Bouncy castle party

What it is

The easiest crowd-pleaser there is. A hire company delivers, sets up and collects the bouncy castle, and children burn off energy for the whole party. You add a few games, a picnic and a cake.

Plan ahead

• Three to four weeks before: book a castle. Check the size against your garden (most need a flat area about 5m x 5m plus 1m around it) and ask about rain policy and insurance.
• One week before: check you have a power socket within reach (most blowers need one) or ask for a generator.
• The day before: mow the lawn and clear stones, toys and dog mess from the area.

Set the scene

Bunting along the fence, a balloon arch at the gate, and a shoe rack or labelled baskets by the castle. Lay picnic blankets in the shade for lunch.

Activities

Bounce rotation

Group children by size, not just age. Three to six at a time depending on the castle size. Use a kitchen timer so everyone gets a fair turn.

Bounce games

• Bounce freeze: bounce while music plays, freeze when it stops.
• Balloon pop: throw balloons onto the castle and let kids pop them by bouncing.
• Bounce counting: who can do 20 bounces in a row without falling?

Off-castle games

Keep the waiting group busy with a sack race, a parachute game or bubbles.

Food and drink

• Picnic boxes: a sandwich, crisps, fruit and a biscuit per child
• Plenty of water (bouncing is thirsty work)
• A castle-shaped cake

Tips

• One adult supervises the castle at all times.
• No food, drink, shoes or glasses on the castle.
• Most hire companies will not set up in strong wind or rain; have an indoor backup.