Hiring guide

How to hire a bouncy castle for a party at home: a step-by-step guide

A plain walk-through of booking a bouncy castle for a birthday or garden party, from measuring up and choosing a unit to the checks on the morning itself.

Step 1: Pin down the basics before you ring anyone

Hirers ask the same few questions on every enquiry, so have the answers ready for quicker, more accurate quotes.

Summer Saturdays and bank holiday weekends tend to go first, because that is when most families want a castle. If your party falls on one of those dates, start enquiring as soon as you know it. Weekday, term-time and winter bookings are usually easier to get.

The date, plus the start and finish times of the party.
Roughly how many children are coming, and the youngest and oldest ages.
The full address, and where a van can park.
Whether the castle will go in a garden, on a drive or patio, or inside a hall.

Step 2: Measure the space and the route in

Go outside and record the length and width of the flattest patch you have. Then measure the narrowest point on the way in from the road, such as a side gate or passage, and count any steps. Note how far that patch is from the nearest outdoor socket.

Send these figures and a couple of photos with your enquiry so the hirer can say which units will fit. Our guide to how much space you need for a bouncy castle covers this in more detail.

Step 3: Choose the right type and size

Each inflatable has its own user limits, set by the manufacturer and shown on the unit or in its manual. HSE guidance says these limits, including the maximum number of users and any height limit, should not be exceeded, and that bigger and smaller users should be kept apart. That matters when you choose.

Choose for the age group that will use it most, then plan turns for the others.

Toddler or low-height castles suit under-fives and lower ceilings.
Standard castles suit most primary-age parties.
Combi units with a built-in slide add variety for children who have outgrown a plain castle.
Obstacle courses and larger inflatables suit older children, and some are rated for adults.
Soft play packages suit babies and toddlers who are too small to bounce safely with others.

Step 4: Shortlist hirers and check their credentials

Start with firms that deliver to your postcode; our directory lists each supplier's stated areas.

Before paying, ask each firm for the PIPA tag number or ADIPS Declaration of Compliance for the exact unit you want, and check it on the scheme's website. HSE points to these as the way to show an inflatable meets BS EN 14960, the standard for inflatable play equipment. Ask for a copy of the firm's public liability insurance too. Our bouncy castle safety checks guide explains what each document means.

Step 5: Find out what the price includes

Hire packages differ from firm to firm, so ask rather than assume. In most cases the hirer delivers, sets up, anchors the unit and collects it afterwards. Hire periods vary: some firms quote a few hours, others a full day, and a few offer overnight hire.

Ask whether each of these is part of the package or an extra:

Delivery to your address, and any charge for distance.
Safety mats, ground sheet and anchoring kit or weights.
A rain cover or roof.
An outdoor-rated extension lead, or a generator if there is no power.
A member of staff staying on site, or a briefing so that you can supervise.
Set-up on a hard surface or indoors, if that applies.

Step 6: Get the important points in writing

A confirmation email or booking form protects both of you. Read it before you pay a deposit, and keep it on your phone for the day.

Date, address, delivery window and collection time.
The name of the unit and its PIPA tag or ADIPS DoC number.
Everything included, and the total cost.
How much the deposit is, whether it is refundable, and when the balance is due.
What happens if you cancel, if they cancel, or if the weather is unsafe.
What happens if your chosen unit becomes unavailable.
Any charges for damage, late return or cleaning.
Who is responsible for supervising, and the rules for users.

Deposits and cancellations in general terms

Most hirers take a deposit to hold a date, and terms vary a great deal. Some refund or move the booking if the weather makes the castle unsafe to use, while others keep the deposit if you cancel close to the date. Check the policy before you pay, and ask how much notice they need from you.

This is general information, not legal advice. If a dispute arises, the written terms you agreed will matter most.

Step 7: The day before and the morning of the party

Mow the grass and pick up stones, sticks, toys and any dog mess.
Move garden furniture, barbecues and paddling pools well away.
Take down rotary washing lines and check for low branches.
Clear the route in, and leave the parking space free for the van.
Check the outdoor socket works, and keep pets indoors during set-up.
Be at home for the delivery window, with an adult who can sign for it.
Ask the installer to show you the tag, the user and height limits, the maximum wind speed and how to get everyone off and deflate the unit safely.
Save the hirer's phone number where you can reach it quickly.

Step 8: Collection

Be home at the agreed time with the castle clear of children and party debris. If anything was damaged, or anyone was hurt, tell the hirer honestly at collection, or sooner if it happened earlier in the day. They need to know so they can check the equipment before its next hire.

Questions

How far in advance should I book a bouncy castle?

There is no fixed rule. For summer weekends and bank holidays, enquire as soon as you know the date, because those go first. Quieter dates can often be booked at shorter notice.

Do I need to be at home when the castle is delivered?

Usually yes. The hirer will want an adult to show them where it goes, confirm the power supply and receive the safety briefing.

Will the hirer stay for the party?

Some do, especially for larger events, but for many home parties the castle is left with you to supervise. Ask when you book, and make sure you are briefed if you will be supervising.

Sources and further reading

This guide is general information for people hiring inflatables in the UK, not legal or safety advice. Your hirer is responsible for safe set-up, so always follow their instructions. Last reviewed November 2026.