I know it can be stressful and time-consuming planning a kids party, so I have come up with a little list of things that might just help you out. As we are a bouncy castle hire company, and I have 2 children of my own, I have some experience to share! Hopefully this may help you on your quest for a stress free party!

1. Decide on a venue, if you want to book inflatables and have your heart set on a hiring a large slide, bear in mind the size of the hall has to fit your equipment, guests and food tables. If your party is in your garden, measure your garden and remember the inflatables need space around them, especially to the rear where the blower and tube go. check out websites like. Check out this link where you can see all the Glasgow Club venues. And some link for North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire.
2. Consider what time you want your party at. Most people have a party 2-4pm or 1-3pm. Remember this time is the busiest time for entertainment companies, you might struggle to get availability on these times or the service providers might be stretched at these times. DJ’s and entertainers might even give discounts out with the prime time!! If your party is near a football stadium, you might want to think about if there is a game on that day and how it could impact travelling in the area. Also, think about other local events like marathons or if there is road works, these things always delay traffic.
3. Book extra time to set up your decorations, food and the bouncy castle. You will save a lot of stress by paying the extra £10 or so to give you the extra time, trust me, it’s worth it! If your party is 2-4pm, then get the hall from 1pm. Most bouncy castles companies will struggle with only a 30 minute window to gain access and set up the equipment. Remember there can be traffic or other factors that could hold them back and with no flexibility, there is a danger they will be late. Also, you really don’t want to have 30 minutes to clear up either, give yourself more time if you can.
4. Choose your inflatables and book them. Use a reputable company and make sure they are insured! Think about the age group and how many kids will be attending, and ask the company for suggestions based on this. Make sure they send you a confirmation email……. and read it properly!! Check they have booked you in the right date and times and with the right items.
5. Choose any other entertainers such as face painters / slush machines / DJ etc and book them. Get a few quotes and get a good deal. check reviews and credibility. We often hear of customers coming to us after being let down by other companies.
6. Send out invites. you can usually find nice ones online to download or you can just buy some in the shops. Some people buy personalised ones from Ebay etc.
7. Organise food and what cake you are going to buy. If ordering a personalised cake, order this in plenty time as the cake shops are busy and tend to like 6 weeks notice. Keep the food easy, this will save you a lot of stress!
8. Buy your decorations. Remember to bring blue tack with you. Halls wont let you stick things to the walls with tape. There are some fantastic balloon companies in Glasgow if you really want to splash out.
9. The week of the party call all your suppliers and check that everything is fine and they are still committed to the booking. Make sure you have read all their terms and conditions. Ask them what time you might expect them to arrive at.
10. Prepare food the days before if you can. This will take strain off you on the day. Take lots of bin bags with you for the clean up.
11. Ask for help from family and friends. don’t do everything yourself. Most people are more than happy to take one of the duties off you. Take any help you can get!!
12. Have cash ready for your suppliers. Put them in marked envelopes so you know who they are for. Even ask someone else to dish out the payments for you so you can spend time with guests.
13. Enjoy talking to guests and don’t forget to take lots of photos of your party, this is a special day so you want to look back and treasure the memories.

By now your party will be over and you can relax, go home and put your feet up!

If you can think of any other things you think I have missed, I would love to hear them!!

Splash Inflatables