Foam Party 101: The Complete Guide To Foam Parties

What is a foam party?

A foam party is just that - a party surrounded by foam!

When throwing a foam party, a foam machine will fill your yard or driveway with millions of tiny bubbles, creating an impressive mountain of cool, clean, and refreshing foam that all your guests can play in.

A foam party is an eye-catching experience that can be hard to describe, so we encourage you to watch this video to see a real foam party in action.

The foam at a foam party can stack up to 6 feet tall and cover an area up to 40 feet wide in both directions! This pile of foam, which we shall dub "The Foam Zone," will create the ideal environment for you, your kids, friends, and family to make lifelong memories.

Once your area is filled with all the foam you can imagine, some high-energy and family-friendly music is turned on to help create the perfect party atmosphere. After all, what's a foam party without some awesome tunes?

Then, with the music pumping and the foam machine creating foam, it's time for your guests to run right in!

It won't be long before you start to see kids in fits of giggles as they build foam snowmen, pile foam on their heads, create sweet new foam hairdos, and stand underneath the "foam rainbow" created by the foam cannon with their hands in the air and a smile on their face.

And don't worry about the adults, because they love foam parties, too! They can join the foam party by jumping into the foam and dancing to the music, or they can stand around the foam zone and take photos of their kids having the time of their lives.

A foam party guarantees some of the most incredible photos you will ever take! Foam parties are perfect if you love snapping pictures for Instagram or Facebook.

A foam party is a perfect option for:

• Birthday parties
• Daycares
• School events
• Church events
• Gender reveals
• Fairs
• Festivals
• Summer parties
• And more!

What do I need for a foam party?

When you hire a foam party company, they will provide virtually everything you need to throw a foam party. The only two things they will require from you are access to an electrical outlet and a water hose connection. From there, they take care of the rest.

If you plan to DIY your foam party, the list of things you need grows a bit longer.

Here's our recommended list of everything you need to throw a foam party:

• Foam machine
• Foam machine stand
• Foam machine solution
• Water source
• Garden Hose
• Foam machine reservoir
• Submersible pump
• Extension cords
• Electrical outlet
• A speaker
• A foam party machine operator

Now let's jump into the specifics of every item needed to throw a foam party.

Foam machine

A high-quality foam machine is your primary tool to host an incredible foam party. And you must have one with enough power to cover a large area quickly; otherwise, your event will fall flat. Kids don't want to wait for the foam to pile up, and adults won't get in the foam if it means everyone will be squished together!

At Kidtastic Bubbles, we recommend the professional-grade HD Pro Stacker Foam Cannon by Foam Daddy for 99% of foam parties. With this foam cannon, you can have a large foam-filled area in no time.

Foam Daddy foam machines are known for being the gold standard, and, in our opinion, you shouldn't settle for anything less when arranging your foam party.

Here is a quick video demonstrating the power of the Foam Daddy foam party machine compared to a Little Tikes Foamo Foam Machine. As you can see, there is a big difference when using a quality foam machine.

Foam machine stand

The key to covering a large area with foam is to elevate your foam party machine from the ground. To elevate the foam machine, we recommend using a foam machine stand.

A foam machine stand is a giant tripod that you can place your machine on top of to lift it off the ground.

Our recommended height for the foam party machine is between 5 and 6 feet. We have found this to be the ideal height range to maximize the distance the foam can go.

Lifting your machine is usually a quick and easy fix if you need to cover a large enough area with foam.

Foam solution

Now you can't have a foam party without foam! So the second most important item that you will need is foam solution.

Often available in a gel, liquid, or powder form, foam solution will allow your foam party machine to create magical bubbles for your foam party!

Because the foam created by the foam solution will be sprayed all over your guests and backyard or driveway, we recommend choosing a foam solution that ticks the following boxes.

You want to choose a foam solution that is

• Hypoallergenic
• Biodegradable
• Non-Staining
• Scent-free
• Clothing-friendly
• Mess-free
• And safe on the skin

For this reason, at Kidtastic Bubbles, we only use and recommend the Foam Daddy foam gel solution, which hits all of those marks. Plus, it easily creates more foam than any other solution, quickly creating an eye-catching mountain of foam every time.

Another huge benefit is that this foam solution doesn't create any sticky or slippery messes and requires minimal clean-up. In fact, at the end of your foam party, the foam will disappear within a few hours (or you can speed up the process by washing it away with water).

Water source

Now that you have your foam solution, you will need to mix it with water to create the foam for your foam party.

A water spigot should be easily accessible outside of most homes and buildings. Depending on the location, you may need a water hose key to turn the water on and off.

Garden Hose

Sometimes the water source can be a bit far away from where you plan on hosting the foam party, so it is recommended to have extra garden hoses available in case you need to stretch the connection out.

Usually, having 100 feet of garden hose length is more than enough. If you are hosting your foam party at home, you will typically need a lot less vs. if you were to host your foam party at another location, such as a school or church.

In short, it is better to be safe and have extra garden hoses available to ensure your foam party runs smoothly.

Foam machine reservoir

For your foam machine to work, you'll need a 50-gallon foam machine reservoir, essentially a giant bucket that will hold your foam solution.

Let's quickly walk through the steps of how it all works.

First, you need to place your foam machine reservoir next to the foam machine.

Second, if you use Foam Daddy foam solution, you will pour between ½ and 1 gallon of premixed foam solution into the foam machine reservoir.

Third, you will fill the rest of the reservoir with water.

Lastly, you will put your foam machine's submersible pump into the reservoir, and the submersible pump will begin sucking out the solution and feeding it to your foam machine, creating the foam for the foam party.

Because the foam machine reservoir will be holding about 50 gallons of water, you want to ensure that the one you get is nice and sturdy. The last thing that you want is any leaks and spills.

There are dedicated foam machine reservoirs that you can purchase, but if you are in a pinch, you can also try buying a heavy-duty trash bin instead.

Submersible pump

We mentioned the submersible pump in our previous section. The submersible pump feeds the foam solution inside your reservoir to the foam party machine. To be safe, we recommend having a second submersible pump as a backup.

Extension cords

For the same reason that you want extra garden hoses, you will also want additional extension cords. You never know how far the nearest electrical outlet will be, so you want to ensure you have enough extension chords to power your foam party machine.

We recommend a 12-gauge weatherproof extension cord and a waterproof extension cord connector to keep everything safe in case it accidentally gets wet.

As a reminder, always run your extension cords away from the foam area.

Electrical outlet

The foam machine runs on power, so to throw your foam party, you will need a standard electrical outlet easily accessible to plug in your foam machine.

Like the water source, it is best to have the electrical outlet as close to the foam party setup as possible, but thanks to extension cords, the outlet can be up to 100 feet away from the foam machine.

We recommend you dedicate one electrical outlet to your foam party set up and use a separate outlet for any other party needs. A dedicated outlet will ensure you have stable power for your foam party.

A speaker

As mentioned, you can only have a foam party with fantastic music!

Because a foam party happens outdoors, there can be a lot of additional noise, so you will need a loud enough speaker for everyone to hear. At a minimum, you should opt for a speaker that is 200w (the more, the better), and bonus points if you acquire a speaker that is water and splash-proof.

Here are a few of our favorite songs that we like to play at a foam party:

• I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
• Happy by Pharell Williams
• Dance Monkey by Tones And I
• Can't Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake
• Shut Up And Dance by Walk The Moon
• Raining Tacos by Parry Gripp
• Baby Shark by Pinkfong

A foam party machine operator

You have your foam machine, foam solution, water source, foam machine reservoir, garden hoses, extension chords, and speaker. You are well on your way to having an epic foam party!

But now you need someone to operate everything!

As the event host, you have a lot to juggle on the day of your party. The last thing you want to do is learn to work a machine you have probably never used before. Because you should be enjoying the party, we recommend hiring a professional foam party machine operator.

The foam party operator will set up and tear down the machine, ensure the best foam output is achieved, and ensure everyone is having a great time. It's all about making your foam party as stress-free as possible.

Where can I host a foam party?

When it comes to figuring out the ideal location to host your foam party, there are two primary questions that you might have.

• What surface does a foam party work on?
• How much space do I need for a foam party?

Let's tackle both of those questions.

A foam party can work on most non-slick flat surfaces. The surfaces a foam party can work on include, but are not limited to, grass, artificial grass, concrete, and pavement.

When choosing what surface to host your foam party on, you want to ensure that the area is flat and free of obstructions.

Regarding how much space you need to host a foam party, a good rule of thumb is to have a minimum of 20x20 feet available for the foam party for each foam machine that you are using.

Here are some ideal locations where you can host your foam party based on the above information:

• Front yard
• Back yard
• Driveway
• Empty parking lot
• Empty field
• School blacktop

What do you wear to a foam party?

The second most asked question at Kidtastic Bubbles is what should the guests wear to a foam party? The answer is simple!

We recommend all guests wear lightweight, comfortable clothing like a t-shirt, shorts, or swimsuit.

When you think about what to wear to a foam party, ask yourself, "what would I wear to a summer pool party?" A lot of the same rules apply.

You want to wear clothes that…

• Are okay to get wet
• Are comfortable
• Are potentially quick drying

What you don't want to wear to a foam party includes:

• Anything made of suede or other non-water-friendly material
• The fancy clothes that you don't want to get wet

Again, simple is best. Opt for a swimsuit or a lightweight t-shirt and shorts, and you will be good to go.

Does a foam party ruin your clothes?

The short answer is - no! At least our foam parties don't, as we use a high-quality foam solution mentioned earlier in this article.

Again, we don't recommend wearing anything you usually wouldn't want to get wet, like a suede leather jacket or a fancy silk wedding dress. Instead, if you wear the recommended t-shirt and shorts or swimsuit, then at the end of the foam party, you dry off in the sun, pop your clothes in the laundry machine, and they are as good as new for your next foam party.

What shoes do you wear to a foam party?

But what about shoes?

We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for a foam party that you don't mind getting wet, like some old sneakers/tennis shoes. In addition, you'd like your shoes to have a bit of traction to make it easier to walk in the foam.

If you'd like extra protection, you can even opt for water shoes or waterproof boots, but these are often optional.

The shoes we don't recommend wearing to a foam party are high heels or flip-flops, which can cause you to slip and fall.

It is not uncommon for kids and adults to be barefoot while playing in the foam. So, if you'd like to let your feet free, you are more than welcome to do so!

We always recommend you hold a foam party on a flat surface free of obstructions so those who are barefoot do not accidentally step on anything.

Lastly, while we are on shoes and feet, many are curious if a foam party is slippery. A foam party is typically not slippery. You can easily walk, dance, and play inside the foam without fear of slipping, but we still recommend being cautious.

What should I bring to a foam party?

Along with choosing the proper outfit and footwear, there are some additional items you may wish to bring to your foam party to ensure you have the best time possible. Many of them are items you'll be used to packing in your beach or pool party bag, so you'll likely already have them on hand!

Here's what you'll need.

Towels

If you want to wipe yourself down and dry off quickly whenever you exit the foam at your party, we recommend bringing a towel. But don't worry if you forget it — you'll dry off in the sun, anyway.

Goggles

Goggles are completely optional, but some kids love wearing them so they can poke their heads underneath the foam at the party. Also, Goggles look cool! Everyone loves to look cool at a foam party.

Sunscreen

Because foam parties happen outdoors, protecting yourself and your children from the sun is important. Everyone should apply sunscreen before the foam party, and it's also a good idea to keep it in your bag for regular top-ups.

A change of clothes

While the clothes you wear in the foam will dry off quickly, you and your guests may wish to bring a change of clothes to wear afterward or when traveling home. Having a change of clothes is also a good idea if you have other activities after the foam party requiring a different clothing style.

A cell phone or camera

Your foam party will be full of photo opportunities, so ensure everyone is equipped with their smartphone or camera to capture the fun! You will want to remember your kids' excitement and love looking back on the photos for years to come.

Can adults attend a foam party?

Yes! Foam parties provide family-friendly fun, which means they're suitable for people of all ages. We often see parents and caregivers having as much fun as the kids at our foam parties, so let your grown-up guests know they're more than welcome to join in! It's a great activity that anyone can enjoy.

Are foam parties safe?

When you follow our recommendations made throughout this article, you will find that foam parties are incredibly safe!

Here is a quick recap of everything you should do to ensure your foam party is safe for everyone involved.

• Choose an ideal location for your foam party
• Use a professional-grade foam machine
• Use a high-quality foam solution
• Wear the proper clothing for a foam party
• Have a designated foam party machine operator
• Always have adult supervision near the foam party

Everyone's safety should be a priority when hosting a foam party. By following the checklist above, you will be well on your way to hosting a safe and fun foam party!

How do you clean up after a foam party?

As a parent or caregiver, you'll be ecstatic to hear that a foam party cleans up after itself. Seriously - there's virtually zero cleaning required.

At the end of your party, the foam will disappear on its own, leaving no sign that it was ever there. It will typically be gone within a couple of hours, but if you want to speed up the process, you can wash it away with water. Likewise, if you encounter any foam residue after the party is over, this can also be washed away with water.

How much does a foam party cost?

The cost of a foam party can vary, but hiring a professional company is typically between $300 and $1000 for a one-hour foam party.

This cost can vary depending on what the service includes.

Some foam party companies offer a drop-off rental where they leave the foam machine at your event for you to run.

Other foam party companies offer a complete done-for-you service where they set up and manage the foam party from beginning to end. This option allows you, as the party host, to enjoy your party knowing a trained professional is operating the foam machine.

At Kidtastic Bubbles, we offer the complete done-for-you service, and our foam parties start at $325 for a 1-hour event. Our 1-hour foam party includes the following:

• Sixty minutes of non-stop foam fun!
• A professional-grade foam party cannon that will build an eye-catching pile of foam in seconds
• A foam operator who will set up, tear down, and run the foam cannon for the entirety of the hour, making sure everything runs smoothly
• We bring our speaker and play some energizing, family-friendly music to help get the party started!
• We will travel to your location in Orange County, CA, and its surrounding nearby cities

We don't charge any travel fees within our service area, our company is fully insured, and we provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee backed by our 100% money-back guarantee, which means if you are not happy with your event, you don't pay a cent. (We've never had a dissatisfied customer, and we will ensure you are not the first!)

Booking a foam party with Kidtastic Bubbles

And with that, you have just graduated from foam party 101! So congratulations, you are now a foam party expert and have all the information you need to throw the best foam party possible.

But you don't have to do it alone. You can have our team here at Kidtastic Bubbles take care of everything for you!

At Kidtastic Bubbles, we're experts in hosting foam parties that kids and adults love. So, if you need help with your next event, count us in!

We serve Orange County, California, and the surrounding cities, so if you're nearby, call (714) 823-8543 to book your foam party today!

We look forward to making your next event look like this!