Whether you are the PTO president trying to find the best use of precious funds or the principal trying to make every penny count, you may be surprised at all the different ways that a bounce house can benefit your whole school community.
PTO incentives
Does your school have an amazing PTO? As a teacher, we absolutely adored our PTO! Every minute they spent cutting our boxtops and planning activities for our students was one less thing on our busy list so we could focus on time working directly with the kids. I have seen first hand how the PTO’s attitude and involvement in the school community can completely change the atmosphere or the school community. When the PTO organizes incentives and activities for the students to work towards the kids stay motivated to reach their own goals- which is often part of a school-wide goal as well. For example we have incentive parties a few times a years for meeting reading goals, running goals or collecting the most Box Tops.
However, it can be challenging to create a fun incentive party a few times a year on a limited budget. A bounce house is a one-time purchase that will get the kids excited and motivated for multiple occasions throughout the whole school-year. There is something about the huge inflated bright colors that makes excitement contagious for kids.
In many schools, the PTO is also in charge of a huge end-of-the-year party or Field Day to kick off the summer. A rotation with a bounce house will be the easiest one to plan and supervise and all the kids’ favorite stop. Just plug it in and inflate!
Fundraisers
In a perfect world I don’t think an organization that helps educate and improve our future generations should ever have to host fundraisers, but, unfortunately, they are a necessity for most schools. The trick, and balance of any fundraiser is that you have to entice people to come and promise a good time for them without spending more money on the party than you can be sure that they will donate. A bounce house or two is the perfect solution! The best part is that once it is purchased (for less than you think), there are NO other costs involved but they promise a lot of excitement year after year for multiple events.
INDOOR RECESS
Can you just hear the groans echo through the hall when the announcement comes over the loud speaker that outdoor recess is canceled due to weather? A break is so important for a brain to be able to function and recess is so important for a school to function well. Unfortunately, when recess is canceled there aren’t many resources available to help kids get all that built up physical energy out. Plug in an inflatable amusement park with a bounce house so recess doesn’t have to be ruined.
PE/ Gym or any additional needed physical education
Physical education was one of the best parts of the week in my class. It was a much needed prep hour for me and the students absolutely love the exercise as well as learning some important basic skills. However, gym equipment can require a huge portion of the school’s budget simply because of the cost of equipment. In comparison, a bounce house is a great deal.
Can you think of another purchase that can benefit your school in so many different ways?