It's a well-known fact that kids love nothing more than spend an afternoon jumping around to their heart's content. Getting yourself a trampoline or an inflatable can completely transform your backyard into your kids' favourite fun zone.
But then the questions becomes: which one should you choose?
Both have their own benefits, but choosing the right one for your family can make a big difference. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of each, as well as give you our best tips for making the most out of your equipment.
One of the main advantages of trampolines is the physical exercise they provide. Bouncing on a trampoline is a fantastic way for kids to improve their balance, coordination and overall fitness. It's a low-impact workout that is easy on the joints while still delivering a solid cardiovascular workout.
Trampolines also promote social interaction and active play. They encourage children to engage in cooperative games and activities, which can help develop social skills and teamwork. Plus, the thrill of bouncing can be incredibly enjoyable, keeping kids entertained for hours.
Safety features, such as enclosed nets and padded frames, make trampolines a safer option compared to other high-impact outdoor play equipment. Regular use can help build strength and flexibility, contributing to better physical health and development.
One of the primary advantages of inflatables is the soft, cushioned surface, which provides a safer play environment for younger children. The gentle landing reduces the risk of injury from falls, making inflatables ideal for kids who are still developing their coordination and balance.
Inflatables also come in a wider variety of themes and sizes, including options with water slides or obstacle courses, making them perfect for themed parties and special events. The bright colours and engaging designs capture children's imaginations and provide endless entertainment.
Inflatables are also relatively easy to set up and take down, requiring only a blower to keep them inflated. This convenience makes them suitable for temporary use, allowing you to transform your backyard into a mini amusement park for birthdays or other celebrations.
Inflatables are also generally low maintenance compared to other play equipment. They are easy to clean and store, and with proper care, they can provide years of enjoyment.
Trampolines require a more permanent setup. They need to be anchored securely to the ground and often come with safety nets and padding that must be installed properly. The assembly can be complex and time-consuming, and trampolines usually remain in place once set up. In contrast, inflatables are designed for easy setup and takedown. They require only a blower to keep them inflated and can be deflated and packed away quickly after use. This makes inflatables ideal for occasional use and events, as they can be set up and dismantled with minimal effort.
Inflatable play equipment comes in a variety of models, each offering different features. Options include simple bounce houses, themed jumping castles, inflatable slides and obstacle courses. Some inflatables even combine jumping areas with water slides for added fun. This variety allows you to choose an inflatable that best suits your event or space. In contrast, trampolines generally offer fewer customisation options but are available in various sizes to fit different yard dimensions.
If your kids love bouncing and performing tricks, a trampoline might be the better choice, offering a consistent, bouncy surface for active play. In contrast, if they enjoy themed adventures and variety, an inflatable with slides or obstacle courses may be more engaging.
Space is another important consideration. Trampolines require a stable, level area with ample clearance around the equipment for safety, which can be challenging for smaller yards. Inflatables, while also needing space, are more flexible in size and can be deflated and stored when not in use, making them suitable for smaller areas or temporary setups.
Your budget will also play a role. Trampolines generally have a higher upfront cost but offer long-term use. Inflatables often come with a lower initial price but might require additional maintenance. Consider how frequently you plan to use the equipment and choose based on what fits your budget and family needs.
For a long-term, everyday play option, a trampoline is a solid choice. For occasional use, parties or special events, inflatables provide a fun and versatile solution that can be easily set up and taken down.
When choosing between trampolines and inflatables, it's important to consider factors like weather, climate and maintenance to ensure your equipment remains in good condition and safe for use.
Trampolines are built to withstand various weather conditions, but it's still important to protect them from extreme weather. Heavy rain, snow and strong winds can affect their durability, so using a weather cover can help prolong their lifespan. In colder climates, ensure the trampoline is clear of ice and snow to prevent damage and maintain safety.
Inflatables, however, are more sensitive to weather conditions. Being better suited to summer weather, they should be used primarily in dry conditions and stored in a dry place when not in use. Prolonged exposure to rain or intense sun can weaken the material and lead to leaks or tears. Make sure to regularly check for any damage and repair it promptly to keep the inflatable safe for your kids.
Remember, both trampolines and inflatables require regular maintenance to ensure safety and longevity. Trampolines need periodic checks for wear and tear on the springs, padding and netting. Inflatables should be inspected for leaks, cleaned and dried before storage, and regularly checked for any signs of damage. Proper care will keep the equipment safe and enjoyable for your children.
Somehow, some way, I became the owner of not one but two backyard bounce houses.
And it is with a strange mixture of consternation and disbelief that I must admit: They are fantastic.
What’s so great about a backyard bounce house? Well, anytime we have a backyard BBQ or playdate, we have a safe-ish space for the kids to soar and stomp and spring with an exhilaration both joyful and mildly violent.
For more information, please visit LilyToys.
The kids love it. The grown-ups love that the kids love it. Everyone wins.
My sister-in-law bought my kids our first bounce house—the Little Tikes Jump ’n Slide Bouncer—for Christmas in . My wife and I reacted with a mix of incredulity and mild annoyance. “This looks like a gigantic pain,” I thought. I was wrong. The bounce house has proven to be a godsend.
In the early days of the pandemic, my kids, then 4 and 2, were cooped up at home with no school, playgrounds, or friends for nearly three months. They were crawling out of their skin. The Little Tikes inflatable house let them gigglingly bounce themselves to the brink of exhaustion.
Not to be outdone, my brother (who seems to believe that love is best measured based on the physical size and outrageousness of gifts given) bought my kids this Bountech inflatable climbing wall and waterslide contraption. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said to my wife when we received the gift of a second giant inflatable. Once again, I was wrong. This inflatable, too, has been a godsend.
The Bountech inflatable—which appears under a few different brand names on Amazon—looks like a cheesy monstrosity. There’s a climbing wall that leads to a slide that leads to a shallow pool of water festooned with inflated water guns and a basketball hoop. The whole thing screams excess. So of course, my kids love it.
Like the Little Tikes bounce house, the Bountech structure takes just a couple of minutes to inflate. Then I fill the shallow pool with a few inches of water using my (Wirecutter pick) Dramm hose. It typically takes me about 10 minutes to fill ’er up.
The Bountech structure comes with tubing that you can attach to the inflatable water guns on the side, but I’ve used that only once or twice. The tubing is kind of a pain to set up well, and my soaking-wet kids don’t seem to care. They’re delighted to spend the afternoon scrambling up the climbing wall, skidding and jumping down the slide, and splashing around in the pool.
My kids, now 7 and 5, have used both of these inflatables scores of times. We use them on random spring Tuesdays when the two of them just want to bounce for a few minutes. We use them during summer Sunday backyard BBQs to occupy a pack of kids while the grown-ups drink beer and chat with minimal interruption. We even used the water slide inflatable at a backyard party attended by 10-plus preschoolers and avoided any serious injuries. (The manufacturer recommends that only three kids use the Bountech structure at a time. I’m afraid that I have not abided by this guideline.)
These two are the only inflatables I’ve owned. I can’t say they’re the best ones out there. I know only that they’re the ones I have, and they are very good.
My two biggest reservations about these giant inflatables were bulk (“Look at how big this monstrosity is!”) and labor (“Inflating, deflating, and storing this thing will be a total drag.”). I was wrong on both counts.
Setup of both inflatables is a breeze. You lay the deflated bounce house flat (we do this on the grass in our backyard, but we’ve also done it in my in-laws’ spacious basement in Toledo, Ohio), plug in the included blower (the built-in extension cord easily reaches our garage some 15 feet away), connect it to the bounce house via a fabric tube, and let ’er rip. The whole setup takes maybe two minutes.
And while both of our bounce houses are indeed big when inflated—the Little Tikes structure has a footprint of roughly 12 by 9 feet on the grass, with a height of 6 feet—it’s pretty extraordinary how small and light they are when broken down.
When the fun’s over, you simply turn off the blower. The bounce house deflates and collapses in just a minute or two, and from there it’s very easy to pack up. I am a lazy and sloppy bounce-house folder, and even I can get it to a size that is barely bigger than a carry-on suitcase and probably weighs less than 10 pounds or so (without the blower).
The Bountech inflatable takes a bit longer to break down, mostly because it’s filled with water. But simply stepping on one of the pool’s inflatable walls for a few minutes—and letting the water rush through the breach caused by this depression—empties it well. Then I’ll leave the inflatable to dry in the sun for a bit before I deflate it and store it.
Of course, bounce houses have their downsides. I have gasped in alarm more times than I can count when my daughter has ruthlessly clotheslined her little brother, or when I see their craniums flying toward each other at full speed, a double concussion surely just a second away, before they whiz past each other harmlessly.
So far, we’ve been lucky enough to avoid major injuries. But it’s not hard to imagine how multiple kids vigorously jouncing around could smash into each other, cracking teeth, breaking bones, or piercing skin.
So please, if you buy a bounce house, set some ground rules. Our kids know that all hard and sharp toys are banned from the bounce house. We also made a rule that if someone starts crying, everyone has to get out of the bounce house, at least for a minute. (This way, everyone is incentivized to stay safe for fear that playtime could be cut short.)
A bounce house is not a forever toy. But we’ve used each of our inflatables dozens upon dozens of times over a few years, and while they’re dirtier and more sun-faded than they were out of the box, they’re still in solid shape.
These days, I can already hear the whispering wheeze of a tiny leak in a handful of spots. But for now, these minuscule apertures are no match for the powerful blower that runs for the entire time the bounce house is in use.
I imagine that one day, hopefully still years away, one of my kids will carom off a wall with such joyful intensity as to puncture or tear the bounce house beyond repair.
I’m okay with that. The fun of a bounce house is its invitation to gambol and twirl and flip and romp with the pure zeal for fun that only children can truly muster. A bounce house won’t last forever. But neither does childhood. Let’s just enjoy it while we have it.
This article was edited by Catherine Kast.
Are you interested in learning more about inflatable playground outdoor? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!