Planning an event for a school, council or community group comes with one big challenge: finding entertainment that suits your audience, fits your space and keeps everyone engaged. With so many options available, inflatables are often the go-to choice: they’re fun, safe, high-impact and cater to all ages.
But choosing the right inflatable isn’t always simple. Should you go with a classic bouncy castle? A crowd-pleasing water slide? Or an action-packed obstacle course? Each inflatable brings something different to the table. The key is matching your choice to your event size, location, safety needs and the age group you’re catering for.
To make your planning easier, we’ve put together a clear guide to help schools, councils and community organisers choose the perfect inflatable for their next event. Whether it’s a family fun day, school carnival, sports celebration or council festival, this guide will point you in the right direction.
Why Inflatable Hire Is Perfect for Schools, Councils, Corporates & Sports Clubs
Before jumping into the options, it’s worth understanding why inflatables are such a popular choice when it comes to inflatable event planning:
- They entertain large groups
- They’re visually appealing and attract crowds
- They suit different age brackets
- They offer safe, supervised fun
- They can operate in both small and large spaces
- They’re cost-effective for big events
When you hire from a trusted provider like Monsterball Amusements Perth, you also get full setup, pack-down and safety assurance making life easier for event organisers.
For more information, you can explore our full range of inflatables through our Inflatable Hire Perth page.
Bouncy Castles: Best for Younger Kids and Small & Medium Events
If your event is aimed at early childhood or primary-aged kids, you can’t go wrong with a bouncy castle. They are bright, simple and safe making them ideal for family fun days, school fairs and council community events.
When Bouncy Castles Are the Right Choice
Choose a bouncy castle when:
- Your audience is mainly kids aged 3–10
- You have limited space
- You need non-intimidating entertainment
- You want something easy to supervise
Bouncy castles come in various sizes and themes, making it easy to match your school or council event.
Space Requirements
Smaller castles can fit in tight school yards, indoor halls or council venues. Larger castles require a grassed oval, park space or open area.
Why Schools & Councils Love Them
- Affordable to hire
- Safe & soft surfaces
- Encourage constant activity
- Easy to rotate groups through
- Perfect for lower-key events
If you’re planning a junior-focused event, check out our range of Bouncy Castles in Perth to find something age-appropriate.
Water Slides: Great for Summer Events and High-Energy Crowds
Water slides are unbeatable when it comes to summer events and hot-weather school carnivals. They’re exciting, dynamic and an instant magnet for older kids and teens.
When Water Slides Are the Right Choice
Choose a water slide when:
- Your event is in spring or summer
- You’re catering to ages 6+
- You want high-engagement, fast-paced fun
- Your venue has water access
- You’re hosting a full-day carnival or community festival
Water slides come in many sizes from smaller backyard-friendly slides to giant multi-lane racing slides perfect for large school events.
Space Requirements
Water slides require a bit more space due to the landing zones, splash pools and safety clearance areas. School ovals, parklands and council recreation spaces are ideal.
Why Schools & Councils Love Them
- Big visual impact
- High throughput for large crowds
- Keeps kids cool in warmer months
- Perfect for fundraising events
- A highlight attraction residents talk about
Schools often pair a water slide with smaller inflatables to create a mixed-age entertainment zone.
See Monsterball’s full range of water slides under our Water Slide Hire Perth options for ideas.
Obstacle Courses: Ideal for Large Events and Mixed Age Groups
If you’re organising a community day, school carnival, youth event or festival, obstacle courses offer the perfect balance of excitement, challenge and inclusivity.
When Obstacle Courses Are the Right Choice
Choose an obstacle course when:
- Your event attracts all age groups
- You want something team-based or competitive
- You need high-capacity entertainment that moves fast
- You’re hosting a sports carnival or high-activity day
- You want a main attraction that stands out
Obstacle courses also allow organisers to run races, relays, competitions and timed challenges great for school programs or sporting clubs.
Space Requirements
Obstacle courses are longer and require more ground space. Many schools and councils set them up on:
- Ovals
- Fenced fields
- Open parkland
- Indoor sports courts
Why They’re a Top Pick
- Engage both kids and adults
- Excellent for fitness-based events
- Encourages teamwork & friendly competition
- High throughput ideal for large crowds
- Perfect for themed events, sports days or leadership programs
Browse our exciting range of obstacle courses on our Inflatable Obstacle Courses Perth page.
Matching the Inflatable to Your Event Size
Whether you’re hosting 50 people or 5,000, choosing the right inflatable hire Perth depends heavily on your expected attendance.
Small Events (Less than 50 kids)
- One medium bouncy castle
- Small water slide
- Mini obstacle course
Perfect for school open days, class parties, or neighbourhood gatherings.
Medium Events (50-200 kids)
- Add a second inflatable
- Mix age-appropriate options
- Choose a mid-sized obstacle course or water slide
Ideal for primary school carnivals and council fun days.
Large Events (200+ kids)
- Multiple inflatables
- One main attraction
- Add high-capacity options like long obstacle courses
- Include shade and crowd-control planning Suitable for festivals, sports club events, council community days and multi-school carnivals.
Consider the Age Range of Your Audience
Different inflatables work best for different age brackets.
Ages 3–6
- Dinosaur kingdomÂ
- floor is lava
- Lil spash
- Double lane jungle slide
Ages 6–12
- Pacific combo
- Pirate ship slide
- Dual splash
- Big kahuna water slide
- Surfs up
- SamouraiÂ
Ages 12–17
- DNA CHALLENGE
- Spartan Â
- 24ft diveÂ
- Vertical screamer
- Sumo suits
- Footy dart
Adults / Staff Events
- Giant obstacle courses
- Competitive inflatables
- Mechanical Rides
This makes planning easier and ensures safety while maximising fun.
Safety, Supervision and Support
When booking inflatables for public events, safety is non-negotiable.
Monsterball provides:
- Fully trained staff
- Safety mats
- Anchoring and wind-rated installation
- Risk assessments (if needed)
- Setup, supervision and pack-down
For schools and councils, this peace of mind is invaluable especially when hundreds of participants are involved.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Perfect Inflatable
When planning inflatables for school or council events, the key is to match your choice with your event goals, crowd size, space, and age groups.
- Bouncy castles suit younger kids and smaller venues.
- Water slides are unbeatable for warm-weather events.
- Obstacle courses shine at large, high-energy events catering to mixed ages.
With Monsterball’s huge range of inflatable hire Perth options, you can create an unforgettable experience that’s fun, safe and perfectly suited to your audience.
