Inflatable Hire: Obstacle Courses, Slides & Games Guide (2026)

A bouncy castle is the classic, but it's far from the only option. Hire companies across the UK carry obstacle courses, giant slides, interactive games and mazes — and for older children, mixed ages and grown-up events, these often go down even better. Whether you call it inflatable hire or inflatable rental, here's what's out there and how to choose.

What can you hire besides a bouncy castle?

• Obstacle & assault courses — race a friend through tunnels, climbs and pop-ups.
• Inflatable slides — from small toddler slides to giant standalone slides.
• Inflatable games — gladiator duels, bungee runs, wrecking balls, giant inflatable balls and more.
• Inflatable mazes — walk-through puzzles, great for younger children.
• Rodeo bulls — a mechanical ride on an inflatable crash mat.

If you're still weighing up castle styles, our guide to types of bouncy castle covers the standard range. This guide is about everything else.

Inflatable obstacle courses & assault courses

Obstacle courses are the most popular alternative to a castle. Most have two lanes side by side, so players race each other through crawl tunnels, pop-up obstacles, climbing walls and a slide to finish. That built-in competition is what makes them so good for groups.

They come in a wide range of lengths — from compact courses that fit a decent garden to long, multi-section courses built for fields, school sports days and fun days. Bigger courses are often suitable for teenagers and adults too, which makes them a favourite for corporate events and team-building days.

Good for: energetic 5–11s, older kids' parties, sports days, fun days, team events. Browse companies offering assault course hire.

Inflatable slides

Slides range from small, gentle units for toddlers to giant standalone slides with a tall climb and a long drop. A lot of hire companies also offer combi units — a bouncy castle with a built-in slide — which are a good middle ground for mixed ages.

The key with slides is matching the height to the age group. Ask the company who the slide is designed for, and plan to have an adult watching the top and bottom when it's busy. In summer, some companies also offer slides that can be used with water — worth asking if you want one.

Browse companies offering inflatable slide hire.

Inflatable games

Inflatable games are interactive — players compete against each other rather than just bouncing. They're brilliant for teenagers, adults and anyone who finds a castle a bit tame. Popular choices include:

• Gladiator duel — two players on podiums battle with padded jousting sticks.
• Bungee run — race down a lane attached to a bungee cord and see who can get furthest.
• Wrecking ball (sometimes called "last man standing") — players stand on podiums and try to stay on as the swinging arm comes round.
• Giant inflatable balls & bubble football — big-ball games and inflatable "zorb" suits.
• Inflatable target games — such as giant darts or football shoot-outs.

A rodeo bull isn't an inflatable itself, but it sits on an inflatable crash mat and is usually hired from the same companies — it's the classic adult party challenge.

Inflatable mazes

Mazes are walk-through inflatables with twists, turns and dead ends. They're calmer than an obstacle course, so they suit younger children and mixed groups, and they work well at fun days where you want lots of children moving through quickly. Fewer companies carry them, so ask early if you want one.

Which inflatable suits your event?

• Children's birthday (5–11) — an obstacle course or a combi castle with a slide.
• Under-5s — a small slide, a maze or soft play rather than anything tall or fast.
• School sports day or fun day — a long obstacle course for races, plus a maze for the little ones.
• Teenagers — gladiator duels, bungee runs and wrecking balls.
• Adults, work events & team building — obstacle course relays, interactive games and a rodeo bull.
• Weddings & grown-up parties — see our adult and wedding hire guide, or browse adult bouncy castle hire.

Space, power and access

Obstacle courses and games take up more room than a castle, so measure before you enquire:

• Length and width — measure your space and tell the company. Long courses need a field or a large hall, and every unit needs clear space around it.
• Surface — flat grass is ideal. On hard ground, companies use mats and weights instead of stakes, so mention it.
• Power — each unit needs a blower, and bigger units can need more than one socket. No power nearby? Many companies can supply a generator.
• Access — large units are heavy, so check there's a clear route from the van to the set-up spot (gates, steps, narrow paths).
• Indoors — check ceiling height. Many companies carry lower units for halls; see indoor inflatable hire.

How much does it cost?

Prices vary by size, area and whether someone is supplied to run it, but as a rough guide:

• Standard bouncy castle — typically £60–£120 (see our full price guide).
• Obstacle courses — usually more than a castle, rising with length; large multi-section courses cost the most.
• Interactive games and rodeo bulls — often priced higher again, especially when an operator is included.

Many companies offer package deals if you hire several items together — useful for fun days and corporate events. Always get a quote that includes delivery, set-up, collection and any operator.

Safety: what to check before you book

• Testing — ask whether the unit is PIPA tested, the UK inspection scheme for inflatable play equipment.
• Insurance — the company should hold public liability insurance. On BookABounce, companies that have provided valid documents show an Insured badge.
• Supervision — interactive games and rodeo bulls are often supplied with an operator. For everything else, plan for an adult to supervise at all times.
• Age and size groups — keep big and small players apart, and follow the company's user limits.
• Weather — outdoor inflatables must close in strong winds (above roughly 24mph) and heavy rain, so ask about the company's weather and refund policy.

Organising a school or public event? The HSE's guidance on inflatables is worth a read.

Ready to book? Find inflatable hire near you, or browse all hire services. When you enquire, tell the company your space, surface, age group and date — and ask about package deals if you want more than one inflatable.