Thinking of starting your own Jumping Castle business
Here are a few tips on how to get started
- Look through your local newspaper, see who else is advertising the hire of bouncing castles and inflatables. If there is a regular advertiser, don't be put off – there is still room for you. In most towns the demand exceeds the supply especially in South Africa with our great weather.
- Fortunately for us children are born every single day of the year so there is a virtually endless supply of prospective customers. Most parents prefer to use their own gardens but, as well as private parties, there are several other places you can hire out your bouncer. Check out your local play groups, after care facilities, community centres, shopping facilities, fairs, sports facilities, the list is endless.
Recommended equipment needed to start your jumping castle business
- Bouncy castle (from experience we recommend that your first jumping castle is a 3,6m x 3,6m. This size is by far the most popular with customers and is easily handled and stored and when inflated will fit in most gardens).
- Ground sheet to protect the underside of the jumping castle
- Electrical extension cable (25-30 metres long)
- RCD circuit breaker (safety cut-out device)
- Safety mat to put at the front of the castle
- Safety instruction sheet and a customer disclaimer form
Purchase of your jumping castle
- Most new bouncing castles come with a 1 year guarantee. Make sure a repair kit is included in the price of your bouncer.
- It is not recommended that you purchase a 2 nd hand inflatable as the stitching on the bed and particularly where the pillars and side walls meet the bed. Unfortunately bouncers do not last forever and ones in poor condition often land up on the second hand market.
To get your first hires – let everybody you know with young children that you have a castle for hire. Offer to let them hire it at a discount price if they are prepared to tell their friends and relatives. Advertise in your local paper. Hand out leaflets at the parties.