The Giggle Game

To play the Giggle Game, have one child lay on their back in the corner of the jumping castle. Have the second child lay their head on the first child’s stomach so the two are creating a right angle with their bodies.

Continue this pattern until everyone is laying down. Once everyone is laying on the jumping castle floor, they must stay perfectly still and be very quiet.

Now, here’s where the fun begins. Make the first child laugh by saying “HA!” This will cause a wave of laughter from all of the children.

The Giggle Game is not only fun for kids, but it is also one of the few accessible games to play in a bounce house. While jumping castle games typically involve running, jumping, or standing, this game merely requires the participants to lie down. This means children with physical disabilities can enjoy fun castle games with their friends, too.

Freeze Bounce

Freeze Bounce is one of the especially fun jumping castle games for kids as it combines physical activity with good listening skills. The only items required for this game besides the jumping castle are speakers and a music-playing device.

The game starts with fun music playing on a set of speakers as the children dance and bounce. Once the music stops, the children must freeze in whatever position they are in when the music stops.

This game is trickier than it sounds because the bouncy jumping castle’s floor will still be shaking and moving even after everyone freezes. If a child falls out of their position while the music is stopped, they are “out” for that round. Otherwise, the children resume with their dancing and moving until the music stops again.

Tumble Race

Kids are sure to love the dizzying Tumble Race game. To play, make one side of the castle a starting line. Have all of the children stand on the starting line with their backs up against the respective wall of the castle.

When the game supervisor says, “Go!” the children will start somersaulting to the opposite side of the castle. Once they reach the other side, they should start somersaulting back to the starting line. The first one back wins.

The Balloon Game

This game is a bit noisy, but thrilling and fun. The game simply requires balloons to toss inside your jumping castle, and determination.

The object of the Balloon Game is to pop as many balloons as possible by sitting on them. The soft floor of the bouncy castle will make this a bit more challenging and it is sure to be a hit.

For added fun, put very small prizes in the balloons such as stickers or small pieces of paper with riddles or jokes. The surprise inside will make the game much more fun and exciting.

Paper prizes are a safe option, as objects like tiny toys might hurt if sat on. As the fun continues, be sure to pick up the remains of the popped balloons.

Obstacle Course

Obstacle courses and birthday party jumping castles are a perfect match. This is a great way to keep children entertained while also testing their problem-solving skills.

There are many jumping castles already equipped with obstacles, but you may also want to add your own soft obstacles such as pillows or pool noodles.

This game can be played by individuals competing against each other, or if the group is big enough, the children can be split into teams. The object of the obstacle course is to get through it as fast as possible.

This activity is fun for everyone, as parents and guardians can cheer from the outside and watch the race. They can also be team captains so the competition has more structure.

Dodge Ball

Dodge Ball in a jumping castle is a fun twist on the classic game. With a bouncy floor, jumping and leaping is certainly easier, but landing is the tricky (and fun) part.

Any ball can be used for this game and using a bigger, softer ball might be better than a traditional Dodge Ball.

Tag

Tag seems like it might be a pretty straight-forward game to play, but even the quickest runners will have a difficult time keeping their footing on a floor that is practically a big balloon.

Tag is a good game to play that does not promote competition. Instead, the children can let loose and have fun without too much focus on keeping score.

Sumo Wrestling

One of the fundamental aspects in Sumo Wrestling is to hold your ground when your opponent tries to take you down. Imagine how fun it will be once the players try holding their ground and they just can’t because their feet are wobbling from the soft bouncy platform. How can they even shove their opponent when they can’t even balance?

Switch Place Race

Assign a number to each child. Send them to the bounce house and tell them to sit in a circle. Have the birthday child stand in the middle and call out two numbers. The players assigned those numbers must get up and switch places, racing to be seated before the birthday child steals one of the empty spots. Whichever player is left standing gets to call the next two numbers.

Bounce Pair Races

To play this game, only four players will be in the bounce house at one time. Pair them with partners and then have them each stand in opposite corners. On the “Go!” signal they must bounce across the structure and switch places with their partners. The first team to reach opposite corners wins. Another four players then do the same. When everyone has had a turn, the winning teams play again until only one team remains.

Tumble One Over

Have the birthday child sit in the middle of the bounce house, in whatever position he feels most secure. The remaining players bounce around until the birthday child tumbles over or changes position.

Simon Says Bounce

For this game, players have to try to bounce in a certain way for 30 seconds. Kids will bounce inside the house and someone on the outside will call out a command such as “bounce on one foot!” Kids will then try to bounce on one foot for 30 seconds (the person calling out the commands will time them).

Anyone who falls or stops the command before time is up is out. A new command is called out for the next 30 seconds. Animal imitations are good prompts for this game, such as bounce while flapping your wings or bounce while swinging your elephant’s trunk.

Musical Statues

Musical statues is a game that’s often fun for children. Playing this game on a bouncy castle adds another level of excitement and competition to the game as the surface of the bouncy castle makes it a little bit more difficult to stand still when the music stops!

Port and Starboard

A game involving memory and action, Port and Starboard is a game that children are guaranteed to enjoy. All of the children will be gathered on the bouncy castle, while the team leader will call out commands such as ‘Port’ (the children run to one side of the bouncy castle), ‘Starboard’ (children run to the other side), ‘Sharks Ahoy’ (children jump and try to keep their feet off the floor as long as possible), ‘Captain’s Coming’ (children stand to attention and salute), ‘Submarines’ (children lay on the floor) and ‘Climb the rigging’ (children pretend to climb a rope).

Players who do the wrong actions are out of the game, and the winner is the last child left in the game. Not only will the children have to remember what action they need to perform after each command, but it is an exciting, fast-paced and active game for the whole party.

Capture the Flag

This is a common outdoor game and can be fun for children to play on a bouncy castle. The children are split into two teams, with each member having a flag (this could be a coloured piece of paper or a strip of material). The object of the game is to capture the other team’s flag, as well as those found at the team’s base (this could be a pillar, wall or feature of the bouncy castle such as a slide). The winning team is the one which captures the flags of the other team first.

The Waiter Game

This is best played on a large obstacle course. Split the group in to teams of around 4. You will need plastic cups, plastic trays. The idea is you fill the cups with water and then the team in a race has to carry the tray down the obstacle course without spilling any of the water. The team with the most water still in the cups at the end is the winner.