The bubble & foam party guide
Two kinds of parties, one guide. Foam parties — the waist-deep backyard kind — typically run $325–$700 to hire or $52–$400 for a DIY machine. Bubble parties — gentler, perfect for littles — start at a $30 machine and a good solution recipe. Costs, safety, DIY plans, and who to hire, all in one place.
What does it cost?
Plug in your headcount and duration for a real cost range — hire, rent, or DIY.
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Find a company near you
Browse real foam & bubble party companies across the US, organized by state and city.
Browse the directory →
Do it yourself
Rent or buy a machine, mix the solution, and run the party yourself.
Read the DIY guide →Get your bearings first
Four short reads that answer the questions every parent has before anything else.
What is a foam party?
The short explanation: machine, solution, and a backyard full of bubbles.
Read the guide →Foam party cost guide
National price ranges for hiring, renting, and going fully DIY.
Read the guide →Foam party safety guide
Eyes, slippery surfaces, supervision, and what solutions claim to be gentle.
Read the guide →Machine buying guide
What to look for if you're buying or renting your own foam machine.
Read the guide →Bubble parties — the gentler classic
Toddlers and preschoolers don't need waist-deep foam. A bubble party — a $30 machine, the right solution, or a hired bubble show — is the age-right version.
What is a bubble party?
Bubble machines vs. bubble shows vs. foam — and which ages each one fits.
Read the guide →Bubble party for toddlers
Ages 1–5: setup, wind, solution-in-eyes handling, and keeping it calm.
Read the guide →Bubble vs. foam vs. glow
Same backyard, three vibes — compared by age, budget, and cleanup.
Compare the three →Do the math in thirty seconds
Free calculators built for this exact 9pm-planning moment. No sign-up.
Foam party cost calculator
Compare hire, rental, and DIY costs for your headcount and party length.
Calculate →
Foam solution calculator
Work out how much solution you need for your machine size and run time.
Calculate →
Party planning checklist
A checklist built for your kids' ages, venue, and the season you're planning in.
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Free printable party planners
Print-at-home checklists, day-of timelines, party signs, and invitations — free, no sign-up. Plus complete $1.99 planning packets when you want it all in one place.
Get the free printablesIs it safe?
- Eyes: foam and solution can sting — keep water or a wet cloth on hand for a quick rinse.
- Slippery surfaces: foam-covered grass and hardscape both get slick — keep young kids within arm's reach of an adult.
- Supervision: an adult should be actively watching the whole time foam is running, not just nearby.
Foam vs. bubble vs. glow party — which one fits?
Same backyard, three very different vibes and cleanup levels. Here's how the three compare on cost, age range, and mess.
Compare the three →
Foam party companies across the US
A national directory of real foam party operators, organized by state and city — no bidding wars, no lead forms.
Browse the directory