They’re soft, they’re colorful, and kids can literally ricochet off their walls for hours on end; bounce houses are fun and safe ways to blow off steam. These inflatable amusement-park classics are scaled down for backyard use, and they’re available in dozens of different themes, from fantasy castles to jungle caves to space stations. Besides having room to jump around, many bounce houses also feature slides, splash pools, sports equipment, and other fun accessories. They come with blowers for quick inflation, and deflate for storage. Bounce houses adhere to strict safety features, and they’re generally appropriate for toddlers to 10-year-olds—parents don’t get to join in the fun, but maybe having the time to sit back and relax while the kids amuse themselves makes up for it. (Nah—we want to bounce, too!)
