PLEASE NOTE: This post was written in 2017, and while it should still give you a good overview of the experience, it may also contain some outdated information. Also, please note that the name of this location has changed to “Flight” but the inside looks pretty much the same 🙂 Please be sure to visit their website for the most up-to-date information, especially about things like hours & pricing.
2017 Post
Cut to the chase. Take me to the Momsense.
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Thank you to Jump Off Indoor Trampoline Park & Fun Zone for allowing my family complimentary admission for the purpose of writing this post! All opinions are 100% my own.
We love to get recommendations from our parent readers, but every so often we get a tip from an even more reliable source– their kids! And so it was with today’s post. Sheepishly, I admit that I had no idea that this new Jump Off location even existed until one of my older son’s classmates clued me in (thanks Miss Elizabeth!). And it’s a good thing she did because this might just be the most exciting kid destination to hit the Hartford area in recent memory!
Jump Off Indoor Trampoline Park & Fun Zone is located on Spencer Street in Manchester, CT.
Source: Google Maps
Now, I have actually been inside this building before. Although, it looks so different (both outside and inside) that it took me awhile to figure out why the place felt so familiar. Back when hubby and I moved to Connecticut in 2006, I spent a lot of time at this site. I was unemployed, a first-time homeowner and watching waaaaaayyyy too much HGTV. And this place used to be one of the Mill Stores locations, which sold unfinished furniture. We furnished most rooms in our first house with something that I had carted home from the Mill Store and painstakingly finished in our garage. Like this cabinet–minus the Power Ranger accessories of course; those were added later by my pint-sized decorators 🙂
I learned how to sand, stain and polyurethane to finish this cabinet to match the kitchen table in our first house. Not bad for a beginner, right? 🙂
So it felt like coming full circle to be returning to this place, now a wonderland for kids as opposed to a mecca for DIY-ers (a reflection of my life’s trajectory for sure!).
When we walked in the door I think we were all stunned by the sheer size of this place. It is massive!
But first things first, we had to get ourselves hooked up with our tickets. Before you even get in line to buy your passes, head to the waiver station and fill out one of those. You can also fill out a waiver online ahead of time.
Next, head for the counter where you can purchase your tickets and the required grip socks.
Your ticket is a sticker that will display the end time of your visit.
Grip socks are required and can be purchased for $2. They are reusable for future visits.
Next stop was the cubby area to drop our shoes and put on the grip socks. Lockers are also available for a small charge. Note that the restrooms are located in this corner as well.
Just about everything in this facility is useable by kids 48 inches and under, which means my 4 & 7 year olds had the run of the place! (Taller visitors are just not allowed in the playground area.)
We started in the playground, which is an amazing multi-level structure filled with slides, obstacles and climbing opportunities. There is even a separate toddler area for kids ages 3 and under.
Chairs placed all around the playground offer plenty of seating for supervising adults (but you can also follow your child into the playground so long as you remain on the ground level).
Shoes are not allowed in the playground area, so if you are planning to follow your child in to supervise, also plan on leaving your shoes in a cubby outside the entrance. Children must be 48 inches or under to participate in this activity.
This neat feature is a series of webs made out of stretch bands that the kids need to pull themselves through to get to the top.
The reward for reaching the top is this twisty slide down.
When we were there, there was a staff member supervising in this area. That doesn’t mean that parents can leave their kids unattended, but it does always help to have an extra pair of eyes on them 🙂 (And also ensure that all kids are behaving appropriately and not posing a risk to others.)
Opposite the giant playscape is a super cute toddler area for kids ages 3 and under. It is filled with sensory-rich opportunities like a ball pit, climbing mat, tunnels and a bouncy “pond,” plus toy cars to push around, rocking horses to ride and other engaging objects to explore.
This “pond” has a squishy surface that really looks like kids are walking on top of water!
After the kids had explored the playscape for a bit, we moved on to the trampoline section of the facility.
There is a ramp as well, which makes the entire facility very stroller-friendly.
While you are allowed to wear your shoes up here (on the platform; not on the trampolines), food is not permitted.
This area is expansive. The first thing that caught our eye was this ninja obstacle course. This multi-faceted contraption lets kids test their climbing, swinging, balancing, jumping and other stealth skills. There was even an attendant over here helping the littler kids with some of the tougher challenges.
But that is just the beginning. Check out the main trampoline floor.
There are basketball hoops.
A dodgeball court.
An area with the always-popular foam pits.
This one is for jumping.
This one is for climbing.
And falling.
A challenging tightrope walk.
An American Gladiators-style arena.
My kids just liked jumping off the beam 🙂
There is also a separate toddler trampoline area.
Another area for aerial flops.
My kids were obsessed with this activity. Basically, you run as fast as you can and see how far up the wall you can get (and if you actually get onto the top, never fear– there is a pole you can slide down).
As if all these activities weren’t enough, there is also a sizable arcade. Like many places these days, all the games are controlled by a card that you can purchase and load points onto (exact change or credit cards for that machine).
Shhh. Don’t tell them that they aren’t actually playing! Haha!
Prizes!
There’s also a ton of seating in here, which makes it exceptionally comfortable for grownups (don’t you hate it when you go somewhere and just have to stand around awkwardly the whole time?). You’ve no doubt noticed all the colorful tables and chairs (not to mention all those seats around the playground), but there’s also this lounge area (free wifi!).
So what could make your visit here complete? You’ve got it. Food! Yes, you can even grab a quick bite to eat or snack here.
After almost two hours of play, my kiddos were exhausted (just the way we like ’em, right?! Haha!). It was time to gather our things and head out.
I love when we find a play place that really is fantastic for all ages. From toddlers to teens, everyone in your family can have fun here (adults too!). And that’s what we’re all about at Out and About Mom–bringing families together through fun activities. I hope you get a chance to check out this place with yours!
Jump Off Indoor Trampoline Park & Fun Zone
145 Spencer Street, Manchester, Connecticut
(With another location at 280 Garfield Avenue, Stratford, CT)
Manchester Phone Number: (860) 288-8584
Contact them via email on this page.
Hours (2017):
Monday – Thursday
11:00am – 9:00pm
Friday
10:00am – 10:00pm
Saturday
9:00am – 10:00pm
Special needs only
9:00am – 10:00am
Sunday
10:00am – 9:00pm
Pricing (2017):
One hour – $15
Two hour – $20
Three hour – $24
Jump Off Grip Socks REQUIRED!! – $2.00*
*They trade in other trampoline/play facility’s grip socks for free
Toddlers (3 Years & Younger)*
One hour – $10
Two hour – $15
*Every toddler must be under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian.
Details (2017):
Stroller Friendly: YES; ramps and wide-open spaces make it easy to wheel around your infant while your bigger kids play.
Coffee Mug Friendly: NO; outside food and beverages are not allowed inside.
Restroom: YES
Baby Changing Station: Yikes. I’m pretty sure that’s a YES. I need to remember to write this stuff down!
Parking: YES
Food for Sale: YES
Outside Food Allowed: NO; outside food and beverages are not allowed inside.
Cash Required: NO (unless you want to use one of the massage chairs).
Dress Code: You’ll have to purchase special jump socks, but those are resuseable on future visits. Also, for safety, remove loose jewelry or accessories (like scarves). Be prepared to empty your pockets if you want to jump in the foam pits.
Age Recommendations: Toddlers and up! You could even bring your crawling baby to the toddler area of the playground. The playground is for kids 48 inches in height and under only. There is also a special Toddler Zone trampoline area.
Evening/Weekend Hours: YES
Discounts: Discounts for buying frequent play passes.
Birthday Party Venue: YES. Get more info here.
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