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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bouncy castle in front garden

65 replies

Harryfrog12 · 12/05/2021 09:36

Is this weird.
Its my little ones 5th birthday in june just in time for rule change.
Moving to a new house at the end of may and she has asked for a bouncy castle for her party. The back garden is decent but odd shape and with patio and flower beds not enough room for a bouncy castle. The front is plenty big enough though.
Its on a main road but set back with a little access road.
Not sure if its a good idea or not

OP posts:
looptheloopinahulahoop · 12/05/2021 11:22

The noise will be the same whether it's front or back. Being able to see it for a few hours wouldn't bother me.

user1471538283 · 12/05/2021 11:23

If you are happy to invite their children and it's only for a few hours and it is safe then I think it will be fine. Have you got someone to look after the children whilst you sort the food out? I'm only saying this because DS had an INDOOR jungle gym thing and my god I needed at least one extra pair of hands to keep them in the room!

AnUnoriginalUsername · 12/05/2021 11:26

As long as its safe from the road then I don't see the issue at all. Just make sure all kids stay in the garden and aren't on the street.

Icecreamsoda99 · 12/05/2021 11:33

Just give your neighbours a time frame and enough of a heads up that they can make plans to be out if they want to. People can usually put up with a lot as long as they know it's happening in advance and know how long it will be for, it's when it's a suprise and with the chance you'll be out there partying to 3am that it makes those sensitive to noise and intrusion anxious.

Original poster
Harryfrog12 · 12/05/2021 11:41

Yes there will be several adults as all young kids and they will be coming for the party too.
Some responsible some not. So I will have a chat with them see what they think.
I know from previous i will be here there and everything sorting drinks and food.
Wonder if i even remember how to host a party its been that long. Bring it on though

OP posts:
minniemomo · 12/05/2021 11:45

You will need someone monitoring it constantly and keeping a list of any extras who pop by for track and trace. That said you should have monitoring if being used anyway. Is a smaller one an option in the garden?

minniemomo · 12/05/2021 11:49

Having it taken away @Harryfrog12 before the food part is a great idea, I would get it earlier and invite local kids over before your guests are due, you'll be very popular!

Fuzzyspringroll · 12/05/2021 12:27

We had one last year and will most likely have on this year as well (if I can find a space...we've got a trampoline in that space now). It's up for a day and I don't see the issue. We live in a very quiet residential area, mostly older couples and retired people. They don't generally mind the noise due to children playing, though.

Twistered · 12/05/2021 12:47

Absolutely no issue at all. I see this regularly in all different types of areas. It's great to see kids back to being kids again.

Anybody not happy about a neighbor having a bouncy castle in their front garden needs to shake themselves.

Ice cream van will be the icing on the cake for your daughter Smile

Twistered · 12/05/2021 12:49

a list of any extras who pop by for track and trace.

Couldn't see this happening anywhere tbh

gabsdot45 · 12/05/2021 13:10

I took DS to a party where the boucy castle was in the front garden. Ater a while I realised I was the only adult outside. I had my toddler with me so I had to leave and when I went inside to tell them the birthday girls mother and the other few adults who had stuck around were all upstairs drinking.
I took DS home with me too.

motherloaded · 12/05/2021 13:27

It's just as annoying at the front than the back - especially when many houses have main bedroom and living room on the garden side anyway.

It looks a bit crap, but my concern would be that it's not safe unless an adult is supervising at all time.

5 years old is still very little!

greenflamingo · 12/05/2021 13:29

Our local leisure centre does a very reasonably priced bouncy castle party - worth checking if that’s possible?

booksandnooks · 12/05/2021 13:59

My son had a birthday party in a front garden on a main road to go to. It was 2 of the worst hours of my life.
A bunch of 3 year old running on and off a bouncy castle with all of the nursery mums watching me struggle to keep my 2 year old occupied (not allowed on but nothing else to do except for try to run into the road)
Lovely boy who's birthday it was, lovely mother too but I would have had it in the back, without a bouncy castle or put a note on the invitation so people can make an informed decision before showing up.

crosstalk · 12/05/2021 14:06

Can you not take her to a supervised bouncy castle elsewhere?

If you do go ahead you will need at least two adults outside if you have other kids coming along and commandeering the castle.

And you need to make sure both you and BC operator are insured up to the hilt and you know how many kids are coming and how many of what age can be on at one time for insurance purposes. Kids can break legs and necks on these things if they're abused.

Your adults will need to be robust if they're superintending for you.

crosstalk · 12/05/2021 14:06

Can you not take her to a supervised bouncy castle elsewhere?

If you do go ahead you will need at least two adults outside if you have other kids coming along and commandeering the castle.

And you need to make sure both you and BC operator are insured up to the hilt and you know how many kids are coming and how many of what age can be on at one time for insurance purposes. Kids can break legs and necks on these things if they're abused.

Your adults will need to be robust if they're superintending for you.

NotGenerationAlpha · 12/05/2021 14:10

I had been to parties where you hire out a soft play bus. I think as long as you inform the neighbours and tell them it’s only a couple of hours for a child’s birthday it’s not a problem. Do invite them too because 5 year olds aren’t too fussed about who’s at their parties. Your neighbours might have very young kids and it’s a great way to break the ice.

HowsYourHeadHun · 12/05/2021 14:13

Nothing wrong with it. I wouldn't mine.
I don't think it's tacky to use your front garden if you need to.
It will only be for a day or two.

We live in a nice area and some people sit out their front garden if the sun is out and not reached around the back yet. Not sure why it's so frowned upon.

HowsYourHeadHun · 12/05/2021 14:14

mind*

crosstalk · 12/05/2021 14:16

Can you not take her to a supervised bouncy castle elsewhere?

If you do go ahead you will need at least two adults outside if you have other kids coming along and commandeering the castle.

And you need to make sure both you and BC operator are insured up to the hilt and you know how many kids are coming and how many of what age can be on at one time for insurance purposes. Kids can break legs and necks on these things if they're abused.

Your adults will need to be robust if they're superintending for you.

AntiSocialDistancer · 12/05/2021 14:20

I wouldnt have a problem. She would love it. A hex on all those neighbours who have a sour thought - we owe this generation of children a huge debt.

Cantrecall · 12/05/2021 14:29

Oh it’s only for one day I’m sure the neighbours would be fine with advance warning! Although not if they work nightshifts of course.

I think you can pay extra with some of the party hire companies for them to staff it for 2 hours? Maybe have a look on a few providers.

Would be easier just renting a sports hall or something though for it to be honest. Some BC providers will have a pre approved list to where the castles will fit best etc and get discount on the hall.

Aqua55 · 12/05/2021 14:35

What I have learnt on MN today. It's ok to annoy your neighbours by parking legally outside their house for however long you like, but God forbid that you put a bouncy castle on land that you own...

StopPokingTheRoyalTitDear · 12/05/2021 14:36

It honestly wouldn’t bother me if I was your neighbour, whether you were new to the street or not and I’d be a bit Hmm if any of my neighbours got the arse about a group of 5 year olds on a bouncy castle for a few hours one day.

As long as you can make the front garden secure and there’s plenty of supervision should be fine.

StopPokingTheRoyalTitDear · 12/05/2021 14:39

It honestly wouldn’t bother me if I was your neighbour, whether you were new to the street or not and I’d be a bit Hmm if any of my neighbours got the arse about a group of 5 year olds on a bouncy castle for a few hours one day.

As long as you can make the front garden secure and there’s plenty of supervision should be fine.