I just associate them with 'toddlers swept to death off a cliff in high winds' tragedies these days.

I never felt the right age for a bouncy castle. At school summer fetes all the older kids would fool around on them doing all kinds of intimidating manoeuvres making them a very dangerous experience, but by the time I was their age I felt too old and serious for them.

I want to go on a bouncy castle more than ever now I'm in my 40s.

This thread has immediately turned into an overflowing well of misery, horror, despair, tragedy and crushed dreams.

I used to love bouncy castles as a kid.
As a grown up, my lil nephew had one for his birthday. I had a great time on it. The next day however....aches and pains all over.

I've never been on a bouncy castle. I'm too worried I'm going to land on my head and break my neck.

I preferred trampolines - taut enough to send you higher.

Bouncy castles are only fun if everyone’s into the spirit of it - the point is to push each other around and knock them down, taking full advantage of the fact the walls and floor won’t hurt anyone. You can be as forceful as you like. If there’s a nervous child like Wendy on it, there’s no point - you might as well all leave, and let her gently jump up and down in a crash helmet.

I once had a trapped nerve in my back released with the help of a trampoline.

I didn't bounce on it, I just lay on it face up, and my friend went underneath and poked the relevant area till it suddenly stopped hurting.