The Hidden Benefits of Bouncy Castles
If there is one thing that kids love it’s a bouncy castle. In fact, it’s not just kids that love them – adults often join in too. It’s no secret that bouncy castles are great fun and they remind us oldies of our own childhood.
For kids, the bouncy castle is actually so much more than a bit of fun; it’s not just a place to play, but a place to learn too. Here are just some of the skills that children can learn on a bounce house.
Being sociable
Bouncy castles can of course be enjoyed alone but they really come to life when there are lots of people on board. This is great for children, because they get to make new friends and connect with other children while they play, and it’s these casual comings and goings that will prepare them for social interaction as they grow up.
Using your imagination
The bouncy castle is an amazing feat of the imagination (a house full of air that people can bounce on for hours on end? That is awesome!) but the very nature of the bounce house allows those who use it to dig deep into their imaginations to explore new worlds and try out new roles.
Physical fitness
Bouncing on a bouncy castle is a really physical activity, which can tire you out quite quickly. For kids having an afternoon of fun on a bouncy castle is a great way of keeping fit whilst having enjoying themselves at the same time.
In a similar vein, as well as fitness, the bounce house will help improve a child’s balance – a skill that they’ll have to learn quickly on a bounce house. Forward planning and strategy skills will also come into use in what is effectively a large, moving obstacle course, full of people with movements that cannot be predicted.
Speed and reactions are also really valuable skills that can be honed on a bouncy castle, as the child will quickly realise that you can’t move slowly on one, and they will have to react very quickly to the constantly changing environment that surrounds them in order to avoid falling, or bouncing into the path of another child.
Hiring a bouncy castle for a child’s birthday is a great idea; the kids will love playing on the bouncy castle (as will their parents) and they will learn while they use it too, which is always a bonus.
Images by jollyjump and vastateparksstaff used under Creative Commons License.
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