I thought others might have been exaggerating when they mentioned the horrible odor, but they weren't. There is a very strong chemical smell. We aired ours out in the basement and outside, which helped some. If you are someone who is very sensitive to odors I suggest purchasing way before it is needed, inflating it, and airing it out for as long as possible.Rody is a great toy that encourages physical activity, is very durable, and comes in many fun colors. We purchased this for our 22mo old, and now we will probably be buying a Rody Max for our older children because they love it so much.