or “CITs”. “Bouncy Castle” or “Inflatable Castle” are used in Ireland, the UK, New Zealand and parts of Australia, and “Jumping Castles” in Australia, Canada, South Africa and Arizona in the United States.

Bounce Houses have been suggested as having some therapeutic value for children with certain sensory impairments, similar to ball pits.

Bounce House Construction

The surfaces are typically composed of thick, strong PVC or vinyl and nylon, and the castle is inflated using an electric or petrol-powered blower. The principle is one of constant leakage, meaning small punctures are not a problem – a medium-size “bouncy castle” requires a fan with a mechanical output of about two horsepower (consuming around 2 kW electrical power, allowing for the efficiency of the motor).

UK and Australian bouncy castles have specifications calling for fully inflated walls on three sides with an open front and foam “crash mats” to catch children who may jump or fall out of the structure.

Modern moonwalks in the US are typically supported by inflatable columns and enclosed with netting. The netting allows for supervision as adults can see in from all sides.

Another type of home-use inflatable has evolved, with a blower pumping in air continuously. Pores in the seams and material allow air to escape as kids play, while the blower continues to inflate the unit. This category has emerged as a response to parents who wish to buy an inflatable for home use.