Dunk tank rental: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What dunk tank rental is

A dunk tank rental provider delivers a water tank with a seat and a target, fills it, and often provides a supervisor for fundraisers, school carnivals and company events. Guests pay to throw a ball at the target, and the person on the seat drops into the water when the target is hit.

Signs you need it

  • You are running a fundraiser or school carnival that needs a crowd game
  • The event needs a supervised water activity for adults and older children
  • You want a fun, low effort game that works in a warm outdoor setting
  • You need the tank filled and drained on site without hauling water yourself
  • You want a trained person to run the game, collect payments and keep the line moving

What the pro does

  • Confirms the site, the water source and the drain location when you book
  • Delivers the tank, the seat and the target to the area you choose
  • Fills the tank with water and checks the seat, the target and the throwing line
  • Provides a supervisor to run the game, set the throwing line and manage the crowd
  • Sets the rules for who may sit, how many throws are allowed and the safety limits
  • Drains the tank and removes the equipment at the end of the event

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Tank size and style, and whether it comes with a target and a seat
  • Whether a supervisor is provided and how many hours they stay
  • Water source and drain location, and whether a generator or pump is needed
  • Delivery distance and site access
  • Length of the rental and the pickup time
  • Whether the provider collects payments or the host runs the booth

What a written quote should spell out

  • The tank size, the seat, the target and the throwing equipment
  • Supervisor hours and their responsibilities during the event
  • Water fill, drain and pickup times
  • Who provides the water, the power and the drain
  • Rules for participants, including any age or height limits

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you provide a trained supervisor, and what are their safety duties?
  • What water and drain do I need to provide, and where should the tank go?
  • Who sits in the tank, and are there rules about age, health or clothing?
  • What is your plan for a participant who is struggling or upset?
  • Will the tank be cleaned after the event, and how is the water removed?
  • Do you carry liability insurance and can you send the certificate?

Red flags

  • Does not provide a supervisor or says the host should run the game alone
  • Cannot describe the rules for who may sit in the tank
  • Plans to place the tank on a surface that cannot hold the water weight
  • Will not send an insurance certificate when asked
  • Has no plan for draining the tank after the event

What you can do yourself

Do not build or fill a dunk tank yourself. The water weight, the seat and the target all need a proper setup, and the person in the seat needs a trained supervisor. You can plan the booth, sell tickets, set a clear line for throwers and pick a shaded spot near the water source. Hire a rental provider for the tank, the seat, the target and the supervisor.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to run a dunk tank. Ask the provider for proof of liability insurance. If you are raising money with tickets or raffles, check the rules of the local office that oversees fundraising before the event.

Dunk tank rental questions

Who runs the dunk tank?

Ask the provider for a trained supervisor. The supervisor should set the throwing line, manage the seat and stop play when a participant asks or is struggling.

Is the water safe to sit in?

Ask the provider what water it uses and how it is treated. Confirm that the water source is suitable for contact with people, and ask what cleanup is needed afterward.

Can we charge for throws at a school event?

Check with the school and the local office that oversees fundraising before you sell throws. Rules for charging at events can vary.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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