Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find the most commonly asked questions regarding hire a bouncy castle or inflatable. If you need more information then please don't hesitate to get in touch.

1: Do your prices include delivery?

All prices quoted on our website include free delivery within a 7 mile (road miles) radius of our base at Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, there is a charge for deliveries outside these areas. Delivery charges are automatically calculated when booking online.

2: What time do you deliver & collect the inflatable?

For standard private garden 'day hires' expect your equipment to be delivered anywhere between 7am-12pm. Collections are normally made between 3pm - 5pm our standard 'day bookings are based on hire periods of up to 5 hrs. and the hire duration generally starts at 12pm and ends at 5pm. Special arrangements can be made if for example your party or event is in the morning. Please let us know at the time of booking using the notes section on the booking form. For an additional fee your hire period can be extended. If your event finishes later than 7pm you will need to book an overnight or 2 day hire.

NOTE: It is common for us to deliver early and collect late during our busy periods. Early deliveries will NOT affect your hire period. Deliveries / collections are dependent on the route set for that day. We will notify you of your delivery slot via email/phone a few days before your event.

Overnight bookings are usually delivered around lunch time and collected from early afternoon the following day.

Latest outdoor collections are as follows: March / April & September - 6pm. May / June / July & August - 7pm.

For hall / venue hires special arrangements can be made to suit your needs. Bookings in halls/venues are always prioritised.

For events e.g. school fetes, fairs, community events etc. Please contact us to discuss your requirements

3: Do you offer full weekend hires?

Yes, you can hire for periods of up to 3 days. Discounts are offered on full weekend/bank holiday hires. Please see answer to question below.

4: Can I hire the inflatable overnight?

Yes, overnight hire is available on selected items. The site must be secure. Please be aware that we will not leave our inflatables overnight if the site is communal/shared, front garden or open fields. We will only allow overnight hires to private secure back gardens. You will be responsible for any loss or damage to our equipment whilst in your care. There is also an ‘overnight’ charge of £40 however if you are hiring for 2/3 days then this will not apply.

5: How do I pay for my booking?

A £20 booking fee is required at checkout to confirm your booking & this is deducted from the final hire value. Please note that your booking is not confirmed until this has been paid. We cannot except 'cash on the day' the balance must be paid using our online payment system. We will email you a payment link for the balance 4 days before your event or you can pay in full at checkout. We accept all major debit & credit cards.

6: Are you insured?

Yes we carry 5 million pounds public liability. Our documents can be view here

7: Do I need insurance for bouncy castle hire?

As an event organiser, you don’t usually need to arrange your own insurance if you hire from a reputable company. Instead, you should always choose an insured bouncy castle hire provider with public liability cover. This protects you and your guests in case of accidents.

8: Do bouncy castles need to be tested?

Yes. In the UK, all inflatables must meet the BS EN 14960 standard, which sets safety requirements for inflatable play equipment. Reputable companies ensure their inflatables are tested annually under the PIPA or RPII inspection schemes.

9: Are your inflatables tested?

Absolutely! All of our bouncy castle's go through an annual test to ensure they are safe to use. Each castle has a unique Pipa tag or RPII certificate.

10: Do you set-up the inflatable, or do we have to?

We always set-up our inflatables, this is to ensure that the equipment is installed correctly & operates safely. Any company offering ‘self’ collection/setup should be avoided.

11: How long do you require set-up / pack away?

Depending on the access to your garden / venue a standard bouncy castle takes around 15 - 20 minutes at each end of the event. Multiple items / packages will take longer. If your event is in a hall / venue you will need to factor this in when booking. We highly recommend allowing 1 hour at each end of the event, so for example, your party is 2pm - 4pm you would need to book the hall from 1pm - 5pm.

12: What are the power requirements?

We will need access to a standard 13 amp socket within 30 meters of the site. We do provide extension leads free of charge however, if we are unable to reach a socket you will need a generator which we can provide at extra cost.

13: What if it rains?

Most of our units are fitted with shower/sun covers & will cope with a passing shower, however if the rain is persistent you should not use the inflatable, doing so could be dangerous as the unit becomes very slippery Note: In the event of bad weather including heavy rain and strong winds we reserve the right to cancel your booking at short notice on grounds of safety. You will not be charged.

14: Can bouncy castles & inflatables be used indoors?

Yes, bouncy castles can be used indoors, and in fact, many people hire them for village halls, school gyms, sports centres, or community venues. But there are some important points to consider to make sure it’s safe and practical:

  • Ceiling Height: You’ll need enough clearance for the inflatable plus extra space above (usually at least 1–2 feet). Most small to medium castles fit under ceilings of 10–12ft, but always check the product height.
  • Space Around the Inflatable: Just like outdoors, you’ll need safe clearance around the sides and back for children to enter, exit, and bounce safely.
  • Flat Surface: Inflatables need to be set up on a flat, smooth surface like wooden floors, sports hall floors, or even carpet.
  • Electric Supply: Indoor hires usually plug straight into a normal wall socket. Extension leads may be needed but should be used safely.

15: Are bouncy castles safe in windy weather?

Bouncy castles & inflatables should never be used in strong winds. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), inflatables must not be operated outdoors when wind speeds exceed 24mph (38km/h). A professional hire company will monitor weather conditions and refuse to set up if it is unsafe.

16: Can adults use children’s bouncy castles?

No, under no circumstances must adults use equipment that is not designed for their use. Please check the height limit of your chosen inflatable before hiring. The safety of the user & inflatable could be put at risk & damage may occur thus making the unit unusable for the next hire & you liable to a repair charge.

17: How many children can use a bouncy castle at once?

The number of users depends on the size and type of inflatable. The manufacturer’s safety instructions (and the BS EN 14960 standard) specify the maximum number and height of users allowed. A responsible hire company will provide clear rules and guidance. User numbers for our inflatables are displayed within the product ‘user tab’

18: What happens if an accident occurs on a bouncy castle?

If you’ve hired from an insured, safety-certified company, their insurance will cover accidents caused by equipment failure or operator error. However, hirers are usually responsible for supervising children and following the safety rules provided.

19:Can I Put a Bouncy Castle on a Slope?

Generally, bouncy castles should not be used on sloping ground. Inflatables must be set up on a flat, level surface to ensure they remain stable and safe.

⚠️ Why Slopes Are a Problem

  • Stability Risks: A slope increases the chance of the inflatable shifting or tipping.

  • Uneven Bouncing: Children may all slide or fall to one side, leading to collisions or injuries.

  • Anchoring Issues: Safety stakes may not hold properly on an incline.

✅ Possible Solutions

  • Mild Slopes: A very slight slope may be manageable. Always check with us first.

  • Alternative Areas: A reasonably flat are of turf, or indoor venue with a flat surface is often a safer choice.

👉 The rule of thumb: the flatter the ground, the safer the inflatable. If your garden is uneven, speak to us — we’ll advise whether it’s suitable or suggest safer alternatives.

20: Can you set up bouncy castles & inflatables on concrete?

We don’t set up on concrete/hardstanding and here’s why. HSE stipulate that inflatables on hardstanding and open to the elements require 163 kg of ballast per anchor point. The average bouncy castle has 6 anchor points, larger inflatables many more. That’s a lot of ballast & very unpractical! You could use anchor bolts but for us this is very time consuming and will more often than not outweigh the cost of the hire. There are also safety issues to consider if the equipment is left unsupervised.

21: Can you put a bouncy castle or inflatable on astroturf ?

Inflatables must not be installed on artificial turf (astroturf), as they cannot be anchored in accordance with HSE safety regulations. Secure installation requires deep ground stakes, which are unsuitable for synthetic surfaces and would cause irreparable damage. Sandbags are not a viable alternative, as the legally required ballast weight for a standard 11x15' bouncy castle with 6 anchor points is 163 kg, larger inflatables have many more anchor points. This would exceed transport and handling limits so is not practical. For safe and compliant operation, inflatables should only be sited on natural grass or within an appropriate indoor venue, such as a village hall.

22: I don’t have side access to my garden. Can you take the inflatable though my house?

Although not desirable yes we can go through your property. You will need to check the access width for your chosen inflatable before booking. Please note that Airplay Inflatables cannot accept liability or responsibility for any damage that may be caused by doing so.

23: I have booked a face painter. Can face painted children use your inflatables?

Unfortunately due to the mess face paint can create, the risk of permanent staining & the extra time required at the end of your event to remove it we do NOT allow face paint on ANY of our equipment. Note: this also includes, glitter, party poppers, silly string, writing implements or bubble mixture.
We understand that face painting is popular therefore if you have booked a face painter a £50 cash refundable deposit is required at the time of delivery. Provided the equipment is returned in the condition it was left in this will be refunded when the equipment is collected. Any permanent damage is chargeable at the cost of repair/replacement.

24: I have a sandpit. Can children with sandy feet use your inflatables?

Sand is very abrasive and can permanently damage inflatables. Sand pits should not be used during the hire period.

25: My town/village isn't listed in your delivery areas?

Please give us a call on 07840 900755 / 01424 731794 to see if we can help.

26: I wish to cancel my booking.

We understand that things can change. Please read our terms of hire which outlines our cancellation policy.

This page was updated on 23rd September 2025