House of Bounce
I love hearing the squeals of delight and infectious giggles of kids as they bounce high in the air, attempting to defy gravity.
Where in Joplin can kids do this? More importantly, where can they do this safely?
At the House of Bounce.
Located at 3684 North Main Street, the House of Bounce provides a variety of inflatable bounce houses for kids to jump in. I love taking my own kids here to expend energy (and to get some exercise).
This is a fun place to come during the cold of winter, in the heat of summer, on a rainy day, or any time you want the kids to have fun (and not have to chase them around).
There was, however, a brief period of time when Joplin children did not have a place to bounce. The House of Bounce was damaged in a fire in June 2013; the building was rebuilt and reopened in February 2014, providing kids with loads of fun in a clean, safe, and family-friendly environment.
On our last visit there, we came during Toddler Time, which is offered during the summer on Tuesdays from 9 AM to 11 AM. During this time, only kids ages 5 and under can jump, so parents don’t have to worry about their little ones jumping next to older, bigger kids. What a great idea!
After we paid at the front counter, my daughter and I each had our hands stamped with invisible black light ink, which a staff member checks when people leave, just to make sure that all kids are accompanied by the people that they came with. I appreciate this added measure of security.
Then it was bouncing time! Shoes must be removed before jumping, and there’s an area near the front where you can put them. Be sure to bring a pair of socks.
There were five bounce houses operating on the day we went. My daughter spent a lot of time on the tall “Cars” inflatable with a double slide. Here she is starting her long climb up to the top.
She also enjoyed the “Princess” house. In this one, she liked throwing a ball into a hoop and going down the inside slide.
There was a castle house (with just a bounce pad inside), and an inflatable set up like an obstacle course, and she worked up a sweat after climbing over and through its many tunnels, walls, and hurdles.
The last inflatable there that day was the Wrecking Ball. I kept thinking I’d catch a glimpse of Miley Cyrus on it, but thankfully I did not! This inflatable looked like a pool and had a swinging ball in the center.
There was always a staff member walking around, monitoring activity, and making sure that no one got too rambunctious. I felt reassured knowing that there was another pair of eyes watching out for the safety of the kids.
After an hour of jumping, my daughter was understandably thirsty. The House of Bounce has an eating area where drinks and snacks can be purchased, so I bought her a juice box from there. While I was paying for her drink, I noticed that there was a high chair available for parents to use for feeding small children – very thoughtful.
In the center of the room, there are tables and benches set up where you can eat, and where parents can rest while still being able to see their children on the inflatables. This area is configured well for birthday parties, too.
If you have older children, be sure to take them to Bounce Break, which is held on the first and third Fridays of each month, from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. During this time, you can drop off your kids (grades K – 6) to enjoy some jumping time while YOU enjoy some grown-up time. It’s a win-win situation!
I’m so glad that the House of Bounce has rebuilt in Joplin. It’s a place where I can relax knowing that my kids can frolic and be silly, and still be safe.
Click here to visit the House of Bounce’s website, and click here to see its Facebook page.
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Living Life to The Fullest!
I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.
