Bouncy castle and inflatables hire business
Own a few bouncy castles and deliver, set up and collect them at weekend parties and school fetes.
- £2.5k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
1,108 UK companies in this field, 41% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 77299 “Renting and leasing of other personal and household goods”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A mobile hire business built around inflatables such as bouncy castles, slides and soft play, delivered to gardens, halls and fields. You set up, brief the hirer on safe use, and collect at the end of the hire.
Your first three steps
- Research suppliers of commercial-grade inflatables with the right safety标志 and test certificates, and price a starter set of two or three units
- Arrange insurance and look into inflatable safety training and annual inspection options
- Create a simple booking page with clear sizes, prices and space requirements, and promote it in local parent groups
Who pays
Parents hosting children's parties, schools and PTAs, nurseries, churches and community event organisers.
How it makes money
A hire fee per inflatable per day, with extras for delivery distance, generators for sites without power, and longer hire periods.
Skills that help
- Safe setup of equipment
- Driving and lifting
- Reliable timekeeping
- Clear communication with customers
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance designed for inflatable hire is essential
- Check current UK safety guidance and annual inspection requirements for inflatables, such as schemes run by trade bodies
- Weather, wind limits and the risk of injury, so follow manufacturer guidance and cancel when unsafe
- A suitable vehicle and enough dry storage space to keep inflatables clean and mould-free
- Check with your council whether hiring out on public land needs permission
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: bouncy castle and inflatables hire
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a bouncy castle hire business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £2,500 to £10,000, depending on how many inflatables you buy and the vehicle and dry storage you need. Insurance designed for inflatable hire is also a cost to include in your budget.
How much can a bouncy castle hire business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £600 to £4,000, depending on how many bookings you take and your prices. This is revenue before costs such as fuel, insurance, inspections and repairs.
What rules and safety checks apply to bouncy castle hire?
Check that you have public liability insurance designed for inflatable hire, and look at current UK safety guidance and annual inspection requirements, such as trade body schemes. Also check with your council whether hiring out on public land needs permission.
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Photo: Antranias on Pixabay