Inflatable games have a strange effect on grown adults. Put a giant obstacle course on a field and people who have not run since school are suddenly kicking off their shoes and demanding a rematch.
That is exactly why they work so well for a company fun day. They are silly enough that nobody takes themselves too seriously, competitive enough to keep people interested, and big enough to give a field a proper sense of occasion.
The difference between a great inflatable day and a chaotic one comes down to planning. Which games you choose, how you order them, how much space you need and how you keep everyone safe all shape how the day feels. This guide walks through each of those, so you can turn an empty field into something your team will talk about for weeks.
What Inflatables Bring to a Company Fun Day
A field on its own is just grass. Add a few giant inflatables and it becomes a venue. The scale does a lot of the work, big, bright structures signal that this is a day off from normal, and they give people something to gather around even before the first game starts.
Inflatables also level the playing field. Bouncing, slipping and wobbling are hard to do gracefully, so the fittest person in the office rarely has a big advantage. The finance team’s quietest analyst is as likely to win a round as the head of sales, and the laughter that comes from everyone looking a bit ridiculous is where the real bonding happens.
They also scale well. A handful of games can keep a small team busy for an afternoon, while a larger setup with multiple zones can handle hundreds of people rotating through.
That flexibility makes inflatables a good fit for everything from a department social to a full company summer event, and our corporate summer party ideas cover how to build the rest of a summer day around them.
The Main Types of Inflatable Games
Not all inflatables do the same job. Mixing a few different types keeps the day varied and gives different personalities a chance to shine.
Racing Tracks and Relays
Long inflatable tracks are the backbone of most fun days. Teams race head to head, often in costume, with obstacles to climb over, crawl through or bounce across. They are noisy, visual and great for spectators, which makes them ideal for a finale.
Costume relays add a layer of comedy that keeps even the non-competitive people on side. Our guide to corporate games explains how to keep this kind of competition team-first rather than cut-throat.
Target and Skill Games
Not every game needs running. Inflatable target games like giant darts boards, penalty shootouts, basketball hoops and Velcro axe throwing reward aim and coordination rather than speed. They are perfect for people who want to take part without getting hot and sweaty, and they keep scores ticking over between the bigger races.
Arena and Challenge Inflatables
Some inflatables act as a stage for team challenges rather than a game in themselves. A giant sphere or arena can host puzzles, timed tasks or knockout rounds, giving the day a focal point. These suit groups who want a mix of brains and bounce.
Inflatables as Part of a Bigger Challenge
Inflatables can also be the finish line rather than the whole event. In a build-and-race format like a soap box derby, teams design and build their own vehicles, then race them on an inflatable track. The track becomes the payoff for an afternoon of teamwork, which makes the final race far more satisfying.
For more ideas on balancing competitive and creative activities outdoors, our guide to outdoor team building games has plenty of formats that pair well with inflatables.
Building a Running Order That Keeps the Energy Up
A fun day with no structure tends to fizzle out by mid-afternoon. A clear running order keeps people moving, stops queues forming and builds towards a proper finish.
- Arrival and team sorting. Hand out team colours or bibs and introduce the host. Mixing departments at this stage gets people talking straight away.
- Warm-up and ice-breaker. A short, silly warm-up loosens people up before anyone climbs on an inflatable.
- Rotation through zones. Split teams across different games and rotate every 15 to 20 minutes. This keeps queues short and means everyone tries everything.
- Break for food and water. Bouncing is surprisingly tiring. Build in a proper pause with shade and drinks.
- Head-to-head finals. Bring everyone back together for the big track races, with the top teams going head to head while everyone else cheers.
- Medals and wrap-up. End with a short prize-giving while the energy is still high.
For a large group, an It’s A Knockout format follows a similar shape, with teams rotating through a series of inflatable challenges before a relay finale and medal ceremony. You can see how that structure works on the It’s A Knockout activity page.
Safety Checks Before Anyone Takes Their Shoes Off
Inflatables need to be set up and run properly. HSE’s guidance focuses on a handful of risks, including anchoring, wind and the number of people on a unit at once. The Health and Safety Executive’s advice on bouncy castles and other play inflatables sets out the key points, and it is worth reading even if a supplier is handling everything.
Paperwork to Ask For Before the Day
HSE advises looking for inflatables with a PIPA tag or an ADIPS declaration of compliance, which show the equipment meets the relevant British Standard. You can read more about how tags are checked on the What Is PIPA page. While you are at it, ask your supplier for a copy of their public liability insurance and their risk assessment, as many venues will want to see both.
Checks to Make on the Day
- Watch the wind. HSE says no inflatable should be used in winds above 24mph. Ask how the supplier measures wind on the day and what happens if it picks up.
- Check the anchoring. Outdoor inflatables should be properly staked or weighted. Ask the supplier how each unit will be secured.
- Limit the numbers. Follow the user limit for each inflatable and keep larger players separate from smaller ones.
- Supervise every unit. HSE advises constant supervision by at least one trained person. A good host team will have crew stationed at each game.
It also helps to ask people to remove glasses, jewellery and anything sharp from their pockets before taking part, and to brief the group on how each game works before the first round.
Space, Ground and Power
Inflatables need more room than most people expect. Before you book anything, check the following:
Space. Large racing tracks can be 20 metres long and 8 metres wide, and you will need space around them for queues, spectators and safety zones. A full multi-game setup can need a big chunk of a playing field. Ask your supplier for the total footprint, not just the size of each unit.
Ground. A large, flat grassy area is ideal. Walk the site beforehand and look for slopes, holes, sprinklers or anything hidden in the grass. Hard ground needs different anchoring, so tell your supplier if the space is tarmac or concrete.
Power. Inflatables run on blowers, which need power all day. If there is no mains access, some suppliers bring petrol generators, but the venue may need to give permission for these. Check this early.
Access. Vans need to get kit onto the field. Make sure there is vehicle access and space to unload, and find out how long setup and pack-down will take.
Hire Your Own or Book a Hosted Day?
You can hire inflatables and run the day yourself, which works for a small team with a willing organiser. The catch is that you then own the setup, the safety checks, the scoring and the timings, on top of looking after your colleagues.
A hosted format takes that off your plate. Zing Events runs inflatable-based activities with a host, crew, equipment, generators and medals included, so you can turn up and join in. The Multi Activity Inflatables format, for example, combines a costume relay track with target games, penalty shootouts and team challenges for groups of 5 to over 500.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How Much Space Do Inflatable Games Need?
It depends on the setup. A single game might fit in a small garden, but a full fun day with racing tracks and several zones usually needs a large, flat field. Ask your supplier for the total footprint, including room for queues and spectators.
2. Are Inflatable Games Suitable for All Fitness Levels?
Most can be adapted. Target and skill games suit people who prefer not to run, while racing tracks are more physical. Give everyone the option to take a supporting role, such as scorer or cheerleader, and never pressure anyone to take part.
3. What Happens if It Rains or Gets Windy?
Light rain makes things slippery, so your supplier may slow some games down or pause them. High winds are more serious, and HSE advises against using inflatables in winds above 24mph. Always have a backup plan and ask your supplier how they handle weather on the day.
4. How Long Should an Inflatable Fun Day Last?
Two to three hours of activities is plenty for most groups, plus time for arrival, breaks and prizes. Bouncing is tiring, so a longer day needs more rest, food and water breaks built in.
5. Do We Need Insurance for Inflatable Games?
Check with your venue and your supplier. Reputable suppliers should have public liability insurance, and many venues will ask to see it before allowing inflatables on site. Ask for a copy when you book.
With the right mix of games, a clear running order and proper safety checks, inflatable games can turn a plain field into a company fun day everyone remembers for the right reasons.
