PLEASE NOTE: This post was written in 2016, and while it should still give you a good overview of the experience, it is also possible that it may contain some outdated information. Please check their website for the most current information, especially about things like schedules and pricing.
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2016 POST
Thank you to Jump On In for providing my family with complimentary admission for this visit! All opinions are 100% my own.
Cut to the chase. Take me to the Momsense.
After nearly five years of blogging about things to do with kids in Connecticut, I’ve discovered that the parenting community (at least those of us with young children) often feels very small despite the fact that there must be tens of thousands of us. So when a new family-friendly venue opens up–anywhere in the state–it’s usually only a matter of months (or sometimes even weeks or days!) before I find out about it.
Sometimes I hear about it from a friend. Sometimes from a mom I meet on a playground. Sometimes through a PR rep that has me on their list.
But my absolute FAVORITE way to hear about a new place to check out is from our readers who have been there, loved that. And such is the case with this BRAND NEW (opened in February 2016!) indoor play place and bounce arena in Newington, CT called Jump On In.
This is the first Jump On In location in Connecticut, and it was started by two moms –who are also friends–who wanted to start a business that would fit their mom lifestyle and involve their children (hmmm, wait a minute; that sounds awfully familiar… 🙂 ). But they wanted to do things a little differently and create a unique indoor play destination unlike anything in the area. And I, for one, think they have succeeded!
Jump On In is very easy to get to, but a little hard to find. For one thing, it seems like GPS hasn’t caught up with their new address yet, so Google Maps is a better way to map your route. You can also find a map and helpful directions on their website.
The building itself is set way back off the road, so you probably won’t see it unless you are really looking for it (and even then, you have to make a few turns first).
Once on Willard Avenue, you’ll want to look for this sign, and turn in here:
Jump On In is printed on that sign, but it’s pretty small so if you aren’t really paying attention, you’d miss it. Then, you’ll take a right at this sign. Again, Jump On In is printed on it, but not exactly eye-catching, right?
Then you’re just going to have to trust me that you follow this road all the way back. Because Jump On In is waaaaaaaay at the end there.
There is plenty of parking right out front.
You’ll enter into this very spacious room where you’ll see the admissions desk.
And also several benches where the kiddos can hang out and watch videos while you pay for admission and get settled. You can also eat out here so if you’ve packed snacks, this is the area where you can enjoy them.
There are also some beverages/treats available to purchase.
You can either book your Open Jump session and pay ahead of time online, or you can simply pay when you get there. Open Jump sessions are $15/child. Got more than one kiddo? Siblings each receive $2 off that admission price, whether you’ve got two kids or five kids 🙂
They also offer frequent jump passes (see more info about that in the Momsense section below).
There is no charge for adults, even if they want to play too. Grownups are always welcome to accompany their small children on the inflatables/equipment, and if it’s not too crowded, you can feel free to just bounce around and have a good time with your little ones even if they don’t really need your “help” anymore. Please note that since safety is always paramount, if there are a lot of kids in the gym, the staff may ask adults (except those who need to accompany very small children) to refrain from playing on the equipment.
Speaking of staff, there are always staff members (called “referees”) present in the gym to help supervise and make sure that rules are being followed and kids are having fun. That is super news for someone like me, with an almost 3-year-old daredevil who still needs my undivided attention plus an almost 6-year-old who can’t be bothered to wait for his slow poke momma and little brother. It was really nice to feel like if one of my guys took off in one direction, and one in the other, there would still be a pair of eyes on both of them 🙂
But I’m getting ahead of myself here. So you want to see inside??? 🙂
Okay, first the rules. Because it’s always good to know the rules.
Kids and parents who are going on the equipment must remove their shoes and be wearing socks. (Parents who are just supervising from the ground do not need to remove their shoes.) Socks are required when playing on the equipment. I know it’s summer and everyone’s wearing flip flops, but please, pack your socks. Because you must wear socks. Did I mention that you’ll need to be wearing socks?
The gym is wide open, which we love because it makes it very easy to supervise all the action 🙂
The first contraption that caught the boys’ attention was a giant slide right when they walked in the door.
Then, across the way was another bounce house with some fun features inside.
But it wasn’t long before they discovered one of the highlights of this Jump On In gym: the obstacle course, foam pit and zip line!
This area has so many activities packed into it. For starters there is a challenging obstacle course with opportunities for climbing, swinging, balancing, jumping, and more.
And then there is this AWESOME zip line!
Plus a giant foam pit for flopping in (try saying that five times fast). Or, if you’re my children, for building towers in.
This particular element definitely sets Jump On In apart from the other bounce arenas we’ve been to so far. It was great to find so many different activities packed into this space. It really allowed the kiddos to wear themselves out, I mean, practice all sorts of athletic skills 🙂
And believe it or not, I’ve only shown you half the gym! Here’s the rest:
As you can see, there’s a great mix of inflatables that would be suitable for both big and little kids. There’s also an air hockey table and a basketball hoop, both of which were a big hit with my crew!
My little guy, who has only recently achieved a height that allows him to drink from water fountains (a.k.a. “bubblers,” or more accurately “bubblahs,” as we say in my native Rhode Island-ese), was super excited to find one here.
The restrooms are also down this hallway, as are the spacious party rooms.
Another nice thing about this gym is that it can be divided into two separate spaces, which means that you can have a semi-private party where each group gets to be in one half of the gym, and then they switch. There’s also an extensive list of food and beverage items that you can order, so you can really customize your event.
These boys had a super time at Jump On In. In fact, I had a super problem getting them out 🙂
I’m so excited to have this unique indoor play place in this area. It’s definitely going to be a hot spot both to beat the summer heat and to warm up from the winter cold. See you there!
Jump On In
405 Alumni Road, Newington, Connecticut
Phone: 860-436-3600
**Note**This is a new address and most GPS do not work as of 2016. Please use Google or Apple maps for directions. You must enter Alumni Road from Willard Avenue as there is no access from Alumni Road from behind the Veterans’ Hospital.
IN TOWN DIRECTIONS:
- Take Willard Avenue in Newington to Alumni Road (behind Total Vision).
- From the North, turn right onto Alumni Road. From the South, turn left onto Alumni Road.
- Then turn right into our entrance driveway and proceed about 1000 yards to our entrance.
Hours:
Open Jump Every Monday to Thursday*:
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
You can check their website and/or Facebook page to see if there will be any weekend Open Jump times on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
*This schedule reflects their June 2016 hours and is subject to change; please visit their website or better yet, follow their Facebook page for the most current information.
Pricing:
$15/child (no charge for adults–even if you want to play too!)
There is a sibling discount of $2 off the price of admission for each child.
You can book a jump session online ahead of time but walk-ins are also welcome. The book ahead option is especially great if you will be sending your child with a friend/other family member/caregiver and you want to pay ahead for your child so they don’t have to!
Frequent visitor passes are also available and offer a significant discount. You can get 5 visits for $55 and 10 visits for $100. These are individual passes, and you’ll need to bring the original pass each time you come in.
Details:
- Stroller Friendly: YES.
- Coffee Mug Friendly: NO.
- Baby Changing Station: YES.
- Restrooms: YES.
- Parking: YES. Tons of free parking.
- Food for Sale: SOME. There are some ice cream treats and beverages for sale.
- Outside Food Allowed: YES. But you cannot bring it into the gym area. You can eat it out in the lobby area.
- Cash Required: NO. Credit cards accepted (no AmEx)
- Dress Code: Socks are required for those going on the equipment. If you forget, don’t panic, they do have some there for purchase. If you are a parent just watching, you do not need to remove your shoes.
- Age Recommendation: I would say ages 2 and up if I had to put a number on it, but really, as soon as your little one is steady on his or her feet, this is a fun place to explore.
- Evening/Weekend Hours: SOMETIMES. Right now the weekends are generally for birthday parties but you can check their website and/or Facebook page weekly to see if there will be any Open Jump times. Although they do currently have a 4:30-6:30pm Open Jump session on weekdays; it’s summer, you can play a little hooky from the office, right? 🙂
- Discounts: $2 off admission for each sibling; frequent visitor passes available.
- Birthday Party Venue: YES. More info here.
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