Bouncy castles in wind and rain

Wind and heavy rain are what stop a bouncy castle. Here's the wind limit, what rain means, and what to expect from your hire company if the weather turns.

Updated 7 October 2026

The wind limit: 24 mph

HSE guidance says no inflatable should be used in winds above 24 mph (38 km/h), Force 5 on the Beaufort scale, the point where small trees in leaf start to sway. Some inflatables have a lower limit set by the manufacturer, and PIPA, the inflatable inspection scheme, says gusts count, not just the average wind speed.

Up to Force 5 (24 mph) a castle can be used, unless its own manual says less. Above that, HSE guidance says it should not be used.

Hire companies watch the forecast and may cancel or take a castle down if gusts are expected above the limit. On the day, keep an eye out yourself: if trees are swaying hard or things are blowing across the garden, get everyone off and call the company.

Rain

Light showers are usually fine, especially on castles with a built-in roof. Heavy rain is different: BIHA's code says not to use a castle in heavy rain, because the vinyl gets very slippery. If a shower passes, some hire companies advise getting everyone off, leaving the castle inflated, and drying it with towels before anyone goes back on.

The blower is electric, so its connection needs to be kept out of the wet. Leave that to the hire company's setup and don't move the cables yourself.

What hire companies do when the weather turns

Policies vary a lot between Surrey companies, so check before you book. Examples from their published terms:

  • Free cancellation for bad weather on single hires, as long as you call before 8am on the day (with a charge if you cancel once they arrive).
  • Cancellation at the company's discretion based on the Met Office or BBC forecast, with a credit note for a later date.
  • No charge if they cancel before setting up, but the full charge if the weather changes after the castle is installed.

If your party can't move, ask about a soft play set or an indoor venue as a backup.

Find castles in your town

Each town page shows how often it rains there each month, so you can pick your odds, and the castles that can be delivered.

Common questions

What wind speed is too high for a bouncy castle?

HSE guidance says no inflatable should be used in winds above 24 mph (38 km/h), which is Force 5 on the Beaufort scale. PIPA says gusts count too. Some inflatables have a lower limit in the manufacturer's manual.

Can you use a bouncy castle in the rain?

Light showers are usually fine. BIHA's code says not to use a castle in heavy rain, because the surface becomes very slippery. Many castles have a roof or rain cover, which helps in a shower.

Do I get my money back if the weather is bad?

It depends on the company. Some let you cancel for free if you call before a set time on the day, some give a credit note, and some charge in full once the castle is set up. Read the weather policy before you book.

Sources

Checked 7 October 2026. Hire companies' own policies are given as examples of common practice, not rules.