This PE teacher launched a side business making $150,000 by organizing foam parties for children.

This PE teacher launched a side business making $150,000 by organizing foam parties for children.

      Side Hustle Nation aims to enhance your personal profitability. To achieve this, we frequently collaborate with companies that align with that goal. If you register or make a purchase through one of our partners' links, we may receive compensation without any additional cost to you. Learn more. How does one transition from gym whistles and dodgeballs to foam cannons and $150,000 in side hustle earnings? This elementary PE teacher uncovered a distinct business opportunity that enables him to earn money during summer break while enjoying the process. Tim Carstensen, from FoamPartyAllStars.com, operates a mobile foam party service that delivers an engaging experience to the Chicagoland area. Notably, he began with no prior business knowledge and navigated the journey as he progressed. Tune into Episode 676 of the Side Hustle Show to find out: the clever marketing strategy that attracted his initial customers; how he expanded from one foam cannon to nine setups across various locations; and why his business model outperforms bounce house rentals.

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      How a Foam Party Business Functions Tim arrives with high-quality foam cannons that produce bubble walls up to shoulder height. Children dance, play, and revel in kid-friendly foam while upbeat music plays and a professional voiceover builds excitement with countdowns.

      Foam Party All Stars Most birthday parties are priced at $375 for one hour, while larger events with multiple cannons charge more. Tim's first official gig involved a two-cannon glow foam party (using UV-reactive foam that glows in the dark) for a school hosting a couple of hundred children. Not the easiest start, but he managed it, and business has consistently thrived since.

      The Research That Launched It All Initially, Tim was investigating bounce house rentals but found the insurance costs to be prohibitive — around $5,000-$6,000 yearly even for just one or two units. While exploring party rental Facebook groups (yes, there's a group for everything), he noticed companies in warmer states offering foam parties for kids in conjunction with their bounce houses. Tim assessed his area and found only one competitor 50 miles to the north. That was his signal to proceed. He discovered a Facebook group tailored for foam party providers nationwide and analyzed every single post to grasp the business model, startup costs, and success stories.

      Acquiring Those Initial Customers: The 700 Postcard Strategy Tim didn’t wait to establish a following and immediately targeted where his potential clients were. He compiled a list of every daycare, summer camp, park district, library, and elementary school within a 35-40 mile radius and dispatched 700 postcards through Vistaprint. His postcard stated, “We bring a foam party to you,” positioning foam parties as solutions for various events including:

      - Summer camps

      - School functions

      - Church events

      - Library summer reading launches

      - Block parties

      - Birthday celebrations

      By sending postcards in January, he reached organizations during their summer planning phase, providing him with months for preparation while also collecting deposits upfront.

      Startup Costs and Equipment For his initial setup, Tim invested approximately $2,500 in a professional-grade foam cannon, plus an additional $1,000-$1,500 for barriers, a tent with branding, hoses, electrical cords, speakers, and other miscellaneous tools.

      Foam Party All Stars The setup needs include:

      - Water source (standard hose hookup)

      - Electrical outlet (standard outlet for one cannon)

      - Generator for multiple cannons or remote locations

      Insurance expenses: About $1,200-$1,300 per year for a policy of $1 to $2 million — significantly less than bounce house insurance. Tim reinvested deposits from early bookings into additional equipment, purchasing his second and third setups even before conducting his first party.

      8 Local Marketing Strategies That Are Effective

      1. Direct Mail to B2B Clients

      Tim's 700-postcard initiative to daycares, schools, and camps produced his initial surge of bookings. He now sends tailored postcards to different types of organizations instead of using generic messaging.

      2. Facebook and Google Ads (Low Investment, High Returns)

      Tim allocates funds for Google Ads targeting “foam party near me” — virtually no competitors results in inexpensive clicks and effortless visibility. He also runs Facebook ads aimed at local mothers. Featuring vibrant images and brief videos of kids enjoying foam, his posts generate high engagement.

      3. Local Facebook Groups

      Tim (using his wife’s account to join mom-focused Facebook groups) posts in every nearby Facebook group with photos and descriptions. As “98% of the time it’s the mom that is booking the party,” this targets the actual decision-makers.

      4. Built-in Referral

This PE teacher launched a side business making $150,000 by organizing foam parties for children. This PE teacher launched a side business making $150,000 by organizing foam parties for children. This PE teacher launched a side business making $150,000 by organizing foam parties for children. This PE teacher launched a side business making $150,000 by organizing foam parties for children. This PE teacher launched a side business making $150,000 by organizing foam parties for children. This PE teacher launched a side business making $150,000 by organizing foam parties for children. This PE teacher launched a side business making $150,000 by organizing foam parties for children.

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This PE teacher launched a side business making $150,000 by organizing foam parties for children.

A physical education instructor established a foam party business worth $150K in just four months each year. Discover how he got started, acquired clients, and expanded his business without leaving his job.