Bounce House Rental FAQ — Everything Parents Ask Us

We've done enough rentals across Orange County to know the questions that come up every time. Some are practical, some are paranoid (in a good way — you're a parent, it's your job), and some are the kind of thing nobody thinks to ask until it's too late.

Here's all of them, answered honestly.

How much does it cost?

Bounce houses start at $180 for a full day (8 hours). Combo units with slides are $320/day. Water slides range from $450 to $499 depending on size. Full-day rental includes delivery, professional setup, and pickup. No hidden fees, no time surcharges.

Add-ons: cotton candy machine ($135/day), snow cone machine ($110/day), JBL speaker ($70/day), tables and chairs (from $3/chair, $15/table).

How far in advance should I book?

At least 2-3 weeks for weekdays. For weekend dates — especially Saturdays in April through September — book as early as possible. Peak summer weekends can fill up a month or more in advance.

How much space do I need?

Every unit has specific space requirements listed on our website. As a general rule: - Standard bounce houses: About 18' x 15' of flat space, plus 2 feet of clearance on all sides - Combo units: About 36' x 18' of flat space - Water slides: About 36' x 15' of flat space, plus access to a garden hose

Our space guide breaks down measurements for every unit. When in doubt, measure your yard and call us — we'll tell you what fits.

What surfaces work?

Grass is ideal — soft landing, easy to stake. Concrete and asphalt work too, but we use sandbags instead of stakes. Dirt works if it's flat and compacted.

What doesn't work: slopes, gravel, sand, or any surface that's uneven enough to prevent the unit from sitting flat.

Do I need a permit for a park?

In most Orange County cities, yes. Park permits for inflatables vary by city and park. Our park permit guide covers the process for every major OC city.

What time do you deliver and set up?

We'll confirm a delivery window when you book. Typically we arrive 1-2 hours before your party start time. Setup takes 15-30 minutes depending on the unit. We want everything inflated and ready before your first guest arrives.

Do I need to be home for setup?

Someone over 18 needs to be present when we arrive. We need to confirm the setup location, verify the power source, and walk through safety instructions. After that, you're good.

What about power?

Every bounce house and water slide needs a standard 110V household outlet within 100 feet. The blower runs continuously to keep the unit inflated — it uses about as much power as a household vacuum. We bring the extension cord.

If you're setting up in a park or somewhere without convenient power, we can provide a generator for an additional fee. Let us know when you book so we can plan for it.

Do I need to supervise it?

Yes. An adult should be watching the bounce house at all times while kids are using it. We set it up and make sure it's safe, but ongoing supervision is your responsibility (or a designated parent volunteer's).

Our safety guide covers the key rules: shoes off, no flips, group kids by size, and one-at-a-time on slides.

How many kids can use it at once?

Depends on the unit and the kids' ages. Most standard bounce houses safely hold 6-8 kids at a time. Larger units like the Freedom Dome can handle more. Water slides should be one rider at a time per lane.

The real answer: watch the bounce. If kids are colliding or the unit is bouncing unevenly, reduce the headcount.

What do I need for a water slide?

Three things: flat grass, a garden hose within reach, and an outdoor electrical outlet within 100 feet. We handle the rest — we connect the hose, start the water flow, and make sure everything's running before we leave.

Can adults use the water slides?

Absolutely. Our 18-foot and 22-foot water slides are built for it. The Splashzilla in particular is popular with dads who "just want to test it." Most of them go down six times.

What about water drainage?

The water pools at the bottom of the slide in an inflated landing pool. It naturally drains and absorbs into the grass over the rental period. Your grass will be wet in that area — no permanent damage, but plan for a soggy patch.

What happens if it rains?

We have a rain policy. If it's genuinely raining and unsafe to operate, we'll reschedule at no extra charge. Light drizzle or overcast skies aren't a cancellation — bounce houses work fine in cool weather.

Check our rain policy page for the full details.

Can bounce houses handle wind?

Bounce houses are staked or sandbagged to the ground and can handle normal breezes. In sustained winds over 25 mph, it's unsafe to operate inflatables. If high winds are forecast on your event day, we'll work with you to reschedule.

What's the temperature cutoff?

There isn't one. Kids bounce in 65° weather just as happily as 95°. Water slides are best when it's 75°+ — below that, the water can feel cold. We don't cancel for temperature.

When do you pick up?

We'll schedule a pickup window at the end of your rental period. Typically we arrive within 1-2 hours of your agreed end time. We deflate, pack up, and haul everything out. Your yard goes back to normal.

What if we want to keep it longer?

Talk to us. If we don't have another booking that evening, we can often extend for a reasonable hourly rate. Overnight rentals are also available from the start — ask when you book.

Do you clean the equipment?

Every unit is professionally cleaned after every rental. We sanitize the bounce surface and slides before the next event. Clean equipment is non-negotiable — your kids deserve it, and we take it seriously.

We'd rather answer a question before your party than troubleshoot during it. Reach out at bounceandco.com/contact or DM us on Instagram @bounce_and_co. We respond fast — usually within a few hours.