Running a bounce house rental business is a great way to earn extra income, but if you’re only renting inflatables, you may be leaving money on the table. The real profit comes from upselling — offering additional products or services that customers can add to their booking.
Parents, schools, and event planners love upsells because they make parties more convenient and memorable. For you, it means higher revenue without adding more customers.
If you’re interested in upselling but not sure how to price things correctly, this guide will walk you through:
- What upsell opportunities exist in the bounce house industry
- How to determine how much to charge
- The hidden costs that often get overlooked
- Ways to present upsells so customers are excited to say “yes”
For more information, check out these pages and articles:
- Are Bounce House Rentals a Profitable Side Hustle?
- Smart Hustles & Side Income Strategies Guide to Earning More (For more ideas)
- 60 Micro Niche Business Ideas Anyone Can Start Today
- Wakewall’s 50-State SEO Guide for Small Businesses
- The Simple SEO Guide for Any Business
- The Niche Finder: Browse Ideas to Start Your Journey
Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes only. Pricing examples are based on industry averages and strategies, not financial advice. Always research your local market, costs, and regulations before setting your rates.
🎯 Why Upselling Matters
A bounce house on its own might bring in $200–$250 for a few hours. But with upsells:
- Add a cotton candy machine and tables → booking grows to $350–$400.
- Create a deluxe package with a slide, tent, and concessions → total jumps to $600+.
Upselling doesn’t just increase revenue — it makes you the one-stop shop for party planning. Customers save time, you earn more, and everyone wins.
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🏰 Step 1: Pick the Right Upsells
Not every extra is worth offering. Start with items customers already ask for, or ones that naturally fit with bounce houses.
| Upsell Category | Examples | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Concessions | Cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones | Kids get snacks, easy for parents |
| Party Essentials | Tables, chairs, tents, generators | Convenience, saves shopping around |
| Extra Inflatables | Water slides, obstacle courses, toddler bounce houses | Keeps kids entertained longer |
| Comfort & Safety | Shade tents, foam mats, sanitizer stations | Parents feel more secure |
| Entertainment | Face painting, balloon twisting, DJs | Adds variety and fun |
| Memories | Photo booths, balloon arches, décor | Shareable and special |
💡 Start small — one food machine and one extra inflatable is enough to test demand.
💵 Step 2: How to Determine What to Charge
Here’s where most new rental owners struggle. The trick is to use pricing strategies, not guesses.
Pricing Methods to Try:
- Cost-Plus Pricing
- Add up supplies, labor, delivery, cleaning.
- Add 100–150% markup.
- Example: $40 in costs → charge $80–$100.
- Value-Based Pricing
- Ask: What is this worth to the customer?
- Example: A $100 cotton candy machine may feel cheap compared to 15 happy, fed kids.
- Package Pricing
- Offer bundles (Basic, Deluxe, Premium).
- Customers love the convenience and perceive more value.
⚠️ Step 3: Don’t Forget the Hidden Costs
This is where many upsell attempts fail — forgetting the costs beyond just the item itself.
Hidden costs include:
- Delivery & Fuel: Gas and time add up fast.
- Setup & Teardown Labor: Someone has to set it up and clean it.
- Cleaning Supplies: Sanitizing machines and inflatables takes time and money.
- Insurance Premiums: Some upsells (water slides, food machines) can raise your coverage costs.
- Wear & Tear: Every use shortens the lifespan of equipment.
👉 Example: A snow cone machine rented at $60 looks profitable, but if supplies = $15, cleaning = $20, and delivery = $10, your real profit is only $15 unless you price it correctly.
📊 Step 4: Look at Industry Ranges for Guidance
Instead of setting numbers blindly, use averages as a benchmark. These vary by location, but common ranges include:
| Upsell Item | Typical Range (Industry Average) |
|---|---|
| Cotton Candy Machine | $75–$150 per rental |
| Popcorn Machine | $75–$125 per rental |
| Tables & Chairs | $2–$12 per piece |
| Tents/Canopies | $100–$300 depending on size |
| Water Slides | $250–$600 per rental |
| Obstacle Courses | $300–$700 per rental |
| Photo Booths | $200–$400 per event |
💡 Use these as guidelines, not rules. Research local competitors on Google Maps or marketplaces like GigSalad to see what customers are already paying in your area.
Additional resources
- For professional style cotton candy and popcorn machines, check out Popcorn Supply Company
- For tables, chairs, tents, and canopies to purchase, check out: Event Stable
🛒 Step 5: How to Present Upsells Without Being Pushy
Customers love upsells when you frame them as solutions. Try these approaches:
- Suggest, don’t push: “Most families add a popcorn machine so kids have snacks between bounce sessions.”
- Show photos: People buy what they can picture. Use real event photos with upsells.
- Offer scarcity: “We only have two water slides, so reserve early.”
- Highlight benefits: Instead of “Tent: $100,” say “A tent guarantees shade and protects against surprise rain.”
🚀 Step 6: Put It All Together in Packages
Packages are the easiest way to upsell because they make decisions simple for customers.
| Package Name | Includes | Example Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Fun | Bounce house + popcorn machine | $275 |
| Deluxe Party | Bounce house + water slide + tables/chairs | $550 |
| Premium Event | Bounce house + slide + tent + concessions | $750+ |
Packages spread delivery costs across multiple items and increase the “perceived value” for customers.
📲 Step 7: Stay Organized
The more upsells you add, the more moving parts you’ll juggle. That’s where tools help.
With Wakewall, you can:
- Set reminders for pickups, cleaning, and restocking.
- Track which customers booked which upsells.
- Post seasonal packages and deals directly to your business profile.
- Use location-based reminders so nothing gets left behind.
This keeps upselling profitable without becoming stressful.
🎯 Final Thoughts
If you’re interested in upselling with bounce houses, remember:
- Upsells add revenue without new customers.
- Always factor in hidden costs.
- Use strategies like cost-plus, value-based, and packages to set prices.
- Present upsells as solutions that make life easier for families.
Done right, you’ll turn a $200 bounce house rental into a full-service party package worth $600+, while giving customers a better experience.
