Bounce House Debate
I’ve been thinking about getting my kids a bounce house for well over a year now. For their 3rd birthday last summer, we rented one of the huge, heavy-duty bounce houses, and the triplets loved it! I’ve been torn over whether or not I should have just bought one then or if I should buy one now before their 4th birthday rolls around in July. I’m sure they’ll want another bounce house to use on their birthday this year. I can’t blame them. It was a lot of fun!
My problem is this - first, bounce houses are expensive, but honestly, renting one a couple of times ends up costing as much as a small bounce house from Toys ‘R Us would cost. I need something that’s big enough to fit three kids, so it can’t be too small. But I wonder, is it realistic that I would actually pull a bounce house out, fill it up, then take it down and put it away only to do the whole routine over again, and again and again (we’re not allowed to keep a bounce house up for an extended period of time in our neighborhood). What to do? I still can’t decide.
What do you think? Share your experience and thoughts in the comments below and help me decide if I should buy a bounce house or just rent one again for the triplets’ birthday this summer. If you bought one and love it, which one do you have? The bounce house in the picture above is on sale through Little Tikes for just $199 (a rental costs at least $100), but I worry about the quality. I’m sure the quality of the Little Tikes bounce house is not as sturdy as the professional grade bounce houses that rental companies provide. Please help me decide what to do!
Image soure: Little Tikes
Tags: bounce house, bounce house rental, bouncer, kids-toys, outdoor-toys, Toys-R-UsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Outdoor Fun
6 opinions for Bounce House Debate
John Hobby
Apr 1, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I have the same concerns over getting a bounce house. On suggestion I have is to go in half-sies with a neighbor. Chances are that you won’t pull out the house every day or even every weekend. If you share the costs with a friend/neighbor you won’t have as much regret if it doesn’t get used enough. Just make sure you let them know you want it for specific times, like birthdays etc… We did this with with our next door neighbors on a waterslide, and it has worked out well.
One other thing to think about is that these things are not necessarily small. Make sure you consider the storage issue.
John Hobby
http://www.colestoyblog.com
BHN
Apr 22, 2008 at 4:21 pm
As someone that sells residential and commercial Bounce Houses, I have to tell you we get a lot of positive feedback. My question is how old are the kids? This makes a big difference on what type of bouncer we recommend. We have units from $199, but if your kids are 8 or 9, they would be bored in a matter of minutes and then you wasted $199. I would be happy to help you out. We can also offer you a 5% discount. Enter promotional code: “555″ during checkout.
DEBBIE DUNN
May 22, 2008 at 9:32 am
I am looking for a easeal/one side wet board othe side chalk
Susan Gunelius
May 22, 2008 at 11:20 am
Debbie, I know I’ve seen easels like that before. Have you tried searching the Lakeshore Learning website or Daycare Mall website or Leaps and Bounds or Sensational Beginnings? Those are the catalogs I usually flip through when I get them, so you might have some luck there.
Amy H.
Jul 22, 2008 at 12:37 pm
we borrowed the little tykes bounce house from a friend and my 1 and 3 year old love it. You just lay it out and flip a switch to start the air. It couldn’t be much easier. It’s a little bit heavy when it’s all folded up but I’m avg strength (ie-carry around toddlers) and I can do it. We brought it up on the screened in porch while it was raining. So fun.
Susan Gunelius
Jul 22, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Thanks for your review, Amy!
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