How to Plan a School Field Day in Rhode Island: A Step-by-Step Checklist

A great field day starts weeks before the first relay race. This checklist walks Rhode Island teachers, PE staff, and PTO/PTA volunteers through what to decide, what to measure, and what to send us, so booking your inflatables and games is quick and the day itself runs smoothly.

1. Pick your date (and a backup) early

Spring field days in May and June are our busiest weekdays. Schools that book in March and April get first pick of obstacle courses. Choose a main date and a backup date before you reach out, so we can check both at once.

If you plan a rain date, here's our weather policy: if our crew can't safely set up because of weather, you choose: a full refund or a new date. No fees.

2. Count students and stations

Start with the number of classes that will be outside at the same time. Plan one station for every class rotating at once. If six classes rotate together, you need six stations. Inflatables carry the high-energy stations, and giant lawn games and relay areas fill out the rest.

A simple rotation: 10–15 minutes per station plus about 2 minutes to walk to the next one. Our field day station planner shows which equipment fits each station and grade level.

3. Match equipment to grade levels

• Obstacle courses (grades 2–8): students race through and exit, so lines keep moving. Options include WIPEOUT ($500), Shape Shifter Lagoon ($500, wet or dry), and Glitch Gamer's Obstacle Course ($750). See all obstacle course rentals.
• Bounce houses and combos (Pre-K–grade 2, mixed ages): browse bounce houses and bounce house with slide combos.
• Interactive and lawn games (all grades): Powerline 3-in-1 ($160), Big Sports Player ($160), Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4, Cornhole, and Kan Jam. See all games and activities.
• Shade and seating: 10x10 tents ($25) and 10x20 tents ($100) for a water and rest station.

School & organization special: book an obstacle course valued at $450 or more and we'll include a free bounce house or inflatable game when inventory allows.

4. Walk the site before you book

1. Space: measure the setup area. Length matters most for obstacle courses.
2. Surface: grass is best. Tell us ahead of time about blacktop or gym floors.
3. Power: each inflatable needs a standard outlet within about 75–80 ft (a dedicated 20-amp circuit works best). No outlet? Add our Honda 2000 W inverter generator ($75).
4. Access: note the gate width and the path from the truck to the field.

5. Handle the paperwork early

We provide a certificate of insurance (COI) on request and can list your school or district as certificate holder. Send any district vendor or insurance requirements as early as possible. Schools can pay by school check or pay online to reserve the date.

6. Decide who runs each station

Adult supervision is required whenever inflatables are in use. If your staff would rather focus on students, add Wavy Bounce event attendants: $45 per hour per attendant, with a 3-hour minimum ($135 per attendant). Include how many you'd like in your quote request.

7. Send us your details

Call or text Ed at 401-999-9599 with your date, school name, address or ZIP, number of students, grades, surface, wet or dry preference, outlet locations, and the activities you're considering. More details on our Schools & Organizations page.

Delivery is free within 10 miles of Providence, then $1.75 per mile up to 27 miles, and $2.25 per mile beyond that.

← More planning guides on the Wavy Bounce blog