Should You Rent or Buy a Bounce House?
If your family would use a bounce house many times a year and you have somewhere to store and dry it, buying can make sense. For one or two parties a year, a bigger unit or a particular look, renting is usually easier: the crew delivers, anchors it and takes it away.
At a glance
The real question is how often you’d use it, and whether you want the jobs that come with owning one.
- Buying can make sense for frequent family use, with storage space and an adult to supervise every time.
- Renting makes sense for a party or two a year, a larger combo or a styled look.
- Owning means setup, anchoring, cleaning, drying, storage and repairs are yours.
- Renting today: $300 to $800 a party, plus delivery from $120, with setup and pickup.
Renting and owning, compared
| Renting | Owning | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup and anchoring | Our crew sets up and anchors it | You, following the maker’s instructions |
| Storage | None | Somewhere dry for the unit and its blower |
| Cleaning and drying | Ours | Yours, after every use |
| Choice | Castles in nine colors, combos with slides, a different one each party | The one you bought |
| Cost | Per party: $300 to $800, plus delivery from $120 | The purchase, then any repairs and replacement parts |
| Supervision | Yours on the day | Yours every time it is used |
When buying makes sense
- You would use it many times a year, not just on birthdays.
- You have a flat, safe spot for it and a dry place to store it.
- An adult will supervise every time it is up.
- You are happy to handle setup, anchoring, cleaning, drying and repairs yourself.
Have a date in mind?
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When renting makes sense
- One or two parties a year.
- You want a bigger unit, such as a combo with a slide, or a color that matches the party.
- You don’t have the storage, or the time to set up and pack away.
- You would rather a crew put it up, anchor it and take it away.
If you buy: the safety jobs that become yours
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated more than 18,000 bounce house injuries treated in hospital emergency departments in 2018. Its advice for anyone using one: don’t use it when it is windy (maximum wind speed should be no more than 15 to 25 mph), follow the maker’s setup instructions, stake and anchor it on a flat, even surface away from tree branches, power lines and fences, keep children away from generators and air pumps, let only children of about the same age and size jump together, observe the maximum occupancy, and have an adult supervise at all times (CPSC, 2019).
Renting? Put the party together
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Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to buy or rent a bounce house?
It depends on how often you would use it. Compare the purchase price, plus storage, cleaning and repairs, with our rental prices of $300 to $800 a party plus delivery from $120. For one or two parties a year renting usually works out simpler; for frequent use buying can make sense.
What does renting include?
Delivery, setup with anchoring, and pickup, all in one delivery fee on top of the rental price.
What should I know before buying one?
Follow the maker’s instructions, anchor it on flat ground, keep it out of the wind and supervise every use; the CPSC’s safety tips list the rest.
Keep planning
Renting this time?
See what’s free for your party date, live, and book online in a few minutes. Delivery, setup and pickup included.