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Writer's pictureKatie Fitzpatrick

Why We Don’t Set Up Bouncy Castles on Concrete: Safety Tips, Wind Risks, and Indoor Venue Solutions

At Bubblewrapfun, safety is at the heart of everything we do. While we love bringing joy to your events through bouncy castles, water slides, and event rentals, ensuring everyone stays safe is always our top priority. That’s why we don’t set up bouncy castles on concrete or hard outdoor surfaces. Here’s why—and what alternatives are available!


The Dangers of Concrete Set-Ups 🚫

Bouncy castles are all about fun, but they’re designed for soft landings. On grass, if someone takes a tumble, the natural softness helps cushion the fall. But on concrete, the same fall could lead to serious injuries. Even with safety mats, the hard surface remains a concern, especially with high-energy play.

Castles can not be set up outdoors on concrete for safety reasons.

The Wind Factor 🌬️

Another big reason we avoid concrete setups is the wind. Even with sandbags, the number required to secure a castle on a hard surface would be massive, and it still wouldn't guarantee stability. Wind speeds over 27 kph (17 mph) are considered unsafe for inflatables, even for castles that meet New Zealand’s safety standards (like all of ours). Grass allows us to securely stake down the castle, which isn’t possible on concrete.


What to Do If the Wind Picks Up 🌪️

If you’re already using a bouncy castle and the wind picks up, here’s what we recommend—don’t risk it. Safety comes first.

  1. Remove everyone from the castle immediately.

  2. Turn the castle off.

  3. Wait until the wind has been below 27 kph for at least 30 minutes before turning the castle back on.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. And while you wait, use the downtime for some cake, a drinks break, or a quick game of pass the parcel, musical chairs, the floor is lava or what's the time Mrs. Wolf! If you’re ever in doubt, give us a call—we’ll help assess the situation.

Flag flapping to measure wind speed and direction for bouncy castles,
If the flag is flapping over the whole length of the flag, it is blowing at around 30kmp

What About Indoors or Covered Areas? 🏰

There are some exceptions to the concrete rule! Indoor spaces and covered outdoor areas are safe options since we don’t have to worry about wind or weather. We can safely set up on hard floors like gymnasiums or halls, and we use safety mats at the entrances and exits. If your event is in a covered outdoor area, we’ll review the space to make sure it works.


Looking for an Indoor Venue? 🏢

Struggling to find a grassy spot or sheltered area? No problem! We’ve compiled a blog with indoor venues that are perfect for bouncy castles, water slides, and other event rentals. We’re always adding to the list, so if you know of a great venue, feel free to share it with us!


List of indoor venues for Gisborne NZ
Venue Blog

At Bubblewrapfun, whether it’s bouncy castles, water slides, or any of our event rentals, safety is always our top priority. By following these guidelines, we ensure that your event is full of fun without the risk.


Got questions? We’re always here to help! 🎈


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