Tag Archives: bounce house party rentals

What is the Recommended Age for Trampolines?

Youngsters of all ages are enamored with trampolines, but children younger than 6 years old should never be allowed to use a trampoline – even with an adult present or with safety gear. Youngsters of that age don’t have the required motor skills to use a trampoline safely. They’ll try to perform maneuvers they’ve seen others do without the physical ability to achieve them.

Children over the age of 6 shouldn’t use a trampoline unless they’re supervised and have been instructed on behaviors that are allowed. It’s important for adults to understand that injuries resulting from trampoline use frequently occur even with supervision and safety equipment. The devices can provide hours of fun, but they’re a high-risk entertainment. Many pediatric physicians discourage the use of home trampolines.

For those that choose to add a trampoline to their home environment, pads and safety nets are critical. The specialized nets enclose the trampoline, along with its springs and frame, to limit landing spaces to the bouncy portion. Equally important are regular checks of the device to ensure there are no rips, tears, deterioration or detachments.

Trampolines should be placed as close to ground level as possible and never elevated. The greater the distance the trampoline is from the ground, the greater the risk of injuries from a fall. Never set up a trampoline near trees, buildings, fences or other hazards. There are special harnesses that can be used for youngsters interested in learning flying somersaults and other types of maneuvers.

Parents should understand that older youngsters can also be at risk. Trampolining is an Olympic Sport and many children want to imitate the moves they see performed by professional athletes without the knowledge, skill or prowess to do so. Before buying a trampoline, check with the insurer providing the homeowner’s policy. Trampolines might not be covered or may increase insurance costs.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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Who Invented the Bounce House?

Bounce houses are a favorite entertainment for youngsters around the world and have brought joy to children for decades. John Scurlock invented the first bounce house in 1959 in Shreveport, LA, but that’s not what he set out to do.

Scurlock was an engineer and professor experimenting with inflatable structures, specifically for tennis courts. He also did work creating products for NASA and the oil and gas industry. His goal was to invent a tennis court cover that could be deployed quickly, rapidly deflated, and then compacted down for easy storage.

The inventor was working with different types of plastics and one of his creations was a plastic cushion known as the Space Pillow. It was really more of a mattress at that point. The idea for the bounce house came to him after watching his employees, then his friends and children, bouncing on the device. He observed the fun they were having and an idea was born.

Scurlock began manufacturing his Space Pillow in a factory in New Orleans, LA, where horse pads were created. His invention proved popular, but was dangerous and bore little resemblance to the bounce houses of today. It had no walls, no netting, and no safety features.

Scurlock’s wife, Frances, is actually credited with getting the bounce house business off the ground and turning the business into a rental operation called Space Walk in 1968. She began renting out the devices for birthday parties, fund-raising events and similar events. The family continued to improve on the design and released a model in 1974 with safety netting and inflatable columns they dubbed the Jupiter Jump.

The bounce house was a success and began appearing at carnivals and county fairs, to name a few. However, that’s not the end of the Scurlock story. In 1976, the family company expanded into a custom facility. When John and Frances Scurlock retired, their son, Frank, took over the business.

In 1986, Frank Scurlock invented the first indoor amusement center, a model that’s been recreated numerous times by various companies. He followed that up in 1991 by inventing the first inflatable water slide and the family’s Space Walk company invented the first inflatable photo booth in 2012.

Inflatables of all types are now available and the entertainments are offered as rentals at more than 200 locations across the U.S. Today, there are inflatable bounce houses, water slides, mazes, obstacle courses, human-sized lawn games and interactive options. Individuals can rent inflatable photo booths, carnival games, mini bars, and extreme sports activities. Scurlock’s legacy continues to live on.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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Why Include an Inflatable for Your Tween’s Party

Everyone knows how popular inflatables are for younger children, but they’re equally applicable for tweens. There’s a wide range of inflatables that can be rented, including those to delight tweens. The selection of modern inflatables enables parents to throw a tween party that will be a treasured memory for years to come.

Pure Joy

Anyone that’s ever watched a youngster of any age play on an inflatable knows the look of indescribable joy that comes over a child’s face.

Economical

Renting an inflatable for home use saves parents money and enables them to customize the celebration to their child’s particular interests.

Convenience

Holding a tween party with inflatables at home is far more convenient than trying to book a local venue and there’s less for parents to worry about. The inflatable company provides everything needed, delivers the selected amusement and returns to pick it up.

Selection

The selection of inflatables has progressed far beyond simple bounce houses. Individuals now have inflatable wet and dry water slides, mazes, obstacle courses, interactive sports, and human-sized lawn games. Virtual and mechanical games can also be selected and they’re available in multiple themes.

Health Benefits

Running, jumping and competing against friends with inflatables is an excellent aerobic workout. It strengthens muscles, stimulates the circulatory system, and enhances the respiratory system. Inflatables also stimulate the brain and memory. Tweens that typically prefer more sedate activities can’t resist the lure of an inflatable.

Socialization

Even shy tweens will be drawn out of their shell when they encounter an inflatable and will be eager to join in the fun. Inflatables encourage social activities encompassing talking and laughing with peers, empathy and sharing.

Stress Relief

Tweens feel stress just as acutely as their parents. The opportunities offered by inflatables provides tweens with a fun, safe and acceptable means of releasing that stress.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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How do Bounce Houses Inflate?

Anyone that considers renting a bounce house must ensure access to electricity is available. There’s no way that home air pumps will generate the air required to sufficiently inflate a bounce house. High-powered, 5500-watt gas-operated generators, complete with a full tank of gas, are available to rent that have the needed strength to inflate all the cracks and crannies of a bounce house.

Essentially, a bounce house blower is a big fan that injects air into the bounce house through an air tube attached to the inflatable. Generators are either electrical or gas operated and are left running while children are using the entertainment. There are vents built into the inflatable to allow for the escape of air as children jump and bounce. A small amount of air will also be evacuated through the inflatable’s seams – even a brand-new bounce house.

Some people worry about over inflation, viewing a bounce house as little more than an oversize balloon, but it’s virtually impossible to overinflate a bounce house. Renting a generator from the same company as the inflatable ensures individuals have the right size generator for the job. The bounce house will inflate quicker and ensure firmness for optimal operation.

Once the bounce house has been inflated sufficiently, an adult will need to be on dedicated duty at the inflatable at all times. The individual will be responsible for enforcing safety rules. Users will need to remove their shoes before entering the bounce house and the adult will need to ensure too many children aren’t in the inflatable at the same time.

It’s important that children of approximately the same weight be grouped together to avoid inequities of force when youngsters jump. The adult will also be responsible for ensuring that no sharp objects enter the entertainment that could potentially puncture the bounce house. Never let children under the age of 6 use a bounce house as they lack the motor skills and balance required to be safe.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

Connect with us on Social Media at: 

https://www.facebook.com/SouthFloridaBounce

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Things to Consider when Renting an Inflatable Besides Cost

Inflatable entertainments offer hours of fun for kids and adults. Individuals often look at the cost of the rentals as a primary consideration, but there are numerous other factors to think about. The following are other essential considerations of which individuals should be aware of before deciding on a rental company.

Safety

The safety of the inflatable and users should always be the No. 1 priority. Individuals should receive operating instructions and a list of safety precautions pertaining to occupancy and usage. The equipment should have no signs or wear or patches.

Cleanliness

Rigorous anti-bacterial and anti-viral cleaning should be standard procedure after every rental is returned to the company to prepare it for the next person. When the inflatable is delivered, a company employee should have additional cleaning supplies on hand. Don’t be afraid to ask the company what sanitation procedures and precautions they employ, along with the frequency.

Delivery and Pick up

The rental company should provide delivery and pickup services, along with a complete setup. An inflatable should be user-ready when he/she is done.

Set Up Location

Individuals renting an inflatable should know how much available space they have in which to set up the inflatable. Each inflatable has specific space requirements and may not be appropriate for every location. Trees, stumps, gravel, roots and stumps will have an impact on the set up location. Be sure and let the company know about any narrow gates or access points, along with potential obstructions.

Utilities

Another concern is underground utilities. The rental company will need to anchor the inflatable to the ground and that requires knowledge of where underground utility lines run. The company will need to send someone to stake out the lines and mark them before the inflatable can be installed.

Supervision

Every inflatable should have ample supervision, especially when children are using it. Individuals should find out if the rental company provides an attendant or if a responsible adult will need to be assigned to perform the task.

Safety Reviews

It’s always a good idea to take the time to investigate and read user reviews about the company and specific products they offer.

Insurance

If an accident or injury occurs to a guest or the person delivering the inflatable, it may or may not be covered by a homeowner policy. The same is true for businesses and other organizations that rent the equipment for fundraisers and similar purposes. Before renting any inflatable, find out if accidents and injuries are covered for inflatables and/or the rental company’s liability responsibilities.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

Connect with us on Social Media at: 

https://www.facebook.com/SouthFloridaBounce

https://twitter.com/SBounce

Keeping Kids Active During Pandemic

Every parent knows how quickly children can become bored, especially while quarantining due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the attention span varies with age, eventually every parent will hear the all too familiar refrain of “There’s nothing to do.” To help relieve the boredom, the following are some ideas that parents can employ to keep youngsters active and limit screen time on mobile devices.

  1. There are dozens of inflatable amusements that can be rented ranging from waterslides and bounce houses to obstacle courses, mazes, and yard games.
  2. Bike riding combines healthy exercise with fresh air that will also benefit restful slumber.
  3. Children of all ages love forts and it’s easy to build one at home with sheets and blankets.
  4. It’s easy to enjoy the fun of camping in the great outdoors from the safety of the back yard.
  5. Chalk art has become a popular way of getting children outdoors while encouraging their artistic abilities.
  6. An at-home scavenger hunt is easy to stage and will keep youngsters busy for hours.
  7. Go old school with hula-hoops, marbles, hop-scotch, and jump ropes, all of which are outdoor games.
  8. Tag and freeze tag are perennial favorites for children of all ages.
  9. Hide-and-seek is a game that never goes out of style.
  10. For families with a pool, a game of Marco Polo can be invigorating.
  11. Wall ball is great for building coordination and works particularly well if children don’t have siblings with which to play.
  12. Virtually every child has played “the floor is lava” in the house and it’s equally fun when played outdoors.
  13. Dance parties provide fun and active movement. Parents can look up new dances for the kids to learn.
  14. The classic game Twister is easy to play outdoors and will have participants laughing – something everyone needs right now.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

Connect with us on Social Media at: 

https://www.facebook.com/SouthFloridaBounce

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4 Things Kids Love at a Party

Kids love parties and everyone wants their child’s party to be a memorable occasion. While kids love games, it’s not always the best option for very young children that don’t understand the concept of only the winners receive a prize. There are other ways to ensure everyone has a good time and the following are four things that every kid loves at a party.

Animals

South Florida is home to a variety of zoos and conservancies that hold educational sessions where youngsters can see wildlife and exotic animals up close, while remaining completely safe. There are also numerous companies and organizations that will bring a petting zoo of popular farm animals to homes. Always be sure to research private companies to ensure animals are treated humanely and ethically and appropriate safety precautions are observed.

Bounce House

An inflatable bounce house will keep youngsters so occupied they may not want to come out for ice cream and cake. While stand-alone bounce houses are available, they’ve also evolved. Bounce houses are offered for toddlers to those with light and sound systems appropriate for tweens. Some are also equipped with inflatable animals to play with and basketball hoops. There are models to match any interest or party theme.

Magician

Magic is universally mesmerizing and entertaining for all ages. It’s important to seek a magician that specializes in magic for the appropriate age group. The same slight-of-hand that will awe a five-year-old won’t necessarily find favor with a 12-year-old. It’s a good idea for individuals to look for videos of the magicians they’re considering, obtain a background check, and find out if they’re insured. Look for someone that has been in business for several years.

Waterslide

Kids love slides and water – put them together and it’s a winning combination. Best for older youngsters, there are water slides of varying heights and individuals can also choose 40 ft. monster water slides with one or two lanes for double the fun. The slides can be used as stand-alone amusements and for those with a home swimming pool, some can be set up to deposit guests directly into the pool.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce house or waterslide rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

Connect with us on Social Media at: 

https://www.facebook.com/SouthFloridaBounce

https://twitter.com/SBounce