Bounce House Recs/Opinions - Help Me Choose!!

[annasmom]

O.k., Ladies, I could use your help. I am thinking about purchasing a bounce house to be used for my dd's birthday party, and then in our basement later on. I have not gotten the o.k. from my dh yet, but based on the rental prices I think my best bet is to buy.

I am a complete novice when it comes to bounce houses. My dc's first experience with them was yesterday at a birthday party. Both loved it, my ds went absolutely WILD!! Therefore, I would appreciate any advice, opinions, suggestions or general input.

Carren in the Lounge was kind enough to let me know that Amazon is selling some bounce houses for some really good prices. I would appreciate any feedback. I guess my main concern is quality, but also size. I need to get something that a few kids can play in at once.

Here are some links to the bounce houses on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=UTF8&v=glance

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=UTF8&v=glance

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=UTF8&v=glance

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[AmyZ]

Hi Eileen-

This is a fun thing to shop for! One of my neighbors has one - and she picked the one that can hold the most child weight. (she got it from walmart.com and I looked, but couldn't find it).

My DD loves it and could jump all day!

Amy Z

"Ma!" to Eliana 2/04 - She's 2!
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

[jess_g]

I don't have any great advice but had to ask:

Can you use one of these indoors?

I thought you needed to stake it to the ground so it could only go outside on grass.

Just a thought,

My son would love the Jump N Slide one though. And its probably good quality since it is made by little tykes.

Jessica.

[annasmom]

>Can you use one of these indoors?


Good question. I don't know the answer. I do know that many of the reviews on amazon say that the bounce houses are used inside and outside. At the party we were at yesterday, I don't think the bounce house was anchored in anyway. It was inside the garage at our neighborhood firehouse. Maybe someone who owns one can tell us.

[Joolsplus2]

We have the jump n slide and love it... 3 to 4 6 to 8 yo's can get a good mosh pit going in there and it's loads of fun (dh and me, however, can just lie still in it or it deflates...well, yunno, we had to look at the stars and test it for the kids, right? ROFL!)
It had to be staked when it was on our slightly slopy driveway, but in the flat garage it doesn't move around much at all (sometimes I have to go in and slide it back a foot so it doesn't crash into the bikes or whatever, and remind kids not to DIVE into the sidewalls). My neighbor swears she has the same one (she THINKS...) in her attic and her kids love it, too. I had to set up a rule about not going down the slide face first, and being careful not to fall through the door/split in the wall in the back, but no one's been hurt yet (6 months of on and off use).
It cost less than renting twice for two b-day parties (is it just me, or are they pricing themselves out of the market at all? I paid 80$ for a half day rental a few years back, which was way more reasonable than whatever I was quoted this time!)


:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[jess_g]

Thanks for the review. Sounds like it would work in our driveway. Can someone tell me if they are noisy with the fan on? And do you need to plug it in (for the fan that is)?

Thanks,

I am going to look into these as they just might be the best thing for when we can't get to the playground.

Jessica.

[Corie]

My vote goes for the Little Tykes bounce house with slide.
I like that it has higher walls. The first one looks like
you could just bounce right out of it.

Can we come play?? :)

[annasmom]

Thanks for everyone's input, I think I am leaning towards the Little Tykes one. I told dh my idea last night and he thought I was crazy, "aren't those things huge" he said. I will have to work on him!

Corie, I would LOVE for you to come over to play!! Ever in Jersey???

[Joolsplus2]

oh yeah the fan is rather loud and must always be plugged in... it's not deafening, at least... you just get used to it, really. the fan unit itself is very sturdy and always works well, even though we abuse it by tipping it over a lot (it's in front of the freezer where the otter pop supply is, lol)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[annasmom]

Julie, have you ever compared the size of the Little Tykes bounce house to the rentals? I am just wondering whether I am really better off renting one for the day so it can fit more children. I really don't want anyone to get hurt. Thanks!