My son is turning 2 in January, the weather in San Antonio will likely be mild and good for an outdoor activity. We are considering a bounce house, specifically an Elmo or Sesame Street one. ( There will be 5-10 children ranging from 2-6 in age at his party)
In your experience, is this too young for a bounce house? I know you have to be really careful about # of kids at once and age ranges together.
If you're in South Texas, where are the best places to rent?
Any good alternative suggestions for those who might think this is too young?
Thanks everyone! I was concerned about his age too and I think we'd be better off waiting another year or two!
Looks like I am in the minority here, but my son is 2 and he loves the bounce house (so do his other little friends the same age). As long as the kiddos are supervised and too many aren't in at one time, I don't see the problem with it!
I would say 4 - 6 yrs old: absolutely, but anything under 4 and it can be downright dangerous for them. ESPECIALLY if there will be 6yr olds in there with them. Your little guy is still pretty young, I would hold off on the bouncehouse for a couple of years.
Personally I didn't allow mine in a bounce house until they were about 4. The two year olds skull is still closing.
I never had parties with other people's children at my house, only family parties until the kids were in preschool.
What about pony rides. I know in NC there are farms that will deliver a pony to your house and give rides for a time, hour, half hour.
Definitely have a bounce house! Our friends own a business here in NC and everyone from their 1 year old on up has been on it! The kids will LOVE it, and it will make for an excellent "activity"! Have fun!
I wouldn't do a bounce house before the age of 3. We have an indoor inflatable jumper, and my 3 yo does quite well in it, but my 17 mo is hesitant, and I fear someone under 3 migt get seriously hurt by the older kids.
I read a recent article, that says some Bounce Houses poses a risk to lead... lead has been found in some of the vinyls tested...
Here is just one article about it:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/12/us/12bounce.html
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?entry_i...
Something to definitely consider....
All the best,
Susan
Mom, I think this is way too young. I know of 2, 4 yr olds who were recently hurt in rented bounce houses.One injury resulted in a broken bone when a 6 yr old jumped on him accidentally when he had fallen near the edge wall and could not get up. These are better for age 6+ oin my opinion. Hope this helps.
2 yrs is a little bit young. I have been to a local bouncy fun center and I have seen younger kids (18months) bouncing, but not enjoying it when the bigger kids were bouncing and falling down on top of him.
Give it a try before you decide -- Drive 15 miles north of San Antonio http://www.emerald-rainbow.com/ For your son it'll cost you just $5 for you and him to go. They're open Tues-Sat (1-5 during the week, I think it's 11-5 on Saturday). They have 4 or 5 different castles for his age. You can see what sort of bouncy he likes or if he even likes it. If he likes it, they can perhaps recommend a place to rent one. I've never rented one, but my son and I go to Emerald Rainbow fairly often. He's 2.5 and loves it.
My son is 2 and loves bouncy houses, but his first time was a couple of months before his 2 year birthday, so that helps if they have had a chance to be in one. I only let him get on the toddler ones, where most kids are around 2-3. They have small ones just for toddlers, the Elmo/SStreet ones might be too big for him. My son's birthday is in the summer time and aside from the water activitities, we also had a train ride. Small tractor w/barrel seating, it was cute and the the ages that loved the train ride ranged from 2-5. So, if you are interested, email me and I'll get you the contact number.
We bought a really small bounce house to use at home. I don't remember how old my son was when we bought it, but it was on sale for less than $100. We'd only let one kid go in at a time(the actual limit was 2 kids up to 70 lbs). It's open on top, and has a basketball hoop. It's been great for rainy days since it's small enough(8x8) to set up in the living room.
we got one for my daughter 3rd birthday, and it was just right for that age. there were a couple of younger children, and it was ok for them, if they were the only ones in it. I would recommend waiting one more year. Maybe get one of the small slides instead.
I am an old ER nurse and I really think maybe in a year or 2 the timing would be more appropriate. Neck injuries are not uncommon, not to mention limb injuries in these things.
my sil always has a bounce house or two. my son is scared of them (3 in jan) while other kids are in them. he likes to be all by himself. if you could get two like a slidebounce house and a regular bounce house that might be better for the really little ones. also i read on ohdeedoh that the bounce houses contain lead. so be sure everyone washes there hands before eating was the suggestion. they had a dirt pile one year and the kids loved that!
