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Blog, Event Planning

Summer Fun! How to Organize a Neighborhood Waterslide Party

There’s a lot of planning and work that goes into any party and that multiplies when organizing a neighborhood-based event. The following are some tips for ensuring party success.

Plan Early

There’s no guarantee that the weather will cooperate, but choose the day at least three months in advance. That gives you time to schedule your waterslide rental. Waterslides are often spoken for months in advance. It’s especially important if you have a specific theme in mind.
There will certainly be a permit required and an accompanying fee that must be paid. Be sure to check your homeowner’s insurance to see if any injuries or damages will be covered for the event.

Examine the Budget

The cost of a neighborhood pool party can quickly get out of hand. You’ll need to know if you’ll be paying for the entire cost yourself, if you’ll be asking for attendees to donate toward the cause, or if it will be a potluck style event.

Know Your Guests

Define the scope of the party. Decide if it will be certain families nearby, everyone on one side of the street, or the entire block. It’s essential that you know the ages of your guests. Waterslides are available in multiple heights. A 40-ft. waterslide is not appropriate for younger children. If a model is selected that deposits guests into an in-ground pool, it’s crucial to ascertain if everyone can swim or if a life vest will be needed for some guests.

Help is Essential

There are a lot of details to be considered, from food to flyers or if individual invitations will be issued. You’re going to need help to deal with invitations, RSVPs, how music will be provided and if someone will DJ, along with how food will be provided. Assign a person to handle each task and check back with them as needed to ensure success.

Blog, Event Planning

Keeping Kids and Pets Cool in a Heat Dome

Even though South Florida is home to cooling Atlantic breezes, the state is subject to heat domes just as much as the rest of the nation. A heat dome occurs when a strong high-pressure system combines with an El Niño – particularly high Pacific water temperatures. A heat dome results, trapping the hot air inside and preventing it from dissipating. It creates extremely high temperatures that are dangerous for children and pets. There are some ways that can help keep kids and pets cool in a heat dome.

Limit Playtime

Restrict outdoor playtime for children and pets. Stay in the shade whenever possible. If youngsters or pets must go out, it’s better to do so in the early morning or later in the evening. It’s important to remember that concrete sidewalks can reach temperatures of 125° F., even without being under the influence of a heat dome. It burns paws and bare feet.

Hydration and Cooling

The body sweats to cool off, which requires drinking more water in hot weather. It’s much more difficult for pets to reduce body temperature than people. Make plain, cool water available for kids and pets. Whether it’s a child or a pet, carry a bottle of water to keep them hydrated, even if the outing is only of short duration. Remain under air-conditioning if available and don’t be reticent about seeking a cooling center. Fans are ineffective for cooling in a heat dome – they simply blow around hot air.

Stoves and Windows

Blocking windows to keep sunlight from entering will benefit children, pets and the entire household and aid in keeping it cooler. Avoid cooking on kitchen stoves whenever possible and don’t use the oven.

Waterworks

One of the easiest ways to keep kids and pets cool is through water-based activities. Individuals can make use of a wading pool for youngsters or pets. A homemade slip and slide is another option. Misting hoses and sprinkler pads are equally effective for cooling kids and pets during a heat dome event.

Blog

Why Visit a Farm Market

South Florida is a hotspot for those seeking farm fresh foods and there are multiple locations from which to choose. What many don’t now is that farm markets provide far more than a place to purchase healthy and delicious fruits and veggies. Cash is always accepted and many farmers and vendors also accept credit and debit cards, along with SNAP benefits.

Farm to Table

Fruits and vegetables don’t get any fresher than those at a farm market. The produce is grown locally and doesn’t spend days in transport to distant locations before its sold. That farm to table approach means shoppers enjoy more flavorful produce.

Support Small Family Farms

Much of the produce, herbs and spices found at farm markets is grown on small family farms. That often results in a greater diversity of products available. Supermarkets often order a specific amount of certain fruits or vegetables and when it sells out, shoppers are out of luck. Small family farms often have a greater supply for a longer period of time than supermarkets.

Flowers to Dog Treats

Individuals will find far more than fruits and vegetables at a farm market. The marketplaces are open to a wide variety of vendors and individuals seeking to share their hobby projects, launch a home business, or establish their brands. Depending on the location, shoppers will find jelly, jam, preserves and fresh honey. There’s home-baked breads, pies and desserts.

An extensive number of independent creators of arts and crafts also sell at farm markets. Products range from hand-made jewelry, soap, cards and candles to wood crafts, pottery, baskets, and dog treats. Shoppers can find the perfect flower bouquet, garden and houseplants, salsa and items that are sewn, crocheted and knitted.

Empowering Knowledge

Farmers are always willing to talk about their produce. Shoppers can learn a great deal about how their fruits and vegetables are grown, harvested and packaged.

Blog, Event Planning

Kids Party Trends for 2023

Youngsters can be fickle in their likes and dislikes. Their interests change like an Atlantic breeze. There are some staple themes and ideas that are proving popular in 2023. The key component is anything interactive and that doesn’t necessarily mean electronic entertainment, but it can be a component.

The term interactive play defines the way youngsters interact with each other and their surroundings. They’re so often told in everyday life not to touch things, that giving them objects they can touch, feel and play with will make their eyes light up. Entertainment should be the emphasis at any child’s party.

Games

Consider a rolling game “palace” for teens and tweens. Mobile home sized vehicles can be rented that bring an arcade experience to the front door. They feature hundreds of games from which to choose and touch screens in air-conditioned comfort.

Film Festival

Everyone loves a good movie and the beauty of a film festival party for teens and tweens is that streaming services have many of the must-see films available.

Arts and Crafts

Younger children love to color and that provides a wealth of possibilities. There are dozens of items that offer an opportunity for creativity. They can color or use watercolor paint to decorate party-themed items.

Backyard Carnival

A variety of inflatable carnival games are available for rent that will keep youngsters of any age occupied for hours. Individuals can choose from perennial favorites that include ring toss and balloon pop to basketball throw and ski-ball.

Superheroes

This is a theme that continues in popularity for youngsters of all ages. Bounce houses can be rented for younger children and there are inflatable obstacle courses and challenges for older kids.

Snow Day

An increasing number of parents are opting for a snowy theme for their child’s party. A snow day is something that few South Florida children ever experience. Rent a snow machine to turn a yard into a winter playground. It’s a great way to beat the heat.

Bounce House Rental

4 Essential Elements for Bounce House Rental

The range of inflatables is incredible and bounce houses are a perennial favorite for youngsters ages 6 to 12. There are some important elements to consider when renting one of the inflatables.

Plan Early

Companies that rent bounce houses have significant inventory, but they’re in high demand. That means reserving the rental early is essential. Before renting a bounce house, make sure you have a firm date planned for the event. There’s always a chance of inclement weather, but waiting for a weather forecast can mean there isn’t a bounce house available or a specific inflatable to accommodate a theme is already rented.

Location

There are some very specific requirements when successfully setting up a bounce house. A bounce house must be established on level ground free of rocks, twigs, sprinkler heads and other items that could puncture the inflatable. For the safety of users, the bounce house must be set up away from low-hanging branches, fences, outbuildings, and any type of overhead utility lines.

Monitoring

Bounce houses are fairly rugged, but they can be punctured and overloaded. A responsible adult should be available at all times to ensure youngsters don’t wear jewelry or glasses, or have sharp objects in their pockets when using the inflatable. Youngsters using the bounce house should be similar in age and size to equalize bouncing rebound and limit jumpers to 6 at a time. Even though the bounce house will utilize tie-downs, never operate the inflatable if it’s raining or if the wind is strong enough to blow around small gravel.

Let Children Choose

There are dozens of bounce house model from which to choose, from cartoon characters and pirates to disco and fairy tales. Let the youngster choose the bounce house they like best. There are also special bounce houses designed with toddlers in mind. The inflatables are available with holiday themes and those for adults that also provide a backdrop for photos.

Event Planning

5 Top Reasons You Should Rent a Waterslide for Your Next Party

An inflatable waterslide is an ideal way to splash into summer fun and beat the summer heat. They’re one of the most popular rentals for cooling down during the intense South Florida summer climate. If you’ve never rented a waterslide before, the following are some very convincing reasons why you should.

It’s Fun

Few people ever outgrow the desire to take a turn on a slide and waterslides add an extra level of fun for adults, teens and children. There are single and multi-lane waterslides for the competitive-minded and the inflatables are equally applicable for fun at home, church and school events, and business promotions or grand openings. There are also waterslides that can be installed to deposit users into an in-ground pool.

Mind and Body

A waterslide is a great way to get people outside and enjoy some fresh air. The inflatables provide valuable exercise that strengthens the body and stimulates the mind. Waterslides are also an effective way of relieving stress. After a day of waterslide fun, event-goers will rest and sleep better.

Versatility

A waterslide can be set up in any location where there’s enough space for the model you choose. They’re available in a variety of different sizes and themes, making them a good choice for any type of celebration. Keep in mind that there doesn’t have to be a special occasion to rent an inflatable waterslide for a day of fun.

Convenience

The rental company will deliver the inflatable to your location, set it up, and pick it up when the rental period is over. It’s an extremely convenient option. There’s no maintenance, upkeep or on-site storage required.

Affordability

Theme parks are expensive. It would be exceedingly difficult to treat a large group of family or friends to a day of amusement at a water park. An inflatable waterslide brings the fun to you and it’s a cost-effective way to treat family, friends, or an entire neighborhood to some wholesome fun.

Event Planning

Benefits of Party Rental Equipment That May Surprise You

Everyone wants their party guests to have a good time. Most people think of rentals in terms of entertainments that will make everyone happy. There’s a wide assortment of party rental equipment that hosts can reserve to ensure a successful event and rentals aren’t limited to amusements. There are numerous benefits to renting what’s needed.

Convenience

The most obvious benefit is convenience. The rental company will deliver, set up, and pick up the rental items at the designated venue or location.

Variety

Tables and chairs are just two of the items critical for people to rest, take a break from the heat, and consume party goodies. Modern tables and chairs can be rented in various sizes, shapes and styles to accommodate space requirements and party themes. Some companies also rent linens, table service and decorations, along with tents and canopies. Informal gatherings can be enlivened with rentals that include snow machines and a variety of fun food rental equipment to serve hotdogs, cotton candy, snow cones, and candy dispensers.

Cost Effective

It’s much less expensive to rent the items needed than to purchase them. The majority of people only need extra equipment once or twice for hosting an event, making rentals exceptionally cost efficient.

No Maintenance or Storage

There’s no maintenance or repair costs associated with rental equipment. The company is responsible for keeping equipment in pristine condition and keeping stock updated. Individuals also don’t have to worry about finding a space to store the equipment or having it take up valuable space in the garage, basement or outbuildings.

Time Savings

Planning any gathering includes dozens of time-consuming details. Rentals can be reserved and paid for months in advance either in person, by phone or online to save time and effort. Rental companies maintain careful control of their inventory, ensuring that that they can fulfill any rental need.

Event Planning

Easy DIY Party Decorations

Party decorations are an integral part of any event, whether it’s for adults or children. You can take a DIY approach to decorations to save money. You don’t have to be a craft-oriented person to create paper or balloon items of which you can be proud – and you’ll have fun making them.

Paper Flowers

Fresh flowers are beautiful, but they’re expensive and have a limited lifespan. With tissue paper, you can decorate with single flowers, bouquets and wreaths to add ambiance and color to any gathering.

Party Hats

Fun and festive, party hats are very easy to make and decorate. They can be customized for a variety of different themes. Cone-style hats are easy for a children’s party, while more elaborate crowns and similar types can be crafted with the array of colorful and shiny paper available.

Garlands

The festive designs are crafted of paper and can be hung on walls, over doorways, on mantles, and draped around tables for any event or occasion.

Banners

A paper banner is very easy to make with a color printer and simple design program. Sentiments can be spelled out on individual pieces of paper, decorated by hand or with a design program, and hung anywhere you’d like.

Pom Poms

There’s something appealing about a paper pom pom. They can be made as stand-alone decorations for tabletops or attached to a wire and hung as a garland,

Balloon Arch

Balloons are a staple in party decorations. A balloon arch is a great way to greet guests. The arch can also be used as a background for photos to commemorate the occasion. Available in a rainbow of colors, choose pastels, metallic or glow-in-the-dark styles, and you can even add glitter.

Fans

One of the easiest decorations to make, they can be crafted as simply or elaborately as you desire. Adorn the fans with glitter for a flashy appearance.

Bounce House Rental

Can I Put My Bounce House on the Grass, Cement or Gravel?

You’ve made the decision to rent an inflatable bounce house for your party. Now you have to choose where it will be set up. A bounce house can be set up in multiple locations, but the surface it will rest upon is a primary consideration.

Will it Ruin My Grass?

A bounce house won’t ruin your lawn, but there is the potential for discoloration due to a combination of dry soil and hot sun. Grass can go dormant when it’s stressed from those factors, but grass is exceptionally resilient and will return.

Grass, Gravel and Cement

The optimal placement is on grass and the surface must be free of twigs, sticks, rocks, and sprinkler heads that could puncture the inflatable. It can also be set up on gravel that’s relatively small and packed down, along with cement, concrete and asphalt. Always place a bounce house away from fences, buildings, trees with low overhanging branches, and overhead utility lines of all types.

Flat vs Slope

Placing a bounce house on a slope is never a good idea. Even a small slope can result in injuries to users. The inflatable should be set up on a surface that’s as flat and level as possible.

Anchors, Wind and Rain

There are some conditions under which an inflatable should never be operated. When on grass, bounce houses are anchored with stakes in the ground with tie downs. Sandbags are used to anchor the inflatable on cement, concrete or asphalt.

A bounce house shouldn’t be operated in the rain or when the wind is strong enough to blow around soil or fine gravel. Ground anchors may not hold in those conditions and sand bag anchors certainly won’t. The primary goal with a bounce house is to provide safe fun for children, while preserving the integrity of the inflatable.

Bounce House Rental

Can an Outdoor Bounce House be Moved Indoors?

Inflatable bounce house rentals are in high demand for children’s parties of all types. Unfortunately, the South Florida weather may not cooperate with your party plans. It can be too windy to operate a bounce house or an unanticipated storm can develop. Be aware that some inflatable rental companies will allow clients to move the rental unit to an indoor space.

Potential Locations

Providing there’s enough room to accommodate the rental bounce house – and ensure the safety of users – the inflatable can be set up in a garage, underneath a patio overhang or carport, or indoors. It will still need to be anchored to preven it from tipping over and sand bags can be used to accomplish that task.

Ask the Company

Always ask the rental company if they allow one of their bounce houses to be set up indoors when talking to them about booking the entertainment. Ask to determine specific locations the company would recommend. If it’s allowable, the size of the bounce house will often be a deciding factor.

Size and Safety

Bounce houses are available in multiple sizes. There will have to be sufficient room around the inflatable for children’s safety and to ensure no damage will be sustained by the bounce house. Homeowner’s insurance is another important consideration if someone is injured. Your homeowner’s insurance may not extend to an amusement designed for outside usage if it’s placed indoors.

Best Solution

Even though some companies will allow their bounce houses to be set up inside a home or other area, the best solution is always outdoors. That’s where bounce houses are designed to be used. A bounce house can’t be operated in the rain or when the wind is strong enough to blow around soil. Take those variables into consideration when planning on a bounce house for your party.