Jump Around

Looking for a place where the kids can be active on a cold day? Take them to one of 417-land’s energetic- kid-friendly indoor bounce house playgrounds.

By Harrison Keegan

Winter Saturdays can be scary days for parents. Walk to the park? Too cold. Soccer games? The season ended months ago. Hide and seek with the neighborhood kids? Not unless they seriously bundle up. So what do you do on a chilly winter day when the kids are bouncing off the walls? You take them to a place where bouncing off the walls is encouraged. We found three spots in 417-land where kids can jump around on giant inflatables. It is a fun way for kids to get moving and shake that winter boredom.

Jump Mania in Springfield is the largest bounce house facility in 417-land. With 8,700 square feet of inflatables, Jump Mania has more bounce than MC Hammer’s checkbook. They even have a large inflatable just for toddlers. Jump Mania will also redeem coupons from local competitors. Co-owner Suzanne Esch is a former teacher, so she likes to have curriculum-based educational activities along with the jumping. $5 on weekdays and $8 on weekends (starting 4 p.m. Friday), free for parents and children younger than 2, open jump is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, 2745 S. Kansas Expy., 417-881-5867, jumpmaniaspringfield.com.

The House of Bounce in Joplin has it all. You can find everything from wavy slides to a giant obstacle course. Plus there’s the famous wrecking ball: A four-person inflatable in which you swing a soft wrecking ball at your opponents to knock them off their platforms. The House of Bounce has open gym hours, and the entire building can be rented out for private birthday parties. $7 per

person and $3.50 for children 2 and younger, free for parents, open gym is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and stays open until 9 p.m. on Friday. Open gym times vary on Saturdays and Sundays, call ahead on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, House of Bounce, 3684 N. Main St., Joplin, 417-625-1082, joplinhob.com.

Step into Jumpin’ Joey’s in Springfield and you will feel like you walked into the Australian outback. That is, of course, if the Australian outback was littered with 8,000 square feet of inflatables and arcade games. Jumpin’ Joey’s is a great place for kids to burn off energy and maybe even learn something. The employees like to teach kids a few things about Australian animals. Jumpin’ Joey’s also takes extra precautions to ensure safety and cleanliness. $5 on weekdays and $8 on weekends (starting 4 p.m. Friday), open jump is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, 2550 S. Campbell Ave., 417-889-5639, jumpinjoeysspringfield.com.