Moonwalk Rentals vs. Bouncy House Rental: What’s the Difference?

Walk into any backyard party on a warm Saturday and you’ll hear it before you see it: the thumps of little feet, the squeals, the unmistakable whirr of a blower. Ask the host what they booked and you’ll get a grab bag of terms. Moonwalk. Bounce house. Bouncy castle. Jumper. To parents and planners, they all point to the same bright inflatable where kids burn off sugar. To rental companies and insurance adjusters, the words carry nuances that affect size, features, pricing, and safety expectations.

I’ve placed, staked, and cleaned more inflatable rentals than I can count, from toddler bounce house setups in narrow city yards to large combo bounce house rentals for school carnivals. Over time, I’ve learned where the terminology matters and where it doesn’t. This guide sorts the language, shows the real differences among inflatable bounce houses and moonwalk rentals, and helps you choose the right piece for your event without overspending or compromising on safety.

“Moonwalk” traces back to early inflatable play structures in Texas. Operators marketed the feeling of bounding like an astronaut on the moon, and the name stuck in some regions. In California, people say “jumper.” In the Midwest, “bouncy house” and “bounce house.” In the Northeast, “bouncy castle” gets equal play. Many companies use those phrases interchangeably on their websites so shoppers searching for moonwalk rentals land on the same page as those typing bouncy house rental.

Language history aside, the practical distinction today depends less on the label and more on the unit’s design. A true moonwalk, as many rental pros use the term, usually means a basic enclosed bouncing chamber with a single entrance ramp, mesh windows, and no slides or obstacles. A “bounce house” can mean that same square jumper, or it can be shorthand for any inflatable play structure. That overlap causes confusion, especially when you think you booked a simple box and a dual-lane slide shows up that won’t fit through your gate.

When you call a provider for kids party rentals, describe the activity you want, the ages of your guests, and your space constraints. Words are imprecise, measurements are not.

After you set aside the vocabulary, you discover four meaningful categories. First, the classic box jumper. Second, combo units that add slides or obstacles. Third, specialty pieces such as inflatable slide rentals and interactive games. Fourth, water configurations that transform a bounce house into a splash zone. Most families looking for backyard party rentals sit somewhere among the first two categories, with a weekend bounce house rental that fits the space and the guest list.

A standard moonwalk or basic bounce house is typically a 13 by 13 or 15 by 15 foot footprint, with a required safety perimeter of 3 to 5 feet on all sides for anchors and safe egress. Height ranges from 12 to 16 feet depending on the style. These units suit a wide age range, roughly 3 to 10 years, and can handle 6 to 8 children at a time, or about 800 to 1,000 pounds combined, depending on the manufacturer’s rating. They are easy to fit in most yards, load through a 36 inch gate, and run off a standard 15 amp household circuit for the blower.

Combo bounce house rentals add a slide, sometimes a small climbing wall, and occasionally pop-up inflatable rentals for kids obstacles or a basketball hoop. Footprints expand to 13 by 25 feet or more. Weight capacity climbs a bit, yet the key difference is flow. Kids cycle from bounce area to ladder to slide, which keeps lines moving during a birthday party. Combos are also popular for event rentals for kids, like school fun days, because they handle mixed ages well and offer clear supervision points.

Specialty inflatables, such as large inflatable slide rentals, obstacle courses, or interactive sports games, serve bigger crowds and older kids. A 30 foot obstacle course needs more space and stronger anchoring than a simple moonwalk. Inflatable slide rentals can tower over neighborhood fences, which triggers height restrictions with some HOAs. These are great for church festivals and community events, less convenient for tight urban yards.

When water enters the equation, the setup equation changes yet again. Bounce house and water slide rentals attract older kids and teens in the heat. Water introduces slipperiness, hose access logistics, and stricter surface requirements. If you plan to run water, ask your operator about GFCI protection, drainage, and whether your grass can handle hours of runoff without turning into a mud field.

Most incidents I’ve seen were preventable. They didn’t come from torn vinyl or faulty blowers, but from a mismatch between the unit and the space, poor anchoring, or lax supervision. A few details make the difference.

Surface and anchoring come first. Grass with 18 inch steel stakes is the gold standard for outdoor installs. Asphalt and concrete are fine if the operator uses sufficient commercial sandbags or water barrels and straps, but expect limits on tall slides if we cannot stake. On soft ground, an experienced crew tests for buried irrigation lines before driving stakes. I’ve heard the hiss of a line pierced by a novice, and it turns a happy setup into a costly repair.

Electrical runs matter. Every blower wants its own circuit, especially on older houses with mixed loads. When I’m running two blowers on a large combo, I split them between outlets on separate breakers to avoid trip-outs mid-party. Keep extension cords under 100 feet and use 12 or 14 gauge cords rated for outdoor use. Tape or cover them where foot traffic passes.

Wind rules are nonnegotiable. Most commercial inflatables have a maximum operating wind speed of around 20 to 25 miles per hour, sometimes lower for tall slides. Gusty conditions, not steady breezes, lead to surprises. If a reputable company calls to cancel for wind, they aren’t being difficult. They’re protecting your guests and their insurance.

Supervision is the final guardrail. One attentive adult for a standard unit is the baseline. For a combo, position an adult near the slide exit and another at the entrance. Enforce height and age splits when the crowd mixes toddlers and grade schoolers. Big kids bouncing near little ones cause spills. If inflatable water slides you want to relax, hire an attendant through your rental provider. Party inflatables are safe fun when the rules get the same respect you’d give a pool.

Parents often ask if their two year old can play in the same inflatable as their older cousins. The answer depends on crowd management and the unit type. A toddler bounce house is a distinct category, with lower walls, soft pop-ups, and a gentler bounce surface. These units typically cap participants at five to six small children and keep older kids out entirely. They shine at morning parties and indoor venues, where predictable pacing and calmer energy make the day smoother.

Mixed-age parties benefit from either two separate inflatables or scheduled age blocks. The classic pattern: twenty minutes for kids five and under, then twenty for six to nine, then the older group. It takes a little enforcing, but it prevents collisions and keeps the littlest ones smiling rather than teary.

Weight limits and occupancy are not guesswork. They come printed on the unit or in the operator manual. If yours isn’t visible, ask. Expect posted guidance like “No more than eight participants at one time” or “No flips.” There’s a reason. A flip in a crowded bounce house can send a knee into a neighbor’s temple faster than anyone can react.

Most disappointments happen in the driveway. The truck pulls up, the crew rolls out the inflatable, and the homeowner realizes the gate is 30 inches wide while the deflated combo needs 36 inches to pass. Avoid that moment with a tape measure and photos before booking. Measure the gate opening, the narrowest path to the setup area, and the flat footprint available. Note low branches, overhead utility lines, and sprinkler heads.

A 13 by 13 with a front-entry step actually needs about 16 by 16 feet of clear space to allow for stakes and blower placement. A combo that lists 13 by 25 feet usually wants 15 by 30 clear. Height is the silent deal-breaker. A simple unit may need 14 feet, while a large slide can require 18 to 22 feet. I’ve watched crews reposition a unit three times to dodge a set of power lines. Better to plan for that on paper.

Slope is another factor. A gentle grade is fine, but the blower must sit level and the entry ramp should not tilt away from the house. If your yard slopes sharply, a smaller footprint unit with careful anchoring beats a big one that never quite rests securely.

Pricing for bounce house rentals varies by region, demand, and the specific piece. In most markets, a standard moonwalk or basic bouncy house rental runs in the neighborhood of 150 to 275 dollars for a day, with combos ranging 225 to 375, and large slides or obstacle courses jumping to 300 to 650 or more. Weekend bounce house rental rates sometimes include Friday drop-off and Sunday pick-up at a modest premium, which suits families hosting guests or planning loosely timed parties.

Delivery distance, stairs, and difficult access add to cost because they add crew time. Parks and public spaces often require a certificate of insurance naming the city as additionally insured, which is routine for established companies but may carry a small fee. If your event uses a generator because there’s no power, confirm the generator size. A single 1.5 horsepower blower wants roughly 10 to 12 amps at startup. Two or more blowers, especially on combo units, require a larger generator and separate circuits.

Cleaning and sanitation are part of the rate. Ask how often the company deep cleans and whether they sanitize with a kid-safe disinfectant between rentals. Reliable operators will give a straightforward answer and arrive with tidy tarps and a clean unit. If the inflatable arrives damp from a rushed morning turnover and gets rolled up wet after your party, mold becomes your problem on the next booking. I prefer an operator who builds enough time into their schedule to dry and sanitize properly.

For backyard party rentals on private property, you usually don’t need a permit. Public parks are different. Call the parks department to see whether inflatables are allowed, where they can be placed, and whether staked installations are permitted. Many parks ban staking to protect irrigation systems. If staking is prohibited, ask your provider whether they have enough ballast to secure the unit safely with sandbags or water barrels and whether their insurance covers non-staked setups at that location.

Speaking of insurance, verify that the company carries at least a 1 million dollar general liability policy. It is standard in the industry and not a luxury. Some platforms list vendors who operate without it. Saving a hundred dollars is not worth the exposure if a gust of wind drags a slide across a field.

Read the rental agreement. You’ll likely see weather cancellation policies, cleaning fees for confetti and silly string, and strict bans on face paint that transfers to vinyl. Those rules feel picky until you’ve scrubbed smudged pigment out of a seam for an hour. Respecting them protects your deposit and the next family’s party.

Inflatable bounce houses and moonwalk rentals can work indoors, but not every venue is a good match. Gyms, rec centers, and church halls with 16 foot ceilings and good power access make life easy. Residential basements almost never fit, and most garages are too low. Always check height and blower placement. Doors that close on cords create friction points and heat, which pop breakers.

Cold temperatures change vinyl behavior. Below roughly 40 degrees Fahrenheit, vinyl stiffens and loses flexibility. Units can still operate, but setup and takedown require extra care and longer warm-up time. In colder months, plan shorter rental windows, keep the blower running to maintain internal warmth, and expect reduced jump capacity to limit wear. Some companies pause water-based rentals entirely once the overnight low dips below the mid-50s. If the sun sets early, lighting becomes a safety issue. Place a motion light near the entrance and always keep the entry ramp visible.

Running a wet combo or slide is simple in theory. Connect a hose to the mister line, turn on the water, and let the fun happen. In practice, successful water days start with drainage. Your lawn needs a place for hundreds of gallons of spray to go that is not your neighbor’s basement window well. A slight slope away from the house is perfect. Place the entry ramp on rubber mats to prevent muddy steps. Expect kids to trample a path, so warn anyone who cares deeply about pristine turf.

Check water pressure. Low pressure leads to dribbling misters and kids dragging the hose into the bounce area out of frustration. That’s a slip hazard. High pressure doesn’t make the slide faster, it just wastes water. Most mister systems do their job at modest flow. Ask the operator to install a shutoff valve near the unit so you can control volume easily.

When the party ends, let the blower run while you towel the slide lanes and the entrance. Wet vinyl tucked inside a fold grows mildew. Many operators schedule a post-wet cleanup stop or ask you to leave the blower on until they return so they can dry the unit. That extra fifteen minutes matters.

There are plenty of events where simple beats flashy. A preschool graduation picnic where children are three and four years old benefits from a soft, square bounce space with low thresholds and clear sightlines. A small birthday party in a townhouse yard with tight access and sensitive landscaping works best with a 13 by 13 and careful tarping. A family reunion where cousins span six to twelve years can run smoothly with a standard jumper and a separate yard game area. The classic moonwalk delivers dependable party entertainment rentals without overpowering the space.

In terms of cost and risk, the plain jumper is forgiving. Fewer components mean fewer failure points. The blower count is usually one. Power draw is straightforward. Setup and removal are quicker, which keeps your timeline predictable if your event window is tight.

If you’re inviting a classroom’s worth of elementary kids, or you want to stretch the day without hearing “I’m bored,” a combo is worth the extra money. The slide portion resets attention spans. Kids naturally rotate rather than bunch in the middle. For block parties and school events with larger crowds, a dual-lane slide or paired inflatables manage throughput, which keeps lines short and parents happy.

Older kids crave speed and challenge. A single-lane 18 foot slide with a moderate slope feels thrilling without being intimidating. For community events, an obstacle course solves the teenage boredom problem. It’s not unusual to see fifteen year olds racing each other while toddlers enjoy a separate toddler bounce house nearby. If you can’t supervise tight age splits, separating by unit type is the safer bet.

Commercial inflatables are built from heavy-duty PVC or vinyl-coated nylon, with double or quadruple stitching at stress points. The materials are durable, but they appreciate regular maintenance. A reputable company will wipe down high-contact areas between rentals with a disinfectant approved for children’s play equipment, then perform deeper cleaning weekly or as needed. Look for bright, unworn surfaces, clear mesh without tears, and seams that lie flat.

Ask how a company handles rainouts. Rolling wet vinyl creates a petri dish if it sits in a warehouse for a week. The best operators schedule open space to unroll and dry after storms. If your event lands during a rainy spell, expect flexibility. A company that insists on delivering a wet unit without the ability to dry it later is not doing you a favor.

A few line items in contracts deserve attention. Silly string stains vinyl permanently, and many companies charge a cleaning fee that equals the cost of a new panel. Face paints and temporary tattoos transfer easily when kids sweat. Food in the bounce area is a choking hazard and a mess. Shoes stay off, but socks on is a reasonable policy unless the slide runs with water, in which case bare feet grip better.

Pets and inflatables don’t mix. Even a gentle dog’s nails can rough up a seam. Keep water bowls and leashes away from the entrance so animals don’t wander in while kids exit. Smoking near a blower invites ash into the intake, which sends soot into the bounce area. Place smoking areas well away from the inflatable and the power lines.

Clarity beats assumptions. Before you sign, get the essentials in writing and confirm the operational details verbally. Here is a short checklist you can copy into your notes app.

If the representative answers confidently and asks you a few questions of their own about your yard, you’re in good hands. Vendors who rush through the details tend to cut corners on site.

The phrase moonwalk rentals carries nostalgia. Bouncy house rental sounds friendly and generic. Under the hood, you’re choosing from a spectrum of inflatable party equipment that ranges from a basic bounce box to elaborate combo units and dedicated slides. The right choice bends to your space, your crowd’s ages, your appetite for supervision, and your comfort with water and weather.

Families planning birthday party inflatables in small yards should favor simplicity, firm anchoring, and clear age rules. Hosts pulling together event rentals for kids at a school or church will get better results with multiple pieces that separate ages and manage flow. If you want a single all-day crowd pleaser in summer, bounce house and water slide rentals hit the sweet spot, provided you can manage drainage and keep power safe.

None of these decisions hinge on whether you call it a moonwalk or a bounce house. They hinge on keeping the fun continuous and the risks low. Get the measurements right, ask the unglamorous questions, match the inflatable to the guests, and you’ll end up with tired kids, satisfied parents, and a quiet blower winding down at sunset while someone slices the last wedge of cake.

A backyard with a 34 inch gate, 15 by 20 feet of level grass, and guests aged three to seven: a 13 by 13 basic inflatable bounce house, placed on tarps with staked corners and one blower on a dedicated outlet. Schedule age blocks if older siblings attend. Keep décor simple to preserve space around the entrance.

A cul-de-sac block party with thirty kids aged five to twelve and four hours to fill: one combo bounce house rental with a slide, plus a separate single-lane inflatable slide or a compact obstacle course if space allows. Two attendants or volunteers to manage entrances and exits. Cones and rope to create a queue, spray chalk to mark safety zones, and a generator if outlets are too far.

A summer birthday with a long, narrow yard and a hose connection near the setup area: a wet-dry combo with a side-mounted slide so the footprint runs lengthwise. Rubber mats at the entry, a hose splitter to leave one line for the mister and one for refills or cleanup, and an early evening pickup to avoid damp vinyl overnight.

A toddler-only party indoors at a church hall with a 16 foot ceiling: a toddler bounce house with soft pop-ups, bright colors, and no tall slide. Sanitizing wipes on hand for high-touch areas, a shoe rack at the entrance, and short sessions with snack breaks to keep energy manageable.

In each case, the label on the invoice is secondary. The match between the unit’s design and the day’s needs is what makes the event feel effortless.

I’ve watched a lot of parties from behind the blower. The happiest hosts do the quiet work early: they measure, they ask about power, they share photos of the yard, and they pick an inflatable that will run all day without drama. Whether you type moonwalk rentals or bouncy house rental into the search bar, you’re really shopping for fit, safety, and flow. Keep those three words in mind as you pick among party inflatables, and the rest falls into place.

The kids won’t remember what you called it. They’ll remember the laughter, the slide that felt faster than it looked, and the moment they flopped on the grass, barefoot and smiling, while someone handed them a slice of watermelon. That’s the difference that matters.