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AIBU?

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Original poster

To get a bouncy castle?

41 replies

Icanttakethisanymore · 18/05/2025 21:59

It’s our LB’s 4th birthday soon. We’ve invited 11 kids from nursery and 8 have RSVP’d so far (all are coming). I’ve suggested a bouncy castle (we’re having the party at home). DP thinks I’m nuts, as does my DM (although she’s notoriously hysterical so I’m less surprised by that).

Parents will be staying, given their ages and (3 and 4) and there’ll be lots of adult family numbers around too.

What do you think?

OP posts:
echt · 19/05/2025 08:32

Check the insurance both by the hirer and your personal/home deal.

It's all shiny and fluffy. Until it isn't.

Createausername1970 · 19/05/2025 07:48

Bouncy castles are fine if used appropriately. If things go wrong then quite often the problem is drunk adults, over-enthusiastic teens or larger adults falling into much smaller children.

If all the kids are around 4/5 then they aren't going to create enough bounce to catapult one of them off, and probably won't cause an injury if they fall on to a friend.

Original poster
Icanttakethisanymore · 19/05/2025 07:38

MuggleMe · 18/05/2025 22:05

Ooh great fun! I'd get one with a little slide rather than just a bounce house, so the flow of children is more controlled.

This is a great idea!

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock000 · 18/05/2025 22:18

If you have the space, go for it.
Buy some burn cream beforehand, it is always handy for rubber burns, worse case scenario.

Mindyourfunkybusiness · 18/05/2025 22:16

We've done this. The people who set it up had chairs facing the bouncy things (there were two) and they kept the kids under control for us. There were probably 20 ish kids running around plus adults but we also had food section and sand pit, swing set etc so it depends on the people setting it up, you should ask. Had no injuries.

incrediblehux · 18/05/2025 22:11

I've done them for my son in our back garden for his 4th and 5th birthdays. Kept numbers sensible. Had a great time both times. No injuries.

doodleschnoodle · 18/05/2025 22:09

We’ve been to a lot of bouncy castle parties and other than the odd bumped head that’s forgotten about in 5 mins, no one has ever been hurt. They are standard at all these hall parties around here and we’ve been to some with them in gardens too. They’ll love it!

Mysterian · 18/05/2025 22:06

They're great for any occasion. Except funerals. We honestly thought the lid was screwed down.

MuggleMe · 18/05/2025 22:05

Ooh great fun! I'd get one with a little slide rather than just a bounce house, so the flow of children is more controlled.

Octavia64 · 18/05/2025 22:05

Love me a bouncy castle! We got one for our housewarming.

yeah, go for it.

Psychologymam · 18/05/2025 22:05

I’m not sure what the issue is? Regardless of what activity you choose, someone will have to supervise - kids parties tend to be a bit of effort , so he’ll have to get over that! And they’re pretty standard as a party item, not like you’re offering bungee jumping as an activity!

TinyTempest · 18/05/2025 22:03

Oh and buy a couple of those little ice packs for the freezer, to deal with any bumped heads/sprained knees.

ProfessionalWhimsicalSkidaddler · 18/05/2025 22:02

It’ll be a massive hit! There’s a risk of injury but I’ve been to many a kids party, professionally thrown and in the garden and I’ve seen a few sprained ankles but it’s par for the course for most parents?!

TinyTempest · 18/05/2025 22:01

You haven't said what the problem might be?

If it's accidents, just make sure you have an adult on 'castle duty' the whole time who only lets an agreed amount of children on at any one time.

I'm sure it'll be fine.

nomas · 18/05/2025 22:01

I think it sounds great. Presumably parents will be staying to supervise?

Original poster
Icanttakethisanymore · 18/05/2025 22:00

ETA . In case it’s not clear DP’s concern is people getting hurt or just the effort involved in policing behaviour etc.

OP posts: