Safety Tips for Playing of a Trampoline

Though trampolines are very fun toys to play with, they should still be used with caution. Though they are seemingly bouncy and carefree, they do have the potential to hurt you if you are not careful. In this blog, we will be discussing some tips and tricks to stay safe at our indoor trampoline park. Hopefully, by reading our blog, you will have a better understanding of how to safely play on our trampolines.

Take Your Earrings Off

You don’t have to take your rings off, but your earring should be taken out. When you are playing on a trampoline, it can be easy for your earring to get caught on something. Whether it gets caught on the trampoline or even your hair, the consequence could be painful. Even though having your earring ripped out is painful, losing your earring could be just as bad. If you are wearing earrings that you really love, the last thing you want to do is lose them. For your safety, it is best to take off your earrings before getting onto one of our trampolines.

Take Off Your Shoes

You should never have your shoes on while jumping on our trampolines. For one, the rubber soles of tennis shoes are bad for the fabric of our trampolines. Second, wearing shoes can be dangerous, especially if you accidentally land wrong or hit somebody. Though shoes can improve your traction on our trampolines, Rebounderz offers specialty grip socks to help. So, before you step onto one of our trampolines, please take off your shoes.

Tie Your Hair Up

If we had a dime for every time we heard about someone getting their hair stepped on — we would have a lot of dimes! Anybody with long hair should absolutely tie their hair up before going on a trampoline. If you have long hair, your risk of injury is increased, especially if you are bouncing or going through our obstacle course. Because you are excited and having fun, it can be easy to forget that your hair can easily catch on something or be stepped on by fellow jumpers. For your safety, you should tie your hair up before jumping!

Don’t Wear Loose Clothing

When it comes to jumping, you never want to wear loose clothing. That means any loose articles, such as blouses, dresses, skirts, and jackets should not be worn on our trampolines. For one, loose garments typically can flip up when jumping, which means you can show off more than your cool jumping moves. Second, loose clothing can slow you down while on a trampoline. Not to mention that your clothing can easily get caught underneath jumping feet. This only increases the risk of ripping your clothing.

Rebounderz of Sterling

At Rebounderz of Sterling, we are dedicated to offering our customer the best jumping experience. Because of our devotion to giving you the best time, we want you to stay safe while at our trampoline park. Visit us today!

How Do You Know It Is the Holiday Season?

The holiday season is upon us! Whether you have already visited your local department store for decorations, presents, and even personal gifts to yourself, the holiday season is here! This announcement can bring on a small childish squeak out of even the toughest of people. Most people, other than a few “Grinches”, enjoy the holiday season. In this blog, we will talk about a few activities and items that truly remind us about the holiday season and spirit.

1. Snow Activities

It isn’t quite known why the holiday season is such an enjoyable one. For some, the season can mean the excitement of winter sports and outdoor activities. For instance, skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and even snowshoeing can be pastimes that you enjoy. The holiday season can also mean that you can share your enjoyment of holiday activities with your children, and their children to follow! Being able to share with others is one of the biggest benefits to the holiday season and winter activities can give you the option to teach youngsters new skills. For instance, skating is an activity that has been past down through the centuries. In winter, this fun-filled activity is very popular. Whether you like to ice skate or not, even spectating the activity can be enough to make you feel like the holiday season is finally here!

2. Holiday Songs

Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle all the way!

It is hard not to get into the holiday spirit when you hear that song — or at least tap your foot. Though it can be a bit annoying to hear the constant sounds of holiday songs from late November to early January, songs are what can help make the season feel merry. For instance, when you hear the song, “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” by Nat King Cole, you can’t help but feel a dreamy sense of wonder and holiday spirit. The winter holidays help reconnect us and make us feel like we are kids again. Listening to the songs you can recall as a child, can easily transport you to a time when you believed in magic, wonder, and holiday spirit. But, just because you may not believe in Santa anymore, doesn’t mean that this “spirit” is gone. In fact, the holiday spirit lives on, encased in the notes of a holiday soundtrack.

3. Holiday Decorations

If you haven’t stepped inside your local department store, we are here to tell you that the holiday season is well in swing. At every store you walk into, the colors of red and green are everywhere. Not to mention, the holiday displays are up for all to marvel at. Whether you are planning to buy new decorations for your house, or unearth the decorations you have in your crawl space, you might have to step foot into a department store. Why? Presents, of course! Though the holiday season isn’t all about presents, it is definitely a contributing factor to the excitement of the season. At department stores, you can be bombarded with holiday deals for gifts for the whole family. Whether you enjoy this part of the season, keep in mind that holiday decor and presents are what made the season spectacular for you when you were a child. You may have to recall that your parents, too, had to rummage through busy department stores to find the perfect gifts for you. Though it can be inconvenient, dressing your house with decorations and wrapping up gifts is part of what makes the season great — it takes effort, love, and enthusiasm.

4. Holiday Smells (the Good, the Delicious, and the Heart-Warming)

The holiday smells are enough to make every member of your family excited — even your pets! The sights, sounds, and especially smells, can help you get into the holiday mood. But what are these smells?
For most, these smells are the aromas from food, beverages, and local pine trees. Filling your home with holiday scents, like peppermint, pumpkin, pine, and even cinnamon, can make you recall the smells you remember as a child during the holidays. But how would these smells remind you of the holiday season?

Peppermint- Peppermint is found in many holiday foods, treats, and beverages. Even in the middle of summer, the smell of peppermint can transport you back to the season when everything is cold, comforting, and merry.

Pumpkin- Pumpkin can remind you of the moments when you dig into pumpkin pie for the holidays. The sweet and warm odor of pumpkin can also make you feel comforted and happy.

Pine- For those who celebrate Christmas, the smell of pine can make them remember the smell of their
Christmas tree. Pine also smells very fresh and clean.

Cinnamon- Cinnamon, like peppermint, is found in many holiday recipes. The smell of sweet cinnamon can make you recall the excitement you felt when freshly baked holiday foods came out of the oven.

5. Enjoying Time With Your Family

The holidays, no matter how you celebrate, is ultimately about the togetherness of family. Wrapped in your favorite sweater, holding a cup of cocoa, you can snuggle with your loved ones. The holiday season is about reflecting on the blessings in your life.

Rebounderz of Sterling

If you would like to enjoy some time with your family or loved ones, Rebounderz has its door open to you. At our trampoline park, you can gain a fun-filled afternoon on trampolines, away from the cold outside. Visit our indoor trampoline park today!

Late Birthdays at Rebounderz of Sterling

Every year, kids get one day that is all about them — their birthday! Well, let’s be honest, most days are about them, but their birthday is by far one of the most important!
When you are a child, your birthday is a magical time in which the anticipation of a party, cake, and presents, is almost too much to handle. At Rebounderz, we offer a fun, safe, and exciting place to host your child’s birthday. No matter what month your child was born in, they are sure to have a fantastic time among our trampolines and obstacle course. Though every birthday is special, in this blog, we are going to explain why having a birthday in the later part of the year is actually beneficial to your child.

The Struggle With Late Birthdays

Many people complain that having a late birthday isn’t actually a benefit. Why? Well, if you are born in October, November, or December, it is likely that your birthday can be overshadowed by a major national holiday. Worse, if you are born in close proximity to the day of a holiday, your birthday can sometimes we grouped with another celebration. For instance, if you were born on October 31st or November 24th, your birthday is likely to be grouped with Halloween or Thanksgiving. For many people, this coupling of holidays and birthdays can be annoying and troublesome. Though there are reasons to become frustrated by late birthdays, there are benefits too!

Younger

If you have a birthday later in the year, you are likely to be the youngest one in your class. And, if you were held back a year, you will be the oldest one in your class. Being the youngest in your class will means they you will always look a bit younger. Though being younger isn’t really a benefit when your kids are in grades school, in college and beyond, they can use their youth to their advantage. Instead of looking exactly their age, your child can look younger than the rest of the kids.

Fun Months

When you have your birthday later in the year, that means the fall and winter are a collection of super fun months. Think about it, you can celebrate some major event three months in a row! Most people have to wait months after their birthday to have a “fun month.” But a person born in the late fall and winter gets three whole months of nonstop fun!

Everyone is in School for Your Birthday

When your child is born in the early or middle part of the year, there is a chance that school might be out on vacation. When children have birthdays in the spring and summer, schools can be let out of weeks, even months. This means that there is a likely chance that your child’s class will be on vacation during your child’s birthday. This, of course, means that your child might not get the fun-filled birthday every single year. But, with late birthdays, children are typically around and in school. Of course, a major exception is if your child was born during the November and December holidays.

Rebounderz of Sterling

Rebounderz of Sterling ensures that every birthday party is special, no matter when it is celebrated. At our indoor trampoline park, you and your child can utilize our exciting attractions, as well as our trampoline arena and obstacle course. Here, your child and their birthday guests can play fun games for hours and fully enjoy their birthday. And, not only do we provide the entertainment for your party, but we can also provide food, drinks, and a reserved space for your birthday party. If you are interested in the birthday fun that Rebounderz offers, visit our website to view our birthday packages. And, if you are interested in bouncing for an evening, join us at our local Sterling Rebounderz.

Odd Holidays Celebrated Around the World

At your local Sterling Rebounderz, we are used to celebrating birthdays, good report cards, and graduations. We tend to celebrate children-related milestones. Together, you, your family, and Rebounderz can share a moment of joy and celebration. Though we are used to light-hearted celebrations, Rebounderz also is aware of the other, more unusual celebrations in the world as well.
In this blog, we will be discussing some of the unusual celebrations of the world, where they are celebrated, and why?

Lopburi Monkey Buffet in Thailand

In Thailand, monkeys are a common species that inhabit the area. The groups of primates living in the nearby trees are gluttonous however, and constantly antagonize residents and tourists. Because of this, in 1989, the villagers decided to through a giant monkey buffet to help feed the monkeys. Every year, on the last week of November, the villagers present an array of fruits, nuts, and vegetables for the local monkeys. Though the buffet started out as a way to feed the monkeys, today, Lopburi celebrates the monkey buffet every year and adapts the offers year by year. For example, in recent years, villagers have even left drinks of Coca-Cola for the primates to gulp down!

Bonza Bottler Day in Australia

Bonza Bottler Day is an Australian holiday in which people celebrate the correlation between month numbers. For example, they celebrate when number of the month and the day of the month coincide, such as June 6th, May 5th, October 10th, etc. “Bonza” is a word that Australians use to denote when something is ‘great’ and “bottler” is also slang for ‘something excellent.’ Together, Bonza Bottler Day is basically a celebration of something great that is to come from that specific day — whatever that may be!

Groundhog Day in North America

Americans will recognize this holiday! On February 2nd, everyone awaits to see whether a designated groundhog in Punxsutawney, PA sees its shadow. It is believed, that is the groundhog emerges from its burrow when it cloudy, Spring will come early but, if it is sunny, and the groundhog sees his shadow it will mean that there will be six more weeks of winter. Every year, thousands of Americans and Canadians gather around a television to see what the groundhog interprets. Though this tradition may seem silly to countries outside the US and Canada, millions still wait for the interpretation of the official groundhog to determine when the seasons will change.

Straw Bear Day in England

There is an ancient English festival that takes place every January 7th, after Plough Monday (another English festival). Both celebrations are used to signify an end of winter and the beginning of the agricultural year. During the Straw Bear Day, a man or boy is completely covered in straw and is followed by a parade from house-to-house. The “bear” must then dance in exchange for food, beer, or money. The celebration is often acknowledged as the kick off to the agricultural year and celebrates the end of winter.

La Tomatina in Spain

Kids will know what a food fight is. It typically a food fight starts when one kid flings something from their lunch to another kid. Throwing food is incredibly addictive, which means that if two kids are throwing food at each other, this means that the whole lunchroom will shortly follow.
In Bunol, Spain, the common food fight is taken to a whole other level. On the last wednesday of August, nearly 30,000 people hurl locally grown tomatoes at each other for a total of 90 minutes. During this frenzy, everyone in the townsquare arms themselves with squishy, red tomatoes.
It isn’t fully understood where the tradition came from, but historians know that it started somewhere between 1944 or 1945. It is thought that the celebration is in honor of the town’s patron Saint Louis Bertrand, or possibly a form of anti-religious protest. Either way, today, La Tomatina is no longer a religious holiday, but just one to celebrate with friends and family.

Bean Throwing Day in Japan

Bean Throwing Day, or Setsubun, is a Japanese holiday that occurs on the first day of spring. During this celebration, families must go and throw beans around homes, shrines, and temples. Why? To scare away evil spirits, of course!
It is believed in the Japanese culture that roasted soybeans are lucky or “fortune beans.” By spreading the beans around your home and spiritual places of worship, all evil can be cleansed to make way for the new year.

Night of the Radishes in Mexico

The Night of the radishes is an annual contest and festival that takes place in Oaxaca, Mexico on December 23rd. On this day, participants carve rashishes into figures depicting historical scenes, such as the nativity, Moses and the 10 commandments, etc. This tradition is said to have started around 1897, when Oaxacan farmers would sell their produce in Christian markets. It is believed that the farmers would carve the radishes in order to make them more appealing to the clergy and other religious peoples. This marketing ploy was not only successful, but sparked an interest in vegetables, carving, and art. Today, the Night of the Radishes is an official holiday in which carvers compete to produce the best radish carvings.

The Nenana Ice Classic in America

The Nenana Ice Classic is a spring ice-melting lottery in Nenana, Alaska. During the contest, contestants must guess the exact time and day that the winter ice will crack on the Tanana River. The first initial crack is meant to signify the changing of the seasons from winter to spring.
But how does it work?
For the competition, a giant wooden tower is set up, called a “tripod.” The tripod is set on the ice of the river and a clock is tied to the shore. When the ice melts, the tripod is pulled down and stops the clock. Once the clock is stopped, it will show the official time spring has started. The closest guess to the actual time the ice was cracked is the official winner. Since so many people participate in this competition, the rewards can accumulate greatingly. In fact, in 2008, the winner of the Nenana Ice Classic won over $300,000.
It is suspected that this tradition began in 1917 when railroad engineers placed bets of the Tanana River cracks. Today, over $10 million in prize money has been given away to one lucky winner.

Rebounderz of Sterling

Though we here at Rebounderz are used to trampoline birthday parties, our trampoline arenas are available for anything you would like to celebrate from good report cards to your own Bonza Bottler Day! Trampolines naturally lighten up everyone’s mood and are a great way to celebrate — well, anything! Come visit your local Sterling Rebounderz today to start jumping.

The Candy Market and Its Effect On Your Children

The candy market has grown significantly since its inception in 1901. Necco was the very first candy manufacturer in America, and just recently, the company had to close its doors due to bankruptcy. With the fall of this once giant candy company, it begs us to reflect on the candy market and how it has effected billions of children.

In this blog, we will discuss how the candy market has grown, and how its projected to continue to grow. More importantly, we will take a look and how candy can affects your children’s health.

The Fall Of Necco

The fall of Necco is not much of a surprise; every company will have its eventual end. However, the closing of this company is a bit of a bittersweet moment for America. The company was the very first candy company and paved the ways for thousands of other brands of candy. Without Necco, the likes of Hershey and M&M would be non-existent. But how could a company this influential meet such an unfortunate end? Well, Necco restricted their products and did not expand to other forms of candy. Without a marketing platform to push their brand to the 21st century, Necco was largely forgotten. But, why does the fall of Necco matter? Isn’t it just an old candy company? Well, yes, and no.

The Magnitude of Candy Companies

The bankruptcy of the Necco Company is significant because it shows how far the candy industry has come since its late ancestor. Candy companies have become multi-billion dollar companies and have launched thousands of media and marketing campaigns. For instance, Hershey, the popular chocolate company, has expanded and developed its own amusement park, Hersheypark. At the park, spectators can enjoy rides, as well as their favorite Hershey candies. It might sound ridiculous that a chocolate company could ever fund and manage their own amusement park, especially when some historic companies, like Necco, have finally been laid to rest. However, the Hershey company is still thriving, as is its ability to expand bigger and bigger as a candy manufacturer.

The U.S candy market is the largest in the world and ushers in billions of dollars in sales. Holiday celebrations help this revenue generation by encouraging children to eat candy on days, such as Halloween and Easter. Just these two days of the year constitute nearly $3.5 billion in sales. It is projected that by 2025, the US candy industry will produce almost $20 billion in sales.

Why Does the Size of Candy Companies Cause Alarm?

Though the candy industry is dwarfed by the size of companies, such as Coca-Cola or Pepsi, the magnitude of these companies is still alarming. Part of the reason that it is so shocking that candy companies are so lucrative is that they are influential over children. Candy manufacturers advertise toward children and encourage them to purchase and eat their products. This typically wouldn’t be harmful to children, but due to the fact that childhood obesity is at an all-time high, this causes alarm. Children who are ingesting copious amounts of candy can easily gain weight if they are not getting the proper exercise. And, even with exercise, children eating multiple pieces of candy are overloading their bodies with processed sugar. In fact, on Halloween, the average American eats more than three pounds of candy. Due to the massive intake of candy by both adults and children, it isn’t far fetched to connect the massive candy industry with the obesity epidemic in America. Of course, the size or popularity of candy cannot be solely blamed for American obesity — but it doesn’t help!

The Candy Industry Today and Beyond

The candy industry isn’t going anywhere. Unfortunately, these massive candy manufacturing companies are only getting bigger. Of course, some of the companies have made moral changes to their recipes, for example, by manufacturing certain candies with less sugar in them. However, most candy companies are unapologetic and continue to produce sugary pieces of candy and brand them for child consumption.

On the other hand, should a company be responsible for a child’s desire to eat candy? Parents, too, are to blame for childhood obesity and excessive candy intake. Without a parent controlling what a child consumes, they will eat anything that tastes good, such as sugary drinks and candies.

Parents need to ensure that their child is eating right and exercising regularly. Without this discipline, children are doomed to gain excessive weight and form bad eating habits. Though candy isn’t terrible for you in moderation, excessive candy consumption can be a huge problem.

The candy industry is set to increase in sales and in companies. Multi-billionaires, such as Warren Buffett and Elon Musk, have stated their interest in candy companies. For one, candy companies are extremely lucrative because the product almost sells itself. Second, candy is easy to market for so there isn’t a lot of cost to its production. Recently, multi-billionaire Elon Musk tweeted that he had the intention to invest and create his own candy company. As candy companies are created, and continue to grow, it will be interesting to observe what happens between candy companies. Also, it will be intriguing to see if the growing candy industry will affect the health of our nation.

Rebounderz of Sterling

As we have stated, it the parents’ responsibility to care for their child. That means that you must also be aware of what they are eating. Without proper control, your child could be consuming excessive quantities of candy and other sugary items. Sugar is known to be terrible for your overall health, which is why it is important to monitor your child’s diet and exercise routine. If they are not told what is healthy and what is poor for their health, your child could gain excessive weight and form an unhealthy relationship with food, soda, and candy.
If you are looking for a place to take your child to get exercise, Rebounderz of Sterling is a great place to visit. Our indoor trampoline park makes exercise fun and will keep your child healthy. Contact us today and visit our park for a day of fun.

Trampolines are For All Ages: Adult Edition

In past blogs, we discussed how trampolining can be a fun and productive activity for young children. With trampolines, toddlers can build essential muscles for walking and learn important concepts like object permanence. However, trampolines are useful for all ages — not just young children. Adults can benefit from trampolines, too!

In this blog, we will discuss how trampolines are useful for adults, especially parents. After all, the life of an adult can be full of stress. Sometimes, a grown person needs to jump around a bit to loosen all of their tension and regain a sense of perspective. Luckily, trampolining is the best way to do this.

A Boost of Dopamine

Trampolines naturally help you boost dopamine levels in your brain. When you rebound on a trampoline, your brain and body get excited. As you are lifted into the air, your body free falls back to the trampoline. For a moment, your body feels almost weightless and free. In the few moments when you are jumping, your body releases the chemical, dopamine. Dopamine is the endorphin responsible for feelings of happiness and alertness. While you have a spike of dopamine in your system, you will feel more lighthearted and be more alert to stimuli. When this happens, you will be able to bounce more, and higher.

As a parent, there are a lot of reasons why a dopamine boost would be inviting. For one, being a parent can be stressful. Why? Because responsibility is stressful. As a parent, your children are solely your responsibility. Their livelihood is purely on you, and that can be exceptionally stressful for some parents. Mothers and fathers that feel a sense of pressure to perform like a super parent can run themselves “into the ground.” Social pressures and self-inflicted pressures can take a toll, which can affect some parents enough to depress them.

Because of this, trampolines are an important resource to cope with stress and feelings of sadness. Though life isn’t predictable, it can be helped. If you are going through a rough time at work or within your own family, using helpful resources can make any situation much better. At an indoor trampoline park, you will be able to bounce the afternoon away and enjoy yourself while at our park. By bouncing with your children, you can give everyone a memorable afternoon that will aid your mental health.

Bonding With Your Kids

Rebounding is great for your mental health, but also your kids’ mental health as well. Rebounderz is like a child’s wonderland. Here, your children can play with you and other children their age. At Rebounderz, we offer you a space to communicate and bond with your children in a safe and controlled environment. It is rare that you will ever have a time scheduled that you and your children can share your undivided attention with each other. While rebounding on a trampoline, you and your children can enjoy the benefits of bouncing together. And, Rebounderz isn’t restricted to just our trampolines arena. At our indoor trampoline parks, we also have other attractions like a dodgeball court and obstacle courses.

Not only will you be encouraging your children to play and be active, but you will be allowing your children to play with you. Many parents find playing with their children difficult because they are either out of shape or have physical issues that keep them from getting too carried away. With a trampoline park, even serious ailments aren’t as severe. No matter your size or physical condition, you will be able to play with your children in a way that is fun and safe for all of you.

Building Important Muscles

As stated, Rebounderz is for everyone — no matter the age. Adults sometimes believe that because they are older and more mature, that they have no need to play with their children. This, of course, is very false. However, some adults can also form the excuse that they are too out of shape to play with their children. At Rebounderz, you can be a little out of shape and still have a great time. Because trampolines are made of an extra-thick elastic material, they can handle quite a bit of weight. Best of all, trampolines don’t require a lot of movement. But, despite not needing so much movement, trampolines are a great workout regardless. How?

When you jump, your body naturally moves to balance itself. While you are bouncing on a trampoline,
your body is tightening and straightening itself out consistently. This gives your muscles a great workout and allows you not to get overtired too quickly.

Also, because you are bouncing up and down on a trampoline, your body is building essential muscles in your legs. Part of getting in shape is just regaining strength in major parts of your body. With the help of your local Rebounderz, you can strengthen your legs in order to continue working out and staying healthy.

Rebounderz of Sterling, VA

At Rebounderz, people of all ages are welcomed! As a parent, we understand that life can be stressful and keep you from living the life you should be. Many times, you can get too busy and push important things like bonding with your kids or working out to the wayside. It is important that you realize that nothing is as important as building a relationship with your children and improving your own health. At Rebounderz, we welcome everyone of any age. Visit us today!

Rebound From Your Stress

Life is stressful and chaotic, but there are ways to cope with it! Because stress is sometimes self-induced, you can control how much your stress affects you. For instance, if you feel your stress rising up or amplifying, there are ways to calm yourself and handle your stress in a healthy way. So often, when people are stress, these feelings can lead to negative outcomes. For instance, people can become angry, malicious, and even depressed. In order to keep yourself on the health side of your stress, you should try to find activities that help calm you down.
In this blog, we will discuss some of the ways you can lower your stress levels and deal with the chaos around you in a way that is great for everyone. Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks offers you a great place to bounce away from your stress and enjoy the things that matter most.

Bouncing on A Trampoline is a Healthy Distraction

Stress isn’t good for anyone. Your nerves, your physical appearance, and your health can all be affected by stress and cause big problems for you. These problems could include insomnia, depression, and even developing bad habits, such as alcohol or drug addiction. Of course, this isn’t guaranteed, but statistically people under large amounts of stress can turn to unhealthy habits in order to cope with their stressors. Not only can stress cause substance abuse disorders, but it can actually diminish your ability to quit substances as well. For example, if you are stressed out, you may feel the need to continue with bad habits and relapse from your sobriety. This only makes managing your stress that much more important.

Stress isn’t healthy for you for many reasons, which is why it is important to adopt healthy coping mechanisms to reduce your stress. At Rebounderz, we are advocates for healthy distractions. At our indoor trampoline park, you can engage in a fun diversion that will reduce your stress.

Sometimes, stress can pile on you and make you feel powerless. However, there are other ways to rebound from the negative mindset of stress. Though stress can be a less-than-desirable feeling, it can also show you other things that matter. For instance, when bouncing to distract yourself from your stress, you can realize what matters in your life and enjoy yourself. At Rebounderz, we have an indoor trampoline park to enjoy your time and spend the afternoon with your family. Being able to fill your head with happy and uplifting things is the best way to pull yourself out of a stressed state.

Below are just a few examples of activities that can help you and your stress.

Dopamine and Trampolines

We aren’t the only ones that think trampolining is good for your brain. Scientists have confirmed that rebounding on a trampoline can boost the dopamine levels in your brain. Dopamine is the hormone that is responsible for your happy feelings. So, just by distracting yourself on a trampoline for an hour, you can increase your dopamine levels and feel better about your situation.
Trampolining is a great way to gain perspective. Instead of sitting on your couch and feeling sorry for yourself. Bouncing on a trampoline can give you a dopamine boost and lift your spirits. This can be especially useful when stress isn’t necessary. Sometimes, you can stress out about things that you don’t have any control over. Stress-dependent people need to worry or fear things so they feel more aware or in control. When you bounce on a trampoline, stress seems to fall away. Instead, all you think about is how high you want to jump!

Spend Time With Your Family

Rebounderz encourages healthy family bonding! Our indoor trampoline arena was made so that families have a fun and safe place to interact with one another. Because of this, we invite everyone to our park. If you are stressing out about something from work or school, it is important that you adopt a coping mechanism. Some people can fall into bad habits or bury their worries until it develops into depression or insomnia. Having a safe avenue to release your tension and stress is good for you and the people around you.
When you are stressed, you won’t typically act like yourself. Instead of being the life of the party, you can fall into an irritable or negative mindset — don’t do it! Going to Rebounderz will help you regain some of yourself and distract yourself from your stress. Best of all, at Rebounderz, you can spend quality time with the people who matter in your life.

Gain Balance

Though some could argue that bouncing on a trampoline wouldn’t fix your problems — we don’t agree. It is our belief that coping with stress is one of the most important lessons in life. By not being able to handle stress, you will most likely develop severe problems. Though bouncing won’t directly solve your problems, it will help you cope with them. Trampolining is all about balance and strength; just as you balance and strengthen your body on a trampoline, it can do the same for your mind. Don’t focus on your stress until it is the only thing you can think about. Healthy distraction is a great way to detach yourself from the situation and relax. If you maintain a constant state of stress, you won’t be able to handle any situation very well. And, when you aren’t able to cope with a stressful situation, that is when mistakes are made.

Rebounderz of Sterling

At Rebounderz, we want to help and support you. At our trampoline park, you can bounce away your stress and gain a new perspective. We allow you to increase your level of happiness with those who you care for most. If life is starting to pile up and you are feeling overwhelmed, perhaps today is a good day to visit your local Sterling, VA Rebounderz. We are happy to help so stop by!

Trampolines Can Be For Toddlers!

Trampolines are for all ages. No matter if you are young or old, everyone can benefit from jumping on a trampoline. How do we know? Well, studies have shown that people from all age groups can benefit physically and mentally by jumping on a trampoline. Despite the assumption that trampolines are just for small children, there are actually many age groups that can gain something from bouncing on a trampoline.
In this blog, we will discuss how the toddler age group can gain mental and physical benefits from bouncing in an indoor trampoline park. If you are interested in bouncing in your local neighborhood, visit our website online and see if there is a Rebounderz is your area.

Toddlers and Learning Balance

It is often assumed that because a toddler is smaller and not at coordinated, that taking them to a trampoline park would be pointless. This is actually untrue. Toddlers, out of any of the age groups, have much more to gain from a trampoline park. For instance, trampoline help toddlers improve their balance. Because they are not used to walking on elastic, they will have to balance their weight. Best of all, because trampolines are made of stretch-fabric, your little one is at no risk of getting hurt.

Being Safe On A Trampoline

If you bring your toddler to a trampoline park, you may want to stay close to them. Some of the younger kids may not understand how jumping works and could step on you and your toddler if you aren’t careful. At the trampoline park, find a small patch of open trampoline space and place your toddler on the trampoline fabric. They might be a little overwhelmed at first, but eventually they will acclimate.

Object Permanence

As your child tries to stand on the trampoline, they may see the floor underneath. Trampolines are a great way to show your toddler the principles of object permanence. For young children, they will often not know that hidden objects are not actually disappeared, but just out of view. Typically, your child will start to understand this concept between the ages of four to seven months. Though they might be able to recognize object permanence, a trampoline is an excellent way to demonstrate this idea and make the lesson fun.

Building Leg Muscles

If your child is still having a little difficulty walking. Trampolines are a great way to help them practice their walking and develop strong leg muscles. As your child learns to jump on a trampoline, they will be developing their leg muscles. This can be helpful later on as they grow, so they will be able to walk, run, and jump for efficiently the more they grow up.

Rebounderz, Sterling, VA

Teaching your child is one of the most basic responsibilities as a parent. At Rebounderz, you and your children can enjoy bouncing on a trampoline together. Though jumping on a trampoline is fun, there are also plenty of lessons and benefits to the activity. Rebounderz gives you the opportunity to teach your children valuable skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. If you would like to jump at a Rebounderz near you, visit our website and see if you have a Rebounderz location in your city.

Could Toys Be Harming Your Child’s Development?

Almost all children in America have at least one toy. For some, a closet full of them. Despite the belief that electronics would take over children’s main form of entertainment, this is not true. Children still have a strong affinity for toys and ask their parents purchase them often. In fact, the toy industry produces billions in revenue each year. Top companies, such as Mattel and Lego both rake in more than $5 billion each. With that much money being made, you have to wonder, is the toy market growing too large? And, what are the effects on children? Since August 2017, the toy industry has increased by 4 percent. Which this can be surprising after the major toy distributor, Toys R Us, officially closed their doors due to bankruptcy. In this blog, we will discuss the increase in the toy industry, the fall of a major business, and how this erupting toy market could affect your children.

The Toy Market Growing

Though the onset of electronics for children has grown, toys now more than ever have entertainment value. In the United States, in just the short few months of 2018, the toy market has grown by 1 percent. Though this number may not seem consequential, in fact this small percentage equates to millions of dollars. But, despite the increase in the U.S toy market, the rest of the world is also changing in terms of the toy market. Countries like Mexico and Russia have increased their markets by more than 10 percent. With 12 main global markets increasing toy production and toy sales, the world’s toy market now averages at $99 billion. As this is such a large market, affecting roughly a billion children, it begs the question, what toys are selling? And, what are the effects of the toys on the children they are being sold to?

What Toys are Selling?

In a report by the NPD Group, it was confirmed that in 2017, fidget toys, plush items, and dolls controlled the market of toys, each growing their perspective markets by several percentage points. In terms of the global toy markets, the same three major toy manufacturers top the charts across the board: Nerf, Star Wars merchandise, and Barbie. In the United States, Nerf took the top spot, followed by Star Wars, and then Barbie products. The possible sway towards Nerf, is perhaps that not just kids are purchasing these toys. In fact, some of the market is earned by adults purchasing these product for themselves.

It was confirmed by an analysts at The NPD Group that, “The toy industry’s 2017 success was tied to consumers positively reacting to social media driven trends and lower price points.” Due to the decrease in prices of toys and the push through social media advertisements and trends, toys are more easily sold. Children are strongly influenced by the ads and trends they see on social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Companies will devote their marketing budgets to social media ads, as a way to popularize their items never before seen. Agencies have even been hired to seek out trends and conduct focus groups in order to figure out what consumers are interested in now, and what they will want in the future. The same is no different for the toy industry, focus groups are conducted in order to figure out which toy will be more desirable to children.
With that being said, toy manufacturers must also be attuned to the minds of the children’s parents as well. For example, the Mattel and MGA companies were under fire back in the early 2000s for not demonstrating what girls should look like or aspire to — the Mattel Corporation owns Barbie products, while MGA Company owns Bratz dolls. Since the 1960s Barbie, and later, Bratz, has been criticised by not portraying women and young girls as independent, strong, and authentic people. For instance, Barbie products have always been portrayed as unrealistically thin, with a long torso and a long neck. At the same time, Bratz has been sued for not only copying Barbie’s form design, but portraying women as ultra thin and warp-headed, with heavy makeup and pouty lips. Mattel sued MGA for stealing their vision for a girls toy and criticized the “near-pornographic style” in which they design their dolls. In 2013 the case was concluded, stating that Barbie and Bratz are owned by two seperate companies, and that neither stole any ideas from the other. However, though the case had closed, that did not mean troubles were over for both companies. After Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg published her novel Lean In and parents were outraged by their children’s dolls being portrayed as “shopping-crazed and dumb,” both companies made a change. Advertising campaigns for both companies were installed in order to reinforce the idea of women empowerment in the job market. Though the companies were agile and adjusted the way in which they marketed, the toy market has seen great changes since the advent of the computer and social media.

The Downfall of Toys R Us

Aside from changing the way in which toys are advertised, the internet has also changed the way in which toys are purchased. Major corporations such as Toys R Us recently had to file bankruptcy. The advent of the .com changed the way toys were sold; instead of going to a store, you can easily purchase and ship a toy with a few clicks. Because of the ease of online purchasing, Toys R Us was not able to keep up with its major competitor. But, what does this mean for the toy industry? Well, nothing actually. The industry has been booming, despite the mass toy store shut down. Many people have some sort of electronic device and since smart phones allow for internet access almost anywhere, parents are able to purchase toys on the go and at a whim.

The Harm to Children

Does this sudden boom in the toy industry signify something darker? In a study performed at the University of Toledo, it was revealed that children with too many toys were more easily distracted and were not able to benefit in quality playtime. Using 36 toddlers, scientists concluded that children were far more creative with fewer toys to play with. Also, a fewer number of toys suggested that children would be more inclined to engage in other activities, such as reading, painting, or other physical activities. A main worry with the incline of toys is that this may sway children to play more indoors. Today, there is already an issue with childhood obesity and children not getting enough exercise. The concern amongst some parents is that this incline in toy purchases will result in children becoming more distracted, less creative, and indoor-inclined.

Rebounderz

The concern is not whether the children indoors is the problem, it is that children aren’t getting enough exercise. For a parent, the best way to combat this problem is by coming up with ways to encourage your child’s physical activity. Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks offer every child a fun space to run, jump, and climb to their heart’s content. If you are interested in keeping your child mentally and physically healthy, taking them to Rebounderz is a great resource. Visit us today!

Saving Cash During Birthday Season

For some parents, money can run tight, which only makes birthdays more stressful. But, have no fear! Instead of angsting about the money you have to spend, digging through your couch for loose change, or whatever other methods you use to scrounge up quick cash; there is an easier way! Rebounderz has compiled a list of fun ways to throw your own kid’s birthday party. With our inventive list, you can learn new ways to make each celebration special, without breaking the bank. Better yet, our methods can be made enjoyable for the whole family, which will make you look like a super-parent!

Designing the Birthday Cake

One item at a birthday party always seems to be the most expensive: birthday cake. For some reason, birthday cakes are always overpriced whether they are custom-made or bought at a bakery or grocery store. No matter where they are purchased, they can be tasty — there can be no denying that. But, some store-bought cakes can seem a little dry and lesser quality. With custom cakes, most come out gorgeous and unique to your specific tastes, however, they can also be exceedingly expensive. Worse, though they may be beautiful, they only stay that way until cut and eaten. So, why spend all that money for something that is just going to be eaten within the hour? Well, one way to combat this cake-to-wallet ratio problem is by designing the cake yourself. Before you gasp from shock, let us explain. Yes, you would be decorating the cake yourself, but if you are not a talented baker, you can always buy the base sheet cake at your local bakery. Sheet cakes are inexpensive and just as yummy as any other cake. Once you have your sheet cake, you have the control in what the sheet cake looks like. In this case, you and your family can make decorating the cake a holistic family experience and decorate the cake however you want! Though custom cakes are delivering you your exact specifications, a homemade cake is much more special because you have taken the time to make the cake your own.

Balloons

Balloons are expensive. Which is surprising, based on the fact that they only last a few days. Nevertheless, balloons can be expensive depending on where you get them and what kind of balloons you get.
When it comes to birthdays, it is rare that you will ever see just one balloon. Many times, you will see at least a dozen. When you have a dozen balloons, you can have quite a hefty transaction total, especially based on what kind of balloon you have. For instance, plain colored balloons can relatively inexpensive and can be bought in sets so you can buy multiple types and colors. In places like Party City, or any grocery store balloons can cost up to $14 dollars — for just one balloon! The best way to get a lot of balloons for a better price is a dollar store. At the dollar store you can get balloons for, you guessed it, $1! That means, you can get 14 balloons, whereas anywhere else you would only get one!

Potluck Birthday

Party food can be expensive, especially if you are throwing a large party. Kids can also be very picky, which doesn’t help your cause at all. One way to combat picky eaters is by throwing a potluck birthday party. In a potluck celebration, every guest brings their own dish to share to the party. By doing this, each parent can bring a food that their child can eat and enjoy. This way, no one is left out and everyone is well fed. Also, children can try new and exciting dishes that they may not have tried otherwise.
Potlucks are a great way to also make sure there is enough food for everyone. Typically, with all your guests bringing some type of entree, there will be more food than needed, which will limit the likelihood of food shortages. Better still, potlucks give your party the appearance of a great big feast, which is sure to bring a smile to your child’s face.

Ditch the Party Favors

At some parties, hosts will give out little party favors to their guests. Though this is a great tradition, it can be quite taxing to the hosts for any reasons. For one, party favors can be time-consuming. It takes time to find all the favors, divide them amongst every guest equally, and of course, place them in individually wrapped baggies. All of the work that does into party favors is mostly wasted, as kids only really enjoy their gifts for thirty minutes and lose interest. Therefore, you not only lost valuable hours of your life constructing the favors, but you lost money paying for all the little trinkets in the first place.

Kid’s Party Games

One way to still have a successful birthday, but skip the expensive party favors, is to keep all the guest as occupied as possible. This is no easy task, and to treat it as a minor factor could lead to your party’s downfall. The key to any good party is its entertainment. No matter how good the food is at a party, if there is no stimulating entertainment, all your guests will be bored and leave early. Because of this, party games and other entertainments are a necessity. If you child is born in the summer, a common party game is a water balloon toss. However, though this classic game is fun, it can be wasteful, short-lived, and a disaster to clean up. With water balloons, you need a lot of water to fill them yet. More importantly, you need a lot of balloons to keep a party entertained for at least an hour. After all the balloons have been popped, the hosts must then pick all the elastic balloon carcases up and off their lawn. One way to keep this game, but make it less of a pain, is by remodeling the game. For example, you can offer the guest who picks up the most balloon pieces a secondary prize. This way, you will not only have a clean lawn but very happy guests.

If perhaps, party games are not the way you want to go, finding an incredible kid’s party venue could really bring your party to the next level. At Rebounderz, we offer families a great venue that is both safe and affordable.Not only that, but we also offer party groups an exclusive party room to enjoy cake and open presents. Have your child’s party at Rebounderz and see how a venue can transform your party!

The Joy of Sport

At Rebounderz, we strive to teach children the joy of sport. Our intention is to give kids the opportunity to learn how to play sports, and how to play them with others. So much of sportsmanship derives from a child’s ability to play with others and accept defeat or victory. If a child never learns to fairly play with other children, they will not socially develop what it means to be a “team player.” Sport is an incredible tool to use to help children learn how to be a good player and socially communicate with others their age.

Sharing

When children grow up with an appreciation for playing sports, they are more likely to share. In sports, it is rare that someone plays by themselves. Most often, sports are team-based. Take basketball, for example, there are five players on a team and each player passes the ball. When a child learns that it is acceptable and expected to share the ball, they are more likely to use this principle, and use it in everyday life. For example, they will want to share their toys and other belongings more easily.

Competition

Teaching your child sports is an excellent way to teach your child motivation and competition. More importantly, how to control competition and when to admit defeat. In many ways, motivation and competition is important for humanity. Both push us further and create new innovations and achievements. However, though competition is often of chief importance, it is also important to teach humility. Much of the issue with competition is that it is rarely taught how to control and regulate. At Rebounderz, we offer little Olympians the opportunity to find their sport and play competitively with others their age.

Let Training Begin!

At your local Sterling, Virginia, Rebounderz, your child can use our obstacle courses and our trampoline arena as much as they want. Here, they can explore sports and decide what they like to play and have a skill for. We are Rebounderz believe that sports are incredibly important for a child’s mental and physical health. Sport is a great way to help children develop vital social skills that will allow them to achieve incredible things in their lives. If you believe that your child could benefit from learning the value of motivation and control of competition, bring him/her to your local indoor trampoline park. We welcome all athletes here!

In many ways, fear is an essential part of being alive. We need fear to alert us if something is wrong or to keep us from hurting ourselves. Fear is a primal instinct, deep-rooted within all of us. In the animal kingdom, fear keeps certain species from being eaten and able to pass on their DNA to the next generation. As we are on top of the food chain, we don’t often need to worry about being someone’s next meal; however there are still things out there that can cause us harm.

Fear of Heights

Sometimes, our fears can become overactive and become triggered over things that do not warrant a fearful response. For example, 13 percent of the population experience extreme fears, called phobias. Of the 13 percent that experience this type of fear, 7.5 percent have acrophobia, also known as a fear of heights. Roughly 23,542,500 people have a deep fear of heights. However, it is important to remember that this statistic is not including a fear of falling. A fear of falling is built into our instincts as human beings. In fact, humans are born with two innate fears, one of them being falling. As you can see, a fear of heights is a natural fear, but when it becomes a phobia, then you might want to resolve your fears.
Phobias are normally granted to a person who allows their fear to distract them or alter their lives in some way. People who have acrophobia, will not like to be in high buildings or stand on high places, like a roof or a cliff. Though most people don’t find themselves suspended over a cliff often, sometimes, acrophobia can manifest into a fear of flying, called aerophobia.
At Rebounderz, we offer you an opportunity to conquer your fears by using our facilities. It has been said that one way to conquer your fears is face them head-on. Of course, you always want to face your fears in a controlled environment, with supportive attendants that can help you. For example, at Rebounderz we have our JumpXTREME towers. These towers stand 10 feet high above the ground with a cushioned landing pad beneath them. Our towers are a great location to try out your fear-conquering techniques. Be sure that when you do try to face your fears, take the process slowly and know that Rebounderz protects our customers with the maximum amount of safety measures.

Fear of Flipping

At Rebounderz, you have plenty of opportunities to learn trampoline tricks and flips. However, there are a few people out there that are terrified of flipping. Most of the issue with flipping is the fear of falling down wrong and hurting yourself. As stated before, fear is important to keep up safe, especially when we are trying to do something that could be bad for us. When it comes to doing trampoline tricks, you can land on your head it you are not careful. However, when you are on a trampoline, the material of the fabric cushions your fall and minimizes any injuries. Comparatively, if you tried to do a backflip on concrete, your injuries could be considerably worse. When you are in the protected safety of Rebounderz, you can practice flipping as much as you want. Plus, with a full trampoline arena, you can get as much bounce as possible to perform tricks safely!

Fear of Sinking

Part of facing your fear is knowing that you will be okay when you face it. The whole struggle with fear is to identify what you’re afraid of and confront it. The more you ignore your fears, often, the worse they become. Many experts say that, before you face your fears, you should take a deep breath and assume the worst outcome — yes, this is what experts have said. The reasoning behind this logic is that, by imagining the worst thing that could happen, you can talk yourself out of that outcome. For example, at Rebounderz, we have a foam pit that our customers can jump into. If you are afraid of sinking and suffocating, you have good reason to feel these fears, but they are not necessary at Rebounderz. At our park, we have plenty of people watching our play arena at all times; and, if trust is an issue, bring a friend to help you face your fears. Due to proper support and supervision, you no longer need to be afraid of sinking!

Fear of Tight Spaces

For someone with a fear of confined or tight spaces, our foam pit could be terrifying. Claustrophobia, the fear of tight spaces, is a very common phobia and is difficult to break. The best way to overcome the fear is to face it head-on. At Rebounderz, you can come to our foam pit and jump in. Just like a fear of sinking, it is important to imagine the worst case scenario and then talk yourself out of that outcome. In the case of our foam pit, you can imagine that no one will see you jump in our foam pit, you will suffocate from the foam pieces and die. But, this is not a realistic outcome! In fact, only 60 percent of events claustrophobic people worry about actually happen. At Rebounderz, we understand our responsibility to the health and safety of our customers; therefore, we have attendants watching our park during all business hours, so you don’t have to worry about your worst case scenario!

Fear of Germs

Germophobia, sometimes called Mysophobia, is a phobia of germs. This fear often stems from a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Those who have been diagnosed with OCD often inherit compulsions, such as washing their hands after they have come into contact with certain things. It is stated by Professor Michael Kyrios FAPS that one-quarter to one-third of people with OCD have contamination fears and associated decontamination rituals, such as washing and cleaning. One way to fight this compulsion is to restrict yourself from washing your hands and entering a place know has the likelihood of germs.
We at Rebounderz take time every day to clean our indoor trampoline park; however, we don’t clean our surfaces every time a child touches it a foam piece or trampoline. Though our areas are perfectly safe, children are naturally known to carry germs with them. One way you can fight your germophobia is by coming to Rebounderz and jumping on one of our trampolines. This practice will not only help you let go of your compulsions, but give you a fun evening out.

If you are interested in conquering your fears and becoming stronger than your compulsions, you should consider facing your fears. Pretending that you don’t have these fears will only make them worse and affect your life more than they already have. If you want to see a positive change in your life, the first place to start is acceptance of your own fear. Though Rebounderz is a trampoline park for kids, we welcome all to visit our attractions. If you want to let go of your fear, visit your local Sterling, VA, Rebounderz today!