What Happens If It Rains on Bouncy Castle Party Day?

You’ve booked the castle, sent the invites and ordered the cake. Then you check the forecast and there’s a cloud with raindrops sitting right over party day. Sound familiar?

We’re in England, so it happens! Here’s exactly what happens with your bouncy castle hire if the weather turns, so you know where you stand.

We keep an eye on the forecast for you

We check the weather regularly in the run-up to every booking. If rain or wind means we need to cancel or reschedule, we’ll contact you to let you know and sort out a new date, so you’re never left guessing.

Can you use a bouncy castle in the rain?

A light shower doesn’t have to ruin the party. All of our castles come with a rain cover built in, which helps keep the jumping area dry when the odd shower passes over.

A wet bouncy castle is slippery, though, and safety always comes first. Our hire agreement sets out a few simple rules:

• Stop bouncing if the surface gets wet. Wet vinyl is slippery, so pause play until it’s dry.
• Switch off in heavy rain. If it really starts coming down, turn the blower off.
• Dry it off and carry on. Once the rain passes, a quick wipe with a towel and you’re usually good to go again.

Summer showers often pass in twenty minutes, so it’s worth having a few old towels ready just in case.

What about wind?

Wind is actually a bigger safety concern than rain. In line with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, we won’t set up a castle, and will take one out of use, in wind speeds of 24mph or above. It might feel disappointing on the day, but it’s there to keep everyone safe.

What if we have to cancel because of the weather?

If we need to cancel or postpone your booking because of the weather, we’ll first offer to move it to a new date. If we can’t agree a date that works for you, you’ll get a full refund. Simple as that.

What if I want to change my booking?

Bookings are secured with a £20 deposit. If you need to cancel or move your party yourself:

• More than 7 days before your hire date: your deposit can be moved to a new date.
• Within 7 days of your hire date: the deposit is forfeited.

If you’re worried about a long-range forecast, talk to us early. The more notice you give us, the more options there are.

Will I be charged if the castle gets wet or muddy?

We know the weather is out of your control. If the castle arrives wet, or gets wet during your hire, it can go back in the same condition at no extra charge. Light bits of grass just need a quick wipe or hoover. We only charge a cleaning fee for heavy soiling such as mud or stains.

Want a rain-proof party? Go indoors

If you’d rather not worry about the weather at all, an indoor party is the way to go. Lots of our customers book a local hall, especially in autumn and winter, and our castles work brilliantly inside.

• Our Large Blue Party Theme Castle With Slide is only 8ft high, so it suits halls with lower ceilings.
• Our toddler castles, like the Princess Toddler Bouncy Castle, fit comfortably in most halls.
• Soft play hire is perfect for younger children indoors.

Before you book a venue, check the ceiling height against the castle you want. Our indoor bouncy castle guide explains what to look for, and our Colchester hall and venue guide lists halls we’ve set up in.

Our wet weather checklist

1. Check the forecast a few days before and again the day before.
2. Have a few old towels ready.
3. Plan an indoor back-up, such as games, a film or a craft table.
4. Keep your phone handy in case we need to get in touch.
5. If the forecast looks bad, call us early to talk through your options.

Any questions?

If you’re worried about the weather for your party, get in touch or call us on 01206 587444. We’d much rather have a quick chat in advance than have you worrying. You can also find more answers on our FAQs page.