A standard 13x13 moonwalk for a kids' birthday rents for $125-$225 in most US markets. A combo unit with a slide runs $200-$350. Water slides start around $300 in summer and book out 4-6 weeks in advance. Below is the typical pricing across the 999 bounce house and inflatable rental providers in our directory, plus the add-ons and surcharges that most quotes don't show on the first line.
Bounce house rental cost by unit type
Pricing scales with unit footprint, complexity, and seasonality. The ranges below are for a 4-6 hour standard rental, the most common contract length:
| Unit type | Typical price | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard moonwalk (13x13) | $125-$225/day | 5-8 kids age 3-12 | Single jump area. Most common kids' birthday rental. |
| Combo unit (jump + slide) | $200-$350/day | 6-10 kids age 5-13 | Adds a small slide to a standard bounce. Most popular upgrade. |
| Large bounce (20x20) | $250-$400/day | 10-15 kids age 5-13 | More floor area. Better for siblings + cousins at the same party. |
| Water slide (single lane) | $300-$500/day | 4-8 kids age 6+ | Summer rental. Requires a hose and a flat area for the splash pool. |
| Combo water slide (jump + slide + pool) | $400-$650/day | 8-15 kids age 6+ | Highest-demand kids' summer unit. Books out 4-6 weeks in advance. |
| Obstacle course (35-50 ft) | $450-$900/day | 8-20 participants age 8+ | Two-lane race units for older kids and corporate field days. |
| Adult-rated unit (60 lb+) | $500-$1,200/day | Mixed adult / teen | Heavy-duty for college / corporate events. Higher PSI, reinforced. |
The add-on costs that aren't in the headline price
Quotes typically list the unit and basic delivery. The line items below add up fast and almost always come up at booking:
| Line item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery & setup | $50-$150 each way | Per-mile fees over ~20 mi from rental yard. Many providers include the first 10-15 mi. |
| Generator (no power on site) | $75-$150/day | Required for bounce houses set up in parks or backyards without an outdoor outlet within 100 ft. |
| Attendant / supervisor | $25-$45/hour | Required by some rental contracts when kids are unsupervised by a parent. ASTM F2374 inflatable safety standard. |
| Themed unit upcharge | +$25-$75 | Princess, superhero, sports, etc. Theme-specific units cost more because they get booked less per year. |
| Overnight rental | +50-100% of base | Most rentals are 4-6 hours. Keeping the unit overnight nearly doubles cost. |
| Damage waiver / deposit | 5-10% or $50-$150 | Refundable. Covers tears, ink stains, food residue cleanup. |
| Event liability insurance (recommended) | $75-$200 | Many rental contracts require it for events with 25+ attendees, see /insurance. |
What actually drives price differences between cities
We see roughly 40% price variance city-to-city for the same unit type. Drivers, in order of impact:
- Local competition density. Cities with 20+ bounce house companies (Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta) have aggressive pricing. Mid-tier markets (Boise, Birmingham, Spokane) run 15-25% higher per unit because there are fewer alternatives.
- Delivery distance. Rental yards cluster in metro centers. A backyard in a suburb 25 mi out adds $40-$80 per leg.
- Date. Saturdays in May, June, and July run 20-35% higher than weekday or Sunday-afternoon rentals of the same unit.
- Insurance + permit overhead. California, New York, and Florida providers carry higher commercial liability premiums, passed through as a 5-10% baseline price increase.
How to compare quotes
Get itemized quotes from at least 3 providers in our directory. Specifically ask:
- Is delivery + setup + takedown bundled, or itemized?
- Is there an attendant requirement, and is one included?
- Power needed: does my setup site have an outlet within 100 ft, or do I need a generator?
- What's the cancellation and bad-weather policy?
- Is event liability insurance included or do I need to purchase it separately?
To find local bounce house rental providers in your city, browse our full city directory or jump to a specific city's bounce house category page (e.g. Houston bounce house rentals).
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost to rent a bounce house?▾
For a standard 13x13 moonwalk for a kids' birthday party (4-6 hours), expect $125-$225 in most US markets. A combo unit with a slide runs $200-$350. Water slides start around $300 in summer. Obstacle courses for older kids or corporate events go $450-$900. Add $50-$150 for delivery and any per-hour overage if the party runs long.
How much does a bounce house cost for 4 hours?▾
Most rental contracts are written as a 4-6 hour standard rental at the same price. A 13x13 moonwalk for 4 hours typically costs $125-$225 plus $50-$150 delivery. Booking less than 4 hours rarely saves money because the labor and trip cost is the same.
Why is a water slide rental so much more expensive?▾
Three reasons: it's heavier and harder to set up (often a 2-person crew), the inventory turns slower (only summer demand), and the cleanup is harder (drying, mildew prevention, cleaning the splash pool). Expect to pay 50-100% more than a comparable dry bounce.
When should I book a bounce house rental?▾
For peak weekends (May-September Saturdays, especially around July 4th and Memorial Day weekends), book 6-8 weeks ahead. For off-peak (Sunday afternoons, fall weekends, weekday rentals), 1-2 weeks is typically enough. Themed units (princess, superhero) and water slides book out fastest.
Do I need insurance for a bounce house rental?▾
Most rental companies carry their own liability insurance for the equipment, but their policy does not cover injuries to your guests. For events of 25+ attendees, especially in a public park or commercial venue, you should buy a one-day event policy ($75-$200). Many parks require proof of insurance before issuing a permit. See our event insurance page.
What's not included in a standard bounce house rental quote?▾
Most quotes include the unit, basic delivery, and setup. Not included by default: a generator (if no power on site), an attendant / supervisor, sandbags or extra anchors for paved surfaces, overnight rental, and the damage waiver. Always ask whether power, anchoring, and supervision are included for your specific setup.
How safe are rental bounce houses?▾
Modern commercial-grade bounce houses are built to ASTM F2374 standard with reinforced seams, blower-driven inflation, and required ground anchoring. Almost all reported injuries trace back to (1) unsupervised use, (2) improper wind anchoring (avoid use over 25 mph wind), or (3) too many kids of mixed sizes inside at once. Follow the operator's age + count rules and keep an adult watching, and the safety record is comparable to backyard playground equipment.