How Much Space Do You Need for a Bounce House? Measure Your Yard in 5 Minutes
Grab a tape measure and five minutes. This is the exact checklist our crew runs in your yard on party morning, so you can run it first and know it fits.
Short answer: A 13x13 bounce house needs a flat, clear spot about 20x20 feet: the unit plus a few feet on every side to get in and out, and room for the blower. It also needs a standard outlet within 100 feet and nothing overhead. A 14x32 combo needs about 20x38 feet.
- Space needed = the unit plus a few feet on every side. A 13x13 needs about 20x20 feet.
- Grass is best. Concrete and driveways work with sandbags.
- A 110V outlet within 100 feet. We bring the 100 ft cord. No outlet? A generator is $80.
- Look up: no branches or power lines overhead. Look at the forecast: most makers say stop at 15 to 25 mph wind.
Here's the phone call nobody wants. It's 9 AM on party day, the truck is in the driveway, and the only flat spot in the yard is 14 feet wide with a maple branch hanging over it.
That call never happens if you spend five minutes with a tape measure this week. Here's exactly what to measure, the same things our crew checks when they walk into your yard.
How much space do you need for a bounce house?
A bounce house needs its own footprint plus a few feet clear on every side, so kids can climb in and out without landing on a fence, and so the crew has room for the blower tube and the stakes. For a 13x13 bounce house that works out to a flat spot about 20x20 feet. Here's every size Pepe's Party Rental rents:
| Unit | Footprint | Flat, clear space | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bounce house 13x13 (Blue Castle, Pelotitas, Sports 'P' and more) | 13x13 ft | about 20x20 ft | $185 |
| Bounce house 15x15 (Flower Castle, Crayon) | 15x15 ft | about 22x22 ft | $185 |
| Pink Combo with slide | 15x27 ft | about 22x34 ft | $210 |
| Red or Orange Combo | 14x32 ft | about 20x38 ft | $280 |
Water slides are much bigger. Our water slide guide has their sizes and the hose setup.
Can a bounce house go on grass, concrete or a driveway?
All three work. Grass is best: the crew stakes the bounce house into the ground, which is the most secure setup, and the lawn is softer for little feet that step off the edge. On concrete, asphalt or a driveway, stakes can't go in, so the crew holds it down with sandbags instead. Pepe's brings the stakes and the sandbags with every unit. Whatever the surface, it needs to be flat. If a ball would roll across it, the kids will slide to the low side too.
Before party day, clear the spot of sticks, rocks, dog toys and anything sharp. Mow the day before if you can.
Does a bounce house need power?
Yes. The blower runs the whole time the bounce house is up, on a standard 110V household outlet within 100 feet. Pepe's brings a 100 ft extension cord with every bounce house. Party at a park or a field with no outlet? Our portable generator is $80 a day with gas included, and it runs up to two blowers.
What should I check overhead and underground?
Look up. No tree branches, power lines or roof edges over the spot. A bounce house is taller than it looks in photos.
Look down. Stakes go into the ground, so think about what's under the grass: sprinkler heads, sprinkler lines, a septic field or buried utility lines. Mark sprinkler heads with a flag or a cup. If you're not sure where public utility lines run, Virginia 811 marks them for free; call or request online at least three working days ahead.
Look at the path. The crew carries the unit from the truck to the spot. Tell us when you book about steps, a narrow gate or a steep hill on the way.
What wind speed is too windy for a bounce house?
Most inflatable manufacturers and safety guides put the limit between 15 and 25 mph, and many use 15 mph as the cutoff when a unit doesn't list one. Wind is the one thing you can't fix on party day, so check the forecast 3 days out. If strong wind or a storm is coming, move your date: Pepe's lets you cancel or reschedule for free up to 48 hours before the event, for any reason. Inside 48 hours the refund is 50%, so the forecast check is worth the two minutes.
The 5-minute yard check
- Measure your flattest spot. 20x20 feet for a 13x13, 22x22 for a 15x15, 20x38 for a big combo.
- Look up. Nothing overhead.
- Find the outlet. Within 100 feet, or add a generator for $80.
- Mark the sprinkler heads.
- Walk the path from the street and note any steps, gates or hills.
- Three days before: check the wind forecast.
Spot too small or not sure? Call (571) 244-5255 with your measurements and we'll tell you straight whether it fits.
It fits? Lock in the date.
Most of our bounce houses are one of a kind, so once a unit is booked for a Saturday, it's gone. Check live availability for your date.
See bounce houses and book Rather talk to a person? Call (571) 244-5255¿Cuánto espacio necesita un brincolín?
Un brincolín de 13x13 necesita un espacio plano de unos 20x20 pies: el brincolín más unos pies libres en cada lado. También necesita un enchufe normal a menos de 100 pies (llevamos el cable de 100 pies) y nada encima, ni ramas ni cables. Si no hay enchufe, el generador cuesta $80. Hablamos español: (571) 244-5255.
Frequently asked questions
How much space do I need for a 13x13 bounce house?
About 20x20 feet of flat, clear ground. That's the 13x13 unit plus a few feet on every side so kids can get in and out safely and the crew has room for the blower and the stakes.
Can you put a bounce house on concrete or a driveway?
Yes. On grass the crew stakes the bounce house into the ground. On concrete, asphalt or a driveway, stakes can't go in, so it is held down with sandbags instead. Pepe's brings the stakes and sandbags with every bounce house.
Does a bounce house need electricity?
Yes. The blower runs the whole time and needs a standard 110V outlet within 100 feet. Pepe's brings a 100 ft extension cord. If there is no outlet, our generator rents for $80 a day with gas included and runs up to two blowers.
What wind speed is too high for a bounce house?
Most inflatable manufacturers and safety guides put the limit between 15 and 25 mph, and many use 15 mph when the unit doesn't say. If strong wind is in the forecast, reschedule: you can move or cancel your date for free up to 48 hours before the event.
Can a bounce house go on a slope?
Only a very gentle one. The ground should be flat enough that a ball would not roll. A noticeable slope makes the unit lean and pushes kids to the low side. If your only spot slopes, call us before you book.
A family-owned party rental company in Stafford, Virginia since 2013, with a 4.8-star rating from 121 Google reviews. We deliver bounce houses, water slides, tents, tables and chairs across Stafford, Fredericksburg, Prince William County and Northern Virginia. Hablamos español.
