The 10 Best Inflatable Games
Special Honors
EZ Inflatables Foosball Forget about playing on a small table and instead give this human-sized foosball game a try. It requires 10 players, all of which who must hold onto a flexible rod the whole time as they try and score on their opponents. It comes with a 1.5-horsepower blower, a tarp to set it up on, and a patch kit. ezinflatables.com
Hammacher Schlemmer Human Bowling Ball The Hammacher Schlemmer Human Bowling Ball lets you try your hand at getting a strike, but in a more modern style that will appeal to the younger generation. It includes large, foam pins; a lane with the three-foot tall boundary walls; and a zorbing ball that you can also use for rolling down hills. It has a heavy-duty rip- and tear-resistant vinyl that should allow it to last for years, which is important because it is pretty pricey. hammacher.com
Editor's Notes
May 12, 2020:
Toys aren't just for kids, as these inflatable games prove. We found a good selection of options that can appeal to both the young and the young at heart, and which require various levels of activity. For something a bit nontraditional that can really get your blood pumping, we recommend the Ancheer Bumper Bubble. It is designed for use on land and turns you into a human bumper ball, which anyone can get a kick out of. For kids younger than eight, the Banzai Bump N Bounce is essentially the same thing, just in a miniature form that is safer for children. Another interesting option is the Intex Inflat-A-Bull, which is intended for use in a lake or pool and allows you to live our your rodeo fantasies. One person mounts the animal while the rest of the group tug and push on the surrounding ring to try and knock the rider off.
If you aren't that adventurous, you may prefer the Intex Volleyball and Coop Hydro Spring Hoops, which are oldies but goodies. They allow you to bring your favorite court or beach sport into your backyard pool and can be played by adults and children together, so the whole family gets in on the fun. Intended for use on land instead of in the water, the Giggle N Go Bowling Set also brings a popular past time into the home or yard.
For the adults only, we have the GoPong Pool Party Barge. It is an updated version that replaced the GoPong Pool Lounge, which we had previously recommended. This newer model incorporates a cooler into the center, so you never have to go far for a refill. With young children only in mind, we added the Gamie Duck Pond, which is a matching game that can help develop memory skills. Plus, it can double as an kiddie pool.
We decided to eliminate the Gemmy Sumo Wrestler, since it really isn't a game, and instead, is simply an inflatable costume.