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.