The "Indian Summer" Miracle: Why You Need to Throw a Backyard Party Right Now

Have you stepped outside lately?

If you looked at the calendar, you would see that it is late December. You should be seeing frost on the windshields, heavy coats, and maybe even a stray snowflake if we were lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you feel about driving in Atlanta traffic).

But instead? It feels like Mother Nature played a prank on us. It’s 70 degrees. The sun is shining. The birds are confused and chirping. People are walking around Macon and Forsyth in shorts and flip-flops while drinking hot cocoa.

Welcome to the Georgia "Indian Summer."

It’s that magical, weird time of year where winter takes a vacation and we get a sudden blast of beautiful, warm weather right in the middle of the holidays.

Most people just say, "Wow, nice weather," and go back to watching TV.

Don’t be most people.

This weather is a gift. It is a "Bonus Level" in the video game of life. And if you are a parent with kids home on winter break, you need to grab this opportunity with both hands before the actual freezing temperatures show up in January.

At Wow Inflatables, our phones light up whenever the weatherman predicts a warm spell, and for good reason. Here is your ultimate guide on why this Indian Summer is the absolute best time to rent an inflatable, and how to pull off an epic "Fake Summer" party in the middle of winter.

Wait, What is an "Indian Summer"?

If you aren't from around here, you might be confused. An Indian Summer is just a phrase we use for a period of unseasonably warm, dry weather that happens in late autumn or winter.

In Middle Georgia, this is actually pretty common. We get these pockets of time where the jet stream moves, the warm air from the Gulf rolls in, and suddenly we have a week of perfection.

It’s not "hot" like July. It’s not "humid" like August. It is usually that perfect, crisp 65-to-75-degree weather that makes you want to stay outside all day.

But here is the catch: It doesn't last.

It might last three days. It might last a week. But eventually, the cold front will come back. That is why you have to act fast. You can't plan this a month in advance. You have to look at the 7-day forecast, see that sunshine, and make the call.

Why an "Indian Summer" Rental Beats a July Rental

I know, that sounds crazy. Bounce houses are for summer, right?

Actually, I’m going to let you in on a trade secret: These Indian Summer days are actually BETTER than the real summer.

Here is the science behind why renting a bounce house in December/January during a warm spell is superior to renting one in July:

1. The "Sweat Factor" is Gone In July, it is 98 degrees with 90% humidity. You walk outside to check the mail and you need a shower. When kids jump in a bounce house in July, they get sweaty, sticky, and exhausted within 20 minutes. Right now? The air is dry. The temperature is mild. The kids can jump for hours without overheating. They don’t get dehydrated as fast. They don’t get cranky from the heat. It’s pure energy burning without the heat exhaustion.

2. The Mosquitoes are Asleep This is the biggest win. Even though it’s warm right now, we have already had a few frosts earlier in the year. That means the mosquito population has been knocked down. You can actually sit in a lawn chair and watch the kids play without slapping your arm every five seconds. You don't need to bathe your children in bug spray before they go outside.

3. The Grass is Cleaner In the middle of summer, we often get those afternoon thunderstorms that turn your backyard into a mud pit. In the winter, especially during these dry Indian Summer spells, the ground is usually firmer. Less mud means less mess tracked into your house when the party is over.

4. The "Cabin Fever" Cure In July, kids are outside all the time. They take it for granted. But right now? They have been cooped up in school, and then cooped up in the house for the holidays. They are itching to move. When you inflate a giant obstacle course in the backyard during Christmas break, their minds are blown. It’s unexpected. It’s exciting. It breaks the boring routine of "wake up, play video games, eat, sleep."

Theme Idea: The "Christmas in July" (But in December) Party

Since the weather is weird, why not make the party weird (in a fun way)?

If you are renting a unit this week, lean into the confusion. Throw a "Tropical Winter" party.

The Dress Code: Tell the kids to wear shorts and t-shirts, but they have to wear a Santa hat. It makes for hilarious photos.

The Food: Fire up the grill. Seriously! Most people cover their grills for the winter, but why not break out the burgers and hot dogs? There is something incredibly satisfying about smelling BBQ smoke when the calendar says "Winter."

The Drinks: Serve frozen slushies or lemonade, but put them in holiday cups.

The Entertainment: This is where we come in. Rent a tropical-themed bounce house or a giant slide. Let the kids pretend they are surfing in Hawaii while the rest of the country is shoveling snow.

The Daylight Warning (Crucial Advice!)

There is one major difference between a real summer rental and an Indian Summer rental that you need to plan for: The Sun.

In July, it stays light outside until 9:00 PM. Right now, even though it feels warm, the sun is still setting around 5:30 PM.

This catches parents off guard all the time. They plan the party to start at 4:00 PM, and by the time the cake is cut, it’s pitch black outside.

How to plan around the sunset:

Start Early: We recommend starting your party around 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM. This gives you the warmest part of the day and plenty of sunlight.

The "Golden Hour" Jump: The hour before sunset is beautiful, but as soon as that sun drops, the temperature will drop with it. In July, the nights stay hot. In December, once the sun is gone, it gets chilly fast. Plan to have the bouncing finish up right around sunset, then move everyone indoors or around a fire pit.

What Can You Rent? (Not Just Bounce Houses)

When you think of Wow Inflatables, you probably think of the classic castle bounce house. And we have plenty of those. But for older kids (and even the adults who want to relive their glory days), we have so much more.

Since the weather is nice, consider these options:

1. Obstacle Courses These are huge hits for "Indian Summer" parties because they are competitive. You can race two kids at a time. It keeps the line moving fast. Plus, because they are running through tunnels and climbing walls, they stay super active and warm. We have 30-foot courses, 40-foot courses, and even massive setups for big events.

2. Giant Dry Slides In the summer, everyone wants water slides. But in December, getting wet is still a bad idea (unless you are a polar bear). However, our giant slides work perfectly as Dry Slides. They are fast, they are steep, and they offer a huge thrill without the need for a swimsuit.

3. Interactive Games We have basketball shoots and other interactive inflatables. These are great if you are having a family reunion or a neighborhood block party where people want to compete against each other.

Is It Safe?

We get asked this a lot: "Is the ground too hard?" or "Is it safe to bounce in the winter?"

The answer is YES.

As long as the sun is out and the wind isn't howling, it is perfectly safe.

Anchoring: We stake our units down exactly the same way we do in the summer. We use heavy-duty stakes or massive sandbags.

Cleanliness: We sanitize every unit. In fact, we are extra careful during the winter months because we know it’s flu season. We scrub the vinyl so you don't have to worry about germs.

The Wind Rule: The only enemy we have is wind. If this "Indian Summer" comes with 20mph gusts, we will have to reschedule. Safety is always our #1 priority. But usually, these warm pressure systems bring calm, still air.

The Cost vs. Value of a Winter Rental

Let's talk about your wallet for a second. We know you just spent a fortune on Christmas presents. You are probably looking at your bank account and wincing.

So why spend money on a bounce house now?

Because it is the cheapest babysitter you will ever hire.

Think about the alternative. The kids are home from school. They are bored.

If you take them to the movies, you are dropping $100+ for two hours of sitting in the dark.

If you take them to a trampoline park, you are paying by the hour, buying special socks, and dealing with hundreds of other screaming kids.

If you take them to the arcade, you spend $50 in tokens in about 14 minutes.

When you rent from Wow Inflatables, you get the unit for the entire day.

If you rent a unit for $200 (just an example price), and you have 4 kids playing on it for 8 hours... that is roughly $6.25 per hour for entertainment. And if you invite the neighbors and split the cost? It’s practically free.

You can sit on your back porch with an iced tea, enjoying the weirdly warm weather, while the kids entertain themselves safely in the backyard. You can’t put a price on that kind of peace and quiet.

Don’t Wait Until Spring

Here is the mistake people make. They see this beautiful weather and think, "Oh, spring is coming early! I'll book something for March."

Don't fall for it. This is Georgia.

We might have 70 degrees today, and an ice storm next week. This "Indian Summer" is a temporary window. It is a limited-time offer from Mother Nature.

If you wait until March, you are gambling with the spring rains. If you wait until May, you are fighting the crowds for graduation parties.

Right now? You have the pick of the litter. Our schedule is open, our inventory is ready, and the weather is begging you to go outside.

How to Book Your "Bonus Summer" Party

It is incredibly easy. You don't even have to talk to a human if you don't want to (but we are nice, so you should!).

Check the Weather: Look at the forecast for the next 5-7 days. See a sunny day with highs in the 60s or 70s? That is your target.

Call or Text Us: Reach out to us at 678-379-9691. Texting is often fastest!

Pick Your Unit: Tell us how big your yard is and how old the kids are. We will recommend the perfect bounce house or obstacle course.

We Handle the Rest: We deliver, we set up, we stake it down, and we explain the safety rules. You just point to where you want it.

Don't let this beautiful weather go to waste.

The kids will be back in school soon. The cold weather will eventually return. Grab this chance to be the "Fun Parent" who threw a bounce house party in December.

Get the kids off the iPad and into the air!

Wow Inflatables Call or Text Today: 678-379-9691 Website: www.wowjumpparty.com Serving Forsyth, Middle Georgia, and South Metro Atlanta since 2008.