Winter Income for a Bounce House Business: Indoor Event Rentals
In cold-weather states, outdoor inflatable rentals stop when the season ends. How rental businesses keep money coming in over the winter: indoor events, schools, churches, and the holiday party season.
In much of the country, backyard bounce house season ends in October. Rental businesses that just store everything until April leave months of income on the table.
Here's how operators keep renting through winter.
Indoor venues
Inflatables can go inside if there's room:
- School gyms for carnivals, fun nights and fundraisers
- Church halls and fellowship halls
- Community centers and park district buildings
- Event halls and banquet rooms
- Warehouses and large garages for private parties
Check ceiling height (tall units won't fit), floor space, doors big enough to get the unit through, and a nearby outlet for the blower.
Indoor setup is different
- No stakes. Use sandbags or weights as the manufacturer says.
- Floor protection. Tarps or mats under the unit to protect gym floors.
- Blower noise is louder inside. Plan where it goes.
- Clean units. Indoor clients expect them spotless. See cleaning and storing inflatables.
Winter events to market to
- Fall festivals and Halloween parties (outdoors in October, indoors after)
- School winter carnivals and reading-night events
- Holiday parties for companies, churches and families
- Birthday parties in rented halls
- Lock-ins and youth group events
- Super Bowl and New Year's parties
Other things to rent in winter
- Interactive games that work indoors: obstacle courses, carnival games
- Party equipment: tables, chairs, concession machines (popcorn, cotton candy)
- Smaller inflatables made for indoor use
Getting bookings
Contact schools, churches and park districts in September and October, when they're planning winter events. A simple one-page flyer with indoor options, sizes and prices helps.
Insurance
Indoor events may need extra certificates of insurance for the venue. Talk to your insurer before you book.
Use the downtime
The slow months are also when you repair, clean, store and plan for spring. See how to start a bounce house rental business and bounce house wind limits and safety rules.
Photo: Bounce House Inside Toddler Heaven (49268744).jpeg) by Simon Kellogg, CC BY 3.0.