Inflatables are designed to be fun! That was the whole reason they were invented! To be fun! To bounce around and be silly and laugh. It’s nearly impossible to be in a bad mood while you are bouncing on an inflatable! You can try, but it just won’t work. Inflatable fun brings out a smile in even the gloomiest Gus!
So, we know inflatables are fun - that is a given. We also know that inflatables make you move. It’s difficult to be still (even when you are trying) on an inflatable. Even if you are sitting, the weight of other people jumping around causes you to tumble over or bounce in the air. Plus, who want to be still on a big Princess Castle #PrincessParty or air-filled Millennium Falcon #StarWarsParty?
When you are on an inflatable, you want to move! Typically if you are moving you are getting exercise. This is never a bad thing, especially if you have kids. Bouncing all day will getting their heart pumping and muscles moving #HeathBenefits. Inflatables are the perfect way to get kids moving and get them healthy, without them even knowing it. Because once they start moving, they won’t want to stop!
Yes, adults can be sneaky - getting physical activity in through the use of inflatable knights castles and pirate bounce houses, but they can also sneak in a little education, too. What, education, healthy activity AND fun? All in one? How can this be?
It’s easy to roll a little education into your inflatable fun. Inflatables require some education before kids even step foot on one. They must follow the directions you set (or the manufacturer sets) on how many people can be in the inflatable at one time. They have to wait their turn if there are a lot of kids waiting to play and how to be fair. This may not seem like education to adults, but to kids, especially smaller children, it absolutely is!
Parents can help children with their colors by asking them what color the princess's dress is in the castle bounce house or the color of the knight’s flag. Math can be incorporated by counting the number of steps up to the slide or swords are in the pirate inflatable.
Math and language skills can easily be taught using a bounce house. Have children take one bounce for each letter of their name, each letter of the alphabet or each syllable of a word. Kids can bounce down from 10, bounce up to 20 or even bounce counting by twos, fives or tens. For older kids you can have them bounce an equation to solve. Have one child bounce five times, then another bounce seven times and ask a third how many bounces total.
For less academic education and more motor skills education use a bounce house or inflatable to play a mirror jumping game where one child jumps a certain way and everyone has to copy. Play some music and have a freeze music dance game. This can be especially difficult in a bounce house because who can precisely stop on an inflatable?
Add a degree of difficulty with a balloon volley game. Balloons are hard enough to control, but add an inflatable beneath your feet and the challenge grows exponentially! Create teams and have an obstacle course relay. Have each participant spin around a few times before they start to add challenge and laughter to the game!
Inflatables might appear to be something that is purely fun, however, there are many ways to sneak in a little education, without the kids even knowing it! Yes, inflatables are fun, but they can also be opportunities for kids to learn, grow and stay healthy!
Inflatables aren't just for fun; they can also be a great way to keep kids active and engaged. When choosing inflatables for your next event, look for options that combine fun with learning.
Outdoor Celebrations offers a fantastic selection of bounce houses, slides, and inflatable games on rent that can spark creativity and imagination. Consider renting an inflatable obstacle course that challenges kids to problem-solve and cooperate. Or, opt for a bounce house with educational themes, such as letters and numbers.
By choosing the right inflatables, you can create a memorable event that's both entertaining and educational.