Question 1

What's the difference between a bounce house and a combo unit?

Accepted Answer

A bounce house is a single dry jumping chamber. A combo unit adds a slide, and often a basketball hoop or obstacle, to the same footprint — and most of ours can run wet or dry. Combos cost more but hold a wider age range's attention for longer, which is why they're the usual pick for mixed-age parties.

Question 2

Can you set up a bounce house in the rain?

Accepted Answer

Light drizzle is workable, but we don't operate dry units in steady rain, thunderstorms, or sustained winds above 15–20 mph — wet vinyl gets slippery and wind is the real hazard with inflatables. If the forecast turns, we'll reschedule your date or refund the booking rather than set up in unsafe conditions.

Question 3

How much does it cost to rent a bounce house in Des Moines?

Accepted Answer

Bounce house rentals in Des Moines start at $159 per day, with most themed castles running about $229–$285 and bounce-and-slide combos about $269–$550. Delivery, professional setup and anchoring, sanitizing and pickup are included in every price. Your exact rate is confirmed in a free quote.

Question 4

Can a bounce house be set up indoors in Des Moines?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bounce houses run dry, so they go up in gyms, church halls and community centers across Des Moines. We need about 16 ft of ceiling clearance for a standard castle, a doorway the deflated unit can pass through, and a power outlet. Indoors we anchor with weighted sandbags instead of stakes.

Question 5

What ages is a bounce house best for?

Accepted Answer

Most bounce houses suit ages 3 to 12, and we carry toddler-scale units for ages 2 to 6. Group riders by size rather than mixing them, with a typical limit of 6 to 8 children at once and roughly 150 lb per rider. Every Des Moines delivery includes a safety walkthrough covering the rules.

Question 6

What surface and space do I need in Des Moines?

Accepted Answer

Allow the unit's footprint plus about 5 ft of clear space on all sides and 16 ft overhead. Level grass is ideal because we can stake into it, but concrete, asphalt, turf and indoor floors all work — we switch to weighted sandbags. We can't set up on gravel, sand or a slope.

Question 7

Do bounce houses need electricity?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The blower runs continuously and needs a standard grounded 110–120V outlet within about 50 ft of the setup spot, ideally on its own circuit. If there's no outlet in range — a Des Moines park or open field, for example — we can supply a generator; just flag it when you request your quote.

Question 8

Are your bounce houses cleaned and insured?

Accepted Answer

Every unit is cleaned and sanitized before it leaves for your event, and Big Wave Slides carries full commercial liability insurance. If your Des Moines venue, school or park district needs a certificate of insurance naming them as additional insured, tell us when you book and we'll send it ahead of the date.

Bounce House Rentals in Des Moines, IA

Bounce houses & combos for Des Moines parties

Unicorn Dreamland Bouncer

Mega Waterpark Combo

Neon Glow Combo

Pink Palace Bouncer

Blush Castle Bouncer

Superhero City Combo

Farm Barnyard Bouncer

Rainbow Fun Combo

Bounce house rentals in Des Moines — FAQ

Party planning guides & tips

Book a bounce house in Des Moines