Are you ready for the most comprehensive list of bouncy castles, bounce houses and inflatable castles you’ve ever seen?
We’ve covered everything from cheap and cheerful bouncers for toddlers, to mid-range castles with multiple slides that inflate in 60 seconds, all the way up to deluxe kids bouncy castles for sale from £500.
They are amazing fun, the kids absolutely adore them and the larger castles are even strong enough to hold the weight of an adult too!
Keep reading our free and helpful guide to help you find the best bouncy castle to buy this year!
In This Guide
An Introduction to Bouncy Castles
Bouncy castles are known by many names, in the United Kingdom we tend to refer to them as Bouncy Castles, Inflatable Castles, Bounce Houses or Jumping Castles. Around the world and especially in America you may have heard the term Moon Bounce, Moonwalker or even Closed Inflatable Trampoline… (silly Yanks).
Bouncy castles are commonly seen at village fetes, boot sales, churches, pubs, school events, back gardens, birthday parties and thanks to advances in technology, there are an increasing number of inflatable obstacle courses and bouncers with that can be seen at the beach or in the park during the summer. They’ve come a long way from their humble beginnings in 1959!
You can view all our bouncy castles for sale here and read our comprehensive reviews which include price comparisons as well. Keep reading for our top 10 list!
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Best Selling Bouncy Castles
Before we start, take a look at the best sellers to see what other bouncy castles for sale, people like you are buying.
Everything You Could Possibly Want to Know About Bouncy Castles!
back to menu ↑The Complete Bouncy Castle Buying Guide
Bouncy Castle Manufacturers
When purchasing a bouncy castle for home use, we recommend purchasing the following brands: Happy Hop, Intex, BeBop, Bestway & Little Tikes.
These brands are CE certified and meet the stricter European safety standards. Don’t put your children at risk for the sake of saving a few pennies by buying off-brand!
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The Benefits of Bouncy Castles
Bouncy castles are great for developing motor skills and encouraging exercise in younger children. This is especially important at parties as they’ll help burn off any extra calories that may be consumed during the day!
They’re also known for their therapeutic value for children with autism or Asperger’s syndrome and other sensory impairments. The bright colours featured on bouncers in combination with an abundance of play balls, helps promote social skills and can offer stimulation to children on the spectrum.
Most bouncy castles also come with see-through sides, transparent mesh, or a dropped wall, so that parents or childminders can keep an eye on their children while they’re running wild in a safe and contained environment.
There should always be an adult supervising playing children, as bouncy castles come with a certain level of risk. According to Wikipedia, between 2000 and 2015 there have been 271 injuries and 10 deaths caused by wind and an average of 31 children a day are hospitalised (in the US) due to bouncy castle-related injuries!
Always make sure your bouncy castle is securely anchored to the ground and every precaution is taken to prevent injury. Ensure wherever possible that your bouncy castle has a protective groundsheet to prevent puncture and safety mats at any exit to prevent injury from falls or the inevitable high-speed ejections!
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The Difference Between Commercial and Residential Bouncy Castles
Bouncy castles come in all shapes and sizes, but the main difference between commercial and residential bouncy castles is the built quality. durability and quality of extras supplied.
Commercial bouncers will usually be made from thick high-quality PVC, whereas cheaper residential bouncers will be made from thin PVC or cloth fabric.
Warranties vary greatly, but most commercial warranties will be between 2 and 5 years. Residential bouncers may have a limited warranty of between 3 and 12 months for the airflow unit or pump.
Anchor pegs may or may not be supplied for residential castles, if they are, they tend to be made of plastic, while commercial bouncers will be supplied with heavy-duty steel or iron pegs.
Covers and groundsheets will usually be supplied with a commercial bouncer, while residential owners will have to source these separately.
Damage caused to commercial bouncers can usually be repaired with a re-thread or replacement of damaged linings. They can also withstand pinhole punctures and minor leaks. Residential bouncers are supplied with repair patches that sometimes work but can be temperamental, unfortunately, the majority are also unable to be repaired and will need to be disposed of if a major puncture or split develops.
Of course, there’s a reason residential bouncers have these failures and that’s the build quality, which is reflected in the difference in price between the two.
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How Much Should I Spend?
Unfortunately with retailers still struggling to source stock and shipping delays due to the pandemic you should expect to see the costs of inflatable slides and castles up by 20-100%.
Most castles that cost £150 are now hovering around the £220-300 region, castles that were £500 are now £700-1,000.
Summer holidays and half terms also “inflate” purchase prices, so don’t wait for a sale as we don’t expect to see bouncy castles for sale at their pre-brexit / pandemic price for a long time (if ever….)
I thought that perhaps retailers were charging excessively but the reality is that demand is vastly outstripping supply. I even went as far as to looking at importing them myself but with a lead time of 3-6 months and the costs of shipping through the roof, these new prices are an accurate reflection of the market as it stands.
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Small & Indoor Bouncy Castles
Small bouncy castles without an airblower that use a manual or electric pump (similar to one that you’d use to inflate an airbed) go for around £30-80.
These castles are pretty much disposible – the quality leaves a lot to be desired and more boisterous children will make quick work of them. If you have a 2-3 year old then you’ll probably get a few months use out of them before they puncture or the kids get bored.
If you are short on space then maybe consider a trampoline instead as they’re more durable and will entertain the kids for longer on the same budget.
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Small & Medium Bouncy Castles
These small to mid-range bouncers with airblowers start from around £150-200, although sometimes you’ll see the entry level little tikes or happy hop castles go for £100-120 when on sale.
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Large Bouncy Castles
Larger castles that can fit multiple children start from around the £300-350 mark and can cost as much as £800.
While this may seem expensive, they are incredibly durable and will last multiple years.
I have had a BeBop Splash Mountain (originally purchased for £449 2 years ago – now priced at around £699-799) and it’s showing no real signs of wear and tear except for bent anchor pegs!
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Commercial Bouncy Castles
Commercial bouncy castles, on the other hand, start at around £800 brand new, with top end versions costing £3,000+ and custom builds costing even more.
These can been purchased from vendors like Pineapple Leisure and Premier Inflate, although Happy Hop do have a limited selection of commercial castles too.
We are particularly partial to the dragon bounce house!
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Different Types of Bouncy Castles
There are a wide variety of different types of castles available on the market, depending on your needs or wants. Although the basic premise is the same, the activities available on the bouncer itself vary greatly.
Traditional castles offer a simple bouncing area with short or high walls, while newer castles offer an array of slides, climbing zones, bungee runs, water activities, disco areas with integrated speakers and LED’s, ball pits, sumo wrestling, gladiator battles, obstacle runs and if you’ve got the budget, you can customise any element of the bouncer to fit your needs!
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Sizes and Capacity
Bouncy castles come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Residential castles will state their maximum child capacity and weight limit. These should be strictly adhered to as exceeding the weight limit will result in leaks and will cause irreparable damage to your castle which will not be covered by your warranty.
Commercial castles are slightly more lenient with their capacity and weight limits. As a rule they most castles will fall between the below limits and capacities.
| Approximate Size (ft) | Approximate Capacity (# Children) |
|---|---|
| 10 x 10 | 6 |
| 12 x 12 | 8 |
| 15 x 15 | 12 |
| 18 x 18 | 14 |
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Other Considerations and Extras
Almost there! Before you’re ready to use your bouncy castle you may need the following.
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Air Flower / Pump
Check to make sure your bouncy castle comes with an air flower. These come in two varities – Electric & Diesel or Petrol Powered. Smaller castles can be manually inflated, but larger castles will need high powered inflators to keep your castle bouncy!
When inflating your castle, ensure the inflation device is securely attached to the hose and that this hose is straight to prevent damage or puncture.
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Ground Preparation for Outdoor Castles
Indoor castles won’t need a protective sheet, but before setting up your outdoor bouncy castle, make sure the ground has been cleared of rubbish, sticks, rocks or anything else that may cause damage to your castle.
For added protection, you may want to consider purchasing a tarp or PVC sheet. This will substantially extend the life of your bouncy castle.
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Anchor Points
If your bouncy castle comes with anchor points, make sure you use them. Bouncy castles have the unfortunate tendency to take flight in windy conditions.
The last thing you want is an injury caused by poor preparation and end up having to claim on your liability or home insurance.
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Remove All Jewellery and Shoes Before Bouncing
This should go without saying, but to prevent damage to your castle and injury to users, every precaution should be taken to remove jewellery and shoes.
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Maintenance and Cleaning
When you’re ready to pack your bouncy castle away, clean away any dirt or debris that may have accumulated on the bouncer. You can use a hoover for this task if you want.
Then clean away any grime or dirt with a cloth and washing up liquid. If your inflatable has a water feature, make sure you air dry or wipe away any remnants of water to prevent mould growth.
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Extras
To make your party or gathering extra special, we highly recommend purchasing play balls for your bouncy castle.
Kids absolutely love them and these will keep them entertained for hours on end. Traditional bouncers won’t need this addition, as they may create a trip hazard but some residential bouncers come with basketball hoops or slides which lend themselves to additional toys!
Now that you’re properly versed in how to setup and maintain your bouncy castle. You’re ready for the list!
Patiomate’s Personal Favourites for This Year!
back to menu ↑Best Bouncy Castles & Bounce Houses for 2021
Happy Hop – Best Small Bouncy Castle
Our favourite bouncy castle for toddlers and little children. This is a great starter bounce house suitable for smaller children and it’s budget friendly too!
1 used from £90.48
Free shipping
Amazon.co.uk - Airblower – keeping a constant airflow to the bouncer
- Ground anchors – securing the structure to the ground
- Repair kit – for any accidents that might occur. Maximum player: 2
- Net enclosure – creating a secure bouncing space
- Convenient storage and Carry bag - easy to deflate, fold, roll and pack and take the bouncer to any venue
Suitable For : Indoor & Garden Use (Residential Use Only) | Recommended Ages : 2 to 5
Capacity : 2 Children | Weight Limit : 68kg
Supplied With : Bouncer, Airblower, Ground Anchors, Net Enclosure & Repair Patch
This entry level bouncer is perfect for toddlers and younger children. The colourful design will keep your young ones entertained for hours on end and this bouncy castle encourages development and exercise.
Ideal for indoor or outdoor usage. Suitable for 2 children with a max weight capacity of 68kg.
These happy hop bouncy castles inflate in around a minute and are loads of fun for younger kids.
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Happy Hop Princess Slide & Hoop Bouncer
Perfect for your little price or princesses!
Amazon.co.uk - very easy, quick to set up, a lot of fun, fast packaging, with blower
Suitable For : Indoor & Outdoor Use (Residential Use Only) | Recommended Ages : 2 to 6
Capacity : 2-3 Children | Weight Limit : 90kg
Supplied With : Bouncy Castle, Storage Bag, Anchor Pegs, Airflow Fan
The Happy Hop Princess 10ft Bouncy Castle is perfect for making your kids dreams come true. Designed with their favourite princesses and wrapped in a colourful pink design that stands out above over bouncy castles. Watch out for the jealous witches as your child becomes the most popular in the land. The Little princess bouncy castles has a large bouncing area creating plenty for room for your little ones to run, jump and bounce the day away.
What we love about this bouncy castle is the ease of use. From unpacking and preparing the ground, you’ll be up and running in under a minute!
This small bouncy castle is perfect for birthdays or just spoiling your younger children and can be used indoors or outdoors.
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BeBoP Turret – Best Overall Bouncy Castle
Perfect for families with a mix of small and older children
Amazon.co.uk - Large kids bouncy castle with ball pit and bouncy exit slide suitable for children aged 3-10.
- Lightweight and easy to transport, quick and easy set up, takes under 5 minutes
- Premium quality inflatable with double stitched seams for durability
- All accessories included: electric fan, carry bag, anchor pegs and repair kit
- This BeBop inflatable has been designed in the UK to meet strict European guidelines. Don't buy copies that may be substandard
Suitable For : Indoor & Outdoor Use (Residential Use Only) | Recommended Ages : 2 to 10
Capacity : 3 Children | Weight Limit : 152kg
Supplied With : Bouncy Castle, Storage Bag, Anchor Pegs, Airflow Fan
This large turret themed bouncy castle from BeBop will keep your children entertained for hours on end. With high walls and see-through mesh you can let the kids run wild while you’re enjoying the summer sunshine, or keep the kids contained when you’ve got chores to do in the garden!
Supplied with everything you need in 1 storage bag, you can have this bouncy castle up and running in under 5 minutes.
We think you’ll love this bouncy castle as it’s for sale at a reasonable price, it’s suitable for multiple ages and has a fairly high weight limit.
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Intex Jump-O-Lene Playhouse Bouncer
Best small bouncy castle for indoors
1 used from £59.99
Amazon.co.uk - The Playhouse Jump-O-Lene has an inflated base size of approximately 68.5in (174cm) x 68.5in (174cm). The overall height from the floor is 44in (112cm).
- It has a soft inflatable floor and high walls to provide a safe bouncing platform.
- The sides have reinforced net inserts so you can keep an eye on the children as the play.
- Recommended for children ages 3 to 6 years old. Maximum 120 lb. weight capacity (2 children maximum).
Suitable For : Indoor Use (Residential Use Only) | Recommended Ages : 2-6
Capacity : 2 Children | Weight Limit : 55kg
Supplied With : Bouncy Castle, Repair Kit | Recommended Extras : Air Pump
This small and affordable indoor bouncy castle is suitable for younger children and those who are short of space.
Traditionally we wouldn’t recommend bouncy castles that don’t have a constant intake of air as they are particularly vulnerable to punctures and going flat but this bouncer is durable enough for smaller children that we do recommend it as an alternative to the larger castles.
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Little Tikes Junior Jump n Slide Bouncy Castle
Great larger bouncy castle for smaller children
Amazon.co.uk - This back garden bouncer is just the right size for your growing toddler
- The large bounce area lets up to 3 children jump together
- Netting on all four sides helps keep children safe
- The 8 x 8 inflatable bouncer encourages cooperative play and is the perfect play centre.
Suitable For : Indoor & Outdoor Use (Residential Use Only) | Recommended Ages : 2 to 6
Capacity : 2-3 Children | Weight Limit : 70kg
Supplied With : Bouncy Castle, Storage Bag, Anchor Pegs, Airflow Fan
Made by a brand we can trust. The Little Tikes Junior Jump n Slide is the perfect childrens bouncy castle – it comes with a slide and 8ft bouncing area.
Perfect for toddlers and younger children. You’ll have this bouncer up and running in 60 seconds! The safety mesh means your smaller kids are less prone to injury and you can relax just a little bit more.
Don’t forget to buy some play balls to keep the kids entertained for longer.
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Little Tikes Jump and Slide Dry Bouncer
Larger version of the junior jump’n’slide with a double wide slide and extra bouncing area
Free shipping
Amazon.co.uk - TALL MESH WALLS FOR SAFETY - This bouncer features tall walls and mesh netting surrounding the jumping area so kids can bounce to their hearts’ content
- GREAT ENERGY BURNER - A fun way for your kids to burn energy during the day for better sleep at night
- INFLATES & DEFLATES WITHIN MINUTES - Inflates and deflates within minutes and easily folds away into its storage bag
- INCLUDES - 1-Heavy-duty blower with GFCI plug, 1-Carrying bag, 2-Blower stakes, 4-Bouncer stakes, 4-Repair patches
Suitable For : Indoor & Outdoor Use (Residential Use Only) | Recommended Ages : 2 to 8
Capacity : 2-3 Children | Weight Limit : 113kg
Supplied With : Bouncy Castle, Storage Bag, Anchor Pegs, Airflow Fan, Repair Kit
This is where we start to get serious about our bouncy castles. The price goes up, but the quality and durability does too.
Great for children young and old, all your kids will be able to join in on the fun.
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Happy Hop Obstacle Course Bouncy Castle With Double Slide
Perfect larger bouncy castle suitable for multiple children and birthday parties
Amazon.co.uk - Premium quality inflatable water slide with extra large splash pool
- Boasting a large twin lane Inflatable slide, water cannon, easy climb wall
- 450w electric fan, storage bag, 4 anchor pegs, water tubing and repair kit all included
- Easy set up, inflates in minutes. Age 3 to 10; Manufactured from quality lightweight laminated PVC and Nylon
- This product has been designed in the UK to meet specific safety standards dont buy cheap copies
Suitable For : Indoor & Outdoor Use | Recommended Ages : 3 to 12
Capacity : 2-4 Children | Weight Limit : 180kg
Supplied With : Bouncy Castle, Storage Bag, Anchor Pegs, Airflow Fan, Repair Kit
This extra-large bouncy castle with double slide and obstacle course inflates in just a few minutes. It comes with everything you need to get started right out of the box and the kids can be having fun within minutes.
Setup is a breeze and it’s easy to take down once the fun is over too!
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BeBoP Neptune Towers Inflatable Water Slide Bouncy Castle
Water safe bouncy castle slide for the garden
Amazon.co.uk - Tons of features in a small footprint
- Slide, climber, bounce area and tunnel
- Climb, slide, crawl and bounce
- Maximum number of kids - three
Suitable For : Outdoor & Indoor Use | Recommended Ages : 3 to 10
Capacity : 3 Children | Weight Limit : 38kg per child
Supplied With : Bouncy Castle, Storage Bag, Anchor Pegs, Airflow Fan, Repair Kit
BeBop have a great variety of bouncy castles and slides, they specialise in dual bouncer & water slides for maximum fun.
This bouncy castle with slide takes just minutes to put up and is fairly easy to put away. We do recommend buying a cheap wet-vac to help with the clean-up process when the fun is over.
We have one of the BeBop Splash Mountain slides and they’re amazing fun. This is a slightly smaller version of the splash mountain and doesn’t have the bouncer at the end of the slide but it’s still amazing fun and it comes with a built in water gun for getting the kids supremely soaked.
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Little Tikes Giant Slide Bouncer
Best bouncy castle with slide!
Amazon.co.uk - Join in the fun with our all new 7 in 1 Happy Hop Kids Bouncy Castle
- Developed with fun and safety in mind our innovative Happy Hop range is unmatched on quality and pr
- The new 7 in 1 Bouncy Castle comes with some amazing features to keep your children entertained all
- Apart from the main bounce area there is also a ball pool with 30 plastic balls included, 1 Large a
- The stylish colorful and vibrant design will be a real eye catcher at birthday parties, BBQ's and f
Suitable For : Outdoor & Indoor Use (Residential Use Only) | Recommended Ages : 3 to 10
Capacity : 3 Children | Weight Limit : 113kg
Supplied With : Bouncy Castle, Storage Bag, Anchor Pegs, Airflow Fan
This little tikes giant slide bouncer is fantastic fun for the whole family. With its large slide and dedicated mesh-enclosed bounce area, you can rest assured your kids will be playing happily and safely for years to come.
Sure it’s expensive, but we have our bouncy castle out 50-100 times a year. They practically pay for themselves after the first year – just make sure you’ve got the strength to carry them in and out of the shed!
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Happy Hop 7 in 1 Kids Bouncy Castle Play House
Best all round bouncy castle
Suitable For : Outdoor & Indoor Use (Residential Use Only) | Recommended Ages : 3 and up
Capacity : 5 Children | Weight Limit : 180kg
Supplied With : Bouncy Castle, Storage Bag, Anchor Pegs, Airflow Fan
Our final bouncy castle is a show stopper. This 7 in 1 bounce house is the perfect kids bouncy castle – it comes with 30 play balls, repair kit, double to quadruple stitching on stress areas and is ready to go in under 2 minutes.
Perfect for children of all ages, with multiple activities that are sure to keep your kids happy come rain or shine.
We also really like the following bouncy castles.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeBoP Multi Activity Bounce House Bouncy Castle | 12 Reviews | £399.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| BeBoP Ultimate Combo Large Kids Garden Bouncy Castle and Slide | 15 Reviews | £549.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| BeBoP Total Wipeout Bouncy Castle and Inflatable Water Slide Combo | 29 Reviews | £785.04 | Buy on Amazon |
| Happy Hop Castle Bouncer with Double Slide | 2 Reviews | £439.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| HOMCOM Kids Bouncy Castle Inflatable Bouncer Bounce House and Slide Inflatable Jumper with Airflow... | 138 Reviews | £185.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| BeBoP 8 in 1 Bouncy Castle with Electric Blower Fan | 11 Reviews | £849.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| BeBoP Star Palace Kids Inflatable Bouncy Castle with Electric Fan | 17 Reviews | £549.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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Other Garden Toys You May Be Interested In
Bouncy castles aren’t for everyone, why not take a look at something else? We recommend trampolines as a compromise. I personally prefer bouncy castles as for the most part it’s easy to setup and pull down.
Trampolines are there all year round, require a certain amount of upkeep and take a lot more initial labour to install but they’re also a lot more fun for older children.
Last update on 2021-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
