My kids love to bounce. They love to bounce on the couches, the beds, and even in time-out when they get reminded not to bounce on the couches or the beds. The more they can bounce the better, as far as they are concerned. That is why I was thrilled when I heard about Sky Zone – this awesome place that has indoor trampoline playing fields. My kids can bounce their brains out; and seriously, what can wear a child out faster than jumping on a trampoline for half an hour to two hours? I am not quite sure, but Sky Zone certainly wore my two year-old boy out. Sky Zone recently opened up in Lewis Center and it is great indoor exercise for little and big children. Adults – you are also able to bounce til you drop, and trust me, you will want to join your kids once you lay eyes on this place.
Sky Zone is basically trampolines set up for guests to bounce three-dimensionally. Kids can literally bounce off the walls. The trampolines are laid out similar to a court and about 65 people can be on at a time doing their own thing. Each trampoline area is marked off with padded barriers, and then surrounded like walls are other trampolines. I saw boys bouncing on the level trampoline and then “run-bouncing” along the sides almost perpendicular to the floor (check out the videos on their website). Sky Zone has two courts set up. One court is bigger and that is where everyone can bounce and play. If there are a ton of people bouncing, a partition is lowered so the younger children have their own area to bounce and aren’t at risk of bigger kids causing injury. There is a court referree that watches out for rough play and gives the rules for bouncing before entering the courts. The second court is for dodge ball – bouncing on the trampoline adds a whole other level of fun to the game.
Bouncing sessions are set up on the half hour, so basically you want to show up on the hour or the half hour. Rates are per hour or half hour with a two hour limit. They recommend wearing the shoes made specifically for their trampolines, which can be rented, or bare feet. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase and 25¢ lockers are provided to store personal items, or you can just stack your stuff on shelves that are located by the lockers.
My son has a winter birthday, and I was excited to find out they do birthday parties. Birthday party package information is here. Also, be sure to check out their website for Skyrobics classes and for 3-D Dodgeball.
Sky Zone Sports Columbus
459 Orange Point Drive
Suite E
Lewis Center, OH 43035
Phone: (740) 548-4004
If you decide to go bouncing:
- Children 7 and younger should come earlier in the day. There is no age limit, basically if they can walk they can jump.
- Don’t forget bouncing starts on the half hour.
- You’ll need to sign a waiver that doesn’t hold them responsible for injury.
- Bring coins if you are using the lockers.
- Strollers can easily be stored along the walls – the place is huge.
- They do not allow outside food or drink.
- Reservations are accepted if you are coming with a group.
Rates and hours for 2010 copied from Sky Zone’s website:
- Regular Pricing: $12 per person, per hour (price includes required Sky Zone shoe rental; please remember to bring/wear socks)
- Special Weekday Savings: During the school year on non holidays, Sky Zone offers special reduced pricing of $8 per person, per hour, Tuesdays through Thursdays. Not applicable during holidays, including Christmas and March Breaks.
I or my kids will never go back. I’ll start by talking about the check in process. We even printed of the wavers online to speed it up. When getting there we were told that we were going to be unable to play for a 1 1/2. Ok the facility is busy and not sized correctly to host its customers. So we walked around the place. We went up to view the different jumping areas and seen wrappers and food on the trampolines! The floor of the place was very dirty also. I never seen anyone pick up one piece of trash the whole time. Shoes were all over the floor in walk areas providing a great trip hazard to anyone not paying attention. This should have been my first sign that it was not going to go well. Next when we were able to get in, most of my kids were not able to even play or jump near me. The smallest of the kids (10y) was forced to play 1/2 down the field from me and all I could do was wave at him. So we decided to go play dodge ball. All 4 of us($50) went to play dodge ball. I got in just fine just like laser tag and skating places I knew that my size would probably be a advantage but I did pay to play with my kids. After the first round I was told that I could not play with my kids in the dodge ball area(no one got hurt and no one complained) and would have to wait for a “adult game”. During the whole time I paid for there was never a “adult” game. And since jumping in one spot, because that’s all the room there was in the field did not sound fun, and I was not going to be able to play with my kids anyhow I requested a refund. After several minutes arguing with the manager about “size separation” I informed her that it did not matter, I was unable to play with my children and that I wanted a refund for the price I would not be using. It took almost 10-15 minutes but I was finally granted it. I asked for there corporate number to make a official complaint with there corporate office about there “policy” of not allowing parents to play with there kids I was given NOT the number to the corporate office but the number to the owner of that branch. After trying to call several times with my own number and seeing no response I was finally able to get her to answer and was told the same thing “for the safety of the kids you will be unable to play any were near them” So again I asked for the corporate number after several request and several “they will tell you the same thing” I was given the number to a personal line and not a office or complaint line. After again calling it I found they had a hard time picking up my call also until they found it necessary. There is no place I can think of that you can pay $50 to see my 3 kids from across a room and not be-able to interact with them. I’m here to tell everyone to save your money and take your kids skating, do laser tag, go to a arcade or anything to avoid running into a policy of “size separation” that this place only has. Even the ads this place online are against there own rules http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUcDRdXgbEE&feature=fvst and on this one it shows kids playing with people clearly 15+ years older. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssxvaBXNy_U NO double flips and NO flipping and landing in a different trampoline then the one you started off in. There were people playing dodge ball in the game I left that were 19 and 6’1″ tall and heavier then me. I am shorter then that but I guess it does not matter as long as they go by there policy of not allowing parents to interact with there own kids. Even there first “team member” that ran the first game I was in did not feel it necessary to kick me off …well unless they they need another ad online to mislead everyone to what you can do. I have a 3 year old toddler that I left at home just for the reason of not wanting to take the chance of her getting hurt there. Becuase thats a chance that I did not want to take…. it must happen or there would not be wavers right??? (BTW we only won 1 game of the games that I got to play and I was never last out besides that game)
Oh jeez, Steve. I am really sorry to have read this! That is no fun.
Thanks for passing this information along – I am certain other parents/caregivers will find this helpful.
This is a very dangerous place! My daughter made her way out of the so-called little kids bouncing zone to the grown people zone because they were doing a shift change and left this area unattended. She was trampled on by a grown man she is only 2 years old. The other employees didn’t notice because they were too busy bouncing! They are kids themselves.N ever again!
I too had a horrible experiance very similar to Steves.It was very messy,unorganized as well as dangerous clutter just waiting on an accident! My kids hated ,I hated it,was not what we expected it would be! It was such a waste of money as well as the 45 minute trip there! I left very irritated! Will never go back nor will I reffer to anyone!
Thanks, Heather. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Sorry it was no good. 🙁 I tried to contact them when Steve commented and did not receive a response. I am going to try again. They should know what the community is saying.
Thanks so much for posting your experience there. I was actually thinking about taking my daughter this weekend. It sounds like I would of been awful mad to ride all the way out there and then be told that I cant enjoy time with my daughter, but I spent my money. I have seen the ad where it looks as the kids are a big age diffrence but they are clearly playing together. I will be sure to spread the word. Maybe once they see a decline in business they will get the drift and get there act together.
I went to SkyZone with my daughters class. We went during the week and early, and also signed the waivers in advance. While the check in process still took a while, once the children were playing and jumping and bouncing, they had a fabulous time. The facility was clean and the staff who were assigned to us were sufficiently engaging and knowledgeable. We stayed for 2 hours and had an amazing time. I am taking my 7 year old back tomorrow, which is a Saturday. I hope that doesn’t mean my experience will be more like the two reviewed here already.
This place was great. My 13 year old and 10 year old had a blast. The staff was helpful, the place was clean, it was great that the play was a bit organized with dodge ball, then doing team games. Great excercise. It isn’t a place for little kids, I can see that. But we can’t wait to go back!
Thanks Steve… I have four kids.. and we were on our way there today…but after reading your message….This place with not be apart of our stops… Ever. Thanks for taking the time to give us all a heads up…its so sad when you get companies like this being ran with such ignorant people. Theyre not getting a penny from me.
Sky Zone is a horrible business. Not only is it unorganized and ill prepared to handle to customers who are attending, it is run by rude and inconsiderate employees. The kids who are employed there seem under trained and they always look understaffed. Someone on staff bring a dog in there and let’s them in the back BY THE FOOD. I would steer clear of this place.
Sarah –
I am sorry you had such a horrible experience! Thanks for sharing this information.
-Kristin