How Do I Wear an Inflatable Mascot Costume?

Use inflatable costumes for a variety of purposes, such as in parades.

Whatever inflatable mascot you want to don -- whether it's a college mascot to cheer on the home team, or Smokey the Bear to promote awareness of fire safety -- chances are it will be easy to put on and even comfortable to wear. The designs vary depending on the company from which you rent or purchase the costume, but most come with a backpack that includes a battery connected to a fan, foot straps to keep your feet from slipping and a zipper in the back. If possible, ask someone to help you, as some steps might be difficult to do on your own.

Instructions

1. Roll out the costume gently on a soft area, such as a carpet, to avoid puncturing the costume.

2. Locate the battery harness; the harness style varies according to manufacturer. Some look like a backpack, while others are simply a neck strap with the battery pack attached to it.

3. Place the battery in the pouch in back of the backpack, or wherever the pouch is located in your particular costume, and connect it to the fan. Turn on the fan and close the pouch.

4. Put on the backpack if your costume has one and adjust the side and front straps so that they are comfortable and supportive. Many costumes have a thick strap that goes across the middle of your chest. Lock this strap using the locking clip, which is like the clip used in car seats. The backpack may also have two thinner straps that have locking clips on their ends. Let the ends hang down.

5. Place your feet in the costume and adjust the foot straps, if there are any, to keep your feet from slipping.

6. Pull up the costume halfway and find the locking straps inside. Connect these straps to those that are hanging down from the backpack.

7. Place your hands firmly inside the costume's hands, so that the costume won't get out of shape.

8. Pull the costume over your head and have a helper zip up the back. The fan will inflate the costume in a matter of minutes, and will keep you cool while you're wearing it.

9. Wear the costume to any event. Depending on the costume design, the costume won't even touch your skin. If the event calls for it, allow people to hug or squeeze you, as the costume will not deflate indefinitely; because of the fan, the costume will deflate a bit, and then inflate again within seconds.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow the instructions that come with your individual costume, as costume designs may vary. For example, some costumes come with a support belt that sits on your hips and attaches to suspenders.

• Make sure the battery is charged, and carry an extra battery in case the first battery loses power. Depending on the battery that comes with the costume, it may last only 1 to 2 hours.

References

• Airblown Inflatables Costume: Inflatable Costumes
• Inflatables UK: Inflatable Costumes
• Sky Sign Balloons: Inflatable Costumes
• Above All Advertising: Inflatable Costumes