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Last updated: March 15, 2024
Reviews of five of the best outdoor inflatable bounce houses for toddlers and kids, based on materials, durability, safety, size, price, and more.
An inflatable bounce house in the backyard is a fantastic way to get your kids active and social. However, outdoor bounce houses come in various shapes and sizes, and the quality and safety standards vary greatly, making picking a suitable model for your kids somewhat overwhelming.
To help you get the best value for money, my kids and I have tested and reviewed five of the best inflatable bounce houses for outdoor use.
Top 5 Inflatable Bounce Houses:
Top 5 Inflatable Bounce Houses
Let’s take a closer look at these five inflatable bounce houses you can set up in the backyard.
1. Little Tikes Jump and Slide Bouncer
The first bounce house on our list is the Little Tikes Jump and Slide Bouncer. Measuring a modest 12 x 9 x 6 feet and only weighing 38 pounds, this may be a small model, but its robustness and versatility make it a winner.
Suitable for toddlers and younger kids, this bounce house features a small slide for extra fun and an arched canopy cover for extra protection against the elements. The interior bouncing area measures 7 x 6 feet, and while parents can’t join in on the fun, the three mesh panels on the sides allow for parents to easily interact from the outside.
In addition to its funky design and features, this bouncy house is made from puncture-resistant materials. With its small size, the Little Tikes Bouncer can handle a maximum of three kids at once with a maximum combined weight limit of 250 pounds.
This bouncer is really easy and quick to set up with 4 blower stakes and 6 bouncer stakes, and the included heavy-duty blower provides continuous airflow when in use. Also included are a repair kit and a handy storage bag.
2. Blast Zone Big Ol Bouncer House
The second model on our list is the Blast Zone Big Ol Bouncer House which is significantly bigger than the previous Little Tikes one. It measures 15 x 12 x 7 feet and weighs 66 pounds, while the internal jumping area measures just under 10 x 10 feet.
It can accommodate a maximum of six children or a total weight of 600 pounds, which means you can invite more kids from the neighborhood or even use it for events. There is no need to worry about safety and comfort because this Blast Zone product is made of reinforced polyester oxford, and the bounce floor is constructed with the same materials used in commercial-grade rental bouncers. In addition, the double and quadruple stitching adds to the durability.
This inflatable bouncer also includes a soft safety net that can help protect kids from falling off. It is also worth noting that the slide sits at a safe height.
While it’s quite big, setting this bounce house up with the straps and anchor stakes isn’t as challenging as you might think. And with the included UL-certified blower, you can inflate it in under two minutes.
3. Action Air Jumping Castle with Slide
If you’re looking for a fun and functional bounce house, this Action Air Jumping Castle with Slide might be the one for you. Children will love its wide and colorful jumping and sliding areas that can accommodate a total weight of 250 pounds.
Action Air’s bouncy castle is portable, and can be used both indoors and outdoors. It’s inflated in less than 3 minutes with the included air blower and setup overall is very easy to do. It is made with high quality polyester with high quality sewing that makes it durable, safe, and comfortable.
The Action Air Jumping Castle with Slide measures 12 x 9 x 6 feet, with an internal jumping area of 7 x 6 feet in size. Certainly not the biggest model on the list, but big enough to entertain at least three kids at once.
4. Blast Zone Magic Castle Inflatable Bounce House
This Blast Zone Magic Castle Inflatable Bounce House is exactly that: a magical place that toddlers and kids will love to see in the backyard. The castle-like design is an absolute winner.
If you’re looking for a large play area for kiddie parties, this inflatable bounce house model may not fit that bill. It can only house a maximum of 3 small children, with a total weight limit of 300 pounds. But as small as it is, its fun design and extra features make it perfectly suitable for your kids.
From a durability and safety perspective, you can rest assured you’re buying a good quality product. The commercial-grade materials, and the double and quadruple-stitched seams, make this a robust bounce house. The Velcro entrance keeps everyone safe inside and the materials used are lead-free.
When inflated, this Blast Zone Magic Castle measures 11 x 8.5 x 8 feet, with an internal bouncing area that measures 7 x 7 feet. And with 48 pounds, it is certainly not too heavy either. The UL-approved air blower provides a consistent airflow into the castle.
5. YARD Bounce House Dual Slide
This YARD Bounce House with Dual Slide is a generously sized structure, measuring 12.1 x 8.5 x 6.9 feet and weighing in at 53 pounds. It can accommodate up to 4 kids at once and has a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds.
Safety and quality are the top priorities of this bouncy structure, with mesh net protection and stakes firmly attached to the ground and an extra thick bouncy floor with durable sewed sliding and jumping areas. Its high quality materials have passed CPSC tests, confirmed with a Children Product Certificate.
This inflatable bounce house is sure to be a party eye-catcher. With its vivid colors, exciting castle-like features, and two appealing slides, kids will have a blast for hours. The hassle-free set-up and the heavy-duty blower that can inflate the structure in less than 2 minutes are also positives. It comes in a carrying bag, so it’s convenient to store.
Buying Guide
An inflatable bounce house takes up a lot of space in the backyard, and there are many things to consider when purchasing a new model.
In this handy buying guide, I will be discussing the following buying factors:
- Size
- Weight limits
- Installation
- Durability
- Features
1. Size
The first thing to consider when looking for a new bouncy house is the size. Not only will it need to fit in your backyard (and not take up all the space), but the size will also depend on how many kids are going to use it and how old they are.
Go ahead and measure the area you’re going to place the bounce house in before buying anything. Make sure there is enough space available around the bounce house so that the sides aren’t touching any fences or walls to avoid damage.
2. Weight Limits
When searching for a new bounce house, you will come across a few different weight limit numbers.
The names for these numbers may differ depending on the manufacturer, but in general, you will often see three types of weight-related limits:
- Total weight limit:
The total weight limit is the amount of weight the bounce house can handle at once. - Individual weight limit:
The individual weight limit is the maximum weight of a single person in the bounce house. - Occupancy limit:
The occupancy limit is the maximum amount of people that can be in the bounce house at once.
These weight limits will often determine whether adults can go in the bounce house. Some bounce houses are actually big and sturdy enough to handle adults as well. Note though that the bounce houses listed above are mainly suitable for toddlers and kids.
Hypothetically, if a total weight limit is set at 1,000 pounds, you can easily have 8-10 kids or 5-6 adults jumping at once. However, if the individual weight limit is set at 100 pounds, then you can’t have any adults going in the bounce house.
Do note though that manufacturers typically set their weight and occupancy limits conservatively, to be on the safe side.
3. Installation
What you will find is that most modern bounce houses, big or small, are quite easy and quick to set up and take down. Nobody wants this to be a time-consuming hassle.
An inflatable bounce house typically will need to be attached to a blower, which can quickly blow air into the structure. Some models need continuous air inflation once set up, whereas others can be sealed once fully inflated.
What’s great about using a blower is that a bounce house can actually still be used when there is a small hole, because the blower will keep it inflated. However, if you do spot a leak, it’s best to fix it as soon as possible to prevent it from getting bigger. Read my guide to patching holes in bounce houses for exact steps.
Also note that a blower obviously will need a power outlet, so keep that in mind when picking a good spot in the backyard to set up your new bouncy house.
4. Durability
Durability is mostly driven by the materials that are used but also by the quality of the seams and the stitching.
Common materials used for bounce houses include:
- Vinyl
- Tarpaulin
- Nylon
- Polyester Oxford
All of the above materials will work just fine, but make sure to read individual reviews because that is where you will often see real-life experiences regarding holes and other damage.
Also, for an inflatable outdoor bounce house, it’s important that it can deal with different types of weather and temperatures, and that it is puncture and UV-resistant.
5. Features
It’s important to also compare the features that bounce houses come with. Some models may include a slide, a ball pit, mesh walls, a canopy, and so on.
This will also depend on how old your kids are and what types of features they prefer to see in a new bouncy house. Some kids just like to jump, whereas toddlers might need more features to stay stimulated, such as slides and ball pits.
Do keep in mind though that extra features can also mean that the quality and overall durability is being sacrificed. Also note that when you’re going for an inflatable bounce house with a water slide, you need to make sure the slide is fully dry and clean before packing up.
