I know what you’re thinking- plastic balls are plastic balls, can’t I just buy the cheapest one?! They are actually NOT all made the same. When buying plastic balls for your bounce house there are some important things to keep in mind. If you’re in a rush, the quick answer is that THESE mini balls by Playz are definitely our favorite bounce house balls with the best quality for the price but if you want some pointers on what to look for when buying than keep reading.
~ Germs- this is HUGE for me. As a mom of 3 young kids bringing home all kinds of germs to our newborn, I am constantly trying to keep our kids healthy. I like toys that can be easily sanitized. Especially something like this that friends want to come play with. Look for a brand of balls that are completely sealed and can be washed easily. Imagine sanitizing 500 of these by hand! You definitely want a brand that you can throw in the tub and splash around with some bleach or even pile in the dishwasher!
~Seams- Have you ever seen a plastic toy that was cheaply made and you can easily see where the two plastic molds were put together? Depending upon the type of plastic, this seam can leave more than just a visible line. It can also leave a plastic overhang or simply a very rough edge. The appeal of these balls for young children is that they are soft and safe to jump in or throw. However if the seams are rough they can easily scratch skin or snag clothing. Look for balls that are seamless.
~Collapsable- This is not a huge deal for me personally. Most of the balls I have seen that squish a little bit or collapse, slowly re-inflate. I suppose is they pop or never re-inflate that would be a problem but for me if they have a little bit of “give” to them, it’s not a big deal.
~ Bright, Vibrant Colors- although you may be tempted by the more muted, and not-so-crazy colors available for these balls, get the colorful ones! There is so much learning and a lot more games you can create when you have the colorful balls.
~Get enough! I know that 500 seems like a TON of balls- however, you will be surprised at how little of an area they actually fill. Please don’t be tempted to get a smaller amount- I think you’d be disappointed. They just don’t have the same affect if you don’t have a good amount
~ Bag- this set does NOT come with a bag and I LOVE it when toys come with a convenient way to CLEAN them up! HOWEVER- we have found that the mesh laundry bags from the Dollar Tree are PERFECT for these balls! I love the draw-string feature for holding them secure and the loop at the top to hang it in the back of a closet. I would NOT be tempted to buy a different set because of the bag- get a good quality ball foremost and grab the perfect storing solution for a just a buck! Most of the balls on the market that include a carrying bag have a zipper around the top. In my opinion the mesh draw string works better than a zipper to hold the balls securely while loading more in- especially for little hands learning to clean up.
~This Playz Brand offers a full refund if you aren’t satisfied so purchase confidently!