Supervision Guide for Bouncy Castles

Good supervision is essential for safe bouncy castle use. Even the best equipment requires active oversight to manage numbers, behaviour, and changing conditions during an event. This guide explains what effective supervision looks like and how it helps keep bouncy castle hire safe and enjoyable.

Infl8 Hire supplies Bouncy Castles for events across Scunthorpe, Hull, Doncaster, Grimsby, and surrounding areas. The guidance below reflects the real situations we see at home parties, schools, and community events.

Who should supervise a bouncy castle

A responsible adult should supervise the bouncy castle at all times while it is in use. Supervisors must be able to focus on the inflatable and respond quickly if a child falls, becomes upset, or behaves unsafely.

Supervision should not be left to older children or shared casually between adults who are distracted by other tasks.

Positioning the supervisor

The supervisor should be positioned where they have a clear view of the entire inflatable, including the entrance and exit. This allows them to control who enters, how many children are using it, and how play is managed.

Standing near the front of the bouncy castle also helps prevent children from jumping off the inflatable or entering unsafely.

Managing numbers on the inflatable

Controlling numbers is one of the most important supervision tasks. Allowing too many children on at once increases the risk of collisions and falls.

Supervisors should limit numbers based on the size of the inflatable and the age of the children, rotating users if necessary during busy events.

Separating age groups and sizes

Children of similar age and size should use the bouncy castle together. Mixing toddlers with older children or teenagers can lead to accidental injuries.

For mixed-age parties, supervising in timed sessions helps ensure everyone gets a turn in a safe environment.

Encouraging safe behaviour

Supervisors should actively encourage safe behaviour, including bouncing sensibly and respecting others. Pushing, wrestling, climbing walls, or performing flips should not be allowed.

Clear instructions given at the start of use often prevent problems later in the event.

Monitoring entry and exit points

Managing how children enter and exit the inflatable helps reduce collisions. Children should enter one at a time and exit calmly using the designated opening.

Supervisors should prevent children from jumping off the front or sides of the bouncy castle.

Responding to issues quickly

If a child falls, becomes distressed, or behaves unsafely, supervisors should stop play if needed and address the issue immediately.

Quick responses help prevent minor issues from becoming bigger problems, especially at busy events.

Weather awareness for outdoor events

For outdoor events, supervisors should remain aware of weather conditions. Strong wind, heavy rain, or slippery surfaces can make inflatable use unsafe.

If conditions change, use should stop until it is confirmed safe to continue.

Power and equipment awareness

Supervisors should ensure the inflatable fan remains switched on and that cables are not disturbed. If the inflatable begins to deflate, all users must exit immediately.

Children should be kept away from fans, power leads, and anchoring points at all times.

Supervision at larger events

Larger events often require more than one supervisor to manage queues, rotate users, and oversee safe play. Planning supervision levels in advance helps events run smoothly.

For larger or more complex events, we can also provide Event Staff to assist with supervision and overall event management.

The role of the organiser

The organiser is responsible for ensuring suitable supervision is in place throughout the hire period. This includes arranging cover during breaks and ensuring supervisors understand their role.

Clear supervision plans reduce risk and help everyone enjoy the event safely.

If you would like advice on supervision levels or event planning, please visit our Contact Us page and speak to our team.