# Rebounderz > Contact: brian@infintechcesigns.com ### Posts #### “Stop Fidgeting” and Other Phrases You’ll Never Have to Use at Rebounderz As a parent, you find yourself repeating certain phrases more often than not when it comes to your kids. You swore you’d never say them when you became a parent, but low and behold, you turned into an exact record of your mother or father. It can be frustrating to hear yourself say, “Because I said so” or “This hurts me more than it hurts you” to your kids, and you sometimes just wish that you could have a day where you don’t have to even think of any of the phrases that you dreaded when you were younger. When you take the time to have a family day at Rebounderz trampoline park in Apopka, you’re setting your family up for a day of fun where all the classic parent phrases don’t have to be uttered. You don’t have to worry about your child being bored or bouncing off the walls at home, because at Rebounderz they can literally bounce off the walls and have a ball doing so. When you visit Rebounderz, we encourage you to check the parent phrases at the door and enjoy time with your family. Here’s phrases you won’t have to use during an afternoon at Rebounderz. “Stop Fidgeting” We’ve all met the child who simply can’t sit still. It doesn’t matter what they’re doing, but sitting still is just tough. School can be a struggle, and don’t expect them to stay seated at the dinner table for very long. When out with family and friends, you regularly find yourself telling your child to stop fidgeting. The odds are that your child just has tons of energy that they’re waiting to expel in productive ways. At Rebounderz, your child won’t have to worry about fidgeting because they’ll get to bounce to their heart’s content. A trampoline park is the perfect place to let off excess energy in a safe and fun way. “Use Your Indoor Voice” Okay, let’s clarify this one. We’re all about laughing, giggling, and even using your outdoor voice when you’re at Rebounderz. Just keep in mind that constant screaming probably isn’t the best. But we will encourage everyone to have a great time and not worry about volume. There will always be music playing and smiles abound at Rebounderz of Apopka, because we’re able to provide a fun play environment. No need to worry about constantly using an indoor voice or a library voice; just let the belly laughs roll. “Don’t Throw That” You probably can’t even count how many times a week, or even a day, that you tell your child to not throw something and to put it back down. If your child is notorious for throwing whatever they can find, let them come play dodgeball at Rebounderz. We’ll never tell them to not throw a dodgeball during a game, and the foam pit is a great place to play with foam blocks. Instead of throwing remote controls at their siblings, bring your child in for some productive play where you will never have to tell them, “Don't throw that!” “Have an Apple” Any time you would complain about being hungry as a child, your parents would tell you to have an apple. Now that you’re a parent, you find yourself doing the exact same thing. When you come to Rebounderz, let it be a fun day and grab a slice of pizza from the cafe. Let your kids have fun and don’t worry about telling them to eat an apple. Instead, they’ll probably be so distracted by fun that they won’t even realize they’re hungry. Complaints simply don’t happen when a child is busy having fun at our trampoline parks. “Maybe When You’re Older” How much did you hate being told you couldn’t do something until you were older when you were young? How much do you hate saying the same thing to your child? Well you won’t have to tell them no when you’re at Rebounderz. We have activities and programs for most ages, including even our youngest jumpers who can come to Toddler Time. Our jump arena has no height restriction and families can play together! “One Day You’ll Thank Me” You won’t be saying this phrase either, because when you opt for family time at Rebounderz of Apopka, your kids will be thanking you today! Stop by and have some fun with your family anytime, and you’re sure to have a great day!   #### 10 Crazy Trampoline Facts You Might Not Know Trampolines are a blast! Sure, we may be a bit biased here at Rebounderz Lansdale, but there’s a lot to love about trampolines. There’s a lot of surprising things you might not know about trampolines and the awesome benefits they provide. Let’s check some out, shall we? -Efficient Exercise Astronauts go through incredibly grueling training to prepare themselves for the rigors of space. They have to make sure their bodies are in peak physical shape so they can handle whatever their trip into orbit might throw at them. So when NASA says that rebound exercise like jumping on a trampoline is the most efficient and effective form of exercise, you know they’re on point. Their study showed that 10 minutes of jumping on a trampoline was a more effective workout than 30 minutes of running. That’s right, trampolines have the astronaut seal of approval! -Improved Motor Skills One of the reasons trampolining is such an effective exercise is how much it involves your whole body. Every body part is in use when on a trampoline, working in unison to elevate you higher and higher. Because of that, motor skills gain a huge boost. This is especially helpful in children with developing skills. That means it’s also hugely effective in physical therapy treatment for children with special needs. It also helps with muscle development, strengthening bones, and reinforcing joints. -Improved Coordination and Balance Since your whole body is working together while you’re jumping, it helps to improve the coordination of moving more than one body part at once. That’s incredibly helpful with young children to gain a better understanding of their range of motion. Additionally, jumping on a trampoline constantly shifts your center of gravity. When you experience this, you have to adjust your positioning in the air to ensure a safe landing. This helps develop better balance for everyday life. -Stress Relief At our core as humans, it’s impossible not smile when jumping up and down on a trampoline. The feeling of weightlessness, even for a second, can remove a lot of worries that may be weighing heavy on your mind. The combination of concentration, fun, and repetition also make this a great practice to advance sensory skills. A trampoline is an exciting way to relieve the stress of the day and to calm down. -Improved Kids’ Behavior Sure, it may sound crazy, but it’s true! Kids can show much more positive behavior after jumping on a trampoline. It gives them a fun way to expend built up energy, helping to divert their attention from possibly destructive behavior. It will also increase circulation of oxygen through their bloodstream and to their brain, which helps to make them more alert and refreshed, improving their ability to concentrate along the way. -Engaged Education With improved behavior, concentration, and a lack of anxiety, trampolines present a fantastic opportunity for learning. Implementing the trampoline to facilitate education is quite effective. Games that involve counting, color and shape recognition, or following instructions (like Simon Says) engage children in the process of learning in a fun and healthy way that they’ll love. -Academic Success Many people may be shocked to learn about the connection between body control and childhood learning. With better coordination and concentration, learning becomes much easier for children to handle. As such, jumping on a trampoline and developing these skills will give them a better chance at future academic success. -Confidence Building As a kid, it can be scary to try new things. Physical activities they’re not familiar with can feel incredibly dangerous. With proper safety precautions in place, a trampoline can be a safe place to learn new activities. Thanks to the instant success and satisfaction provided by trampolining, it will help build their confidence in their ability to do something that’s equal parts scary and thrilling. That can then be carried over into their daily lives when approached with a new activity. -Improved Immune System While it's not the same as taking vitamins or eating healthy, trampolines can actually promote immune system health. When you rebound on a trampoline, your internal organs are stimulated and your lymphatic circulation improves. This helps push toxins out of cells to allow nutrients to come in. Jumping on a trampoline can detoxify your body and make your immune system stronger? Amazing! -Improved Mood No matter what age you are, jumping on a trampoline is inherently fun. Weightlessness feels exhilarating and motivates you to spring up higher and higher to make it last longer. The increased circulation of oxygen will also help release naturally mood-boosting endorphins. Lift your spirits while you lift off into the air! Trampolines aren’t just a lot of fun. They can improve your life in more ways than you would think. If you want to join in the fun, call us at Rebounderz in Lansdale today to schedule your jumping time. We want to put a spring in your step! #### 10 Resolutions Kids Made For The New Year 2018 is underway and a lot of people are working hard toward their New Year’s resolutions, but did you know many kids have their own resolutions, too? We’ve compiled some popular resolutions that kids have, along with some advice on how you can help them complete their goals. Is one of your resolutions spending more time with the family? If so, you can plan a fun family outing here at Rebounderz in Rohnert Park! We’ve got tons of activities and attractions that will get the whole family involved. -Learn More New Things Even though not every kid loves attending school, they all have a desire to learn. Whether it’s a new skill like singing, hula hooping, hearing about animals, or reading about the galaxy, kids love to learn. Ask your little one what interests them and provide them information about it. Take a trip to the library and check out books on the subject, watch YouTube videos about it together, and find ways that you can engage in this pursuit with them. Learning something new feels daunting for everyone, but it’s especially true for kids. If a parent is there learning along with them, it will make them feel more comfortable about the unknown. With that being said, it’s important you let them lead the way in this pursuit so they feel ownership of this accomplishment. -Get Better At School Many kids, as they get older, start to take notice of their performance in school. With most schools finishing up their first semester this month, report cards and parent-teacher conferences will be coming soon, and some kids might be frustrated with how this school year is going. Whether it’s getting better with addition, working on their penmanship, or improving their reading comprehension, there are many ways kids can improve and make school a little bit easier for themselves. Ask your kid what they feel like they struggle with and discuss how they would like to work on it. This could be anything from getting a tutor to work on classwork with them to finding books that engage them. -Cut Out The Junk Food It might surprise you to learn that a lot of kids are more conscious of what they eat than you may think. A desire to eat healthier and avoid fast food is fantastic and should be fostered. Find fun recipes and healthy twists on some of their favorite foods to encourage this resolution. Depending on your child’s age, this can be a great opportunity to start teaching them how to cook. Help them understand what foods they should steer away from, look for ways to include their favorite fruits and veggies, and ask them if they have ideas for dinner. Maybe they’re big fans of Ratatouille and want to try a dish from the movie! -Get More Active Kids love to run around, but they might want to start doing so with a bit more structure. Maybe they want to start playing sports recreationally or for their school. They might just want to get healthier so they can play with their friends longer. No matter what their end goal is, getting more active is a great resolution to have. Try going on a family run, do some easy exercises together, or play some sports together to get everyone involved. Why not come into Rebounderz and jump around our trampoline park? Jumping on a trampoline is one of the most effective and fun exercises out there! -Help Mom and Dad With Their Resolutions A lot of kids have shown a desire to help their parents meet their goals; such as helping them to quit smoking, exercising, or eating healthier. No matter the resolution, kids want to see their parents successful and happy. Get them involved in working toward your resolution and make it a family activity. Many people say they fail at their resolutions because they don’t have any accountability. When your kids are invested in your success, you’re more likely to follow through with what you promise. -Going Green As children begin to learn more about the world and science, they become conscious of how their actions affect the world at large. Starting a recycling system in the house, unplugging devices when they’re not being used, turning off lights when they leave the room, and walking to school are all super easy ways to adopt a green lifestyle. The future of the earth greatly affects the next generation, so it stands to reason that kids would want to take care of the planet. -Hit Big Milestones When you’re growing up, there are a lot of things older kids do on a daily basis that younger kids can’t do yet. It’s easy to get frustrated when you can’t do something that seems easy to an older sibling, so many kids make a milestone their resolution. It could be learning to tie their shoes or using the big potty, all of these milestones are great to pursue. Find out what they want to work toward and give them helpful guidance along the way so they can cross something big off their list of accomplishments. -Get Involved With Charity An incredible thing to witness is the empathy children can express toward the less fortunate. Your kid might want to donate hair to Wigs For Kids, help pick up the local park, participate in a charity marathon, or volunteering with a soup kitchen. Empathy is something that can go to the wayside as we get older, so fostering a desire to give back is a wonderful thing you can do for your kids. -Improving Daily Behavior Depending on your child’s demeanor, they may be easy going or they could act out more. When temper tantrums and other bad behavior are a daily occurrence, improving how they act is a great goal for a kid to take on. Not only will it make your life easier, it will also make interactions at school and home less stressful for everyone. When they’ve pinpointed a behavior they want to work on, give them help to do better, but don’t be too hard on them if they slip back into bad habits. Just help them get back on track. Changing behavior is hard no matter your age, and getting scolded for failing will make them less inclined to improve themselves in the future. -Keep Having Fun More than anything, kids want to have fun and be creative. Even if their resolution isn’t realistic, there are ways you can help them have fun with it. Maybe they want to build a teleporter that sends them straight to Disneyland; get them a Lego set and let them design and create to their heart’s content. Engage their creativity and get their minds working to find new ways to have fun. Self-improvement isn’t a desire reserved for adults. Kids are more aware of their lives than you might think. Give them the tools and the assistance to help them hit their goals and you’ll see positive effects for years to come. Whether your little one wants to get more active or have more fun, they’re sure to achieve their resolutions at Rebounderz here in Rohnert Park. Jump around in our super safe and fun trampoline park or test your might on our Ninja Warrior course. We want to put a spring in your step in 2018. #### 10 Things That Make Rebounderz Birthdays the Best We're Rohnert Park's Premier Kid's Birthday Party Place for a Reason! Still on the fence about having your birthday party at Rebounderz in Rohnert Park? Here are ten reasons we know you'll love it! 1. Your kids will love it. It's tough to think of a birthday party idea that your kids will love year after year! But when you book your party at Rebounderz, you'll love your child is getting a birthday party to remember. They'll love being able to invite so many of their friends to join in the fun, too. There are activities for all ages, as well, so you can have their birthday party here from the time they are toddlers all the way through their teens. It can become a family tradition that they are sure to love and remember for years to come. 2. There is something for everyone. One of the best things about Rebounderz is that there really is something here for everyone. If some of your guests love video games, we have that covered. If you have high-energy guests who love to jump and bounce, we have that covered, too. Thrill seekers can enjoy the JumpXTREME Tower and the more athletic among you can try In-the-Air Dodgeball or Basketball Slam. If you have a few guests that need a quieter moment, they'll find it in the cafe where there are also additional snacks available. 3. There is no set-up or clean-up required! Dread the idea of setting up for a birthday party? Then you'll dread the clean-up even more. But when you book your party at Rebounderz, you'll have a dedicated party host who will take care of everything for you. We'll set up your private room or birthday party table and make sure everything is ready for your arrival. Once the party is done, we'll take care of all of the clean-up in the room, too. That means it's low maintenance for parents so they can spend more time enjoying the party, too. 4. You'll love our party rooms. Our party rooms are made for birthdays! Each of our six birthday rooms has it's own special theme, adding to the excitement of the birthday decor. You'll be able to choose from the available rooms when you book your party. Our bright murals are kid-friendly so you don't have to add decorations to the birthday space unless you want to do so. The private rooms give you and your guests your own place to gather, socialize, leave your belongings, and enjoy cake away from the rest of the facility! 5. We can bring the cake! While you are welcome to bring your own cake or cupcakes to the party, we can do it for you! Choose from either a Cold Stone ice cream cake or Sift cupcakes and add it to your birthday package. This makes birthday party planning even easier when you leave the cake up to us! 6. Your host will take care of everything. Most of our birthday party packages come with your own dedicated birthday host. These members of our team are specially trained for birthday parties and they know how to make sure the event runs smoothly and everyone there has a good time. If you have questions, they'll have answers, and they can help you out with any special requests that you might have. Our party hosts love making this special day even better and taking the stress out of the event for everyone involved! 7. Parents have their own space to relax. Parents are welcome to join in the fun, stay in the private birthday room, or head on up to the parent's lounge on the second floor. This parents-only space is filled with comfortable seating, massage chairs, and a great wifi signal. You can relax and watch your children play from the viewing windows, or even set up your laptop at one of our tables and get some work done. Parents love when birthday parties happen at Rebounderz because they know that they'll be having a great time, too. 8. It's an entire afternoon of fun. Most birthday parties are about an hour of fun and three hours of mess and cleanup. But birthday parties at Rebounderz are an entire afternoon of fun! With birthday party packages that are an average of 2 to 2.5 hours, you'll be having fun that entire time. That's because, with no setup or clean up, there is no break in the activities to get those chores done. It's just wall-to-wall fun that will leave kids happy and exhausted! 9. There is no stress for parents. Rebounderz birthdays are easy for the hosting parents as well as parents of the guests. Parents are welcome to drop kids off at the party if they don't want to (or cannot) stay. They simply need to fill out the waiver before they go. That way they can spend time with their other children or even take the opportunity to go on a date or get some errands done. When parents hear that the birthday party is at Rebounderz, they know that their child is going to have an amazing time in a safe venue and they will be able to relax. 10. It's good value for your money! Our birthday party package range starts at just $249. For that price, you'll have space for 10 birthday party-goers, delicious pizzas and drinks for everyone, pre-loaded video game cards, and an hour of jump time for all of your guests. We make sure that the value you get for your money is well worth it so you'll want to have birthday parties at Rebounderz time and again. You can see the full list of everything you get in each of our packages on our website. Are you looking for a great place to have a birthday party for your child this year? Rebounderz is the answer! You can learn more about our birthday parties on our website or by giving our team a call. We'll help you choose the package that's right for you and book your birthday even today! #### 10 Tips for Encouraging Your Child's Participation If your child is shy, you can feel like they’re missing out on a big part of their childhood. One of the best parts of growing up is running around with your friends, playing games, and using your imagination together. Obviously, you don’t want to force them to do those things, as that can make the whole activity feel like a chore. It’s for that reason that we’ve gathered these tips to help encourage your child to participate and have some fun. This is a great opportunity for kids to develop social skills that they will bring with them throughout their life, so it is important they don’t miss out. If you want a safe and fun environment to encourage your child to participate with others, come to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale! -Find the Heart of the Matter The best way to find out why your child isn’t ready to participate with others is to ask them. Sit down and have a discussion to see why they’re shy, or what is making them uncomfortable, or what they may be afraid of. Even though it may be easy to hand-wave away their concerns, to them, this is their whole world. Hear them out. Let them work out their feelings about it. Then, once you have a good understanding of what worries them, you’ll be able to tackle the issue together. Try to ease their worries as much as possible. See what they would be comfortable with trying. -Be Their Role Model If you spend weekends cooped up watching TV, your child is more likely to want to emulate that. However, if you are engaging in hobbies on a regular basis, it will feel more normal to your child. Whether it’s a book club or a spin class, when you participate, your child will want to as well. Vary your activities to show them the range of different things that are out there. If that activity allows children to tag along, bring them along so they can see you interacting with others. Many kids are scared of the unknown, so when you show them there’s nothing to be afraid of, they’ll be more comfortable with trying new things. -Group Up If your kid doesn’t like to do anything without their friends, get them involved, too. Find out what activities their friends enjoy and sign them up to do that. Taking a small group to the park can be a fun way to get everyone active and playing together. You can also bring them to an activity center like Rebounderz to give them a place to interact with other kids their age in a safe environment. -Siblings If you have an older child already involved with an activity, ask them to take the shyer of your children under their wing so they can learn about it from someone they know. Whether it’s an art class or a basketball clinic, when you are participating with a sibling it can be a lot of fun. Not to mention, it will help their relationship grow and become stronger. Getting siblings to get along seems like an insurmountable task sometimes, but you’d be surprised what can happen when a younger kid asks their older brother or sister about something they’re passionate about. -Start Off Slow When your child agrees to try an activity, it’s important to keep it free of pressure. Starting a totally new thing is scary, no matter what age you are. If you maintain a low-key attitude toward whatever they are trying out, they won’t have the pressure of success or being the best weighing on them. If they are taking lessons, starting off once a week can be less threatening to a kid that has worries about participating. Then, as they get comfortable, you can increase the frequency to match their drive to participate. -Give Them an Escape Plan Not every activity is going to be a good fit, but it’s important your child feels comfortable enough to admit when they aren’t enjoying it. If they have tried several times and it just isn’t working, let them take a week off. If after that week they decide they want to go back, then that’s great. However, it may be a sign that a new activity might fit your kid’s interests. When you keep it low-stakes, your child will be more willing to try new things and they won’t have the fear of failure that prevents so many people from breaking out of their shells. -Get Creative Kids, just like their adult counterparts, have a wide range of interests and skills. Not everyone is an athlete or a musical prodigy. Sit down with your child to discuss what they are interested in to find unique ideas for activities. If they’re obsessed with dinosaurs, a trip to the natural history museum where they can talk to the experts might be a perfect fit. If your child loves comic books, maybe a writing or art class would pique their interest. You would be amazed at the range of classes and activities are out there, outside the norm of team sports or band practice. -Go With Them Especially for young children, participation with parents is a great way to help your child find an activity they love. So many adults think back fondly on things they did with their parents as a kid, even if the hobbies didn’t stick around for life. Check for a mommy-and-me class, parent-child book club, or an all-ages cycling club. Local recreation centers often hold a wide range of classes suited specifically toward parents and children interacting together. -Look Around You Beyond activities and classes, there are many opportunities around you to volunteer and give back to the community at large. Whether it’s raking the leaves for a neighbor or helping out at the food pantry, you can foster a lifelong love of charity and giving back to others in your child. Not only does that go a long way toward helping your child be more comfortable participating in the world, it also helps them become a more empathetic person as a whole. -Schedule Playdates When your little one is preparing to start school, pretty much the only people they know are their own family. That can make school pretty scary and cause a shy kid to retreat into their shell. You can help them get used to spending time with other kids their age by setting up playdates to introduce them to potential new friends. This is especially helpful if they will be attending the same school, as it can give them both someone to look to if they get scared or nervous. Solid, lifelong friendships have been built out of playdates leading up to school. Helping your child become more comfortable with participating — whether in a group, with a parent or sibling, or exploring something new on their own — has amazing benefits that can last a lifetime. Remember, keep it low-pressure, help them find something that fits their interests, and be creative with your suggestions. You never know what hobby or sport your child will take a liking to. At Rebounderz, we have many attractions that will spur your child’s imagination and get them participating. Whether they’re leaping into the foam pit or they’re living their superhero dreams on the Ninja Warrior course, they’re guaranteed to have safe fun. We hope to see you soon! #### 10 Years Of Our Indoor Trampoline Park Rebounderz 10-Year Anniversary Party Over the years, Rebounderz has had the pleasure of celebrating thousands of birthdays across the country. We have been able to share priceless memories with our customers and their families. But, just as you have a birthday every year, so do we! Rebounderz has a birthday of our own this weekend and we would like to celebrate our special day with you! We have watched countless birthday boys and girls celebrate their birthdays, and now you are invited to a Rebounderz birthday! Another Year of Bouncing Rebounderz has been serving the United States for over 10 years. In those years, we have been able to expand and grow as a business. By being able to grow, we have been able to open up several new branches of our business, including some outside of U.S. borders. Today, Rebounderz is proud to represent our brand in 10 locations, spread across the nation and one location in Panama. It gives us joy to branch out and offer more locations a place to bounce. We know the incredible power of bouncing, which is why we invite everyone to join us at one of our locations July 13 through the 15th. Join Us For Our Birthday Though you might have only one birthday, we have three! July the 13th through the 15th is our official three-day birthday celebration. During these days, you and your family can come and bounce while enjoying a piece of complimentary birthday cake or cupcakes. We are proud of our 10 years of service to each of our locations. We hope that our presence has added to the communities or our locations and created a fun option for recreation. Our indoor trampoline parks were made to give kids a great way to have fun and exercise in a safe, controlled environment. Stop by our trampoline park today for an afternoon of bouncing. Win Prizes At Our Indoor Trampoline Park If bouncing for fun isn’t enticing enough for you to attend our “birthday party,” we are also going to host fun games with winnable prizes. At your local Rebounderz, your kids can play and compete for incredible prizes that they can take home. Not only will you be able to encourage your child to play with others their age, but you will be able to involve them in fun activities that include prizes. Specials We Offer Also, Rebounderz is offering company-wide specials on entrance fees. That means you can save a little cash and get discounted deals on your Rebounderz tickets. So, not only will you give your kids a memorable experience, but you will have saved so money doing so. Visit your local Rebounderz while this offer is available! Rebounderz of Newport News Rebounderz is happy to celebrate its 10th anniversary this July 13-15th at all of our locations. Be sure to look on our site and see if your area has a local Rebounderz for you to join in on the fun. Come bounce with us on this special day! #### 11 Best Arcades in Orlando, FL Do you remember the days when you couldn’t wait to go to your favorite arcade with your friends and put your whole allowance on the line? For some of us, this may be a nostalgic memory but here in Orlando there are plenty of arcades around that keep those party memories alive. If you’re interested in reliving those childhood memories, places like Rebounderz bring that arcade experience back to life!  These Central Florida arcades are a throwback to a time when you knew exactly what game you wanted to play and the excitement you felt trying to get your name up on the “Top Score” list. From DDR to Pac-Man, these Orlando arcades offer the best modern and more classic games for kids, adults, and total family fun.    Rebounderz  Can you think of an arcade where you can also choose from trampolines galore (including trampoline basketball and dodgeball), laser tag, foam pits, and ninja warrior courses? Or a mix of them all? At Rebounderz in Orlando, there are an endless number of indoor activities to keep your child smiling all day.  And don’t worry about feeling left out, you can join in on the fun too! Or, take a break at their WiFi-fueled cafe, or their “Parent’s Night Out” option, where you can drop your kids off with them while you enjoy other parts of the city Orlando has to offer!  Whether it’s for a birthday party or just want something fun with your kids to do, Check out all of Rebounderz affordable offerings today!   Rebounderz Activities Arcade: For the gamers that find adventure in beating high scores and winning cool prizes! Whether you’re trying to game solo or looking to get competitive, you’re sure to find the right game for you at Rebounderz. Their arcade offers both classic games and new titles, so everyone in your party will find something they enjoy. Once you’ve stacked up those game points, remember to head over to the redemption counter to claim your well deserved prize.  Trampolines: Kids will enjoy jumping into cool poses, flipping, and bouncing around for hours. The indoor trampoline arena offers endless fun that keeps your kids active and engaged.  Trampoline Dodgeball & Basketball: Give the classic kid’s game and sport some extra bounce in these fun twists with trampolines. With the ability to really jump, dive and flip this won’t be like any game of dodgeball or basketball you’ve ever played! This takes the experience to a whole new level. Ninja Warrior: An obstacle course with nets, ropes, and balls. You can even time your course in our competition add-on to any birthday party. The winner gets their photo on our wall AND the chance of winning a $100 gift card! Air Pit and Foam Pit: Enjoy playing and sinking in foam with this classic birthday party idea.  XTreme Tower: For those that just want to test their boundaries with a big jump, the Xtreme Tower offers an exhilarating thrill for those daredevils out there.  Indoor Playground: Kids will play here for hours if they could, enjoying every component of Rebounderz jungle-gym! This isn’t your standard playground, Rebounderz indoor playground takes play time to a whole new level. The Gauntlet Space Climb: Kids can channel their inner monkey with this supported climb to new heights!  Virtual Reality: An active, exhilarating, and futuristic experience! You’re sure to find something to spark your interest with their 300+ games!  Themed Climbing Walls: For kids that always felt dissatisfied with the playground climbing wall, our themed walls will satisfy every specific niche, from lego walls to buildings.   Pricing: For just $20, get an hour of access to Rebounderz arcade arena and indoor trampoline area, plus their ninja warrior course, indoor playground, and foam pit. Or, choose one of their other pricing options.  Try Rebounderz Today! Main Event Orlando Located on International Drive in Pointe Orlando, Main Event Orlando offers family entertainment with bowling, arcade games, and various other activities.  There’s a little bit of everything for any member of your family.  Activities:  Arcade  Bowling Virtual Reality Laser Tag Billiards Story Rooms Mini Golf  Gravity Ropes Multiball Pricing Pricing is dependent on activity. Check out Main Event Orlando’s website for more information.   Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Orlando Known for their indoor karting, Andretti Indoor Karting and Games also offers a wide range of classic arcade games. You can get your adrenaline pumping on their indoor multi-level kart track and then head inside for some classic game time.  If you have younger children who may be intimidated by their race track–don’t worry! They also offer a Mini Mario track suited for your little ones. Activities:  Indoor karting Mini Mario kart track for kids Arcade Laser Tag Virtual Reality Boutique Bowling  Ropes course  XD Dark Ride Pricing Prices vary on the type of activity. Prices also vary depending on the day, and peak hours will cost more. Check out their website for more information!    Arcade Orlando at Dezerland Park Orlando There’s tons to see and do at Dezerland Park Orlando to keep you entertained. Dezerland Park offers a few unique experiences ,like their Smash N Dash and The Auto Museum, that take indoor entertainment to a new level. Head on over to their arcade to indulge in some throwback pinball or master that Dance, Dance Revolution routine with a friend! You’re sure to find a game that suits your style at Dezerland Park. Activities:  Go Karting Bowling Pinball Palace Trampoline Park  Arcade Axe Throwing  Mini Golf The Auto Experience Smash N Dash Pricing Pricing varies depending on attraction. Head to Dezerland Park Orlando’s website for ticket pricing.   In the Game ICON Park You’ll find In The Game inside the Wheelhouse at the iconic ICON Park in Orlando. Load up on game credits and challenge your friends and family to the ultimate arcade showdown. If you’ve gotten your arcade fill, you can check out their other attractions like immersive virtual reality experience or unique mirror maze.  Activities:  Arcade Mirror Maze Virtual Reality X-D motion theater Escape Room  Pricing Pricing varies depending on activity. Arcade credits start at $25 for 110 credits. Contact In The Game for more pricing details.    Monkey Joe’s Orlando  Monkey Joe’s offers a unique playground experience for your little ones. What makes it different? It’s all inflatable! Keep your teenagers at home for this experience though as Monkey Joe’s is designed for children ages 12 and under. Aside from their inflatable playground, Monkey Joe’s arcade offers some great arcade games that kids and parents will love.  Activities:  Inflatable Playground Arcade Mini Monkey Zone ( play area for kids under the age of 3) Birthday Parties Pricing Adults are free. $12.99 Monday-Friday for children ages 2+, $13.99 Saturday-Sunday for children ages 2+. Children under 2 are always $8.99   Fun Spot America Theme Parks Fun Spot is a classic Orlando staple offering adventurous rides like White Lightening and Headrush. If those thrilling rides don’t sound appealing, don’t worry you can head over to their arcade and indulge in some game time.  Don’t forget to save those game tickets and claim your prize at the redemption counter! Activities:  Roller Coasters Ferris Wheel Arcade Liberty Swing Fun House Fun Slide Go-Karts Other assorted “thrill rides” Pricing Single Day Fun pass is $54.95 and Single Day Mega Fun pass is $65.95  Funtania Family Fun Center Funtania Family Fun Center brings a world of imagination to life with entertainment for everyone in mind. If you’re looking to escape the Florida heat, Funtania provides some indoor fun for you and your family.  Inside you’ll find Funtania is divided into 7 distinct sections that offer different experiences ranging from virtual reality to–of course–a selection of arcade games. Activities:  Arcade Synthetic Ice Skating Rink Real Life and Remote Escape Rooms Bumper Cars Virtual Reality Toddler Play Area Bounce House Pricing Entry to the arena is free however depending on the activity you want to partake in, pricing varies. Passes start at $10 and go up to $95, contact Funtania Family Fun Center for more information.   Dave & Buster’s Dave & Buster’s is the ultimate indoor family arcade that many people know and love. You’ll find a wide range of different arcade experiences. During your first visit, you’ll have to purchase a Power Card in order to play games. The Power Card is their coin system, so instead of having to insert quarters to play games, you can pre-load your Power Card and swipe at any game you want to play.  Be sure to hold on to that card for future visits because you can reuse the same Power Card, otherwise you’ll have to buy a new one if you plan to return for another visit. Also take note that guests under the age of 21 must leave the location by 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.   Activities:  Arcade Billiards Bowling Virtual Reality Sports Bar Pricing Dave and Buster’s pricing varies on the number of chips you buy, starting at 75 chips for $15, up to 750 chips for $100.    Player 1 Video Game Bar Player 1 Video Game Bar is the ultimate arcade experience for adults. This 21+ video game bar is truly a one of a kind experience. They offer that old-school arcade vibe but also bring in some new gaming elements with options like Xbox gaming. Some gaming systems do have an extra charge so check in with their front desk for additional game rental fees.  Player 1 Video Game Bar also offers a pretty extensive bar menu with draft beers, wine, spirits and other non-alcoholic drinks.  Activities:  Classic Arcade games  Modern gaming with Xbox One, Playstation 4 and Wii U Pricing There is a $5 cover charge, and then you can play by game on location.   Conclusion: What is the best arcade to go to in Orlando?    Orlando has so many wonderful options of arcades available, making it so easy to have a great time in this city. Rebounderz is a great choice due to the impressive variety of entertainment they provide in addition to their arcade. Parents and kids will delight in all the unique and engaging attractions Rebounderz offers.  So spend the day at the arcade reliving your glory days of beating your best friend’s high score! Who knows, you might finally have enough tickets for that stuffed animal you’ve always wanted. Head to Rebounderz today to try their arcade, or trampoline park, or climbing wall, or jump tower, or…you get the gist! #### 11 Best Indoor Playgrounds in Orlando, FL Orlando is a popular vacation destination for families. Not only does Orlando offer fantastic weather almost all year round, but it also provides endless options for families and kids to have fun! If you find yourself wanting to beat the heat, Orlando offers some great indoor playgrounds that are guaranteed to have everyone excited.  It’s no surprise that places like Rebounderz provide the perfect destination for family entertainment. So get out of the Florida sun, cool off for a bit and enjoy some play time in an indoor playground.  Benefits of Playing in Indoor Playgrounds  Indoor playgrounds aren’t just means of entertainment–they provide many benefits for kids and adults alike. Indoor playgrounds allow children to socialize, work on their motor skills, explore their imagination and allow for physical activity.  Plus, kids (and adults) stay safe from the strong sun or other inclement weather, and activities aren’t weather-dependent. There’s no stress about it raining during your kid’s birthday party if the party venue is inside!  These lasting benefits go beyond playtime as they help foster new skills and experiences that are important to a child’s growth.  The indoor playground at Rebounderz allows kids to socialize and be active together!   Best Indoor Playgrounds in Orlando, Florida  Rebounderz  Can you think of a place where you can choose from trampolines galore (including trampoline basketball and dodgeball), laser tag, foam pits, and ninja warrior courses? Or a mix of them all? At Rebounderz in Orlando, you can choose from an endless number of activities at Rebounderz to keep your child smiling all day.  Check out all of Rebounderz affordable offerings today that your kids–and you–will enjoy!  Rebounderz Activities Indoor Playground: Kids will play here for hours if they could, enjoying every component of Rebounderz jungle-gym! There’s so much for kids to do in their indoor playground area. Their indoor playground allows kids to play alongside other kids in a safe environment. From slides to tunnels, there’s so much to see and do. Kids will really get the opportunity to explore their imaginations with the countless activities available to them. Their indoor playground takes a unique spin on playtime.  Plus… Trampolines: Kids will enjoy jumping into cool poses, flipping, and bouncing around for hours.  Trampoline Dodgeball & Basketball: Give the classic kid’s game and sport some extra bounce in these fun twists with trampolines! Ninja Warrior: An obstacle course with nets, ropes, and balls. You can even time your course in our competition add-on to any birthday party. The winner gets their photo on our wall AND the chance of winning a $100 gift card! Air Pit and Foam Pit: Enjoy playing and sinking in foam with this classic birthday party idea.  XTreme Tower: For those that just want to test their boundaries with a big jump. Arcade: For the gamers that find adventure in beating high scores and winning cool prizes!  The Gauntlet Space Climb: Kids can channel their inner monkey with this supported climb to new heights!  Virtual Reality: An active, exhilarating, and futuristic experience! Themed Climbing Walls: For kids that always felt dissatisfied with the playground climbing wall, our themed walls will satisfy every specific niche, from lego walls to buildings. Plus, Rebounderz offers a “Parent’s Night Out” option, where you can drop your kids off with them while you enjoy other parts of the city Orlando has to offer!  Pricing: For just $20, get an hour of access to Rebounderz indoor playground, plus their ninja warrior course, indoor trampoline area, and foam pit. Or, choose one of their other pricing options.  Try Rebounderz Today!   Millie Moos  Millie Moos has your little ones in mind. This indoor playground is designed for children ages 8 and under. Socks are required in the play area so make sure you bring a pair! But don’t worry if you forget because they do have socks available to purchase up front.  Activities:  Indoor playground Cafe Birthday parties Pricing Open play for 1 child and 1 adult for 2 hours is $12.    Monkey Joe’s Located just 10 minutes outside of Orlando in Winter Park, Florida, Monkey Joe’s offers a unique twist on indoor play time. Monkey Joe’s indoor playground is completely inflatable! They also have a dedicated toddler area for your little ones, ages 3 and under, giving parents a peace of mind.  Activities:  Indoor inflatable playground Mini Monkey Zone toddler area Arcade Birthday parties Pricing Adults are free. Children 2 years and under are $8.99, Children ages 3-12 years old are $12.99 Monday-Friday and $13.99 on weekends.    WonderWorks  Located on International Drive, WonderWorks stands out as the iconic “upside down” building. Inside this whimsical looking building you’ll find a number of fun activities to keep everyone in your group engaged.  Activities:  Glow in the dark ropes course The Wonder Zones Laser tag Magic Comedy dinner show 4D XD motion theater  Pricing All Access passes start at $34.99 + tax for adults (ages 13-59) and $25.99 + tax for children (4-12). Children 3 and under are free. You can check out additional pricing options here.  Kids Play & Party  Kidz Play & Party Club takes a different approach to play time. They specialize in providing a Zumbini experience which is an early childhood development program that focuses on both music and movement for children.  Their indoor play area has different play options, like a play house or doctors play area, that provide enriching activities that allow children to express their creativity.  Activities:  Indoor playground Family workshops Birthday parties  Early Childhood classes Pricing $12 per child with one free adult, extra adults are $10   Princesses and Princes Princesses & Princes is a Montessori inspired indoor playground where your little ones can play like royalty. With creative play sets, like a play kitchen and market, your children can discover their imagination in style!  Activities:  Indoor playground Birthday parties Early Learning programs Pricing One day pass is $15.99 + tax, one adult is included. Additional adults are $6.99 each   Jungle Zone  Jungle Zone is an indoor inflatable playground located in Tavares, a 30 minute drive outside of Orlando. Their colorful inflatable arena offers a myriad of options for play time, from sliding down 8 different inter-connected slides to running through their “French Fry” forest.  Jungle Zone also offers a dedicated play area for toddlers.  Activities:  Indoor inflatable playground Obstacle course Super Bounce arena  French Fry Forest Parents area Arcade  Pricing Non-Playing adults are free. Adults who will be playing are $9.99, Children ages 4-18 years old are $12.99, children ages 0-3 years old are $9.99.   VIA Entertainment In Leesburg, 50 minutes outside of Orlando, you can find VIA Entertainment located in the back of the Lake Square Mall. Their indoor playground, called the Kid’s Corner, will keep your kids entertained for hours.  If other members of your family are looking for something else to do, options like bowling or laser tag are available as well.    Activities:  Indoor playground (Kid’s Corner) Arcade Axe throwing  Bowling Escape room Go karts Laser tag Pricing Contact VIA Entertainment for pricing options    Florida Mall Play Park Inside The Florida Mall, you will find The Play Park, a newly added indoor playground for kids. You can stop by The Play Park to relax and let the kids play at one of the largest malls in Orlando. Their charming play area is inspired by Alice in Wonderland and Dr. Seuss, making playtime a bit more whimsical.  Activities:  Indoor playground  Pricing Entry to the playground area is free   District Kids  Head on over to Oviedo, a 10 minute drive from Orlando, to District Kids for some indoor playground amusement. District Kids focuses on hands-on learning through play time with their interactive science lab to imaginative play areas like a play vet room and grocery store.  Your children can explore their creative side and let their imaginations run wild at District Kids.  Activities:  BEAM, virtual playground Construction house Play gas station and grocery store Inflatable obstacle course  Pet vet play room Science lab Pricing Children over 12 years old with grip socks $11.00, without grip socks $10.00. 2 Adults with paid child admission are free, additional adults are $5.00. Children under the age of 12 months are free.  Kidiverse Kidiverse was created by the idea of two mothers who wanted to create an engaging and safe environment for kids to play away from TV and computer screens. Kidiverse’s goal is to provide safe, physical activity with educational elements to stimulate learning and growth in kids.  Activities:  Indoor playground Toddler play area Interactive game rooms iWall Climbing walls Ninja Warrior course  Pricing Infants (ages 0-12 months) are free with paid sibling admission and $9.99+ tax without siblings. $14.99 + tax per child   Conclusion: What’s the best indoor indoor playground in Orlando?  Ready to head indoors to escape the heat and enjoy some playtime at an indoor playground? Orlando has a wide variety of indoor playgrounds but Rebounderz offers some of the best play time plus more to keep everyone in the family entertained all day long.  Indoor playgrounds provide a safe and stimulating environment for kids to fully enjoy play time. Take the chance to cool off, have fun and bond over the unique experience that indoor playgrounds provide.  Check out Rebounderz today to experience all they have to offer! #### 11 Best Indoor Rock Climbing Places in Orlando, FL Rock climbing has become a very popular sport among people who love to challenge themselves and enjoy the great outdoors. It’s a full-body workout that will leave you feeling satisfied and uplifted. But let’s say you live in sunny Orlando and the weather outside is too hot (or it rains all day long)? No worries! You can still find some great indoor rock climbing options for all ages. Rebounderz offers a place for you to test out your rock climbing skills while also providing a safe and enjoyable environment. Rebounderz is the best place for families to check out because they offer some of the most fun activities to enjoy in the Orlando area!    Benefits of Indoor Rock Climbing Indoor rock climbing has many great benefits, one of the best being that it provides a great way to get fit and stay in shape. It can help you improve your muscular endurance, tone, and strength; develop your balance and flexibility; and increase coordination, mental focus, and concentration. You can use rock climbing as an alternative to the gym or simply just add it to your regular routine. Indoor rock climbing doesn’t have to be all “fitness” based either. It also helps develop problem solving and communication skills which can carry over into other areas of life. It can even boost your confidence! And it’s a fun activity that you can enjoy solo, with friends and family, or even for a kids birthday party or as a unique event venue!  And don’t worry if someone in your group might not want to take part in indoor rock climbing. Rebounderz offers great indoor fun that everyone in your group will enjoy!    Best Indoor Rock Climbing Places in Orlando, FL Rebounderz  New routes, a safer fall zone, and plenty of new challenges to climb are just some reasons why Rebounderz is the best place for indoor rock climbing. For those who want a fresh rock climbing experience each time they come in, there's no better option.  Fresh routes mean different ways to get around obstacles and many new challenges to work on. This also makes it easier for you to spot other climbers and vice versa. If you're scaling a wall with many difficult moves in one section, it's nice to have other options around you that are less challenging or offer more reachable handholds for those wanting an easier climb. Plus, Rebounderz also offers themed walls–from legos to buildings–that will satisfy every specific niche, from lego walls to buildings and more.  There will always be someone around if you need help or just want some advice about how to improve your skills as a rock climber. Don’t worry about being intimidated by other climbers either because everyone there wants everyone else to succeed too! You'll feel right at home, no matter what skill level you may have.  Check out all of Rebounderz affordable offerings today that your kids–and you–will enjoy! Plus, Rebounderz offers a “Parent’s Night Out” option, where you can drop your kids off with them while you enjoy other parts of the city Orlando has to offer!  Location: 474 S Hunt Club Blvd, Apopka, FL 32703 Climbing Style: Artificial  Other Rebounderz Activities Arcade: For the gamers that find adventure in beating high scores and winning cool prizes!  Trampolines: Kids will enjoy jumping into cool poses, flipping, and jumping around for hours.  Trampoline Dodgeball & Basketball: Give the classic kid’s game and sport some extra bounce in these fun twists with trampolines! Ninja Warrior: An obstacle course with nets, ropes, and balls. You can even time your course in our competition add-on to any birthday party. The winner gets their photo on our wall AND the chance of winning a $100 gift card! Air Pit and Foam Pit: Enjoy playing and sinking in foam with this classic birthday party idea.  XTreme Tower: For those that just want to test their boundaries with a big jump. Indoor Playground: Kids will play here for hours if they could, enjoying every component of Rebounderz jungle-gym!  The Gauntlet Space Climb: Kids can channel their inner monkey with this supported climb to new heights!  Virtual Reality: An active, exhilarating, and futuristic experience!   Pricing: For just $20, get an hour of access to Rebounderz arcade arena and indoor trampoline area, plus their ninja warrior course, indoor playground, and foam pit. Or, choose one of their other pricing options.  Try Rebounderz Today!   Aiguille Rock Climbing Center  Aiguille Rock Climbing Center has been serving the Orlando area for over 15 years and is one of Orlando's oldest climbing gyms. It offers top-notch facilities, which have been designed to take indoor climbing to a new level in Central Florida. All participants are required to read and sign our Climbing Waiver, and participants under the age of 18 will need to have it completed by their natural guardian. All guests must be at least four years old AND 25lbs to participate in climbing at Aiguille Rock Climbing.  Location:  1930 Cliff Circle, Casselberry, FL 32707 Climbing Style: Bouldering and rope  Pricing: $15 for day pass ($5 for harness rental); $20 for day pass + belay lesson; $90 for monthly membership ($10-35 extra for gear rental)   Blue Swan Boulders  Located not far from Downtown Orlando, Blue Swan Boulders is a bouldering-only facility with plenty of friendly staff to help you get started. They offer drop-in climbing and fitness classes, as well as a kids' program for those under the age of 18. Their gym also has yoga classes to help you stretch and unwind after your climbs. Blue Swan Boulders offers daily passes that include day passes as well as weekly and monthly passes with discounts for students and members of the military. Like other facilities, they also offer punch cards that can be used at any time without expiration. Location: 400 Pittman St Suite 103, Orlando, FL 32801 Climbing Style: Bouldering Pricing: Day Pass is $19 and shoe rental is $5   Daytona Climbing Company Daytona Climbing Company has a lot to offer its visitors—from beginners who want to learn about top roping or bouldering, or advanced climbers looking for a natural experience focused on technique and training. They’re proud of the intense workouts and great community found at their studio.  They also offer yoga classes, climbing clinics, and other fitness workouts. Afterward, stop by the cafe for coffee or snacks! Location: 3100 S Ridgewood Ave, South Daytona, FL 32119 Climbing Style: Bouldering  Pricing: Day passes $10-$13 (includes equipment), private climbing lessons $70 for a single person/$90 for two people DEFY Orlando Located in the heart of The City Beautiful, DEFY Orlando is an indoor facility that combines several popular adrenaline-inducing activities into one place. You can expect to find trampolines, a zip line, a ninja warrior course and–of course–a rock climbing wall. If that weren’t enough, they also have an arena for sports like dodgeball and basketball and a laser tag course.   Location: 8010 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32818 Climbing Style: Artificial  Pricing: Two hour pass starts at $24.99    DynoClimb  DynoClimb is an indoor rock climbing gym located in DeLand, a 30 minute drive outside of Orlando. They offer programs for children ages 3-18, as well as adult programs for those interested in learning how to rock climb or improve their skills.  There are open gym hours and opportunities to book the facility for birthday parties. These also offer yoga classes, which is a great exercise to incorporate with rock climbing.    Location: 528 S Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32720 Climbing Style: Bouldering  Pricing: Day pass $20, plus gear is an added $6 The Edge Rock Gym  One of Central Florida’s most popular climbing destinations is The Edge Rock Gym, located in Melbourne. The gym boasts over a decade of experience and approximately 47,000 square feet of climbing space. The indoor facility offers three different areas, each with its own distinct aesthetic and feel. The Beginner Wall is great for beginners because it contains a ladder that climbs four feet off the ground in classic rock-climbing fashion. This wall is for those who are comfortable with basic handholds on up to slightly larger footholds than one might find at home or elsewhere in an outdoor setting. The main attraction for climbers at the highest level of difficulty is the bouldering path, which allows for 35-foot vertical walls to be climbed in an indoor setting. For more advanced climbers, there are routes mixed into the bouldering field that will test even the most skilled climber's skills.   Location: 200 West Dr, Melbourne, FL 32904 Climbing Style: Bouldering and rope Pricing: Day pass starts at $17   Kidiverse   At Kidiverse, the youngest climbers will have the opportunity to learn about rock climbing in a safe environment. Kids aged 2-9 can climb with the help of a parent or guardian. They'll also love climbing around the interactive play area, which comes equipped with a slide and other fun features. This center is a great choice for families that want to keep their kids active while having fun together. The facility welcomes climbers of all ages and skill levels, making it an ideal environment for those looking to try rock climbing for the first time or those who are seasoned climbers. Location: 7149 N Frontage Rd, Orlando, FL 32812 Climbing Style: Artificial  Pricing: Infants (0-12 months) are free with paid sibling and are $9.99 + tax without sibling, then charge $14.99 + tax per child   Planet Obstacle  Planet Obstacle is a visually striking place to enjoy the thrills of indoor rock climbing. The facility advertises itself as the “world's largest obstacle gym,” and that's not far from the truth: the enormous space features over 10,000 square feet of obstacles that are designed for adults and children alike.  This facility offers an extensive list of classes for people looking to get in shape or learn something new, including ninja warrior training, aerial yoga, and a variety of other fitness-based activities.    Location: 1150 Emma Oaks Trail #100, Lake Mary, FL 32746 Climbing Style: Artificial  Pricing Weekday pricing: 1 hr pass is $14,95, 2 hr pass is $19.95 and all day access is $24.95. Weekend pricing: 1 hr pass is $17.95, 2 hr pass is $26.95 and all day access is $39.95   ROX Climbing Gym  Located inside the Lake Nona Performance Club, you will find ROX Climbing Gym. With a dedicated 7,500 square foot rock climbing area, this facility focuses solely on rock climbing and offers several different climbing styles. From beginners to experts, ROX Climbing Gym can accommodate any level of rock climbing expertise.  Location: 6775 Chopra Ter, Orlando, FL 32827 Climbing Style: Bouldering, top-rope, and rappelling  Pricing: $15 drop in    Nona Adventure Park While not indoors, Nona Adventure Park offers some outdoor rock climbing fun that still helps you beat the heat (since it includes a water park)! Nona Adventure Park offers five different areas of climbing walls with their climbing tower, each accommodating different skill levels and perfect for climbers of all ages.  Kids and teens can take advantage of their own area full of bouldering problems (more like problems), while adults can sharpen their skills by training on top rope routes as well as lead climbing.  Location: 14086 Centerline Dr, Orlando, FL 32827 Climbing Style: Artificial, Free Falling, Rope Pricing: For walls and ropes only ticket price is $15, All Park all-day access is $99   Conclusion: What is the best indoor rock climbing place in Orlando? Indoor rock climbing is a great activity the whole family can enjoy. It's a way to get exercise, spend time together, and try something new while avoiding any potential weather issues. Indoor rock climbing gyms in Orlando also provide a way to connect with your community—it's not surprising that these places are often packed with people from all walks of life who have come together to scale some walls. Orlando offers a wide range of indoor rock climbing options. Each place has unique features, so choose what best suits your needs. If you live in or are visiting the Orlando, Florida area and want to try indoor rock climbing, Rebounderz is the place for you. The staff are knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly—and probably more than a little psyched about rock climbing.  They'll help you get started on your first climb and keep an eye on you as you find your way up a route. It's a great place for adults and kids alike; the gym can accommodate the smallest climbers (just 42 inches tall) all the way up to adults looking for an afternoon of fun. From their indoor playground to their classic arcade and of course their world class indoor trampoline arena, Rebounderz is the perfect place in Orlando for you and your family to try today! #### 11 Best Indoor Trampoline Parks in Orlando, FL Orlando is one of the best cities in the US for families to go on vacation. Whether you're looking for waterparks, thrilling rides, or some of the best theme parks in the world, you're sure to find something for everyone in the family to enjoy.  With plenty of options for family entertainment, you may want to consider visiting an indoor trampoline park. Orlando offers a vast variety of indoor trampoline parks. These parks offer an assortment of activities that everyone in your family will love all while staying cool indoors!  Rebounderz delivers never ending fun with their sizable trampoline arena and other endless options that will keep everyone entertained all day!    What is a trampoline park?  A trampoline park is defined as an area that is made up for several institutional trampolines intended for commercial use. Trampoline parks offer other options for family entertainment that could include dodgeball, foams pits, and more.  Best Indoor Trampoline Parks in Orlando   Rebounderz  Can you think of a place where you can choose from trampolines galore (including trampoline basketball and dodgeball), laser tag, foam pits, and ninja warrior courses? Or a mix of them all? At Rebounderz in Orlando, you can choose from an endless number of activities at Rebounderz to keep your child smiling all day.  Rebounderz offers affordable fun for everyone. It’s the perfect spot to take the kids or even hang out with your friends for a unique experience. Adults and children will both have a blast at Rebounderz.  Check out all of Rebounderz affordable offerings today that your kids–and you–will enjoy. Plus, Rebounderz offers a “Parent’s Night Out” option, where you can drop your kids off with them while you enjoy other parts of the city Orlando has to offer!   Rebounderz Activities Trampolines: Kids will enjoy jumping into cool poses, flipping, and bouncing around for hours. The trampoline arena delivers an exciting and unique experience that everyone in your party will enjoy. It takes playtime to a whole new level. Your playtime options are limitless here at Rebounderz trampoline arena. Adults can join in on the fun as well, making it the perfect family spot!  Trampoline Dodgeball & Basketball: Give the classic kid’s game and sport some extra bounce in these fun twists with trampolines! You’ve never played dodgeball or basketball like this before!  Ninja Warrior: An obstacle course with nets, ropes, and balls. You can even time your course in our competition add-on to any birthday party. The winner gets their photo on our wall AND the chance of winning a $100 gift card! Air Pit and Foam Pit: The air pit and foam pit take the classic ball pit to the next level. Kids will love jumping in the foam pit!  XTreme Tower: For those that just want to test their boundaries with a big jump. The bravest members of your party will want to test their limits with this jump!  Indoor Playground: Kids will play here for hours if they could, enjoying every component of Rebounderz jungle-gym! The indoor playground is the perfect getaway from the Florida sun. You and your kids can stay cool while playing!  Arcade: Gather up your friends and challenge yourselves for that high score spot! Don’t forget to pick out a prize with your winnings.  The Gauntlet Space Climb: Kids can channel their inner monkey with this supported climb to new heights!  Virtual Reality: An active, exhilarating, and futuristic experience, this takes video gaming to a new level.  Themed Climbing Walls: For kids that always felt dissatisfied with the playground climbing wall, our themed walls will satisfy every specific niche, from lego walls to buildings. Pricing: For just $20, get an hour of access to Rebounderz indoor trampoline area, plus their ninja warrior course, indoor playground, and foam pit. Or, choose one of their other pricing options.  Try Rebounderz Today!   DEFY Orlando  DEFY Orlando is located on West Colonial Drive in Orlando, Florida. This indoor trampoline park will keep everyone active and engaged. Thrill seekers will enjoy their time here. Adrenaline rush guaranteed!  Activities:  Basketball Battle Beams Extreme Dodgeball High-End Air Track Kid Jump Ninja Course Stunt Fall Trapeze and Aerial Silks Zip Line Pricing There are several different ticket options available. A one hour flight ticket for adults (ages 7 and over) starts at $16.99.    Sky Zone Located a few minutes outside of Orlando in Clermont, you can find Sky Zone. Challenge your friends to an epic battle on the Battle Beams to see who will be the last man standing. Your little ones can hang out in the Kid Zone or their designated toddler area.  Activities:  Wipe Out Sky Tower Parkour Blox SkyJoust  Kid Zone and Toddler Zone Ninja Warrior Course Foam Zone Battle Beam  Warped Wall Pricing Different ticket options are available, a one hour ticket starts at $20.   Jumpstart at Dezerland Park Head on over to the famous International Drive and make your way to Jump Start located within Dezerland Park. Jump Start boosts a large trampoline area where patrons can play ball and jump all day!  Activities:  Dodgeball  Super Slam Party Rooms  Pricing One hour ticket pass is $18.95 and 30 minutes is $13.95.  Altitude Trampoline Park Kissimmee  You can take a 30 minute drive outside of Orlando to Kissimmee to check out Altitude Trampoline Park Kissimmee. Outside of their main trampoline court, Altitude offers additional activities that are sure to provide an adrenaline rush! Activities:  Gymnastic Tumble Track Valo Jump Dodgeball and Basketball Stung Bags Trapeze Swing and Zip Line Wipe Out  Battle Beam Ropes Course Reaction Wall  Kids Courts  Pricing Different ticket prices are available, a one hour ticket pass is $19 + tax.   Planet Obstacle Planet Obstacle in Lake Mary, Florida was created by two former Cirque du Soleil entertainers. They wanted to create an environment that was not only fun but challenging in a safe way.  Activities:  Aerial Ropes Course Ninja Warrior Course Bumper Cars Climbing Walls Foam Pits and Slides Toddler Play Area Trampoline Basketball Pricing Pricing varies on day and amount of time, Tuesday-Friday one hour play time is $14.95 and Saturday-Sunday one hour play time is $16.95   Altitude Trampoline Park Sanford  On the opposite side of town, you can find Altitude Trampoline Park Sanford. The Sanford location offers the same activities as the Kissimmee location.  Activities:  Gymnastic Tumble Track Valo Jump Dodgeball and Basketball Stung Bags Trapeze Swing and Zip Line Wipe Out  Battle Beam Ropes Course Reaction Wall  Pricing Different ticket prices are available, a one hour ticket pass is $19 + tax Urban Air    About an hour outside of Orlando, Urban Air is located in Lakeland, Florida. They offer a good mix of more thrilling activities and relaxed options so that everyone in your party will find something to do.  Activities:  Mini Golf Trapeze  Climbing Hill Indoor Skydiving Virtual Reality Wipeout Go Karts Laser Tag Bowling Arcade Sky Rider and Ropes Course  Indoor Playground Battle Beams Pricing Deluxe ticket start at $20.99 for all day pass, restrictions may apply.  Launch (coming soon)  Minutes away from the University of Central Florida, Launch is stated to open some time in April 2022 so be on the look out for this new indoor trampoline park!  Activities:  Omni Virtual Reality Ax Throwing Basketball and Dodgeball Laser Tag Arcade Slackline Launch Pad Stuntman Area Bowling The Challenger, Ninja Course Battle Pit Pricing Different ticket options are available. The Pick 2 experience is $25, Pick 3 experience is $32 and Pick 5 experience is $39.    Reflex Gymnastics  Located in the Lake Nona area, Reflex Gymnastics’ 15,000 sq ft venue offers two monthly packages for your child to explore trampoline and tumbling basics as well as an open gym. Activities Open Gym Ninja Zone School Age and Preschool Age Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling  Cheer Tumbling  After School Programs Pricing Contact Reflex Gymnastics for pricing options.   Orlando Metro Gymnastics Orlando Metro Gymnastics has four locations throughout the Orlando area in Avalon Park, Baldwin Park, Lake Mary and LB McLeod. While it is primarily a gymnastic gym, Orlando Metro Gymnastics does offer open gym trampoline time. Activities Gymnastics Arts and Crafts Indoor Trampoline  Tumble Trak  Cheerleading Ninja Fitnastics  Pricing: Contact Orlando Metro Gymnastics for pricing.  Conclusion: What’s the best indoor trampoline park in Orlando?  An indoor trampoline park is the perfect destination for your family to spend the day. Indoor trampoline parks offer a plethora of exclusive activities that everyone will enjoy. The great thing about trampoline parks is that they are indoor which make them the perfect escape from the Florida heat and rain!  Not only do indoor trampoline parks provide a unique experience but it’s an affordable option for everything that is offered!  Rebounderz enables families an option to enjoy their time together, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Rebounderz also offers unique options for events and birthday parties!  Contact Rebounderz today to book your memorable experience! #### 11 Best Jumping Places in Orlando, FL Orlando is the ultimate getaway destination for families. This growing city has so much to offer that you and your family are guaranteed to find something that everyone will enjoy–including jumping places from bounce houses to trampoline parks to gyms!  With family friendly activities all around the city, you will find that Orlando provides so much more family fun beyond Disney and other popular theme parks. Even better, you don’t have to break the bank to have the best vacation ever.  From indoor trampoline arenas to classic arcades, you’ll find a variety of unique activities that everyone will appreciate. For a truly different experience, leave your stresses at the door and get some good jump time with your family and create memories that you’ll be talking about for years to come!   Best Jumping Places in Orlando Rebounderz  Get ready to jump and play at Rebounderz! This indoor trampoline arena is the ultimate family fun experience! You could spend all day jumping, but don’t worry if you get tired because there’s still plenty for you to enjoy. You can challenge your friends for the top spot at your favorite arcade game or see who can come out victorious on their Ninja Warrior Course. Your options are endless at Rebounderz!  Check out all of Rebounderz affordable offerings today that your kids–and you–will enjoy! Plus, Rebounderz offers a “Parent’s Night Out” option, where you can drop your kids off with them while you enjoy other parts of the city Orlando has to offer!  Rebounderz Activities To be sure, Rebounderz Activities include a lot of jumping options!  Trampolines: Kids will enjoy jumping into cool poses, flipping, and bouncing around for hours. Destress and have a laugh with your friends and family in their spacious trampoline arena! This isn’t the trampoline in your best friend's backyard, it’s an interactive, unparalleled adventure!   Trampoline Dodgeball & Basketball: Give the classic kid’s game and sport some extra bounce in these fun twists with trampolines! You won’t want to play dodgeball or basketball the same way ever again. Show off your best Michael Jordan slam dunk over at their designated trampoline basketball court.  Ninja Warrior: An obstacle course with nets, ropes, and balls. You can even time your course in our competition add-on to any birthday party. The winner gets their photo on our wall AND the chance of winning a $100 gift card! Air Pit and Foam Pit: Enjoy playing and sinking in foam with this classic birthday party idea.  XTreme Tower: For those that just want to test their boundaries with a big jump. Indoor Playground: Kids will play here for hours if they could, enjoying every component of Rebounderz jungle-gym!  Arcade: Save those tokens to claim your ultimate prize! With a mix of classic arcade games and newer game titles, you will have a blast at the arcade.  The Gauntlet Space Climb: Are you brave enough for the Gauntlet Space Climb? Challenge yourself on this daring exercise that will test your balance.  Virtual Reality: Take gaming to a new level with virtual reality. VR allows for a truly immersive gaming experience.  Themed Climbing Walls: For kids that always felt dissatisfied with the playground climbing wall, our themed walls will satisfy every specific niche, from lego walls to buildings. Pricing: For just $20, get an hour of access to Rebounderz indoor trampoline area, plus their ninja warrior course, indoor playground, and foam pit. Or, choose one of their other pricing options.  Try Rebounderz Today!   DEFY Orlando  You can head on over to West Colonial to find DEFY Orlando. DEFY Orlando offers a collection of extreme air sport parks trying to give communities a place where they’re free to express and push themselves. You can “defy” gravity with an array of physical activities at DEFY Orlando–lots of jumping included.  DEFY wants to offer a jumping space for fiercely independent, fearless individuals who pass on organized sports in favor of nonconforming ones that challenge them in non-traditional ways–and you can bet jumping is included!  Activities:  Basketball Battle Beams Extreme Dodgeball High-End Air Track Kid Jump Ninja Course Stunt Fall Trapeze and Aerial Silks Zip Line Pricing: There are several different ticket options available. A one hour flight ticket for adults (ages 7 and over) starts at $16.99.    Monkey Joe’s  Your little ones will love jumping around at Monkey Joe’s in Winter Park! Monkey Joe’s transforms play time with their inflatable playground for kids to bounce on all day.  Monkey Joe’s is geared more towards younger kids, suitable for kids 12 and younger while also having an exclusive, “Mini Monkey Zone” for kids up to 3 years old. This is great if you’re worried about your little ones, the Mini Monkey Zone keeps them secure and safe with kids their age and size. Just remember to bring socks because socks are required in all play areas.  Activities:  Indoor inflatable playground Mini Monkey Zone toddler area Arcade Birthday parties Pricing: Adults are free. Children 2 years and under are $8.99, Children ages 3-12 years old are $12.99 Monday-Friday and $13.99 on weekends.   Jumpstart at Dezerland Park  Get your jump on at Jump Start at Dezerland Park on International Drive. Inside Dezerland Park you’ll find a wide variety of varying attractions which include their indoor trampoline arena, Jump Start. Dezerland Park is one of Florida’s largest indoor attractions with over 800,000 sq. feet of “Thrills & Fun” with lots of bouncing, jumping, and starting!  Activities:  Dodgeball  Super Slam Party Rooms Pricing: One hour ticket pass is $18.95 and 30 minutes is $13.95.   Kids Play & Party Club  Kidz Play & Party Club enhances play time by integrating educational and creative experiences. They also offer family workshops and early childhood literacy classes, so you can get some learning time in between jumping time!  Activities:  Indoor playground Family workshops Birthday parties  Early Childhood classes Pricing: $12 per child with one free adult, extra adults are $10   District Kids  Your kids can jump and play over at District Kids in Oviedo, Florida where they have hands-on learning exhibits filled with fun and adventure that is sure to spark your child’s imagination. Your kids can take on their inflatable obstacle course or enjoy their interactive play rooms.  District Kids offers playgrounds, birthday parties, activities, and exhibits, as well as upcoming special events. From their indoor grocery store to inflatable room, there is family fun at District Kids.  Activities:  BEAM, virtual playground Construction house Play gas station and grocery store Inflatable obstacle course  Pet vet play room Science lab Pricing Children over 12 years old with grip socks $11.00, without grip socks $10.00. 2 Adults with paid child admission are free, additional adults are $5.00. Children under the age of 12 months are free.   Planet Obstacle Not only can you jump around at Planet Obstacle in Lake Mary, but you can test your physical limits with the various challenge courses they offer.  Planet Obstacle describes themselves as the “World’s Largest Indoor Obstacle Park.” Created by two Cirque du Soleil veterans, the 50,000-square-foot park provides a day full of challenging courses for all ages to enjoy healthy exercise, learn about fitness, and connect! Activities:  Aerial Ropes Course Ninja Warrior Course Bumper Cars Climbing Walls Foam Pits and Slides Toddler Play Area Trampoline Basketball Pricing: Pricing varies on day and amount of time, Tuesday-Friday one hour play time is $14.95 and Saturday-Sunday one hour play time is $16.95   Altitude Trampoline Park Sanford  Let loose and bounce around at Altitude Trampoline Park located in Sanford. You’re sure to work up a sweat while you jump around on the trampolines, stunt bags, valo jump or any of their other jump based activities!  Activities:  Gymnastic Tumble Track Valo Jump Dodgeball and Basketball Stunt Bags Trapeze Swing and Zip Line Wipe Out  Battle Beam Ropes Course Reaction Wall Pricing: Different ticket prices are available. A one hour ticket pass is $19 + tax   Kidiverse  It’s a kid’s universe at Kidiverse in Orlando. Kidiverse focuses on interactive, physical playtime for kids ages 0-12 that includes many opportunities to jump around! With slides, games, obstacle courses, jungle gym, climbing walls, and much more, there’s something for every young child.  Parents can play with their children on play structures and in imagination-inspiring themed play areas, or relax and talk to other grown ups (and using Wi-Fi) while watching their children explore. Activities:  Indoor playground Toddler play area Interactive game rooms iWall Climbing walls Ninja Warrior course   Pricing: Infants (ages 0-12 months) are free with paid sibling admission and $9.99+ tax without siblings. $14.99 + tax per child   Urban Air  Show off your most impressive flips over at Urban Air Adventure Park in Lakeland, Florida. Urban Air offers some more thrilling, adventurous activities like indoor skydiving and their sky rider! Activities:  Mini Golf Trapeze  Climbing Hill Indoor Skydiving Virtual Reality Wipeout Go Karts Laser Tag Bowling Arcade Sky Rider and Ropes Course  Indoor Playground Battle Beams Adventure Hub Pricing: Deluxe tickets start at $20.99 for all day passes, but restrictions may apply.    Launch (coming soon) Launch is anticipated to open in April 2022 in the Waterford Lakes area, minutes away from the University of Central Florida. You’ll be able to get plenty of jump time in or try out one of their other interesting activities like ax throwing!  Activities:  Omni Virtual Reality Ax Throwing Basketball and Dodgeball Laser Tag Arcade Slackline Launch Pad Stuntman Area Bowling The Challenger, Ninja Course Battle Pit Pricing: Different ticket options are available. The Pick 2 experience is $25, Pick 3 experience is $32 and Pick 5 experience is $39.   Conclusion: What’s the best place for kids to jump around in Orlando?  Orlando offers some of the best options for unique family entertainment! Aside from being fun, jumping provides some wonderful health benefits like improving core strength and better balance and coordination. So gather up your friends and family to experience jumping around in a new light!  Over at Rebounderz in Wekiva Springs, you can reap those healthy jump benefits and so much more! Rebounderz allows you to let loose and play indoors.  So who are you going to challenge to see who can jump the highest? Grab your friends and head over to Rebounderz to see who has the highest jump! If you don’t win, don’t worry, there are so many other activities to partake in! Check out Rebounderz today to plan your jumping adventure! #### 11 Best Obstacle Courses in Orlando, FL: Including Ninja Warrior Courses Obstacle courses are the perfect family fun activity that tests your skills, strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility. Practicing these skills as a team is a great way for you to get active with your friends and family. Home to some of the best obstacle courses and ninja warrior courses in Florida, like Rebounderz, this city is the perfect place to test your athletic ability year-round at any age. Ninja warriors have become popular in recent years with television shows like American Ninja Warrior and Ultimate Beastmaster. There are many ways that you can start preparing yourself to become a ninja warrior right in your own backyard or at these local Orlando gyms. What are ninja warrior obstacle courses?  Ninja warrior obstacles are based on the famous American Ninja Warrior TV show. You’ll find some of these challenging obstacles at ninja gyms, which offer classes for kids and adults where you learn how to master them. However, you won’t always see these types of obstacles at traditional outdoor obstacle courses or fitness centers.   Ninja warrior courses vs. obstacle courses  Okay, so you're wondering what the difference is between ninja warrior courses and obstacle courses. Aren't they basically the same thing? Well, yes and no.  Obstacle courses are more generalized, including any course (often found in playgrounds) that tests your agility by having you climb, jump, and/or crawl over a series of non-trivial obstacles.  Ninja warrior courses are based on the TV show American Ninja Warrior, which began in Japan before coming to America in 2009. The main difference between a ninja warrior course and an obstacle course is that the former is more difficult than the latter. Ninja warrior courses also became popular long after obstacle courses were invented; however, they've surpassed their original counterparts in popularity and price!    Best Obstacle Courses in Orlando, FL: Including Ninja Warrior Courses Rebounderz  If you are looking for an awesome new way to have fun and get a great workout all at the same time, Rebounderz  is the place for you! They provide a world-class Ninja Warrior Course, providing an experience that you never forget! Rebounderz’s Ninja Warrior course has been designed to be both challenging and fun, while also being completely safe. The obstacle course is colorful and interactive, which makes it perfect for all ages. Whether you are looking for a fun spot with friends or even just come on your own to get in shape, the Ninja Warrior Course is perfect for anyone who loves adventure or just wants to try something unique. Their ninja warrior course is an obstacle course with nets, ropes, and balls. You can even time your course in our competition add-on to any birthday party. The winner gets their photo on our wall AND the chance of winning a $100 gift card! The obstacles provided on the Ninja Warrior course are perfect for all different skill levels as well. Rebounderz staff will not only help you learn how to conquer the obstacles, but they will also help you get stronger–so that when the next challenge comes your way then conquering it will be easier than ever before! Check out all of Rebounderz affordable offerings today that your kids–and you–will enjoy! Plus, Rebounderz offers a “Parent’s Night Out” option, where you can drop your kids off with them while you enjoy other parts of the city Orlando has to offer.  Other Rebounderz Activities Arcade: For the gamers that find adventure in beating high scores and winning cool prizes!  Trampolines: Kids will enjoy jumping into cool poses, flipping, and bouncing around for hours.  Trampoline Dodgeball & Basketball: Give the classic kid’s game and sport some extra bounce in these fun twists with trampolines! Air Pit and Foam Pit: Enjoy playing and sinking in foam with this classic birthday party idea.  XTreme Tower: For those that just want to test their boundaries with a big jump. Indoor Playground: Kids will play here for hours if they could, enjoying every component of Rebounderz jungle-gym!  The Gauntlet Space Climb: Kids can channel their inner monkey with this supported climb to new heights!  Virtual Reality: An active, exhilarating, and futuristic experience! Themed Climbing Walls: For kids that always felt dissatisfied with the playground climbing wall, our themed walls will satisfy every specific niche, from lego walls to buildings. Pricing: For just $20, get an hour of access to Rebounderz arcade arena and indoor trampoline area, plus their ninja warrior course, indoor playground, and foam pit. Or, choose one of their other pricing options.  Try Rebounderz Today!   Obstacle Ninja Academy   Obstacle Ninja Academy offers classes for students of all ages and skill levels. They also offer different types of classes. For example, their strength class focuses on building grip, upper body, and core strength through several different exercises. Their ninja athlete class focuses on technique and repetition to master obstacles while building endurance, coordination and agility. Obstacle Experiences Ninja Warrior Obstacle  Other Activities Private lessons Open obstacle course gym  Summer camps Pricing: Open gym walk-in costs $20, or walk in class is $25 or you can opt for a 5 visit pass at $60 or a full month of unlimited visits for $150.   Planet Obstacle: World’s Largest Indoor Obstacle Park   Planet Obstacle's 45,000 square foot facility is a playground of over 100 obstacles, giving you a great opportunity to take your obstacle course game to the next level. Whether you're new to the whole scene or have been training for some time, Planet Obstacle has something for everyone. This park features an extensive variety of courses: beginner courses, intermediate courses and advanced courses. For those looking for a challenge that meets their skill set, Planet Obstacle won't disappoint. This facility offers a ninja warrior course as well as a range of activities including freestyle jump sessions on trampolines; rock climbing sessions; and fitness classes such as yoga and Pilates.   Obstacle Experiences Ninja Warrior Course (two courses available for kids and adults) Other Activities Aerial Ropes Course Ninja Warrior Course Bumper Cars Climbing Walls Foam Pits and Slides Toddler Play Area Trampoline Basketball Pricing: Pricing varies on day and amount of time, Tuesday-Friday one hour play time is $14.95 and Saturday-Sunday one hour play time is $16.95   Xtreme Ninja Challenge The Xtreme Ninja Challenge is located in Kissimmee, just 8 miles from Walt Disney World.With 32,000 square feet of obstacle course territory and 68 different obstacles spread across three different courses, this is a great place to get your ninja on.  There are three separate courses: the Basic Course has 24 obstacles, the Advanced Course has 15 obstacles, and the Warrior Course has 29 obstacles. You can purchase a ticket for a single course or all three. Each ticket gives you access to unlimited attempts at whatever course you purchased. The Xtreme Ninja Challenge accepts two-year-olds and up (the youngest kids will only be allowed on the Basic Course), so it's fun for the whole family—and there's even an adults-only course available for those over 18 years old who are looking for an extra challenge.  Obstacle Experiences Basic obstacle course Advanced obstacle course Ninja warrior course  Other Activities Xtreme Ninja Challenge only offers obstacle and Ninja Warrior Courses Pricing: $15 per person    Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park  Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park is located in Kissimmee, Florida. It's an outdoor adventure park with a treetop obstacle course and zip-lining. The park has over 60 challenges and 5 zip-lines. You can book group and private events at the park. Obstacle Experiences Ropes course Kids obstacle course Aerial Challenge Other Activities Zipline Climb ladders Swinging logs Ropes course Pricing: Adults (12yrs+): $59.95 + tax, Juniors (9-11 yrs): $44.95+ tax, Kids (6-8 yrs): $34.95 + tax    Nona Adventure Park Located in beautiful Central Florida in the Lake Nona area, Nona Adventure Park is one of the best places for you to visit if you are looking to be challenged. Some of the most popular activities at the Park include a rock climbing wall, a 100-yard pool with water obstacles and an inflatable aqua park. The park also has courses that are designed for beginners as well as advanced participants who want to push their physical limits. There are two levels of difficulty: level one being designed for everyone else while level two focuses on experienced athletes who want extra challenges such as rope bridges and hanging rings suspended over water. Visitors can choose which obstacle course they want based on their fitness level and what kind of workout they want.    Obstacle Experiences Ropes course Inflatable obstacle course Other Activities Aquapark Wakeboarding Climbing towers Birthday parties Pricing: For walls and ropes only ticket price is $15, All Park all-day access is $99   DEFY Orlando Great for children, the expansive DEFY Orlando facility offers more than 100 trampolines, a dodgeball court, a foam pit and basketball. It also features laser tag, climbing walls and arcade games. Obstacle Experiences Ninja Warrior Course Other Activities Basketball Battle Beams Extreme Dodgeball High-End Air Track Kid Jump Ninja Course Stunt Fall Trapeze and Aerial Silks Zip Line Pricing: There are several different ticket options available. A standard pass starts at $24.99 for 90 minutes of access for adults, and $18.99 for four and under.  Wonderworks Orlando The Wonderworks Orlando location features three floors of interactive exhibits, including a 4D XD Motion Theater, a laser tag arena, and a glow-in-the-dark ropes course. In addition to the many shows that are put on daily, you can also watch an entertaining magic show hosted by the resident “Professor Wonder.” Obstacle Experiences Glow-in-the-dark ropes course  Other Activities The Wonder Zones The Wonder Art Gallery Glow in the dark ropes course Laser tag Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show 4D XD Motion Theater  Pricing An All Access pass starts at $34.99 for ages 13-59 and $24.99 for ages 4-12, All Access passes include access to over 100 interactive exhibits, which include laser tag and 4D theater. Other packages are available here.    Andretti Indoor Karting and Games  Indoor karting, laser tag, an arcade, and of course a challenging ropes course are available for you to tackle at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games. Take the kids for a fun afternoon of games, or come with friends to enjoy the entertainment yourself.  Your group will get some exercise from the adrenaline-pumping activities; if you need a break from all that excitement, you can enjoy drinks and food at Andretti's bar and grill. Obstacle Experiences Ropes course Other Activities Go karts, adults, junior and a mini Mario race track  Arcade Ropes Course and Zipline XD Dark Ride Laser Tag Racing Simulators  Bowling Pricing Check out their various pricing options as price will be dependent on the activity.    Orlando Watersports Complex  Orlando Watersports Complex  is conveniently located within the heart of Orlando. They’re open seven days a week and feature an extensive restaurant on site as well as a gift shop, so you can make it your one stop shop for water sports fun! Orlando Watersports Complex offers year-round obstacle course training, but the summer is their busy season. Obstacle Experiences Inflatable water obstacle course Other Activities Standard/beginners cable  Boating Aquapark Summer camp Pricing Membership packages start at $119 and can go up to $219   Monkey Joe’s Monkey Joe’s offers inflatable fun suitable for children 12 and under which includes an indoor inflatable obstacle course for kids to enjoy. They have wall-to-wall inflatables, including slides and jumps. This place is a great venue for any kind of party or get together, including birthday parties.   Obstacle Experiences Inflatable obstacle course Other Activities Indoor inflatable playground Mini Monkey Zone toddler area Arcade Birthday parties Pricing Adults are free. Children 2 years and under are $8.99, Children ages 3-12 years old are $12.99 Monday-Friday and $13.99 on weekends.    Conclusion: What is the best place for an obstacle course and ninja warrior course in Orlando?  If you're looking to get active and have fun while doing so, checking out an obstacle course or ninja warrior course might be something to look into. Families can have fun and enjoy trying to take on the challenges that these courses offer.  The best option is Rebounderz,, an indoor trampoline park that offers a number of attractions beyond just bouncing on trampolines. It features a variety of obstacles for all ages and skill levels: A kids-only ninja course for children 12 and under; the main Ninja Warrior Course for kids 13 or over (or any adventurous adults).  Rebounderz is the best choice for obstacle courses as well as ninja warrior courses because it is the most fun, the most popular, and the best value. And if you have children, Rebounderz will provide them with a safe and fun environment. Try Rebounderz Today! #### 11 Best Virtual Reality Experiences in Orlando, FL Orlando is a city filled with family fun and entertainment. With its many theme parks and attractions, Orlando has become a top tourist destination for families looking to spend quality time together. And while there are many fun things for kids to do in Orlando, one activity that families should always consider is virtual reality (also known as VR for short).  Orlando is one of the best places for virtual reality experiences because of its variety of attractions and sightseeing opportunities. There are many great spots in Orlando to take a break from your adventure and go on a new journey into virtual reality by yourself or with friends or family–plus you can avoid the Florida heat by having fun indoors!  So venture out beyond Disney and the other theme parks to experience some of the best fun spots that offer a truly unique experience with VR!    What is virtual reality (VR)?  Virtual reality (often abbreviated as VR) is an artificial environment that's created with software and presented to the user in such a way that the user accepts it as a real environment. Through virtual reality, people can access, well, virtually anything in a creator’s imagination.  A person using virtual reality equipment is able to look around an artificial world, move around in it, and interact with virtual features or items. The effect is commonly created by VR headsets consisting of head-mounted goggles with a screen in front of the eyes or gloves fitted with sensors. VR creates games that are very realistic and lifelike; after playing one might even say they were “too real!” As you walk around on your own two feet, every step takes place inside the game. When you turn to look behind you, everything moves just as it would in real life. The graphics are so good that sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between what's real and what's not!   What do virtual reality experiences include?  VR offers a great opportunity to connect with friends and have a good time. It doesn't matter if you can't be together in person—all that matters is that you have access to a VR headset and are connected over the internet.  The simulation makes it feel as though you're in the same place, only without having to grapple with traffic or crowds of people. There are many VR games available for group play. Some examples: “Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes” — One person wears the headset and attempts to defuse a bomb, while everyone else tries to help them figure out the instructions from written manuals on their computers or smartphones. “The Under Presents” — A choose-your-own-adventure experience where players explore an underwater city and interact with each other using nonverbal communication. “Gun Club VR” — Shoot your way through multiple firing ranges, test different guns in multiplayer mode, or try shooting competitively against others online.   Best Virtual Reality Centers in Orlando, FL Rebounderz  At Rebounderz you’ll get to experience VR in the best way possible! Virtual Reality at Rebounderz is unparalleled to any other VR experience in Orlando, with over 300 games available to play you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in the best gaming experience.  Have you ever bowled without being in a bowling alley or even picking up a bowling ball? Well at Rebounderz you can do that with their VR experience! Think you have what it takes to be a master “fruit ninja”? You can show off your slicing skills with VR Fruit Ninja!  Check out all of Rebounderz affordable offerings today that your kids–and you–will enjoy! Plus, Rebounderz offers a “Parent’s Night Out” option, where you can drop your kids off with them while you enjoy other parts of the city Orlando has to offer!  Other Rebounderz Activities Arcade: For the gamers that find adventure in beating high scores and winning cool prizes!  Trampolines: Kids will enjoy jumping into cool poses, flipping, and bouncing around for hours.  Trampoline Dodgeball & Basketball: Give the classic kid’s game and sport some extra bounce in these fun twists with trampolines! Ninja Warrior: An obstacle course with nets, ropes, and balls. You can even time your course in our competition add-on to any birthday party. The winner gets their photo on our wall AND the chance of winning a $100 gift card! Air Pit and Foam Pit: Enjoy playing and sinking in foam with this classic birthday party idea.  XTreme Tower: For those that just want to test their boundaries with a big jump. Indoor Playground: Kids will play here for hours if they could, enjoying every component of Rebounderz jungle-gym!  The Gauntlet Space Climb: Kids can channel their inner monkey with this supported climb to new heights!  Virtual Reality: An active, exhilarating, and futuristic experience! Themed Climbing Walls: For kids that always felt dissatisfied with the playground climbing wall, our themed walls will satisfy every specific niche, from lego walls to buildings. Pricing: For just $20, get an hour of access to Rebounderz arcade arena and indoor trampoline area, plus their ninja warrior course, indoor playground, and foam pit. Or, choose one of their other pricing options.  Try Rebounderz Today!   Orlando’s Best VR Escape Room at Funtania  Funtania Family Fun Center brings a world of imagination to life with entertainment for everyone in mind.  Inside you’ll find Funtania is divided into seven distinct sections that offer different experiences including several different VR experiences like VR rides and VR escape rooms. VR Experiences Shadows Manor Gold Heist VR Rides  Battle Arena Jungle Quest Signal Lost Alice House of Fear Survival  Other Activities Arcade Synthetic Ice Skating Rink Real Life and Remote Escape Rooms Bumper Cars Virtual Reality Toddler Play Area Bounce House Pricing Epic fun pass is $30 which includes VR rides or $30 for one VR Escape Room game   Main Event Orlando  Located on International Drive in Pointe Orlando, Main Event Orlando offers a virtual reality experience as well as bowling, arcade games, and various other activities.   VR Experiences Some VR games available include: Beat Saber, Vader Immortal, Hologate, Virtual Rabbids Other Activities Arcade  Bowling Virtual Reality Laser Tag Billiards Story Rooms Mini Golf  Gravity Ropes Multiball Pricing Contact Main Event Orlando for VR Pricing.    The Escape Game Orlando The Escape Room Orlando has an impressive portfolio with various escape room themes and storylines like The Heist: Bank Job, which is the most popular according to Trip Advisor. The group can participate in a robbery scene as they try to find evidence of their innocence. It's exciting, challenging and interactive. A second extremely popular attraction at The Escape Room Orlando is virtual reality (VR). VR at The Escape Room Orlando is a bit different from other places because it can be done online via Zoom so it does not require the traditional headset equipment that VR generally uses. However, you are still able to be fully immersed in the game as a game guide walks you through a physical escape room with a live video feed. VR Experiences Mission Mars The Heist Prison Break Gold Rush  The Depths Special Ops: Mysterious Market The Playground Other Activities Physical Escape Rooms, all virtual experiences can be done in person  Pricing $32-35 per player + tax   Andretti Indoor Karting and Games  Located at 9299 Universal Blvd, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games is also home to a go-kart track and a variety of other entertainment offerings aside from VR.  Andretti Indoor Karting and Games Orlando is inside the old Hollywood Plaza shopping center off I-Drive near Universal Studios Florida. It’s 275,000 square feet of attractions like two floors full of arcade games, go-kart tracks, axe throwing ranges and bowling lanes—plus bar and lounge spaces along with a restaurant called Brick & Forge Pizzeria & Gastropub. VR Experiences Hologate  Other Activities Indoor karting Mini Mario kart track for kids Arcade Laser Tag Virtual Reality Boutique Bowling  Ropes course  XD Dark Ride Pricing Monday-Friday $31.95, Saturday and Sunday $33.95   In The Game ICON Park You’ll find In The Game inside the Wheelhouse at the iconic ICON Park in Orlando. You can get there from I-4 by taking the Sand Lake Road exit, turning onto International Drive, making a left turn onto Icon Parkway, and following the signs to the park. It is located on the second level of The Wheelhouse at ICON Orlando 360. Here you’ll find a collection of classic and newer arcade games with a variety of several VR games.  VR Experiences VR Rabbids VR Moto Box Blaster     Other Activities Arcade Mirror Maze Virtual Reality X-D motion theater Escape Room Pricing Arcade credits start at $25 for 110 credits.    Legoland The next time you visit Legoland Orlando, be sure to get the Virtual Reality Coaster. A roller coaster that takes you through a virtual world of Lego figures and structures, this ride will immerse you in a completely unique experience.  The ride begins with a spiral slide from one end of the play area to the other, allowing riders to navigate their way through an array of scenarios like a slingshot launch down a mountain slope or street race against green minifigures on motorcycles.  VR Experiences Virtual reality roller coaster     Other Activities Botanical Garden Boating School Aquazone Wave Racers Ford Driving School Variety of theme park attraction rides like Beetle Bounce and Coastersaurus Pricing One day ticket starts at $85 per person   Dave & Buster’s  Dave & Buster’s is a popular chain franchise of video game arcades and family entertainment centers. With locations all over the US, Dave & Buster’s offers guests an opportunity to enjoy food, drinks and games.  One of Dave & Buster's most popular attractions was its original Virtuality Pod, which debuted in 2000 as one of the first virtual reality gaming systems ever installed in public businesses across North America—which means D&B introduced VR long before Oculus Rift came along and had everyone "oohing" over its next-gen technology.  Dave & Buster's tested several different designs before settling on the pod, which has a small footprint and can easily be moved from one location to another based on customer demand. The pod also allows players to move around freely inside its walls without bumping into anything. VR Experiences Terminator Vader Immortal Star Trek     Other Activities Arcade Billiards Bowling Virtual Reality Sports Bar Pricing Dave and Buster’s pricing varies on the number of chips you buy, starting at 75 chips for $15, up to 750 chips for $100.   Journey II VR  Journey II VR is located in Winter Haven, Florida, a quick 10 minute drive outside of Orlando. However, they’re in the process of relocating and looking to revamp their VR gaming experience. In the meantime, they are still scheduling birthday party set ups or other party set ups.  Journey II VR is a fully immersive VR experience, focusing solely on VR gaming.  If you're a fan of digital entertainment or are looking for family entertainment and fun,  you'll love Journey II VR! VR Experiences Elven Assassin Fruit Ninja Escape Bloody Mary Good Goliath Crisis Vrigade 1 and 2 Baam Squad  Bleeding Hunt Throw Anything Angry Birds Summer Funland Counter Fight Zombie Riot     Other Activities Journey II VR only offers VR activities  Pricing Contact Journey II VR for pricing.   Universal Universal Studios Orlando is an amazing theme park with rides that use virtual reality. Guests will experience virtual reality as well as many other types of simulators and 4D/3D rides. The whole family can enjoy the rides together because they’re thrilling while still being family-friendly. Whether you're flying over mountains or swimming with dolphins, there's something for everyone at Universal Studios! VR Experiences Men in Black  Revenge of the Mummy Transformers the ride The Simpsons Shrek 4D Race through New York with Jimmy Fallon Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts Despicable Me Minion Mayhem     Other Activities Traditional theme park rides like roller coasters The Wizarding World of Harry Potter  Seuss Landing Skull Island Toon Lagoon Marvel Super Hero Island Jurassic Park Woody Woodpecker KidZone World Expo Pricing Access to one park starts at $109, one day park hopper is $164   iFLY Orlando Thanks to iFly Orlando's new virtual reality experiences, visitors looking for a new way to experience flight won't have to travel far. Located in Central Florida, the facility is home to one of the world's largest indoor skydiving facilities. iFly Orlando, an indoor skydiving experience that uses a vertical wind tunnel to simulate free-fall conditions, as well as introducing virtual reality technology within skydiving simulations. The addition has allowed guests who are interested in experiencing both flight and virtual reality technology firsthand.  Visitors at iFly Orlando can also enjoy a ride on its patented Magic Flight, which takes passengers up 200 feet above ground and simulates weightlessness with a 90-foot drop. VR Experiences The VR Flight Experience, this allows guests to skydive “around the world” or base jump virtually in The Alps Other Activities Indoor Skydiving Pricing Pricing starts at $64 for two flights, $109 for 3 or $135 for 4 per person Conclusion: What is the best virtual reality experience in Orlando? If you’re looking for something at a unique, indoor venue in Orlando, Florida, then you need to try out virtual reality experiences.  In these interactive spaces, you don't just play the game—you're in it. You'll be able to see and hear all the action right in front of you, with a 360-degree view of the virtual world and a full-body tracking system that will make you feel like you’re really a part of it. Rebounderz offers you the chance to take on the VR realm but also lets you experience some of the best indoor activities to keep you having fun for hours! If you need a break from exploring a new world, you can hop on over to the trampoline arena and show off your best flips or challenge your friends to the ultimate basketball game with a twist! #### 11 Ways to Get Kids to Exercise Fostering a love of exercise at a young age can have long-lasting effects for your child. Helping them understand the importance of fitness while making it fun will get them off the couch and into the fresh air. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the best ways you can get your kids exercising for a healthy lifestyle. If you’re looking for a fun and safe place that your little one can exercise in, look no further than Rebounderz Trampoline Park right here in Edison. Whether they want to jump around on our trampolines or they want to test their skills on the Ninja Warrior course, we have tons of ways to get your kids active. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at how you can get your child exercising. -Walking The Dog Kids love their pets, so it’s pretty easy to get them active when their dog is involved. Take your pup for a walk on a nice walking trail to get the whole family up and moving around. Not only will the walking help you and your kid stay healthy, your dog will appreciate it, too. Everyone needs exercise, dogs included. This is also a good opportunity to take in the sights and enjoy nature — something too often ignored in this always-online world. -Scheduling When working out is left as a nebulous “we’ll do it when we get to it” activity, it falls by the wayside more often than not. If you schedule a family workout for a time that has the highest probability of participation, you’re more likely to actually do it. After dinner is a great time to take a nice family walk or play a game together. For kids, after school is a perfect opportunity to get them active, as they’ve been sitting all day in class and have energy they could burn off. -Keep It Fresh Just because you’re exercising with your kids doesn’t mean you have to be going through a full CrossFit workout. Playing is exercise, too! If you go for a walk one day, take a family trip to the pool the next day. Even something like yard work counts as exercise. Don’t fall into a habit of just doing one exercise, as that will get boring for everyone. When you vary up the activities, you’re also able to create a more well-rounded level of fitness. -Invite Friends Kids love to play with their friends, so when you get them involved it makes the whole activity more fun for everyone. Exercising with friends can spur a sense of competition or a feeling of camaraderie as they working out together. When their friend is there, they will also have a level of accountability that may not be present when they work out with you. You don’t have to stop at just the friend — invite their whole family and make an event out of it! -Track Progress No matter how old you get, it’s incredibly motivating to see how far you’ve come since you’ve started an activity. By placing a chart in a prominent area of your home where you track everyone’s progress, you give actual numbers to what has been accomplished. It also helps to make an exercise habit take hold. If your kid has a competitive streak, keep track of games everyone has won, best times, most push-ups or sit-ups, and other accomplishments to spur them on. -Be Spontaneous While scheduling workouts are absolutely helpful to fostering a fit lifestyle, it’s important to not be restricted to that schedule. Take advantage of exercise opportunities wherever you can. Whether that means doing push-ups during a commercial break, racing from the car to the house, doing jumping jacks while waiting in a long line, or playing a quick game of basketball — there’s a wide range of exercise you can do at the drop of a hat. -Go Outside With Spring right around the corner, this will be a lot easier than it was through the chilly Winter months. Making outdoor exercise a habit gets everyone out in the fresh air and helps your family reconnect with nature. Playing in the backyard or going to the school playground are easy ways to get active and outside. This helps keep the exercises fresh and fun, as it won’t get as old when you change locations. However, just because it’s Winter doesn’t mean you have to hibernate. Skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing are all fun exercises to do when it’s cold out. -Start Off Short If your little one is struggling to commit to the exercise, start off with a short five-minute activity. That’s long enough to break a sweat and will often spur them on to do more. A five-minute jog or bike ride is easy for everyone and will more likely turn into ten minutes or more. This gives your kid the confidence that they can accomplish a short-term goal that pushes them to try more. -Get Involved In Charity There are many opportunities to exercise for a good cause. Check around for local organizations that are putting on fundraising walks. Ask your friends and relatives to sponsor your family in your walk. This is a great way to get your child involved, foster their empathy, and let them give back to the community at large. If you can’t find one in your area, organize your own fundraising walk to support your child’s PTA or little league. -Let Your Kid Pick When kids are given an opportunity to exercise their own way, it gives them more investment in the activity. Let your kids plan out the family exercise schedule for a week and prepare to be surprised by the creative ideas they come up with. Try rotating who puts together the workout schedule every week to help keep everything fresh while giving everyone an opportunity to do things they care about with the family. -Put It In Writing When you make an agreement as a family to pursue fitness, it helps to have it in writing. If weight loss is the goal, make it reasonable (no more than six pounds lost a month). If your family goal is to complete a 5K together, put that down, with milestones laid out that will help everyone get there. Start off small, with everyone aiming to first complete a half-mile, then a full mile, and so on until you all feel comfortable with shooting for your goal. Have the whole family sign this agreement and place it in a prominent place, such as next to your progress chart. Getting your kid active at an early age can foster a lifelong love of exercise. Not only does that make for a healthier life physically, it will help for greater emotional health as well. Hopefully, these tips help you and your family get active together. A family that pursues fitness together stays healthy together! If you’re looking for a great place to exercise, no matter what the weather outside is like, come on into Rebounderz here in Edison. Our trampoline park, Ninja Warrior course, SlamBall court, and JumpXtreme Tower are the perfect attractions for your whole family to have fun with. We hope to see you soon! #### 11+ Best Arcades in Sacramento There’s nothing quite like hanging out at an arcade. Whether you’re an adult with fond memories of childhood arcade trips or you’re a kid experiencing an arcade for the first time, it’s guaranteed fun.  With so many arcades open in Sacramento, it’s the perfect place to be for the whole family to enjoy the arcade experience.  There are classic family-friendly arcades with all of the video games and claw machines a kid could hope for. There are also some adult arcade bars that allow adults the opportunity to unwind like a kid while enjoying some adult beverages! Let’s take a look at some of the best arcades in the Sacramento area.    11+ Best Arcades in Sacramento   Rebounderz Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging (but fun) Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  The arcade at Rebounderz is the perfect place to cool off after hitting the trampolines. There are tons of games for everyone to enjoy from air hockey to skee ball to the classic Pacman. Earn points and redeem them for prizes when you are done playing! Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active throughout the summer months.  And let’s not forget the Parents’ Night Out program. Parents can drop their kids off with Rebounderz staff for the evening and take some much-needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of (and having a blast)! Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi-Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all-day admission to all of the activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento. It also includes one 500-point arcade card, one free fresh popcorn, and one free ice cold fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99 you can enjoy two hours of all the activities offered.  Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy one hour of all the activities offered.  Or, try the affordable membership options at $14.99/month for Basic and $19.99/month for ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz Sacramento offerings!   John’s Incredible Pizza Co. John’s Incredible Pizza is so much more than just a pizzeria. The food is a major part of the experience, however, there are other activities available including an arcade with both classic and new games.  You can enjoy all that they have to offer in the arcade and then cash in your points for prizes at the end. They have designated play areas for younger kids as well as a bowling alley, bumper cars, and some indoor rides. They also offer pickup or delivery services for their pizza! Activities Offered:  Indoor arcade Indoor amusement rides Bumper cars Lazer maze Bowling alley Pricing:  Kids 2 & under: Free Kids 3-6: $7.99 Kids 7-12: $11.99 Adults 13+: $15.99 Seniors 60+: $14.99   Chuck E. Cheese Chuck E. Cheese is onen of the most well-known arcade chains for kids' birthday parties. Being an arcade-only venue, there are many different games for kids to play and you can earn points that can be redeemed for prizes.  Chuck E. Cheese also offers special events such as Sensory Sensitive Sundays for those with sensory sensitivity of any kind.  Activities Offered:  Indoor arcade Prize counter Food  Pricing:  $1 per play point Birthday packages are also available    Game Room Coin-Op The Coin-Op Game Room is a 21 and older bar with over 40 arcade games available. The cross between a bar and an arcade is a genius idea that has become popular over the years.  They offer craft cocktails, craft beer and food to enjoy while playing some arcade games. Most of the games are classics from the 80s and 90s, but there here are some newer games in the mix too. Activities Offered:  Video games Pinball machines Pricing: All games run on quarters!   Dave and Buster’s Dave & Buster’s is an adult arcade franchise that can be found across the nation. Adults can enjoy food, alcoholic beverages, and games like bowling and billiards all in one place. They offer group events and parties as well as free-play time. Adults over the age of 25 are permitted to bring up to six minors with them, but anyone under the age of 21 can not enter without an adult accompanying them. Activities Offered:  Indoor arcade Billiards Bowling Virtual reality Pricing:  Pricing varies per game   Country Club Lanes Bowling Center The Country Club Lanes Bowling Center offers a fully stocked arcade as well as bowling and laser tag. They have daily specials, party packages, and value packs that work for all ages.  There's a sporting lounge with billiards, a full bar, and a cafe. While it has an arcade, the venue is really focused on bowling. Activities Offered:  Bowling Laser tag Indoor arcade Pricing:  Laser tag: Mon-Thurs: $10, Fri-Sun: $13 Bowling: $26-$33 per 30 minutes Arcade: Pay-per-game   Henry’s Lounge Henry’s Lounge is another local bar arcade and billiard room in Sacramento. A place for adults to let loose and play some arcade games like back when they were kids. They have a full kitchen where you can order a meal while playing at the arcade.  You can also watch local sporting events and special pay-per-view events. Activities Offered:  Indoor arcade Billiards Bar Pricing:  Price is per game   JasTag JasTag has the largest laser tag facility in the Sacramento area. Enjoy some laser fun and then move into the arcade for video games and more. JasTag also offers birthday party packages and package bundles.  Activities Offered:  Bumper cars Laser Tag Laser maze Indoor arcade Pricing:  Laser tag: Mon-Thurs: $11.99/person/game, Fri-Sun: $12.99/person/game Laser maze: $6.99/person Bumper cars: $7.99/person for 5 minutes Arcade pricing isn’t listed   Bowlero Bowlero offers a variety of events, including an arcade. The bowling alley is the main attraction at Bowlero with 50 lanes and lane-side food available. But beyond that, kids can also enjoy the modern arcade and bumper cars. As for the adults, there are plenty of options in the billiards room, lounge, or sports bar. Activities Offered:  Indoor arcade Bumper cars Billiards Sports bar Pricing:  There are specials to explore on their website   Scandia Scandia is a complete amusement park with an arcade included. There are outdoor attractions such as roller coasters and bumper boats. From there you can move indoors for the arcade and bumper cars.  Birthday party packages are available, as well as daily discount packages. Activities Offered:  Roller coasters Bumper cars Bumper boats Indoor arcade Batting cages Mini Golf Pricing:  $5 per 25 points   JJ’s Kids Fun Center JJ’s Kids Fun Center is a good place for younger children to get an arcade experience in a smaller, more private setting. While it has limited games available, you can still experience some arcade fun.  Activities Offered:  Indoor arcade Prize counter Pricing:  Contact for pricing   More Arcades in Sacramento While we’ve covered some of the best arcades in Sacramento, we wanted to help out with a few more options:    Arcades in Downtown Sacramento If you’re going to be in Downtown Sacramento, you’ll be right near:  K Street Coin-Op Game Room Henry’s Lounge Chuck E. Cheese   Arcades In Roseville For those in the Roseville area, here is a list of three arcades to check out: Rebounderz (of course!)  John’s Incredible Pizza Fun Factory   Sacramento Arcade Bars For some adult-only arcade fun, try:  Dave and Buster’s Henry’s Lounge K Street Coin-Op Game Room   Kids Arcades in Sacramento Here are the best arcades for kids to enjoy in Sacramento: Rebounderz! Chuck E. Cheese JasTag   Other Things to Do in Sacramento Arcades are all over Sacramento, but they are by far not the only thing to do. Sacramento has so much to offer from outdoor activities to indoor activities. And there is something to satisfy everyone in the family with group activities as well as activities specifically for kids. If you want to find one venue to keep everyone occupied then Rebounderz has you covered. From the toddler-designated trampoline zone to the extreme dodgeball area, kids of all ages will be in fun mode overload. And parents can rest assured that their children are having fun in a safe and clean environment. Whether you live in Sacramento or just visiting, make sure to stop by Rebounderz for some wholesome family fun! #### 11+ Best Indoor Rock Climbing in Sacramento Indoor rock climbing is a great workout and a ton of fun as well. It’s a family-friendly activity that will challenge your little adventurers on many levels. If you’re in the Sacramento area, you’re in luck because there are several options for indoor climbing! California is home to some of the world’s most well-known rock climbing locations. Sacramento is just a short ride to Lake Tahoe, which has several areas for climbers of every experience level and fully embraces the climbing culture. If you’re looking to give rock climbing a try in a safe controlled environment – or just want to take the family for some adventurous fun – keep reading about the best indoor rock climbing facilities in the Sacramento area.    11+ Best Sacramento Indoor Rock Climbing    Rebounderz  Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and colorful climbing walls. Rebounderz has one of the most unique indoor rock climbing experiences that you will find in the area. We work to embody that Sacramento climbing culture and make it family-friendly with colorful walls are sure to get all of the kids excited about climbing.  We also offer a great membership program for discount opportunities, and a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  And let’s not forget parents’ night out! Kids can continue to have fun while parents take some much-needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of!  Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi-Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all-day admission to all of the great activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento, the all-day pass also include 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice cold fountain drink Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time to all the activities offered  Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time to all the activities offered Or, we offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all Rebounderz offerings! Sacramento Pipeworks Climbing Sacramento Pipeworks is a climbing and fitness gym located in Sacramento. Owned by Touchstone Climbing Inc., there are several locations throughout the state of California. It’s facility offers rope walls, a bouldering area, and fitness equipment. They offer both fitness classes and climbing classes. Whether you are trying to learn how to rock climb or just want to stay in shape for your next climb, Sacramento Pipeworks is the perfect place to go. They offer youth climbing classes, camps, clubs and even a competitive climbing team. Activities Offered:  Rope climbing Bouldering Fitness classes Rock climbing classes Pricing:  Day Pass: $30 Kids Day Pass: $25 Early Bird Day Pass: $25 Current California EBT/Medi-Cal Pass: $10 10 Visit Pass: $270 The Boulder Field The Boulder Field offers a gym centered around climbing and all-around fitness. It’s a perfect place to learn to climb, get a good workout in, or relax in the sauna after a yoga class or workout.  There’s also a dedicated kids' area for rock climbing with a slide back down for those that make it to the top of the wall and youth camps and classes are offered all year round. The Boulder Field is a great place for some family fun, they offer birthday parties as well. Activities Offered:  Rock climbing Yoga Fitness center Pricing:  Adult Day Pass: $25 Student/Youth/Senior Day Pass: $20 Yoga Drop-In: $15   Urban Air Adventure Park Urban Air Adventure Park is offers rock walls and ropes to climb, but you can also ride bumper cars or jump around trampoline-covered areas.   They offer birthday parties, field trips, and private events. This is an adventure park with countless family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained. Activities Offered:  Adventure hub Battle beam Climbing walls Dodgeball DropZone Trampolines Ropes course Tumble track Sky rider Slam dunk zone Bumper cars Tubes playground Warrior course   Pricing:  Platinum: $30.99 Ultimate: $26.99 Deluxe: $20.99 5 & under: $11.99 Granite Arch Climbing Center   At Granite Arch Climbing Center there are over 20,000 square feet of realistic climbing walls to explore. There’s an outdoor boulder park in addition to the indoor climbing walls. They offer classes for everyone from first-time climbers to highly experienced climbers. You can purchase a day pass or a membership to the climbing center, and can also host birthday parties and youth climbing programs.  Activities Offered:  Rock climbing Pricing:  Child (11 & under): $12 Youth (12-21): $13 Adult (22+): $15 SET Gymnastics SET Gymnastics is a gymnastics training gym in Sacramento. With a focus on gymnastics, they also offer fitness training, rock climbing, and cheerleading instruction. Children of all ages and skill levels are welcome.  While the indoor rock climbing wall is not as big as those at climbing gyms, it has plenty of routes for beginners all the way up to more experienced climbers. They even offer climbing classes. Activities Offered:  Gymnastics Rock climbing Fitness training Tumbling Pricing:  Pricing is not listed on their website Rocknasium Rocknasium is an indoor rock climbing and fitness training facility located just outside of Sacramento. They have been in business for 30 years, making it one of the oldest indoor rock climbing facilities in the country. Beyond rock climbing, they offer pole fitness training, fitness equipment, and several fitness class types.  Rocknasium hosts events from rock climbing competitions to the Banff Film Festival. Climbers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to join. You can even host your children’s birthday parties here. Activities Offered:  Rock climbing Pole fitness Pricing:  Adult day pass: $20 Students/Military/Children under 5: $16 Belay class (ages 13+): $10 Pole class: $15 Quick start package (day pass, gear, and belay class): $35 Rockin Jump Rockin’ Jump is a trampoline park and then some. While the main attraction is the massive trampoline area, Rockin’ Jump offers other fun activities for kids to get into. One of those activities is the Vertigo Climbing Tower. Here kids of all skill levels can challenge themselves to climb as high as possible on the tower. Whether you come for the rock climbing wall or the trampolines, you’re sure to find something that your children will have a blast with. With all of the indoor activities available you will find more than just rock climbing here. Activities Offered:  Trampoline area Rock climbing X-Beam Slam dunk zone Stunt bag arena Dodgeball Pricing:  60 minutes: $18 90 minutes: $22 120 minutes: $24 West Sacramento Recreation Center The recreation center of West Sacramento has an indoor rock climbing wall among other amenities. For those living in the West Sacramento area, the recreation center offers a wide range of fitness activities and amenities to take advantage of at a great price. There is something for everyone in the family at the recreation center. They offer child care as well for those too young to get a workout in with the rest of the family.  Activities Offered:  Indoor rock wall Pool Tennis courts Basketball courts Fitness center Pricing:  Non-resident day pass: $14 Adult resident day pass: $7 Senior/Student resident day pass: $5.50 Rockzilla Rockzilla is a climbing gym that offers 8,000+ square feet of climbing area. Serving the Napa Valley area, it is a little further away from Sacramento but it can work if you’re already in the area.  They offer birthday parties and a pro shop with all of the gear you could possibly need for climbing. One thing that sets Rockzilla apart from other climbing gyms is the five chimneys they have for climbing. Activities Offered:  Rope climbing Bouldering Chimney climbing Pricing:  Day pass with gear: $25 Day pass without gear: $20 Vertex Climbing Center Vertex is a climbing and fitness gym that welcomes climbers of all abilities. Located in Santa Rosa, Vertex is another gym that is worth the day trip out of Sacramento to experience Sonoma County’s climbing culture.  They offer a variety of passes and memberships for those looking to drop in for a few hours of climbing or those that want to get a few days a week in. You can host birthday parties here as well as private group events and there are classes and camps for youth climbers and adults.  Activities Offered:  Rock climbing Fitness equipment Yoga Pricing:  Adult day pass: $20 Youth/student: $18   Best Indoor Rock Climbing for Kids  If you’re looking to find the best venue to get your kids climbing on an indoor rock wall in Sacramento, Rebounderz is the way to go. They offer several colorful climbing walls that will entice kids of all ages to get climbing, plus so many more activities than rock climbing if a few kids in the group want to do something different.  Indoor Rock Climbing Roseville If you are looking for a venue for indoor rock climbing in Roseville, CA, you could try:  Rebounderz Granite Arch The Boulder Field Outdoor Rock Climbing Sacramento If you are ready to take your rock climbing from indoor to outdoor here are some options in the Sacramento area:  Quarry Park Deer Creek Park Donner Summit Rock Climbing Elk Grove  For those looking to get climbing whether indoors or outdoors, Elk Grove and surrounding areas are a great place to be. Here are some climbing spots to explore: Sacramento Pipeworks Rocknasium And Rebounderz is only 30 minutes from Elk Grove.  Climb at the best indoor rock climbing in Sacramento!  With so many options it can be difficult to decide on which venue to pick for your indoor rock climbing experience. Overall, if you’re looking for the best indoor rock climbing in Sacramento Rebounderz is going to deliver.  It’s so important to ease kids into new activities – and Rebounderz does just that with their fun and inviting colorful rock climbing walls. Rebounderz offers a top-notch climbing experience in addition to so many other amenities. It is truly a venue that has something for the whole family. Come in today for the indoor climbing and take advantage of everything else that Rebounderz has to offer! #### 11+ Best Jumping Places in Sacramento What kid doesn’t love to jump? Getting bounced higher and higher on trampolines and springboards is exhilarating. This explains why there are so many jumping places available for kids and adults alike.  Whether you want to bounce from trampoline to trampoline in a trampoline park or get propelled high into the air by a springboard in a gymnastics center, Sacramento is the place to be. There are so many jumping places in the Sacramento area to choose from.  In this article, we will give you a list of some of the best jumping places in the Sacramento area. So take a look at the list and then take the whole family to one of these amazing places for some high-flying family fun!   11 Best Jumping Places in Sacramento   Have fun at these great jumping places in Sacramento, CA!   Rebounderz Sacramento Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging (but fun) Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  There are a wide number of activities that are appropriate for kids of all ages and they can be as physically active as they want to be. At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults. Rebounderz Sacramento is the ultimate jumping destination for kids of all ages. There’s a Kangaroo Pillow area for younger kids and a large trampoline-covered area for older and more advanced jumpers.  Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. Plus, there’s a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  And let’s not forget parents night out! Kids can have fun at Rebounderz with adult supervision, while parents can take some much needed time to enjoy themselves. Win-win!  Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento, the all day pass also include 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice cold fountain drink Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time to all the activities offered  Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time to all the activities offered There are also two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all Rebounderz offerings!   Rockin' Jump Rockin’ Jump has multiple locations throughout the country. There are multiple jumping areas for kids of all ages at Rockin’ Jump. They have an open jump arena which is lined with trampolines to jump to and from. There are other designated trampoline areas such as a dodgeball area and a slam dunk area. Activities Offered:  Open jump arena X-beam Slam dunk zone Stunt bag arena Vertigo Climbing Dodgeball Pricing:  60 Minutes of Jump Time: $18 90 Minutes of Jump Time: $22 120 Minutes of Jump Time: $24   Urban Air Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park is an indoor trampoline park where kids can jump, climb and play. They also have organized dodgeball leagues on the weekends, laser mazes for different ages and skill levels, and mini golf and roller skating sessions for adults and kids alike! Activities Offered:  Battle beam Adventure hub Climbing walls Dodgeball Trampoline arena Dropzone Rope course Tumble track Sky rider Slam dunk zone Bumper cars Indoor playground Warrior course Pricing:  Children under 5: $11.99 Deluxe: $20.99 Ultimate: $26.99 Platinum: $30.99   Defy Defy is an extreme air sports park with stunt falls, zip lines, and wall trampolines. It’s designed to be a collection of extreme air sports that are rewriting the rules of sport to give communities a place where they’re free to express and push themselves.  Activities Offered:  Basketball Extreme dodgeball Battle beams High-end air track Stunt fall Zipline Wall tramp Trapeze and aerial silk Parkour Open jump Pricing:  Weekday passes: $24.99 for 90 min / $29.99 all day Weekend passes: $24.99 for 90 min / $34.99 all day Weekday 4 & under: $18.99 for 90 min / $22.99 all day Weekend 4 & under: $18.99 for 90 min / $26.99 all day   Sky Zone Sky Zone is another nationally recognized trampoline park that you can enjoy in the Sacramento area. There are trampoline areas for jumping, playing dodgeball, or showing off your slam dunk skills with a basketball.  In addition to the jumping activities, there is also a battle beam area and a laser tag arena.  Activities Offered:  Freestyle Jump Sky Slam Ultimate Dodgeball Battle Beam Laser Tag Pricing:  Standard Pass - 90 Minute Jump (General): $24.99 Standard Pass - 90 Minute Jump (4 & Under): $18.99 All Day Pass Weekday (General): $29.99 All Day Pass Weekend (General): $34.99 All Day Pass Weekday (4 & Under): $22.99 All Day Pass Weekend (4 & Under): $26.99   Xtreme Craze Xtreme Craze is an indoor entertainment center for kids. There is a laser tag arena as well as an arcade. The newest addition to Xtreme Craze is the 5,000-square-foot fully inflatable indoor air park. This includes slides, warped walls, an obstacle course, climbing walls, giant free jump airbags and more. Activities Offered:  Indoor Arcade Laser Tag Indoor Inflatable Air Park Pricing:  Laser Tag: $20 per player Extreme AirParx 1-hour wristband: $20 Arcade credits: $0.25 per credit   Wacky Tacky Wacky Tacky is a massive indoor playground designed for kids up to 17 years old. They offer free play as well as birthday parties. Kids can enjoy climbing, jumping, sliding and playing throughout the indoor playground. Activities Offered:  Indoor playground Pricing:  1 child under 1 year and 1 adult: Free Ages 1-17: $15   SET Gymnastics SET Gymnastics is a gymnastics training gym in Sacramento. With a focus on gymnastics, they also offer fitness training, rock climbing, and cheerleading instruction. Children of all ages and skill levels are welcome.  Activities Offered:  Recreational Gymnastics Competitive Gymnastics Rock Climbing Fitness Training Tumbling Pricing:  Call for pricing   Sacramento Party Jumps Sacramento Party Jumps is an inflatable rental company. While you cannot go to them to jump, they can bring the jumping fun to you. Rent all of your favorite inflatable equipment from SacJumps. They have Bounce houses, Water slides and interactive sports inflatables. Activities Offered:  Bounce Houses Water Slides & Dunk Tanks Interactive Sports Games Bounce Houses with Slides Pricing:  Bounce houses: $189-$299, with one option at $599 Water slides: $259-$349, with a massive $1,299 option Games: $199-$899, there is also an obstacle course for $1495 Bounce house with slide: $199-$499   International Gymnastics Centre The International Gymnastics Centre is another gymnastics-based gym offering classes, camps and birthday parties. Although it is just one of many activities being practiced, there are classes specifically for trampoline gymnastics and jumping around!  Activities Offered:  Gymnastics Training Trampoline and Tumbling Acrobatics Pricing:  Pricing varies by class, but birthday party packages include:  Up to 10 children: $180.00 for members, $225 for non-members 11-20 children: $210 for members, $250 for non-members 21-30 children: $240 for members, $280 for non-members   Party Bouncers Party Bouncers is another inflatable rental company in Sacramento. Bring the jumping place to you with a bounce house rental.  Party Bouncers offer all the supplies needed to throw a fun-filled kids' birthday party right in your backyard with lots of jumping!  Activities Offered:  Bounce Houses Water Slides Obstacle Courses Pricing:  Bounce Houses: $199 Water Slides: $299  Obstacle Courses: $299   Enjoy the Best Sacramento Jumping Places Now that you have a few options for jumping in Sacramento, you can pick which one works best for your family. For the best overall jumping experience, check out Rebounderz Sacramento.  At Rebounderz there are designated jumping areas for kids to enjoy, but also almost endless other options for fun.  Come visit Rebounderz Sacramento today!  #### 11+ Best Obstacle Courses in Sacramento: Outdoor, Indoor, and Water Obstacle Courses Do your kids (or you) love obstacle courses? Odds are they do and if that is the case, Sacramento is the perfect place to find one. From indoor obstacle courses to water obstacle courses, there’s an option for any obstacle (or Ninja Warrior course) lover! Visit one of the great indoor playgrounds or if the weather allows it, head outside to challenge yourself in a more natural environment. Either way, Sacramento will not disappoint your adventure seekers.  Best Indoor Obstacle Courses in Sacramento Rebounderz Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging (but fun) Ninja Warrior Obstacle course. The obstacle course is loved by all ages. If you are looking for an indoor obstacle course, Rebounderz is the place to go. There are multiple obstacle course areas that cater to kids of all ages and the massive multi-level playground area is basically an obstacle course itself. Rebounderz offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. There’s also a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active throughout the summer months.  And let’s not forget the Parents’ Night Out program. Parents can drop their kids off with Rebounderz staff for the evening and take some much-needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of (and having a blast)! Activities Offered: Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi-Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing: Ultimate ticket: For $34.99 you can enjoy all-day admission to all of the activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento. This ticket also includes one 500-point arcade card, one free fresh popcorn, and one free ice cold fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99 you can enjoy two hours of all the activities offered.  Basic Ticket: For $24.99 you can enjoy one hour of all the activities offered.  Or, try the affordable membership options at $14.99/month for Basic and $19.99/month for ultimate unlimited! Check out all of Rebounderz Sacramento offerings.   Urban Air Adventure Park Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park is an indoor trampoline park that has organized dodgeball leagues on the weekends, laser mazes for different ages and skill levels, mini golf and roller skating sessions for adults and kids alike.  They also offer diverse activities to keep your kids occupied all day long such as bumper cars, virtual reality games, climber wall, sky rider, and more.  Activities Offered:  Battle beam Adventure hub Climbing walls Dodgeball Trampoline arena Dropzone Rope course Tumble track Sky rider Slam dunk zone Bumper cars Indoor playground Warrior course Pricing:  Platinum: $30.99 Ultimate: $26.99 Deluxe: $20.99 Children under 5: $11.99   Defy  Defy is an extreme air sports park with stunt falls, zip lines, and wall trampolines. It’s designed to be a collection of extreme air sports that are rewriting the rules of sport to give communities a place where they’re free to express and push themselves. Defy’s ninja obstacle course is both challenging and fun for those ready to put their ninja skills to the test. Activities Offered:  Basketball Extreme dodgeball Battle beams High-end air track Stunt fall Zipline Wall tramp Trapeze and aerial silk Parkour Open jump Pricing:  Weekday passes: $24.99 for 90 min / $29.99 all day Weekend passes: $24.99 for 90 min / $34.99 all day Weekday 4 & under: $18.99 for 90 min / $22.99 all day Weekend 4 & under: $18.99 for 90 min / $26.99 all day   Fliptastic Fliptastic is a gym centered around gymnastics, dance and cheer. The 21,000-square-foot gym offers classes for children of all ages and abilities. Their NinjaZone boasts an obstacle course set up with ninja-like training for boys and girls ages 6-11. Activities Offered:  Gymnastics Dance Ninja zone Tumbling Cheer Pricing:  Classes: Tuition varies by class Birthday Parties: $250 for 15 kids & $10 for each additional kid   Water Obstacle Courses Sacramento   Raging Waters Raging Waters is a family-friendly waterpark. They have two other locations in the state of California with a variety of water slides for both adults and children. If a more laid-back experience is what you are looking for, the lazy river is the perfect place to slow down and relax. Activities Offered:  Water slides Wave pool Lazy river Water play area for kids Pricing: Pricing is available during the summer season.   Scandia Fun Center Scandia is an amusement park with everything from bumper boats on the water to an indoor arcade. Everything is priced by points, and 25 points are $5 with bonuses available the more you buy at a time. While Scandia only offers one water ride, there are so many other attractions to explore. Activities Offered:  Roller coasters Batting cages Mini golf Bumper boats Arcade Go-karts Pricing:  25 points: $5   North Natomas Aquatics Complex The North Natomas Aquatics Complex was built by the city of Sacramento as a community pool area. There is a 50-meter competition pool along with a 25-yard recreational pool. For kids, there is a zero-depth splash pool with a play structure and spiral slides.  It features cabanas, lounge chairs, and picnic tables as well as a locker room to keep your personal belongings safe and dry. Activities Offered:  Splash pool with obstacle play structure Spiral waterslides 25-yard recreational pool 50-meter competition pool with diving boards Pricing:  Youth under 2: Free Youth (2-17 years old): $5 Adults (18+): $7 50m Pool Rec swim wristband: $1 add-on (must be able to pass a deep-water swim test)   Outdoor Obstacle Courses Sacramento   Tree Top Sac Tree Top Sac provides an adventure in the trees. Start by climbing to the top of the trees, then move from tree to tree on ropes and wobbly bridges, and finally zipline back down to the ground. It is a true tree-top obstacle course. Activities Offered:  Climbing Rope walking Zipline Pricing:  Kids (Ages 7-13): $49 Teens (14-17): $54 Adult: $59   Quarry Park Adventures Quarry Park Adventures has thrilling activities for all ages. The park was built into and around the Big Gun Quarry which was one of California’s largest working granite quarries. There is an experience for everyone from the thrilling free fall to the relaxing paddle boats. The Kidz Kove is an exciting obstacle course fit for kids ages 3-13. Activities Offered:  Rock climbing Zipline Paddle boats Aerial obstacle course Kids obstacle course Pricing:  Quarry Kidz Kove: $15/1.5 hours Rock climbing (45lbs+): $15/hour Gold adventure: $89 regular rate / $79 value days Granite adventure: $69 regular rate / $59 value days   Sacramento Adventure Playground Sacramento Adventure Playground is a free after-school youth development program for kids ages 6-15. Registration by a parent or guardian is required for anyone who wants to play at the playground. The playground was put together by Fairytale town which is another Sacramento staple for some family fun. Activities Offered:  Obstacle course Color Run Playground Pricing: Free   More Sacramento Obstacle Courses   Wipeout Sacramento While there aren’t any specific Wipeout courses in Sacramento, there are some special Wipeout events offered throughout the year.    Ninja Obstacle Courses for Kids Rebounderz has the ultimate ninja obstacle course for kids to test their warrior skills. A few other options for ninja obstacle courses to check out in the Sacramento area are at Urban Air, Defy, and Fliptastic.   Inflatable Obstacle Courses for Rent If you are looking to bring the obstacle course to you, there are a number of companies in the Sacramento area that rent inflatables. Sacramento Party Jumps Airplay Inflatable Fun Party Bouncers   Best Obstacle Course in Sacramento There are lots of options for fun-filled obstacle courses in Sacramento. Depending on the time of year, age of your kids and personal preferences, you can use the list to find the best option for your family. For the overall best obstacle course in Sacramento, check out Rebounderz’s Warrior Ninja course. It consists of multiple levels of challenging obstacles for kids of all ages. Rebounderz offers a safe, clean and family-friendly environment with so much to do for the whole family.  Come visit us today! #### 11+ Best Virtual Reality Rooms & Centers in Sacramento There are many virtual reality rooms and centers to try in the Sacramento area. These centers offer a variety of different experiences from virtual escape rooms to flight simulators. With all of the emerging technology in virtual reality, you’ll never get bored! Virtual reality gives you the opportunity to not just play video games but really feel the games. It’s a full sensory immersive experience that will keep you wanting to come back time and time again.   Best Virtual Reality Centers & Rooms in Sacramento Whether you're looking for something to do with the kids, something to do with your friends, or just want a novel activity, check out our list of the best VR experiences in Sacramento today!         1. Rebounderz – Sacramento Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility that offers a virtual reality experience. Rebounderz also offers a variety of other activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging (but fun) Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  Rebounderz Sacramento has a massive selection of over 300 virtual reality games available. There is a fenced area for guests to safely enjoy the virtual reality experience. Everyone can get lost in the immersive world of virtual reality at Rebounderz! Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  And let’s not forget their parents night out program, where Rebounderz staff watches your kids for the evening, so parents can take some much-needed time off.  At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults! Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Virtual Reality  Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday parties, summer camps, and group programs Pricing:  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities as well as 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn, and 1 free fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2 hours of play time for all the activities. Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1 hour of play time for all the activities.  They also offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all Rebounderz offerings!       2. Zion Virtual Reality Zion Virtual Reality offers several different virtual reality experiences for guests of all ages with around 50 virtual reality arcade games to choose from. The pricing is per hour and there are options to free roam or to engage in a single activity for the whole time.  Zion also offers seasonal experiences such as their virtual reality Halloween experience that runs for the month of October. Activities Offered:  VR Games VR Free Roam Arena VR Laser Tag VR Escape Room Pricing:  Laser Tag VR Free Roam: $37 per person per hour Escape Room VR: $40 per person per hour Arcade Premium VR: $37 per person per hour Hero Zone Free Roam VR Co-Location: $40 per person per hour Killing Zombies Free Roam VR Hyper Reality: $45 per person per hour      3. Heroes Virtual Reality Heroes Virtual Reality has two locations in the Sacramento area. They offer 40 different virtual reality experiences for anyone ages 8 and up. There are both single player and multiplayer options available, and you’ll have to reserve your time to come in and play.. Heroes Virtual Reality also offers birthday party or event packages.  They have standard VR equipment and premium VR equipment available at a higher price point. Activities Offered:  Standard VR games Premium VR games Pricing:  Standard: $50/hour or $85 for 2 hours Premium: $55/hour or $90 for 2 hours        4. The Gamery From card games to virtual reality experiences, The Gamery has multiple activity options. The two games that are played most at The Gamery are Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering.  They also carry Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Dragon Shield games as well. They have both VR escape rooms and VR game experiences.   Activities Offered:  VR escape room Dungeons & Dragons games Magic: The Gathering games   Pricing for VR Escape Rooms: $30 per session       5. 916 Virtual Reality Game Truck 916 Virtual Reality Game Truck is a mobile virtual reality experience serving the Sacramento area. There are several packages to choose from and pricing varies depending on specific circumstances.  They supply the equipment for various VR experiences from flight simulators to escape rooms. Players are recommended to be seven years old and up.  Activities Offered:  VR games VR simulators Pricing: Packages start as low as $20, but you’ll have to call for pricing.        6. XVRoom Virtual Reality XVRoom Virtual Reality is located in The Country Club Plaza Mall that offers several different VR games and consoles. They offer shorter experiences at around 10 minutes each, which gives kids a chance to try a virtual reality experience without having to commit to a whole hour of play time. Activities Offered:  VR games VR simulator Console games PC games Pricing:  10 minute VR Gametime: $10 VR Simulator Ride: $10 30 MInute PC Gametime: $10 30 Minute Console Gametime: $10       7. Dave & Buster’s Dave and Buster’s is the go-to spot for adults to have some fun like they’re kids again. They have the arcade games that everyone grew up playing and some newer games like their virtual reality experiences. There is a bowling alley and plenty of pool tables that add up to a fun-filled night for any adult. Activities Offered:  Virtual Reality Billiards Bowling Arcade games Pricing:  75 Chips: $15 135 Chips: $25 200 Chips: $35 275 Chips: $45 400 Chips: $60 550 Chips: $75 750 Chips: $100       8. Van Gogh Exhibit The Van Gogh Exhibit is an immersive experience that allows visitors to see the work of artist Vincent Van Gough like never before. With two story projections of the artist’s work in a 20,000 square foot area you can see every last detail.  There is also a virtual reality experience that shows some of the inspirations for his most famous paintings. The exhibit has been available since 2017 and will be up and running through 2023. Activities Offered:  The immersive room Virtual Reality Museum Art studio Pricing:  Adults: $34.90 Children: $19.90       9. Davis Cards and Games Virtual Reality Davis Cards and Games is all about the world of fantasy gaming. They have virtual reality escape rooms and gaming experiences as well as events for card game players to get together.  Activities Offered:  VR escape rooms VR adventures Card games Board games Roleplay games Pricing:  10 Minute VR Game: $12/player VR 3 Game Bundle: $30/player VR Escape Room: $80/2 players VR Laserbots: $15/player       10. Red Door Escape Room Red Door Escape Room hosts several escape room experiences that also includes a virtual reality experience. Each escape room episode is ranked for its difficulty level to help you pick the appropriate option for your group’s skill level. Activities Offered:  VR escape rooms Physical escape rooms Pricing:  2-3 People: $39.95/person 4-5 People: $35.95/person 6+ People: $33.95/person       11. Sandbox Sandbox VR offers premium VR equipment with custom experiences. They have six virtual reality options to choose from and each one provides a different immersive experience. Sandbox is a franchise and can be found throughout the world.  Activities Offered:  VR games VR experiences Pricing:  Monday-Thursday: $50/person Friday-Sunday: $55/person   Other Virtual Reality Options in Sacramento  If you are looking for specific VR experiences here are some options in the Sacramento area.   VR Escape Rooms For a VR escape room experience these are some good options: Zion VR The Gamery Davis Cards and Games   Virtual Reality Laser Tag If you would like to try out a virtual reality laser tag experience, here are some places to check out: Zion Lazer X Jas Laser Tag   Virtual Reality in Roseville For some VR options in Roseville, check out: Rebounderz Heroes Dave & Buster’s   Best Virtual Reality in Sacramento Virtual reality is getting more popular and more advanced every day. Having an at-home virtual reality setup can be extremely expensive, so going to a VR center is the perfect way to enjoy the technology! In the Sacramento area, Rebounderz is the best virtual reality option around. In addition to state-of-the-art VR equipment, there are activities for every family member. So if you have a family full of virtual reality fans, trampoline fans, and a toddler, everyone has an activity to try.  Whether you are trying it out for the first time or want to find a regular spot to play some VR games, Rebounderz has you covered! Come visit Rebounderz Sacramento today! #### 11+ Fun Group Activities to Do in Sacramento Sacramento is the perfect destination for kid-friendly experiences, fun indoor activities and a great place for groups of friends and family to explore.  There are the notable annual events like the Camellia Festival in March, the Sacramento Music Festival in May, the California State Fair in July, and Gold Rush Days in September, but there are also some great venues that are perfect for group activities in Sacramento any time of year.  11+ Best Things to Do In Sacramento   Rebounderz Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility and a wonderful place for group activities. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities for you, your friends, or family. So you can enjoy having fun together as a group or venture off and explore things individually, like trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging but fun Ninja Warrior Obstacle course. It’s a terrific spot for groups because activities like the Ninja Warrior Obstacle can be made into a fun race between you and your friends. There’s a little something for every age group as well.  There are a wide number of activities that are appropriate and kid-friendly for all ages and they can be as physically active as they want to be. At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults. Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  And let’s not forget their parent’s night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of!   Group Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all-day admission to all of the great activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento, the all-day pass also includes 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn, and 1 free ice cold fountain drink Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time to all the activities offered  Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time in all the activities offered Or, they offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz offerings!   Cali Glo Indoor Entertainment Enjoy the ultimate California road trip from the comfort of indoors! Cali Glo Indoor Entertainment offers “Glo Golf,” 18 holes of glow-in-the-dark golf featuring replicas of California’s most notable landmarks.  Cali Glo Indoor also offers over 20 different game modes of Laser Tag. This adrenaline-packed, first-person shooter experience brings the Call of Duty video game to real life! Cali Glo Indoor offers pizza with gluten-free crust, but plenty more food options are available from their neighbor “The Alley.”  Pricing:  Glo Golf:  $20/person Laser Tag: $25/person Cali Combo:  $30/person   Apple Hill Located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, The Apple Hill area features world-famous family farms, award-winning ciders, and has everything from Pumpkin Patches, Egg Hunts, Berry Festivals, and events like picking your favorite Christmas Tree in Winter.  With a variety of seasonal events, at Apple Hill the amenities include family farms, lodging, wedding venues, restaurants, golf courses, tree farms, breweries, wineries, and plenty of outdoor recreational activities.  Pricing: Pricing will vary depending on event and time of year.   Raging Waters Raging Waters has been Sacramento’s largest waterpark for over 30 years. Featuring 25 family-friendly attractions, including over 20 Sacramento water slides, an 800 ft. lazy river and one of California’s original wave pools.  With wave pools like Breaker Beach, thrill rides like Dragon’s Den and Hurricane Bay Slide, or more relaxing experiences like Calypso’s Cooler, Raging Waters Sacramento has something for everyone in your group of friends and family. Pricing:  Single Day Tickets: $29.99   Single Day Tickets when purchasing TWO or more tickets: $19.99  Bronze passes featuring varying perks like unlimited admissions at Raging Parks locations nationwide, passes for friends, discounts on Food, Beverage, retail purchases, and more: Platinum ($169.99), Gold ($79.99), Silver ($64.99), and ($54.99)    Old Sugar Mill Old Sugar Mill is just 15 minutes from downtown Sacramento, and features wedding venues, wineries, events like food trucks, barrel tasting, car viewings like “Farm to Fork Uncorked,” and much more.  Originally built in 1934, Old Sugar Mill hosts 14 unique wineries with varietals from all over Northern California.   Pricing: The Tasting Price Range is around $15, and then other prices for events and purchases vary.   Seaquest - Folsom At SeaQuest Folsom, your group has the opportunity to interact with animals from five different continents while exploring over 20,000 square feet of adventure.  For an additional cost, you can purchase a variety of interactive experiences with animals like the Asian Otter, Baby Sloths, Crested Porcupines, the Wallaby, snorkeling with Stingrays, or purchase an ultimate adventure bundle for $49.99.  Pricing:  Annual Passport: $39.99  Adults (12 and up): $16.99  Children (under 12): $11.99  Age 55+, Military, and College students: $14.99    Tree Top Sac At Tree Top Sac, you’ll get the chance to navigate the forest canopy with 5 different parcours of obstacle courses before zip-lining down to safety. Wobbly bridges, tricky crossings, walking the tight wire, and balancing on a slack-line 20 feet in the air might sound intimidating, but don’t panic.  Before you can do any of this, your group will be introduced to the proper gear, taught how to belay and use your gear properly, and cover proper safety precautions before attaching to the safety cable and climbing.  Pricing:  Kids (Ages 7-13): $49 Teens (Ages 14-17): $54 Adult: $59   K1 Speed K1 Speed offers an all-electric, indoor go-kart racing experience with a museum-quality collection of authentic racing memorabilia, including signed race apparel and full-sized race cars. When you’re not on the track K1 Speed’s Paddock Lounge, offers video games in-between races, an arcade with pool tables and air hockey, and plasma screen televisions to keep up with every race.  Pricing:  Speedpass: $64.99 (2 races, t-shirt and membership)  1 race: $25.95 2 races: $46.95 3 races: $59.95   The Boulder Field The Boulder Field offers a wide variety of indoor activities for the fitness junkie It includes a full Fitness area with gymnastic rings, kettle bells, weight lifting and cardio equipment, a Yoga studio, and 10,000 square feet of bouldering terrain.  There’s also a dedicated youth and family climbing area, locker rooms and saunas, cafe with Temple Coffee, local beers, and Zeal kombucha, climbing retail shop with equipment, all different kinds of youth camp programs, and a variety of bouldering and yoga classes.  Pricing:  Adult Day Pass: $25 Student/Youth/Senior Day Pass: $20 Rental climbing shoes: $5 Yoga drop-in: $15   Alpha Fired Arts Alpha Fired Arts is Northern California’s largest ceramic supply company offering hobbyists, professional clay artists and teachers a wide variety of services. From supplies, classes for children and adults, working studio memberships with firing services, and a Paint Your Own Pottery Studio, Alpha Fired Arts is your premier location for ceramics.  Pricing: Child: (12 and younger) $8 Adult: (13 and older) $10 Average prices range from $20-$35 per person Average price for firing is $.015 per cubic inch    Crocker Art Museum The Crocker Art Museum features a stunning display of California art and is well known for its European master drawings and international ceramics. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), a recognition given to fewer than 1,100 of the nation's 33,000 museums, The Crocker Art Museum offers a variety of events and programs to supplement their collection.  Educational material for students and the at large community include films, concerts, studio classes, lectures, children’s activities, and more.  Pricing:  Annual membership rates are as follows: Educator: $50 Individual: $65 Family: $85 Non-member prices for one day purchases Adult: $15 Military and Children 5 and under: free Seniors: $10 College: $10 Youth 6-17: $8   Fun Places in Sacramento to Go with a Group at Night When conversations about “the night life” are brought up, the discussion might default to familiar spots like restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, but why not experience something unique, active and exciting instead?  Don’t forget Rebounderz Sacramento and their parents night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of!   Other places you can check out are: Smash Sacramento  Napa City Ghosts and Legends Walking Tour Red Door Escape Room Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room   Conclusion: The Best Group Activity in Sacramento While Sacramento has a lot to offer, Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier entertainment facility for large groups and families.  Rebounderz has a wide variety of varying levels of physical activity for everyone in your party.  From toddlers to adults, we have the right activities to make sure your squad has an unforgettable experience in Sacramento. For the number of activities available, Rebounderz offers the best family-friendly activities at a great price point!  Don't wait to “jump” at this awesome opportunity! Check out Rebounderz Sacramento and have a weekend to remember with your friends and family! #### 11+ Fun Indoor Activities for Kids in Sacramento Sacramento is a big city with a bustling downtown scene and a great foodie reputation. And when you're faced with one too many sunny days in a row, sometimes you need to find indoor activities to help keep you cool–so heading inside for some indoor fun is just what you need! Luckily, Sacramento has its fair share of fun indoor attractions to help keep you sane when it's hot (or rainy) outside. There are some great inside activities in Sacramento that promise to provide more than just the same old air conditioning. Rebounderz   Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging (but fun) Ninja Warrior Obstacle course. There are a wide number of activities that are appropriate for kids of all ages and they can be as physically active as they want to be. At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults. Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active. And let’s not forget their parents night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much-needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of!   Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento, the all day pass also include 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice cold fountain drink Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time to all the activities offered Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time to all the activities offered Or, they offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz offerings!   SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, or MOSAC, is Sacramento’s newest Science Center. The SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity is the perfect place to spend time with your friends and family. MOSAC is filled with interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and events for all ages. This place is an ideal community-gathering spot to meet new people, and have kids play, discover and learn, though it won’t be the best option for kids looking to run around all day!   Activities Offered Over 100 exhibits exploring themes on health, nature, water, engineering and space. Some exhibits are interactive and hands-on. Planetarium Theater shows Monthly events Pricing Adults (ages 18+): $15 Youth (ages 2-17): $12 Toddlers (under 2): free Seniors (ages 65+): $13 SeaQuest - Folsom With exhibits and attractions available for kids of all ages, SeaQuest is the perfect place for having fun with the family. SeaQuest features activities for immersing kids in a complete adventure where they can touch, feed, and interact with animals coming from all around the world. Kids can take selfies with snakes and other animals. Celebrating birthdays and special occasions at SeaQuest are unique and adventurous!   Activities Offered Asian Otter Interaction Sloth Interaction Stingray Snorkel Crested Porcupine Interaction Fishy Kisses Birthday Parties Pricing Children: $11.99 Adults, 12+: $16.99 55+, Military, and College Students: $14.99 Imagine Play Imagine Play is a play space for kids where they can play together and learn in an environment that’s safe and fun for all ages. Imagine Play offers a variety of activities, including arts & crafts, storytelling, games and more. The children are able to work on their own as well as with each other using their imagination to create new worlds or create something specific from our materials. Imagine Play provides the tools necessary for kids to be creative while having fun! Activities Offered Open play Lending library Distance learning camps Learning pods After school enrichment Birthday parties Pricing $13.50 per child + 1 adult; one adult per family, extra adults are $2.50 each. Babies under 1 year are free if accompanied with a paid sibling, otherwise ticket price is $   Comedy Spot Comedy spot is the perfect place to give kids an early start at developing a sharp mind and a quick wit while having fun. This kid-friendly comedy is one of its kind. It helps kids to learn the art of comedy. As an activity, Comedy Spot offers special youth Saturday workshops. During the workshop, kids learn performance techniques and take part in improvisational games within a fun, supportive environment. Parents are encouraged to watch and take part in making the performance a family activity.   Activities Offered Improv Sketch Stand-up Film and video Youth Classes (ages 9-13) in Improv and Stand Up Pricing Prices for their class can be found here. The Youth Improv Program starts at $45 per class. Monster Mini Golf Monster Mini Golf offers one-of-a-kind family entertainment. The living art and monster-themed décor featuring fun-loving, animated monsters with the luminescent glow of black lights guarantee the most unique golf experience to kids from the age of five. The monstrous attraction features an 18-hole miniature golf course and adventure. There are also hi-tech video game arcades and monstrous prize centers, mini bowling, monster-themed laser tag, laser maze, light concessions, and more. Kids can have monstrous birthday parties and events at this facility. Activities Offered Mini golf Arcade Laser tag Virtual reality (VR) Bowling Lazer maze Rope course Atomic rush Pricing You can call the Rancho Cordova location at 916-294-0000 for ticket prices.   Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park   Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park is an indoor trampoline park where kids can jump, climb and play. This is the perfect place for kids who are always on their feet! They also have organized dodgeball leagues on the weekends, laser mazes for different ages and skill levels, mini golf and roller skating sessions for adults and kids alike! Urban Air offers diverse activities to keep your kids occupied all day long such as bumper cars, virtual reality games, climber wall, sky rider, and so on.   Activities Offered Battle beam Adventure hub Climbing walls Dodgeball Trampoline arena Dropzone Rope course Tumble track Sky rider Slam dunk zone Bumper cars Indoor playground Warrior course Pricing Platinum: $30.99 Ultimate: $26.99 Deluxe: $20.99 Children under 5: $11.99 Sacramento Children’s Museum What is the great indoor place to take kids if it is not a children’s museum? The Sacramento Children’s Museum is designed to inspire children up to the age of eight to explore, discover and learn through interactive and immersive play. Besides the exhibition, the museum offers experiments with balls in chutes to explore gravity, playing with pressurized tubes and artificial currents, painting, craft art activities, and other immersive exhibits. Activities Offered Sensory play Yoga Summer camps Private play parties Exhibits Pricing Adults and all children over 1 year: $8.50 Over 60 and military: $6.00 Children under 1: Free iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Sacramento iFLY Indoor Skydiving has become a popular destination for families because it's an experience that both kids and adults can enjoy. iFLY is a great place to learn about aviation, with fun activities like helmet decorating and flight school. Kids can also have fun trying out the wind tunnel or playing in the arcade games after their flight session is complete. Activities Offered Indoor skydiving Flight school Birthday parties Corporate, social and private events Pricing 2 flights: $84.99+ 3 flights: $109.99+ 4 flights: $135.99+   Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room Visiting an escape room is such a fun activity to do with friends and family. Designed for kids at age of nine and up, Enchambered offers adventure, challenge, and thrill of being locked up in an escape room. This type of family entertainment helps kids to be proactive, sharp-minded, and solution-oriented. Kids solve many mysteries, puzzles, and challenges to escape and become the heroes of the game. They need to piece the clues to find the way to open the door and escape the room. As for attractions, kids have a choice between scavenger hunting, indulging in something suspenseful, or bordering on horror. Activities Offered Containment Breach The Whispering Halls Skull Witch Trouble in the Toy Shop Online Escape Rooms Pricing Pricing is dependent on the type of escape room experience. Click here for individual pricing. Just For Fun Art Just For Fun Art offers a great experience for fostering kids' creativity while having fun. The facility is open to kids from the age of five and up. What’s fun here is that you can have your own private painting and art parties at the venue of your choice or at the Just For Fun Art Studio. Just For Fun Art is a great idea for celebrating art-theme birthday parties. Kids will have colorful face painting and balloon twisting, henna, glitter tattoos, and much more. Activities Offered Open studio Creative art camp for kids Balloon creations Artis co-op Drawing classes Paint Nite Art by mistake Weekly events Pricing You can call Just for Fun Art for pricing at 916-468-2706 or check out their event calendar for further information Top Place for Indoor Fun in Sacramento, CA? If you are looking for fun indoor activities in Sacramento, CA that cover everything, look no further than Rebounderz! Rebounderz has what you need for family fun for all interests. With many great attractions to choose from, you can be sure that everyone in your group is going to have an amazing time! At Rebounderz, they believe that there is no better way to spend quality time together than by having fun and being active! Or give parents peace of mind when they go out on a date night together while their kids stay and play! Enjoy Rebounderz Today! #### 13 Healthy Recipes Kids and Adults Love Here at Rebounderz in Rohnert Park, we try to make health and fitness fun for the whole family. We know how tough it can be to get your kids to eat right, so we’ve gathered some of our favorite dinner ideas that your whole family will get excited about. There’s no better way to build up an appetite than some trampoline fun, so come on over to Rebounderz and get to jumping today! -Chicken Fingers and Green Beans with Tahini Sauce You can spruce up this kid’s menu favorite with a side of healthy green beans. The savory-sweetness of the tahini and tomato dipping sauce adds another level of flavor that speaks to an adult’s palate, while not being so intense to scare off kids who aren’t excited about new foods. Bake the chicken fingers instead of frying them to make a less greasy yet still delicious dinner option. -Ham and Cheese Pizza Who doesn’t love a good hot ham and cheese sandwich? A fun twist on the lunchtime classic, making a ham and cheese pizza is sure to be a crowd pleaser. For some extra deliciousness, add some leafy greens and julienned apple slices. Not only do they add extra flavor and nutrients, it will set your pizza apart from the typical frozen or delivered fare. Apples on pizza? Trust us, you’re gonna love it. While we like to add a crisp Fuji apple, you can switch it up to match up with your family’s apple of choice for a wide range of flavor and texture. -Turkey and Swiss Sloppy Joes Forgo the traditional red meat with this new take on Sloppy Joes, replacing hamburger with some lean turkey. Kids will love the melty swiss cheese seeping out from the sides of the bun. Throw in some spinach and red peppers for a little bit of extra nutrition and subtle flavor to really knock it out of the park. Use a white sauce instead of the barbecue-esque sauce found in the original to bring it all together. -Fresh Corn Cakes with Summer Salsa If you’re looking for a vegetarian option that everyone will enjoy, look no further than these speedy and delicious relatives to the pancake. Top it off with a delicious salsa made up of peppers, mango, and other fresh produce to give a wonderful flavor with a satisfying crunch. Take a family trip to a local farmer’s market where everyone can choose an ingredient of their own to add to the salsa to make this an all-inclusive dinner activity. Depending on your family’s tolerance for spicy foods, the heat levels of the salsa can be adjusted to your tastes. Play around with different toppings for the corn cakes and we think you’ll see just how adaptable these little flapjacks can be. -Chicken Spaghetti Kids love chicken. Kids love spaghetti. Put them together and you have a delightful meal that’s sure to please. Swap out the store-bought sauce for a homemade one that only requires a few ingredients to avoid needless sodium and other additives. A little bit of freshly grated parmesan brings this plate together and you have a meal that takes less than ten minutes to prepare. Quick and tasty? Sign us up! -Mini Bow Ties with Bacon, Peas, and Carrots It can be quite the task to convince your little ones to eat their peas and carrots. When you toss them in with some delicious bacon, it gets a little bit easier. You can bring it all together with some mini bow tie pasta for an entrée everyone can get behind. Swap out the peas and carrots with some other veggies for one of the most versatile dinners around. -Egg and Toast Cups Whether you’re trying to start the day off right or you’re having a fun night of breakfast for dinner, this is a fun all-in-one dish you’re sure to enjoy. The best part is, other than the egg and toast, this dish is totally customizable. Spinach, chives, bacon, ham, and broccoli all make for great additions. Let your little one toss in the ingredients they want to eat so they can be more involved in the cooking process. You never know when a kid might catch the cooking bug! -Ham and Swiss Egg Sandwiches For a quick breakfast perfect for kids on their way to school, all you need is ham, an egg, an English muffin, and a cheese of your choice (swiss or gouda are two of our favorites). This is quick to prepare and easy to eat on the go, which will help you make sure your kids aren’t missing the most important meal of the day. These are especially good on cold mornings, as it will help them warm up after dealing with frigid temperatures outside. -Tomato-Basil Soup Everyone likes a classic grilled cheese with a nice bowl of tomato soup. Try out a homemade recipe with fire-roasted tomatoes, red peppers, and some herbs and spices to break away from the canned standard tomato soup. Try dipping some cheesy French bread for a fresh take on this classic dish. -Chicken with Pepperoni-Marinara Sauce Pepperoni pizza is a delectable treat kids and adults love. When you take pepperoni, marinara, and mozzarella, and pile it on top of some chicken, you get a dinner that really stands out. Since the flavors are familiar, even the pickiest of eaters will be convinced to give it a try. This dish is incredibly maneuverable, allowing for a ton of customization options to add veggies to put the finishing touches on a wonderful dinner. -Waffle Sandwich To really mix up the standard fare, you can make a wide range of sandwiches feel totally fresh by replacing the bread with waffles. Kids love waffles, which means you’ll have a bit more freedom with the contents you put within. Try whole wheat waffle batter for an option that is a bit healthier than your basic freezer aisle waffles. -Chip-Crusted Fish Filets This is a great option for kids that seemingly only want to eat fish sticks. Instead of the common ones you’ll find in the freezer, opt for some fresh cod from your grocery store’s fish department to avoid unnecessary additives found in frozen food. Whether you choose to coat them with salt and vinegar chips or you go with some basic original flavor potato chips, your kids won’t want to go back after they’ve tasted that satisfying crunch. -Chicken and Bean Burritos This doesn’t just apply to burritos, as you can use this combo in everything from tacos to nachos and everything in between. Instead of refried beans, go with the healthier black beans, which are more flavorful anyway. Add some freshly made salsa for nutritional veggies and some extra flavor. For the grown-ups, and more adventurous kids, add in some jalapeños to give them a bit of a kick. There are many other delicious and healthy recipes out there that both kids and adults will enjoy, but we hope this gets the ball rolling for your dinner plans. When you want to work up an appetite, why not come over to Rebounderz in Rohnert Park? We have the safest trampoline park around and you can test your talents on our awesome Ninja Warrior course. We hope to see you jump in soon! #### 14 Best Kid’s Birthday Party Ideas in Orlando, FL Are you trying to come up with birthday party ideas in Orlando for your child? It can be hard to choose from the many offerings available, especially when kids want a fun, unique party venue where they can feel proud of the great time all their classmates and friends had.  To spice things up–and make your life easier–consider a dedicated event venue as a birthday party idea for your kid!  Will your child like arts and crafts or are they more active and prefer jumping and running around to their heart’s content? Maybe they love running around in the sun, but you’d like an indoor party that can work rain or shine.   The possibilities are endless, which is why we’ve put together a list of the best birthday party ideas in Orlando that your child will adore!    Rebounderz  kids party ideas Can you think of a place where you can choose from trampolines galore (including trampoline basketball and dodgeball), laser tag, foam pits, and ninja warrior courses? Or a mix of them all? At Rebounderz in Orlando, you can choose from an endless number of birthday party ideas at Rebounderz to keep your child smiling all day.  Every birthday party idea should come with two practical aspects for parents: safety and affordability. Rest assured, this isn’t our first rodeo. We’ve hosted countless birthday parties centering on various activities, and our Google Reviews demonstrate parent satisfaction with our affordable prices and safety.  What birthday party idea are you leaning towards? Dodgeball? We have it. Trampolines? Check. A super adventurous ninja warrior obstacle course that’s timed to amp up the competition? We got it. Virtual reality, arcades, climbing walls, indoor playgrounds? We’re serious — any idea you have, we probably have it! Rebounderz is one of Orlando's best kid's birthday party venues for a reason.  Contact us to help us plan your kid’s birthday party today!  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Trampolines: Kids will enjoy jumping into cool poses, flipping, and bouncing around for hours.  Trampoline Dodgeball & Basketball: Give the classic kid’s game and sport some extra bounce in these fun twists with trampolines! Ninja Warrior: An obstacle course with nets, ropes, and balls. You can even time your course in our competition add-on to any birthday party. The winner gets their photo on our wall AND the chance of winning a $100 gift card! Air Pit and Foam Pit: Enjoy playing and sinking in foam with this classic birthday party idea.  XTreme Tower: For those that just want to test their boundaries with a big jump. Indoor Playground: Kids will play here for hours if they could, enjoying every component of Rebounderz jungle-gym!  Arcade: For the gamers that find adventure in beating high scores and winning cool prizes!  The Gauntlet Space Climb: Kids can channel their inner monkey with this supported climb to new heights!  Virtual Reality: An active, exhilarating, and futuristic experience! Themed Climbing Walls: For kids that always felt dissatisfied with the playground climbing wall, our themed walls will satisfy every specific niche, from lego walls to buildings. Birthday Party Rates   Rebounderz offers four birthday packages that come with a 2-hour private room, drinks, pizza,  75 minutes of playtime, and Rebounderz socks. In addition to the packages below, you can upgrade with various add-ons (like the private dodgeball game we mentioned).  Five Star General package: $460 for up to 20 participants Major Rick’s Party Package: $390 for up to 15 participants Sergeant Party Package: $290 for up to 10 participants Glow Party Package: $349 for up to 12 participants. (Friday and Saturday night events only).    Museum of Illusions  The magician's birthday party is often overdone, but for kids that want a taste of magic that’s unique, the Museum of Illusions in Orlando offers a great alternative. Peppered with rooms that challenge your perception of reality, kids will be awed at the convincing tricks these illusions play on their eyes and minds.  While the Museum of Illusions certainly offers a sense of novelty to the traditional birthday party, note that it’s one of the pricier venues on our list and seems to fall short in its birthday party offerings. Plus, the group visit isn’t distinct as a birthday party, with no private room or pizza for the kids.  Birthday Party Activities & Options Museum of Illusions walkthrough, group visit  Birthday Party Rates  Groups of 15 or more can secure a discounted rate of $18.99/person Single ticket for weekday entry - $19.99/person Single ticket for weekend entries - $26.99/adult (ages 13+), $22.99/children (ages 3-12)    Wonderworks Orlando  Wonderworks Orlando is located on the famous International Drive, offering fun activities for children and adults and makes for an impressive birthday party idea. Kids will enjoy endless (100) hands-on experiences that give them a solid blend of fun and education. What we like about Wonderworks is its versatility.  The extreme weather zone mimics winds, rains, and heat, while the space discovery zone imitates an out-of-world experience! Kids that don't care for the exhibits can run downstairs to play some laser tag if they choose.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Wonder Mania Party: Ropes course, laser tag, and exhibit access.  Outta Control Party: Magic comedy show, dinner, and exhibits as add-ons  Birthday Party Rates  Wonder Mania Party: $375 plus tax for up to 12 people Outta Control Party: $26 per adult and $18 per child for at least 12 people $18 add-on for exhibits Party Add-Ons: Mad Science (Experiments) - $250 Professor Wonder appearance   The Crayola Experience There are plenty of birthday party ideas in the arts and crafts realm. For the artistic birthday child, the Crayola Experience offers creativity galore. Known for the giant blue crayon, the Crayola Experience hosts countless birthday parties every year where kids can color and craft till their faces (or hands) turn blue. A great birthday party idea could be to have kids color and create a figure of their choosing and have other kids guess what they drew!  One drawback for the Crayola Experience is its lack of versatility. While kids can color and craft all day, there isn’t as much opportunity to burn off some energy.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Razzmatazz Package: 1-hour private room access, unlimited access to venue attractions, party supplies, drinks.  Marvelous Package: All of the above plus pizza.  Birthday Party Rates  Try to book a birthday party with at least 15 kids so that you can secure the discounted group rate. The Crayola Experience’s party packages all include the following:  1-hour access to private party room  Unlimited fruit punch and lemonade during room time Printable invitations Party supplies Special gift for the birthday child Razzmatazz Package - $334 for 19 attendees, with more guests permitted at an extra cost.  Mauvelous Package - $375 for 19 attendees. This package adds on three 16” pizzas.  Tree Trek Adventure Park  If your child loves obstacle courses in gym class, Tree Trek Adventure Park takes that to an entirely different level (literally)! Based high in the trees of a forest, Tree Trek’s aerial courses challenge children with ladders, nets, and ropes to give them the ultimate adventure.  This makes for a great birthday party idea, especially if you create a little competition amongst the kids! Calculate how long it takes for each kid to complete the course and reward the winner with a special prize. Or, let the birthday child take a zip-line and snap some photos of their journey! Birthday Party Activities & Options  Specific course features can be tailored to your needs, but most birthday party options include zip lines, aerial obstacle courses, Tarzan swings, and nets.  Birthday Party Rates  You won’t find specific package rate information on Tree Trek’s website, but they advise you to inquire for a quote if your birthday party has 10 or more people. Regular Adult admission: $56.95 plus tax Junior (9-11) admission: $44.95 plus tax Kids: (6-8) admission: $24.85 plus tax   Orlando Science Center  The Orlando Science Center is for the mad scientist at heart! If you’re looking for a birthday party idea that combines fun with education, you’ll love the exhibits here. While the birthday party package includes admission to exhibits like Food Heroes, DinoDigs, NatureWorks, and the Kinetic Zone, you might consider some other attractions outside of the package as a unique birthday party idea.  For example, the Digital Adventure Theater will wow the kids with 2D films accompanied by 7.1 surround sound and 4L Digital projection - the ultimate, immersive, show experience. Unique Science Live! shows include a “High Voltage” Show about electricity or the Kaboom! Show about explosives!  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Standard Science Party Package: Admission to all exhibits, cake, pizza, dedicated host Food Add-ons: Fruits, sandwiches, and more.  Birthday Party Rates  Standard Science Party Package - $400 for the general public for 27 people; $350 for members Extra guests - $12.50 per person for every person over 27 people.  Planet Obstacle  Planet Obstacle gives kids the chance to course through interactive obstacle courses, with no shortage of different activities like bumper cars, rock climbing walls, or zip-lines.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Jupiter - 2H (No Food): 2 hours of play and party time Jupiter - 2H (With Food): 2 hours of play and party time, with food (pizza) Little Super Star (ages 3-4y old): Unlimited Access Birthday Party Rates  Each of Planet Obstacle’s party packages permits 10 guests, plus the birthday child. You’ll enjoy 2 hours of play and party time, along with decorations and play socks.  Jupiter - 2H (no food): $245.95 for 2 hours, reserved table only - no private room.  Jupiter - 2H (with food): $295.95 for two hours, reserved table plus three 14” pizzas. Little Super Star (ages 3-4y old): $345.95 for all of the above, plus unlimited all-day play and a private room.    RDV Ice Den  Is your child a hockey pro, a figure-skating enthusiast, or just likes to have fun? RDV Ice Den might be a great birthday party venue, hosting a few fun ice-themed birthday party ideas. You might want to have a “Frozen” themed birthday party where kids can dress up as characters from the popular kids’ movie.  While the birthday party packages don’t offer this, you might consider hosting a smaller party and hiring a figure skating coach to put on a lesson for the kids!  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Bronze Party: Coach, skate rental, admission for up to 15. Includes pizza and a special gift for the birthday child.  Gold Party: All the above for up to 18 people, along with colored decorations, more pizza, and loot bags. Platinum Party: All the above with custom-themed decorations Hourly Party: 1.5 hours of ice skating, party coach, skate admission, and rental for 8 Birthday Party Rates  Bronze Party: $350 plus tax Gold Party: $450 plus tax Platinum Party: $500 plus tax Hourly Party:  $175 plus tax   Disney Springs Disney Springs is an entertainment complex within Walt Disney World that hosts shopping, dining, movies, bowling, and other activities. The complex has rides like mini trains and carousels but doesn’t offer any party packages. This means you’ll have to handle the planning yourself and be prepared for lines and obstacles, since you won’t have a dedicated space.  Despite the extra work, this could be a great way to infuse some more creativity into your birthday party idea. Does your child like movies? Just buy 10 tickets so they can all enjoy the same one, and after that, perhaps the kids can all choose a stuffed animal that they like in the shopping center.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  No party packages, and activities cost a la carte.  Birthday Party Rates  Check Disney Springs’ website for more details.  Mad Science Orlando Looking for a science-themed birthday party? Mad Science Orlando is a great option for kids with a taste for the strange and bizarre world of chemistry! A Slime Time birthday theme lets your entire group create 3 different kinds of slime, while Bubbling Bubbles teaches kids about bubbles and lets them fill theirs with gas! One fun birthday idea could be to have a contest where the blower of the biggest gas bubble wins a prize!  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Contact Mad Science Orlando for packages. Birthday Party Rates  Contact Mad Science Orlando for rates   Farris & Fosters Chocolate Factory  Are there ways to have sweet-themed birthday party ideas? Farris & Fosters Chocolate Factory offers a suitable option, hosting birthday parties for groups of up to 30 people. This event venue offers the ultimate chocolate attraction.  Kids can learn how to create the chocolates they enjoy so much in Farris & Fosters’ chocolate-making experience, which teaches them how to create chocolate pizzas with delicious, tooth-decaying gummy-bear decorations!  Farris & Fosters’ scores points for stroking your sweet tooth, but all of the sugar might not make this every parent’s first choice of a birthday party idea for their kid.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Chocolate-Covered Happy Birthday: 3 chocolate recipe lessons, hats and aprons, pizza lunch, and cake.  Birthday Party Rates  $14 per person (under 12 people) $13 per person (over 12 people)   Central Florida Zoo Most kids are animal lovers, making the Central Florida Zoo a unique birthday party idea for kids in preschool up to junior school grads! The birthday child will love the wild sites of tropical birds, fierce jungle predators, or sly reptiles. One great birthday idea for the zoo is to have a bingo game going in the group.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  ZOOper Birthday: Minimum of 15 people, includes zoo admission, indoor-themed party room, and themed decorations. Birthday Party Rates $18 per person.    Fun Spot America  Fun Spot America is an ideal amusement park, renowned for its suspenseful, adventure-bringing rides like the Hurricane and Swing Ride. An idea for those afraid of heights is to check out the park’s splash pad or arcade! There’s something for everyone at Fun Spot, but you’ll pay a premium price for their attractions.  Amusement parks are great birthday party ideas for parents with the budget and patience, as supervising a bunch of kids in such a large space might be stressful.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Unlimited Armband Party Package: No private room, but reserved outdoor table if you purchase a minimum food order; Unlimited rides, except the SkyCoaster. Arcade Party Package: Fun Spot cash, pizzas and drinks, party supplies. The Ultimate Party Package: Unlimited rides and go-karts, arcade cards, and pizzas and drinks (for 7 people). Birthday Party Rates  Unlimited Armband Party Package: $319.60 Arcade Party Package: $109.95   Holiday Inn Resort & Waterpark  Water guns, water balloons, and waterslides all get kids pumped with excitement. A water-themed event is a great birthday party idea, especially on a hot summer day! After getting wet, kids will enjoy the option to play laser tag and mini-golf. The one drawback is the price. If your child’s birthday is during the Holiday Inn’s hot season, you’ll face premium pricing that will add up the more people you invite.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Request information from the Holiday Inn for party details. Birthday Party Rates  Request information from the Holiday Inn for quotes.   What is the best idea for kids’ birthday parties in Orlando?  Rebounderz takes the cake when it comes to unique, fun kids’ birthday ideas (pun intended). The options are endless, from trampolines galore to climbing adventures and ninja warrior obstacle courses. And, parents will feel comfortable with our extensive safety measures to keep their kids safe while they have the time of their lives!  Have any specific birthday party ideas you want to try at Rebounderz? Contact us today — we’d love to work with you to give your child the ultimate gift! #### 14 Best Kids Birthday Party Venues in Orlando, FL What is the best venue for kids' birthday parties in Orlando? As a parent, coming up with ideas for your kids’ birthday parties can feel like a lot–everyone wants something fun, new, and engaging. That’s why so many parents seek the best kid's birthday party venues in Orlando — to give their children an unforgettable birthday experience.  Orlando has no shortage of birthday party venues, even outside of the renowned international drive, from laser tag to trampoline dodgeball. A family entertainment center offers a wide range of exciting and safe activities for a child to enjoy their birthday party.  But, how do you pick from some of the best kid's birthday party venues in Orlando? Are you looking for inflatable attractions? Princesses? Science experiments? (Spoiler alert: Rebounderz has something for everyone!) Ready to explore a world of child-like wonder and adventure? Today we'll look at various factors, like the cost of admission, decorations, themes, activities, attractions, and more activities to help you pick the best option for your kid’s next birthday party in Orlando!    Rebounderz  Kids want fun and exciting experiences at their fingertips...enter Rebounderz! Rebounderz offers kids of all ages the ultimate variety of attractions to keep them happy without sacrificing safety.  Whether it’s rock climbing or trampolines, or one of the many other activities we offer–see the list below–parents can rest assured knowing their child is playing in a facility that’s taken every safety precaution, from safety gear and trampoline corners to structure regulations and COVID-19 protocols.  Looking to express your culture or have a unique theme for your child’s birthday? Rebounderz has experience with many different types of birthday celebrations, from Latin American Quinceneras to Korean Doljanchi.  Our customers cite in our Google Reviews that their children had a blast. Parents were impressed with our up-to-date renovations, customer service, variety of activities, and affordable price. We’ve also done countless themed birthdays, from princesses to army rangers.  Safety? Check. Variety of attractions? Check. Adventure? Check. Not having to worry about whether it’s too hot, too cold, windy or rainy? Quadruple check. Rebounderz has it all as one of Orlando's best kid's birthday party venues. Birthday Party Activities & Options  Trampolines: For kids to bounce, flip, and jump high as the sky either alone or with a group Trampoline Dodgeball & Basketball: Exactly what it sounds like!  Ninja Warrior: An obstacle course with nets, ropes, and balls. Trampoline Basketball Slam: For an extra bit of height on your free-throw. Air Pit and Foam Pit: Safe and clean silly fun! XTreme Tower: For those that just want to test their boundaries with a big jump. Indoor Playground: Slides, swings, and the sought-after jungle gym! Arcade: For the gamer kids that have their eyes on cool prizes. The Gauntlet Space Climb: A supported rope climb to new heights! Virtual Reality: For the kid ahead of their time! Themed Climbing Walls: From lego walls to buildings, try a climbing wall that takes you to new heights.  Stairway to heaven at Rebounderz!  Birthday Party Rates   Each birthday package includes a private room that will be kept available for the 2-hour duration of your party, pizza with drinks, 75 minutes of playtime, and Rebounderz socks. Upgrades to food and activity offerings can be added with additional fees. Five Star General package: $460 for up to 20 participants Major Rick’s Party Package: $390 for up to 15 participants Sergeant Party Package: $290 for up to 10 participants Glow Party Package: $349 for up to 12 participants. Note that this package is for Friday and Saturday night events only.  Museum of Illusions  The Museum of Illusions in Orlando is a unique venue for both kids and adults to enjoy optical and graphic illusions. A great memory for the photo album, kids will love the strange, exotic sights that they’d likely never see elsewhere; The Museum of Illusions allows bookings for birthdays with a great capacity of 200 people.  While some may love the experience, others might crave more activities for their children throughout the event, and it is one of the pricier venues on this list. Birthday Party Activities & Options  Museum of Illusions walkthrough, with various rooms.  Birthday Party Rates  Enquire about a group visit for information about rates, and expect a response between 24-48 hours. Group visits must be booked at least 7 days in advance.  Groups of 15 or more can request a group booking at a discounted rate of $18.99/person Single ticket for weekday entry -$19.99/person Single ticket for weekend entries - $26.99/adult (ages 13+), $22.99/children (ages 3-12)  The Crayola Experience The Crayola Experience is a household name for many Americans, known for the giant blue crayon, or activity studio to cut paste and craft fun characters, from rock stars to jungle explorers.  Outside of Orlando, they also have a few other locations throughout the US including Plano, Texas, Chandler, Arizona, Easton, Pennsylvania and Mall of America, Minnesota. Kids really enjoy the hands-on, creative fun activities that Crayola offers.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Razzmatazz Package: Private room for 1 hour, access to attractions, drinks (juice), and party supplies. Marvelous Package: Everything from the Razzmatazz package plus pizza.  Birthday Party Rates  Group rates are offered for groups with 15+ guests. Their party packages include private party room access for 1 hour, unlimited fruit punch and lemonade during room time, free printable invitations, party supplies, and a special gift for the birthday child. Razzmatazz Package - $334 for 19 attendees, with more guests permitted at an extra cost.  Mauvelous Package - $375 for 19 attendees. This package adds on three 16” pizzas.  Tree Trek Adventure Park    If your kid enjoys monkey bars and jungle gyms at school playgrounds, Tree Trek Adventure Park will be a lovely place to have a birthday party. Taking all the climbing fun outdoors, Tree Trek Adventure Park is an aerial obstacle course with ropes, nets, ladders, and climbing (with support, of course) amidst the trees of a pine forest. The venue also hosts birthday parties that feature a zip line, picnic benches for cake and food, and access to the aerial obstacle course.  While this venue is a great outdoor option, it can be on the more expensive end, and is definitely for the more adventurous child–versus someone who might be afraid of heights.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Your birthday party experience can be tailored to your group’s needs, but may include: Zip lines Leaping into nets Tarzan swings  Aerial obstacle course Birthday Party Rates  Tree Trek Adventure Park doesn’t list it’s group and party packages online. They ask that you inquire online or via phone for a quote (groups of 10 or more).  Regular Adult admission: $56.95 plus tax Junior (9-11) admission: $44.95 plus tax Kids: (6-8) admission: $24.85 plus tax Orlando Science Center    Some children prefer the wonder of science experiments over running, jumping, and obstacle courses. The Orlando Science Center is a hands-on science museum where kids can enjoy various exhibits, like Kids Town, NatureWorks, DinoDigs, TinyGreenHome, and more! The Science Center offers different themed birthday party packages, from party animals to weird science.  Party packages include science center admission, pizza and cupcakes, personal party host, and STEM activities. It’s great for the inquisitive child, but maybe not the best fit for kids who love activity and adventure.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Standard Science Party Package: Science center admission, cake, pizza, and host Food Add-ons: Fruits, sandwiches, and more.  Birthday Party Rates  Standard Science Party Package - $350 for members, $400 for the general public for 27 people. Extra guests - $12.50 per person for every person over 27 people.  Planet Obstacle  kids birthday party ideas Planet Obstacle offers what the name suggests: interactive, fun obstacle courses with activities like bumper cars, zip lines, rock climbing walls, and of course: obstacle courses!  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Jupiter - 2H (No Food): 2 hours of play and party time Jupiter - 2H (With Food): 2 hours of play and party time, with food Little Super Star (ages 3-4y old): Unlimited Access Birthday Party Rates  Planet Obstacle has three party packages for 10 guests plus the birthday child. Each includes 2 hours of play and party time, socks, and decorations.  Jupiter - 2H (no food): $245.95, reserved table only - no private room.  Jupiter - 2H (with food): $295.95 all of the above plus three 14” pizzas of your choice. Little Super Star (ages 3-4y old): $345.95 for all of the above, plus unlimited all day play and a private room.    RDV Ice Den  The RDV Ice Den offers various activities and attractions for adults and children on the ice. From figure skating to ice hockey, children will enjoy an ice-themed adventure while they glide across the venue’s well-kept ice rinks.  While this would undoubtedly be a fun outing for some kids, if there’s a variety of interests, a venue that offers lots of different types of activities could be a better fit.  Birthday Party Activities & Options Bronze Party: Skate rental and admission for 15, party coach, pizzas, and birthday gift Gold Party: Everything from the bronze party plus 3 more guests, more pizza, goodie bags, and solid-colored decorations Platinum Party: Everything from the Gold Party plus custom-themed decorations Hourly Party: 1.5 hours of ice skating, party coach, skate admission, and rental for 8 Birthday Party Rates  Bronze Party: $350 plus tax Gold Party: $450 plus tax Platinum Party: $500 plus tax Hourly Party:  $175 plus tax Disney Springs An entertainment complex within Walt Disney World, Disney Springs offers countless activities, like shopping, dining, bowling, movies, and more. Kids will be excited by the various rides on offer like the carousels, mini trains, and an amphicar experience that resembles a boat trip.  Disney Springs is great–but it doesn’t offer organized birthday parties. In this case, you’d have to set up the party on your own, which will definitely add some work.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Disney Springs doesn’t offer birthday packages; instead, it’s a price-efficient way to enjoy some aspects of Disney World on a budget. You’ll have to pay per person to use any activities like rides or bowling, which vary by activity.  Birthday Party Rates  Check Disney Springs’ website for more details.  Wonderworks Orlando  An international drive icon, Wonderworks Orlando offers an entertainment + educational experience for adults and children, with 100 different hands-on experiences. Each area offers families a different, interactive attraction, from the extreme weather zone to the space discovery zone.  On top of the educational exhibits, kids will enjoy the adventure zone downstairs, where they can embark on a ropes course or laser tag.  But, there are some drawbacks. A huge company like Wonderworks is often riddled with overcrowding - this could be stressful for both parents and children, and especially troublesome while COVID-19 is still around. It can also be somewhat expensive for events.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Wonder Mania Party: Laser tag, ropes course, and access to all exhibits Outta Control Party: With dinner and a magic comedy show, with the option to add on exhibits Birthday Party Rates  Wonder Mania Party: $375 plus tax (12 people) Outta Control Party: $26 per adult and $18 per child (12 person minimum) $18 add-on for exhibits Party Add-Ons: Mad Science (Experiments) - $250 Professor Wonder appearance Mad Science Orlando Mad Science Orlando is a birthday venue for aspiring scientists and chemists. It hosts fun attractions like chemical reactions, hovercraft rides, cotton candy cooking lessons, and other educational programs. All birthday parties entail fun, educational science experiments with add-ons for birthday party food (pizza, etc.).  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Contact Mad Science Orlando for packages. Birthday Party Rates  Contact Mad Science Orlando for rates.  Farris & Fosters Chocolate Factory  Farris & Fosters Chocolate Factory hosts birthday parties for groups up to 30 people, and includes cooking experiences for sweets like chocolate pizzas with gummy bear decorations, and cookies dipped in a chocolate waterfall. Kids with sweet tooths (so, everyone) will love the chocolate madness at Farris & Fosters.  Parents will also like the price point, as it sits at a reasonable $14 per person. The only thing missing? Variety. Chocolate is fun and all, but there aren’t many opportunities for adventure or activities other than chocolate making.  Birthday Party Activities & Options  Chocolate-Covered Happy Birthday: Hats and aprons, 3 chocolate-making activities, one hour of cake, and pizza.  Birthday Party Rates  $14 per person (under 12 people) $13 per person (over 12 people) Central Florida Zoo   The Central Florida Zoo is well-known for its wide offerings of animal exhibits. From wild cats and toucans to monkeys and reptiles, the zoo is a top spot for wildlife exploration. Some fun activities include giraffe feeding and zip-line courses.       Birthday Party Activities & Options  ZOOper Birthday: Zoo admission, indoor-themed party room, zoo decorations, for a minimum of 15 people. Birthday Party Rates  $18 per person Fun Spot America  Fun Spot Orlando is a well-known American amusement park favorite, with rides like the Mine Blower, White Lightning, Sky Coaster, and Hurricane. They offer various birthday packages that all include free admission to the amusement park, but having a birthday party with lots of kids in such a large space could be stressful.   Birthday Party Activities & Options  Unlimited Armband Party Package: Unlimited rides, except the SkyCoaster; outdoor table with minimum food purchase;.  Arcade Party Package: Fun Spot cash, pizzas and drinks, party supplies. The Ultimate Party Package: Unlimited rides and go-karts, arcade cards, and pizzas and drinks (for 7 people). Birthday Party Rates  Unlimited Armband Party Package: $319.60 Arcade Party Package: $109.95 The Ultimate Party Package: $389.60 Holiday Inn Resort & Waterpark  Orlando’s Holiday Inn Waterpark is a great option for a birthday party on a hot day. Featuring a lagoon water park, mini-golf course, and Bank Heist Laser Tag Challenge, the venue hosts many different play activities for kids. Birthday Party Activities & Options  Request information from the Holiday Inn for party details. Birthday Party Rates  Request information from the Holiday Inn for quotes. What is the best idea for kids’ birthday parties in Orlando?  Rebounderz is one of, if not the best, kid's birthday party venues in Orlando. With endless activities and attractions–like the Ninja Warrior Course, Virtual Reality, Arcade, and Trampoline attraction–we offer something for everyone, including the parents! With great prices and activity options, robust safety measures, and lots of experience hosting events, you can’t go wrong with Rebounderz! Ready to book a fabulous birthday party for your child? Contact us today! #### 14+ Best Kid’s Birthday Party Ideas & Venues Sacramento, CA It’s party time! Finding the right place to host a memorable birthday party in Sacramento can create memories that will last a lifetime. And though planning a kid's birthday party can be a lot of work, it doesn't have to be. With this list of the best kid’s birthday party ideas and venues in Sacramento, you’re well on your way to making your child's day memorable.  The City of Sacramento has a smorgasbord of exciting venues for kids’ birthday parties. Sacramento is a veritable paradise for children’s entertainment, from Rebounderz premier indoor play experience to roller coasters, paint parties, and even escape rooms.      Rebounderz  Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park and Family Fun Center is a birthday venue that you simply cannot miss! Kids absolutely love the many dynamic activities found here. The impressive trampoline arena is guaranteed to provide endless fun. They won’t want to miss running through the fun and challenging ninja courses or testing their endurance and strength on the rock climbing walls. There are many options for younger children as well, including a huge indoor playground. Parents can chill in the lounge with goodies from the cafe and enjoy free Wi-Fi. There is no place like Rebounderz There are a wide number of activities that are appropriate for kids of all ages and they can be as physically active as they want to be. At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults. Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active. And let’s not forget their parents night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much-needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of! Activities Offered: Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs   Pricing & party packages  Ultimate Ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento, the all day pass also includes 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice cold fountain drink Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time to all the activities offered Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time to all the activities offered   Birthday party packages Five Star General Party: $499 (or $24.95 per person), includes 20 participants, 75 mins activity time, all access and bumper cars, private party suite, dedicated party host, 4 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 19 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit Major Rick’s Party Package: $449 (or $29.95 per person) includes 15 participants, 75 mins activity time, private party suite, dedicated party host, 3 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 14 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit, add bumper cars for $39 Sergeant Party Package: $349 (or $34.95 per person) includes 10 participants, 75 mins activity time, reserved party table, shared party host, 2 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 9 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit, add bumper cars for $25 They also offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz Sacramento offerings!    G*Factor Gaming Video gaming is brought right to your door at G*Factor Gaming. No need to have all the gadgets to throw an epic gaming party. G*Factor has the gaming setup every kid would dream of. This mobile game-centric theater has four 55-inch HD TVs on the inside with the possibility of adding two more 55-inch HD TVs on the outside.  It features custom plush leather limousine-style seating to go with a sleek, high-tech interior and a booming surround sound system.       Activities Offered Mobile gaming theater Multi HDTVs with surround sound system and seating. Gaming systems featured are XboxONE, Play station 4, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, Wii, WiiU, and Wii U gamepad.   Pricing & Party Packages  Premier Game Theater: $350 - 2 Hours of gaming on four 55-inch LG HDTVs for up to 16 kids. Over 80 games to choose from. Ultimate Game Theater: $375 - 2 Hours of gaming on four 55-inch LG HDTVs for up to 16 kids. Over 165 games to choose from. $150 per additional hour   Amazing Fairytale Parties At Amazing Fairytale Parties you can bring your child’s favorite princess to life with their cast of talented performers. They are a professional group of party planners and actresses that work together to provide children and families with enchanting birthday parties and other events.  Amazing Fairytale Parties has dozens of characters in their repertoire, many from popular movies like Frozen and Tangled to custom-made characters straight out of a fairytale.   Activities Offered Character grand entrance Meet and greet all party goers Storytime Sing along Face paint Games Happy birthday song Royal Ball and Extravaganza add balloon twist   Pricing & Party Packages  Glass Slipper: $225 - 60 minutes, includes one character Grand Ball: $295 - 90 minutes, includes one character Royal Ball: $395 - 60 minutes, two characters, adds balloon twist Extravaganza: $1200 - 2 hours, three characters, adds balloon twist   Jastag  Jastag offers glow-in-the-dark laser tag for a fun-filled day any kid would enjoy. Jastag has a huge facility covering almost 8500 square feet spread across two stories. It features bumper cars, a laser maze, arcade & skill games, and of course, laser tag.  Eight teams can participate at once in 15-minute matches. Maneuver through a room filled with wafting smoke, don’t break any of the lasers to get a high score, and see who is the stealthiest in your group!   Activities Offered Laser tag Laser maze Bumper cars Arcade & skill games   Pricing & Party Packages  Standard package includes 2 games of laser tag, 2 laser maze games, 2 hours of exclusive use of the party room, drinks, and 2 slices of pizza (per person) included 10 players $335, 15 players $460, 20 players $600. $25 per additional player Premium package includes 2 games of laser tag, 1 laser maze game, 1 bumper car ride, 100 tickets for prizes (200 for the guest of honor), 2 hours of use of the exclusive party room, drinks, and 2 slices of pizza (per person) included. 10 players $355, 15 players $485, 20 players $655. $29 per additional player   K1 Speed Put the pedal to the metal and enjoy all-electric indoor go-kart racing at K1 Speed. They offer an “Arrive-and-Drive” package where you do not need a reservation, just show up, hop in a go-kart, and drive! The go-karts here are not your average fairground slowpokes; they’re high-performance speed machines.  You don’t know go-kart racing until you’ve tried K1 Speed! In addition to the track, there’s also the Paddock Lounge, a full-fledged restaurant-style lounge with burgers, pizza, wings, and nachos. The perfect setting for a group or party to enjoy a fun-filled day of racing and excitement!   Activities Offered High-performance electric go-kart racing Indoor arcade  Billiards Air Hockey   Pricing & Party Packages  Walk-in pricing: $27.95 per person per race, 2 races: $49.95, 3 races: $65.95 Junior Mini Grand Prix : $60 per child, 12 lap qualifying race and a 12-lap final race, including a 1-hour party room rental with a pizza and drinks included. Must be 48 inches tall.  Teen/Adult: $65 per person, 12 lap qualifying race and a 12-lap final race, including a 1-hour party room rental with a pizza and drinks included.   The Boulder Field Ever wanted to try out rock climbing as the pros do? The Boulder Field is an authentic indoor rock-climbing facility with a dedicated youth area custom-made for aspiring young climbers. Instructors will guide children on basic climbing tips and safety practices.  The children’s area features an 8-foot top-out wall and slide descent. There are also snacks and beverages available at a café.   Activities Offered Rock climbing Yoga  Fitness center Pricing & Party Packages  5-16 Kids: $345 17-24 Kids: $500  While shoe rental is included (with 30-minutes of table use to open presents and eat). Packages do not include food, plates, or eating utensils.   Funderland Amusement Park A fixture of family entertainment in Sacramento since 1946, Funderland provides nine exciting rides and their brand-new Fort Funhouse, a 2-story jungle gym for climbing and sliding fun. There’s also a concession stand for snacks and refreshments.  A particularly exciting feature is their Funderland Party Package, available for groups of 10 to 30, which includes an entire day of unlimited rides and 2 hours in a private party area. This venerable amusement park is located next to the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town.   Activities Offered Rides in the park: Flying Dragon roller coaster Squirrelly Whirl Classic Carousel Funderland Express Train Crazy Tea Cups Red Baron Planes Wild Stagecoach Backroads Buggies Oscar the Fisher Photo-op sites, “Duesy” Car, Red Baron Plane, Funderland Express Train Depot FunderTreats concession stand   Pricing & Party Packages  Child admissions: 34” tall or over; $22 for an all-day pass Adult admissions: $17 for an all-day pass Seniors (60+): $10 for an all-day pass Funderland Party Package: $17 per person (minimum 10 people, maximum 30) for unlimited rides all day.   Fairytale Town   Fairytale Town is a great place for kid’s birthday parties. It’s located in William Land Park and is open year round. This park has a petting zoo, pony rides, playground and train ride. For kids who love trains, Fairytale Town also has a small train ride where kids can sit on the train and pretend to drive it around the track.   Activities Offered Storybook park Animals Gardens Performance stages Story boxes Cafe   Pricing & Party Packages  Children and adults Weekdays: $7 Weekends & Holidays: $8 Birthday party packages ($80 deposit, up to 20 guests, $9.50 per extra guest up to 30 maximum) Royal party in King Arthur’s castle: $310 Pirate party in Pirate’s Cove: $275 Barnyard Bash in Pooh Corner: $275 Green Thumb party in Mr. McGregor’s garden: $225 Membership (12 months access); Varies between $50 and $1000 per year for 2 to 24 people. Members get discounts on hosted birthdays and other benefits.   Mad Science of Sacramento Valley Mad Science of Sacramento Valley delivers a science enrichment experience through experiments and fun, interactive programs. Each “Mad Scientist” staff member has experience working with preschool or elementary-level children.  Their gregarious and outgoing personalities foster unforgettable moments for children learning about the world around them. They also offer birthday party services at your own home or a venue of your choosing.    Activities Offered Interactive science experiments for children “Make-and-take” activities (slime, putty, bouncy balls, and more) A grand finale of your choice Ignition Rocket Launch Cotton Candy Making Dry Ice Bubbly Potions Water Rocket Launch Team Statis Insanity Van de Graaf Generator Hovercraft Rides   Pricing & Party Packages  Standard: $269 for 1-10 kids (45-min science show with everything listed above)  $319 for 11-20 kids $369 for 21-30 kid Super: $319 for 1-10 kids (Same as standard but adds Mad Science Goody Bags with science-themed toys for each guest) 419 for 11-20 kids  $519 for 21-30 kids   Just for Fun Art A creative hub for flourishing artistic minds, Just for Fun Art offers the best paint nights and art classes in Sacramento! With 2,500 square feet of open space, there’s ample room for large flocks of artists to set up their easels and paint.  This art studio hosts frequent events like summer camp, open studio time, and family arts & crafts. They also offer private parties for birthday children with a minimum of 10 guests.   Activities Offered Acrylic painting & instructions Glow-in-the-dark painting for black light parties Mini garden creation with succulent plants   Pricing & Party Packages  It’s a $75 deposit to book and then:  Black Light parties: $50 per person Succulent Fairy or Dinosaur Garden party: $35 per person   Enchambered Enchambered provides a different form of entertainment and fun with challenging escape rooms! Escape rooms are a challenging and engaging way to have fun! This unique experience is perfect for the kids who like to problem solve and love a good mystery.    Activities Offered Containment Breach The Whispering Halls Skull Witch Trouble in the Toy Shop Online Escape Rooms Pricing & Party Packages  Trouble in the Toy Shop: $30 per person (max. 4) Containment Breach: $40 per person (max. 8) The Whispering Halls: $40 per person (max. 10) The Skull Witch: $40 per person (max. 8) Contact Enchambered for party package availability.    All About Fun   All About Fun offers party rentals for backyard kid’s birthday parties, school carnivals and other assorted fundraising events in the Sacramento area. They provide bounce houses, inflatable jumpers and water slides, dunk tanks, a mechanical bull and other fun activities that can be rented for the ultimate birthday party!      Activities Offered Inflatable interactives like slam dunk basketball and bungee joust Portable carnival games Water slides Bouncy houses Concession stands   Pricing & Party Packages  Mickey Park Pack: $275 Home Mini Carnival (5-in-1): $625 Home Mini Carnival (Tropical): $529 Frozen Party Package: $185   Scandia Fun Center  Scandia Fun Center definitely has a lot to see and do! This family fun center is not just a place for rides and games, birthday parties can be held here as well! From thrilling rides like the Crazy Dane Coaster to something a bit more laid back like mini golf, kids and adults will find something to enjoy.    Activities Offered Rides  Lapland Land Slide Swedish Scrambler Baltic Sea Bumper Boats Norway Flyer Stockholm Raceway Crazy Dane Rollercoaster Sky Screamer Batting cages Mini-golf Arcade & skill games Snack bar   Pricing & Party Packages  Scandia offers a free party room with a reservation, and group rates are available Silver group package: 10 person min and includes golf and 110 fun points and is $20 per person. Gold group package: 15 person min, includes unlimited mini golf play and is $9 per person.   ArtBeast Children's Studio   ArtBeast Children's Studio lets children explore their creativity with their outdoor and indoor space, fostering a love for the arts and community building!  ArtBeast Children's Studio offers weekend birthday rentals for two hour slots.     Activities Offered The Loft Room Drama Den Building Room Story Corner Courtyard Space    Pricing & Party Packages  Contact ArtBeast Children’s Studio by email at admin@artbeaststudio.com for information on birthday parties and pricing.    Best Kid’s Birthday Party Ideas & Venues in Sacramento, CA?  When your kid wants to have a birthday party, you’re going to want to make it one they’ll never forget. Whether you’re looking for something sporty, educational, or just downright fun, there are some great choices in the Sacramento area.  But at Rebounderz, there’s something for everyone. Kids can have a blast in their indoor trampoline arena, tackle obstacle courses, challenge friends in the arcade area, and many other options! Everyone at your party will find something to enjoy at Rebounderz. If you're looking for fun indoor activities for your child's next birthday party, check out Rebounderz today! #### 14+ Perfect Sacramento Fall Activities (Outside and Indoors) Every season has its unique features. Fall is a great season for both indoor and outdoor activities. And let’s not forget the major holidays of the fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Both of these holidays bring with them fun activities for the whole family to experience.  Sacramento has no shortage of festive activities and events for everyone looking to get the most out of the season. From indoor playgrounds to outdoor animal sanctuaries, the Sacramento area is the perfect place to be during any season really.   Indoor Fall Activities in Sacramento  While fall is a beautiful time of year, there can be some very cold or even very hot days. In addition to the fluctuating temperatures, there are rainy days inevitable during any season.  Here is a list of indoor activities perfect for all those not-so-favorable fall days.          1. Rebounderz Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities for those who want to develop fundamental skills to those looking for something more advanced, including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging but fun Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  Your kids will love Rebounderz – it’s the perfect spot to help kick those back-to-school blues! Rebounderz isn’t just for kids either. Adults can also experience something unique and fun! We also offer a Parents’ Night Out program where Rebounderz staff watch your kids for the evening, so parents can take some much-needed time off.  Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. There’s also a summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities as well as 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice cold fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time for all the activities. Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time for all the activities.  They also offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz offerings!         2. Sac Mini Golf Sac Mini Golf is an indoor mini golf course set in the basement of the historic Union Hotel. Located in the Old Sacramento Waterfront, Sac Mini Golf is around plenty of restaurants and other fun activities. They offer private events and birthday parties in addition to everyday walk-ins.  Activities: Mini golf Pricing: 13 years and up: $13 3-12 years: $10 Children under 3: Free with paid adult Replays: $5         3. SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity is more than just a typical museum. There are interactive exhibits for kids to explore and a multiverse theater with an immersive planetarium experience. Give your children an educational experience when the weather is not favorable for outdoor activities. Activities:  Interactive exhibitions Multiverse theater Planetarium Pricing: Members: Free Toddlers (Under 2): Free Youth (2-17): $14 Adults (Ages 18+): $17 Seniors (Ages 65+): $15 Educator/College Student/Military: $15 NARM Member/ASTC Member: Free         4. Urban Air Urban Air Adventure Park is an indoor park with a number of attractions from trampolines to a warrior course. They also have organized dodgeball leagues on the weekends, laser mazes for different ages and skill levels, mini golf and roller skating sessions for adults and kids alike. Urban Air offers diverse activities to keep your kids occupied all day long such as bumper cars, virtual reality games, climber wall, sky rider, and more. Activities:  Battle beam Climbing walls Dodgeball Ropes course Trampoline Bumper cars  Warrior course Indoor playground Pricing: 5 & Under Pass: $11.99 Basic Attractions: $15.49 Deluxe Attractions: $20.99 Ultimate Attractions: $26.99 Platinum Attractions: $30.99   Outdoor Fall Activities in Sacramento On the best of days in the fall you are going to want to be outside taking advantage of the beautiful mild fall weather. Luckily, Sacramento has some great outdoor fall activities to explore.         5. Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge offers beautiful outdoor experiences in nature. The fall is one of the best times of the year to visit the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge because the temperatures are mild and the wildlife is out. Activities:  Auto tours Trails Bicycling Photography Hunting Environmental education Pricing: Daily Pass: $6 Annual Pass: $12       6. Explorit Science Center Explorit Science Center aims to stimulate scientific curiosity and excitement in all those that visit. They offer programs for kids to get their hands dirty with real-world science projects. There is also a museum with interactive science exhibits. Activities:  Discovery den Animal alcove Rocks exhibit Inquiry labs Nature safaris Discovery lessons Pollinator garden Pricing: Daily Entry: $5/person Individual Membership: $40/year Family Membership: $75/year Grandparents Membership: $75/year Student Membership: $25/year         7. West Wind Drive-In West Wind Drive-In is one of the few drive-in movie theaters that are still in operation today. As the nights get colder in the fall, check out a movie from the comfort of your car. This family-friendly cinema was established in 1952 and is the biggest drive-in cinema chain in the world. Activities:  Movies Seasonal events Pricing: General Admission: $9 Kids Admission (Ages 5-11): $2 Kids Ages 4 and Under: Free           8. Fairytale Town Fairytale Town has 26 different playsets based on nursery rhymes and fairytales. Since it’s an outdoor park, the fall could be the last chance to visit Fairytale Town prior to the cold winter and spring temperatures set in. Activities:  Storybook park Animals Gardens  Stages Pricing: Adults: $7 weekdays / $8 weekends & holidays Children ages 2-12: $7 weekdays / $8 weekends & holidays Children 1 and under: Free Members: Free         9. Sacramento Zoo Sacramento Zoo is a nonprofit educational organization that is accredited by the American Association of Aquariums and Zoos. There are a number of animal exhibits throughout the park including a giraffe viewing deck where you can feed the giraffes.  Activities:  Animal exhibits Rides Pricing: Tickets can be purchased online and prices fluctuate. Generally they are around $20 per ticket.   Halloween Events in Sacramento Sacramento has all of the spooky Halloween events that one could hope for. Here are just a few of the many Halloween activities that are available in the Sacramento area.         10. Spooky Halloween River Cruise The Spooky Halloween River Cruise is a Sacramento tradition. The cruises run all year round but the spooky Halloween cruise only comes once a year. There are activities for kids to enjoy on the cruise and a Halloween costume contest. Activities:  Scenic views Halloween coloring/activity sheets Halloween music Halloween party favors Costume contest Pricing: Tickets are available when the cruises are running. Most cruises are around $20-$30.         11. Sacramento Scream Park Sacramento Scream Park is one of the many haunted attractions that come around Halloween time each year. The Sacramento Scream Park has been featured on all of the major local news networks for their terrifying setup. There are three mazes to choose from. Activities:  Louisiana catacombs Blind asylum Skull ripper haunted mansion Pricing: General Admission: $19.99 - $34.99 Fast Pass: Add $11  Immediate Admission: Add $22         12. Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival is a very unique event. The giant pumpkin contest brings pumpkins that weigh up to a ton! That is a giant pumpkin alright. Aside from massive pumpkins you will find a race on the water in giant pumpkins that were carved into boats. Activities:  Pumpkin contest Pumpkin train Pumpkin regatta Splat O’Lantern Cupcake contest Live music Pumpkin recipe contest Pricing: Admission is free but parking costs $10.         13. Heartstoppers Haunted House Heartstoppers Haunted House has been up and running for the past fifteen years. Every Halloween you can find droves of people all looking to experience the frightful haunted house attractions at Heartstoppers.  There are four immersive haunts to choose from and they are all tied into one storyline. Activities:  Deadlands The ward Murk Blightwoods Carnival games Pricing: General Admission: $32 Fancy Pants Admission: $49 5 General Admission Tickets: $145 13+ General Admission Tickets: $26 each Carnival Games: $5 for two games         14. Corbett’s House of Horrors Corbett’s House of Horrors is on fifteen acres and offers some unique haunted attractions. There is a paintball zombie attack where you can defend yourself from a zombie attack with a paintball gun while riding in the back of a pickup truck. There is also a haunted corn maze and a “medical mayhem” experience. Activities:  Paintball zombie attack Scarecrow corn trail Medical mayhem Pricing: Terrified: $20 Horrified: $25 Zombified: $40   Enjoy Fall in Sacramento Whether this fall has great weather or it’s cold and rainy, you can find a variety of fun fall activities in Sacramento.  While not everyone is into scary Halloween events, just about everyone and anyone will find something fun at Rebounderz Sacramento. It’s the perfect place to spend any fall day. With countless indoor activities like the trampoline arena or bumper cars, it’s easy for the full family to have fun.  Come visit Rebounderz Sacramento today! #### 14+ Perfect Winter Activities in Sacramento Winter is a beautiful time of the year, with cooler temperatures and all of the holidays to celebrate. However, there can be fewer opportunities for outdoor activities after fall ends. Luckily, there are plenty of fun winter activities in Sacramento that will keep you busy all season long.  From outdoor holiday events to temperature-controlled indoor obstacle courses, Sacramento has it all.    Winter Activities in Sacramento  Here are some of the top winter activities in Sacramento.   1. Rebounderz Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility for indoor winter fun. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging but fun Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  Your kids will forget all about the cold weather while at Rebounderz enjoying some of the best winter activities in Sacramento. They can work up a sweat jumping on the trampolines or kick back and enjoy some arcade games.  Adults will be glad to know we offer a Parents’ Night Out program where Rebounderz staff will watch your kids for the evening so you can take some much-needed time off. It is a win-win for the whole family. Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. There’s also a summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi-Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing: Ultimate ticket: For $34.99 you can enjoy all-day admission to all of the activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento. This ticket also includes one 500-point arcade card, one free fresh popcorn, and one free fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99 you can enjoy two hours of all the activities offered.  Basic Ticket: For $24.99 you can enjoy one hour of all the activities offered.  Or, try the affordable membership options at $14.99/month for Basic and $19.99/month for ultimate unlimited! Check out all of Rebounderz Sacramento offerings.   2. SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity Explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity. If the weather is driving you inside, spark some imagination and curiosity at this Sacramento science center.  Activities:  Over 100 exhibits Multiverse theater/Planetarium MOSAC events Pricing: Adult (Ages 18+): $17 Senior (Ages 65+): $15 Youth (Ages 2-17): $14 Toddlers (Under 2): Free Educator/College Student/Military: Free   3. Enchambered Challenge yourself with a trip to Enchambered in Sacramento. You get one hour to figure out how to get out of the escape room. This is an interesting winter activity that you can do with the whole family. It is a good team-building activity as well. Activities:  Trouble in the Toy Shop Containment Breach The Whispering Halls The Skull Witch Online Escape Rooms Private Events Pricing: Rooms range from $35 - $40 for one hour Online escape rooms start at $5 for 24-hour access   4. Country Club Lanes At Country Club Lanes you can go from a game of bowling to a game of laser tag and even arcade games. Nothing like classic bowling for a day or evening out of the house. Adults can enjoy the bar and billiards areas as well. Activities:  Bowling Laser Tag Arcade Billiards Pricing: Laser tag: Mon-Thurs: $10, Fri-Sun: $13 Bowling: $26-$33 per 30 minutes Arcade: Pay-per-game   Outdoor Winter Activities in Sacramento When the weather is nice enough to be outside, check out these perfect winter activities!   5. Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink The Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink is an annual staple for the city of Sacramento. It’s located at Ali Youssefi Square where there are several special events to enjoy throughout the winter. You can reserve the rink for a private party with advanced notice. Activities: The ice rink Pricing: Regular Admission: $15 Kids 6 and under: $8   6. Sacramento Zoo There is nothing quite like a trip to the zoo. The Sacramento Zoo is a nonprofit, educational organization proudly accredited by the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums. They strive to inspire appreciation, respect, and a connection with wildlife and nature through education, recreation, and conservation. The Sacramento Zoo is open all year round for fun and educational family activities, except for some holidays.  Activities:  Tall wonders of Africa Small wonders of Africa Reptile House Big cat row Lemurs Aviaries Rides Giraffe encounters Pricing: Ticket prices vary between $10 and $20 and may increase daily. However, the price will never be lower for a particular day than is currently listed.    7. Imaginarium At Cal Expo At Imaginarium, you can experience the original “Light Up the Night” at Cal-Expo Center in Sacramento. Now bigger than ever, venture through 15 acres packed with lights, mazes, rides, nightly shows, a fantasy zone and so much more! Take a few laps around our ice rink or kick back with an adult beverage while the kids visit their fantasy zone.  Activities:  Ice skating Rose garden Adventure through light The carnival Meet & greet Balloon drop Fantasy island Holiday shopping Wishing tree Laser tag Live entertainment Pricing: Weekday General Admission: Adults: $25 Seniors/Children ages 4-12: $19 Weekend General Admission: Adults: $27 Seniors/Children ages 4-12: $21 Children 3 and under: Free   8. Community Observatory The Community Observatory is your window to the night sky! See the stars through the 17-inch and 14-inch reflecting telescopes on a clear, dark night. Follow planets or the moon as they travel across the sky. Bring the whole family for an unforgettable outdoor experience in the foothills of El Dorado County. Just bundle up to stay warm during winter nights!  Activities:  14-inch reflecting telescope 17-inch reflecting telescope Pricing: Free   9. Cosumnes River Preserve The Cosumnes River Preserve consists of over 50,000 acres of wildlife habitat and agricultural lands owned by seven land-owning Partners. The Preserve is centered along the Cosumnes River, with opportunities for paddling, hiking, and nature viewing. There is a Visitor Center with an interpretive room to learn more about the history, flora, and fauna if you need a break from the cold.  Activities:  Over 4 miles of trails 80-mile river to paddle down Hunting Fishing Pricing: Free   Winter Holiday Events in Sacramento Get into the holiday spirit with one of these fun winter events in Sacramento!    10. Magical Christmas Train On the Magical Christmas Train, you’ll be transported to an enchanting winter wonderland. Each ticket includes a 1-hour train ride, hot cocoa, a souvenir mug, and a cookie. Santa’s elves will be onboard the train to guide passengers in holiday sing-a-longs, elfish games, and fun festive activities.  Children can remind Santa how nice they have been all year with a letter to Santa. There will be a special appearance from Santa himself!   Activities:  Train ride Holiday sin-a-longs Games Festive activities Pricing: Adults (13+): $55 Children (3-12): $45 Infants (2 and under): $10   11. Santa Hustle Santa Hustle is an annual race to raise money for a good cause and bring in the holiday spirit. There are three different races ranging from a half marathon to a kid's dash. After the race participants can enjoy candy, milk, and cookies at a designated station.  Activities:  5k course Half marathon course Kids dash course Pricing: 5K Registration: June 1 - June 30: $39.99 July 1 - August 31: $44.99 September 1 - December 10: $49.99 Race Day: $60.00 Kids Dash Registration: June 1 - December 10: $10.00 Race Day: $20.00   12. Imagine Play Noon Years Balloon Drop Imagine Play Noon Years Balloon Drop is the perfect way to bring in the new year with your little ones. Tickets include two hours of fun with a countdown and balloon drop at noon. They provide cider, hot chocolate, and cookies for refreshments.  Kids will get glow toys for the dancing games and can take a balloon with them when they leave. Activities:  2-hour visit Count down and balloon drop at noon Group dancing game Bubble wrap stomp Pricing: $16 per child $2.50 for extra adults   13. A Christmas Carol Play A Christmas Carol Play is an audience-favorite adaptation of Charles Dickens’ time-honored tale. It’s Christmas Eve, and the greedy Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by a succession of divine spirits who force Scrooge to confront his regrettable youth, his icy present devoid of kindness – and what his future holds if he doesn’t change his miserly ways.  Bring the entire family for this heartwarming holiday classic during the Sacramento winters.  Activities: Live play Pricing: Regular Ticket: $25   14. Old Sacramento’s Theatre of Lights Old Sacramento’s Theatre of Lights is a free holiday lighting extravaganza at the Old Sacramento Waterfront produced by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. There are nightly performances every Thursday through Sunday from Thanksgiving Eve to Christmas Eve (no show on Thanksgiving) featuring a live-action retelling of Moore’s 1823 poem — “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” more popularly known as “’ Twas the Night Before Christmas.”  The highlight of the 20-minute production is a live dramatization on the balconies above K Street, complete with a special appearance by Jack Frost, and the lighting of the 60-foot Christmas tree by St. Nick himself.  Activities:  Live music Live dramatization Holiday light display Pricing: Free Enjoy Winter in Sacramento Whether the sun is shining or it’s cold and rainy, there’s always something fun to do in Sacramento during the winter months. You can get in the holiday spirit with one of the many festive holiday events in the area. Or if you need your kids to get out some energy over winter break, check out Rebounderz! At Rebounderz Sacramento there’s something fun for everyone in the family. Take your kids somewhere clean, safe, and packed with fun activities. Enjoy the cafe as they play, or take advantage of our Parents Night Out program so you can have some holiday time for you!  Come to Rebounderz Sacramento today! #### 14+ Perfect Winter Activities in the Bay Area Winter can be one of the best times of the year. From holiday cheer to fun winter activities, it’s always a season to remember.  However, winter does bring some colder temperatures, which can limit the number of outdoor activities available. Luckily, there are plenty of fun indoor activities as well as cold weather-appropriate outdoor activities available in the Bay Area. We put together a list of some of the best winter activities in the Bay Area. From holiday plays to indoor obstacle courses, you will find the perfect winter activities in the Bay Area on this list.   Winter Activities in the Bay Area  Here is a list of some of the top winter activities in The Bay Area.   1. Rebounderz Rebounderz Sacramento is the Bay Area’s premier family entertainment facility for indoor winter fun. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging but fun Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  Your kids will forget all about the cold weather while at Rebounderz enjoying some of the best winter activities in Sacramento. They can work up a sweat jumping on the trampolines or kick back and enjoy some arcade games.  Adults will be glad to know we offer a Parents’ Night Out program where Rebounderz staff will watch your kids for the evening so you can take some much-needed time off. It is a win-win for the whole family. Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. There’s also a summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  Activities: Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing: Ultimate ticket: For $34.99 you can enjoy all-day admission to all of the activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento. This ticket also includes one 500-point arcade card, one free fresh popcorn, and one free fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99 you can enjoy two hours of all the activities offered.  Basic Ticket: For $24.99 you can enjoy one hour of all the activities offered.  They also offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz offerings!   2.Exploratorium The Exploratorium is more than a museum – it’s a gateway to exploring science, art, and human perception. Let your curiosity roam through more than 600 interactive exhibits, many focused on noticing and observation, in six spacious indoor and outdoor galleries. You’ll find thoughtful safety protocols, dining, and more at the San Francisco bayside location. Activities:  Exhibits Museum galleries Special events After dark Thursdays Pricing: Adults (18-64): $39.95 Youth (4-17)/Seniors/Teachers/Students: $29.95 Children (3 & under)/Members/California Public School Teachers: Free   3. Aquarium of the Bay Explore more than 24,000 local marine animals at the Aquarium of the Bay. You can experience the San Francisco Bay area like nowhere else in one of the tunnels that go directly under the bay. There are knowledgeable interpretive naturalists on staff to answer questions and guide you through hands-on animal encounters. Activities:  Discover the bay Go with the flow Under the bay Touch the bay River Otters Highlighted animals Pricing: Adult (13-64): $31.75 Child (4-12): $21.75 Senior (65+): $26.75 3 and Under: Free   4. House of Air House of Air is an indoor adrenaline park with locations in the U.S. and abroad. These athletic and recreational facilities are host to open trampoline jump time, aerial training on trampolines, trampoline dodgeball, rock climbing, slacklining, fitness classes, and other air-based activities. You can host group events, including birthday parties, corporate events, and fundraisers. Activities:  Open jump Trampoline dodgeball Air junior/Kids zone Training ground Pricing: Park Access 7+ years: $20/hour Air Junior Access 3-6 years: $18/hour Open Air: $30/session   Outdoor Winter Activities in the Bay Area Make your way outside on nicer days to enjoy some of these outdoor winter activities in the Bay Area.    5. Union Square Ice Rink The Union Square Ice Rink is presented by Kaiser Permanente in the winter months. There’s daily ice skating for all ages and special events scheduled throughout the holiday season. Skate the winter away with friends and family. Activities:  Ice skating Special events Pricing: General Admission: $20 Children 8 and under: $18   6. San Francisco Whale Tours San Francisco Whale Tours offers exciting whale-watching adventures from the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. With views of main San Francisco attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge to sightings of humpback and gray whales, this is a trip you will never forget.  Try taking a tour in the winter and then another one during the summer to see different animals. They even offer a New Year's Eve cruise. Just bundle up! Activities:  Golden Gate whale watch Fleet week Blue Angels air show cruise Private charters Pricing: Adult (Ages 10+): $120 Child (Ages 3-9): $90 Ages 2 and under: Free Special Event Cruises: $150 for all ages   7. Illuminate San Francisco Festival of Light Experience San Francisco as a shining gallery of light with the Illuminate San Francisco Festival of Light. The displays can be seen from Thanksgiving through January 31st. It's a celebration of the incredible ability of light art to transform San Francisco’s most familiar civic spaces and an opportunity to turn the long nights of winter into a vibrant, inspiring time to explore the area. This year's annual event celebrates more than 50 dramatic, eco-friendly light art installations. There are new iconic works in the Mission Bay and SoMa neighborhoods.  Activity: Light displays Pricing: Free   8. San Francisco Botanical Garden The San Francisco Botanical Garden showcases over 8,000 different kinds of plants from all around the world. Different flowers bloom every month of the year (even in the winter), so there’s is always something new to see every time you visit the gardens. There are also special events and programs held throughout the year at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Activities:  Geographic gardens Taxonomic gardens Thematic gardens Gardens of Golden Gate Park Pricing: Gardens of Golden Gate Park Pass: $9 - $25 Adults (February - October): $13 Adults (November - January): $10 Youth & Seniors (Ages 12-17 and 65+): $7 Children (Ages 5-11): $3 Toddler (Ages 4 and under): Free Families (2 adults and all children under 17 residing in the same household): $21 Members/School Groups/Veterans/San Francisco City & County Residents: Free   9. Glowfari Oakland Zoo’s Glofari features new displays including a walkabout through the land down under with kangaroos and koalas, icons of the California coastline including whales, otters, and jellies, exotic animals of the tropical rainforest, and a trip to the past with a towering T-rex and a megalodon shark tunnel.  Enjoy a ride on the train through a fantasy wonderland full of fabled creatures like fairies, unicorns, and mythical beasts. There will also be an opportunity to visit Santa in the Rides Area. Activities: Light-up safari Pricing: Adults: $24 Children (2-14)/Seniors (65-75): $20 Under 2 and over 76: Free   Winter Holiday Events in the Bay Area Celebrate the holidays in the Bay Area with these festive events.   10. San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker All the characters you know and love are back for another thrilling performance of the San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker. Enjoy exquisite dancing, stunning sets, and Tchaikovsky’s popular score played live by the Grammy award-winning San Francisco Orchestra.  They’re even holding a special performance for young children and sensory-sensitive guests on December 21st. Enjoy this classic with the whole family this holiday season. Activity: Live play Pricing: Seat-specific pricing ranges from $19 - $395   11. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair The Great Dickens Christmas Fair will transport you into Victorian London. Immerse yourself in a world of music halls, theatres, pubs, dance parties, and charming shops overflowing with hand-made holiday treasures. Enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty foods fill the air.  Discover holiday revelry in this lamp-lit city brimming with hundreds of lively and colorful characters from the imagination of Charles Dickens, the pages of history, and the sometimes saucy world of the Victorian stage. Activities:  Family fun Theatre and nightlife Dramatic streets Delicacies and libations Textile arts Activities and diversions Jewelry and art Collectible art Natural arts Pricing: Adult (13+): $45 Youth (5-12): $25 Children under 5: Free   12. Fairy Winterland Fairy Winterland is an annual event at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland. This magical, multicultural event brings families together to share in the season’s festivities. Children can join in on the fun with the festival of lights parade and dance party led by Santa himself.  There are even going to be “Thank you, Santa” nights after Christmas where children can come and thank Santa for everything they received for the holiday. Activities:  Puppet shows Festival of lights parade and dance party Magician Storytelling Pricing: General Admission: $18 Members: $9   13. Gingerbread House at The Fairmont San Francisco Holiday magic comes to life with the annual life-sized Gingerbread House on display from Thanksgiving through the New Year. With hundreds of bricks of real gingerbread baked by the Fairmount pastry team and pounds of See’s Candies, the Gingerbread House display brings out the kid in everyone.  You can even book a dining experience inside the private Gingerbread House for up to 8 guests and take in the scents and sounds of the holiday season. Activities:  Dining in a life-size gingerbread house Holiday tea Santa Suites Pricing: Visiting the gingerbread house is free, while the food and drinks are at a range of prices.    14. Winterfest at Salesforce Park Winterfest at Salesforce Park is back! This event is free to the general public and it is a great way to celebrate the winter holidays with the whole family. There are three days of events that include live musical performances and family-friendly craft stations.  Activities:  Live music Holiday caroling Ugly sweater silent disco Wreath craft Face painting Pricing: Free   Enjoy Winter in the Bay Area Winter is a time for fun and celebration and there is no shortage of opportunities for either in the Bay Area. Even when the holiday season is in full swing, you’ll have no problem finding fun activities for the whole family.  If you really want to enjoy winter in the Bay Area with the whole family, check out Rebounderz. At Rebounderz parents can relax knowing that their kids are in a safe and clean environment, while kids can burn some energy exploring all of the different activities available. We also have designated toddler trampoline areas for the younger crowd and more advanced activities for older kids, like the dodgeball area.  Make this winter the best one, at Rebounderz.  Come visit us today! #### 15+ Best Indoor Sports Arenas in Orlando, FL There is so much to do and see in Orlando! No wonder sport-loving families from all over the world make Orlando their family vacation destination. Orlando is a hot spot for those who love to be active and have fun–even indoors!  Looking to challenge yourself and push your physical limits? There are a number of great indoor sports facilities around Orlando that allow you to get physical all while having a blast! And the best part? You can enjoy a day of energic, fun indoors away from the heat, rain or even pollen!  You can find a number of indoor sports arenas around Orlando that allow you to let loose, get physical and take on obstacles like never before. Get ready to create lifetime memories while you challenge your friends and family to the ultimate indoor sports fun!  Rebounderz offers you the opportunity to show off your strength, speed, and physical skills while having fun with your friends and family. Think you have what it takes to take on the numerous obstacles at indoor sports arenas? Grab a partner and find out!    Rebounderz  At Rebounderz you can take part in the ultimate indoor sports arena challenge with so many different activities available to you. Do you have basketball skills to show off? No problem, Rebounderz has a unique trampoline basketball court that will take playing basketball to a whole new level! Want to take on your friends at dodgeball? Rebounderz takes the classic school time game and brings a special twist to it with their designated dodgeball area.  Test your physical limits with their Ninja Warrior Course and bring a friend along with you to see who can finish it first! And don’t worry if you get tired, there are other activities you can try (like their indoor arcade) while you recharge to take on more obstacles.  If you’re looking for something a bit less physically challenging, you can head over to the arcade to get your game on or experience a whole new reality with their virtual reality gaming. Your little ones can enjoy their indoor playground all within the comforts of being indoors.  Check out all of Rebounderz affordable offerings today that your kids–and you–will enjoy! Plus, Rebounderz offers a “Parent’s Night Out” option, where you can drop your kids off with them while you enjoy other parts of the city Orlando has to offer!      Arena Activities  Trampolines: Show off your best flips and challenge your friends to see who can jump the highest over on the trampolines! You’ll get in a good workout and some great laughs while you jump and play.  Trampoline Dodgeball & Basketball: Ditch what you know about dodgeball and basketball because playing these classic games on the trampolines is a new experience that you’ll love! Gather up your friends and let the showdown begin!  Ninja Warrior: Do you have what it takes to take on the Ninja Warrior Course? Find out and have tons of fun along the way! The winner gets their photo on our wall AND the chance of winning a $100 gift card! Air Pit and Foam Pit: Forget the ball pits you used to play in when you were a kid, the foam and air pit at Rebounderz lets you relive those classic childhood memories in the best way possible.  XTreme Tower: If you’re looking to conquer a fear of heights or are just looking for a thrill, the Xtreme Tower is a must!  Indoor Playground: Sometimes you just need some classic fun and the indoor playground at Rebounderz is just that! Say goodbye to hot playground equipment because the indoor playground offers the conveniences of being indoors.  Arcade: Everyone loves a good game, from classic arcade games to newer titles, you’ll find something you’ll love to play.  The Gauntlet Space Climb: Kids can challenge themselves on the Gauntlet Space Climb!  Virtual Reality: If you’re looking for a new game time experience, virtual reality is just that! You’ll get to experience new worlds and sights without even traveling far.  Themed Climbing Walls: With different colors and themes, these rock climbing walls are perfect for kids to explore and challenge themselves.      Pricing: For just $20, get an hour of access to Rebounderz indoor trampoline area, plus their ninja warrior course, indoor playground, and foam pit. Or, choose one of their other pricing options.  Try Rebounderz Today!   HD Orlando Indoor Sports Center  In the heart of Orlando, you’ll find HD Orlando Indoor Sports Center. Primarily an indoor soccer facility, HD Orlando Indoor Sports Center offers players the chance to practice their soccer skills or rent out space for local leagues.    Arena Activities  Indoor soccer League rental space Cafe  Pricing: One hour soccer field rental is $55. You can contact HD Orlando Indoor Sports Center for other pricing options.    K1 Speed   The need for speed takes on a whole new meaning at K1 Speed in Orlando. Their main focus is their indoor kart racing but they do offer some other indoor activities for those who aren’t looking to race.    Arena Activities  1 Challenge race track Adult and junior electric go karts Bowling GLO-KARTING™ Paddock Lounge  Meeting rooms available for corporate events  Pricing: 1 race is $25.95, 2 races is $46.95 and 3 races is $59.95. Contact K1 Orlando for group rates and other additional rates.    Wonderworks If you’re over on the famous International Drive in Orlando, you’ll be sure to spot this upside down building! WonderWorks combines learning, imagination, family entertainment and endurance all in one place!  Arena Activities  The Wonder Zones The Wonder Art Gallery Glow in the dark ropes course Laser tag Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show 4D XD Motion Theater  Pricing: All Access tickets for ages 13-59 are $34.99+tax, ages 4-12 are $25.99+ tax and Seniors 60+ are $25.99. Additional ticket options are available.    Funtania Family Fun Center Funtania Family Fun Center has a little bit of everything for everyone in your group. The 10,000 sq. ft. facility is a play center for all ages working to provide a platform to all for social interactions and active play in a safe, secure and conveniently accessed location. In terms of indoor sports, Funtania offers everyone some sort of adventure between their ice skating rink and indoor bounce house!    Arena Activities  Bumper cars Ice skating rink VR escape room VR Simulator Augmented Reality Sandbox Bounce House Photo Frame Studio Indoor playground Kiddie ride Escape Room 9D VR Pods Arcade Pricing: Pricing depends on the activities you are interested in, check out their pricing page for options.   ClearOne Sports Centre Located minutes away from Downtown Orlando, ClearOne Sports Centre focuses on badminton and pickleball. Badminton is a popular racket sport, with a rich history originating from Eurasia. Pickleball is a more modern racket sport that originates from America that combines tennis, badminton, and ping pong.   Arena Activities  Badminton Pickleball  Pricing: Drop in fee is $7 before 3 pm on weekdays and $10 for evenings and weekends   All Stars Sportsplex  A quick 10 minute drive outside of Orlando, you’ll find All Stars Sportsplex in Altamonte Springs. All Stars Sportsplex focuses on baseball and softball. They offer an array of different baseball equipment like pitching machines and pitching mounds to help you level up your ball game.    Arena Activities  Iron Mike Pitching Machines Pitching Mounds Regulation Infield Heavy Tee Stations Private Lessons Pricing: Cage rental prices: for 15 mins $10, 30 mins $20 and 60 mins $35   Quinco Sports Academy  Quinco Sports Academy in Winter Park, Floridaa also focuses on baseball. Baseball fans will enjoy the sport indoors with their amazing indoor facility and sports league options. While the facility is state-of-the-art, if you’re looking for more indoor sporting options, an option like Rebounderz could be a better fit.  Arena Activities  Baseball  Sports conditioning  Sports leagues  Pricing: Email info@quincoacademy.com for more information on pricing.    XL Soccer World  Soccer lovers rejoice! At XL Soccer World in Winter Park and Lake Nona, you can show off your soccer skills on either their indoor or outdoor soccer fields. From their soccer development program to girls academy and group training, there’s a lot that goes on in this indoor sports arena.  Their goal is to provide “a fun, safe and nurturing environment where kids acquire the skills and knowledge they need to successfully participate in the game of soccer.”     Arena Activities  Indoor and outdoor adult soccer Indoor and outdoor youth soccer Year round soccer camps for youth Development program  Soccer IQ Xlent Soccer XL Girls Academy  Youth Academy  English-themed cafe   Pricing: Indoor field for one hour is $120, outdoor field for one hour is $100. Contact XL Soccer World Inner Park for more pricing options.    Lebron’s Sportsplex  Sports fans will love Lebron’s Sportsplex in Orlando. From football to wrestling, you can level up your athletics skills in this state of the art sports arena.  Lebron’s Sportsplex is passionate about their gymnastics program, Junglenastics, which was founded in 1990 in Altamonte Springs and has been growing ever since. With affordable gymnastics in an engaging atmosphere, kids can get started as soon as they can walk. Junglenastics stresses the importance of positive encouragement through physical activity and is based on the belief that all children are capable and deserving of greatness.    Arena Activities  Baseball  Softball  Football Wrestling Gymnastics  Junglenastics Pricing: Email lebronssportsplex@gmail.com for pricing options.    Andretti Karts & Games  If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush to the finish line, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games gives you just that! Get ready for a thrill on their multi-level race track. Kids between the ages of 4-6 can get in on the action with their Mini Mario course.    Arena Activities  Go karts, adults, junior and a mini Mario race track  Arcade Ropes Course and Zipline XD Dark Ride Laser Tag Racing Simulators  Bowling Pricing: Check out their various pricing options as price will be dependent on the activity.    Planet Obstacle  Do you have what it takes to confront the varying obstacle courses at Planet Obstacle in Lake Mary, Florida? Inspired by the TV show, American Ninja Warrior, Planet Obstacle aims to get people active and healthy.    Arena Activities  Trampoline park Foam pits Trampoline basketball Trampoline aeroball cage Kids rope course Kids Ninja Warrior Course Adult Ninja Warrior Course Bumper cars Rock climbing walls Aerial ropes course V-Trampoline Bungee  Toddler Area  Pricing: Pricing varies on day and amount of time, Tuesday-Friday one hour play time is $14.95 and Saturday-Sunday one hour play time is $16.95   Free Kick Orlando Free Kick Orlando offers the best soccer experience with their FIFA-quality turf. With camps, leagues, adult soccer, and youth soccer, there are a wide variety of sports options at Free Kick.  Train indoors to get out of the hot Florida sun or avoid those mid-day rain storms.      Arena Activities  Adult soccer Youth soccer Over 40 League  Summer camp for kids Corner Kick Sports Bar and Cafe Pricing: Rent the field for one hour at $100 for 5v5 game or $300 for 9v9 one hour game. Pick up games are available for $10 per person for walk-ins only.    Magical Midway Thrill Park  Magical Midway Thrill Park is most known for their world famous “slingshot” ride, as well as other classic rides and activities like go-karting, indoor arcades, air hockey, and more. They also offer sports experiences like basketball and skeeball.    Arena Activities  Slingshot Space Blast The Starflyer Go karts Merry-go-round Bumper cars Basketball Skeeball Air hockey Pool tables Indoor arcade   Pricing: Entry to the park is free. The Slingshot is $30, unlimited rides ticket for 24 hrs is $32 contact Magical Midway Thrill Park for other pricing options.    Dezerland Park  Take a walk through Dezerland Park on International Drive and you’ll find something to spark your interest. Whether you want to show off your athletic abilities or just keep it laidback, Dezerland Park will have an option for you.   Arena Activities  Go karts The Auto Experience Show Bowling The Pinball Place Jump Start Trampoline Arena Arcade Axecelsior Axe Throwing Bumper cars Thunder Foam Arena Play shooting The Putting Edge, minigolf Smash n Dash Pricing: Entry and parking is free. Check out the pricing list for Dezerland Park for various options.    WinterClub Indoor Ski and Snowboard WinterClub Indoor Ski and Snowboard is an indoor sports arena that allows you to take on those winter sports without the snow and winter weather! Who knew skiing and snowboarding was possible in Florida?  WinterClub does! Their state-of-the-art Ski center features two indoor ski slopes plus an interactive panoramic ski simulator built specifically for training and advancing your skills in winter sports.  Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, their indoor ski facility provides you with the same disciplines as on-hill skiing and snowboarding within a controlled and safe environment for learning or practicing to advance your skills in winter sports!     Arena Activities  Indoor ski and snowboard simulator Indoor infinite slope for ski and snowboarding Pricing: Group session for at least 3  participants is $69 per person, Semi private session for 2 is $79 per person,    Conclusion: Best indoor sports arena in Orlando?  Whether you have the best athletic skills or just want to try a new sport, Orlando offers you the opportunity to explore your physical side with their numerous indoor sport arenas. Fans of soccer, baseball, and even skiing can feel at home with the specific sport arenas dedicated solely to those sports.  If your interests are varied and you’re just looking to get active and have fun, Rebounderz is the perfect destination for you and your family or friends. You can show off your athletic talents in their basketball or dodgeball area, take on new and daring challenges with their Ninja Warrior Course and other thrilling options all within the comforts of being indoors!  You’re sure to have endless fun at Rebounderz. So warm up, stretch, and head on over to Rebounderz for all day excitement and enjoyment today! #### 20+ Ideas for Indoor Fun in Orlando, FL Even if we want to, we can’t always be outside enjoying the beautiful Florida weather. Whether it’s too hot, it’s rainy, or you just don’t feel like adding another dose of sunscreen, it’s always important to have a list of fun things to do indoors in Orlando, FL. Luckily, there are a ton of inside activities for kids, adults, and all ages to enjoy, from indoor playgrounds to chocolate museums to ninja warrior courses, and much more! Best Ideas for Indoor Fun in Orlando, Fl Ready for some fun? Cool off and investigate hidden indoor fun Orlando attractions for all ages.  Indoor Fun for Kids in Orlando The first options on this indoor-fun-list are great ideas for kids, but we’re certain adults will enjoy them too!  Indoor Trampoline Arenas If your kids love adventure, Rebounderz is a must visit when in the Orlando area. Rebounderz is an indoor trampoline arena but they also have a number of other entertaining activities. The indoor trampoline arena can  be enjoyed by the whole family!  It’s a great activity to get your kids moving, kids of all ages will really enjoy this active experience. They can jump, bounce, and perform wall or floor trampoline feats. This safe and innovative trampoline facility is a great indoor fun Orlando activity.   Check out all of Rebounderz affordable offerings today that your kids–and you–will enjoy! Plus, Rebounderz offers a “Parent’s Night Out” option, where you can drop your kids off with them while you enjoy other parts of the city Orlando has to offer!    Go-Karting The sunshine state also offers heart-racing indoor activities such as go-kart racing, a perfect way for your children to get into a friendly competition race on the race track. There are specific requirements for kids to participate in go-kart racing depending on the location, such as age or height, and children must have a signed waiver from the parent. There are many choices for indoor go-kart racing places for your kids to enjoy in Orlando, Florida including K1 Speed, Andretti Indoor Karting and Games in Orlando, and Orlando Kart Center. Crayola Experience The Crayola Experience is a great place for indoor fun in Orlando that is open daily to the general public. There are over twenty hands-on projects ready for kids to awaken their imagination, and your kids can bring their art creation back home with them.    Pro tip: purchase your advanced tickets online for some savings!  Inside Playgrounds  Children want to be in a safe and secure environment where they can play with other kids their age, and that’s going to be Rebounderz! The inside playgrounds at Rebounderz in Orlando have swings and obstacles where your kids can unwind, explore and socialize with other children.  Plus, get access to the other endless activities Rebounderz offers at their Orlando facility.  Orlando Science Center The Orlando Science Center offers several different exhibits to explore, such as Kids Town, Nature Works (some cool animals can be found here!) and Dino Digs. There’s something for everyone here.  There’s also an awesome virtual reality flight lab that allows visitors 13 years and older to wear VR headsets and fly an aircraft on a mission solo or with a teammate. Plus, it’s interesting for everyone of all ages who enjoy learning! Ninja Warrior Courses A young girl having fun in the Ninja Warrior Course (Photo credit: Rebounderz) One of the most unique offerings on this list, Ninja Warrior courses is an extreme obstacle course kids love at Rebounderz. The indoor fun activity has three difficulty levels so all kids can feel like heroes! Kids, are you ready to be a true warrior?   Indoor Fun for Adults in Orlando While indoor activities for kids are always important, adults have fun in Orlando too! Orlando has a ton of great indoor options for adults to enjoy, whether you’re looking for a daytime activity or nighttime fun!    Paintball Central Florida also has some great indoor activities for adults. The largest and most well-known paintball facility is Orlando Paintball. It has 8 exclusive indoor paintball areas for adults. You need a reservation, but you have lots of options: it’s open every day of the week, noon to midnight, then noon to 3 am on Friday, 9 am to 3 am on Saturday, and 9 am to midnight on Sunday!  The Escape Game Ready to solve a puzzle? Escape the Room is a one-hour challenge to break out of a deep space, gold rush, playground, prison cell, or art heist room. Use the advice of your trusted team to find clues and solve the puzzle to escape before time is up. Everyone is welcome to try their luck in solving the mystery.   Food Tours   Who doesn’t love a food tour? Orlando has lots of them! The Flavors of Winter Park Foodie Walking Tour to sample delicious foods and drinks on Park Avenue is highly recommended, as is the Food Tour of Local Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village.  Or, just take your own tour of Disney’s Epcot! While this isn’t an entirely indoor activity, it’s a great option to keep yourself out of the sun or rain most of the day. Beer Crawls   Beer crawls are a great way to break the ice with your significant other. The first location is World of Beer in stunning Downtown Orlando.  And there is a patio bar where you can sip down Bomb, which is their well-known drink and munch on pretzels. Then head to the Relax Grill at Lake Eola. You can also find beer crawls to check out at Orlando Pub Crawl and Eventbrite!  Virtual Reality Experiences Get ready to be transported to a fantasy virtual reality world at Rebounderz! Throw a bowling ball or get your boxing gloves on…or choose from 300 other virtual games! This is a perfect way to end or start your night or day out in Orlando.  Ice Bar Orlando     Couples or adults will definitely be able to cool off while hanging out at Ice Bar Orlando: the temperature is kept at 22 degrees. Make sure to dress with warm clothes as you enjoy the multi-level party atmosphere where you can warm up at the Fire Lounge with a DJ, try out their drinks, and even get VIP bottle service.  Axe Throwing A popular place to perfect your ax throwing skills is Axe on Axe Off in Orlando, as long as you’re older than 10 and with an adult. Get personal axe throwing coaching and a stress relief during this active and fun night. You could also check out Epic Ax Throwing or BATL Orlando depending on your location.    Indoor Fun for Everyone in Orlando, FL Now that we’ve covered top indoor activities for adults and kids in Orlando, let’s talk about the best places for some family fun!  Madame Tussauds     Everyone must come visit the iconic and world-famous Madame Tussauds in Orlando. Get ready to be fooled by the most accurate wax statues you’ve ever seen, from celebrities to sports stars and more.  You can even combine tickets to Madame Tussauds with SEA Life and The Wheel for some cost savings.  Indoor Skydiving Ever wanted to jump out of the plane to skydive? Well, you can! The iFly Indoor Skydiving facility allows you to fulfill your wishes. You’ll be able to freefall in the enclosed wind tunnel with your suit after a brief training session with your instructor. This memorable experience is one for the books for both kids and adults! Unique Museums  Museums are not a boring activity in Orlando! Take an adventure to April 15, 1912 on the historic Titanic ship at The Titanic Orlando, let your eyes play tricks on you at The Museum of Illusions, or have a delicious time at the chocolate museum! Any is a great pick for a fun indoor day.  Indoor Arcades The arcade area at Rebounderz is an action-packed place where kids can play air hockey, shoot hoops and car racing to rack up arcade points to bring home fabulous prizes. They can challenge their friends and family as well.  SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium Plan an unforgettable day with your kids at the Sea Life Orlando Aquarium is an ICON park attraction. Awaken imaginations by viewing live sharks, turtles and seahorses in an enclosed 360 degree sea tank through their 9+ exhibits.  Ripley’s Believe it or Not Interested in seeing strange and bizarre wax figures from around the world?  Peak your curiosity with the shrunken man or stand next to the world’s tallest man at Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Your kids will love being here, and so will you!    The Top Place for Indoor Fun in Orlando, Florida? We may be biased, but Rebounderz is ready for any sort of indoor fun! With endless activities and attractions–like the Ninja Warrior Course, Virtual Reality, Arcade, and Trampoline attraction–we offer something for everyone, including the parents!  With great prices and activity options, robust safety measures, and lots of experience hosting events, you can’t go wrong with Rebounderz. Check out all of our activity options today. #### 21 Best Unique Event and Party Venues in Orlando for 2022 Looking to spice up the overdone dinner party? Whether you’re hosting kids, teens, or adults, you want your guests to enjoy a memorable experience. Luckily for you, Orlando is a great place to throw a party, offering a variety of venues and unique activities (Ninja Warrior, anyone?). Today, we’ll run through 21 of the best event and party venues in Orlando. Each one has unique entertainment, activities for all ages, and enough character to make your party stand out from the rest. You might need a space to host a fun, corporate function, adventurous birthday party for adults, unique engagement party, or a bar mitzvah—whatever it is, you’ll find something on this list that works for you.  But, we have a feeling that Rebounderz will be the winner that brings both practicality and excitement to your event! Ready to add some pizzazz to your next gathering? Let’s get started with our list of unique venues in Orlando.  Rebounderz  Kids love to run around and burn energy, but hey, so do adults! We’ll bet your friends and family might be bored of the same sit-down events that make up almost every social function in adulthood.  Why not spice things up with an entertainment venue that gets everyone moving? And no, don’t worry; we’re not talking about bowling.  Here at Rebounderz, we offer activities for any age and interest. We take safety seriously, which is why our trampolines meet vigorous regulations and standards to ensure you’re protected while you have a blast.  When’s the last time you went on a trampoline? Probably years. Now, when’s the last time you jumped to your heart’s content and shared that child-like wonder with your colleagues? Whether it’s simple trampoline jumping or trampoline dodgeball, we’ll bet you’ll have an incredible time letting loose and burning energy at an unconventional work function! Need to cool things down? Visit our own cafe with wi-fi, where you can sit down, have a coffee, and catch up on some emails.  Don’t take our word for it, though. See what our happy clients have to say by browsing our Google Reviews. You’ll find praise for our impeccable customer service, inclusion, and a wide variety of activities. Speaking of activities, let’s take a peek at how you can spend your next event:  Activities Fitness Center: Plan a fun, music-filled sweat sesh with your friends, family, or colleagues Mini-Golf: Develop your hand-eye coordination in a setting less formal than the traditional golf park! Trampoline: Get fit and have fun by jumping, flipping, and soaring on our trampolines! Arcade: Beat your high score and make your kids proud!  Ninja Warrior courses Climbing walls Jump and climbing towers Pricing  You might want to book a birthday package if you're in a big group. Each one includes a private room that will be kept available for the 2-hour duration of your party, pizza with drinks, 75 minutes of playtime, and Rebounderz socks. And you can always add more!  Five Star General package: $460 for up to 20 participants Major Rick’s Party Package: $390 for up to 15 participants Sergeant Party Package: $290 for up to 10 participants Glow Party Package: $349 for up to 12 participants. Note that this package is for Friday and Saturday night events only.  Plan your party at Rebounderz today!    The Acre Orlando The Acre Orlando is a rustic, charming venue for a farm-inspired evening soiree or celebration. It has plenty of outdoor space to enjoy the fresh air while socializing at one of its meeting locations. Warm up by the fire pit, observe the Mirror patio, enjoy the simplicity at the barn, or get your prayer on at the chapel.  The Acre offers plenty of quaintness and outdoor charm, but requires a lot of planning, which may not be the fun, carefree experience you’ve imagined. The Acre gives you the raw materials of a great space, but do know that you’re responsible for planning out the event.  Activities Party time in one or a few of these areas:  Barn Mirror Patio Fire Pit Chapel Hall Pricing  Contact the Acre for pricing details.  ICON Park ICON Park is one of the most popular Orlando sites that offers you a world of wonder. Enjoy an exhibit-centered party by inviting your guests to the venue’s wax museum or aquarium. Or, silence your inhibitions as you soar on the Orlando SkyFlyer! And when you’re done all that, you can have dinner at one of the park’s iconic restaurants-Gordon Ramsay’s Fish and Chips, the Yard House, and Sloppy Joe’s Orlando, to name a few. Tons of Floridians visit ICON Park for gender reveals, engagement parties, birthdays, and more. Our only qualm is the sheer size of the park. It makes it hard to decide on an activity with so many options, so planning your event here might be intimidating. Reviewers also cite that the venue is on the expensive side for large groups.  Activities The Wheel at Icon Park Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum Sea Life Aquarium Orlando StarFlyer Museum of Illusions 7D Motion Picture Pearl Express Train Pricing  Contact ICON Park for information about group rates. Disney Springs  kids event and party Craving a flair of Disney at your next event? Disney Springs might offer a solid solution. With endless activities, including rides, dining, shopping, and movies, kids and adults alike will find something to keep entertained at this wild entertainment complex.    For the creativity-filled planners, you have free reign to plan your event at Disney Springs, but for the hosts that hate planning, Disney Springs might not be a great option.    Activities Bowling Shopping Dining Amphicar Experience Rides Pricing  Check Disney Springs’ website for more details.    Fun Spot America An Orlando household name, Fun Spot Orlando is the ultimate adventure, with spectacular rides like White Lightning, Sky Coaster, Hurricane, and Mine Blower. Every party package offers completely open admission to every ride, and access to the sought-after go-karts! Our advice? Save this for the big-budget events, because Fun Spot can cost a pretty penny for big groups.  Activities Unlimited Armband Party Package: Unlimited rides, except the SkyCoaster; outdoor table with minimum food purchase.  Arcade Party Package: Fun Spot cash, pizzas and drinks, party supplies. The Ultimate Party Package: Unlimited rides and go-karts, arcade cards, and pizzas and drinks (for 7 people). Pricing  Unlimited Armband Party Package: $319.60 Arcade Party Package: $109.95 The Ultimate Party Package: $389.60   TopGolf Orlando  Looking to switch up your traditional golf game? TopGolf might be your destination. The venue lets you book “bays” where you can navigate with a high-tech driving range. Enjoy a celebratory toast at their updated, modern lounge, offering a more suave, contemporary take on your average country club.  The latest addition? Team-building activities that empower you to embrace your creativity, the perfect choice for an office with new employees to get to know each other.  This is the place to go if you really like golf and are willing to pay for the ultimate golf experience. If you’re not a fan of the sport, the price might seem a bit steep.  Activities Private, climate-controlled golf bays Versatile event space Full menu Pricing  Request info from TopGolf for group parties.    Museum of Illusions  The Museum of Illusions in Orlando offers unexpected optical and graphic illusions. Wow your guests with memories that will last a lifetime. This is a great choice for the artsy crowd in your life, and the museum has an impressive capacity for 200 people if you’re planning a large event like a corporate function. Activities Museum of Illusions walkthrough, with various rooms.  Pricing  If you have a large group, take advantage of the Museum’s group rates. You can contact the Museum for more specific quotes and receive a response within 1-2 days. Here is some basic group pricing info:  Groups of 15 or more can request a group booking at a discounted rate of $18.99/person Single ticket for weekday entry -$19.99/person Single ticket for weekend entries - $26.99/adult (ages 13+), $22.99/children (ages 3-12)    The Tea Room Experience  The Tea Room Experience is a unique venue that offers a traditional English afternoon tea. This is the perfect event idea for the group that appreciates detail, decor, and all things beautiful. Reviewers were impressed with the Tea Room Experience’s incredible detail, comfortable seating, and delicious snacks and hor d'oeuvres as well.  A nice bonus? You can book a private room to gossip and gush to your heart’s content over a steamy cup of earl gray. Look no further for a classy event venue; however, keep in mind that the dress code and sedentary nature of the party might not be a great fit for everyone.  Activities Tea time: 1-6 guests Group tea time: 7-15 guests Private tea time: Up to 30 guests Pricing  Inquire with the Tea Room Experience for pricing.    Orlando Watersports Complex Who says waterparks are just for kids? If you’re an adult that has a liking for watersports, anywhere from water skiing to boat rides, Orlando Watersports Complex offers you an excellent time.  You can even get group or private lessons from dedicated sports coaches! Activities Cable - water skiing, wakeboarding, knee-boarding Aquapark Boats Lessons Pricing  Cable Park Group Event: comes with deck space, cake storage, and four hours of cable play 15% off for 9+ participants 20% off for 16+ participants 30% off for 31+ participants 40% off for 61+ participants Cable Rental: 1 hour for $400, 2 hours for $600 Aquapark Group Event: Up to 200 participants, with the same discounts listed above.    Wonderworks Orlando Everyone who knows international drive knows all about Wonderworks Orlando. A combined education and entertainment complex, Wonderworks offers over 100 hands-on experiences to tickle your fancy for experiments and world knowledge.  Enjoy interactive attractions, including an extreme weather zone and space discovery zone. And for the partygoers craving more thrills, the downstairs adventure zone offers laser tag and ropes courses!  Group events are a little on the pricey side, according to recent reviews.  Activities Wonder Mania Party: Laser tag, ropes course, and access to all exhibits Outta Control Party: With dinner and a magic comedy show, with the option to add on exhibits Pricing  Wonder Mania Party: $375 plus tax (12 people) Outta Control Party: $26 per adult and $18 per child (12 person minimum) $18 add-on for exhibits Party Add-Ons: Mad Science (Experiments) - $250 Professor Wonder appearance   Orlando Museum of Art  Do you have a Frieda Kahlo fan amongst your party? How about an aspiring artist living in the hipster, Ivanhoe Park area of Orlando? Depending on your party’s interests, the Orlando Museum of Art presents a series of thought-provoking, awe-inspiring exhibitions.  From the Heroes and Monsters exhibit featuring painters like innovative Jean-Michel Basquiat, to the Five Centuries of Old Master painting exhibit, the museum always has an art offering for every artist’s or viewer’s interest. The ultimate event? Book the entire museum for events with 250+ guests!  Keep your audience in mind before you book a party here, though. The price might be high for a group that doesn’t appreciate art.   Activities Council of 101 Meeting Rooms: Up to 150 guests Full Museum Booking Suntrust Auditorium for Live Entertainment Galleries and Exhibits Grand Gallery Hall Pricing  Contact the museum for group bookings.  Icebar Orlando Icebar Orlando is quite the eccentric venue. We can’t think of anywhere else where you can see spectacular ice sculptures and drink your choice beverage out of ice-carved glasses. A bar set in an icy wonderland, Icebar offers a unique venue for any celebration, complete with live DJs and dancing, and a diverse food and drink menu.  This is a great venue for party-goers who want to splurge on luxury, with VIP bottle service and dedicated Ice Princess servers for true superstars. Don’t worry about getting too cold amidst all the ice, either. You can warm up at the bar’s Fire Lounge with a rich glass of wine.  Activities World-Famous Ice Bar: Up to 50 guests Fire Lounge: Up to 465 guests Polar Patio: Up to 90 guests Al Fresco Patio: Up to 1,200 guests Pricing  Icebar offers fully customizable party plans, complete with in-house catering and entertainment. Contact Icebar for group inquiries.  Funtania  Have a group with ice skaters? Funtania brings you a cool break from Orlando’s scorching sun in the form of family-fun ice skating, escape games, and virtual reality experiences. Note, it’s not the nicest or most updated venue.  Activities Ice skating rink Virtual reality lounge Virtual reality escape room Bumper carts Augmented reality sandbox Bounce house Photo frame studio Kiddie rides and kiddie play structure Pricing  You might want to inquire with Funtania for customizable party packages, but here are the three listed on their website with corresponding prices:  Funtazmic: $250 for groups of 10, includes pizza and all-day play at the ice rink, kids play structure and rides, and bounce house.  Extreme Fun: $350 for groups of 10, includes pizza, drinks, party supplies, and all-day play at your choice three of the following attractions: ice rink, virtual reality lounge, bumper cars, kids ride and structure, bounce house.  Ultimate Fun: $450 for groups of 10, includes pizza, drinks, party supplies, and all-day play at all of these attractions: ice rink, virtual reality lounge, bumper cars, kids play structure and rides.    The Rooftop Orlando Are you a sucker for a nice view? The Rooftop Orlando has a 360-degree balcony to enjoy gorgeous views of the city while you celebrate your next function. Guests will enjoy sipping on champagne 11 stories high while enjoying the open air and indoor gallery. A reception-style event has a 350-person capacity, offering ample flexibility for big parties.  The Rooftop is a common spot for after-parties for conventions, as it’s a short, 15-minute drive from the Orange County Convention Center.  Activities Open Air and Indoor Gallery Rooftop space 360-degree balcony Pricing  Contact the Rooftop Orlando for group pricing inquiries.  The Hangar Looking to throw a party with airplane and private jet lovers? The Hangar is a literal aircraft hangar, complete with 20,000 square feet of white walls and a 40-ft ceiling, offering enough open space to host over 1,500 people! The venue displays various aircraft and luxury cars for your viewing pleasure while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and drinks.  They even have “big ass fans” (their words, not ours!) for those scorching hot Orlando summer days.  Activities 20,000-sq.-ft space  Unique decor with planes and classic cars Large staging Options for in-house entertainment Pricing  Request information regarding party bookings from The Hangar.  Henao Contemporary Center  The Henao Contemporary Center is a sound garden that regularly presents concerts and exhibits beautifully captured in its surround-sound speaker system. Featuring staff bartenders, coffee, and vegan food trucks, this is one of the most unique venues in Orlando, and is a great choice for groups that want dinner and a show.  Unfortunately, it’s not ideal for groups that enjoy conversation, as the venue can get quite loud, and do know that security isn’t offered for the events.  Activities Band or performance practice space Concert venue seating Vegan food trucks and drinks Pricing  Fill out an online form to receive information about group bookings.    Penthouse 450  Penthouse 450 impresses countless groups hosting engagement parties, birthdays, corporate functions, and more with its swanky, fashionable space, complete with elegant couches, glass high-top tables, and surround-sound speakers. An outdoor hedge wall offers a great opportunity for photo ops, and the space will make even the wildest party feel sophisticated.  Activities 7 Big Tvs for watching videos 1400-sq-ft interior and 1,200 sq-ft exterior Indoor and outdoor speakers for music Bartending and catering recommendations Pricing  Contact Penthouse 450 for group rates.  BATL Axe Throwing Located in downtown Orlando, BATL Axe Throwing is a unique combination of stress relief and adventure. This venue gives you a myriad of options, from Axe throwing leagues and tournaments to casual fun. Level up your game with a personalized coach to help your group excel at the sport! Create memories with fun trophies and merch available for purchase, and enjoy an array of drinks from their licensed bar.   Activities Axe throwing Unique food and drink menus Pricing  Contact for group rates.  The Escape Game Orlando Escape rooms are not only loads of fun — but they also offer opportunities to develop your motor, social, problem-solving, and communication skills! A great team-building choice, The Escape Game Orlando  Activities Team-Building escape rooms Special Ops: Mystery Market Playground Gold Rush  Prison Break The Heist Mission: Mars Online escape rooms Remote adventures The Escape Game Game Show Monthly Mystery Pricing Most escape room options are $39.99 per person. However, you can contact the Escape Game for information about group rates.  Warrior Sportspark  Are you looking to channel your inner warrior? Warrior Sports Park lets you do so with tactical paintball games and strategy-focused laser tag! This venue prides itself on being the largest paintball and laser tag facility in all of Florida, with four large, fun fields to play on.  Activities Paintball Laser tag Pricing  Gladiator: 1 gog enemy, all-day air, barrel, hopper, admission, no paintballs, $26.29 per person Centurion: All the above plus 300 paintballs, for $38.50 per person Spartan: Upgraded hopper and barrel, all-day air, plus 500 paintballs for $49.77 per person Group discounts are as follows: 5% off for groups of 5+ 10% off for groups of 10+ 20% off for groups of 20+ iFly Orlando Skydiving  Have you always wanted to try skydiving but felt too nervous to make the jump? iFly Orlando is for the adventure-seeking partygoer that wants the experience of a lifetime. You can fly and hover in the air and do acrobatic tricks under the guidance of skilled instructors.  The indoor skydiving venue offers STEM-focused events where guests can learn about scientific principles like gravity and physics. Moreover, the venue is well-versed in corporate events and team-building activities.  Activities Indoor skydiving flights Wind tunnel skydiving STEM field trips Food and beverage catering Pricing  Contact iFly Orlando for group inquiries.  What is the most unique event and party venue in Orlando in 2022?  Orlando residents are lucky to be within a half-hour drive of the city’s best unique event and party venues. From art museums to rustic-themed outdoor spaces, rest assured you have plentiful options to plan a unique activity for your next event.  Despite all of Orlando’s great offerings, Rebounderz is one of the most unique venues in Orlando for its sheer variety of activities for every guest. Whether it’s enjoying a corporate game of laser tag or a birthday over some trampoline dodgeball, we offer optimal enjoyment, safety, and affordability with every party package or custom group event. Forget fancy event venues–enjoy a place where everyone can have fun!  Ready to experience adventure and excitement at Orlando’s top entertainment venue? Contact us today so we can hear more about how we can make your next event perfect.  #### 21+ Best Indoor Activities in Sacramento (for Cold, Rain, or Winter) When the weather is not favorable for outdoor activities with the family, it’s time to find some fun indoor activities. Luckily, Sacramento is a hub for indoor activities for the whole family. You can find anything from floor-to-ceiling trampoline parks to educational museums. Sacramento has a rich history and you see that history spill into many of the local businesses. It’s also a great way to support your local community.  With so many family fun venues to choose from it can be hard to choose the right one. So we put together a list of top indoor activities in Sacramento to help you make the right decision.   Best Indoor Activities in Sacramento, California Choosing the best indoor activity is going to be much easier with this list. Remember to take into consideration everyone's ages and personal preferences. From there you can choose the best place for your family.  Take on Sacramento with the whole family and you will be guaranteed to leave with a smile from ear to ear.    Rebounderz - Sacramento Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities for those who want to develop fundamental skills to those looking for something more advanced, including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging but fun Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  There are a wide number of activities that are appropriate and kid-friendly for all ages and they can be as physically active as they want to be. At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults. Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  And let’s not forget their parents night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of!   Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento, the all day pass also include 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice cold fountain drink Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time to all the activities offered  Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time to all the activities offered Or, they offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz offerings!   Sacminigolf Sac Mini Golf is located in the basement of the historic Union Hotel in Old Sacramento. Enjoy a journey into the past with an Old Sacramento gold rush theme. There are hand-painted murals and scenes set up to tell the story of westward expansion in the mid-1800s. There are 18 uniquely decorated holes to put through. They offer private events and birthday parties. Cashless payments only. Pricing:  Ages 13+: $13 Ages 3-12: $10 Children under 3: Free (with paid adult) Replays: $5   K1 Speed K1 Speed is an indoor go-kart race track. You can walk in and race at any time or reserve the track for a private event, and they’re open seven days a week. At the end of every race, each racer will receive a race results sheet that will allow you to compare your time and overall rank with the other racers. You can even see your results online and compare them to the top racers for the week or the month. Pricing:  1 Race: $25.95 2 Races: $46.95 3 Races: $59.95 Speedpass: $64.95   Smud Museum of Science and Curiosity SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, or MOSAC, is the perfect place to bring the whole family for some thought-provoking, imagination-sparking fun. They have hands-on exhibits and programming to explore science, technology, math, engineering, and arts. MOSAC can offer a day full of learning and really diving into science and technology. They also have a planetarium and theater to sit back and explore space. For anyone interested in science, MOSAC will keep you engaged and having fun all day long. Pricing:  Adults (ages 18+): $15 Youth (ages 2-17): $12 Toddlers (under 2): Free Seniors (ages 65+): $13   Seaquest - Folsom With 1200 plus land and sea animals, SeaQuest is sure to be a hit with everyone in the family. SeaQuest features animals from 5 continents and there are interactive exhibits that allow guests to touch, feed, and play with animals from all around the world. SeaQuest offers events and activities such as birthday parties, private events, and field trips, they even offer a unique sleepover experience where you can sleep next to the shark tanks and get a late-night tour of the facility. The first Sunday of every month is dedicated to those with sensory sensitivities. Pricing:  Children: $11.99 Adults, 12+: $16.99 55+, Military, and College Students: $14.99   The Boulder Field The Boulder Field is a health and fitness facility offering so much more than just rock climbing. There is a yoga studio, a fitness area with gym equipment, a cafe, and a retail store all in addition to the 10,000-square-foot world-class climbing area. There is a separate dedicated youth and family climbing area that is perfect for birthday parties. There is a welcoming sense of community at The Boulder Field that will get the whole family excited about climbing and fitness in general. Pricing:  Adult day pass: $25 Youth, student, senior day pass: $20   California State Railroad Museum The California State Railroad Museum is a great place to take the family for a unique look into the history of our country. Everyone knows about trains a little bit but the California State Railroad Museum will show you the rich history of railroads. Beyond learning about railroad history through all of the exhibits, the California State Railroad Museum also offers indoor and outdoor facility venues for private events large and small. It is definitely worth a rainy day visit to change things up a bit. Pricing:  Adults: $12 Youth (ages 6-17): $6 Children (ages 5 and under): Free   Crocker Art Museum The Crocker Art Museum is a family-friendly spot to really enjoy the world of art. Take the family through the current exhibits which are always changing. After exploring the beautiful art exhibits you can bring the kids to Tot Land. Tot Land offers opportunities for creative play, sensory exploration, art making, and literacy development. It is an engaging environment where creativity is encouraged. You can easily spend a whole day of fun and learning at the Crocker Art Museum. Pricing:  Adult: $15 Youth (ages 6-17): $8 Senior, College: $10 Military, Children (ages 5 and under): Free   Sacramento Pipeworks Sacramento Pipeworks is a climbing and fitness gym located in Sacramento. From free weights and cardio equipment to rope walls and boulder walls there is something for everyone at Sacramento Pipeworks.  Kids can learn to climb or continue to develop their climbing skills with classes offered on-site. You can also walk in at any time and purchase a day pass for some fitness fun. Pricing:  Day pass: $30 Kids day pass (ages 12 and under): $25 Early bird day pass: $25   Urban Air Trampoline And Adventure Park Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park offers jumping, climbing, and playing activities for kids of all ages, as well as birthday parties and private events.  Pricing:  Platinum: $30.99 Ultimate: $26.99 Deluxe: $20.99 Children under 5: $11.99   Art Beast Art Beast Studio is for all the little artists and creatives out there. They offer camps, classes, and open studio play spaces for school-aged children.   Art Beast donates directly to Waking the Village which is a non-profit organization that leads programs for youth and children experiencing homelessness. It is a great way to have some fun and help support the community of Sacramento. Pricing:  Pricing isn’t listed on their website.    iFly Indoor Skydiving - Sacramento iFly Indoor Skydiving is a fun and unique experience for children and their parents. Whether you’ve been skydiving before or would never dream of doing the real thing, iFly Indoor Skydiving can give you the simulated experience in a safe environment. This is an experience your children are sure to remember for a very long time. They offer birthday parties and private events. Pricing:  2 flights: $84.99+ 3 flights: $109.99+ 4 flights: $135.99+   Sacramento Children's Museum The Sacramento Children’s Museum is a fun-filled change of scenery from the average “museum”. Your children will have non-stop fun at every exhibit here. There are always events and programs going on here so be sure to check the calendar on the website before planning a trip. You can also book a private birthday party. Pricing:  Adults and all children over 1 year: $8.50 Over 60 and Military: $6.00 Children under 1 year: Free   Wacky Tacky Wacky Tacky is designed for kids up to 17 years old. With a massive indoor playground, your kids will enjoy any rainy day spent at Wacky Tacky. This is a favorite spot for birthday parties and all-around kids’ activities. Wacky Tacky provides a very clean and safe environment for kids to have fun at. Pricing:  Ages 1-17: $15 1 child under 1 year and 1 adult: Free   Imagine Play Imagine Play is a play space for younger kids to have fun and learn with one another. Imagine Play is a lending library with age-appropriate toys to assist in learning, sensory exploration, and imagination. Imagine Play offers open play times for anyone to come to play as well as camps and after-school programs for children to learn through play. They also offer private birthday parties for a fun and educational birthday experience. Pricing:  $13.50 per child + 1 adult; one adult per family, extra adults are $2.50 each Babies under 1 are free if accompanied by a paid sibling, otherwise, ticket price is $5   JasTag JasTag offers laser tag, bumper cars, and an arcade for some serious family fun. With a huge facility covering almost 8500 square feet over two stories, there is sure to be a day full of fun for everyone. JasTag is the perfect place for birthday parties or private events. Try your hand at the challenging laser maze after a game of laser tag. Pricing:  $11.99 per person per game   Cali Glo Indoor Entertainment Indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf – who wouldn’t love that? Cali Glo also offers18 holes of glow-in-the-dark mini golf all featuring California landmarks. When you’re done with mini golf get ready for laser tag. Cali Glo has all of the glow-in-the-dark fun for all ages!  Pricing:  Glo golf: $12.50 per person Laser tag: $20 per person   Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room If you haven’t tried an escape room yet, now is the time. Enchambered will trap you and the family in a room with clues that you will all have to work together to figure out how to escape. It’s a fun and exciting activity that will get everyone engaged.  While it’s designed for ages 9 and up, there are no age restrictions.  Pricing:  Pricing depends on the type of escape room experience. Check the website for pricing on desired escape room.   Aerospace Museum of California From military airplanes to space shuttles, if it flies you can learn about it at the Aerospace Museum of California. Tour the 4-acre airpark with 40 historic aircraft, then make your way inside for more aerospace learning.  There are activity centers with building stations, crafts, and flight simulators. They offer camps for children from 3rd to 6th grade. There is so much to learn here it is easy to spend an entire day going through everything. Pricing:  Ages 18+: $15 Ages 4-17, Senior, Veteran: $10 Active-duty military: Free   Just For Fun Art Get your children’s creative juices flowing at Just for Fun Art. With endless events and activities, it will be hard to get your kids to want to do anything else. Book your child’s next birthday party at Just for Fun Art or just bring them in for some open studio craft time. They also offer adult paint parties for some kid-free fun. Pricing:  You can call Just for Fun Art for pricing at 916-468-2706 or check out their event calendar for more information   Little Angels Play Town Little Angels Play Town is designed for children up to age 10. This is a space to inspire your children to play, imagine, and explore. They offer plenty of toys and costumes to spark creativity.  Kids will be in playtime heaven with a pretend grocery store, clinic, kitchen castle, and ball pit. They offer classes, free play time, and private parties. Pricing:  $12 per child, 2 adults included, extra adults $2 Babies under 1 are free if accompanied by paid sibling, otherwise, ticket price is $6   Indoor Activities for Kids in Sacramento, CA? There are so many indoor activities for kids in Sacramento on this list, including:  Little Angels Play Town  Art Beasts Sacramento Children’s Museum  SacMiniGolf And Rebounderz of course! Conclusion: Best Indoor Activity in Sacramento this year? The best overall indoor activity in Sacramento is without question going to be found at Rebounderz. Rebounderz offers all of the family fun that anyone can ask for. From the trampoline park to the arcade there is something for everyone. Parents can have peace of mind that they are giving their kids a great time in a clean and safe environment. Rebounderz strives to maintain a facility that kids will love and parents will love bringing their kids to. Go visit Rebounderz today! #### 21+ Best Unique Events and Party Venues in Sacramento, CA Planning for a party might seem a bit overwhelming, but in Sacramento there are never-ending unique event and party venues to choose from–making your job a lot easier!  From kids birthday parties to fundraisers, there are great event venues that are unique in Sacramento that will ensure your party will be a memorable one!   Benefits of Choosing a Unique Event Venues for Your Next Party  If you're planning a party or event, you might be asking yourself: "Should I rent a unique venue? Or should I just go with the most convenient space?" The answer is simple: don't settle for anything less than your dream event! The more unique an event venue, the more occupied your guests will be enjoying themselves! Plus, something new is exciting for you as a host too.  First, decide what kind of event you'd like to host, and then look into renting unique event venues that align with your needs. Once you've found the perfect venue, start working with an on-staff event planner to make sure the next step is as smooth as possible.  A lot of times these unique event venues offer flexible venue spaces which can be utilized for a variety of events and functions. This can include weddings, corporate parties, baby showers, and birthday parties. A unique venue will make your next event one that guests won't soon forget.   Best Unique Events and Party Venues in Sacramento    Rebounderz  Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park and Family Fun Center is a great party and event venue right in Sacramento. Kids and adults alike will absolutely love the unique activities Rebounderz has to offer.  They won’t want to miss running through the fun and challenging ninja courses or testing their endurance and strength on the rock climbing walls. There are many options for younger children as well, including a huge indoor playground, and parents can chill in the lounge with goodies from the cafe and enjoy free Wi-Fi.  Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active. And let’s not forget their parents night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much-needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of! There are a wide number of activities that are appropriate for kids of all ages and they can be as physically active as they want to be. At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults. Event Options Birthday parties Fundraisers Team Building Private Facility Rentals Sports Team Package Other various group events Pricing & Party Packages  Ultimate Ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento, the all day pass also includes 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice cold fountain drink Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time to all the activities offered Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time to all the activities offered Birthday party packages Five Star General Party: $499 (or $24.95 per person), includes 20 participants, 75 mins activity time, all access and bumper cars, private party suite, dedicated party host, 4 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 19 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit Major Rick’s Party Package: $449 (or $29.95 per person) includes 15 participants, 75 mins activity time, private party suite, dedicated party host, 3 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 14 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit, add bumper cars for $39 Sergeant Party Package: $349 (or $34.95 per person) includes 10 participants, 75 mins activity time, reserved party table, shared party host, 2 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 9 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit, add bumper cars for $25 They also offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz Sacramento offerings!   The Atrium at Woodlake The unique event space at The Atrium at Woodlake is designed to be heated and cooled according to Sacramento’s beautiful weather with its unique polycarbonate retractable roof. It accommodates over 250 guests with cocktail-style receptions.  This versatile space is perfect for official parties, weddings, receptions, baby and bridal showers, birthdays, and other celebrations of life. This event space gives you the freedom to create your dreamlike surroundings. Event Options: Corporate events Celebrations of life Bridal showers/weddings Graduations Birthdays  Anniversaries Quinceanera Bar Mitzvah/ Bat Mitzvah Pricing & Party Packages:  Sunday - Thursday Entire Facility: $3500 Half Facility (daytime events only): $2000  Additional Hour: (prorated to the quarter hour)  Entire Facility: $400 Half Facility: $20 Friday & Saturday Entire Facility: $450 Extra Hour: (pro-rated to the quarter hour) $400 Ceremony Package: $750   Sacramento Masonic Temple  The Sacramento Masonic Temple is truly a dream. Built between 1913 and 1918, this unique architectural period piece in Sacramento has been the venue of choice for hundreds of weddings, parties, corporate meetings and seminars, fundraisers, and banquets.  With light fixtures designed specifically for the building, oak-paneled doors, antique touches are given all around, stained glass windows, marbled staircase,  highly unusual terracotta design features, and grand auditorium space. Event Options Weddings Government and corporate events Sororities and fraternities Family events Theme parties Pricing & Party Packages  Ballroom rental: $4000, Security guards: $500 (with a maximum number of 250 guests), contact The Sacramento Masonic Temple for more pricing details.    Urban Air Adventure Park  Looking for the best year-round indoor amusements near the Sacramento area, Urban Air Adventure Park is just where you need to book. With new adventures around every corner, the ultimate indoor playground for your entire family. Take your kids’ birthday parties to a whole new level. Urban Air Adventure Park is a play and entertainment indoor arena with locations throughout the United States. They offer laser games, playgrounds, mini golf, indoor sky-diving, bowling, arcades, and more. Suitable for all ages, they offer party and event packages, and even a private park rental.  Event Options Birthday parties Group events Field trips Team building Private park rental Pricing & Party Packages  Starts at $229.    Pagoda Events Pagoda Events is a versatile event space for any kind of formal meeting or an intimate gathering with traditional fine art, dimming lights, and stylish floor coverings for the perfect dance party. But, you can also bring in a bounce house!  The venue is perfect for holiday parties, cocktail parties, and quinceaneras with large windows allowing great views of the central city and downtown Sacramento.  Event Options Corporate meetings Conferences Wedding receptions Family reunions Private gathers Various celebrations Pricing & Party Packages  Contact Pagoda Events at 916-443-5724 for pricing.    Capitol Plaza Ballroom The magnificent 19th-century building with hand-painted ceilings is a blend of art, elegance, comfort, tradition, and versatility, providing the perfect ambiance for your special events at Capitol Plaza Ballrooms.  The location is ideal for wedding receptions, cocktail parties, fundraisers, holiday gatherings, luncheons, seminars, conferences, trade shows, etc. Transformed from the historic Odd Fellows temple of the 1800s, the building is now a facility for exceptional events.  Event Options Wedding receptions Fundraisers Holiday parties Corporate and business events Trade shows Cocktail parties Seminars  Pricing & Party Packages  Contact Capitol Plaza Ballrooms for pricing.   The Boulder Fields If you’re looking to level up your climbing game or just want to have some fun with your pals, this is the right place. The Boulder Fields is Sacramento’s newest and most exciting rock climbing and fitness gym.  The variety of walls they offer with low to high difficulty levels for different age groups makes it both challenging and fun!  Event Options Birthday parties Pricing & Party Packages  Saturday: $345 for 5-16 participants; 2 hours of climbing time, 30 minutes of celebration time (food, song, presents, etc), reserved kid’s area, sink for easy access and handwashing Sunday: $500 for 17-24 participants;   2 hours of climbing time, 30 minutes of celebration time (food, song, presents, etc), reserved kid’s area, sink for easy access and handwashing   iFlt Indoor Skydiving iFly Indoor Skydiving is a popular place that gives a wonderful experience to both kids and adults. A great place to learn about skydiving and have fun through options like flight school, wind tunnel, helmet decorating, etc. All while doing all this by being indoors!  Event Options Flight school Birthday parties Corporate, social and private events Pricing & Party Packages  Contact iFly for pricing options.   The Elks Tower Events The Elks Tower Events provides a breathtaking and unique venue within proximity to many of Sacramento’s major attractions. From meetings for as few as 20 people to receptions of over 465, The Elks Tower will give you just the space you need.  This space was built to reflect the Italian Renaissance style and was renovated back to its original beauty in 2006. It acts as an elegant backdrop for meetings, birthday parties, weddings, and more! Event Options The Historic Ballroom: Seats 330 guests with the use of the small mezzanine, 300 guests on the main floor Locked Barrel: Known for amazing cocktails and relaxed atmosphere  Pricing & Party Packages  $4500 per event. Contact The Elks Tower for more details.   The Tsakopoulos Library Galleria A premiere event space to host weddings, dinners, concerts, dances, and more, The Tsakopoulos Library Galleria utilizes both natural and artificial light with towering glass windows and skylights to give an outdoor illusion to the guests–without the risk of the event being rained out. The Galleria provides a luxurious and spectacular setting for the evening and morning events. Event Options Weddings and receptions Business and government events Dances and entertainment Pricing & Party Packages  Galleria main floor:  Mon-Thurs: Half day is $1000 and full day is $1,500 Fri & Sun:  Half day is $1,300 and full day is $2,000 Sat:  Half day is $2,300 and full day is $3,000 Galleria Balcony: $500 For additional packages and pricing info, contact The Tsakopoulos Library Galleria for more information.   Enchambered Escape rooms are always fun, especially when you’re in groups. Enchambered offers adventures, challenges, and the thrill of being locked up in an escape room with your friends is exclusively designed for kids of nine and up.  Activities like these help kids (and adults) become more proactive, sharp-minded, and solution-oriented. Event Options Team building Birthday parties Pricing & Party Packages  Pricing is dependent on the type of escape room experience. For further details contact Enchambered.   Vizcaya Sacramento Vizcaya Sacramento is a full-service event venue with both indoor and outdoor location options. They offer customized event planning assistance from the beginning to the end details of your event and accommodate up to 250 guests.  The centerpiece of attention is the stunning Vizcaya Pavillion, surrounded by glimmering lights, beautifully landscaped gardens, and their romantic trademark fountain. Plan your next baby shower, anniversary, birthday celebration, holiday party, or other unique events with Vizcaya. Event Options Weddings and receptions Baby showers Anniversaries Birthdays Holiday parties Corporate and business meetings Other unique events Pricing & Party Packages  The Blossom Package: $5800  Main garden courtyard for up to 50 guests (10am – 1pm) This package is designed for small parties like baby showers, bridal showers, etc Mansion Parlor Package: $550 for 3 hours Designed for small events and receptions with up to 40 guests  For more details, contact Vizcaya Sacramento.   SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity The SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity is the perfect place to spend time with your friends and family. There is a blend of interactive exhibits, live demos, and events for all age groups. SMUD is a great spot for fun gatherings and socializing with new people, for kids to discover and play simultaneously, though it won’t be a wise option for kids to run around all day! Event Options Birthday parties Conference rooms Facility Rentals Pricing & Party Packages  Birthday party package: $335 for members and $375 for on members includes use of private birthday party room and an hour and a half, admission and access to exhibitions for up to 25 people, dedicated MOSAC party host, STEAM-themed decor and activities and special MOSAC gift for birthday child. For additional pricing contact The SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity.   SeaQuest – Folsom Immersing kids in a complete adventure where they can touch, feed, and interact with animals from all around the world, SeaQuest is the perfect place for families to have fun and learn. If you want to make your kids’ birthdays unique, informative, adventurous, and fun, this is a great option.  Event Options Birthday parties Pricing & Party Packages  Standard birthday party package: $249 Premium birthday party package: $349 Ultimate birthday party package: $649   Imagine Play Imagine Play offers a variety of activities, including arts & crafts, storytelling, games, and more, in a safe environment for all age groups. The children are made to work with their imagination and creativity with the materials provided to them by the facility.  Either individually or in groups. This enables the kids to have fun while stretching their creative muscles.  Event Options Kids birthday parties  Pricing & Party Packages  Picnic parties on the play floor: $199 for 6 children, addition children are $14 each limit 30 Private party for 10 children: $299 Themed birthday party for 15 children: $560   Monster Mini Golf  Monster Mini Golf offers living art and monster-themed decor featuring animated monsters with glow-in-the-dark effects that give an incredible golf experience to families.  This family entertainment area is filled by hi-tech game arcades, mini-bowling arenas, monster-themed laser tags, and mazes–a unique place for kids to enjoy a monstrous party filled with fun and games! Event Options Birthday parties Corporate events Pricing & Party Packages  Ghostly Gala: Up to 10 guests, $295 Bone Bash: Up to 12 guests, $325 Monster Mania: Up to 15 guests, $395 Very Important Monster: Up to 25 guests, $575 Graveyard Hop: Up to 100 guests, $650   Mad Science Be amazed by harmless chemical reactions, rocket launches, and more exciting activities during your kids’ birthday celebrations at Mad Science. Celebrating with a hint of scientific knowledge is a great way to hold a unique party for your child and their friends to enjoy. Event Options Kids birthday parties Pricing & Party Packages  Standard: 45 mins interactive science show,  science make-and-take for each child, 1-10 kids $269 Super: 45 mins interactive science show, science make-and-take for each child, goody bag for each guest, 1-10 kids $319   Funderland Amusement Park Head over to Funderland Amusement Park for your special celebration filled with fun and adventure. A day filled with thrills and kiddie rides that your little ones will remember for years to come, whether it’s for a birthday party, graduation celebration, or even a family reunion.  Event Options Birthday parties Graduations Anniversaries  Family Reunions Pricing & Party Packages  Contact Funderland Amusement Park at 916-456-0131 for pricing packages.   Just for Fun Art Just for Fun Art has got you sorted from paint parties to creative art camps for kids and adults. They offer you an opportunity to enjoy with friends and family while sipping cocktails and doing something productive, simultaneously, from beginning to end. Event Options Private parties  Team building for adults Pricing & Party Packages  Contact Just for Fun Art at 916-468-2706 for pricing.   Punch Line Sacramento Punch Line Sacramento has hosted big names like Dave Chappelle and Jo Koy but they’re also known as popular venues for larger scale events like wedding receptions and business meetings. This space can host 25 to 240 guests and is located close to the Sacramento Convention Center.  They offer full service event production, lighting and sound, custom menus and custom mixology.  Event Options Wedding Receptions Business meetings Corporate events Pricing & Party Packages  Contact Punch Line Sarcramento for pricing details.   Vintage Monkey The Vintage Monkey is a unique historic event venue famed for its inspiring interior with classic motorcycles. Be it an intimate wedding ceremony,  private party, or reunion, they provide their unforgettable services to all.  With a great focus on historic preservation, it is decorated with antiquities and artifacts from around the world. The venue features a million-dollar exhibition of classic and historic motorcycles for guests to feel like they’ve been taken back in time.  Event Options Private dinners/cocktails Intimate wedding ceremonies Executive gatherings Receptions TV, Movie, Motion Picture Filming, and Photoshoots Pricing & Party Packages  Private Party Rental Package: $650 per hour with a 4 hour minimum charge limit of 30 guests Contact The Vintage Monkey for pricing on TV, Movie, Motion Picture Filming and Photoshoots space rental as pricing will vary due to different types of insurance, liability and circumstances.   Most Unique Event or Party Venue in Sacramento, CA?  Party life in Sacramento can be casual, energetic, or somewhere in between. With a variety of different venues to choose from. Some with rustic vibes, others with a modern touch and fairytale-like feel to them. Residents of Sacramento are lucky to have so many options to go to and celebrate!  However, with so many options in line, Rebounderz stands out because of its inclusion of all age groups that can work for everyone. Offering a variety of activities for kids and adults to play along with, from breaking a sweat while jumping on trampolines to reliving your childhood memories in the arcade.  Rebounderz is a venue with ultimate entertainment that has everyone moving and enjoying the time of their life! Try out Rebounderz Sacramento today! #### 21+ Fun Family Activities in Sacramento Are you looking for an activity for the whole family, or something just for the kids? Then you’ll enjoy this review of the most fun family activities in Sacramento.  We’ll cover everything from the best museums and art galleries to outdoor activities and local food! Sacramento has a ton to offer to those who love going out and having fun with families. Let’s dive in, so you can try a family-friendly Sacramento activity this week!    Fun Family Activities in Sacramento Here are some of the most fun activities in Sacramento for your family to enjoy.    Rebounderz Rebounderz Sacramento is a family entertainment center. Rebounderz is an indoor playground with a variety of different family-friendly activities. You can enjoy with family while learning to develop foundational skills; for older kids, some more advanced activities are also available. Whenever you search for fun family activities in Sacramento, you will find Rebounderz. We offer a variety of exciting kid-friendly activities and programs, so kids don't miss out on anything! Here are the most advanced activities we offer, e.g., trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a demanding fun activity Ninja Warrior Obstacle course. In addition to these activities, our Parents' Night Out program provides you with an opportunity to step back and enjoy some family time. Our excellent membership program for parents allows you to taste what we're about without putting your wallet or schedule under too much stress. If you want your children to get a full-time job when they grow up, there's a summer camp program to help them do that. Activities Indoor Trampoline Arena Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Activities Colorful-Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Toddler Trampoline Zone Pricing  Ultimate ticket: $34.99, all-day admission to all the great activities with 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice-cold fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99, 2-hours of play time for all the activities. Basic Ticket: For $24.99, 1-hour of play time for all the activities.  They also offer two membership options: Basic: $14.99/month Unlimited: $19.99/month Check out all of Rebounderz offerings!       2. California State Railroad Museum The California State Railroad Museum is the world’s largest collection of vintage railway vehicles. It has restored transportation cars, locomotives, and exhibits that celebrate the history of trains. There are also lots of old trains that you can explore for free. On top of the historical exhibits, the museum hosts a variety of seasonal attractions catered towards a family-friendly crowd, including a Polar Express at Christmas and Track or Treat train ride at Halloween.  Activities:  Guided tours Activity center Indoor and outdoor private events (i.e. educational, personal, etc.) Month-to-month seasonal events Digital exhibits Laboratory of Learning Library and archives Pricing: Adults: $12 Youths (6–17): $6  Children 5 and under: Free (ages 5 and under) Yearly membership prices (including free admission for one year) vary depending on the size of the package.       3. Enchambered Escape Rooms Enchambered Live Escape Room Adventure is an immersive puzzle game built for a team of two favorite people to try to solve together. Hosting games as late as 10:30pm, Enchambered Live Escape Room Adventure is a place for creative thinkers and problem solvers looking for a challenge! Escape rooms:   Trouble in the Toy Containment Breach The Whispering Halls The Skull Witch Skull Witch Apart in Time Multilayer Online Escape Room Together Apart Alone Together The Capital Puzzle Pricing: Price per room varies ranging from $35 – $40 per person Pricing for private events also varies based on size and accommodations needed       4. Funderland Amusement Park Funderland is an upbeat, kid-friendly amusement park with rides, attractions, games, and food for all ages. Established in 1946, Funderland has been a staple of the Sacramento community for years, which continues to be an ideal place for families of all ages to come together and have fun, especially the younger children! Activities:  Games Food vendors Rides Hosts private events (i.e. school trips, birthday parties, company events, etc.) Seasonal and monthly events open to the public Pricing: Child Admission (34″ tall & up): $22 Adult Admission (ages 18-59): $17 Senior Admission (ages 60+): $10       5. Seaquest Discover the wonders of the ocean world as SeaQuest takes your family on an incredible adventure. Your loved ones will explore rainforests, deserts, and the depths of the sea as well as learn more about this amazing planet.  While visiting SeaQuest, your family will have the ability to see, learn about, and even interact with a variety of different animals of the land and sea with the guidance of supportive staff.  Activities:  Asian Otter Interactions Baby Sloth Interaction Crested Porcupine Interaction Fishy Kisses Safari Adventures Sloth Interaction Snorkel with Stingrays Wallaby Encounter Ultimate Adventure Bundle Pricing: Children’s ticket: $11.99 Adult 12+ ticket: $16.99 55+/ Military/ Student: $14.99 Annual Passport: $39.99 with a variety of other special features and offers, including free admission for one year. They also offer exclusive services for a special price booking. Annual Passport: $39.99       6. SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity is an interactive, engaging place full of exhibits, shows, and programs built to help teach people of all ages about a variety of scientific and aerospace topics. A perfect environment to bring a curious-minded group of kids or family looking to expand their interests and learn something new.  Activities:  Tons of interactive exhibits Amphitheater with regular showings Camps and programs for children and adults to get involved in Support for educators to help their students Hosting private events (i.e. birthday parties, field trips, business events, etc.) Pricing: Children (under 2): Free Children (2-17): $14 Adults (18+): $17 Military/ Seniors (65+)/ Students with ID/ Educators: $15 Members: Free Memberships vary in price based on package Outdoor Fun Activities in Sacramento for Family Ready to take the fun outside? Enjoy the Sacramento weather with these fun outdoor activities for the whole family.        7. Fairytale Town An innovative, non-profit, family-friendly park, Fairytale Town is a good place to take a family with younger children seeking a unique experience while in Sacramento.  Its three-dimensional play sets are based on favorite kid-friendly fairy tales and nursery rhymes, and its performing arts stages feature educational, interactive exhibits. Activities:  Hosting educational programs and trips 26 different play sets and rides 2 large stages for live performances Monthly and seasonal events Specialized programs based on age and different special interests Pricing: Above 5 years old: $8 Under 5 years old: Free Group rates and memberships also available       8. Sacramento Zoo The Sacramento Zoo has a well-rounded variety of activities ranging from hosting private events for adults to summer camps, field trips, and birthday parties for children. There is an event calendar with different seasonal events the zoo is hosting each month as well as membership opportunities.  Activities:  Month-to-month events Membership exclusives Private events  Several different rides and attractions Food vendors Gift shop Up-close animal encounters The large collection of animal exhibits and enclosures Pricing: Daily pricing varies by based on current events, capacity, season, and other factors. Currently, the range on the website states pricing is around $17.50 to $22.00 per ticket, with pricing ranger higher on weekends and lower early in the week. Purchasing a membership, which includes free admission for one year, is available for:  $60 for a single membership $110 for a duo membership $175 for a family pack providing 2 adult passes and up to 4 children There are a variety of other packages, but these three are the most popular.        9. Wet River Trips Wet River Trips is an entertaining place whether to go on a romantic getaway, group activities, or a family-friendly trip, or your family is looking for a unique and exciting holiday, your family will get a whitewater rafting experience on the American River. Activities:  Half-day Trips Rafting Trips Multi-day Trips Whitewater Rafting Trips Pricing for Whitewater Rafting Trips): One day trip: $79 to $189 Two day trips:$185 to $329 Special rates for large groups       10. Sacramento Historic River Cruise Old Town’s Sacramento Historic River Cruise is a great outdoor activity option for families. It's one of the best ways to view the city's sights from the river, and all ages can learn all about Sacramento’s history.  Activities:  One-hour yacht cruise Scenic Sacramento views Captain narration including Sacramento River history Pricing:  Child Ages (0 to 12): Free Adult: $27 Military: $25       11. Effie Yeaw Nature Center The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is a park in Sacramento dedicated to educating the public on a variety of nature and scientific topics, while providing an entertaining and safe environment for visitors.  With programs for kids and adults alike, free admission, and a variety of exhibits to explore, Effie Yeaw Nature Center is a fun outside activity idea.  Activities:  Visitor Center with Resident Animals on display and Exhibit Hall with the history and facts of the surrounding area. Nature Preserve with a 100 acre Maidu Village and Butterfly Garden with play area. Walking trails all around the park. Various camps and programs for adults, children, and students alike. Gift shop and picnic area Special events based on the events calendar Pricing: Free with a recommended (not mandatory) donation of $1 for children and $2 for adults.     12. Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Sacramento On this fun-filled Sacramento scavenger hunt, get to know the city through an engaging and entertaining experience. Let’s Roam works for people of all ages, young to old, to explore the beautiful city of Sacramento and have fun at the same time! Activities:  Site-seeing of Sacramento’s most famous and historic landmarks and buildings Themed scavenger hunts based on the group of people Team-building exercises Pricing: Price per player (5 and below): Free Price per player (5 and older): $12.99 per game Monthly pass with unlimited gameplay: $19.99 per month        13. Boarding on the Lake Get away from city life and enjoy the outdoors! Boarding on the Lake is a family-owned equestrian facility on the Folsom Lake Trails. Take horseback rides on their trail rides or even take some horseback riding lessons.  Activities:  Up Mooney Ridge Through the Forest Back along the Lake Pricing:  One rider:  $95  Two riders: $180  Three riders: $270 Four riders: $360 Five riders: $450 Six riders: $540   Fun Things to do in Sacramento with Family at Night Ready for a night out on the town? Check out these family-friendly night activities that work for all ages.  P.S. Though we didn’t list Rebounderz again, we are open until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 8 pm every other night.        14. Cali Glo Indoor Entertainment Cali Glo Indoor Entertaining offers mini-golf with extravagant black lights, as well as many other activities. This educational golf course teaches about the different landmarks in California while you put to your heart's content in their 18-hole glowing golf course. Or, enjoy their laser tag option! Activities:  Glow-in-the-dark golf Laser tag  Pricing  Golf course: $30  Laser tag: $30        15. Monster Mini Golf For mini golfers, Monster Mini Golf is a unique place to try. The most challenging and stimulating, one-of-a-kind mini golf experience. There are also high-tech video game arcades and mini bowling, lazer maze, and other family-friendly activities. Activities:  Mini golf Arcade Virtual reality Laser maze Rope course Bowling Pricing:  Little monsters: $10 Big monsters: $12 Seniors/military: $9       16. Sacramento Children’s Museum The Sacramento Children’s Museum seeks to build an environment in which learning is exciting and enriching for children and their families and facilitated through exploration and hands-on activities. Besides the special exhibitions that are on display, there are experiments with balls, chutes, and art, as well as other interactive activities. Activities:  Exhibits Sensory friendly play Homeschool enrichment series Summer camps Yoga play Field trips Pricing:  Children under 1: Free Current Museum Members: Free Adults & Children ages 12 months+: $9.50 Over 60 & Active Military: $7.50 Association of Children’s Museums: $4.75 (up to four entries) Museum For All $2: (up to four entries)       17. Coin-Up Game Room Coin-Op Game Room features 40+ arcade games ranging from 1981 to 2012 releases Donkey Kong and Tron to the 2011 4-Player Pac-Man Battle Royale. The classic games collection is a family-friendly entertainment, which includes 50 games, and focuses on the classics, but there are games for every type of game player. With over 40 pinball games from 12 companies, this is the ultimate pinball resource for your arcade needs. It also offers food and drinks focusing on quality and production, so it is also kid-friendly to enjoy for a long time. Activities:  Addams Family Pinball Area 51 Asteroids Attack from Mars Batman 66 Pinball Big Buck Hunter Contra Dig Dug Pricing: Price varies according to game.       18. Country Club Lanes Country Club Lanes are one of the best bowling centers in Sacramento. They have fun for all ages! Your family will have much fun playing laser tag at this event. It's time for a break! Stop by the café for premium food items like Angus beef burgers or Super Strike Nachos. If coming solo, Candlerock Lounge is a full bar with beers on tap, darts, and billiards. They also have two grand arcades. Activities:  Bowling Laser X Lounge & Billiards Arcades Concourse Cafe VR Virtual Rabbids Pricing:  Special Tuesday: $25 per person Bowling packages range from $29–$34 a person Laser tag days packages range from $10-$50       19. Old Sacramento Waterfront The Old Sacramento Waterfront is a large portion of Sacramento, filled with more than enough for any family to find something for everyone to enjoy. Not only home to a thriving daytime scene, the nightlife is just as lively with restaurants, attractions, and entertainment going on late into the night.  Activities:  Views of waterfront Various restaurants and bars Local shops Seasonal events Weekly and monthly live entertainment Waterfront attractions Sightseeing and tours Nearby museums Historic landmarks Carriage rides Pricing: Entrance and parking is free (depending on where you park) and then activity and event prices vary.        20. Corbetts House of Horror Corbett's House of Horror is a haunted attraction created by talented set designers and FX pros to deliver spine-tingling scares. House of Horrors’s "FEAR FARM" features three full haunted attractions: Scarecrow Corntrail, Zombie Paintball Shootout, and a brand-new maze. Activities:  Paintball Zombie Attack Medical Mayhem Scarecrow Corntrail Pricing:  Both haunts: $20 Single ride: $25 Haunts & single ride package: $40       21. West Wind Drive In The west wind-drive-in movie theater screens the latest releases and piped-out sound into cars via FM radio. The family-friendly cinema that's open all day and night was established in 1952 and is the biggest drive-in cinema chain in the world. Activities:  Drive-in-night concerts Free movies at the Drive-in Special event s Pricing:  Children under age 4: Free Children (5 to 11): $2 Adults: $9 Only Tuesdays: $6   Have Family Fun in Sacramento Ready to enjoy one of these fun family activities? Not sure which one to choose?  Rebounderz is always the right choice! Whether you’re enjoying the indoor trampoline park and climbing walls, toddler-friendly play areas, or Parents’ Night Out, there is never-ending fun for a budget-friendly cost! Rebounderz is the perfect activity for some family fun in Sacramento!  Schedule your next visit today! #### 22+ Top Fun Activities for Kids in Sacramento, CA In the city of Sacramento, there are almost endless activities to do, which is why it’s helpful to find a curated list of specific activities for kids to enjoy. Whether it’s activities to try indoors, free activities for kids, or spots for the whole family, you want to know where to go to plan your weekends.  At Rebounderz we take fun seriously, so here is our list of the top fun activities for kids in Sacramento, California.  Indoor Activities in Sacramento Some of the best activities for kids in Sacramento are available inside: avoid the rain or the heat with these activity options.  Rebounderz  Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging (but fun) Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  There are a wide number of activities that are appropriate for kids of all ages and they can be as physically active as they want to be. At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults. Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active throughout the summer months.  And let’s not forget their parents night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much-needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of! Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all-day admission to all of the great activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento, the all-day pass also includes 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn, and 1 free ice cold fountain drink Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time to all the activities offered  Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time to all the activities offered Or, try the affordable membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz offerings!   Sacramento Children’s Museum From Sensory Play to Yoga the attractions at the Sacramento Children’s Museum are endless. There is also a homeschool enrichment program that will help nurture your child’s natural abilities and develop foundational skills. Your child will continuously learn new state-of-the-art learning techniques and mindfulness.  Every Friday morning there is a mindfulness exercise included with Yoga. There will always be room for growth at the Sacramento Children’s Museum.  Pricing  Adults & Children over 1: $8.50 Over 60 & Military: $6.00 Children under 1: Free Current Museum Members: Free   Old Sacramento Historic Park Explore the history of Sacramento with this beautiful historic park on the Sacramento waterfront. With shopping, food & drinks, fun attractions, and family events, there is lots to do in Old Sacramento Historic Park.  They offer lots of free family events like their craft days, but there are also lots of activities for purchase.  Pricing  Depends on the chosen activity    Busy Kids Play Town and Coffee Shop Inspired by city life, this coffee shop is a kid-centered activity that encourages children ten and under to explore and learn through pretend play. You can sit and relax (and even enjoy a beer) while your kiddos play in the miniature city built just for them, or join in on weekly workshops and classes. This family-friendly space is made with parents and children in mind. It’s perfect for planning a birthday party or a small get together with friends.  Pricing  1 child: $45 Additional children: $30 Extra grown-up: $10 They also offer membership options and punch cards   Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum Explore African American History at the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum located in the Florin Business Arts Complex. There are plenty of attractions and exhibits to learn about the history of our country as well as learn a few things for yourself.  A great discussion-starter about the different cultures and history of the United States and our neighbors, friends, and families, you can view emotional and educational art and the history behind it at this museum. Plus, children under 12 can enjoy for free.  Pricing  Members: Free  Adults: $4.00 Seniors: $3.00 Youth (13 -17): $2.00 Children (12 & under): Free   Imagine Play Imagine Play is a great indoor kids activity for fun in Sacramento. This imaginative playground offers countless options, from open play to the afterschool enrichment. Bring your imagination and play to your heart’s content. In addition to birthday parties they offer children learning pods for hands-on learning, and distanced learning for COVID-safe education.  Pricing  Child + 1 Adults: $13.50 Extra Adult: $2.50 Babies 6-11.9 months: Free with paid sibling Babies without paid sibling: $5   Free Kids Activities in Sacramento While many of the options above are affordable activities, we wanted to make sure to include a list of completely free kids activities in Sacramento, CA.    McClatchy Park In over 15 acres of park your children can enjoy the history of the park, a playground, and a nurturing environment for young minds to grow and develop the foundational skills they need. Alongside the playground, explore the butterfly garden and other educational support about the local California nature.    Lake Natoma Lake Natoma is a beautiful and wondrous natural sight with many animals to see! This lake includes activities for all ages whether it be a picnic, swimming, or fishing. The campgrounds are definitely a place to put on your camping bucket list.  Children of all ages can learn about the beauty of nature in this pristine environment while you enjoy a little sunshine for yourself. With up to 6 miles of walking trails of this lake and open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset, this Lake is a great outdoor activity option in Sacramento you and your kids can enjoy for free.    Farmers Market Come down to Sacramento to experience the beauty of California farms. Be one to experience the fresh food Sacramento has to offer. While it’s free to check out, you might be tempted to buy some of the incredible products offered.  There are lots of farmers markets throughout Sacramento to check out that offer food, art, socializing, music, and more. Some farmers markets in Sacramento include:  Midtown Farmers Market Certified Farmers Market Sprouts Farmers Market Sunday Fresh Market  Saturday Farmers Market   Shasta Park With over 18 acres of land, Shasta Park is the perfect destination for you and your little ones. The playgrounds include a rubber ground and a canopy to shield you from the sun. There are plenty of activities on the grounds including a tennis court, tetherball, a library, and much more to enjoy for free.    McKinley Rose Garden This rose garden is one of the more beautiful sights in Sacramento. This destination includes a garden and walking path for those who wish to see the flowers bloom! This rose garden is home to many different roses and bushes alike. What more could you want on a cool spring day soaking up the sun and stopping to smell the roses?   Effie Yeaw Nature Center The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is a place for everyone! From miles of hiking trails to a replica village of the Nisenan Maidu People there is plenty to learn and explore at this natural site. Get adventurous and see the butterfly garden.  Tap into your playful side and visit the natural playground. Whether you’re 6 or 60 there is a place for you at this nature center.    Fun Activities with Toddlers in Sacramento   Fairytale Town Whether you’re looking for a story to be told, or a knight in shining armor–you can find it here at Fairytale Town! This themed park is one of the fun activities for kids in Sacramento. From its Storybook Park to the farm animals, there’s plenty of entertainment to go around!  There are safe, fun activities for all ages in the non-profit park of Fairytale Town. Whether it be the Alphabet Garden or the Mother Goose Stage this place has all the attractions you’re looking for. With memberships starting at just $50, whether you’re a child at heart or have a few little ones of your own you’ll never want to leave.  Pricing  Ages 2 and under: Free Humpty Dumpty: $50 Bo Peep: $60 Mother Goose: $70 Robin Hood: $85 King Arthur: $110 Crooked Man: $250 Fairy Godmother: $500 Mad Hatter: $1,000 Caregiver: $15   Funderland Amusement Park If you’re all about the thrills then Funderland Amusement Park is a great option for all ages, with children under 34 inches getting free admission. From the Flying Dragon to to the Crazy TeaCups this park has a ride for your adrenaline-seeking little ones. This family friendly park offers a wide variety of rides including those for ages 2 and up. Plus, the percentage of the profits from admissions of this park goes to non-profit parks.  Pricing  34 inches tall +: $22 Adults (22-59): $17 Adults (60+): $10   Sacramento Zoo This destination is the go to if you’re with little ones. Explore the nature of the world as the Sacramento Zoo takes you on the journey of a lifetime! With a train that goes around the zoo there are plenty of other rides like the carousel and the Serengeti Cyclone! Don’t miss out on this awesome adventure! Pricing  Ranges from $21-$18   Oki Park With over 14 acres of land Oki Park takes your breath away with the nature of Sacramento. Including a dinosaur themed exploration park, a gazebo, as well as accessible playgrounds for kids of all ages, it’s a great outdoor activity option.  You’ll also want to check out their tot lot, a park totally built with your little one in mind. There’s also a wading pool for your toddler to relax if they can’t get enough of the water!  Family-Fun Centers Sacramento These centers are for the full family to enjoy in the city of Sacramento.   Rebounderz Even though we listed Rebounderz under fun indoor activities for kids in Sacramento, we have to mention it again here because of all they have to offer for families.  There are a wide number of activities that are appropriate for kids of all ages and they can be as physically active as they want to be. Aside from the variety of activities, they also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  Check out all of Rebounderz offerings!   Fun Box The Fun Box features the award winning “largest bounce park in the world.” This family centered bounce park is great for those who are energetic and ready to fly. This park is bouncing with music as a DJ plays those tunes with a number of challenges that entertain for a long time.  This family-fun center entertains and creates a fun adventure for everyone! Don’t miss out on the many games they have, and complete them all for a prize! Pricing  $22 for 90 minutes    Cali Glo Indoor Entertainment Cali Glo Indoor Entertaining offers mini-golf with extravagant black lights, as well as many other activities. This educational golf course teaches you about the different landmarks in California while you putt to your heart's content in their 18-hole glowing golf course. This family-fun center offers plenty of entertainment for you and your children! With state of the art golf courses you’ll never be bored. Including their laser tag attachment, you can add on to the fun! Pricing  Golf course: $30  Laser tag: $30    The Boulder Field The Boulder Field offers a variety of fun for the whole family in their new center. Get active with the little ones and climb mountains or try out their amenities like their cafe, youth teams, and field trips.  Don’t forget the birthday parties made possible for the youth by the incredibly friendly staff and members. Or enjoy their youth summer program which offers a wide array of rock climbing adventures and learning experiences.  Pricing  Adults: $25/day Students/youths: $20/day Yoga drop-ins: $15 They also have a wide variety of membership options you can find here.   Explorit Science Center Explore the sciences of this world at Explorit Science Center! This center revolves around you and your young ones and helps them discover the secrets of the universe. From their science summer camp to their amazing at home experiments to take back home they’ve got it all! This center aims to develop your children’s brains with the fundamental information they need for learning.   Pricing  $5 per person Free admission for members and children 2 & under   Urban Air This family fun center offers a variety of fun! From their Adventure Hub to their Drop Zone to parties this place always has something for you and your energetic little ones. Explore the Warrior Course and bump each other on the bumper cars (all in good fun of course).  Play in the tube playground where the fun never ends or fly high in the sky in their state of the art Sky Rider!  Pricing  Platinum: $30.99 Ultimate: $26.99 Deluxe: $20.99 5 & under: $11.99   Best Fun Activity to do with Kids in Sacramento, CA?           Whether you’re looking for a little amusement, some fun in the sun, or just relaxation, Sacramento has got it all! The best activity to do with your kids? Rebounderz! From toddlers to tweens, Rebounderz offers a variety of amazing fun in Sacremento!  #### 23+ Family-Friendly Things to do in Sacramento This Weekend When you think about visiting the massive state of California–specifically Sacramento–there is an abundance of fun activities for families to choose from. Which can make it challenging to decide between them!  Sacramento is the perfect destination for kid-friendly experiences, fun indoor activities and a great place for family exploration. Weekend events like concerts and festivals are always popular, but fun family activities are available all year such as notable annual events like the Camellia Festival in March, the Sacramento Music Festival in May, the California State Fair in July, and Gold Rush Days in September to name a few.  But let’s take a look at some other family-friendly activities to do this weekend in Sacramento! Rebounderz  Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities for those who want to develop fundamental skills to those looking for something more advanced, including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging but fun Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  There are a wide number of activities that are appropriate and kid-friendly for all ages and they can be as physically active as they want to be. At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults. Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  And let’s not forget their parents night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much-needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of!   Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento, the all day pass also includes 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice cold fountain drink Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time to all the activities offered  Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time to all the activities offered Or, they offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz offerings! SeaQuest – Folsom With exhibits and attractions available for kids of all ages, SeaQuest is the perfect place for having fun with the family. SeaQuest features activities for immersing kids in a complete adventure where they can touch, feed, and interact with animals coming from all around the world. Activities Offered Asian Otter Interaction Sloth Interaction Stingray Snorkel Crested Porcupine Interaction Fishy Kisses Birthday Parties Pricing Children: $11.99 Adults 12+: $16.99 55+, Military, and College Students: $14.99 Imagine Play Imagine Play is a play space for kids where they can play together and learn in an environment that’s safe and fun for all ages. Imagine Play offers a variety of activities, including arts & crafts, storytelling, games and more, all fostering the creative needs that many kids may have. Activities Offered Open play Lending library Distance learning camps Learning pods After school enrichment Birthday parties Pricing $13.50 per child + 1 adult; one adult per family, extra adults are $2.50 each. Babies under 1 year are free if accompanied with a paid sibling Comedy Spot Comedy spot is the perfect place to give kids an early start at developing a sharp mind and a quick wit while having fun. This kid-friendly comedy is one of its kind. It helps kids to learn the art of comedy. As an activity, Comedy Spot offers special youth Saturday workshops. During the workshop, kids learn performance techniques and take part in improvisational games within a fun, supportive environment. Parents are encouraged to watch and take part in making the performance a family activity. Activities Offered Improv Sketch Stand-up Film and video Youth Classes (ages 9-13) in Improv and Stand Up Pricing The Youth Improv Program starts at $45 per class. Monster Mini Golf Monster Mini Golf offers one-of-a-kind family entertainment. The living art and monster-themed décor featuring fun-loving, animated monsters with the luminescent glow of black lights guarantee the most unique golf experience to kids from the age of five. The monstrous attraction features an 18-hole miniature golf course and adventure. There are also hi-tech video game arcades and monstrous prize centers, mini bowling, monster-themed laser tag, laser maze, light concessions, and more. Kids can have monstrous birthday parties and events at this facility. Activities Offered Mini golf Arcade Laser tag Virtual reality (VR) Bowling Lazer maze Rope course Atomic rush Pricing You can call the Rancho Cordova location for ticket prices. Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park is an indoor trampoline park where kids can jump, climb and play. They also have organized dodgeball leagues on the weekends, laser mazes for different ages and skill levels, mini golf and roller skating sessions for adults and kids alike! Urban Air offers diverse activities to keep your kids occupied all day long such as bumper cars, virtual reality games, climber wall, sky rider, and so on. Activities Offered Battle beam Adventure hub Climbing walls Dodgeball Trampoline arena Dropzone Rope course Tumble track Sky rider Slam dunk zone Bumper cars Indoor playground Warrior course Pricing Platinum: $30.99 Ultimate: $26.99 Deluxe: $20.99 Children under 5: $11.99 Sacramento Children’s Museum What is a great indoor place to take kids if it is not a children’s museum? The Sacramento Children’s Museum is designed to inspire children up to the age of eight to explore, discover and learn through interactive and immersive play. Besides the exhibition, the museum offers experiments with balls in chutes to explore gravity, playing with pressurized tubes and artificial currents, painting, craft art activities, and other immersive exhibits. Activities Offered Sensory play Yoga Summer camps Private play parties Exhibits Pricing Adults and all children over 1 year: $8.50 Over 60 and military: $6.00 Children under 1: Free iFLY Indoor Skydiving – Sacramento iFLY Indoor Skydiving has become a popular destination for families because it’s an experience that both kids and adults can enjoy. iFLY is a great place to learn about aviation, with fun activities like helmet decorating and flight school. Kids can also have fun trying out the wind tunnel or playing in the arcade games after their flight session is complete. Activities Offered Indoor skydiving Flight school Birthday parties Corporate, social and private events Pricing 2 flights: $84.99+ 3 flights: $109.99+ 4 flights: $135.99+    Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room Visiting an escape room is such a fun activity to do with friends and family. Designed for kids at age of nine and up, Enchambered offers adventure, challenge, and thrill of being locked up in an escape room. This type of family entertainment helps kids to be proactive, sharp-minded, and solution-oriented. Kids solve many mysteries, puzzles, and challenges to escape and become the heroes of the game. They need to piece the clues to find the way to open the door and escape the room. Activities Offered Containment Breach The Whispering Halls Skull Witch Trouble in the Toy Shop Online Escape Rooms Pricing Pricing is dependent on the type of escape room experience. Click here for individual pricing. Just For Fun Art Just For Fun Art offers a great experience for fostering kids’ creativity while having fun. The facility is open to kids from the age of five and up. What’s fun here is that you can have your own private painting and art parties at a party venue of your choice or at the Just For Fun Art Studio. Activities Offered Open studio Creative art camp for kids Balloon creations Artis co-op Drawing classes Paint Nite Art by mistake Weekly events Pricing You can call Just for Fun Art for pricing at 916-468-2706 or check out their event calendar for further information New Things to Do in Sacramento   Funderland Park’s new “Fort Funhouse” Conveniently located in William Land Park next to the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town, you’ll find Funderland Amusement Park .The park has been providing family fun and kid-sized thrills since 1946 with nine exciting amusement rides, a concession stand, birthday parties, and more.  However, the park just recently opened the new “Fort Funhouse,” a two-story jungle gym meant for children and adults. The attraction includes rope ladders, suspension bridges and several long slides for people to enjoy. Pricing  Children under 34” of height have free admission Child Admission (34″ tall & up):  $22 Adult Admission (ages 18-59): $17 Senior Admission (ages 60+): $10 All Admissions include entry into the park (free parking) and unlimited rides on date of purchase! The Sacramento Zoo’s new ‘Cheetah Exhibit’ The Sacramento Zoo is an excellent opportunity for the family to have an educational and entertaining experience to connect with wildlife and nature. While the zoo itself has been open since 1927, an exciting, new Cheetah exhibit features brothers Rowdy and Zig Zag.  The cheetah habitat is the zoo’s former Australia habitat. The glass panel for up-close viewing is an excellent opportunity for kids to get up close and personal with nature! The exhibit also features a behind-the-scenes area that takes guests on specially designed tours to learn more about the cheetahs. Pricing  Ticket prices are roughly $10 to $20 as they vary and may increase daily. However, the price will never be lower for a particular day than is currently listed. Get the best price for your visit when you purchase your tickets early!   Hard Rock Live Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain and Live Nation have partnered to open the new Hard Rock Live.  This new state-of-the-art indoor concert venue occupies 65,000 square feet and will feature up to 2,500 seats or 3,000 occupants. A state-of-the-art audio-visual entertainment venue, the Hard Rock Live is an excellent family destination for music, comedy and concerts.  Pricing  Prices will vary per event.  Beyond Van Gogh Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is a 360º digital art exhibition with locations all over the world. With a new Sacramento location, your family can step into the universe of the Dutch genius, Vincent van Gogh. Awarded best 2021 immersive experience by USA Today, kids and adults will relish the opportunity to make their own paintings and have them projected on the walls of an immersive VR experience.  Pricing  Prices will vary depending on date.  Standard Access - includes entry to the exhibition Adult (ages 13+) Child (ages 4–12) Family Bundle: min. 2 children, max. 2 adults per group Senior (65+), Student (13–26) or NHS - valid ID required Group Bundle: min. 15 people VIP Access - includes entry to the exhibition, entry to the VR experience* with skip-the-line, and a "Starry Night" poster VIP Adult (ages 13+) VIP Child (ages 4–12)   SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, or MOSAC, is Sacramento’s newest Science Center. The SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity is the perfect place to spend time with your friends and family. MOSAC is filled with interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and events for all ages. This place is an ideal community-gathering spot to meet new people, and have kids play, discover and learn, though it won’t be the best option for kids looking to run around all day!  Activities Offered Over 100 exhibits exploring themes on health, nature, water, engineering and space. Some exhibits are interactive and hands-on. Planetarium Theater shows Monthly events Pricing Adults (ages 18+): $15 Youth (ages 2-17): $12 Toddlers (under 2): free Seniors (ages 65+): $13   Free Things to Do for Kids and Families in Sacramento Sacramento has long been known as a budget-friendly vacation destination, but the California Capitol is home to more than just cheap accommodations. The city's slate of family-friendly offerings includes many free activities that are great for kids and grownups alike.  Whether you're interested in history, being outside, or good old-fashioned family time, Sacramento offers something for everyone to enjoy for a variety of budgets.  The Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Let your kids explore and compare the vast differences between their own school and California State’s early days of education at The Old Sacramento Schoolhouse.  The building features the same design as the one-room Cannon Schools that were built in 1884 for students of Northern California. With no admission fee, the family is free to learn from various volunteers that will make the educational history of California come to life! G. Wilikers Toy Emporium Located at 1113 Front Street, G.Wilikers Toy Emporium  offers unique merchandise and quality character toys. With a variety of LGB trains, Thomas the Tank, nostalgic wind-up toys, tin toys, and much more, your kids will stay occupied exploring such a large selection!  McClatchy Park At McClatchy Park  your children can enjoy the history of the park and a fun playground. Alongside the playground, explore the butterfly garden and other educational support about the local California nature.  Lake Natoma Lake Natoma is a beautiful and wondrous natural sight with many animals to see! This lake includes activities for all ages whether it be a picnic, swimming, or fishing. The campgrounds are definitely a place to put on your camping bucket list.  Children of all ages can learn about the beauty of nature in this pristine environment while you enjoy a little sunshine for yourself. With up to 6 miles of walking trails of this lake and open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset, this Lake is a great outdoor activity option in Sacramento you and your kids can enjoy for free.  Farmers Market Come down to Sacramento to experience the beauty of California farms. Farmers markets are great to check out because they offer families a chance to be outdoors and explore local artistial goods. Sometimes farmers markets offer activities for kids and even have live music for families to enjoy.  Some farmers markets in Sacramento include:  Midtown Farmers Market Certified Farmers Market Sprouts Farmers Market Sunday Fresh Market  Saturday Farmers Market Shasta Park With over 18 acres of land, Shasta Park is a great destination for you and your little ones. The playgrounds include a rubber ground and a canopy to shield you from the sun. There are plenty of activities on the grounds including a tennis court, tetherball, a library, and much more to enjoy for free.  McKinley Rose Garden McKinley Rose Garden is another great place to go for a walk or jog because it offers plenty of green space without being too crowded by other people like some other parks might be during certain times of day/year, especially weekends.  You'll be able to see lots of different types of plants growing around here too—which makes this spot perfect if you want something more educational. Effie Yeaw Nature Center The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is a place for everyone. From miles of hiking trails to a replica village of the Nisenan Maidu People there is plenty to learn and explore at this natural site. Get adventurous and see the butterfly garden.  Tap into your playful side and visit the natural playground. Whether you’re 6 or 60 there is a place for you at this nature center.  Best family-friendly activity to do in Sacramento this weekend? While Sacramento has a lot to offer for family entertainment, Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz has a wide variety of varying levels of physical activity for the whole family.  From toddlers to adults, we have the right activities to make sure your family has an unforgettable experience in Sacramento. For the number of activities available, Rebounderz offers the best family-friendly activities at a great price point!  Don't wait to “jump” at this awesome opportunity for the family! Check out Rebounderz Sacramento and have a weekend to remember with your family! #### 23+ Fun Things for Kids to do in Orlando  Orlando is the perfect vacation destination for families. The “hub” of theme parks and beautiful sunny beaches attracts families from all over the world! However, there’s so much more to Orlando than Mickey Mouse or Hogwarts. All over Central Florida there are fun and affordable options for families to indulge in. Orlando has a vast array of great activities that kids of all ages would enjoy in all weather, from indoor playgrounds to swimming with dolphins, chocolate museums to ninja warrior courses, and much more! In this post, we’re sharing a list of the best places kids will absolutely love in Orlando.  24 Fun Things to do in Orlando with Kids There are so many places that kids will enjoy in Orlando. There are fantastic outdoor places where kids will have a blast, but if you want to beat the Florida heat, there are some excellent indoor options as well.  Beyond that, there are some unique experiences that will really win your kids over! Orlando is filled with family-friendly adventures.    Indoor Things for Kids to do in Orlando  Indoor Trampoline Arenas  Rebounderz is a must visit when in the Orlando area. Rebounderz is an indoor trampoline arena but they also have a number of other entertaining activities. The indoor trampoline arena can  be enjoyed by the whole family!    It’s a great activity to get your kids moving, kids of all ages will really enjoy this active experience. For the more daring kid or someone looking to conquer a fear, there is an awesome Jump Xtreme Tower.   The indoor trampoline arena at Rebounderz has endless possibilities! Play a classic game of tag or have a jumping contest with your family. Rebounderz offers different group activities but if you're looking for something less regimented you can just go in for some open play time.    If you’re looking to really get competitive, they also offer dodgeball! They have their own dedicated dodgeball trampoline court, ninja warrior courses, and much more.    Check out all of Rebounderz affordable offerings today that your kids–and you–will enjoy! Plus, Rebounderz offers a “Parent’s Night Out” option, where you can drop your kids off with them while you enjoy other parts of the city Orlando has to offer!    Pricing: For just $20, get an hour of access to Rebounderz indoor trampoline area, plus their ninja warrior course, indoor playground, and foam pit. Or, choose one of their other pricing options.    Go-Karting  If you’re looking for a fast thrill, Andretti’s Indoor Karting and Games should be on your list. They now offer a Mini Mario Kart experience for younger children, ages 4-6. Your daring little one will love the rush of being able to drive their own go kart on this custom track.    If you have older kids, they have a bigger track for them to partake in. There’s a little something for everyone here.    Pricing: Non-member Mini Mario races start at $8.95 and Junior races start at $14.95.    Indoor Playgrounds Sometimes that Florida sun can be brutal! Escape the heat and head back over to Rebounderz for their indoor playground! Their large indoor playground allows for kids to let loose and enjoy play time in the best way possible.    You’re not going to experience a playground like this elsewhere! Kids can challenge themselves with the different obstacles around the playground. The playground also has an array of different slides and swings that will keep your kids busy all day.    Pricing: For $20, get an hour of access to their indoor playground, indoor trampoline area, ninja warrior course, and foam pit. Or, choose one of their other pricing options.    Crayola Experience The Crayola Experience in Orlando is an outstanding place to visit for those creative kids who also love to learn and explore! At Crayola Experience, you and your family can delve into the many vast options.    There are so many different art based activities that your more creative kids will absolutely enjoy. From drip art to a huge crayon caddy, your kids can let their artistic imagination run wild!    They also offer a Crayon Factory show which allows for kids to see first hand how crayons are made. Their Crayonologist will share some unique and fun facts which makes for a highly educational experience.  Pricing: General admissions is $27.99, however you can save $3 if you order tickets online making it $24.99.  Wonderworks Orlando For a totally immersive experience, your kids can really let loose at Wonderworks Orlando. Located on International Drive, you will find this crazy upside building that houses multiple indoor experiences that are family friendly.    Kids will fall in love with all the immersive activities they have to offer. They offer several STEM activities, known as the Wonder Zones. There are 6 STEM zones: the Extreme Weather Zone, Physical Challenge Zone, Light and Sound Zone, Space Discovery Zone, Imagination Zone and Wonder Art Gallery. So not only can you have a blast but kids will be entertained and leave learning about something new!   Pricing: An All Access pass starts at $34.99 for ages 13-59 and $24.99 for ages 4-12, All Access passes include access to over 100 interactive exhibits, which include laser tag and 4D theater. Other packages are available here.  Monkey Joe’s Winter Park  You can make your way over to Winter Park, Florida, a quaint little city right outside of Orlando to visit Monkey Joe’s. For the little ones, this indoor inflatable playground has everything younger children may enjoy.  Monkey Joe’s is geared more towards younger kids, suitable for kids 12 and younger while also having an exclusive, “Mini Monkey Zone” for kids up to 3 years old. This is great if you’re worried about your little ones, the Mini Monkey Zone keeps them secure and safe with kids their age and size. Just remember to bring socks because socks are required in all play areas.  Pricing: They offer several weekday deals, such as a BOGO Wednesday and a Toddler Thursday, where kids 3 years and younger can play at a discounted price! Adults are free.  Outdoor Activities for Kids in Orlando  Disney A more obvious choice of fun things for kids to do in Orlando would be to visit a theme park. Orlando is world famous for the multiple theme parks and Disney World offers several different choices. Take your pick from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot or Disney’s Magic Kingdom.   If you have the time, you might want to splurge on Park Hopper passes. This allows you to visit multiple parks in one day. There are even passes that extend for more than one day which allows for some savings. We suggest making sure to have a solid plan in place before visiting the parks though.    Because you’ll be doing a fair amount of walking, make sure you have comfortable shoes packed for you and the kids. Also, a wise word of advice: make sure to stay up to date on the weather and plan accordingly. Florida is the Sunshine State but with that sunshine comes some pretty unpredictable weather. If that’s the case, you can always enjoy a fun indoor Orlando activity instead.    Pricing: Pricing here will depend on which part of Disney you choose to enjoy.  Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens Tucked away about 20 minutes outside of Orlando, you can find the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. The Central Florida Zoo offers an educational and fun experience that children will be obsessed with.    You and your family can take a casual stroll around the beautifully kept grounds while admiring and learning about the many different animals they care for. A wonderful petting zoo is available to check out.    They also offer several programs that can be a bit more immersive and educational. Be sure to check out their website beforehand to see if there are any unique events happening as the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens does a spectacular job of offering different programs all year around.    Pricing: Save $2 when you order your tickets online. Adults: $19.50 (online) or $21.50 (on site), Children ages 3-12: $13.75 (online) or $15.75 (on site), Seniors 55+: $15.95 (online) or $17.95 (on site).   Gatorland For a true Florida experience, check out Gatorland to see Florida wildlife up close and personal (in a safe setting of course!). As the name suggests, you will get to see gators but also an array of other wildlife such as snakes, exotic wild cats and turtles. Gatorland truly offers a one-of-kind Florida wildlife experience that kids of all ages will get a kick out of.  Pricing: Adults (13 years and up): $32.99, Children ( 3-12 years): $22.99, Seniors (60+): $31.98. You can save $3 for Adult and Children tickets when purchasing online ahead of time.   Tree Trek Adventure Park Really want to amp up the adventure? Tree Trek Adventure Park may be up your alley for that daring outdoor experience. They do offer a kid’s course for children between the ages of 6-8.    Reservations are required so make sure you book online ahead of time. Make sure you are dressed appropriately because they take safety seriously. This means no open shoes or slip on shoes and no overly baggy clothes. Course times usually run around 3 hours so be prepared for that.   Pricing: Adults (12 years +): $56.95 + tax, Juniors (ages 9-11): $44.95 + tax, Kids (ages 6-8): $34.5 + tax, Plus Night Climb Tickets for ages 9+: $48.95 + tax, Night Climbs start at 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.   Wekiwa Springs State Park   Wekiwa Springs State Park is a one-of-a-kind truly unique Florida experience that you and your children will remember for years. Hidden 30 minutes outside of Orlando, you will find the lush state park.    The park requires a low entry fee of $6 per vehicle. Once inside, you can swim and keep cool  in the always 72 degrees (year round!) spring water. The beautifully clear and cool waters are a magnificent sight to see. Surrounding the water, there are different trails to explore and a number of wonderful outdoor activities.   During the busy season (summer months) be sure to get there early because there is a capacity limit and the entry gates close once that limit has been reached.    Pricing: Entry fee of $6 per vehicle (limit of 8 people). You can check out their website to inquire about other activities such as camping.  Unique Things for Kids in Orlando Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Your trip to Orlando, Florida can provide an educational experience for your kids if you check out the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. This one-of-a-kind experience isn’t just for adults and history buffs, kids can enjoy this as well.  There are several different kinds of guided tours that are family friendly however on Saturdays and Sundays there is a special Titanic Adventure for Kids Guided Tour that has an engaging scavenger hunt.    Pricing: Adults (12+): $21.95, Children (11 and under): $15.75, Seniors (65+) $19.75, Military (Valid ID required): $19.75 and Florida Resident (Valid ID required): $16.95 ICON Orlando ICON Orlando is the ultimate “entertainment complex” that is a must visit in Orlando. You can honestly spend the whole day there and never run out of things to see or do. You can choose from over 40 restaurants and embark on a culinary adventure for everyone in the family.    Browse the unique mixture of varying shops or experience one of the several exclusive attractions such as the Orlando StarFlyer or Pearl Express Train. With free parking, take some time to head over and make a day of exploring the best attractions Orlando has to offer.    Pricing: Entry and parking is free. Check out their website to see prices for various experiences, such as the Orlando Wheel.  Museum of Illusions Orlando  Think you’ve seen it all? Well prepare for the Museum of Illusions to blow your mind! This family-friendly museum is sure to entice everyone in your family! The merging of art and science will keep your kids intrigued and entertained.  The Titled Room is a must-visit when there! Your kids will be talking about it for the rest of the trip. With so many rare experiences available at the Museum of Illusions, kids will remember every detail for years to come.  Pricing: General admissions for ages 3 and up is $24.99. Check out their website for additional packages.  Discovery Cove  If you really want to amp up your trip with a genuinely unique experience then Discovery Cove is the place to be. You can swim with dolphins, snorkel with fishes and stingrays, have up close animal encounters and so much more!    Discovery Cove offers NO lines at all around the park so it’s the perfect destination for families that really want to explore and kick back at a speed that works for them. That laid back “Florida time” is on full display here!    Pricing: Discovery Cove offers different packages, package prices can be found here.  Madame Tussauds:  Did you know that Orlando also has their very own Madame Tussauds? Kids will love taking pictures with the different celebrity wax figures. And don’t worry parents, you can take those fun pictures as well to share on social media.  Pricing: Starting price is $33.99 which includes digital photos. Other package deals are available here.    Ninja Warrior Courses at Rebounderz Heading back to Rebounderz, the kids can feel like action heroes at their Ninja Warrior courses. The Ninja Warrior courses have three different difficulty levels for everyone in the family! Kids of all ages can enjoy the courses and feel like a superhero!   Pricing: For $20, get an hour of access to their ninja warrior course, as well as their indoor playground, indoor trampoline area, and foam pit. Or, choose one of their other pricing options for more access!  Fun Activities for Kids That Are Also Fun for Parents You’re important too! Enjoy these attraction that kids will love, and you will too.  Chocolate Museum and Cafe  If your kid is a chocolate lover then make sure to make a trip over to the Chocolate Museum and Cafe. How cool would it be to say that you’ve visited a museum dedicated to one of the best desserts of all time?  Take a chocolate tour and learn about the history of chocolate making, learn how chocolate is made, see over 25 different chocolate sculptures and then taste chocolate! Educational and fun? Sounds like a win. Plus what kid wouldn’t love to eat chocolate after learning about its origins?  Pricing: Adults: $17+ tax. Children, Seniors and Military: $12.95 + tax, Children under 3 are free. iFly Orlando Over on International Drive, try indoor skydiving at iFly Orlando. This memorable experience is one for the books for both kids and adults! Pricing: iFly offers several different pricing packages which can be found here.   Kennedy Space Center Do your kids love space? You have a future astronaut on your hands? Less than an hour outside of Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center offers a real out of this world experience! Learn about the history of NASA, explore a rocket garden and other space exhibits.  Pricing: 1 Day admission ticket: $60.99 SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium If planet Earth is more of your thing, hop on over to SEA LIFE. SEA LIFE has Florida’s ONLY 360° ocean tunnel. Get up close and personal with different sea life as well as explore their 9 interactive zones! Pricing: SEA LIFE offers several different packages which can be found here.  Ripley’s Believe it or Not Kids will marvel at the rare oddities found at Ripley’s Believe it or Not. This world famous museum is fun for both kids and parents.  Pricing: Adults (12+): $29.99. Children (ages 3-11): $18.99 Orlando Science Center Families are sure to enjoy a trip to the Orlando Science Center. There are 9 different exhibits to explore, such as Kids Town, Nature Works (some cool animals can be found here!) and Dino Digs. There’s something for everyone here.  Be sure to check out their website before heading over to see if there are any special limited time shows.  Pricing: Adults: $21, Students and Seniors with valid ID: $19, Children ages 2-11: $15. Children under the age of 2 are free. Indoor Arcades Want to take gaming life to a whole new level? Rebounderz offers over 15 arcade games that everyone in the family will love. Cash those prize tickets in and go home with a memorable souvenir.    Pricing: For $20, get an hour of access to their arcade games whenever you need a break from other play.  Top Fun Thing to Do with Your Kid in Orlando? Orlando, Florida has so much to offer! It’s the perfect vacation destination for families, and this list shows that there’s so much more to Orlando than your standard theme parks. Orlando provides an endless amount of activities.  Places like Rebounderz offer endless affordable and fun options for families looking for something new to experience. So whether or not your kids are creative, or adventurous or just want to learn something new, Orlando is the place to vacation! #### 24+ Best Sacramento Activities for All Ages Sacramento is a beautiful city full of exciting, fun events and activities for families and groups of all ages. Whether the goal is an active outing, a more laid-back evening, or a budget-friendly trip, Sacramento offers something for everyone.  Let’s take a look at the best Sacramento activities for all ages to try on your next excursion into the city.   Best Sacramento Activities for All Ages When you have a large group spanning various ages together at once, finding a place everyone will enjoy can be a tricky task.  Luckily, Sacramento is full of entertaining, family-friendly facilities ready for all ages.   1. Rebounderz Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s award-winning, family-owned entertainment facility full of family-friendly activities. Rebounderz offers a span of recreational activities for those wanting to develop fundamental skills to those looking for something more advanced, including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a state-of-the-art  Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  Your kids will love Rebounderz – it’s the perfect place to wash those back-to-school blues away! Rebounderz has entertainment for parents as well. In addition to all of the activities you can enjoy with your kids (or without), we offer a Parents’ Night Out program. Rebounderz staff watch your kids for the evening so you can take some much-needed time off. Rebounderz is more than kid-friendly – we’re family-friendly! Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can enjoy, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that is budget-friendly, while exploring everything we have to offer. There’s also a summer camp program to keep your children engaged and entertained. Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities as well as 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn, and 1 free fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time for all the activities. Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time for all the activities.  They also offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz offerings!   2. Sacramento Zoo The Sacramento Zoo has a well-rounded variety of activities for anyone of any ranging from hosting private events for Adults to summer camps, field trips, and birthday parties for children. There is an event calendar with different seasonal events the zoo is hosting each month as well as membership opportunities.  Activities:  Month-to-month events Membership exclusives Private events  Several different rides and attractions Food vendors Gift shop Up-close animal encounters The large collection of animal exhibits and enclosures Pricing: Daily pricing varies by based on current events, capacity, season, and other factors. Currently, the range on the website states pricing is around $17.50 to $22.00 per ticket, with pricing ranger higher on weekends and lower early in the week. Purchasing a membership, which includes free admission for one year, is available for:  $60 for a single membership $110 for a duo membership $175 for a family pack providing 2 adult passes and up to 4 children There are a variety of other packages, but these three are the most popular.    3. SeaQuest SeaQuest is a large wildlife complex full of mammals and sea creatures from all across the globe. While visiting SeaQuest, your family will have the ability to see, learn about, and even interact with a variety of different animals of the land and sea with the guidance of supportive staff.  Activities:  Month-to-month events Annual passport exclusives Up-close animal encounters Educational workshops throughout the visit Food vendors Gift shop Private events Pricing: Children’s ticket: $11.99 Adult 12+ ticket: $16.99 55+/ Military/ Student: $14.99 Annual Passport: $39.99 with a variety of other special features and offers, including free admission for one year. They also offer exclusive services for a special price booking.   4. California Automobile Museum The California Automobile Museum is home to a spread of vintage cars dated back as far as the 1910’s. It teaches the history of the development of automobiles and their impact on life as we know it. This is a great place to bring engine-lovers of all ages.  Activities:  Monthly events Rotating car exhibits Extensive collection of vintage cars Private events (i.e. birthday parties, field trips, group tours, etc.) Sunday Drive (third Sunday of every month) Pricing: Adults: $10 Vintage (65+), Military, and Student: $9 Children (5-17): $5 Children (5 and under): Free They also offer a variety of different memberships ranging in price, size, and number of people per package which include free admission for one year.    5. California State Railroad Museum The California State Railroad Museum is home to a large number of exhibits and attractions archived to tell the stories of how railway travel has impacted society. On top of the historical exhibits, the museum hosts a variety of seasonal attractions catered towards a family-friendly crowd, including a Polar Express at Christmas and Track or Treat train ride at Halloween.  Activities:  Guided tours Activity center Indoor and outdoor private events (i.e. educational, personal, etc.) Month-to-month seasonal events Digital exhibits Laboratory of Learning Library and archives Pricing: Adults: $12 Youths (6–17): $6  Children 5 and under: Free (ages 5 and under) Yearly membership prices (including free admission for one year) vary depending on the size of the package.   6. Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure Let’s Roam Amazing Scavenger Adventure for Sacramento is an interactive scavenger hunt through the city of Sacramento. Get to know the city through an engaging and entertaining experience. Let’s Roam works for people of all ages, young to old, to explore the beautiful city of Sacramento and have fun at the same time! Activities:  Site-seeing of Sacramento’s most famous and historic landmarks and buildings Themed scavenger hunts based on the group of people Team-building exercises Pricing: Price per player (5 and older): $12.99 per game Price per player (5 and below): Free Monthly pass with unlimited gameplay: $19.99 per month    Free Kid Activities in Sacramento Going out with a big family frequently can get expensive, so you might be looking for a fun family outing that’s budget-friendly.    Sacramento is full of places to take your family – completely free of charge – while still promising a wonderful time.    7. Tower Bridge A beautifully, striking, golden bridge with a walking path leading into downtown Sacramento, Tower Bridge is the perfect place to have an outside gathering with your family while staying within budget. Tower Bridge is a great start to any adventure to downtown Sacramento leading to an array of restaurants, shops, museums, and parks.  Activities:  Long walking trail along the bridge leading to Downtown Sacramento or to the RiverWalk Views of Downtown Sacramento and the river  Pricing: Free   8. Effie Yeaw Nature Center The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is a park in Sacramento dedicated to educating the public on a variety of nature and scientific topics while providing an entertaining and safe environment for visitors.  With programs for kids and adults alike, free admission, and a variety of exhibits to explore, Effie Yeaw Nature Center has something for any family looking to get outside.  Activities:  Visitor Center with Resident Animals on display and Exhibit Hall with the history and facts of the surrounding area. Nature Preserve with a 100 acre Maidu Village and Butterfly Garden with play area. Walking trails all around the park. Various camps and programs for adults, children, and students alike. Gift shop and picnic area Special events based on the events calendar Pricing: Free with a recommended (not mandatory) donation of $1 for children and $2 for adults.   9. American River Bicycle Trail The American River Bicycle Trail is a great way to get the family out and active while the weather is nice. Starting at Discovery Park, crossing American River Parkway, and making its end at Beal’s point, the trail is 32 miles long and close to 50 years old. Try different parts of the trail on different weekends!  Activities:  A 32 mile bike trail safe from traffic of vehicles Nature views of Discovery Park, Folsom State Recreation Area and Beal’s Point Activities along the trail include hiking, horseback riding, cycling, inline skating, jogging, strolling, and picnicking.  Pricing: While the trail is free, parking is $6 per vehicle and $12 per vehicle with a trailer (i.e. boat, RV, etc.). 10. SCU Sacramento Arboretum The SCU Sacramento Arboretum is a nature preserve with a built-in walking trail open to the public to walk around and explore the different plants and wildlife of the ecosystem being upkept. This is the perfect place to have a relaxing time outside in the presence of plenty of nature to explore for a group of any age. Activities:  Extensive walking trail with facts about the plants present along the way. Beautiful views of flora and fauna native to Sacramento and the surrounding region. Pricing: Free   11. William McKinley Park McKinley Park is a 30k+ acre park featuring a variety of facilities fit to picnic, run around, relax, and everything in between. Be sure to bring your favorite sports equipment, bathing suit, or picnic lunch to enjoy all the offerings of McKinley Park. Activities:  Basketball Court Community Center Garden and Arts Center Several Large Group Picnic Areas  Horseshoe pits Walking Trail Restrooms Soccer field Softball Field Swimming and Wading Pool (seasonal) Tennis Courts Volleyball Court Play Areas: Adventure Play Area, Rock Climbing Wall, Tot Lot Pricing: Free admission and parking    12. Jensen Botanical Gardens Jensen Botanical Gardens is a peaceful, serene nature area right outside Sacramento that’s home to a variety of different plants and wildlife. With a walking trail throughout, visitors can enjoy nature up close and personal. Although it is not the ideal place to run around and play your favorite games or sports, Jensen Botanical Gardens provides a more relaxing experience for a family looking to wind down. Activities:  Plant and nature facts throughout the garden Walking trail guided by the plant and nature facts Events based on season and month Pricing: Free   Best Things to Do in Sacramento with Toddlers   In Sacramento, there are plenty of places perfectly suited for your toddler’s needs while still  providing a fun experience for the entire family.   13. Sacramento Valley Live Steamers Sacramento Valley Live Steamers is a railway and museum located in Hagan community park. The railway is 6,300 feet long featuring several bridges and scenic views of surrounding nature and the American River. Sacramento Valley Live Steamers is an awesome place to spend your next group outing, especially for kids and train enthusiasts alike! Activities:  Scenic train ride Museum about railway Seasonal and monthly events welcome to the public Private event hosting (i.e. birthday parties, school field trips, etc.) Pricing: Depending on the event, admission varies from free to a low price Donations are always welcome to help with the upkeep of the trains and railway There are also a variety of memberships available to solo and family patrons alike    14. Fairytale Town Fairytale Town is a 60-year-old nonprofit park with nursery-rhyme themed rides and attractions geared towards younger children and toddlers. Fairytale Town is a good place to take a family with younger children seeking a unique experience while in Sacramento. Fairytale Town has rides, live performances, and educational programs. Activities:  Hosting educational programs and trips 26 different playsets and rides 2 large stages for live performances Monthly and seasonal events Specialized programs based on age and different special interests Pricing: Above 5 years old: $8 Under 5 years old: Free Group rates and memberships also available   15. Funderland Funderland is an upbeat, kid-friendly amusement park with rides, attractions, games, and food for all ages. Established in 1946, Funderland has been a staple of the Sacramento community for years, which continues to be an ideal place for families of all ages to come together and have fun, especially the younger children! Activities:  Games Food vendors Rides Hosts private events (i.e. school trips, birthday parties, company events, etc.) Seasonal and monthly events open to the public Pricing: Child Admission (34″ tall & up): $22 Adult Admission (ages 18-59): $17 Senior Admission (ages 60+): $10   16. Sacramento Children’s Museum Sacramento Children’s Museum is an inclusive, family-oriented establishment all about learning. The museum offers special pricing based on economic standing, and there are special programs for children with sensory issues and other needs. In addition to providing educational experiences, the Museum is dedicated to giving back to the surrounding community. Activities:  Tons of interactive exhibits Seasonal and monthly events open to the public Member-only exclusive events A variety of programs for children to partake in depending on their individual needs Private event hosting (i.e. field trips, birthday parties, etc.) Private play sessions during museum hours Pricing: Adults & Children ages 12 months+: $9.50 Over 60 & Active Military: $7.50 Association of Children’s Museum: $4.75 (up to four entries) Museum For All: $2 (up to four entries) Children under 1: Free Current Museum Members: Fre Museum membership prices vary based on package   17. Explorit Science Center The Explorit Science Center is an organization dedicated to sharing knowledge and scientific discoveries with young minds of the communities. With different STEM focused programs and rotating exhibits, there is something for every child to explore. The Explorit Science Center is the place to take your family when looking for hands-on, interactive activities that involve learning.  Activities:  Rotating exhibits and camps STEM programs  Monthly and seasonal events open to the public Events exclusive to members only Private event hosting (i.e. birthday parties, company parties, etc.) Pricing: Per person: $5 Members: Free Varying membership packages are also available.    18. SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity is an interactive, engaging place full of exhibits, shows, and programs built to help teach people of all ages about a variety of scientific and aerospace topics. A perfect environment to bring a curious-minded group of kids or family looking to expand their interests and learn something new.  Activities:  Tons of interactive exhibits Amphitheater with regular showings Camps and programs for children and adults to get involved in Support for educators to help their students Hosting private events (i.e. birthday parties, field trips, business events, etc.) Pricing: Children (under 2): Free Children (2-17): $14 Adults (18+): $17 Military/ Seniors (65+)/ Students with ID/ Educators: $15 Members: Free Memberships vary in price based on package   Fun Things to Do in Sacramento at Night with Family Ready for a night out on the town? Check out these family-friendly night activities that work for all ages.  P.S. Though we didn’t list Rebounderz again, we are open until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 8 pm every other night.    19. Sacramento River Cats Game The Sacramento River Cats, Sacramento’s Minor League Baseball team, is a great evening activity option. Enjoy games, food, and exciting energy or attend one of the The River Cats stadium community events.  Activities:  A six-month long game season (May-Oct.) with over 75+ home games scheduled every season Monthly events open to the public Suite rental for private events Gift shop Different food vendors Philanthropic clubs and programs to participate in for children and adults alike Pricing: Tickets vary in price based on game and events happening day of Membership packages available and vary in price based on size and number of benefits   20. Scandia Fun Center Scandia Fun Center is an interactive, multi-faceted play park for families. With the latest attraction open until 11pm, Scandia Fun Center accommodates groups of all ages looking for a fun night out.  Activities:  Mini golf Batting cages Go karts 10+ rides and attractions VIP rides and attractions for older kids Arcade Private event hosting (i.e. birthdays, school field trips, etc.) Pricing: Rides, attractions, batting cages, and arcades use “Fun Points” to gain admission to each and can be purchased at the start of your visit. Fun points start at $5 for 25 points ranging to $100 for 595 points.  Pricing packages for golf and “Fun Points” but vary in price based on size and benefits.   21. Enchambered Escape Room Enchambered Live Escape Room Adventure is an immersive puzzle game built for a team of you and your favorite people to try to solve together. Hosting games as late as 10:30pm, Enchambered Live Escape Room Adventure is a place for creative thinkers and problem solvers looking for a challenge! Activities:  Rotating and seasonally-themed escape rooms Private event hosting (i.e. birthdays, company parties, etc.) At-home online escape rooms Pricing: Price per room varies ranging from $35 – $40 per person Pricing for private events also varies based on size and accommodations needed   22. WAL Public Market WAL Public Market is a small part of Sacramento full of restaurants and small shops owned by locals of the city. Many places are open and serving, making WAL Public Market a great place to explore at every age.  Activities:  Local restaurants Variety of shops  Walking views of Sacramento Monthly and seasonal events open to the public Pricing: Entrance and parking is free (depending where you park).    23. K1 Speed K1 Speed is an indoor go-car experience with a large, unique track for any auto-lover or a family wanting to try something new. Races go on until 10:00 pm, so bring a group, big or small, to have a fun, late-night ride to decompress from the business of daily life! They also host a variety of programs, events, and racing leagues for people of all ages.  Activities:  A challenging track big enough to host a number of drivers Annual memberships available Racing leagues, camps, and programs for all ages Private event hosting (i.e. birthday parties, school field trips, company parties, etc.) Pricing: 1 Race: $25.95 2 Races: $46.95 3 Races: $59.95 Speedpass: $64.95 (includes 2 races, t-shirt, and membership) Annual membership: $7.95    24. Old Sacramento Waterfront The Old Sacramento Waterfront is a large portion of Sacramento filled with more than enough for any family to find something for everyone to enjoy. Not only home to a thriving daytime scene, the nightlife is just as lively with restaurants, attractions, and entertainment going on late into the night.  With events happening during the week and weekend, there’s always something to do.  Activities:  Views of waterfront Various restaurants and bars Local shops Seasonal events Weekly and monthly live entertainment Waterfront attractions Sightseeing and tours Nearby museums Historic landmarks Carriage rides Pricing: Entrance and parking is free (depending where you park) and then activity and event prices vary.    The Best Sacramento Activity for Any Age Regardless of the reason for your visit to Sacramento, what you’re wanting to experience, and who you’re with, know there will always be something for everyone to enjoy while visiting this amazingly diverse, culture rich city.  From enjoying educational, immersive experiences to learning about the history of the city to having an adventure-filled time, Sacramento has you and your family covered.  But which activity should you choose first? Come to Rebounderz and have an absolute blast with your favorite people. Between the indoor trampoline park, toddler-friendly play areas, and Parents’ Night Out, there is never-ending fun for a budget-friendly cost! Rebounderz is the perfect activity for groups of all ages, in any weather, at any time.  Schedule your next visit today! #### 25+ Unique Event and Party Venues in the Bay Area The San Francisco Bay Area is home to some world-renowned landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Whether you live in the Bay Area or you are just visiting, there is no shortage of beautiful places to visit. The same rings true for all of the unique event and party venues in the Bay Area.  In this article, we put together a list of some of the best venues for everything from kid's birthday parties to large-scale weddings. If you are hosting an event or party in the Bay Area, this list will help you find the perfect place.   Unique Event and Party Venues in the Bay Area Try any of these amazing venues for your next event or party.   1.  Rebounderz  Location: 2401 Butano Dr, Sacramento, CA 95825 About: Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park and Family Fun Center is a great venue for a birthday party or any event for kids. Kids love the many dynamic activities found here. The impressive trampoline arena is guaranteed to provide endless fun. They won’t want to miss running through the fun and challenging ninja courses or testing their endurance and strength on the rock climbing walls. There are dedicated areas for younger children as well, including a huge indoor playground. It is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday!  There are a wide number of activities that are appropriate for kids of all ages and they can be as physically active as they want to be. At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults. And let’s not forget their parents' night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much-needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of!     Availability: Monday - Thursday: 3pm - 8pm Friday: 3pm - 10pm Saturday: 10am - 10pm Sunday: 10am - 8pm Pricing: Five Star General Party: $499 (or $24.95 per person), includes 20 participants, 75 mins activity time, all access and bumper cars, private party suite, dedicated party host, 4 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 19 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit Major Rick’s Party Package: $449 (or $29.95 per person) includes 15 participants, 75 mins activity time, private party suite, dedicated party host, 3 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 14 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit, add bumper cars for $39 Sergeant Party Package: $349 (or $34.95 per person) includes 10 participants, 75 mins activity time, reserved party table, shared party host, 2 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 9 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit, add bumper cars for $25 Check out all of Rebounderz’s offerings!     2. Reason Escape Room Location: 364 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 About: Reason Escape Room offers both in-person and virtual escape room experiences. They also host birthday parties and other special events. For group events, they can accommodate up to 125 people in-person and up to 300 people virtually. It is a unique place to have a birthday party but kids will have a great time trying to get out of there with all of their friends. Availability: Monday - Saturday: 8am - 5:30pm Pricing:  In-person: $40 - $52 per person Virtual: $27 - $30 per person Events/Parties: Contact for pricing     3. Pump It Up Location: 2500 Embarcadero Ste A Oakland, CA 94606 About: Pump It Up is an indoor playground with inflatables for kids to enjoy. Birthday parties are completely private. This is one way that Pump It Up keeps kids safe. There are designated days and times for the public to drop in for an open jump but private parties are scheduled at other times. Availability:  Open Jump: Wednesday & Friday 3pm - 5pm Birthday Parties: Contact to schedule a time Pricing: Not listed online    4. Chuck E. Cheese Location: 1270-1272 El Camino Real San Bruno, CA 94066 About: Chuck E. Cheese is a classic birthday venue for kids. At this point, many parents grew up celebrating birthdays at Chuck E. Cheese’s and now they get to celebrate their children’s birthdays there! Kids can have fun playing arcade games and winning tickets that can be redeemed for prizes at the end of the party. Availability:  Sunday - Thursday: 11am - 9pm Friday: 11am - 10pm Saturday: 10am - 10pm Pricing:  Super Fun: $25.99 per child Mega Fun: $31.99 per child Ultimate Fun: $37.99 per child    5. K1 Speed   Location: 160 Beacon St S. San Francisco, CA 94080 About: K1 Speed is the perfect place to have a birthday party if your kids like to drive go-karts. Just like in a real car race, there will be medals awarded to the first three to finish the race. The birthday kid will get a medal as well. In addition to the go-karts, there are also arcade games to play when everyone is done racing. Availability:  Monday - Thursday: 12pm - 10pm Friday: 12pm - 12am Saturday: 10am - 12am Sunday: 10am - 10pm Pricing:  Junior Mini Grand Prix: $65 per child, $75 Friday/Saturday/Sunday Junior Mini Grand Prix & Games: $75 per child, $85 Friday/Saturday/Sunday    6. The Hibernia Location: 1 Jones Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 About: Whether you are looking for a wedding venue or somewhere to host a company holiday party, The Hibernia has a space for you. Built in 1892, The Hibernia features unique Neoclassical Revival-style touches, including a grand corner location, giant exterior colonnade, and famed verdigris-domed entrance.  There are three unique and flexible spaces with a combined capacity of over 2000 guests. The venue can accommodate and cater to events of all styles and sizes and the expansive main hall offers one of the largest special event venues in San Francisco. Availability: Reservations required, no set hours. Call for availability. Pricing: Pricing will vary depending on the unique needs, timing, and logistics of your event, but here are general pricing guidelines to help ballpark a budget. Marin Hall (Including lower level): $15,000 - $25,000 Lower Level Only: $6,000 - $7,500 The Gallery/Rooftop: $5,000 - $7,500 The Tobin Suite: $3,500 - $5,000 Full Building: $20,000 - $30,000    7. The Midway Location: 900 Marin St. San Francisco, CA 94124 About: With 40,000 square feet of versatile potential, The Midway is the perfect venue for your next event. Every room in the building and the patio can be turned into a completely customized space for presentations, collaboration, and celebration. They offer state-of-the-art audio and video production as well as a full-service catering team to make your event an unforgettable one. Availability: There are public events scheduled so you’ll have to call for private event availability. Pricing: Contact for pricing    8. House of Air Location: 926 Mason Street San Francisco, CA 94129 About: House of Air is an indoor trampoline park that caters to birthday parties and other group events. There are several birthday party packages available to choose from and designated areas for younger kids as well as more advanced ones. Availability:  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 2pm - 6pm Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 6pm Pricing:  First Class: $400 for 1.5 hours, $700 for 2.5 hours Premier: $450 for 1.5 hours, $800 for 2.5 hours Elite: $500 for 1.5 hours, $900 for 2.5 hours Top Gun: $500 for 1.5 hours, $900 for 2.5 hours    9. Bowlero Location: 155 Browns Valley Pkwy Vacaville, CA 95688 About: Bowlero has 40 bowling lanes, a deluxe arcade, and a state-of-the-art laser tag arena. What more could a kid ask for at their birthday party? Bowlero is also a spot for adults to have a few drinks and have some fun.  They are open late for the adult crowd but with hours seven days a week they are flexible with scheduling birthday parties as well. Availability:  Monday - Friday: 4pm - 12am Saturday: 12pm - 12am Sunday: 12pm - 11pm Pricing:  Celebrity: $24.99 per person Superstar: $27.99 per person Legend: $30.99 per person    10. Scandia Family Fun Center Location: 4300 Central Place Fairfield, CA 94534 About: There are lots to choose from at the Scandia Family Fun Center. Mini golf might be the main attraction at Scandia but there is also a fully stocked arcade, a laser tag arena, go-karts, and bumper boats. Party guests get to relax in a private party room with some pizza and ice cream.  Availability:  Sunday - Thursday: 10am - 9pm Friday - Saturday: 10am - 11pm Pricing:  Thor Party Package: $205 Odin Party Package: $270 Aries Party Package: $450    11. Subpar Miniature Golf Location: 900 North Point, St San Francisco, CA 94109 About: Despite its name, Subpar Miniature Golf is a nice birthday venue for kids in the Bay area. In addition to miniature golf, they also have an arcade and if you want a special miniature golfing experience they offer glow-in-the-dark golfing as well.  Availability:  Monday - Thursday: 11am - 10pm Friday - Sunday: 10am - 10pm Pricing:  Group Golf: $14/person Room and Golf: Small Room (up to 18): $500 for 2 hours, $250 each additional hour. Large Room (up to 36): $800 for 2 hours, $400 each additional hour. Sunroom/Patio (up to 50): $1100 for 2 hours, $550 each additional hour. Room and Arcade: $800/2 hours, $400 each additional hour Full facility rental: $1050/hr - $2025/hr    12. Culinary Artistas Location: 851 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 About: Culinary Artistas offers a fun interactive birthday party experience for kids ages 3 and up. Kids will learn how to cook a meal that is catered to their age group and skill level. They use all-natural and organic ingredients for all of the meals prepared. After making the meal as a group everyone gets to eat family style and celebrate the birthday together. Availability: Saturdays & Sundays from 11am - 1pm or 3-5pm Pricing:  Main course: $650/10 kids, $50/kid after that Optional 2nd activity: $150/10 kids, $15/kid after that Lounge Rental for Adults: $150 for up to 25 adults, $180 over 25 adults   Outdoor Event and Party Venues in the Bay Area Want to celebrate a birthday outdoors? Check out these outside birthday party venues in the Bay Area!     13. City Experiences by Hornblower Location: San Francisco, CA About: Experience the city’s most unique floating event venue. City Cruises offers all-inclusive packages, chef-prepared menus, full bar options, and entertainment customized to fit your needs. Enjoy picturesque views from their climate-controlled interior and open-air outdoor decks. Whether it’s a corporate event, social event, wedding, or educational outing, City Cruises will bring your event out on the water. Availability: There are no set hours, call for availability Pricing: You have to call for pricing.     14. Park Lab Gardens Location: 1379 4th Street San Francisco, CA 94158 About: Park Lab Gardens is an expansive outdoor mini golf course that follows the theme of California’s history. The course is called the Boom and Bust course and it follows the historic aspects of California and the current lifestyle there. There are festive cabanas and food trucks that are perfect for hosting birthday parties. Availability: 10am - 9pm 7 days a week Pricing: Call for birthday party pricing    15. Funderland Amusement Park Location: 1350 17th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95822 About: Funderland Amusement Park is sure to be a hit for your kid’s next birthday party. There are ten exciting rides for kids to enjoy as well as a private birthday party area. Parents can join their little ones on most of the rides if they would like.  Availability:  Wednesday - Friday: 11am - 5pm Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 6pm Pricing: $17 per person minimum of 10 people    16. Pier 27 Location: Pier 27, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111 About: The newest of the Metro Events venues, Pier 27 features floor-to-ceiling windows and a contemporary design with steel, concrete and glass. Expansive square footage across two levels offers plenty of space to bring any event to life. Availability: Any day of the week 6am - 2am Pricing: Contact for pricing packages.    17. Fairyland Location: 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610 About: Fairyland first opened its doors in 1950 and it is still a popular spot for kids’ birthday parties today. Explore storybook sets, amusement rides and animals all in one fun-filled park. There are three birthday party packages to choose from and each one offers a private party room in addition to all-day park admission. Availability: Saturdays and Sundays either 10:30am - 12:30am or 1:30pm - 3:30pm Pricing:  Oswald the Bubble Elf & Me Package: $385 non-members/$350 Fairyland members Willie the Whale Party Package: $450 non-members/$400 Fairyland members Happy Dragon Party Package: $565 non-members/$510 Fairyland members   Private Event and Party Venues in the Bay Area Have some little ones that need a birthday party idea in the Bay Area? Check out these fun ideas!     18. Exploratorium Location: Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green Street), San Francisco, CA 94111 About: Exploratorium is an unforgettable venue for everything from intimate gatherings to large events. Located in the vibrant heart of the historic Embarcadero at Pier 15, the Exploratorium is a LEED platinum sustainably designed facility. You can enjoy stunning views of both the city and the bay all while exploring hundreds of exhibits. Availability:  Monday - Thursday: 10am - 2pm Friday - Sunday: 10am - 6pm Pricing:  Classic 2-Hour Party: $495 Deluxe 2-Hour Party: $695 Ultimate 3-Hour Party: $1095    19. Marigold Event Space Location: 194 Church Street, San Francisco, CA About: Marigold is a full-service private event space that specializes in creating unique events. The venue is centrally located in the Upper Market neighborhood and sits above its sister bar, Churchill. Known for its hand-crafted cocktails and premier spirits selection, the space combines serene elegance and urban sophistication in a world-class setting. Guests have plenty of space for drinking, dancing, eating, and entertaining. Customize your event with stress-free hosting at Marigold. Availability: Call for availability. Pricing: Inquire online for a custom quote.    20. The Peek-a-Boo Factory Location: 5411 Geary Blvd San Francisco, CA 94121 About: The Peek-a-Boo Factory is an indoor playground with designated areas for different age groups. There is a toddler/baby area for ages 0-3, a junior play area for ages 3-12, and a ninja fitness course for ages 6-12. They have a huge private party room that can hold up to 50 guests in total. There are several different birthday party packages to choose from. Availability:  Monday - Friday: 10am - 6pm Saturday - Sunday: 9:30am - 12:30pm Pricing:  Peek-a-boo Party: $295 Mon-Thurs, $395 Fri-Sun Basic Private Party: $495 Mon-Thurs, $595 Fri-Sun Deluxe Private Party: $595 Mon-Thurs, $695 Fri-Sun Face Painting Private Party: $825 Fri-Sun    21. Messy Art Lab Location: 345 Judah Street, San Francisco, CA 94121 About: Messy Art Lab is all about exploring the messy side of creativity. They focus on the exploration of materials, colors, textures, and art recipes. You can choose to have an art party at the Messy Art Lab facility or they can bring the party to you. Either way, kids can enjoy art stations set up by Messy Art Lab. Availability: Monday - Sunday: 10am - 6pm Pricing: Basic Party Package: $595    22. Swings and Wings Location: 2307 Blanding Avenue Suite E, Alameda, CA 94501 About: Swings and Wings is a sensory-based neuro-affirming space for kids to have fun in. They offer several services as well as drop-in playtime. It is a great place to host a birthday party for your kids. There are five birthday party packages that are very flexible for your specific needs. Availability:  Daytime Packages: Saturday - Sunday: 9:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm After-Hours Packages: Weekdays: 5:30pm, Weekends: 6:30pm Pricing:  Party Package 1: $367.50 Party Package 2: $497.50 Party Package 3: $627.50 After-Hours Package 4: $757.50 After-Hours Package 5: $887.50    23. Luv 2 Play Location: 7871 Amador Valley Blvd, Dublin, CA 94568 About: Luv 2 Play is an indoor playground and arcade. There are designated areas for babies and toddlers to help keep everyone safe. Birthday parties include a party room with food and drinks in between play times. Kids can earn tickets for prizes in the arcade. Availability: 7 days a week, check the calendar for availability Pricing:  Build-A-Party: $325 Classic: $555 Mon-Thurs, $625 Fri-Sun & Holidays Ultimate: $599 Mon-Thurs, $675 Fri-Sun & Holidays Ultimate +: $625 Mon-Thurs, $699 Fri-Sun & Holidays Private: $1650 Sat-Sun & Holidays    24. The Pearl Location: 601 19th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 About: The Pearl is a flexible, multi-use event space in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood that is perfect for events of all kinds, including weddings, holiday parties, business meetings, conferences, and more. Accommodating up to 800 guests, The Pearl features a main floor, mezzanine, rooftop, and a fully equipped catering kitchen. You will have access to a top-notch in-house bar program that features the finest selection of local beer, wine, and premium spirits. Availability: Contact for current availability. Pricing: Custom pricing.    25. Creatif Location: 5480 Sunol Blvd Suite 2 Pleasanton, CA 94566 About: Creatif is an art studio for both kids and adults. It is the perfect place to host a paint party. They can accommodate up to 30 kids at each party. You get to choose from a canvas, ceramic, wood, or rock item for each guest to paint.  Availability:  Tuesday - Thursday: 12pm - 6pm Friday: 12pm - 7pm Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 7pm Pricing:  Artiste: $440-$815 Pro: $560-$995 Maestro: $640-$1155   Host the Best Event or Party in The Bay Area At Rebounderz For the best event or party space in the Bay Area, choose Rebounderz! From the trampoline zone to the arcade area, kids are guaranteed to have a good time. If you want to throw a truly unforgettable party or event, Rebounderz is the place for you. Check us out today! #### 26+ Best Kid's Birthday Party Ideas in the Bay Area Are you looking for ideas for a kid's birthday party in the Bay Area? Well you’re in luck because it’s the perfect area to host your kid’s next birthday party. There are countless options for any age group, from outdoor adventures to indoor playgrounds. It won’t be difficult to throw an unforgettable birthday party in San Francisco.  Browse this article for a list of great party ideas! We put together some of the best options for birthday parties in the Bay Area.   Best Kid's Birthday Party Ideas in the Bay Area Try any of these amazing venues for your kid’s next favorite birthday party.    1. Rebounderz  Location: 2401 Butano Dr, Sacramento, CA 95825 About: Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park and Family Fun Center is a birthday venue in the Bay Area that you simply cannot miss! Kids absolutely love the many dynamic activities found here. The impressive trampoline arena is guaranteed to provide endless fun. They won’t want to miss running through the fun and challenging ninja courses or testing their endurance and strength on the rock climbing walls. There are dedicated areas for younger children as well, including a huge indoor playground. It is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday!  There are a wide number of activities that are appropriate for kids of all ages and they can be as physically active as they want to be. At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults. And let’s not forget their parents night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of!     Availability: Monday - Thursday: 3pm - 8pm Friday: 3pm - 10pm Saturday: 10am - 10pm Sunday: 10am - 8pm Pricing: Five Star General Party: $499 (or $24.95 per person), includes 20 participants, 75 mins activity time, all access and bumper cars, private party suite, dedicated party host, 4 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 19 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit Major Rick’s Party Package: $449 (or $29.95 per person) includes 15 participants, 75 mins activity time, private party suite, dedicated party host, 3 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 14 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit, add bumper cars for $39 Sergeant Party Package: $349 (or $34.95 per person) includes 10 participants, 75 mins activity time, reserved party table, shared party host, 2 large one topping pizzas, ice cold water stand, 9 $3 arcade cards, 1 $5 arcade card, 1 birthday guest t-shirt, paper products, $100 deposit, add bumper cars for $25 Check out all of Rebounderz’s offerings!   2. Reason Escape Room Location: 364 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 About: Reason Escape Room offers both in-person and virtual escape room experiences. They also host birthday parties and other special events. For group events, they can accommodate up to 125 people in-person and up to 300 people virtually. It is a unique place to have a birthday party but kids will have a great time trying to get out of there with all of their friends. Availability: Monday - Saturday: 8am - 5:30pm Pricing:  In-person: $40 - $52 per person Virtual: $27 - $30 per person Events/Parties: Contact for pricing   3. Pump It Up Location: 2500 Embarcadero Ste A Oakland, CA 94606 About: Pump It Up is an indoor playground with inflatables for kids to enjoy. Birthday parties are completely private. This is one way that Pump It Up keeps kids safe. There are designated days and times for the public to drop in for an open jump but private parties are scheduled at other times. Availability:  Open Jump: Wednesday & Friday 3pm - 5pm Birthday Parties: Contact to schedule a time Pricing: Contact for pricing   4. Chuck E. Cheese Location: 1270-1272 El Camino Real San Bruno, CA 94066 About: Chuck E. Cheese is a classic birthday venue for kids. At this point, many parents grew up celebrating birthdays at Chuck E. Cheese’s and now they get to celebrate their children’s birthdays there! Kids can have fun playing arcade games and winning tickets that can be redeemed for prizes at the end of the party. Availability:  Sunday - Thursday: 11am - 9pm Friday: 11am - 10pm Saturday: 10am - 10pm Pricing:  Super Fun: $25.99 per child Mega Fun: $31.99 per child Ultimate Fun: $37.99 per child   5. K1 Speed Location: 160 Beacon St S. San Francisco, CA 94080 About: K1 Speed is the perfect place to have a birthday party if your kids like to drive go-karts. Just like in a real car race, there will be medals awarded to the first three to finish the race. The birthday kid will get a medal as well. In addition to the go-karts there are also arcade games to play when everyone is done racing. Availability:  Monday - Thursday: 12:00PM - 10:00PM Friday: 12:00PM - 12:00AM Saturday: 10:00AM - 12:00AM Sunday: 10:00AM - 10:00PM Pricing:  Junior Mini Grand Prix: $65 per child, $75 Friday/Saturday/Sunday Junior Mini Grand Prix & Games: $75 per child, $85 Friday/Saturday/Sunday   6. Fun Factory Parties Location: San Francisco, CA About: While this isn’t a venue, Fun Factory Parties can provide everything you need for any themed birthday party. Whether you want to have your kid’s favorite character join the party or you’d like to hire a magician to perform, you will find everything at Fun Factory parties. They even offer all of the party supplies to go with the entertainment. Availability: Reservations required, no set hours. Call for availability. Pricing:  Party Character: $250 - $565 Costume Rental: $219/costume Petting Zoo: $425 - $1145 Clowns: $175 - $345 Magicians: $295 - $350/hour Bounce House: $189 up to 8 hours Trackless Train: $450 for first hour, $225 each additional hour Dj: $425 for 1 hour, $159 for each additional hour   7. Bubblemania and Company Location: San Francisco, CA About: Bubblemania and Company supply bubble artists to perform a unique bubble art show party. Both the adults and kids are sure to be entertained. Guests get to see all kinds of shapes and sculptures come to life right before their eyes. Most bubble artists will dive into the educational side of how bubble art works and even let the crowd join in the fun. Availability: There are no set hours. Call for availability. Pricing:  5 - 20 Children: $225/hour 21 - 30 Children: $255/1 hour and 15 minutes 31 - 40 Children: $285/1 hour and 30 minutes   8. House of Air Location: 926 Mason Street San Francisco, CA 94129 About: House of Air is an indoor trampoline park that caters to birthday parties and other group events. There are several birthday party packages available to choose from. Kids of all ages will have fun at House of Air, there are designated areas for younger kids as well as more advanced ones. Availability:  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Pricing:  First Class: $400 for 1 ½ hours, $700 for 2 ½ hours Premier: $450 for 1 ½ hours, $800 for 2 ½ hours Elite: $500 for 1 ½ hours, $900 for 2 ½ hours Top Gun: $500 for 1 ½ hours, $900 for 2 ½ hours   9. Bowlero Location: 155 Browns Valley Pkwy Vacaville, CA 95688 About: Bowlero has 40 bowling lanes, a deluxe arcade and a state-of-the-art laser tag arena. What more could a kid ask for at their birthday party? Bowlero is also a hot spot for adults to have a few drinks and have some fun. They are open late for the adult crowd but with hours seven days a week they are flexible with scheduling birthday parties as well. Availability:  Monday - Friday: 4pm - 12am Saturday: 12pm - 12am Sunday: 12pm - 11pm Pricing:  Celebrity: $24.99 per person Superstar: $27.99 per person Legend: $30.99 per person   10. Scandia Family Fun Center Location: 4300 Central Place Fairfield, CA 94534 About: There is so much to choose from at Scandia Family Fun Center. Mini golf might be the main attraction at Scandia but there is also a fully stocked arcade, a laser tag arena, go-karts and bumper boats. Party guests get to relax in a private party room with some pizza and ice cream.  Availability:  Sunday - Thursday: 10am - 9pm Friday - Saturday: 10am - 11pm Pricing:  Thor Party Package: $205 Odin Party Package: $270 Aries Party Package: $450   11. Subpar Miniature Golf Location: 900 North Point, St San Francisco, CA 94109 About: Subpar Miniature Golf is a great birthday venue for kids in the Bay area. In addition to miniature golf, they also have an arcade and if you want a special miniature golfing experience they offer glow-in-the-dark golfing as well.  Availability:  Monday - Thursday: 11:00am - 10:00pm Friday - Sunday: 10:00am - 10:00pm Pricing:  Group Golf: $14/person Room and Golf: Small Room (up to 18): $500 for 2 hours, $250 each additional hour. Large Room (up to 36): $800 for 2 hours, $400 each additional hour. Sunroom/Patio (up to 50): $1100 for 2 hours, $550 each additional hour. Room and Arcade: $800/2 hours, $400 each additional hour Full facility rental: $1050/hr - $2025/hr   12. Culinary Artistas Location: 851 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 About: Culinary Artistas offers a fun interactive birthday party experience for kids ages 3 and up. Kids will learn how to cook a meal that is catered to their age group and skill level. They use all-natural and organic ingredients for all of the meals prepared. After making the meal as a group everyone gets to eat family style and celebrate the birthday together. Availability: Saturdays & Sundays from 11am - 1pm or 3-5pm Pricing:  Main course: $650/10 kids, $50/kid after that Optional 2nd activity: $150/10 kids, $15/kid after that Lounge Rental for Adults: $150 for up to 25 adults, $180 over 25 adults   Outdoor Birthday Party Ideas in the Bay Area Want to celebrate a birthday outdoors? Check out these outside birthday party venues in the Bay Area!    13. Planet Xone Location: San Francisco, CA About: Planet Xone is a party service that brings the party to you. They offer Nerf dart tag parties, bubble soccer parties, bubble arena parties or you can set up a custom party involving any combination of the equipment available. Playing a game of soccer in a bubble suit is a pretty wacky yet fun idea for a party.  Availability: There are no set hours, call for availability Pricing: Pricing is custom, call for pricing   14. Park Lab Gardens Location: 1379 4th Street San Francisco, CA 94158 About: Park Lab Gardens is an expansive outdoor mini golf course that follows the theme of California’s history. The course is called the Boom and Bust course and it follows the historic aspects of California and the current lifestyle there. There are festive cabanas and food trucks that are perfect for hosting birthday parties. Availability: 10am - 9pm 7 days a week Pricing: Call for birthday party pricing   15. Funderland Amusement Park Location: 1350 17th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95822   About: Funderland Amusement Park is sure to be a hit for your kid’s next birthday party. There are ten exciting rides for kids to enjoy as well as a private birthday party area. Parents can join their little ones on most of the rides if they would like.  Availability:  Wednesday - Friday: 11am - 5pm Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 6pm Pricing: $17 per person minimum of 10 people   16. Friendly Pony Parties Location: Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 About: For all of the animal lovers out there, Friendly Pony Parties offers pony rides and petting zoo parties. You can choose from just pony rides, just a petting zoo or both options for one party! Kids love interacting with animals and Friendly Pony Parties can bring all the barnyard animals a kid could ask for.  Availability: Call for availability. Evening parties may cost extra. Pricing:  1 Pony or 1 Zoo: $450/1 hour up to $1750/6 hours 1 Pony + Zoo: $650/1 hour up to $1900/6 hours 2 Ponies: $925/1 hour up to $2025/6 hours 2 Ponies + Zoo: $1125/1 hour up to $2250/6 hours   17. Marin Treks Location: 1559 H So. Novato Blvd. Novato, CA 94947 About: Take to the outdoors with Marin Treks for your next birthday party. Enjoy birthday party hikes and animal studies at local parks and hiking trails. The guided nature hikes can have up to 13 children and there is no extra cost for adults in attendance.   Availability: Saturdays from 9am - 3pm Pricing:  1 Hour: $175 1.5 Hours: $225 2 Hours: $275   Toddler Birthday Party Ideas in the Bay Area Have some little ones that need a birthday party idea in the Bay Area? Check out these fun ideas!    18. Little Oceanauts Location: 1917 Ocean Ave in San Francisco, CA About: Little Oceanauts offers the ultimate indoor playground for children ages 0-12. There is a three-story obstacle course play structure for endless exhilarating fun. They have a large private room for birthday parties. The staff helps with anything you need to set up and run the perfect birthday party. Availability:  Monday - Thursday: 10am - 2pm Friday - Sunday: 10am - 6pm Pricing:  Classic 2-Hour Party: $495 Deluxe 2-Hour Party: $695 Ultimate 3-Hour Party: $1095   19. Imagination Playhouse Location: 5628 Geary Blvd San Francisco, CA 94121 About: Imagination Playhouse is another great indoor playground option for birthday parties. They offer two packages, one with a private party room and playtime shared with the general public. The second option is a whole facility rental for up to three hours for your guests to have a more private experience.  Availability: Saturdays & Sundays Pricing:  Basic 2-Hour Party: $350 Private 2-Hour Party: $560   20. Peek-a-Boo Factory Location: 5411 Geary Blvd San Francisco, CA 94121 About: The Peek-a-Boo Factory is an indoor playground with designated areas for different age groups. There is a toddler/baby area for ages 0-3, a junior play area for ages 3-12 and a ninja fitness course for ages 6-12. They have a huge private party room that can hold up to 50 guests in total. There are several different birthday party packages to choose from. Availability:  Monday - Friday: 10am - 6pm Saturday - Sunday: 9:30am - 12:30pm Pricing:  Peek-a-boo Party: $295 Mon-Thurs, $395 Fri-Sun Basic Private Party: $495 Mon-Thurs, $595 Fri-Sun Deluxe Private Party: $595 Mon-Thurs, $695 Fri-Sun Face Painting Private Party: $825 Fri-Sun   21. Messy Art Lab Location: 345 Judah Street, San Francisco, CA 94121 About: Messy Art Lab is all about exploring the messy side of creativity. They focus on the exploration of materials, colors, textures and art recipes. You can choose to have an art party at the Messy Art Lab facility or they can bring the party to you. Either way, kids can enjoy art stations set up by Messy Art Lab. Availability: Monday - Sunday: 10am - 6pm Pricing: Basic Party Package: $595   22. Fairyland Location: 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610 About: Fairyland first opened its doors in 1950 and it is still a popular spot for kids’ birthday parties today. Explore storybook sets, amusement rides and animals all in one fun-filled park. There are three birthday party packages to choose from and each one offers a private party room in addition to all-day park admission. Availability: Saturdays and Sundays either 10:30am - 12:30am or 1:30pm - 3:30pm Pricing:  Oswald the Bubble Elf & Me Package: $385 non-members/$350 Fairyland members Willie the Whale Party Package: $450 non-members/$400 Fairyland members Happy Dragon Party Package: $565 non-members/$510 Fairyland members   23. Swings and Wings Location: 2307 Blanding Avenue Suite E, Alameda, CA 94501 About: Swings and Wings is a sensory-based neuro-affirming space for kids to have fun in. They offer several services as well as drop-in playtime. It is a great place to host a birthday party for your kids. There are five birthday party packages that are very flexible for your specific needs. Availability:  Daytime Packages: Saturday - Sunday: 9:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm After-Hours Packages: Weekdays: 5:30pm, Weekends: 6:30pm Pricing:  Party Package 1: $367.50 Party Package 2: $497.50 Party Package 3: $627.50 After-Hours Package 4: $757.50 After-Hours Package 5: $887.50   24. Luv 2 Play Location: 7871 Amador Valley Blvd, Dublin, CA 94568 About: Luv 2 Play is an indoor playground and arcade. There are designated areas for babies and toddlers to help keep everyone safe. Birthday parties include a party room with food and drinks in between play times. Kids can earn tickets for prizes in the arcade. Availability: 7 days a week, check the calendar for availability   Pricing:  Build-A-Party: $325 Classic: $555 Mon-Thurs, $625 Fri-Sun & Holidays Ultimate: $599 Mon-Thurs, $675 Fri-Sun & Holidays Ultimate +: $625 Mon-Thurs, $699 Fri-Sun & Holidays Private: $1650 Sat-Sun & Holidays   25. Creatif Location: 5480 Sunol Blvd Suite 2 Pleasanton, CA 94566 About: Creatif is an art studio for both kids and adults. It is the perfect place to host a paint party. They can accommodate up to 30 kids at each party. You get to choose from a canvas, ceramic, wood or rock item for each guest to paint.  Availability:  Tuesday - Thursday: 12pm - 6pm Friday: 12pm - 7pm Saturday - Sunday: 10am - 7pm Pricing:  Artiste: $440-$815 Pro: $560-$995 Maestro: $640-$1155   Host the Best Kid's Birthday Party in The Bay Area At Rebounderz If you are looking for the best birthday party venue in the Bay Area, Rebounderz is the place to go. With all of the fun activities offered, the kids won’t want to leave when the party's over.  There’s something for everyone at Rebounderz, from the wall-to-wall trampolines to the arcade area your guests are guaranteed to have fun. Make your kid's birthday party one to remember at Rebounderz.  Check us out today! #### 3 After School Activities for Your Kid If you have kids, you know it can be hard to find good activities for them to participate in after school. What do most kids do when they get home from school? Most kids may drop their backpack and then head straight for the TV to sit and watch something until dinner time. While it shouldn’t be expected that kids jump straight into their homework the second they get home, sitting in front of the TV or playing video games isn’t necessarily the best option after a day of sitting at a desk. For kids to stay healthy, they need an active, positive outlet that helps them to do something different from the school day without turning into a vegetable sitting on the couch. Here at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park, we believe that it’s exceptionally important for kids to stay active with unique play in order to reach their full potential. Try these after school activities for kids in order to keep your kids on the right track. In-The-Air Dodgeball From 3:30 to 5:30 pm during six week sessions, Rebounderz of Rohnert Park offers supervised dodgeball games for kids ages 9 to 15. Kids can participate and play to be the best in our trampoline arena. Whether they just drop in for one day or they come and play for the whole six weeks, trampoline dodgeball after school is a great way to stay active and let out all the pent up energy from sitting at a desk all day. All are welcome to come and play, and parents can rest assured that this is a safe and positive environment for your kids to get involved. Music Lessons Okay, okay, we know music lessons aren’t exactly the most active of options for after school, however, music lessons or better yet, joining a local youth symphony as an after school activity can help to keep a kid’s brain engaged. Music also works very different parts of the brain than time at school typically does. If your child loves music and they become part of a local orchestra, then they can also help to build a support network with individuals who love similar things that they do. Supporting your child’s interests is exceptionally important. School-Sponsored Team Sports Once your child gets into high school, it’s easy to support their involvement in school-sponsored sports teams. From swimming to basketball, there’s a wide variety of sports to choose from. However, these sports don’t last all year long, so it’s a good idea to know what your child may want to participate in during the off season that keeps them active. School-sponsored sports teams help to teach your child about perseverance and sportsmanship while helping them to stay healthy. The time also tends to be convenient because your student can go straight from classes to practice before coming home to tackle homework. Here at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park, we like to help kids stay active and healthy. Let your 9 to 15 year old come join in the afterschool fun with dodgeball! Contact our location for more information! #### 31+ Most Fun Things to Do in Sacramento This Month Whether you live in Sacramento or are just visiting, you’ll find that there’s so much to see and do in this beautiful city! Sacramento offers not only beautiful weather but an abundance of activities perfect for families or friend groups.  You can hit up some parks to bask in the beautiful California sun or head inside for a number of great indoor activities that are perfect for any family. If you want to learn more about the fantastic activities that are available throughout the Sacramento area, keep reading!   31+ Most Fun Things to Do in Sacramento This Month  With school back in session, a lot of places have fewer wait times and are less crowded. Take some time to unwind, relax, and have some fun with your kids or even your friends this month!  This is the perfect time to hit up the spots on this list!    Rebounderz Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities for those who want to develop fundamental skills to those looking for something more advanced, including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging but fun Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  Your kids will love Rebounderz – it’s the perfect spot to help kick those back-to-school blues! Rebounderz isn’t just for kids either. Adults can also experience something unique and fun! They even offer a Parents’ Night Out program where Rebounderz staff watches your kids for the evening, so parents can take some much-needed time off.  Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities as well as 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice cold fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time for all the activities. Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time for all the activities.  They also offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz offerings!   Apple Hill Located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, The Apple Hill area features world-famous family farms, award-winning ciders, and has everything from pumpkin patches to berry festivals. In addition to seasonal events, Apple Hill offers lodging, wedding venues, restaurants, golf courses, tree farms, breweries, wineries, and plenty of outdoor recreational activities.  Pricing: Prices vary depending on the event you choose.    Seaquest - Folsom At SeaQuest Folsom, you have the opportunity to interact with animals from five different continents while exploring over 20,000 square feet of adventure. For an additional cost, you can purchase a variety of interactive experiences with animals like the Asian Otter, Baby Sloths, Crested Porcupines, the Wallaby, and Stingrays. Or, purchase an ultimate adventure bundle for $49.99.  Pricing:  Children (under 12): $11.99  Adults (12 and up): $16.99  Age 55+, Military, and College students: $14.99  Annual Passport: $39.99    K1 Speed K1 Speed offers an indoor go-kart racing experience with a museum-quality collection of authentic racing memorabilia, including signed race apparel and full-sized race cars. When you’re not on the track, K1 Speed’s Paddock Lounge offers video games in-between races, an arcade with pool tables and air hockey, and plasma screen televisions to keep up with every race.  Pricing:  1 race: $25.95 2 races: $46.95 3 races: $59.95 Speedpass: $64.99 (2 races, t-shirt, and membership)  There are also varying prices for group packages   Cali Glo Indoor Entertainment Cali Glo also offers18 holes of glow-in-the-dark mini golf all featuring California landmarks. If you’re looking for some more fun after playing mini-golf, you can take on their glow-in-the-dark laser tag. Cali Glo has all of the glow-in-the-dark fun for all ages!  Pricing:  Glo golf: $12.50 per person Laser tag: $20 per person   California State Railroad Museum The California State Railroad Museum is a great place to explore and learn more about the unique railroad history of our country. The California State Railroad Museum offers a unique educational experience that’s also quite enjoyable.  Beyond learning about railroad history through all of the exhibits, the California State Railroad Museum also offers indoor and outdoor facility venues for private events large and small. It is definitely worth a rainy day visit to change things up a bit. Pricing:  Adults: $12 Youth (ages 6-17): $6 Children (ages 5 and under): Free   Sacramento Pipeworks Sacramento Pipeworks is a climbing and fitness gym located in Sacramento. From free weights and cardio equipment to rope walls and boulder walls there is something for everyone at Sacramento Pipeworks.  Kids can learn to climb or continue to develop their climbing skills with classes offered on-site. You can also walk in at any time and purchase a day pass for some fitness fun. Pricing:  Day pass: $30 Kids day pass (ages 12 and under): $25 Early bird day pass: $25   Art Beast Art Beast Studio is for all the little artists and creatives out there. They offer camps, classes, and open studio play spaces for school-aged children.  With school back in session, Art Beast Studio may be a fun place to check out with your kids to get that creativity in high gear.  Art Beast donates directly to Waking the Village which is a non-profit organization that leads programs for youth and children experiencing homelessness. It is a great way to have some fun and help support the community of Sacramento. Pricing: Pricing isn’t listed on their website.    iFly Indoor Skydiving - Sacramento iFly Indoor Skydiving is a fun and unique experience for children and their parents. Whether you’ve been skydiving before or would never dream of doing the real thing, iFly Indoor Skydiving can give you the simulated experience in a safe environment. They also offer birthday parties and private events. Pricing:  2 flights: $84.99+ 3 flights: $109.99+   SET Gymnastics SET Gymnastics is a gymnastics training gym in Sacramento. With a focus on gymnastics, they also offer fitness training, rock climbing, and cheerleading instruction. Children of all ages and skill levels are welcome.  Pricing: Pricing is not listed on their website   Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park   Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park is an indoor trampoline park where kids can jump, climb and play. They also have organized dodgeball leagues on the weekends, laser mazes for different ages and skill levels, and mini golf and roller skating sessions for adults and kids alike! Pricing: Children under 5: $11.99 Deluxe: $20.99 Ultimate: $26.99 Platinum: $30.99   Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room Visiting an escape room is such a fun activity to do with friends and family. Designed for kids at age of nine and up, Enchambered offers adventure, challenge, and the thrill of being locked up in an escape room. This type of family entertainment helps kids to be proactive, sharp-minded, and solution-oriented. Kids solve many mysteries, puzzles, and challenges to escape and become the heroes of the game. They need to piece the clues to find the way to open the door and escape the room. Pricing: Pricing is dependent on the type of escape room experience.    Sacramento Children’s Museum What is a great indoor place to take kids if it’s not a children’s museum? The Sacramento Children’s Museum is designed to inspire children up to the age of eight to explore, discover and learn through interactive and immersive play. Besides the exhibition, the museum offers experiments with balls in chutes to explore gravity, playing with pressurized tubes and artificial currents, painting, craft art activities, and other immersive exhibits. Pricing: Children under 1: Free Over 60 and military: $6.00 Adults and all children over 1 year: $8.50   Funderland Park’s new “Fort Funhouse” Conveniently located in William Land Park next to the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town, you’ll find Funderland Amusement Park . The park has been providing family fun and kid-sized thrills since 1946 with nine exciting amusement rides, a concession stand, birthday parties, and more.  However, the park just recently opened the new “Fort Funhouse,” a two-story jungle gym meant for children and adults. The attraction includes rope ladders, suspension bridges, and several long slides for people to enjoy. Pricing:  Children under 34” of height have free admission Senior Admission (ages 60+): $10 Adult Admission (ages 18-59): $17 Child Admission (34″ tall & up):  $22   The Sacramento Zoo’s new ‘Cheetah Exhibit’ The Sacramento Zoo is an excellent opportunity for the family to have an educational and entertaining experience to connect with wildlife and nature. While the zoo itself has been open since 1927, an exciting new Cheetah exhibit features brothers Rowdy and Zig Zag.  The glass panel for up-close viewing is an excellent opportunity for kids to get up close and personal with nature! The exhibit also features a behind-the-scenes area that takes guests on specially designed tours to learn more about the cheetahs. Pricing  Ticket prices are roughly $10 to $20, but can vary daily. However, the price will never be lower for a particular day than is currently listed.   Hard Rock Live Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain and Live Nation have partnered to open the new Hard Rock Live. This new state-of-the-art indoor concert venue occupies 65,000 square feet and will feature up to 2,500 seats or 3,000 occupants. A state-of-the-art audio-visual entertainment venue, the Hard Rock Live is a family destination for music, comedy and concerts.  Pricing: Prices will vary per event.    Sacminigolf Sac Mini Golf is located in the basement of the historic Union Hotel in Old Sacramento. Enjoy a journey into the past with an Old Sacramento gold rush theme. There are hand-painted murals and scenes set up to tell the story of westward expansion in the mid-1800s. There are 18 uniquely decorated holes to putt through. Cashless payments only! Pricing:  Children under 3: Free (with paid adult) Ages 3-12: $10 Ages 13+: $13 Replays: $5   Smud Museum of Science and Curiosity SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, or MOSAC, is the perfect place to bring the whole family for some thought-provoking, imagination-sparking fun. They have hands-on exhibits and programming to explore science, technology, math, engineering, and arts. MOSAC can offer a day full of really diving into science and technology. They also have a planetarium and theater to sit back and explore space. For anyone interested in science, MOSAC will keep you engaged and having fun all day long. Pricing:  Toddlers (under 2): Free Youth (ages 2-17): $12 Adults (ages 18+): $15 Seniors (ages 65+): $13   Imagine Play Imagine Play is a play space for younger kids to learn with one another. It’s a lending library with age-appropriate toys to assist in learning, sensory exploration, and imagination. Imagine Play offers open play times for anyone to come to in, as well as camps and after-school programs, and private birthday parties.  Pricing:  $13.50 per child + one adult per family, extra adults are $2.50 each Babies under 1 are free if accompanied by a paid sibling, otherwise, the ticket price is $5   Crocker Art Museum The Crocker Art Museum is a family-friendly spot to enjoy the world of art. After exploring the beautiful art exhibits you can bring the kids to Tot Land. Tot Land offers opportunities for creative play, sensory exploration, art making, and literacy development.  Pricing:  Military, Children (ages 5 and under): Free Youth (ages 6-17): $8 Senior, College: $10 Adult: $15   Wacky Tacky Wacky Tacky is designed for kids up to 17 years old. With a massive indoor playground, your kids will enjoy any rainy day spent at Wacky Tacky. It’s also a good option for birthday parties or other kid parties.  Pricing:  1 child under 1 year and 1 adult: Free Ages 1-17: $15   JasTag JasTag offers laser tag, bumper cars, and an arcade for some serious family fun. With a huge facility covering almost 8,500 square feet over two stories, there is sure to be a full day of fun for everyone. Pricing: $11.99 per person per game   Aerospace Museum of California Take flight and learn about everything from military airplanes to space shuttles at the Aerospace Museum of California.  There are activity centers with building stations, crafts, and flight simulators. There is so much to learn that it’s easy to spend an entire day going through everything. Pricing:  Active-duty military: Free Ages 4-17, Senior, Veteran: $10 Ages 18+: $15   Little Angels Play Town Little Angels Play Town is designed for children up to age 10. It’s a space to inspire your children to play, imagine, and explore. They offer plenty of toys and costumes to spark creativity.  Kids will be in playtime heaven with a pretend grocery store, clinic, kitchen castle, and ball pit. Little Angel Play Town offers classes, free play time, and private parties. Pricing:  $12 per child, 2 adults included, extra adults $2   Just For Fun Art Get your children’s creative juices flowing at Just for Fun Art. With endless events and activities, it will be hard to get your kids to want to do anything else. Book your child’s next birthday party at Just for Fun Art or just bring them in for some open studio craft time.  They also offer adult paint parties for some kid-free fun. Pricing: Pricing information is not available online.    Free Things to Do for Kids and Families in Sacramento this month In addition to those endless fun activities, here are some free activity options in Sacremento to try right now.    McClatchy Park At McClatchy Park your children can enjoy the history of the park and a fun playground. Alongside the playground, explore the butterfly garden and other educational support about the local California nature.    Farmers Market Come down to Sacramento to experience the beauty of California farms. Farmers' markets are great to check out because they offer families a chance to be outdoors and explore local artisanal goods. Most farmer's markets offer activities for kids and even have live music for families to enjoy.   Some farmer's markets in Sacramento include:  Midtown Farmers Market Certified Farmers Market Sprouts Farmers Market Sunday Fresh Market  Saturday Farmers Market   Effie Yeaw Nature Center The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is a place for everyone to enjoy. From miles of hiking trails to a replica village of the Nisenan Maidu People, there is plenty to learn and explore at this natural site. Whether you’re 6 or 60 there is a place for you at this nature center.  Birdwatchers can explore and take in all the beauty nature has to offer here.    Lake Natoma Lake Natoma is a beautiful natural sight so much to see. This lake includes activities for all ages from picnics, to swimming, to fishing. The campgrounds are definitely a place to put on your camping bucket list.  Children of all ages can learn about the beauty of nature in this pristine environment while you enjoy a little sunshine for yourself. With up to six miles of walking trails on this lake and open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset, this Lake is a great outdoor activity option in Sacramento you and your kids can enjoy for free.    The Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Let your kids explore and compare the vast differences between their own school and California State’s early days of education at The Old Sacramento Schoolhouse.  The building features the same design as the one-room Cannon Schools that were built in 1884 for students of Northern California. With no admission fee, the family is free to learn from various volunteers that will make the educational history of California come to life.  This can be especially fun for kids who are entering school for the first time. It can really give them the opportunity to talk about their experiences and what it would have been back in the day!   McKinley Rose Garden McKinley Rose Garden is another great place to go for a walk or jog because it offers plenty of green space without being too crowded by other people like some other parks might be during certain times of day/year, especially weekends.  You'll be able to see lots of different types of plants growing around here too—which makes this spot perfect if you want something more educational.   Try the (Most) Fun Thing to Do in Sacramento This Month Out of all the great activities options, Rebounderz Sacramento is a must-try because it offers so much at such an affordable price. You truly can’t beat the value!  On top of that, you’ll find that there is genuinely something for everyone. For the more adventurous individual, the Jump Xtreme Tower and the Ninja Warrior Course is a great fit while the amazing indoor playground and indoor arcade is definitely worth experiencing.  Come visit Rebounderz Sacramento today! #### 4 Benefits to Challenging Yourself on Our Ninja Warrior Course While it is pretty obvious to see how much fun ninja courses can be, especially the ones at Rebounderz based on American Ninja Warrior, there are additional benefits to participating on our ninja warrior courses. When you tackle our ever changing ninja warrior courses you’re providing yourself with new physical challenges and allowing yourself the opportunity to improve and have fun. You don’t have to be a professional athlete to try a ninja course or to get the benefits that can come from continual practice and play. Come to Rebounderz of Rohnert Park to take on our ninja warrior course and see if you gain the following four benefits. Improved Coordination One of the easiest to notice improvements you may see from continual practice on a ninja course is improved coordination. The complex movements and variety of challenges helps you to improve both your whole body coordination and your balance. If you find one obstacle particularly challenging, on a slow day, take a minute to try it two or three times before moving on. You’ll find that with each attempt you’ll have an easier time getting the motion right and improve how you do it. Practice Power Movements If you’ve ever wondered how football players and other athletes are able to make quick, lithe movements that you would never even consider, it’s because they’re constantly practicing a variety of agility movements. These movements involve very powerful and fast motions, such as changing direction and jumping in a zigzag from practically a standing position. These movements take practice, and by doing them, it helps to build your muscles to where they can do these powerful and fast movements whenever you need them to. Focus and Concentration We all know that any athletic activity takes some level of focus and concentration. In fact, that can often be the difference between success and failure. Each time you tackle the ninja warrior course, you’ll need to concentrate on the obstacle that you are currently attempting while planning the next one ahead of you. You’ll also need to be able to get “in the zone” in order to not let distractions around you cause you to slip up, focusing only on what you’re doing, not what others are doing. If you find yourself getting distracted, each time you try the course, try and focus on only what you’re doing for just one obstacle further than you did before. Continued Challenge No matter your age or your ability, you’ll always find the ninja warrior course at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park a challenge. We have three lanes, all with differing ability levels and we also rotate out some of the obstacles on a regular basis to keep the course interesting. Whether you’re trying to beat your own time or improve just a little during each run, you’ll always find a way to improve and grow. When you’re looking for a challenge that provides physical and mental benefits, turn to Rebounderz of Rohnert Park and tackle the state-of-the-art ninja warrior courses available here! Call for more information today.   #### 5 Benefits of Jumping On a Trampoline If you’re like most adults, the only time you’ll set foot in an indoor trampoline park is either for a kid’s birthday party or as a way to keep your own kids busy for a few hours. While your children go berserk, you relax, check out the news on your smartphone, or chat with the other parents. Then you see it. Another parent, an adult, also bouncing around with the kids. Before sneering at them or whispering, “Get a load of that guy,” take a moment to consider something. Yes, they might look a little goofy. Yes, they’re maybe not behaving with the decorum that most grown-ups have. But they’re getting something that you might not be, a number of things, actually. Keep reading, and we’ll share with you 5 benefits you’ll gain by getting your shoes off and getting your body out onto the trampoline. First of all, you’ll be getting an intense full-body workout. These are trendy nowadays, and for good reason. Scientific research tells us that muscle growth can be highly stimulated by neuromuscular movement. When you’re on a trampoline, you’re engaged in what’s called “explosive jumping.” You’re using all of your muscles because you need to time it just right to bounce properly. As a result, calves, quads, biceps, shoulders, pecs, glutes, and core all get a great workout. We apologize, but we’re going to get a little technical here. The lymph system in your body is designed to remove debris and toxins from your tissues and get them out via the excretory system. That debris goes through lymph vessels, which run parallel to you blood vessels. While the heart powers blood vessels, there’s nothing like that for lymph vessels, except gravity. When you bounce, it circulates the lymph vessels more effectively. For most of human history, we’ve been walkers. On average, we walked between 3-9 miles daily, and among other things, that exercise kept muscle groups in our ankles and feet strong and gave us good balance. With today’s sedentary lifestyle, we have less strength, worse balance, and greater odds of falling or breaking a hip. Trampoline exercises can change that, though. Almost everybody who has spent even a few minutes on a trampoline can agree on one thing. It’s exhausting, and you’ll likely be working to get your breath back. Trampoline jumping is an excellent way to get a solid cardio workout. Also, if you’re on a treadmill or exercycle, a few minutes can feel like a slog. That’s because you’re bored, and when you’re bouncing and having a blast, the time will fly by. Speaking of fun, one of the biggest reasons that exercise regimes break down for people is a simple one. Doing a workout can be incredibly boring, particularly if you’re by yourself. But when you’re on a trampoline with your kids, your spouse, or your friends, the endorphins start pumping, and you start to enjoy yourself. By combining exercise with a necessary social connection, you might find yourself dragging the kids to the trampoline park instead of the other way around. #### 5 Life Values to Teach Your Children As you raise a child, there are many things you need to teach them so they are prepared to be successful when they get older. Not only does this set them up for success, but it also ensures they are a kind, respectful member of society. Today, we’re going to discuss five life values you should teach your child when they’re young. When you’re looking for a safe place for your child to have some fun, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Lansdale. Whether they’re bouncing around on the trampoline or they’re testing their skills on the ninja warrior course, we know they’ll have a blast. -Telling the Truth One of the most important values to teach your child is how to be honest. How can you help them be truthful? The best way to teach them this value is by leading by example and being a truthful person yourself. Kids learn a lot from watching their parents, so if you tell white lies and half-truths, they will assume it is okay if they do it, too. It’s hard to teach a child right from wrong when there are exceptions to the rule or if you say it’s okay when you do it. The old saying “Do as I say, not as I do” only serves to confuse children, as it muddies the message you’re trying to get across. No matter how big or small a lie is, being deceptive is not something you want your child to pick up. This extends beyond your interactions with your child, as they will be paying attention to how you interact with other adults. Show them the value of honesty first hand and teach them why it is important to be considered trustworthy. Explain how people can be hurt by dishonesty so they understand the effect it can have on someone. If your child lies to you, don’t overreact. Instead, calmly explain to them that you won’t be mad and that you just want to know what the truth is. Many times, children lie because they’re afraid they’ll get in trouble for something.  -Doing the Right Thing Whether you call this good manners or justice, it’s vital for children to understand why they need to do the right thing. When they do something wrong, they need to know how to say they’re sorry, but they also need to know why they’re saying sorry in the first place. Teach your child how to make amends with someone in a productive way. This will help them understand how to treat people fairly, which will make their interactions with others in the future stronger. From sharing toys to taking turns, an overall sense of fairness and decorum will help them in social situations as they get older. -Taking on Challenges When you’re a kid, every experience is a new one. While some are easy and exciting, others are scary and daunting. Encourage your child to take on challenges, stay determined about finishing them, and foster a desire to always get better. Avoid praising them excessively, because when it isn’t the truth, you’re teaching them the wrong lesson. Instead, give them gentle, but honest feedback. Give them words of encouragement when they attempt something that is difficult for them and recognize that effort. This will help them be more determined to try things that might not come to them easily. -Empathy for Others We’re all on this planet together, so we might as well be nice to each other while we’re here. Teach your child about considering other people’s feelings and experiences, which may be different from their own. Show them why it is important to show consideration to others, whether they’re family, friends, or strangers. Explain to them why it is better to be kind to people instead of being selfish about their own desires. This helps them be more aware of their impact on the world and the people around them, so they will be more considerate about their actions and how they treat others.  -Love and Affection Some parents believe that children are just naturally affectionate and loving, but in order for that to last as they get older, that love needs to be reciprocated. Show your child love, be open about your affection for your spouse (even when it makes them roll their eyes), and talk about the love and appreciation you have for your family and friends. It’s also important to teach your child how to love and care for themselves, as this will help them value their lives and experiences more. Small displays of love can go a long way towards helping your child develop their self-esteem while fostering their own desire to be caring toward others around them. In our busy day-to-day lives, it can be hard to keep these life values in mind. But when you can teach your child about these values, it can improve your life as well. You will be raising a more considerate, determined, honest, empathetic, and loving child that you can be proud of. Another value you should teach your child about is the power of physical activity. Fostering a love of physical activity will help your child lead a happier and healthier life. If you’re looking for a fun place for your child to get some exercise, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Lansdale. Maybe they’ll test out their determination on the exciting JumpXTREME Tower or learn how to share and take turns on the Slamball Court. Either way, we know they’ll have a blast. See you soon! #### 5 Reasons To Adopt a Fitness Routine We’ve all been there. Maybe walking up a flight of stairs gets you a little winded. Maybe you catch a glimpse of yourself coming out of the shower and wince. Maybe you’ve taken your kids to a trampoline place, and it’s exhausting just watching them bounce around. But getting in shape feels like an impossible task, something that simply can’t be done. But the good news is, it can be done. For most people, there’s only one point in which you can’t get healthier, and that’s when you’re dead. Since you’re reading this, that means you’re alive and kicking, and you have the means to turn your health around. Now all you need is the motivation, and that’s what we’re going to talk about today. Read on for 5 reasons you can, and should, adopt a fitness regimen. One of the most common excuses for not working out is, “I’m way too busy.” The irony is that most of the people who say that are up to their ears in stress, and regular exercise is a proven stress reducer. That’s because when you work out, your brain releases the chemical norepinephrine, which moderates stress. So not only will a good workout help the day’s stress disappear, you’ll also feel less stressed overall. When we say you’ll find yourself becoming addicted, we’re not implying you’ll spend 4 hours a day, every day, at the gym. Usually, the first 6 weeks or so you start exercising tends to be the most difficult. Once you get over that hump, you’ll start looking forwards to it, because you’ll notice how good you’re feeling on a regular basis. There’s an old saying with trainers that it takes 4 weeks of exercise for you to start seeing results, 8 weeks for family and friends to see the difference, and 12 weeks for everybody else to notice that there’s something different about you. There’s some truth to that because actually seeing results with your own eyes is a very powerful motivator. Plus, as you start to see changes, you’ll want to push yourself harder in your workouts. Remember earlier we talked about folks being too busy to exercise? Over time, studies have proven that those who exercise on a regular basis are more productive than those who don’t. That’s because working out helps to increase the quality of sleep, boost the brain’s production of endorphins, and enhance brainpower. Exercise also forces you to be more disciplined, and that enhanced discipline spills over into other aspects of your life. As a result, you’ll end up getting more done and feel better about it. Set foot in any gym, and you’ll likely see people grimly pedaling away on an exercycle, or doing push-ups over and over and over. It might look boring to exercise, but it doesn’t have to be. A few ways to inject some fun into your workout is to try trampoline fitness, bike riding or running with friends, or checking out a dance class. Any of these activities are high-energy, a great way to make new friends and a ton of fun. #### 5 Reasons to Hold Your Corporate Event at Rebounderz in Sterling If you are planning an outing for your employees, either for team building or just as a reward for work well done, you don’t have to look any further than Rebounderz in Sterling. There is nothing better for bringing teams together than laughing together, and you’ll have no shortage of that as your team competes in basketball dunking and dodgeball contests while jumping and balancing on our trampolines.   Not Convinced Yet? Here’s why we don’t think you’ll find a better place for your team outing. #1 You’ll have the place all to yourselves. You can reserve the entire trampoline park for your team. With no distractions and no kids in the way, you can plan your day however you want. Plan a dodgeball tournament, a basketball dunking tournament, and for those who aren’t inclined to jump on the trampoline, you can plan other team-building challenges and activities. Because you’ll have the entire place to yourself, you can plan games that will help people connect in all kinds of ways including some teambuilding classics. Before the tournaments begin try breaking the ice and getting everyone in the mood with “two truths and a lie” or the always fun, “human knot.” #2 Play time is not just for kids. The evidence is in, and playing is good for adults, not just for kids. Health benefits include stress relief. When stress results in headaches, fatigue and trouble sleeping, an afternoon of trampoline jumping, dodgeball and other active, team-building activities is sure to help. Getting your team away from the environment they are used to may help them to connect on new levels. If everyone is wearing suits, ties, and Manolo Blahniks to the office, getting them out of their element and into t-shirts and jeans creates a whole new dynamic. And just like physical activities can bring shy children out of their shells, if you’ve got some introverts on your team, you might find that this is just the thing to bring them out of their shells. #3 Trying something new. How many times have you told your kids to try something new, that learning is fun? We tell them that, because it is true! Everyone will have fun. Even if you have a few people that sit on the sidelines and watch, they’ll be sure to spend most of the day laughing at the antics of their co-workers. Additionally, changing your perspective can often illuminate skills and talents of team members that get overlooked at the office. And we can’t think of a better way to shift your perspective than by bringing your team to our trampoline arena for a team-building day. #4 You’ll start a tradition. We’re pretty sure that your team is going to have so much fun that they’ll want to come back again. And, once you see that their play time translates into better work relationships, you’ll be all for it too. Maybe some of your team members will even start a dodgeball league or make trampolining a regular after-hours activity. Introducing your team to an activity that they’ll run with and use to continue to strengthen team dynamics, sure seems a heck of alot better to us than traditional team building activities like trust falls. #5 Your team will love it. Sure, we’re a little biased. We love this stuff. Regardless, we’re really confident that your corporate team-building event at Rebounderz will be a huge hit. And if it is a big hit, you know who gets all the credit. You do! Get in touch with our party and event planning team today. They’ll help you plan the perfect corporate team-building event. We look forward to hosting your event here at Rebounderz in Sterling. #### 5 Things Kids Should Know Before Starting School Summer is in full swing and school doesn’t start for a while longer, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to get your child ready for their first year of school. Take these months to make sure they’re ready for what will be asked of them in school. We’ve gathered five things all kids should know before they start school. Today’s entries will be more focused on behavior, while we’ll be diving into actual knowledge they should have in a future blog. At Rebounderz Trampoline Park, we’re passionate about kids getting active and having fun. Come to our Edison location to jump around! Listening and Following Instructions Whether it’s schoolwork or a classroom activity, children should be able to listen to and follow simple, two-to-three step instructions. Something you can do to prepare them for this is to give them easy tasks to complete around the house, like cleaning up their toys or setting the table. Two-step instructions like “Clean up your toys and put them in your toy box” and three-step instructions like “Set the plates, cups, and silverware on the table” helps them understand each step clearly. Communication Teachers are, unfortunately, not adept at reading minds. This makes communication key for your child. They should know how to effectively and clearly communicate their needs, both to teachers and other kids. Encourage your little one to speak in complete sentences of about five or six words, like “May I have some water?” Make them comfortable with talking about how they feel and what they need. Self-Sufficiency We’re not implying that your child should be ready to move out on their own — just some basic self-sufficiency skills. Things like being able to dress and feed themselves, as well as how to go to the bathroom on their own, will help them greatly in school and give them confidence in their own abilities. Help your kiddo practice dressing themselves and opening food packages until they can do it without your help. Manners For most children, school is the most time they will spend with other kids and non-family members. This makes it very important that they have a good grasp on proper manners. This includes sharing toys with others, taking turns, and saying “please” and “thank you”. Teach them this at home by practicing with board games to show them how to take turns. Simple Stories This goes alongside listening and communicating, but it also involves memory retention. Our memories are still forming and solidifying when we start school, so it can be tough to keep track of everything. However, kids entering school should know how to understand and retell simple stories. Practice this by reading together at home, then asking your child, later on, to retell what they remember. These stories don’t have to be longer than five-to-ten minutes long. Getting ready to send your little one off to school can be pretty scary, but with a little bit of pre-planning, you can set them up for academic success. Physical activity has been heavily tied to development and success in school, so bring your kid to Rebounderz in Edison to give them a fun and safe place to be active. See you here soon! #### 5 Tips for a Great Kid's Birthday Party Planning a birthday party in Edison for your kiddo can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of possibilities, so here are some quick tips for how you can plan a party that’s memorable and fun for everyone involved.   -Invitations It’s a good place to start. Having a head count of who you can expect at the party helps make sure everyone is fed, so it’s recommended to have a RSVP attached. This also cuts down on wasted food or party favors, so it helps keep your party budget under control. Make sure you verify if the parents will be joining or if it will just be their child attending, so you know who needs to eat and who will be bringing what. Happy parents and happy kids make sure everyone goes home satisfied.   -Games! This seems obvious at first, but there are ways to cater these games to the groups involved. If you’re going to have an equal mix of parents and kids, get everyone into the game. Kids love to play games with adults, so if you can find a way to engage everyone, nobody ends up bored. We listed a few ideas here, but it’s by no means exhaustive. A game of capture the flag or freeze tag gets everyone active and hungry for cake! The Name Game can help break the ice so everyone is comfortable and in a playful mood.   -Safety With that being said, it’s important to make sure everyone is safe when playing. It’s recommended to go over some rules to make sure nobody gets hurt. Injuries are the opposite of fun! At Rebounderz, we have regulations in place to keep everyone in playing shape. After all, our motto is, “Extreme Fun, Maximum Safety.”   -Rewards We recommend having rewards for participating and behaving. Having extra party favors will incentivize the kids to join in on the fun while being on their best behavior. This can also be intangible, like positive feedback and comments. Something as small as watching when they want to do a trick can have a huge impact on them while having the added bonus of ensuring their safety. We go into more detail with reward possibilities here.   -Theming Depending on your child’s interests, a costume party with a story or theme can really make the whole day memorable. If everyone shows up dressed as superheroes, you can set up a scenario where they get to save the day. You can have the parents play along as citizens in distress. When kids get a chance to rescue an adult, it develops a sense of pride you’ll see beaming on their face. This can work with any number of scenarios; from medieval knights on a quest to space-faring explorers, the options are endless!   We hope these ideas help get your birthday party planning off the ground, but if you need a little more help, we here at Rebounderz Edison are happy to bounce off more ideas with you. Give us a call at 732-902-6988 so we can put a spring in your step.   #### 5 Ways to Celebrate Women’s Health and Fitness Day 2018 The third Wednesday in September has been celebrated as National Women’s Health and Fitness Day since 2002 to help bring awareness to the unique wellness concerns that women face but have not been historically talked about. Women's’ health issues are not only important for women to understand, but also the men in their lives, and the nation as a whole. It wasn’t long ago that women were banned from sporting and fitness events because it was believed that the physical stress of physical fitness may cause reproductive issues. To spread awareness and take advantage of such an important day, there are a few ways you can celebrate! 1. Gather for a Healthy Meal America’s favorite way to celebrate just about anything is with a meal! Gather up your favorite women and share a healthy meal. This is a great opportunity to discuss health and wellness issues while putting an emphasis on healthy eating habits and nutrition. You could even suggest doing a healthy recipe swap. Prepare your favorite healthy dish and make it a potluck! 2. Identify Your Risks National Women’s Health and Fitness Day is a great opportunity to evaluate your health and fitness status, honestly. Once you understand where you are at, you can better identify some risks and help to mitigate them. Women are disproportionately affected by heart disease, osteoporosis, and obesity. When you better understand your risk, you can start to make changes to help prevent them. What better day to start than Women’s Health and Fitness Day? 3. Set a Healthy Goal Remember your New Year's resolutions that have fallen to the wayside over the last nine months? This is a great opportunity to try again or set a new, updated goal. Healthy goals include something like “train for a 5k,” “quit smoking,” or “drink at least eight glasses of water daily.” Health goals do not have to be major, all healthy changes help to improve your overall wellness. 4. Schedule Medical Appointments If you are a woman, it is important to ensure that you are making regular preventive health appointments, specifically ones with your gynecologist. Depending on your age, medical history, and conditions, your doctor will make a check-up plan ranging from a Pap-smear every three years to an exam and mammogram every six months. At these appointments, you can also address birth control, vaccines, and STD/STI information and testing. If you are not a woman, this is a good opportunity to talk to the women in your life about preventative appointments they should be attending. Don’t worry, you don’t need to go into detail about medical conditions, but can encourage them to schedule routine appointments to ensure everything is well! 5. Get in a Workout What better day to exercise your fitness than on a day dedicated to your fitness! If you already workout regularly, grab a girl pal who doesn’t and do something fun to encourage them to start their fitness journey. Physical exercise and fitness are not only important to fit in your favorite pair of jeans but to your overall health and wellbeing. Check out some of the tips offered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We suggest something fun that will allow you the opportunity to celebrate with your favorite girls, such as heading to your local indoor trampoline park for an hour of rebounding! At Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone, we believe that every person should live the best, healthy life that they can. We aim to provide a place where people of all ages can come and enjoy a fun workout that helps improve their health and fitness! If you are looking for the perfect place to gather up all the girls and women in your life to engage in an enjoyable workout, contact us at Rebounderz of Jacksonville today! #### 5 Ways To Increase Your Vertical Leap Here at Rebounderz Lansdale, jumping is our passion. Whether it’s leaping across our Ninja Warrior Course, bouncing around in the trampoline park, or hitting a sick slam dunk, like Joel Embiid, on the SlamBall court, jumping is what we do. Maybe you’re unhappy with how high you can jump or you just want to get even better to impress your friends. With that in mind, we have four fun ways you can increase your vertical leap to help you get some elevation. Once you’re ready to show off your mad ups, come on over to Rebounderz and get jumping! -Trigger Points To get the most out of your leg muscles, it’s important that you take care of your trigger points (also known as muscle knots). Throughout your body are various trigger points that restrict the length of your muscle tissue, which reduces their potential energy and makes them weaker. To get rid of muscle knots, use a foam roller as a way to relieve them. When you use it, move slowly and focus on any tender spots until the knot releases. Spend 30 seconds on your calf, IT band, and quadriceps before repeating the process on the other leg. This will make your muscles more flexible, allowing for more freedom of movement. -Bulgarian Split Squats To build strength in your legs, try Bulgarian split squats. Stand a few steps away from a bench and put one foot behind you onto the bench (with the top of the foot touching the bench.) With a dumbbell in each hand, stand straight with your chest up. Lower yourself down until your back knee nearly touches the floor. With the heel of your foot that is on the floor, push yourself back up to a standing position to complete the rep. Three sets of eight reps per leg will help you greatly when you are trying to improve your leg strength. -Depth Jumps To do a depth jump, step off a box, then immediately jump up after touching the ground. This improves reaction time and teaches your lower body muscles to activate quickly for an explosive leap. Start off slow, with a box that is six to eight inches off the ground. Step off, jump as high as you can as soon as you hit the ground, with your arms outstretched overhead. Once you have safely landed, repeat the process. For your first week, do three sets of three reps, moving to four sets of three reps for week two, and five sets of three for the third week. -Jumping Rope The schoolyard favorite shouldn’t be relegated to the playground. Jumping rope is a simple yet effective way to improve your explosive power. Not only that, it’s a fantastic cardio workout, so it’s very helpful for your overall fitness. To see the best results, jump rope for 30 minutes, four to five days a week. -Calf Raises When Shaquille O’Neal played at Louisiana State University, he would do 1,000 calf raises before bed. After he started to do that, his vertical leap improved by a whopping 12 inches! Of course, we’re not saying that you have to do 1,000 calf raises. Adding this exercise to your routine is a great way to improve your leaping ability, and with no need for added weight or equipment, you can do this anywhere and anytime. No matter what you’re looking to do with your improved jumping ability, there are many simple and fun ways to do it. All of the exercises we have listed here will also help your balance, which is a vital part of successful jumping. When you are ready to really get some airtime, come to Rebounderz in Lansdale! #### 6 Facts About Kids You Might Not Know Kids are pretty fascinating. As they grow up, you begin to see the blank canvas they started with fill in with all of the details that make them who they are. Every day, children learn something new or develop a new facet of their personality. Childhood development is an incredible process that we’re going to be taking a look at today. One of the best things you can do for your child’s development is to instill a drive for fitness at an early age. The easiest way to do that? Bring them into Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Edison! We make fitness fun! -They Understand You A baby learns how to speak from hearing others speak around them, and before they can speak on their own, they can understand the words you say to them. As you say the ABCs or tell them about what happened that day, kids are listening and attaching meaning to the words they hear. It’s estimated that by the time a child turns one, they understand around 70 words. That means even if they can only say a few words, they still understand many more, and they’ll keep learning the more you talk to them. -Individuality Having a sense of self is one of the things that set humans apart from many animals. This sense individuality develops around preschool for many children. This can be shown in both good and bad ways. They may have trouble with sharing, displayed with a healthy shout of “Mine!” This is a clear example of the development of personal identity and property that will continue to evolve as they grow and learn more. Help them delineate between what belongs to them and what doesn’t. As this individuality develops, children will understand that they are separate from you and their friends. This will also help them understand the consequences of their own actions, how it affects them and others around them. -Growth Spurt Kids hear it all the time. Family members tousle their hair and exclaim “Gosh, you’re growing so fast!” It’s true, children are constantly and consistently growing. So much so that a typical baby triples its birth weight in its first year. Keep that in mind when you’re up in the middle of the night feeding your hungry little one. They need those nutrients to grow up healthy, smart, and strong! -Breathing Underwater While a baby is still developing in the womb, they can actually breathe underwater! Starting at 28 weeks, the baby begins to breathe. However, because their lungs are not developed yet, they aren’t taking in oxygen. This is all practice, getting the muscles ready to do their job. Then, once the baby is born, they are ready to take a breath of fresh air. -Left or Right? Both! Most children are ambidextrous at one year of age. As they are growing, learning, and developing, they use each hand equally. Usually, by the time they turn two or three, they will have developed a dominant hand. Around 90 percent of children are right-hand dominant, so if your child is a lefty, they make up less than 10 percent of the population. Though left-hand dominant people are rare, many of the most successful people in history have been lefties. Count yourself lucky that your child is in the same camp as Shigeru Miyamoto, Stan Lee, Oprah Winfrey, and David Bowie! -The Tutored Twos? Two-year-olds have a reputation that precedes them. The moniker of the “terrible twos” has been around for decades and it makes sense why. During this time, temper tantrums become more common and stubbornness takes hold. There might actually be a good reason for this change in demeanor though. At two years old, your child has more than 100 trillion synapses or brain connections. That’s more than anyone will have the rest of their lifetime! With that many synapses firing, a child has a lot of sources of stimulation coming into their brain. It’s no wonder they get cranky! Everything around them is brand new and they aren’t sure how to understand it properly, so much of their behavior can be attributed to frustration. Take advantage of this time to teach your baby as much as you can, as an adult has around half the amount of neural pathways that a two-year-old does. There are many more fascinating facts about childhood development that we’ll be exploring in the near future. Kids are constantly changing, growing, and evolving. That’s why you want to instill good habits in them early on. Showing kids the fun that is in exercise and fitness while they’re young and learning can have a huge effect on them as they grow up. Call us at Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Edison to learn about the exercise classes we offer for children and adults to teach healthy habits and proper exercise technique. Because many of our classes take place on trampolines, it’s almost impossible to not enjoy working out at Rebounderz. We hope to see you soon! #### 6 Fun Games to Keep Kids Active This Summer With how much time kids spend in front of a screen these days, it’s important to find ways to keep them physically active. While they have recess and PE during the school year, summertime can lead to an increase in sedentary activity. Today, we’re going to take a look at some fun games you can play with your little ones to get them up off the couch this summer. If you’re looking for a great place to be active this summer, why not bring your kids to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Edison? Whether they just want to bounce around on the trampoline or they want to live out their action movie dreams on the Ninja Warrior course, we know they won’t even miss that screen. -Slip n’ Slide While you can get one at a store, you can go big and make your own. All you need is a long tarp and a garden hose to wet it down. This is a great summer activity because not only are you running around having fun, it also gives you a chance to cool down while you’re slipping and sliding. You can even make it into a game when you see how far everyone can go, marking distance with some flags. -Flashlight Tag If you’re having a late-night birthday sleepover or block party, break out the flashlights for an all-ages friendly game of tag. There are many different variations of this classic favorite that can brighten up a dark summer night. One of which involves only one person having a flashlight as the one who is “it”. Once they tag someone by shining the light on them, they pass the flashlight over. However, if you really want to make it crazy, start with one flashlight, then each person who gets tagged gets their own flashlight. The game will then continue until there’s only one person who hasn’t been tagged, who is declared the winner. -Jump Rope Challenge This game is best for kids who have a good grasp of multi-tasking and coordination. To begin, fill up some plastic cups with water. Each player will hold their cup and try to jump rope three times while spilling as little water as possible. The player with the most water left in their cup will be the winner. -Sticks and Stones If you have a big group of kids for a birthday party or some other type of get together, sticks and stones is a great way to get them excited while they burn some excess energy. Divide the group into two teams — sticks and stones. Have them line up facing each other, similar to a game of Red Rover. Set up a safe zone about 30 feet behind each team. Once you’re ready to start the game, call out one of the team's names — i.e. “Sticks!” or “Stones!” The team that is called will chase after the opposing team, which is running for their safe zone. Anyone who gets tagged before getting to their safe zone will switch teams and then it starts again. The team that gets everyone on their side wins the game. -500 This is a classic playground game that’s perfect for kids that love sports. One kid will get a football, while the others will group up about 20 feet away. The kid throwing the ball will shout out a number between 50 and 500, then toss the football to the group. The kid that catches the ball will get those points, but if they drop the ball, they lose those points. This continues until someone gets to 500 points and they become the new thrower. These are just a few of the hundreds of fun games kids can play outside this summer. Keeping children active is incredibly important for their health and development, so it’s always good to have some ideas in your back pocket when your little ones have been stuck to the couch for too long. If you want a great place to be active, no matter your age, choose Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Edison! We’ve got plenty of activities that will get everyone up and moving in a fun way. We hope to see you jumping around here soon! #### 6 Unhealthy Kids Snacks to Avoid Making sure your kids are eating well can be a difficult task. Between misleading packaging and aggressive marketing campaigns, many snacks proudly proclaim their health benefits, when it couldn’t be farther from the truth. With this in mind, we’ve gathered six of the most unhealthy “healthy” snacks you should avoid giving your kids. Don’t worry, we’re including great options that will hit the spot for your little one when they have a hankering for one of these snacks. At Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Sunrise, we’re passionate about getting kids active and promoting healthy lifestyles. Bring your kids in when they want a fun place to beat the heat this summer. -Yogurt Although there are definitely healthy yogurt options on the market, the ones most often marketed to kids are loaded with additives, preservatives, and sugar, which make them profoundly unhealthy. They also contain high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavoring and colors, which makes it closer to candy than the healthy treat they’d lead you to believe it is. Be sure you’re checking the ingredient list to find yogurt options packed with protein and calcium, without the nasty stuff your kiddo doesn’t need. -Granola Bars The toughest part about so many of these unhealthy snacks is that many of them use the disguise of actually healthy treats. This is definitely the case with granola bars. Most granola bars you’ll find at your local grocery store will have added chocolate, candy, or other sources of added sugars. Stick to options with a combination of nuts, oats, seeds, and dried fruit to make the most out of this snack. There are also many different recipes out there if you want to make your own. That allows you to control exactly what will be in the bar and cater it to what your child enjoys and doesn’t like. -Pre-Packaged Lunch Combos While they may be convenient and a favorite of kids, these meat and cracker combos bring along tons of sodium, fat, and sugar, which don’t do anyone any favors. Along with the huge list of incomprehensible ingredients and preservatives, it’s a much better choice to pack your own. Next time you run to the grocery store, grab some whole-wheat or rye crackers, swiss or cheddar cheese, and some low-sodium turkey or ham. Pack it up in a compartmentalized Tupperware to save some money and have control over the ingredients. -Veggie Chips Even though they have veggie in their name, veggie chips aren’t nearly as healthy as you might think they are. This comes down to the process that turns them into chips; through heat and other processing techniques, the veggies are robbed of the vitamins and nutrients that make them so good for us. You can definitely pack a small serving (about 15 chips) every once in a while, but your best option will always be the genuine article. Baby carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower are all delicious veggie snacks that are easy to pack in a lunch. -Fruit Snacks The actual amount of fruit found in fruit snacks is negligible, with most of them containing a scant amount of fruit juice. Instead, they are loaded up with corn syrup, added sugars, and artificial flavoring. When you check the package for the ingredients, you’ll notice that vitamin C has been added back in, and that’s because any vitamin C that was there previously was destroyed when the snack was processed. Stick to fresh fruit to ensure your little one is getting the vitamins and nutrients they need to grow up big and strong. -Juice Drinks Most juices that you’ll find on store shelves actually contain a minimal amount of actual fruit juice. They also contain a ton of calories and sugar, without the vitamins and nutrients that make fruit so good for us. Make sure you only choose 100-percent fruit juices to get the most out of it but limit your kids to about four fluid ounces a day of the juice. Even if the packaging claims to be a great source of vitamin C, you’ll find that fruits, like kiwi, oranges, and strawberries, contain as much, if not more, than these juices. Veggies, like bell peppers and tomatoes, also have many great nutrients without the added sugar. Snacks are intended to hold kids over until it’s meal time while providing them with the energy they need to be active. Steer clear of the so-called “healthy” snacks you see commercials of, and find the actual healthy alternatives or make your own at home. Nutrition is vital to a child’s development, so it can’t be ignored. Also important is physical activity. Bring them to Rebounderz in Sunrise to get them active in a fun and safe way! #### 7 Beneficios de Saltar En Trampolín ¿Te gusta saltar? ¿Te encanta saltar en un trampolín? Rebounderz es el sitio en Panamá donde no solo encuentras “un trampolín,” sino lo que se puede considerar casi una alfombra de trampolines. ¡Genial! Son grandes rectángulos, y muy, muy elásticos para hacerte rebotar mejor que nunca. Pero mientras que tú y los niños están divirtiéndose, ¿sabías que saltar y rebotar tiene muchos beneficios para el cuerpo? Aquí unos que destacan. 1. Desarrollar los músculos Saltar en un trampolín es una actividad que trabaja los músculos. Al particular, los saltos y las volteretas hacen que los glúteos, los muslos y los abdominales trabajen fuertemente. Si luchas para conseguir que tus niños sean activos o si te preocupas que no se están desarrollando su fuerza tanto que deberían, ven a Rebounderz, donde olvidarán que están haciendo ejercicio gracias la diversión que tendrán. 2. Fortalecer el sistema linfático Cuando saltas en nuestras camas elásticas, estás facilitando la circulación del líquido linfa, que es una parte importante del sistema inmune. ¡Aléjate de la enfermedad y ayuda al sistema inmune a triunfar sobre un virus con este tipo de ejercicio. (Ojo: saltar en trampolín es mejor para prevenir que para echara fuera una enfermedad. Por favor, sigue todas las recomendaciones del médico sobre cuánto ejercicio puedes hacer cuando estás enferm@.) 3. Quemar calorías Los estudios muestran que una hora saltando en un trampolín quema más calorías que otros tipos de ejercicio, incluso trotar o correr. ¿Quieres quemar la grasa? Prueba qué tan eficiente puedes hacerlo en nuestro parque de trampolines. 4. Hacer menos daño a las articulaciones Hay personas que piensan que rebotar en trampolín es una actividad solo para niños. ¡No es verdad! Es una actividad para adultos también, e incluso personas mayores. Si te cuesta correr o hacer otros movimientos porque te duelen las articulaciones, Rebounderz puede ser la opción perfecta para ti. Nuestros trampolines bajan el nivel de impacto que sufres en las caderas, las rodillas, y los tobillos. Puedes volver a experimentar una sesión de ejercicio bien larga sin el dolor que sueles sufrir después. 5. Fortalecer el corazón y los pulmones El corazón y los pulmones tienen que durar toda la vida, pero si no haces suficiente ejercicio, puedes perjudicar la salud. Para incrementar su fuerza, es necesario hacer actividad físico que te cuesta y te hace sudar. Sin embargo, muchas veces no llegamos a este nivel de actividad. En los trampolines, llegarás a este punto fácilmente, sin darte cuenta, porque resulta tan divertido, trabajarás bien el corazón y los pulmones. 6. Mejorar el equilibrio ¿Tienes problemas con el equilibrio de vez en cuando? ¿Temes experimentar estos problemas cuando llegas a una edad mayor? Desarrolla tu sentido de equilibrio cuando saltas en nuestros trampolines. La primera vez que vienes, verás que te caes de vez en cuando debido a que las camas elásticas están en movimiento constante. Como el suelo bajo tus pies siempre siente desnivelado de una manera u otra, te cuesta mantenerte recto al principio. Pero en muy tiempo, como una sesión de solo 15 minutos, tu cerebro empieza a trabajar para interpretar los signos que vienen de los nervios en los extremos (las manos y los pies). Esto, combinado con las señales de equilibrio del oído interno, entrena al cerebro. Rápidamente, encontrarás un nuevo nivel de equilibrio que no tenías antes. Volver a saltar una y otra vez reforzará estos cambios en el cerebro, haciendo tu sentido de equilibrio cada vez más fuerte. 7. Luchar contra la depresión ¿Has probado todas las pastillas y remedios pero nada funciona para batallar contra la depresión? No te rindes sin probar si el ejercicio ayuda. Hay una conexión entre ejercicio y depresión, y muchos estudios han mostrado que incrementar la cantidad de ejercicio coincide con bajar la instancia de depresión. No solamente esto. Cuando visites Rebounderz te darás cuenta de que realmente te estás divirtiendo. Puede convertirse en la primera vez en mucho tiempo que sonríes o ríes de una manera natural y no forzada. Ven a Rebounderz Panamá y disfruta de todos estos beneficios Te esperamos en el parque de trampolines más divertido de Panamá. Nuestro estilo de diversión es para toda la familia y incluye mucho más que trampolines. Disfruta de nuestra piscina de espuma (foam pit), cafetería, muros de escalar y sala de videojuegos también. Es el sitio perfecto para una fiesta de cumpleaños, una tarde con la familia, o un premio para los niños. ¡No esperes más! Contáctanos con tus preguntas hoy. #### 7 Best Games For the Trampoline (Updated) Suppose you’re tasked to take your kids to an indoor trampoline park, for either a birthday party or to let them go nuts for an hour or two and burn off some of their energy. You have a very simple plan, which consists of your kids bouncing for a while as you get a little work done or catch up on the news. But your kids, as they so often do, have other ideas. “Please please please jump with us!” Reluctantly, you agree. We see this all the time, parents staring into the middle distance as they take their shoes off, psyching themselves up for an hour of...jumping. But time spent bouncing with the kids can be about more than just going up and down. Keep reading, and we’ll share seven games from childhood that have been repurposed for the trampoline. #1 Bounce Battle A great game for 2 is the Bounce Battle. It seems easy, but it’s all about endurance and willpower. Simply put, both players face each other off and do seat drops. Seat drops are every time when you land on the trampoline, you are in a sitting position. When you bounce back up you have to launch yourself with your whole body to keep the momentum going. If you stop bouncing, you lose. If you slip and go down, you lose. To succeed in bounce battle dominance, you need to have the patience to pace yourself, the coordination to not fall, and the endurance to keep going. #2 Simon Says For smaller kids, and groups of 3 or more, “Simon Says” is not only a classic, it’s also a great way to get the giggles out by acting silly. One person is Simon, and they give a series of commands while saying, “Simon says.” Everyone else must follow the command, but only if Simon says, “Simon says.” After the kids get the hang of it, we recommend that Simon say the commands faster and faster, for maximum humor. #3 Hot Potato We’re not sure exactly why, but kids absolutely love playing Hot Potato. Get a group of kids together with a big and bouncy ball. The ball has to be passed around while jumping. You can’t hold the ball for more than 2 seconds, and you must always be in motion. If someone drops the ball, holds the ball or stays still for too long, they’re out. The last one with the ball wins. Factoring in the trampoline makes things really fun. #4 Dance Battle Once you get on a trampoline and start jumping, you’ll start to notice a rhythm. You can take that rhythm to the next level by throwing in some dance moves. More and more, trampoline parks have music nights, where guests can enjoy fast-paced beats while bouncing. Encourage your kids to dance like nobody’s watching. Better yet, encourage everyone to watch and challenge them to a dance battle. #5 Poison Ball For groups of children on a trampoline with a larger surface area, Poison Ball (or stuffed animal or balloon) is a fun game to keep the kids moving. Simply put several soft objects, such as squishy balls into the middle of the playing area and have all the children stand in a circle around. When you yell start, everyone has to start jumping, and naturally the objects will start bouncing! But they are poison, you must not touch them! If someone gets tagged by an object, they have to sit down until someone else can come over and “revive” them with a high five #6 Crack the Egg Children of all ages seem to respond well to Crack the Egg, also known as Pop the Popcorn. One person sits down in the middle of the trampoline in a sitting fetal position with their arms wrapped tightly around their legs. (Safety note- instruct the egg not to tuck their face into their legs, lest they take a knee to the eye!) Everyone else jumps around the egg trying to bounce them into breaking the hold on their legs. At first it may seem easy, but when everyone gets to jumping, the egg will bounce, and attempt to catch themselves. Once the egg is cracked, they can’t help but flail about! When the egg is cracked, pick someone else to try. #7 Dodge ball When it comes to trampoline games, there’s one game that stands above the others, and it’s the game that trampolines were probably designed for. We are, of course, talking about dodge ball. But trampoline dodge ball takes it to another level because it combines hand-eye coordination, balance, and spatial recognition. You have to be able to jump, aim, and throw a foam ball, all at the same time you are dodging your opponent's throws. If you haven’t played, divide up your group into 2 teams, and line up on both sides of the trampoline court. Pass out the foam balls and start hurling them at the other side. If you get hit, you’re out, but you can catch a ball and throw it back. Last person standing wins for the team. There are many games to play on a trampoline, but be mindful of safety. It is not a good idea to play games that require someone to close their eyes, jump over another bouncer, or tackle opponents. If you are playing on a backyard trampoline, it is a good idea to keep the number of players to a minimum and have a trampoline net to help catch stray jumpers. Indoor trampoline parks are much safer than backyard trampolines for playing the games we have listed. At Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena in Grand Rapids, safety is our main concern. We also have areas for additional team games such as a trampoline basketball court. Call us to reserve your group’s spot today! Check out some other fun game ideas our sister arenas suggest: https://www.rebounderz.com/sunrise/fun-trampoline-games-ages/ https://www.rebounderz.com/apopka/games-can-play-trampoline/ #### 7 More Facts About Kids You Might Not Know We recently took a look at some pretty fascinating information regarding childhood development that you may not know. There’s so much more that many people may not be aware of so we’re going to continue our look at childhood development today. Healthy habits and motivation to stay active are two very important pieces for successful development. At Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Edison, we have many classes that can help instill these values in your children at a young age, which they will be able to carry long into adulthood health and happiness. -Can’t Remember As a child’s brain is developing, certain pieces that become commonplace later in life aren’t operating at their full capacity. One of those pieces is memory. Most children are unable to remember anything that happens before they are three years old. However, that doesn’t mean that a toddler won’t retain what is taught to them at this age. Those lessons will absolutely have a positive impact, your child just won’t be able to remember the moment that they learned it. -If I Can’t See You, You Can’t See Me When a toddler is growing up, they are still developing what is called “object permanence”. Essentially, this is the understanding that despite an object no longer being in their view, it still exists in the world. This is why the game “peek-a-boo” is such a big hit. When they close their eyes, their mind thinks the world disappeared. When they open their eyes back up to see everything where it was, they’re excited because it means the world still there. Some kids will even try to move around while closing their eyes because they think when they can’t see you, you can’t see them either. -Blurred Vision When a baby is born, their eyesight is incredibly poor. For instance, if perfect eyesight is 20/20, a baby’s eyesight is around 20/2400. That means they can only see about a foot away from them. When you talk to your baby, be sure you get in close so they can see you. As you’re aiding in their visual development, provide easily understandable black and white objects for them to see up close. It’s important to provide new things for the baby to look at, but they need to be near for the details to actually translate. Most babies have 20/20 eyesight by the time they are six months old. -No Salt Necessary Within a baby’s first four months, they are unable to taste salt. That’s because their kidneys have not developed enough to be able to utilize sodium. Additionally, a baby’s taste buds that are able to sense salt develop at four months. So don’t bother putting the salt shaker on the table, your baby won’t need it. -Organized Memory Though we talked about a lack of memory for kids under three, you’ll find that changes quickly. As soon as age six, a child is able to start applying memorization strategies in their learning. By age seven, they can use patterns and other tricks to facilitate learning even more! This means they’ll have better retention of information, which means they’ll do better in school. Harness this opportunity to start teaching your child about different helpful acronyms, mnemonics, and other helpful learning and memorization strategies that they can use every day. -Learn to Play, Play to Learn Do you have a kid that throws a fit about going to school? Sadly, not every child loves education, but most of the time it’s the setting of traditional schools that put them off more than anything. Many children learn better when they’re playing. That’s because they are more likely to make social connections, use their imagination, think critically, and develop their budding language and motor skills while they are playing. Adding an element of play to learning makes it feel less like a chore to get through when sitting at a desk in class isn’t quite connecting the way it should be. Give children activities where they can be active participants in their education and you’ll see far more positive results in return. -Are You Listening? The phrase “selective hearing” has been said a lot, but for babies and toddlers, it’s not a selection they have much choice in. As they are developing their hearing ability, it is difficult for young children to be able to separate background noise from voices speaking. You might think your toddler is ignoring your calls, but in reality, most of the time they just are unable to understand and process the many sounds they’re hearing. Show patience with them through this time. Development of response skills is important and difficult work. Childhood development is a subject that nobody is truly an expert in because it changes every day. Children don’t all fall into one pattern or another, so many times it is a bit of a guessing game. However, with this information, we hope it helps you to understand your child better so you can help them succeed as they grow up. If you’re looking for a great way to give your child fun learning opportunities, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Edison. We’ve got the safest trampolines, a super exciting Ninja Warrior obstacle course, incredibly fun exercise classes for the whole family, and a safe way for the daredevils in your family to get their kicks with our 14-foot tall JumpXTREME Towers. Call us today to learn more and to schedule your jump time! #### 7 Reasons to Send Your Child to Summer Day Camp Summer camps, like the one offered at Rebounderz in Newport News, are great for kids. If you went to camp as a kid, you know what a great experience it can be. Day camps are a great option if you don’t want your children to be away from home for a whole week, or if you are looking for something less expensive than sleep-away camp. Here are 7 reasons that we think you should send your children to summer camp. New experiences. Your child goes to school with the same children all year long. They participate in the same after-school activities, and interact with the same people. Think about it for a minute. How big is your child’s social circle and how diverse are their day-to-day activities? Children of all ages benefit from a diverse set of experiences, meeting new people, and engaging in a new environment. Camp helps your children learn that the world is a bigger place than they’ve experienced so far. They’ll have an opportunity to meet new role models and learn new ways of doing things. And they may even come away with new lifelong friends. Who knows, maybe you’ll even get some new friends out of the deal too! Self learning. When your children stick to the same routine they may miss out on opportunities to learn about things they are good at or enjoy doing. Camp is a great place for them to explore their own likes, dislikes, and talents in a safe environment. You may think that a camp like Rebounderz in Newport News would only offer the opportunity for physical activity. You’d be surprised though. Our campers learn social skills. Some learn that they have leadership skills and become helpers to younger or less outgoing campers. Imagine how you’ll feel when your child comes home from camp and tells you about how they helped out the other kids. We expect you’ll be pretty darn proud. Problem solving skills. When you aren’t around to mediate or intervene, your child will have no choice but to figure out how to solve problems and conflicts on their own. The earlier they learn to solve problems on their own, the better. They’ll feel good about themselves and will begin to realize that they aren’t completely dependent on you to handle life's challenges for them. And, let’s face it, as a parent it is very difficult to take a step back to let your children learn these skills. You don’t want to see them make a mistake or stumble. From this perspective, day camp is a very good thing for you and  your children. Physical activity. This one is really a no-brainer. You don’t want your kids to spend the summer sitting in front of screens, do you? We didn’t think so. When your kids spend time engaged in sports or other physical activities, usually someone has to be supervising them. Is that usually you? When you have to choose between taking care of your other obligations or supervising playtime, it is easy to just fall back on those darn electronic devices. We’re not judging. Trust us, we’ve been there. So, let someone else do the supervision, and get your kids active this summer. Between our trampoline arena, dodgeball games, dunking contests and Ninja Warrior course, your kids will get all the physical activity they can stand.   Memories and stories: Your children will have tons of great memories from their time at our day camp. Their memories will last a lifetime and help inform their decisions when they become parents. Teamwork: Your children will learn to work as team members with other children and with supervising adults. This can help them learn to have empathy for others and develop the ability to make compromises. They may become less selfish and more altruistic as a result. Growing up: It is great to watch our kids grow up. But it is also difficult. Camp gives your children an opportunity to leave their comfort zone. They’ll have to focus on learning new tasks and making new decisions. Summer camp gives your children a chance to discover who they are, outside of the family unit, to grow in ways you probably won’t expect, to unplug from their electronics and to have a lot of fun. If you are considering day camp for your child, give us a call. We don’t think there is any better place for kids to spend some of their summer days. You can feel really good about your child’s time at day camp. There is always a minimum of a one-to-ten counselor-to-camper ratio so everyone is well looked after. And they’ll enjoy all inclusive activities including the open jump arena, basketball slam, foam pit, dodgeball arena dna Ninja Warrior course.   #### 7+ Best Sacramento Indoor Playgrounds Sacramento has so much to offer for families, especially when it comes to finding family-friendly experiences. And while Sacramento offers some beautiful weather, heading inside for some indoor activities may be a better option.  Like…indoor playgrounds! Sacramento offers a great selection of indoor playgrounds that your kids will surely love.  Taking it inside gives kids the opportunity to explore new, unique experiences while also being in a clean, safe environment. Many indoor playgrounds truly have kids in mind, giving children the opportunity to use their imaginations and make new friends.  Sometimes heading over to an indoor playground is necessary when you’re trying to beat the cold and rain. Sacramento has some great indoor activity options that kids will surely love!   7+ Best Kids Indoor Playground in Sacramento Want to see the best kids indoor playgrounds Sacramento has to offer? Keep reading to find out!    Rebounderz – Sacramento Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility. Rebounderz offers a variety of activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging (but fun) Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  But what makes Rebounderz really stand out is their amazing indoor playground!  Kids can really let loose and have a blast playing at Rebounderz huge playground. With slides, swings and some fun challenges, kids will definitely not be bored. There’s even a safe toddler play area for your little ones.  Rebounderz understands that every kid is different, so the indoor playground is thoughtfully designed to meet the varying needs and wants of different kids. For the more daring kid, you’ll find challenging obstacles and big slides. For the more reserved child, smaller slides and less intimidating slides are available to enjoy.  Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  And let’s not forget their parents night out program, where Rebounderz staff watches your kids for the evening, so parents can take some much-needed time off.  At Rebounderz Sacramento, the whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults! Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing:  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities as well as 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice cold fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time for all the activities. Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time for all the activities.  They also offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all Rebounderz offerings!   Little Angels Play Town Little Angels Play Town aims to provide a safe and clean playing environment for children to enjoy.  There are different areas dedicated to varying activities such as ball pits and slides and a safe, fenced-off toddler play area. Aside from indoor playtime for your little ones, there’s also an option to host birthday parties at Little Angels Play Town. Activities Offered:  Indoor playhouses Several slides Ball pits Dedicated toddler play area Swings Kids birthday parties Pricing:  Pricing is not available on their website.   Urban Air – Sacramento Urban Air Adventure Park in Sacramento is an indoor trampoline park. Their indoor playground is best suited for more adventurous kids since it can double as an obstacle course. Grab a few friends and challenge each other as you crawl through tunnels and climb daring platforms.  If you’re not looking for a race, that’s okay! Kids can use their imaginations to explore every inch of this indoor playground. However, kids must be under 52’ inches, or 4’3 ft, in order to play in the tubes playground.  Activities Offered:  Adventure Hub Battle beams Climbing walls Dodgeball and Dunk Zone DropZone Ropes course and Warrior course Tumble Track  Spin Zone bumper cars Indoor playground Indoor trampoline arena  Birthday parties Pricing:  5 and under: $11.99 Deluxe: $20.99 Ultimate: $26.99  Platinum: $30.99    Wacky Tacky Located in Rancho Cordova, Wacky Tacky is an indoor play area that focuses on an “open play” concept. At Wacky Tacky, kids can explore three different play areas. More adventurous kids can take on their inflatable climbing area, or slide down their inflatable slides!  Activities Offered:  Open play Birthday parties  Pricing:  $15 for each child (ages 1-17 years old), free admission for ONE parent and then $15 for each additional adult.    Busykids Play Town and Coffee Shop Busykids Town and Coffee Shop is a kid-centered activity center that encourages children 10 and under to explore and learn through pretend play. You can sit and relax while your kids play in the miniature city built just for them! There are also a number of classes and activities available throughout the week.  Activities Offered:  Indoor playground designed to look like a city Birthday parties Daily and weekly scheduled activities  Pricing:  1 child: $45 Additional children: $30 Extra grown-up: $10   Defy – Sacramento Defy Sacramento is an indoor trampoline arena that offers an indoor playground. More adventurous and daring kids will enjoy Defy since they focus on extreme air sports like parkour, stunt falls, and aerial skills.  Activities offered: Basketball and dodgeball Indoor playground Trampoline arena High-end air track Ninja course Parkour Stunt fall Pricing: Standard pass (90 minutes): $24.99 during the weekend and $18.99 on weekdays All day pass: $29.99 during the weekend and $22.99 on weekdays   Imagine Play Imagine Play offers great indoor kids activities in the Sacramento area. Kids can really let their imagination run wild with their creative indoor play area.  Aside from their creative indoor playground, Imagine Play offers different birthday party options as well as hands-on learning and distance learning for COVID-safe education. Activities Offered:  Open play Lending library Distance learning camps Learning pods After-school enrichment Birthday parties Pricing:  $13.50 per child + 1 Adult, one adult per family. Any extra adult is $2.50.  Babies 6-11.9 months are free with paid sibling, or $5 without.    Rockin Kids Play Center Rockin’ Kids Play Center offers a safe and comfortable environment for families to enjoy. Their indoor playground offers a number of different activities for kids to try, allowing their imaginations to run wild!  Rockin’ Kids Play Center’s play area is designed to help children improve their fine motor skills and learn all while having fun.  Activities Offered:  Open play Private play time  Birthday parties  Pricing:  $20 for 1 kid, $30 for 2 kids, $45 for 3 kids, $55 for 4 kids and $60 for 5 kids.  Mom’s Group Play (5 moms or more): $15 per kid Free admission for parents and/or caregiver    Indoor Playgrounds in Roseville Looking for indoor playtime in Roseville? Check out:  Wacky Tacky BusyKids Play Town and Coffee Shop Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park   Indoor Playgrounds in Rancho Cordova Rancho Cordova also has some great indoor play ground options, like:  Rebounderz of course!  Little Angels Play Town Urban Air    Indoor Playgrounds in Elk Grove Indoor Playground options in Elk Grove include:  Rebounderz  Imagine Play Rockin’ Jump    Enjoy the Best Indoor Playground in Sacramento No matter the weather, your kids can still have a fun time indoors with the number of indoor playgrounds available in Sacramento. From unique games to imaginative play areas, there’s something for every kid to enjoy. Taking playtime indoors doesn’t have to be a bore!  Rebounderz Sacramento is one of the best for some indoor fun – it has the most activity options and is affordable too! There’s always something for everyone to enjoy at Rebounderz.  Come visit us today! #### 7+ Best Sacramento Trampoline Parks If you live in Northern California, you know that Sacramento is one of the best places to be. Sacramento offers plenty of things to do with the family. One of those things is trampoline parks! Kids love playing on trampolines. Sometimes as parents, having kids being able to take a break from their screens and get some real exercise outside or even inside is important.  Trampoline parks are a great way to challenge your body and have fun. They're also one of the best ways to get some exercise and enjoy time with your family. If you live in Sacramento, CA, you'll definitely want to check out all the best trampoline parks in the area.    Benefits of trampolines  A trampoline park is an indoor facility that has trampolines, foam pits, and other gymnastic equipment. Most of them have a large open space for jumping and flipping. Trampoline parks are popular among kids during their free time, but adults can enjoy them as well too! A trampoline park is a fun and healthy way to bond with your friends or family. The benefits of jumping on a trampoline include: Kids can burn off energy and get physical activity into their day while having fun with friends or family members. Improving your flexibility, reducing soreness after workouts by increasing blood flow throughout the body. Socialization with other parents and children at the trampoline parks. Increasing your core strength and balance, which can help reduce back pain and spinal injuries. Increasing cardiovascular health through increased heart rate, respiration levels and circulation of oxygenated blood throughout the body. So where can you get all those benefits? Let’s take a look!    Best Indoor Trampoline Parks in Sacramento   Rebounderz Sacramento Rebounderz Sacramento is Sacramento’s premier family entertainment facility and the ultimate trampoline park! Rebounderz offers a variety of activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging (but fun) Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  As a trampoline park, Rebounderz offers some of the best trampoline based activities out there! Their trampoline arena is truly impressive and kids of all ages will love being able to bounce, jump and flip on their floor AND wall trampolines!  The whole family can take part in activities, from toddlers to adults. Rebounderz offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer. They also have a terrific summer camp program to keep your children engaged and active.  And let’s not forget their parents night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of!  Activities Offered at Rebounderz Sacramento Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99 you can enjoy all-day admission to all of the activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento. This ticket also includes one 500-point arcade card, one free fresh popcorn, and one free ice cold fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99 you can enjoy two hours of all the activities offered.  Basic Ticket: For $24.99 you can enjoy one hour of all the activities offered.  Or, they offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all Rebounderz offerings!   Rockin' Jump You’ll find Rockin’ Jump outside of Sacramento in Elk Grove. Rockin’ Jump focuses on healthy movement and activity. It moves away from the traditional “gym” workout with jump arenas and dodgeball.  Activities Offered:  Trampoline arena Dodgeball arena Slam dunk zone X-Beam Stunt bag arena Vertigo climbing Pricing:  60 minute jump time: $18 90 minute jump time: $22 120 minute jump time: $24   Urban Air Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park is an indoor trampoline park where kids can jump, climb and play. They also have organized dodgeball leagues on the weekends, laser mazes for different ages and skill levels, mini golf and roller skating sessions for adults and kids alike. Urban Air offers diverse activities to keep your kids occupied all day long such as bumper cars, virtual reality games, climber wall, sky rider, and more. Activities Offered:  Battle beam Adventure hub Climbing walls Dodgeball Trampoline arena Dropzone Rope course Tumble track Sky rider Slam dunk zone Bumper cars Indoor playground Warrior course Pricing:  Deluxe: $20.99 Ultimate: $26.99 Platinum: $30.99 Children under 5: $11.99   Defy Defy is an extreme air sports park with stunt falls, zip lines, and wall trampolines. It’s designed to be a collection of extreme air sports that are rewriting the rules of sport to give communities a place where they’re free to express and push themselves. Defy’s ninja obstacle course is both challenging and fun for those ready to put their ninja skills to the test. Activities Offered:  Basketball Extreme dodgeball Battle beams High-end air track Stunt fall Zipline Wall tramp Trapeze and aerial silk Parkour Open jump Pricing:  Weekday passes: $24.99 for 90 min / $29.99 all day Weekend passes: $24.99 for 90 min / $34.99 all day Weekday 4 & under: $18.99 for 90 min / $22.99 all day Weekend 4 & under: $18.99 for 90 min / $26.99 all day   Additional Jumping Locations The following places aren’t necessarily trampoline parks, but you can still get your jump on and have some fun!    Bounce U Bounce U is an indoor inflatable bounce arena. It’s primarily a Sacramento birthday party venue but does offer a few family activities, like an Open Bounce night and a parents night out. There are various events available to check out online for more event details!  Activities offered: Open bounce Kids camp Cosmic glow  Mania bounce  Preschool playdate bounce Pricing: Pricing is not available on their website.   SET Gymnastics SET Gymnastics is a gymnastics training gym in Sacramento. With a focus on gymnastics, they also offer fitness training, rock climbing, and cheerleading instruction. While a step away from a trampoline park, SET Gymnastics offers children the opportunity to be active and learn some cool flips and other gymnastic skills that can be seen at a trampoline park. Pricing: Pricing is not listed on their website   JasTag JasTag is a laser tag facility in the Sacramento area. And while you can enjoy a challenge round of laser tag, there are a few other activities available to partake in as well. There is a small trampoline area, as well as climbing nets and walls and a ball pit to show off some more jumping skills. Activities: Laser tag Trampolines  Ball put Swings and slides Playground Rock climbing Pricing:  Fun in the jungle: $15 per person all day for playground area that includes trampolines  Laser tag: Mon-Thurs: $11.99/person/game, Fri-Sun: $12.99/person/game Laser maze: $6.99/person Bumper cars: $7.99/person for 5 minutes Enjoy the Best Sacramento Trampoline Park Trampoline parks are the ultimate family-friendly activity. They’re social, promote healthy physical activity, and are a great way to have some fun. One of the best parts of a trampoline park is that the majority of them are indoors, which gives kids a place to have fun without worrying about weather changes. Plus, parents have peace of mind that their kids play in a safe environment.  While Sacramento has a few options when it comes to trampoline parks, it’s easy to see why Rebounderz is the premier trampoline park with the number of activities available and the affordable price. It’s great value for everything they offer!  No matter your kid's age, there’s something for everyone in your family. To a designated toddler trampoline area to something more challenging like the rock climbing area, Rebounderz has you covered!  Join us at Rebounderz Sacramento today! #### 8 Healthy Foods for Kids Healthy kids are happy kids, but getting children to eat healthily can feel like pulling teeth. With that in mind, we’ve compiled eight of the best healthy foods you can include in your child’s diet, with some ideas for how to make them more palatable to picky eaters. At Rebounderz in Lansdale, we’re passionate about mixing fitness and fun for everyone. When you want to work up an appetite, come on in and start jumping in our incredibly safe trampoline park. We know it’ll be fun for the whole family! Without further ado, let’s get into some good food. -Flaxseed Packed with vital Omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed is a nutty plant food that is fantastic for developing brains. You can find it both whole and ground, though research has found that ground flaxseed is easier for the body to absorb. Flaxseed is incredibly versatile and can be added to many different dishes for a bit of added nutrition. Sprinkle some ground flaxseed onto some cereal or into a batter for sweet treats like waffles or pancakes for a great way to start the day. If you replace ¼ cup of flour with flaxseed in your kid’s favorite muffin, bread, or pancake recipe, it’s an easy way to add a healthy boost to baked goods. -Tofu You might laugh at the thought of your child eating tofu, but you’d be surprised what you can make with this healthy protein replacement. Use it as a creamy base for smoothies and ice cream to add nutrition to the sweet treats kids love. We’re willing to bet they won’t even notice it’s in there! Because tofu is a wonderful source of protein, B vitamins, calcium, and iron, it can be massively beneficial in helping your child grow and maintain healthy, strong bones. -Sweet Potato Even for kids that are notorious veggie haters, sweet potatoes can win over even the toughest critics. As one of the most nutritious and inexpensive vegetables out there, it’s easy to recommend adding these tubers to your meal plans. Sweet potatoes contain Vitamin A, which keeps eyes healthy and acts as an antioxidant in the body. Even babies are crazy for sweet potatoes thanks to their bright color and natural sweetness. Whether it’s a simple baked sweet potato with a little bit of cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top or a combination with regular potatoes for a delicious Two-Potato Mash, we’re sure everyone in your family will be on board with this delightful spud. -Yogurt When you hear the word bacteria, many of you likely cringe. Over many years, bacteria have been synonymous with getting sick, but there are good types of bacteria out there that can help you and your children be more healthy. Good bacteria, often referred to as probiotics, help to maintain stomach health. A fantastic source of probiotics is yogurt, though it’s important to note that not all yogurts are created equally. Avoid yogurts that are specifically marketed toward kids, as they are packed with added sugars and contain far less protein and probiotics than their grown-up counterparts. If your little one feels it might be too sour for their tastes, add in a little bit of natural honey and fresh fruit to get a dash of sweetness that might be more to their liking. When you’re on the hunt for yogurt, keep an eye out for the phrase “live and active cultures”, as this will be the indication that it has plenty of beneficial probiotics. As another bonus, most yogurts actually contain more calcium than a cup of milk. Who knew? -Mango When you want to switch up the typical fresh fruit routine, try some mango. This wonderful fruit can be used in so many ways, from an ingredient in a fresh salad to a healthy snack on its own. One cup of mango contains almost an entire day’s worth of Vitamin C, which is valuable to strengthening a child’s immune system, while also keeping their teeth and gums healthy. Toss it in a smoothie with some other fruit for a great drink on the go or make a delightful mango pudding for the perfect side dish. For those hot summer days, puree some peeled cubes of mango, pour it into popsicle molds or ice cube trays and freeze them for a few hours. Once they’ve hardened up, you’ve got a cool treat to beat the heat! While it may feel like an insurmountable task to get kids to eat healthily, all it takes it a little bit of ingenuity and creative thinking to help every meal be more nutritious. When you want to teach your children the value of fitness and being healthy, bring them to Rebounderz in Lansdale. Whether they’re bouncing from object to object on the exciting Ninja Warrior course or they’re holding their own dunk contest on the SlamBall court, we know your kids will have a blast while getting some exercise at the same time. We hope to see you soon!   #### 8 Tips To Help Kids Make New Year's Resolutions With Christmas in the rearview, New Year’s Day is coming up quick. Many people take this time to make goals or promises to themselves for self-improvement. However, New Year’s Resolutions don’t have to be relegated to the grown-ups as they toast their champagne. Starting around age seven is a great time for kids to start making their own resolutions. They’ll begin to have a better idea of what they’d like to change in their life at this point, and you can help them make smart decisions as far as their goals for the next year are concerned. We’ve gathered some ways that you can help your little ones make great resolutions for 2018. Call Rebounderz in Edison when you want to pursue your resolution of family fitness! -Set A Resolution Example Kids take a lot of cues for how to act from their parents. Because of this, it’s important that you set resolutions that you not only believe in, you actually actively pursue. This is a great way to teach kids about long-term goal making, but if you give up after a month or two, it will show them that they can give up too. That means you may need to set more reasonable resolutions that you can achieve. Sit down with your kids to discuss resolutions and let them know what yours are. Give them examples of how you are going to pursue this resolution (i.e. eating healthier means less fast food, etc.) Instilling good habits when pursuing goals is something that doesn’t just affect New Year’s Resolutions; it can have a positive effect throughout the year, both at home and school. When children see goals set and achieved, it shows them what work ethic and drive can do for them. This will also give them a sense of responsibility and control over their actions that can have long-lasting effects as they get older. -Stay Positive About Your Resolutions We know sticking to a resolution is hard, and it’s easy to get down on yourself when you struggle to achieve what you want. But making a resolution is an exciting time and you should be positive about it. You’ve made a decision to improve some aspect of your life! Staying confident about your goal as you work towards it is just another way you can set a good example for your kiddos. When they see how you react to a setback, they learn behaviors that can carry into adulthood. By showing them a positive outlook in the face of a speed bump, it will give them a better drive toward their own goals so they don’t feel like giving up. It’s important to stay positive about past resolutions as well. Failure is a part of everyone’s life, but dwelling on a misstep only breeds negative feelings about any future goals as well. At the end of the year, have a family meeting where you discuss the previous year’s resolutions, find the positive that came out of it, and look at where improvement could be made for the next year’s goals. Once you’ve covered what was accomplished in the past, everyone will be able to set resolutions that are realistic. -Don’t Give Your Children Resolutions When a goal is made by someone other than the person that is going to pursue it, that goal is less likely to be achieved. It’s hard to be committed to a resolution you didn’t choose for yourself. That’s because goals and resolutions are about self-improvement, so they have to come from within. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t help point your children in the right direction with their resolutions. Give them broad categories — personal, friendship, or school,— and see what they would like to improve in those areas. You can also help them narrow things down with some helpful questions. Ask if there are things they could do better or differently. Discuss behaviors and habits they may want to change. See if they want to improve how they treat others. Being better at sharing is a great goal for little ones, especially those with siblings. -Keep Resolutions Reasonable When we look at improving ourselves, it’s easy to end up with a laundry list full of goals and tasks. That can be overwhelming for anyone, especially kids. Limiting the number of resolutions will keep everything much more manageable, and make it easier to track progress as well. Keeping it to two or three resolutions is perfect to start with. As they write down their resolutions on a piece of paper, help them make sure they are age appropriate and realistically achievable. Ensure these goals are specific and manageable because if you have to adjust your goal every couple of months, the original goal will be lost, as will the progress that has been made. -Build To Bigger Resolutions Responsibility and a disciplined work ethic are two of the most impactful skills a child can learn. To help them learn those skills, start their goals off with easily achievable steps. When a step is completed, they will gain a sense of accomplishment that fuels their drive to achieve more. Studies say it takes about six weeks for a habit to take hold, so breaking a resolution down into six smaller steps can help make a larger task feel much more feasible. Take a broad resolution like, “I will help more around the house”. After that, add a specific step for how to do that, such as making the bed every morning. Zeroing in on an exact way to achieve the resolution makes the task at hand understandable, even for a little kid. -Touch Base But Don’t Police Resolutions As the year progresses, check in with your kid to see where they’re at with their resolutions. This isn’t a situation that requires punishment, so don’t pester or scold them if they miss a day or hit a roadblock. Take vacations into consideration, as it’s easy to let everyday routines go by the wayside when you aren’t home or in your normal situation. Help them understand that you know how difficult this is, but reinforce the thought that they can actually do this if they stick with it. See if there are particular issues standing in their way and help them find ways to overcome them. Placing the list of family resolutions in a prominent spot, like in the kitchen, will help everyone keep them in mind when they can get lost in the shuffle of a busy life. If you put them on a whiteboard, it can also be a place where milestones can be tracked, such as how many days the table has been set for dinner. When you can see a number displaying progress, it makes it feel more tangible than if you try to keep track in your brain. It will also give you an idea when a resolution may need to be adjusted. Touch base every month or so to see what improvement has been made so everyone can stay on track. -Make Resolutions For The Whole Family Resolutions don’t have to be solely individual things. When a family makes a group resolution, it brings them together as they work toward a common goal. Family resolutions can be anything from volunteering for a charity to visiting the grandparents more often. These goals are a great way to strive for overall family kindness and positivity. It can be easy to let the negativity of the world bring you down, but when you band together in an effort to put love and respect into the universe, everyone is happier as a result. -Make Resolutions A Family Tradition Holidays carry many traditions that are brought along from year to year. By making resolutions a tradition, you’re making self-improvement a consistent goal for the whole family. However, it doesn’t have to be a dour or boring event. Great traditions are ones that engage all five of your senses. Play festive music the whole family enjoys, eat some holiday cookies, and light a nice smelling candle or drink some cocoa or cider. To engage touch and sight, add a physical object that can symbolize the resolution, like a snowglobe of a destination the family would like to return to. Families can feel pretty segmented nowadays with the intrusion of electronic devices. Make resolution time phone-free so everyone is fully engaged in the activity. New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be stressful! Not only can resolutions help you educate your kids on good habits, they can be a great way to bring a family closer together during the holidays. Keep resolutions manageable, take them on in small chunks, make them into habits, and track everyone’s improvement as the year progresses. Make resolutions feel like a fresh start for the next year so everyone can start off on the right foot. If you or your little ones want to make fitness a resolution for 2018, call Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Edison today! We’ve got exercise classes and the safest trampolines around so it’s fun for the whole family. We hope to see you soon! #### 8 Ways to Help Your Kid Succeed in School At Rebounderz Trampoline Park, we’re passionate about providing a fun and safe environment for children to exercise and play. While our focus is on fitness, your child’s development at school is equally important. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the best ways you can help your child succeed in school. When you’re looking for a great way to let your little one decompress after a long day of school, bring them into Rebounderz here in Edison! We know they’ll love our foam pit and Ninja Warrior course. -Meet With Your Child’s Teacher Typically, the best time to do this is at the beginning of the school year. Meeting with your child’s teacher will help you get an idea of what will be covered through the year. Let the teacher know you want to help your child succeed. Ask them to contact you if any problems develop with your child so you can get involved. When you create a strong partnership with your child’s teacher, you can work together to help your child find success and a love of education. Don’t stop with just the teacher though; get to know as much of the staff at the school as you can. That will also help you be more comfortable with the learning environment they will be spending every day in. -Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences After you’ve built a partnership with your child’s teacher, it’s important you attend parent-teacher conferences to touch base and get an idea of how your child is progressing. This is also a great opportunity to speak to your child in conjunction with their teacher, which can help them understand what they’re doing well with and what they need to work on. Take this chance to gauge your child’s comfort level with different subjects they are working and what they’re finding the most interesting. When you know what is connecting with your child, you and their teacher can help foster that interest. -Visit the School and Its Website When you know what the layout of your child’s school looks like, you’re able to connect with your child as they tell you about the events of the day. Most schools or school districts have consistently updated websites with information regarding lunch schedules, testing dates, days without school, and upcoming events like class field trips. That will help you keep track of what’s going on in the day-to-day of school, which means you can remind your child of important events they need to prepare for. Many teachers have begun to update websites with homework information and supplemental learning, so it can be a very valuable resource for both you and your child. -Set and Support Homework Expectations When your child is going through elementary school, they are learning study habits that they will need to succeed throughout their schooling. Additionally, this teaches them a sense of responsibility and work ethic that can extend past the classroom. Ensure your child knows the importance of their homework and that they should make it a priority. Provide them with a well-lit, quiet, distraction-free space to study in. It’s recommended you set a start and end time to work on homework every night so they have a defined schedule to get their work done during. When your child gets in the practice of handling their homework every night, they’re less likely to fall behind in school. It’s important that you’re available to them during their study time to provide advice, interpret assignment instructions, and review the completed work. However, you will need to resist the urge to give them the correct answers or complete the assignments yourself. Help them reach the correct answers on their own. Not only does that give them the knowledge to handle a test where you won’t be present, they’ll gain a sense of accomplishment when they’re able to answer correctly. They’ll also learn the value of making mistakes and how to correct them. -Send Your Child to School Ready to Learn One of the most important pieces when it comes to helping your child be successful is starting off the day with a nutritious breakfast. When a kid has a good breakfast in the morning, they will have more energy and be more attentive in school. This is absolutely vital to helping them do well in school, as they will be ready to listen and apply what they are learning without a rumbling stomach to distract them. Your child will also have better health, which means fewer trips to the nurse’s office and fewer days spent absent from school. The other factor you need to consider is how much sleep your child is getting on a nightly basis. School-age kids typically need somewhere between ten and twelve hours of sleep a night in order to have enough energy to get through the school day. When a child doesn’t get enough sleep, they can become irritable or hyper, which makes it difficult for them to properly pay attention to what is being taught in class. Establish a consistent bedtime routine and remove tempting diversions like TV, video games, and internet access to help them fall asleep on time. -Develop Organizational Skills Something that both kids and adults struggle with is staying organized. Help your child develop these skills early on and they’ll carry them on into adulthood. When your child is organized, they’ll have their homework in order, understand what needs to be accomplished for the day, and overall have a better grasp on their surroundings and responsibilities. That will ensure papers that need to come home don’t get left at school. Teach your child how to use a calendar or daily planner so they can lay out what needs to be done on a daily basis. Show them how to make a to-do list so they can prioritize activities in the proper order. Nobody was born with great organizational skills; they have to be taught, practiced, and refined to fit what works for each person. Set up a box for papers that need to be signed or reviewed, another for graded papers and report cards, and one for papers that can be recycled or are otherwise no longer needed. -Familiarize Yourself With the School Code of Conduct The school will detail their code of conduct and disciplinary policies within the student handbook. Included will be information about attendance, cheating, violence, and bullying. When you have an exact frame of reference for what the school’s policies are, you’ll be able to provide advice to your child when a strange situation comes up. It will also help you keep them on a well-behaved path to avoid getting into trouble. Review the code of conduct with your child so you’re both on the same page regarding what is expected of them in school. -Get Involved Throughout the school year, there will be many opportunities to volunteer for school events. When your child attends one of these events that you’re volunteering at, it can make them more comfortable with a potentially strange and new activity they haven’t encountered before. However, not every child appreciates having their parents around, as they can feel embarrassed about it. If that’s the case, you can take a more behind-the-scenes approach to your volunteering. Let them know you’re not trying to spy on them and that you’re just trying to do your part to help the school community. Whether you’re being a classroom helper, chaperoning a field trip, or attending school board meetings, getting involved will be a great help to your child, their teacher, and the school as a whole. The school website will usually have a list of volunteering opportunities that you can reference. Ask your child what they would be comfortable with you helping with so they have some input in this activity. There are so many ways that you can help your child succeed in school, but we hope these help you get started on the right pathway. You’re giving your kid the tools to succeed not only right now in elementary school but through college and adulthood. Organization, work ethic, and getting proper nutrition and sleep can help no matter what age you are. If you want a great, safe place to get your kids active and moving, bring them into Rebounderz here in Edison! Whether they’re bouncing around in the trampoline park, safely diving into the foam pit, or running and jumping on the Ninja Warrior course, we know there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We hope to see you here soon! #### 9 Tips for Preparing Your Child For School While there’s still some time left to enjoy summer vacation, the school year is just around the corner. Whether you have a little one getting ready for their first year in school or you have a kiddo that’s a bit older but still apprehensive, there are things you can do to help them get the most out of their time in class. Today, we’re going to take a look at some tips for preparing your child for school. If you want to give your kid a fun and safe place to play before summer is up, come to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Sunrise. -Schedule Before starting school, a kid’s day is pretty freeform, and the same goes for summer. When your child is getting ready to start school, it’s important you teach them how to follow their schedule, when school starts and ends, and any other important activities they’ll need to be aware of. -Feelings School can be overwhelming and scary. Your child will be spending a lot of time with other kids they might not have ever met before. This makes it important to check in with how they are feeling about the situation. Ask what they’re excited about, what they’re scared of, what they’re hopeful about. This gives you a chance to assuage any fears they might have so they can walk in on their first day with confidence. -Explore Take an opportunity to visit the school with your child before the school year officially starts. Meet with their teacher, explore the grounds, get a good idea of the layout of important places. This will help your child feel more comfortable about going to school when they have a chance to see it when it's not filled with other kids. Some schools hold open house hours for this purpose. -Positivity While you may have your own apprehension about not being able to spend as much time with your little one as you once could, it’s important to stay positive when talking about it with your child. Focus on how much fun it will be, bring up how many new friends they’ll be able to make, tell them about how much they’ll be able to learn. If you focus on the negativity it can give your child anxiety about starting school — that won’t help them at all. -Nerves Let your child know it’s okay to be nervous about the first day of school. Your kid will be in the same position as all the other kids — starting an entirely new experience in their lives. It’s totally normal to have first-day jitters. Your child should know that all kids are nervous about starting school, but it’s nothing to be afraid of. -Lunch When you’re packing your child’s lunch, leave a little note in their lunchbox letting them know you’re thinking of them. This can provide a nice sense of comfort to keep them going when they hit the halfway mark of their first day. It’s also nice to pack in some of their favorite snacks so they have another source of comfort during the day. -Reassure With how scary the idea of school can be when you’re first starting out, there are many anxious thoughts that can creep in. Give your child reassurance that if any problems come up at school, you’ll be there to help them get resolved. However, don’t create hypothetical problems for them to think about, as that can cause them to worry over nothing. -Friends If it’s possible, it’s a great idea to have your child spend some time with one of their classmates before the school year starts. Not only does this give them a friend to start the year with, it also gives you a chance to help them get used to socializing with kids outside of the family. -After-School Depending on your individual situation, you may not be able to pick your child up right after school. Find out what activities are available for your child to participate in after they get done with class. This is another great opportunity for them to socialize with their new classmates. The first day of school can be nerve-wracking for kids and parents alike. Hopefully, these tips help make the big day a little easier for everyone. For a great place to beat the heat before the summer ends, come to Rebounderz here in Sunrise! #### 9+ Top Indoor Sports Arenas in Sacramento Sacramento residents know that California’s capital offers endless fun activities for kids, families, couples, and large groups. Not sure where to spend your next family outing? Why not try some indoor recreation? Rebounderz is one of many indoor sports arenas in Sacramento, so your family has no shortage of venues to choose between. So what’s your jam? Soccer? Basketball? Obstacle courses? Whatever it is, Sacramento–and this article–has it covered.    Best Indoor Sports Arenas in Sacramento Keep reading to learn more about Sacramento’s premier indoor sports arenas!   Rebounderz Rebounderz Sacramento is the standout indoor sports arena in Sacramento. Rebounderz offers a variety of family-friendly athletic activities including trampoline jumping, basketball slam, and a challenging (but fun) Ninja Warrior Obstacle course.  The Rebounderz membership program allows guests to enjoy reduced prices while still enjoying all of the fun experiences available at Rebounderz. Rebounderz also features a first-rate summer camp program to keep your kids active and occupied throughout the summer.  Rebounderz’ Parents’ Night Out program gives parents a chance to relax while their kids have fun. Parents leave their kids with friendly and attentive Rebounderz staff members for the evening so they can enjoy some “me-time” with the assurance that their kids are watched over (and having an amazing night)! Activities Offered: Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi-Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Pricing: Ultimate ticket: For $34.99 you can enjoy all-day admission to all of the activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento. This ticket also includes one 500-point arcade card, one free fresh popcorn, and one free fountain drink. Premium Ticket: For $29.99 you can enjoy two hours of all the activities offered.  Basic Ticket: For $24.99 you can enjoy one hour of all the activities offered.  Or, try the affordable membership options at $14.99/month for Basic and $19.99/month for ultimate unlimited! Check out all of Rebounderz Sacramento offerings.   Sacramento Sports Center Sacramento Sports Center gives the next generation of baseball talent a place to hone their skills with data-driven, individualized coaching. SSC’s coaching staff works with children and adolescents aged 9 and up, and boasts a competitive travel baseball team.  Activities Offered:  Travel Ball Program  High School Program Private Instruction Pricing: Contact SSC for specific pricing information.   Defy Sacramento Defy Sacramento is a good choice for adventurous types: the complex specializes in adrenaline-pumping recreational activities like parkour, stunt falls, zip lines, and more. Defy Sacramento also has plenty of choices for guests seeking a more traditional indoor sports experience. For example, the building houses a full-sized basketball court–one that includes trampolines, in case you want to spice up your dunking routine.  Activities Offered:  Basketball Battle Beams Extreme Dodgeball High-End Air Track Kid Jump Ninja Course Open Jump Parkour Stunt Fall Trapeze and Aerial Skills Wall Tramp Zip Line Pricing:  Standard pass (90 minutes): $24.99 during the weekend and $18.99 on weekdays All-day pass: $29.99 during the weekend and $22.99 on weekdays   California Family Fitness, Rocklin Sports Complex The Cal Fit Rocklin Sports Complex gives individual athletes and established teams alike a space to compete for sports glory or just to have some active fun. The 78,000 square foot arena includes two astroplay grass soccer fields and two hardwood NCAA regulation-sized basketball courts that can be converted into four volleyball courts.  Rocklin Sports Complex is also a great spot for team parties and sports-focused birthday parties.   Activities Offered:  Adult Soccer Youth Soccer Play Dates Basketball Volleyball Clinics Field and Court Rentals Birthday Parties Team Parties Pricing:  Adult Soccer: $400/$775 per team Youth Soccer: $605/$705 per team Volleyball: $255/$295 per team Birthday Parties (Sports Package): 1 hour of choice of 1-2 sports priced at $230 for members and $280 for non-members Birthday Parties (Super Sports Package): 90 minutes of up to 3 sports priced at $250 for members and $300 for non-members  Team Parties: prices start at $195 Pro-Rated pricing for other sports and activities.    Le Five US As the name hints, Le Five US puts a twist on the typical soccer experience by limiting teams to five players, giving each participant a much bigger impact on the game (and quite a workout!) Their Sacramento and Rancho Cordova facilities also include sports bars so visitors can enjoy drinks and a meal after the game or while watching their friends and family play.  Activities Offered:  Adult and Youth Pick-Up Games Leagues Adult and Youth Tournaments Youth Training and Camps Birthday Parties, Team Parties, and Corporate Events Pricing:  Pick-Up Games: $10 Field Rentals: $60 per 30-minute increment Leagues: $550 for youths, $650 for adults Indoor Soccer Party: $240 for 8 Partiers + $5 per added partier (Up to 18 partiers) - 1 Field, $400 for 19 Partiers + $5 per added partier (Up to 28 partiers) - 2 Fields, $600 for 29 Partiers + $5 per added partier - 3 Fields Bubble Soccer Party:  $300 for 8 Partiers + $5 per added partier (Up to 18 partiers) - 1 Bubble Field, $460 for 19 Partiers + $5 per added partier (Up to 28 partiers) - 1 Bubble Field + 1 Soccer Field, $660 for 29 Partiers + $5 per added partier - 1 Bubble Field + 2 Soccer Fields Contact Le Five US directly for detailed information regarding corporate event formats and pricing.   XOSO Sport and Social League XOSO Sport and Social League caters to young professionals looking to make new friends and build lasting social connections through sports and other indoor (and some outdoor) athletic activities. Whether you’re new to the Sacramento community and trying to find your people, or a member or a team captain searching for new opponents, XOSO has something for you. XOSO members also qualify for discounts and other perks from participating Sacramento businesses.  Activities Offered:  Volleyball Bocce Ball Kickball Bowling Cornhole Flag Football Fitness Classes Softball Ultimate Frisbee Corporate Events Group Volunteering Opportunities Pricing: Corporate events costs and individual player and team registration fees vary by sport, team size, and league. You’ll have to contact XOSO or check their website for details.   Rio Del Oro Sports Club Operating under the Spare Time Sports Clubs umbrella, Rio Del Oro Sports Club provides the Sacramento community a one-stop-shop to work out, participate in fitness classes, and compete in several different indoor sporting activities. Want to get in better shape but not sure where to start? Let one of Rio Del Oro’s personal trainers show you the ropes. Activities Offered:  Fitness Center Group Exercise Classes Tennis Swimming Pickleball Yoga Children’s Classes Social Events Pricing: You’ll have to contact a Spare Time Sports Club manager for membership details.   The Capital Athletic Club Located in downtown Sacramento, The Capital Athletic Club is a conveniently situated all-purpose fitness and sports complex. In walking distance of some of Sacramento’s most notable historical landmarks, The Capital Athletic Club is home to competitive basketball, volleyball, racquetball, and handball leagues.  Activities Offered:  Fitness Center Group Fitness Classes Swimming Basketball Volleyball Racquetball/Handball League Sports Pricing: You’ll have to contact The Capital Athletic Club with membership cost inquiries.   Sacramento Pipeworks Looking for an indoor sports experience that’s a bit different from the usual volleyball, basketball, and more? You can try Sacramento Pipeworks rock-climbing adventure! Regardless of whether you’re a novice or an experienced climber, Pipeworks has you covered. Choose between rope-climbing, lead-climbing, and bouldering, or enroll in a climbing class to learn the ropes. (Pun intended.)  Activities Offered:  Rock Climbing Rock Climbing with Kids Rock Climbing Classes Fitness Center Fitness Classes Youth Programs Pricing:  Day pass: $30 Kids day pass (ages 12 and under): $25 Early bird day pass: $25 Access to Climbing (ATC) Day Pass: $10 Pipeworks offers a variety of membership tiers: Follow this link for more details.   More Sports Stadiums in Sacramento Spectating can be just as much fun as competing and luckily, Sacramento has plenty of collegiate and professional sports arenas where you, your friends, and your family can catch a game.   Home to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, downtown Sacramento’s Golden One Center was honored as the 2017 Sports Facility of the Year by Sports Business Journal, and in 2021 was ranked the sixth-best sports stadium in the world by Pollstar.  Baseball enthusiasts might want to plan a visit to Sutter Health Park, home base for the San Francisco Giants AA affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats. Prefer college sports? Hornet Stadium hosts Sacramento State Track and Field and football matches.    Play at the Best Indoor Sports Arena in Sacramento Even lovely Northern California sometimes suffers spells of bad weather, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay cooped up at home. There’s no shortage of great indoor activities in Sacramento – with the best indoor sports arenas at the top of that list! Rebounderz Sacramento is without question the absolute best spot in the city to find those activities. Perfect for kid-friendly family outings, Rebounderz also offers fun for the whole family. Plan your visit today! #### A Beginner’s Guide to Trampoline Fun So you’re going to the trampoline park—lucky you! If you have never been to an indoor trampoline arena and never experienced the magic of Rebounderz, you may not know what to expect. If you have been invited to Rebounderz for a birthday party we are excited for your first visit, and know you will love your experience! We want to prepare you for your first visit so that you have the most fun possible, so read on for some great information! Who Can Jump? Really, anyone who wants to! We welcome all ages (although our littlest guests may prefer our toddler time-read about it below) to jump and have fun. Rebounderz wants to be a space that caters to kids, teens, and adults, and to show everyone how fun it is to JUMP! Sign a Waiver This one is really important, and if you are a parent dropping off your kids, you need to know this before you go! Rebounderz requires all jumpers under the age of 18 to have a liability waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian, and a government-issued ID must be used and presented at the front desk. If you are bringing your child to a birthday party, make sure their waiver is completed before you leave! Wear Something Comfortable You want to wear clothes that will move with you, be breathable, and keep you cool. You will definitely work up a sweat on the trampoline, and you will be bouncing all over, so belt buckles, jewelry, and even a lot of buttons or snaps can be uncomfortable. Good choices of clothing include athletic wear, yoga pants, sweat pants, and loose t-shirts and shorts. Wear Socks Rebounderz requires you to wear our special jump socks in order to use our equipment. Don’t worry, they are reusable! Socks help keep the arena clean, and everyone safe. You can purchase socks when you arrive. Follow the Rules Wait, rules? I thought this was fun! The rules we have in place ensure that you have as much fun as possible, so follow them to maximize your visit! Your pockets need to be empty before you jump—no keys, phones, or anything else that could fall out or poke you. No gum on the tramps, we don’t want any choking or sticky messes! Along with gum, no food or drink—but feel free to enjoy those at our tables! Following these basic rules keeps the environment clean and safe, and helps everyone enjoy the jumping. Practice It’s jumping—how hard could it be? Bouncing is easy and intuitive, but it is good to get a few practice bounces in before you start trying new moves. Learning how to stop jumping, how to not bounce toward the edge, and how high you go with each bounce. Giving yourself a few minutes to get ready will start you off on the right foot...or, bounce! Listen to the Referees Our referees are our friendly staff who monitor the jump areas and remind bouncers of safety tips. There are a few guidelines that may not be intuitive to jumpers, and the referees can help you know how to bounce. There is no laying on the bounce area (you might get squished!), no double bouncing (someone’s always unhappy about this one!), no double flips, no wall flips, and no running. The referees know how to keep the bounce area safe while making sure everyone is having fun, so be sure to listen to them! Listen to Your Body While a trampoline park allows you to do moves that you never could on solid ground, it does not make you invincible. Stay within the range of moves that are comfortable for you, and increase your skill gradually so you don’t get hurt. Everyone has different abilities, so don’t try a super flip just because your friend can do one. Stay Aware This goes for both adults and kids—be aware of your surroundings! Your flip might be amazing, but if you are landing on another jumper someone could get hurt. Before you attempt a move, look around to see who is nearby. Staying aware will keep you safe and keep you connected to the group you came with. Know About Toddler Time Every Tuesday, Rebounderz has a dedicated time for our littlest jumpers to ensure the stay safe and have the most fun they can! Toddlers can become overwhelmed and even scared when they jump with a lot of older teens and adults, and their experience will be more enjoyable surrounded by their peers. Every Tuesday from 12-2pm we welcome children two to six years old to join in the jumping fun! Discover Dodgeball Again Dodgeball might be a thing of your childhood, but at Rebounderz we are bringing it back better than ever! Dodge, dip, duck, dive, and dodge your way to success in one of our most popular games! What is more fun than evading a dodgeball with a jump? When you ninja-flip over a ball and miss it by less than an inch! Many older jumpers love the dodgeball part of our trampoline arena and the fierce competition that can ensue. Start a team with your friends and let the dodging begin! Air Basketball Have you ever wanted to feel like an NBA pro slam-dunking your way to a win? Our Basketball Slam lets you do just that, and you can experience what it feels like to get some serious air. The padded rim and soft ball keep this activity totally safe, and the height can be adjusted. Feel like a superstar! The Number One Rule… Are you ready for this, the number one rule is to HAVE FUN! That is what Rebounderz was designed for, and when you follow our tips and tricks you will maximize your experience with us and have a blast. Having fun is what we do best, and we can’t wait to share that fun with you! Whether you want to slam dunk, start a dodgeball game, or just practice your flips to perfection, you are able to do a variety of different activities, all of which are designed for fun. Are you ready for your visit? If you have been invited to a birthday party at Rebounderz in Newport News, are taking the family there for a fun-filled evening, or are planning a team-building exercise, knowing what to expect will help you be safe, be aware, and most of all, have FUN! #### A Brief History of American Ninja Warrior Why do we love the television show American Ninja Warrior? For some of us, it’s about watching a group of skilled athletes pushing their minds and bodies to the limit. For others, it’s about seeing new fiendishly difficult changes in the Ninja Warrior course. For still others, it’s because watching people slip and fall into muddy water is really, really funny. Here at Rebounderz, we’re big fans. So much so that our Grand Rapids and Rohnert Park locations feature Ninja Warrior courses, so that kids and adults alike can test their mettle on the way to achieving total victory. With 8 seasons and no signs of stopping, American Ninja Warrior continues to go strong. Read on, and we’ll share a little information about the show. What Is American Ninja Warrior? Essentially, it’s an American spin-off of the wildly popular Japanese TV series Sasuke. Competitors must make their way through 4 increasingly difficult obstacle courses. Victory depends entirely on the contestant’s strength, speed, agility, and intelligence. Debuting in 2009, the course is located in Las Vegas. It’s very similar to the design of the original course located in Yokohama, Japan. The 4 stages contestants must overcome are: A series of obstacles built over water that are designed to test agility and speed. This stage is timed, and competitors have 2 minutes and 20 seconds to complete it in order to advance to the next stage. If a competitor fails to meet the time or falls into the water, they are disqualified. The second stage has more of an emphasis on upper-body challenges. Competitors are timed and go up against obstacles like the Salmon Ladder, where they must hold onto a metal bar and use arm strength to "leap" up a ladder without falling. Stage 3 is far tougher, and the various challenges are mostly based upon grip strength and swinging using upper body strength. Unlike the other stages, this stage has no time limit. Stage 4 is Mount Midoriyama, a 75-foot high rope climb. Competitors have just 30 seconds to reach the top and hit a red buzzer. Eligibility The original Japanese version was a cult hit in the United States, so much so that when American Ninja Warrior premiered, only 1,000 people attempted to try out. Things are very different, and in 2016’s season 8, over 70,000 men and women applied to tackle the course. Think you have what it takes? In order to participate, you need to be a legal resident of the United States, and at least 21 years old. Next, you’ll need to complete a 20-page questionnaire, and submit a video about yourself. Applicants have tried out all across the United States, in regions like Denver, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Baltimore, San Antonio, and St. Louis. In each region, the producers of the show will select 100 people to take part in the regional qualifier. The top 15 finishers from each city move on to the national competition in Las Vegas. Cash prizes are awarded for the top 3 quickest competitors, and they are generally between $1,000-$5,000. But what happens if you manage to make it to Vegas and win it all atop Mt. Midoriyama? You’ll have some serious bragging rights, along with $1 million to take home. #### A Brief History of Ninja Warrior The television series Ninja Warrior has become a global sensation. It’s programming that virtually any family and family member can enjoy, and the series has been going strong for 20 years and has spawned an American version. We get the appeal, and as a matter of fact, our sister location in Rohnert Park, California features a Ninja Warrior course, and the Rebounderz in Grand Rapids has one coming soon! What Is Ninja Warrior? Developed in Japan in 1997, the show is known there as Sasuke. It’s filmed in Yokohama at Midoriyama Studios. Every year, a special is aired that runs about 3 hours. Ordinarily, 100 competitors compete with each other to complete a 4 stage obstacle course. The various stages are: A series of obstacles built over water that are designed to test the participant’s strength, speed, and agility. This stage is timed, and competitors must complete it within 2 minutes and 20 seconds to advance to the next stage. If a competitor fails to meet the time or falls into the water, they are disqualified. The second stage also tests speed and strength, but this stage has more of an emphasis on upper-body challenges. Competitors go up against challenges like the Salmon Ladder, where they must hold onto a metal bar and use strength to leap up a “ladder” without falling. This stage also is timed. Stage 3 is progressively more difficult, and the various challenges are mostly based around grip strength and swinging. Unlike the other stages, this stage has no time limit. Stage 4 is a rope climb that’s 75 feet high. Competitors must get to the top and hit a red buzzer within 30 seconds. Competitors Over the years, hundreds of men and women have attempted to tackle the fiendishly difficult courses. While most of them are Japanese, there have also been competitors from other countries such as China, Bulgaria, Korea, and the United States. A wide variety of individuals have tried the course, from celebrities, athletes, and regular people that have opted to dress up in unique and bizarre costumes. A few of the more memorable contestants are: Kazuhiko Akiyama has participated 20 times and was able to beat the entire course during the 4th year. Formerly a crab fisherman, Akiyama was forced to retire in 2012 due to a persistent vision problem known as degenerative retinosis. Makoto Nagano has participated 26 times, reached the final course 5 times, and was the second person to beat the entire course during the 17th year. Nagano was a fishing boat captain in the off-season and officially retired in 2016. Toshihiro Takeda was originally a firefighter and became well-known due to his habit of wearing orange firefighter pants while competing. He has participated 26 times so far, and he has reached the third stage more often than any other person. Shingo Yamamoto is the only competitor in the series history to never miss a competition. A gas station manager in the off-season, he always competes wearing an Esso/Mobil shirt and hat. Bunpei Shiratori works in Japan’s Health and Service Department when he isn’t competing. Highly dedicated, he built a functional course in his backyard for training purposes, and despite persistent back and neck pains, continues to train. Katsumi Yamada was a former steelworker, and the show’s producers were so sure he would be the first to complete the course that he gained the nickname “Mr. Sasuke.” He competed 27 times, has retired 3 times, and come out of retirement. He was barred from the show but may return for the 20th anniversary in 2017. #### A History of Kid’s Party Games Part 2 A History of Playing Games In the first part of our blog series we demonstrated how play is vital for a child in many ways, both physical and mental. Playing with others their age allows them to learn how to communicate with others and learn the technique of conflict resolve. Games are typically played at birthday parties because they inspire joy and laughter. In this blog, we will continue to delve deep into the rich history of humanity’s favorite childhood-games. Bobbing for Apples Though you might think the game, “Bobbing for Apples” is an old game, it is a lot older than you might think. For example, Bobbing for Apples can be traced back to the Ancient Romans! In fact, the game can be found as far back as when the Romans first invaded Britain. The game was actually a combination of the two cultures: Roman and Celtic. Originally, “Dooking” was found in United Kingdom. When the Roman invaded they took on the celebratory game and added apples. After the game was widely enjoyed, it developed into a tradition in the Roman Empire during their annual celebrations. The tradition was that young unmarried people would try to bite into a barrel full of water and apples. The first to bite into an apple would be the next one allowed to marry. Later, in Ireland, the Celtic traditions believed that if you caught an apple and slept with it under your pillow, you would dream of your future spouse. Today, the game has changed to be innocent. Instead of a game to determine marriages or spouses, it is an innocent game to determine who is the best at bobbing for apples! Although this game was once extremely popular, today, the game is not as popular — for a few important reasons. For one, Bobbing for Apples can be a dangerous game if more than two people are searching for apples. But how? Well, in older versions of the game, players were blindfolded and bound in order to prevent cheating. However, depending on the age of the children playing, they are more prone to accidental drowning or suffocating. Second, because Bobbing for Apples requires multiple parties diving their faces into water, sanitary issues have arisen in the past. Because of these two reasons, Bobbing for Apples has become less popular at modern-day birthday parties. Egg and Spoon Race The earliest recording of the games was documented in September of 1894. The game was originally used as a game during the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Specifically Egg and Spoon Races were seen during 1897, which was the height of their popularity. At this time, due to the mass immigration to America, many have claimed that the game started in the New World. However, this is untrue, as documented evidence has identified England as its origin. However, since so many English ancestors migrated all over the world, this game became widespread. In the original days of the game, it was constructed by carrying a wooden egg on a wooden spoon. Only in modern times was the egg changed to a raw egg. The object of the game is simple; try to win a race with an egg on a spoon. Though seemingly easy, this game is dependent on balance and patience. If you try to run with the egg, you will drop it and lose. However, with patience and cautious steps, you should win. The Egg and Spoon game is a perfect way to teach patience and wisdom. Egg and Spoon games once were allowed in school. However, due to salmonella scares and accidental ingestion of the egg’s contents, parents, as well as the schools, forbid students from participating in the games on school grounds. However, the game doesn’t always have to be played with a raw egg. Wooden eggs are easily obtainable and make the game even more of a challenge. Tug of War The game “Tug of War” dates back as far as Ancient Egypt. In fact, in almost all Ancient cultures, such as Burma, India, Japan, Korea, and South America, there is some variation of this game. Though all these cultures play this game, they used different ways of performing the game. In Ancient Egypt, the game was played with two central players tugging on each others arms, with the help of their teammates behind them. In Greece during 500 BC, the Olympics featured this type of man-on-man sport. During that time however, the game was seen as physical training for battle with neighboring countries. In the Olympic Games from 1900 to 1920, Tug of War was featured as an actual competitive sport. In this version, however, there was a rope that conjoined both teams. The object of the game was to pull the rope hard enough, to where the opposite team would be pulled over the boundary line. The last team to win the gold medal for Tug of War was Great Britain in 1920. The game was discontinued from the Olympics but was carried on through a separate Tug of War Association. Rebounderz At Rebounderz, we encourage physical activity for children, by offering them a place to play at their heart’s content. Our indoor trampoline parks are a great place to bring your children and celebrate their birthday. If you are interested in giving your child the best place to enjoy their birthday, Rebounderz would be it! #### A History of the Ninja America is as fascinated with the concept of the ninja as they are with the samurai, cowboy, and other iconic figures. This is especially evident in the popularity of the show American Ninja Warrior, based off a Japanese show called Ninja Warrior. We love cheering on American ninjas on the big screen, and we even do our part to help them train with our Grand Rapids ninja warrior course. But ninjas predate America by a good couple of centuries at least. Here is a quick overview of the history of the ninja. What makes a ninja? In feudal Japan, a ninja was an agent of stealth who specialized in unorthodox versions of warfare, including espionage, infiltration, assassination, and sabotage. This is in stark contrast to the honorable samurai, who represented the bureaucracy of the time. The beginning of the ninja could have started anywhere from the 12th to 15th centuries, but they really gained prominence in the Sengoku period of Japan, which was the golden age of the ninja. Most of what is known about ninja is based on myth and folklore—what else do you expect from a group of shadowy assassins? Actual historical accounts are very scarce. Who were the ninja? While the samurai were made up of Japanese nobles and honorable men, ninja were recruited from the dregs of society. Lower class workers and rejected samurai were recruited to fight outside the strict code of decorum samurai were subject to. They would be employed as arsonists, raiders, spies, and terrorists, and used guerrilla tactics otherwise not common for the time. Iga and Koga Ninja During the early 15th century, the Iga and Koga family ninja clans gained prominence, and the golden age of the ninja began. Ninjas in the clans weren't just hired from the lower classes, but trained since childhood in the art of the ninja. They were hired by the Japanese ruling class for decades to carry out nefarious plots and orders. Each ninja would master a wide array of weapons and skills. Some common weapons used included kunai, shuriken, katana, dagger, kusarigama, and more. They would also often carry climbing tools to effectively and stealthily navigate different terrain. Ninja Legend Many supernatural and legendary abilities have been ascribed to the ninja over the centuries. Some old legends attribute powers of flight, shape shifting, and invisibility to them. Others give them control over the five classical elements. Even the noble kite has been said to be used as a servant of the ninja. Their Fall Eventually, in 1581, emperor Oda Nobunaga invaded Iga and Koga provinces and annihilated the ninja clans. However, survivors would continue to serve Japanese rulers, and were even commissioned into a secret police eventually.   Hopefully this fills you in on some of the history of the ninja. Make sure to bring your kids by our Grand Rapids ninja warrior course at our trampoline park, and get them started on their own ninja training today. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about our location or attractions. We look forward to seeing you! #### A Parent’s Afternoon Off As parents, there is no “real” day off. Even when you’re sick, you have to be there for your children and their needs. More often than not, you probably don’t feel comfortable letting them do a whole heck of a lot without some sort of parental supervision. So while you may not get an actual day off, taking the family to Rebounderz is the next best thing. Pick Your Favorite Option Option One You have a couple of different ways you can enjoy Rebounderz as a parent. The first option is to enjoy the cafe and free wi-fi while your kids play. If your kids are old enough and independent, this could be a great option. You’re able to be accessible when they need you, however, they can entertain themselves so you can have a few hours to just relax. Bring your favorite book, or bring your laptop and do some work, if that’s what you need to get done. All of our Rebounderz attractions are staffed by knowledgeable referees to keep an eye on guests and to provide safety instruction or correction when necessary. The best part about option one is that you get to be off of your feet while your kids are burning loads of energy in a fun and unique way. Option Two The other option that you have as a parent is to join in the trampoline park fun with your kids. While you still may be the responsible adult of the group, Rebounderz gives you the opportunity to have some active fun with your kids. Purchase yourself some jump socks and get ready to show your kids how it’s done. When you come to Rebounderz of Sterling, you can enjoy a variety of different attractions throughout the large family fun space. Our most well known attraction is our Jumper. The Jumper was built for both safety and fun. With plenty of jumping surfaces, you’ll be sure to have a blast with your kids jumping around the secure Jumper arena. The Jumper arena is also where you can participate in a game of Air Dodgeball with your kids. Whether you want to defend your kids and play on the same team or you opt to play on the opposing team and see who can last the longest, you’re sure to make amazing memories that will last a lifetime. After a competitive game of Air Dodgeball where you win even though your kids put up a valiant effort on the opposing team, head over to the Basketball Slam. See how many times you can dunk the ball in a row versus your kids. Luckily for your kids, the Basketball Slam is adjustable to unique heights so that you don’t have the advantage over them. No matter which option you pick, your kids will have a fantastic time at Rebounderz and so will you! Trust the Sterling Rebounderz location to help you to relax and have fun. Contact us for more information about our attractions or policies. #### A Quick History of Dodgeball If you grew up in America in the 90s or prior, chances are you grew up with the sport of dodgeball in schools. It's a game where two teams rush at the start to get possession of a dodgeball, which they then throw with the purpose of hitting an opposing player while avoiding throws from the opposing team. Not only is it a ton of fun, but it's also become an American pastime in its own way. Here at Rebounderz, we love dodgeball, and even have our own dodgeball arena in Grand Rapids, MI. Here, we would like to give you a quick overview of the history of the sport. Where did it come from? There's a lot of speculation as to the origins of the sport of dodgeball. Nobody knows for sure, or at least has been able to prove it. One line of thought is that it originated in Africa, where a much more serious and dangerous version of the sport was played. Instead of of a soft, malleable leather ball, rocks were used, and with the intent to hurt. Injury was the goal, rather than something to be avoided. Rather than being "out" when hit, a player would just continue to get pelted with rocks unless his team could draw attention away from the opponents. But how did it make its way into the western world? Again, we are stuck with speculation, but a common claim is that a doctor by the name of James Carlisle saw the sport while performing missionary work. The story goes that he was impressed with the agility and skill of the players, and would watch them play for hours. When he made his way back to Europe, he brought stories of the sport with him all the way to St. Mary's College in Norfolk where he taught. He made some of the changes that put dodgeball on its course to its current iterations, like replacing rocks with a leather ball. However, the game was still very different than what we know today; for instance, players weren't out when they were hit, and there were no space restrictions on where players could move. It wasn't until 1884, when St Mary's college hosted members from Yale University, that one in that party (Philip Ferguson) caught his eye on the game and took it to America. He is also the one credited with making most of the rules that we know today, like having set play areas for each team.   That's a pretty amazing journey for a sport! The story comes from a group called GOMammoth in the UK. Unlike with many other sports, there isn't much of a recorded history for dodgeball, and so it's less authoritative. That doesn't change the fact that it's a blast to play, though! Here at Rebounderz, we have a dodgeball arena in Grand Rapids, MI, great for kid's birthday parties. With a supervising referee, you can be sure your kids can have fun in a safe environment. Give us a call today to find out more. #### A Quick History of Trampolines If you are a human being, or maybe even a family pet, there's a fair chance that you've had a blast jumping on a trampoline at some point in your life. They are just too fun to pass up an opportunity. Have you ever wondered how your parents, grand parents, or even your ancestors enjoyed this wonderful contraption? Us too! Here at Rebounderz in Grand Rapids, trampolines are what we do! That is why we dug into some history regarding the creation and use of the trampoline. Inuit Origins While they do not technically use a trampoline, the Inuit spring whaling festival Nalukataq does include a trampoline like activity. In short, they use a walrus skin as a blanket held up by community members to launch festival goers into the air. The main event of Nalukataq may have little to do with this activity, but it sure is a fun precursor to the trampoline we know and love. Circus Precursor Another precursor to the trampoline comes from the circus in the form of safety nets for acrobats. It is the same concept; a person bounces on a taut fabric surface. Even in the early 1900s, bouncing beds, a small trampoline like device covered in bed sheets, were being used in circuses as part of comedy performances. The First Trampolines Credit for building the first trampoline goes to George Nissen and Larry Griswold in the year of 1936. They were in the fields of gymnastics and tumbling respectively, and purportedly got their idea from watching trapeze artists using a tight net. According to Nissen, the name "trampoline" is derived from the Spanish word "trampolin", which refers to a diving board. Before the trademark for trampoline was lost, and became a generic trademark, trampolines were referred to as "rebound tumblers". In Flight Training When World War II started, the US Navy began using the trampoline as a training device for pilots and navigators to help them practice concentrating in different spatial orientations. Even Soviet and American astronauts have used trampolines in their training. Trampolines and Sports Nowadays, trampoline can either be competitive or recreational. A lot of credit for bringing trampoline into mainstream sports goes to Jeff Hennessy, who coached at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Hennessy has produced a higher number of world champions than any other coach in the sport, including his daughter Leigh Hennessy, both of whom are included in the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Since the year 2000, trampolining has been a sport in the Olympic Games. With advances in trampoline technology, many athletes are able to bounce as high as 33 feet in the air while performing an impressive array of twists and somersaults. Trampolines have made it into more sports than just trampolining, they are also part of a new soprt called Slamball, which mashes aspects of basketball and volleyball.   If all of this talk of trampolines has you itching to try one yourself, come by our trampoline park in Grand Rapids, MI. We have the best quality trampolines available to use at an affordable price. Give us a call today to learn more! #### A Rebounderz Birthday Party Planning Checklist Planning a party for your child’s birthday can be a lot of work. In fact, it’s more stress on you as a parent than just about anything else. How do you plan something where a gaggle of kids will have fun, and yet, won’t cause you to work yourself to death. The solution is obvious: plan your kid’s party at Rebounderz of Apopka. When you’re getting ready to plan your child’s Rebounderz birthday party, there are a few easy steps you can follow in order to make sure your child has a phenomenal day without causing you additional angst. Just tackle the following checklist! Book Your Venue The first thing you always want to do when you plan a kid’s party is to get the venue booked. You’ll pick a good day and time, and then approach your venue of interest, such as Rebounderz, to see what availability and pricing looks like. Have a couple of days picked out, just in case your first choice is already taken. When you book your party at Rebounderz of Apopka, you’ll want to decide on the following: Day and Time Party Room Party Size Additional Add-ons Pick a Theme Each Rebounderz location is packed with tons of jumping and arcade fun. However, when you book a kid’s party with us here in Apopka, you can opt for a private room to use during the celebrations. We have five unique themes at our Apopka location, and you’re sure to find one that will fit your child’s personal style. Choose from the Rock n’ Roll Room, Diva Boutique Room, Special Ops Room, Beach Luau Room, and Extreme Sports Room. Availability will vary from room to room. Invitations Once you have the venue booked and you’ve picked a Rebounderz party room theme that you know your child will love, then it’s time to send out invitations. You can opt for party store invitations that match the room, or you can print the Rebounderz Invitations right off the website! Our invitations even have a reminder for parents to sign the liability waiver prior to the party, so that no one has to sit out on the fun. Choose Your Menu Even if you like cooking, cooking for choosy kids can often be a hassle. Why slave away when many kids will just snub their noses at anything that isn’t peanut butter and jelly or pizza? So, once you’ve decided on a Rebounderz party, take a look at the various food options, and take your pick. Our party packages come with pizza, but you can add on a fruit or veggie tray and even nachos to feed all those hungry kids. No outside food is allowed unfortunately, so make sure you’ve ordered a sufficient amount of food ahead of time. And of course, don’t forget the cake! Recruit Parental Help Does the idea of managing 20 kids on your own during a birthday celebration scare you? We don’t blame you. However, you will have help and supervision throughout the Rebounderz facility. On top of that, it never hurts to wrangle up some extra parental help, depending on the party-goers ages, and have the extra eyes just to make sure everyone stays safe and has a good time. Buy Decorations Want to know the best part about hosting a Rebounderz birthday party? You don’t have to buy decorations. When you opt for a Rebounderz kid’s party, we provide everything from a tricked-out room to paper wear for food and drink. You can opt to have balloons, and we’ll have them there for you. If you want to bring in a few extra decorations, that’s fine, but the best part is simply that you don’t have to if you don’t want to. Bring a Present Once again, this is an optional item on the checklist, but it’s one that can be a bit of fun. While friends will be bringing gifts, it can still be fun to sneak in a small present from mom or dad just to remind them that you’re there for them and their big celebration too! Load Up the Goody Bags You may think that the party is a big enough gift for all the kids enjoying it, and it should be, but there is always an expectation for kids to go home with goody bags. You can bring goody bags to the party packed with delicious candy, or opt for some small toys that are affordable and easy to play with. You might even find some really good little toys that match the theme of the party, such as guitar keychains for a rock n’ roll party or leis for a luau. Transport Birthday Child No birthday party is complete without the guest of honor. So on the day of the party, load up your car and head over to Rebounderz of Apopka a little early. We’ll get you settled in your private party room and help you get everything organized right from the start. Your child will feel special all day long! Greet Guests Since you’ll be a little early, you’ll be there just in time to greet guests as they arrive. Every guest will receive grip socks for jumping on the trampolines and be shown where to store their belongings. In addition, all of the party-goers will be given a quick safety briefing in order to get on the trampolines. Once everyone has done these things, they’ll have plenty of time to play throughout the facility prior to food. Have Fun! No matter what, the number one thing for any kid’s party is to have fun. Even as a parent, it’s important to have fun. In fact, join in on the rebounding fun and get a jump pass too! Rebounderz of Apopka makes it easy to throw a kid’s party that is fun and entertaining for everyone who attends. And on top of that, it’s stress and hassle-free for you. For your child’s next birthday party, plan a Rebounderz party! Contact Rebounderz of Apopka today with any questions or to book a party today! #### A Tired Teenager is a Happy Teenager Teenagers can be hard to please. They want to be with their friends and have fun, but you want to know where they are and what they are doing. Finding a family compromise can be the key to harmony. Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena has a great program that can please both teens and parents. "Get three hours of jump time, two slices of pizza, and a drink for the bargain price of $25" Teen Night Frenzy | Live DJ This program is sure to make you feel that your teen is safe while they are having tons of fun with their friends. We serve Sonoma County and Marin County, as well as San Francisco, so they will be sure to make some new friends too and broaden their horizons. For three hours on every other Friday night, Rebounderz comes alive with a live DJ spinning tracks your teens will love. Your teens, between 13 and 17 (suggested ages), will enjoy the DJ music and club lighting, and your teen will have a chance to be active too. Jumping , climbing, and hanging out with their friends, will give them an outlet for their energy. We offer group rates for Glow Group too! Get three hours of jump time, two slices of pizza, and a drink for the bargain price of $25. For groups of 10 and more, we’ll reserve your space and everyone gets a glow stick so they can find each other easily. Ninja Warrior Course Our newest feature, our Ninja Warrior Course, is also great for teenagers. With obstacles ranging from giant nets, ramps, jump pads, swings, and climbing tasks, this is the funnest activity to ever hit Marin County! Kids of all ages and abilities will find this feature fun, exciting, and challenging. Our All Access pricing is good for the Ninja Warrior Course, so try it for it for the whole day for just $19.00 Monday through Thursday, and on the weekends, it is just $22.00. Call and book your all-access jump time today! #### Active Mommy-And-Me Activities That Are Good For You and Your Toddler Whether you are a stay at home mom, a working mom, or even a nanny who is looking for ways to combine exercise and spending quality time with your toddler, active mommy and me classes are a great way for both of you to get some much-needed exercise, spend quality time together, and help your little one's development. Local rec centers and mom social groups may have ideas specific to your area, but here are some ideas you may not have considered yet. Toddler Yoga Mamaste! Don't find mindfulness and peace alone, offer your little one the benefits of yoga. The majority of people recognize the benefits of yoga for the mind, body, and the soul. However, these benefits are not exclusive to adults seeking to find purpose in life. Yoga teaches patient reflection, body and breathing control, and improves flexibility and strength. Spending time doing yoga with your little one will help you balance exercise and bonding and will help your little one develop, physically and mentally. Find a yoga studio that offers mommy and me yoga in your area, or roll out the mats and get to work at home! If your youngster is old enough to strike their own poses, show them the moves and let them copy your movements. This is also an opportunity to guide them in mindful reflection. If your kiddo is too young to understand, modify your movements to include them in your poses, not unlike goat yoga! Splish Splash Water aerobics is a fun workout for people of all ages! Take the plunge and hop in the pool for some mommy and me water aerobics. Many local pools and rec centers offer mommy and me classes to welcome your efforts and the abilities of your child. If your child is old enough to swim, let them participate next to you, independently. This will allow both of you to get a great workout and instill confidence in your child. If your little one is too young to swim, safely, on their own, incorporate them into your moves for a little extra workout for you! Swimming is a great opportunity to instill safety and trust between you and your child and well as it is an opportunity to take advantage of buoyancy while carrying them around! Bounce Around If you haven't been to a trampoline park recently, now is the time to go! Many indoor trampoline parks offer a toddler or kid area that is safe for even that littlest of jumpers. At Rebounderz of Jacksonville trampoline park, we offer toddler bounce time and free admission for the accompanying adult! Trampoline rebounding is an excellent source of cardiovascular exercise that also helps develop muscles and increases flexibility and agility. For your toddler, jumping on a trampoline can help develop coordination and balance that will launch them forward in their physical development. Active exercise is good for both you and your toddler. While chasing around a little one may feel like a workout, seeking out a mommy and me workout to share with your little one has many benefits including showing your child the importance of exercise. Benefits to you, aside from the workout, are engaging in different activities that can help expand your social group while exhausting your child for a more peaceful afternoon at home! For more ideas or a schedule of mommy and me classes, contact us at Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone today! #### Activities for Kids Over School Winter Break The holidays are coming, which means that winter break from school is quickly approaching. Regardless of what traveling you do and whether your children have two weeks or two months out of school, there is bound to be plenty of downtime for your kids. While unstructured time is important for play and creative expression, left bored too long, it can lead to mischief! Winter presents some special challenges for activities for children because temperatures are lower and daylight hours are much shorter, making it much less desirable to frolic and play outside all day. Having your whole family cooped up inside for the entire school break can lead to bored kids and frustrated parents. To help keep your children engaged this winter break, and help you maintain some sanity, we’d like to offer you some helpful winter break tips for kids. Activity stick jar. Combat boredom now and in the future by making an activity stick jar. All you need for this project is a jar and either strips of paper or popsicle sticks. Everyone should write down some activities to cure boredom — “put on a talent show,” “build a fort,” “paint a picture” — and when your children complain of boredom over the winter break, encourage them to draw an activity to do. This kills two birds with a single stone — creating the jar is in itself a creative activity, and then when the activities are drawn, it provides your kids with an activity instead of having to continually search for ideas. Additionally, when your kids help make the jar, they can be sure that everything inside is something they want to do! Get outside! Yes, winter is a time that it is a little more difficult to get the kids outside to play. The sun isn’t up as long and temperatures have plummeted to uncomfortable levels. And, kiddos don’t seem to readily sense when they are too cold and will continue to play despite losing feeling in fingers, toes, and noses. However, that does not mean that your children can not still play outside, it simply means you’ll have to monitor it a little more than the warmer days. Playgrounds and water tables aren’t winter options when they are iced over. Some ideas for getting kids outside include sledding, ice skating, snowball fights, and building an igloo. Even when it is snowy and cold, it is still important to get fresh air and a healthy serving of sun-administered Vitamin D. Family Entertainment Centers Family entertainment centers (FEC) are great for winter breaks from school. Not only do they provide your entire family with exciting entertainment, but they get everyone out of the house and engaging in active fun. At Rebounderz of Lansdale, we have more than 10,000 square feet of trampoline surface in our jump arena along with a laser tag arena and other fun activities. All of these attractions are sure to keep your kids active during their entire stay, wearing them out. The best part about family entertainment centers is that they offer a wide variety of safe activities, which is sure to make your entire family happy. To get your kids out of the house over winter vacation and provide them with active entertainment, stop by your local Rebounderz location today! For more ideas, check out some of our other articles: Chilly Weather Activity Ideas Avoid Winter Hibernation and Get Active With Rebounderz #### Activities to Improve Your Ninja Warrior Skills If you’ve ever sat down to really watch American Ninja Warrior, you probably have thought to yourself, “Man, these guys make this stuff look easy!” But in reality, even though most competitors make the courses look easy, especially the qualifier rounds, an American Ninja Warrior course is exceptionally difficult. The courses are a testament to power, stamina, and agility in the individuals who give them a shot. It takes many hours of dedication, practice, and pain to make a Ninja Warrior Course look easy. If it’s your dream, or your child’s dream, to someday take on the American Ninja Warrior course, then there are some fun sports that you can cross train with in order to get the most out of your preparation. Consider some of the following activities that many competitors are even involved in for your own workout regimen. Rock Climbing If you watch the sensational show American Ninja Warriors, you’re sure to know that many of the competitors are actually regular rock climbers. Rock climbing is truly the perfect activity to train just the right muscles for a Ninja Warrior Course. Rock climbing helps to strengthen both your upper body and your core. And most importantly, rock climbing greatly improves your grip. This is critical, as so many Ninja Warrior Courses have obstacles that heavily rely on you having a superior grip strength. Short Distance Sprinting You may wonder what running and training for running would have to do with a Ninja Warrior Course, and you may be surprised to find out that it can have a lot to do with running. Sprinting in particular helps to train the lower body muscles and improves both your agility and your overall strength. You will find that this agility can be exceptionally beneficial for many of the long leaps that you will have to make and some of the crazy jumps that are on the course. Pole Vaulting Much like sprinting can help your agility and strength, pole vaulting can help your core and your body awareness. There are many times on a Ninja Warrior Course that you may find yourself flying through the air in order to make it from one obstacle to another. It’s important to get the right momentum and have the right form in order to successfully finish the course. Pole vaulting can help fine tune your form and muscles so you’re in peak condition. Gymnastics One of the best female competitors on American Ninja Warrior was actually a college gymnast before she challenged herself to the difficult task of Ninja Warrior. Standing only 4’11”, Kacy Catanzaro is the only woman to ever complete a city finals of American Ninja Warrior. Her background in gymnastics helped her immensely and gave her the strength and technique needed to traverse many of the obstacles put in front of her. Gymnastics is a full-body workout that emphasizes upper-body strength and the core muscles. It also has strong elements of balance and power that are key on a Ninja Warrior Course. Rowing In order to even think about taking on a truly challenging Ninja Warrior Course, you have to work hard on your upper-body strength and your stamina. Rowing could help you do just that. If you don’t mind torturing yourself with crunches and pull-ups for your whole workout, then you’ll probably love rowing. It can build muscles that many other sports simply can’t. And if you don’t particularly want to get out in a boat, you can always just hit up the rowing machine at the gym for a bit to mix up your workout. Tennis Okay, tennis may seem leagues away from a Ninja Warrior Course, but hear us out. Tennis is actually rated very high in terms of the power needed to play the sport well. The more tennis you play, the more you will improve both your power and agility. And if you take nothing else away from tennis, know that tennis players grunt when they hit the tennis ball with the racket because it gives them three percent more power. So next time you need a little extra power on a Ninja Warrior Course, don’t be afraid to let out a grunt. To get in some Ninja Warrior Course practice, come to Rebounderz of Edison! For more information about our facilities, give us a call or stop on by today!   #### Adjusting Your Aim - How to Become an Expert Shot With a Dodgeball The key to winning a game of dodgeball is throwing with precision and accuracy. If you don’t play baseball or basketball, that's okay, a game of dodgeball is a little different anyway. With a little practice and remembering a few basics, you can throw the ball and hit your opponents every time, like a true battle-hardened dodgeball warrior. Join us in today's post as we offer some tips about how to throw to win. Hold the ball properly. One of the biggest mistakes that dodgeball players make is executing too much catch and release type play. It may take a few extra seconds to maneuver the ball into a proper holding pattern before launching it at another player, but it is worth it. When you make sure that you are holding the ball properly before throwing it, you are better equipped to land a solid throw. To properly hold a squishy dodgeball, you will just want to ensure that you have a good, solid grip that will allow you to hurl the ball. Some people prefer to grasp the foam and throw, while others prefer to hold it flat-handed, similar to a football. Either way, make sure you hold it properly before your throw. If you don’t take the time to get your grip, you end up tossing a gentle pitch that can easily be dodged or, worse, caught. Point to aim. Use your other arm to point to where you are going to throw the ball. Many sports teach this throwing technique, but it is especially important in dodgeball where your targets are always moving. It becomes even more critical to landing your throws when you are also attempting to coordinate your balance on a trampoline during a game of trampoline dodgeball! When you are leaping all over the place rather than standing still, it can be tricky to get the ball to go where you want it to. Simply use your other arm to aim, then launch and release. Err on the side of “too low.” In dodgeball, whether in a gym or on a trampoline, it is best to aim low. Not only do headshots not count, but they can be dangerous. A hit to the calf will get your opponent out just as well as one to the shoulder. When you are playing trampoline dodgeball, your opponents will be rebounding just like you, so aiming low can catch them mid-bounce. Balls that are aimed low are much more difficult for the receiver to catch, which in the game of dodgeball is a good thing. Of course, when you aim low, try not to aim too low where you run the risk of throwing it at the floor, causing a dead ball. Hot potato. Do not hold on to the ball longer than you have to! The whole point of dodgeball is to hit opposing players with the balls to get them out of play. The longer you are holding on to a ball, the longer your opponents are in play and plotting how to get you out. Don’t give them the opportunity — adopt a hot-potato policy with your dodgeballs and attempt to get rid of them as quickly as you can. Having empty hands also helps you catch incoming balls, which helps you get more opponents out and gets your team members back in play. Bounce, duck, dip, dive, dodge. Dodgeball is a thrilling game that is based on the ability of each player to launch the dodgeball like a cannon at their opponents until there is only one player left standing (or rebounding). At Rebounderz of Grand Rapids, we like to turn the fun factor up a few notches by offering dodgeball games on our trampoline dodgeball court! Our specially designed trampoline dodgeball courts are complete with netted walls to keep the balls contained and feature proper court measurements. Our staff provides neutral referees who also explain the rules and ensure the safety of all player. To join in the fun and give your throwing arm a try, stop by your local indoor trampoline park in Jenison today! #### Adult Birthday Party Ideas As we get older, we tend to celebrate our birthdays less, but I saw that’s silly! Why don’t we have the cake and balloons and presents like we did as kids? Is it because the world has hardened our inner-child or is it because we are expected to be all business all the time? Well, your life is something to be celebrated and you get your one day a year to invite your friends and family to do what you want to do! Here are a few ideas to plan your adult birthday party. Birthday Party Ideas Bar or Nightclub Of course, the standard for adult birthday parties as soon as we turn 21 is to spend any celebration at a bar. While it can be fun to rent the VIP suite at your favorite nightclub and share bottle service while you dance into the early morning, just make sure everyone that you want to invite is of age and can handle themselves. If you do go to a bar or a nightclub, you can rent a private room or workout drink specials for party guests. Be wary of leaving your card as an open tab for guests and make sure you have a safe way to get party guests back home! Adult Arcade Adult arcades have been gaining in popularity over the last few years as they transformed one of our favorite childhood pastimes into an adult version. Some of the games are the same with added adult versions, but the prizes are more adult themed. An adult arcade offers an exciting venue for adults to mingle and let out their inner-child over a tasty meal and adult beverages. When you plan your party at an adult arcade, make sure that your guests can afford to attend as adult arcades tend to be on the pricey side. Most will offer group party discounts and offer game tokens with purchase of meals to help promote attendance. Trampoline Parks Trampoline parks as birthday party venues are also gaining in popularity because they are fun for kids from two to 40! Trampoline parks offer a wide variety of activities to accommodate everyone in your family as well as your friends. Typically trampoline parks will have arcades and snack bars to meet all your guest's needs. When you book your party at Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Grand Rapids, we handle all of the setup and clean-up for your party as well as offering several attractions to keep your guests entertained. Our Ninja Warrior Course is fun for all ages and you can engage your guests in a dodgeball battle. Game Night For a great at-home birthday party, you can plan a dinner party with game night. One of the most popular birthday party game ideas is to create an entire themes party and play a murder mystery game set in whichever era you enjoy. Guests can have fun enjoying a traditional house party, while dressed in themed costumes and role-playing for the sake of the game. An at-home party gives you the freedom to invite anyone and everyone you would like, but requires people to be in your space and leaves you with a mess! Any adult themed birthday party you choose ensures that you — the guest of honor — will have a blast. You are never too old to celebrate your birthday and you only get the chance once a year, so this year make the most of it and plan a birthday party that will be fun for everyone you invite! If you like the idea of having a personal party planner, contact us at Rebounderz of Grand Rapids to book your party date now! #### After School Dodgeball Join Us for After School Dodgeball Thursdays @ 3:30p Oct 27 - Dec 8 #### Air Dodgeball Tips and Tricks Just think about it for a second. What’s the best part about going to a birthday party? If it’s your own personal party, it’s probably the presents, cake, and the admiration. But if you’re an invited guest at a party, then it’s definitely the games. Here at Rebounderz in Sunrise, we have one simple goal in mind: to transform and revolutionize kids birthday parties in a fun, exciting, and safe way so that you and your guests can create high-flying memories that will last a lifetime. Our indoor trampoline parks are built to serve as South Florida’s ultimate extreme fun facility, entertainment center, and party venue. And there’s no better way to do that than by organizing a game of air dodgeball for your group. Dodgeball has long been one of America’s favorite schoolyard and gymnasium pastime. It’s grown from a fun extracurricular activity in gym class to an extreme sports phenomenon that has grown to national and international competitions. The sport was even the subject of an all-time comedy cult classic Hollywood film. That’s why when you’re planning your next party, whether it’s a kid’s birthday party for your youngsters or if it’s a corporate outing with a group of your buddies, you should definitely read up on some of our tips and tricks for air dodgeball to help you become the best, most feared, highest-flying player in the squad. If you’re interested in hosting a party at Rebounderz, then contact us today or view our kids birthday party packages. Our Sunrise trampoline park and extreme fun center is proud to be the ultimate party venue and entertainment center for not only Sunrise, but also Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Cooper City, Pompano Beach, Dade County, and beyond. Now, let’s dive into how you can become the ultimate air dodgeball champion at your next party or event. How To Play Playing dodgeball at an indoor trampoline park is a whole different animal than playing on solid ground. On a trampoline, you have to account for more agility, more air, and possibly even more power on your throws. Those classic tips (you know, the ones from the Hollywood movie), “Dodge, Dip, Duck, Dive, and Dodge,” will certainly come in handy. But you’ll also need to be aware of your surroundings a little more than usual, because opponent attacks can come from literally any angle. Here are some basic dodgeball rules to keep in mind. First, divide your group into teams. For the best pace of play, try to aim for 5-7 players per team. Gather up 3-5 balls to set in the center of the arena. At Rebounderz, we have a host of safe balls for use in our air dodgeball arena. Establish the boundaries. Players can not cross over to the other side or else they will be immediately ruled out. The last man standing wins! Or, more accurately, their team wins. Get the opponents out by pegging them with attacks or by catching their throws. A catch also allows for one of your ousted teammates to come back in. Throwing Tips Aim To Hit: When it comes to your throws, you should be sure that you’re always aiming at a specific target. Throwing a ball just to throw it is the surest way to have your attack caught. Targeted and coordinated attacks are great ways for your team to be more efficient and dangerous. Aim Low: In order to minimize the risk of having your attacks caught, the best rule of thumb is to aim for the lower half of your target’s body, specifically between the shins and the shoes. Those low-trajectory balls will be much harder to catch. Jump Around: Of course, you need to be wary of your surroundings and spread your team out. However, you may find that you can generate a lot more power and angle on your throws by jumping forward as your throw. That’s an opportunity that only playing dodgeball at a trampoline park can afford. Dodging Tricks Obviously, the name of the game is “dodgeball.” That’s because in this arena, your defense is just as, if not moreso, important than your offense. Here are some tips for the dodging, ducking, and dipping part of the game. Catch ‘Em All: Games are won and lost on catches, believe it or not. Train your hand-eye coordination and keep your head on a swivel for any opportunity to catch an opponent’s attack. Not only does this knock out one of your foes, but it also allows for one of your fallen teammates to hop back in. Jump!: You are on a trampoline, after all. Our trampolines allow you to reach new heights when you see a ball coming your way, so take full advantage of the twist on gravity. Deflect: Use a ball in your hands to deflect opponents’ attacks before you fire away. Pro tip: deflect the balls upwards so that one of your teammates has a chance to grab it out of the air! Air Dodgeball At Kids Birthday Parties We can’t think of any other competitive game that is quite as fun as air dodgeball. If you’re looking to put a fun twist on your kids’ birthday party, corporate outing, or family event head on over to Rebounderz of Sunrise and experience a new way to play America’s favorite recreational game. #### AirExercise Preview Video Check out this quick peek into our AirXercise class! Dozens attend each Monday and Thursday, from 7:30pm - 8:30pm. Ask about our attendance punchcards for discounted rates! Give us a phone call if you have any questions, and we hope to see you soon! #### Alternative Halloween Activities For Kids - Avoiding Trick-or-Treating Although trick-or-treating has been a Halloween tradition for decades, in recent years more and more parents are opting out. There are several reasons for the cutback on door-to-door candy searching including food allergies, potential cruel intentions of the candy distributors, poor weather, and lack of responsive neighbors. Whatever the reason, many parents find themselves searching for ways to offer celebration to their kids that doesn’t involve candy or visiting strangers’ homes. In today's post, we will offer a few Halloween activities for kids. Trunk or Treat Trunk or treat events are becoming a common trick or treat alternative, offering a safe community experience where children of all ages can dress up and pedal for candy in one location. Families, organizations, or communities will establish a meeting area where they will decorate cars or booths and pass out candy in one location. This eliminates door to door trick or treating and allows the entire community to visualize the happenings. Additionally, it prevents trick-or-treaters from attempting to visit someone who isn’t participating! Malloween Events Many malls nationwide offer trick or treating at the stores in the mall rather than forcing families to go door to door through their neighborhoods. These events are great for a few reasons such as inclement weather will not affect the event, the lighting is great, and it provides the opportunity for various activities in one spot. At these corporate-sponsored events, there are usually many forms entertainment including pageants, concerts, and a variety of treats. Mall Halloween candy events tend to be during business hours, so you can also get your shopping in! Passing Out Candy If you love the idea of trick-or-treating for the enjoyment of seeing everyone all dressed up collecting candy, you can enjoy all the costumes and candy from the safety of your own porch. Rather than walking door-to-door, visiting stranger’s homes, you can provide the candy to the trick-or-treaters instead. Staying home to pass out candy also gives you the opportunity to decorate your house and lawn for the whole neighborhood to enjoy. You can watch Halloween movies while you wait for the doorbell to ring and you can turn off your lights and go to bed whenever you’re ready. Trampoline Park A fun and active alternative to trick or treat candy hunting is visiting your local indoor trampoline park. Halloween invites jumpers to come in costume and leap about uninhibited! At Rebounderz trampoline park, you can jump at our trampoline arena or race around in our haunted laser tag course. Your kids can have fun and be active instead of munching sugary treats. Halloween is all about dressing up in costume and having fun! There is no reason that it means that your children have to go door to door asking strangers for treats. Make your own, safe, Halloween traditions in your family. Let Rebounderz of Lansdale help make your Halloween safe and fun this year and all the years to come! Contact us or stop by our indoor trampoline park today. #### Amazing Alternatives to a Kid’s Birthday Cake When you plan a kid’s birthday party at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park, you’re opting for a fun, hassle-free party for your child that they’re sure to never forget. We take care of everything from playtime to pizza and private rooms. We even take care of all the paper products that you’re going to need to throw the party. We even have a great template for invitations that you simply print right off the website and send out! It’s that easy. The only thing you will have to worry about is showing up and bringing a delectable cake for everyone to enjoy. But what if you’re sick of cakes, and looking for something a bit different as a sweet celebration treat? We’ve got plenty of alternative ideas to the traditional birthday cake to choose from that are going to have your child licking their lips. Donuts Galore A delectable alternative to cake is to stock up on cake donuts and bring them in for a sweet treat. There is no kid who will say no to a donut if they get a choice, and they’re affordable and easy to purchase. In addition, if you still want to do a traditional cake, cook a bundt cake style cake and ice it with sprinkles to make it look just like a large-scale donut. Cake Pops Cake pops are a new take on an old favorite. With a bit of frosting baked in, cake pops are smooth and sweet. If you opt for a beach themed party, consider making little octopi or dip the cake pops in blue frosting and add a little orange goldfish for the outside decoration. Decorate Your Own Cupcake While you can get pre-decorated cupcakes, why not take a new twist on this old idea and let the kids decorate their own cupcakes. By cheap watercolor trays and fill each with a variety of sprinkles and candies that each child can add to their own basic cupcake for a fun birthday party activity. Fruit Kabobs After pizza and soda, it can be hard to hand kids more sugar in the form of cake. Instead of cake, opt for delicious fruit cups or kabobs for a refreshing treat. It will help balance out the meal and you still get to bring in a tasty treat. Want to be a bit more creative? Dip some of the fruit into chocolate for some truly delicious snacks. Rice Krispy Treat Cars Rice krispy treats are always a hit with any kid, and when you opt to decorate them to match your party room’s theme, they’ll be a perfect alternative to birthday cake. Create mini cars from rice krispy treat bars or shape different sea creatures if you’re in the beach room. There is no limit to where your imagination can take you. When you book your kid’s birthday party with Rebounderz, not only are you opting for a great birthday party place, you’re also making your job much easier. Just bring the cake or one of the above sweet treats for kids to enjoy for dessert. Book your child’s birthday party today! #### America Ninja Warrior: Fun Facts America has a rich history of valuing feats of strength. It is why we idolize athletes so much. But maybe you're bored of the same tired old ways of showing off physical excellence. As great as established sports are, sometimes people need variety to take things to the next level. That is exactly what American Ninja Warrior provides, with a grueling obstacle course set in stages that attack every conceivable measurement of fitness an athlete can muster. Since we're big fans of American Ninja Warrior here at Rebounderz, and even have our own ninja warrior course in Grand Rapids, we thought we'd go over some fun facts about the show. No Casting Calls It may seem counter intuitive (How can you judge somebody's talent if you've never seen them in action?), but there are no casting calls on American Ninja Warrior. Instead, contestants send in videos of various lengths (requirements have changed over time) showcasing their talents and explaining why they should be chosen to compete on the show. Only around 100 people are chosen. For those who don't get in, there is one final hail mary they can pull: the walk-on line. It's a lot of effort for no guarantee, as potential contestants can wait for weeks in line and never get picked to be on the show. Difference In Courses American Ninja Warrior didn't originate in America; it's actually a spinoff series of a Japanese show called Sasuke, more commonly known around the world as Ninja Warrior. Considering the worldwide popularity of Ninja Warrior, you might think that the courses on American Ninja Warrior would be the same, but that is not the case. For the most part similar, the two respective courses ARE different, and even small differences make a huge impact. Moving a rope or platform as little as six inches can be the difference between a grueling, but doable event, and an effectively impossible course. Change in Fitness Values Historically in America, strength and size has been the ultimate determinant in sports. Football, boxing, baseball, most things that we think of as inherently American rely primarily on brute force. American Ninja Warrior flips this benchmark on its head. On the course, strength is important, but only when balanced with agility, muscle memory, and the ability to shift tactics on the fly. In fact, the bulky physiques of traditional American athletes often end up being an obstacle, due to the extra weight they have to carry over the other competitors. You need only look at the top competitors to see this in practice. The only two men to have completed the course came from a rock climbing background, and are much more lean than bulky. But probably the best example of this concept in practice is Kacy Catanzaro, one of the top female participants on the show, who blows her competitors out the water weighing in at 95 lbs at five feet tall. NFL Players Want In Never to be daunted by something as insignificant as a size advantage, many NFL players are now vying to get in on the action. While they haven't historically gotten far on the show, they sure have had a blast doing it. Some NFL contestants on the show include Shawne Merriman, Jon Ryan, Tyler Brayton, and Jordan Baineaux. While none of these players did well on the course, the NFL curse doesn't apply to all players. One example of an NFL player that has done well on the course is Akbar Gbajabiamila. Ninjas Keep Producers On Their Toes American Ninja Warrior thrives on the near impossibility of completing each course. While you might think the course might be a one-and-done thing, that's not the case; contestants are far too wily for that. Grueling obstacles like the warped wall are now being built all across the nation, giving competitors an extra advantage on the course. Because of this, producers are constantly thinking up, testing, and building new obstacles to keep the show prestigious. It Takes All Kinds American Ninja Warrior is about much more than being the best. It's about perseverance, will power, and the human potential to overcome any odds. It may surprise you that not all contestants are the peak of physical fitness, or even have a clean bill of health. Many inspirational competitors with health problems have competed on the show, including contestants with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and even a case of recent heart surgery. When you realize the adversity some people overcome to give it their all on the course, the show can take on a more awe inspiring and serious tone.   Since American Ninja Warrior started airing, video submissions for potential candidates have increased over 50-fold. Do you think you have what it takes to be an American Ninja Warrior? If so, you better get to training. Here at Rebounders, we have a ninja warrior course in Grand Rapids, MI. Come by and test your skills today, or give us a call for more information!   #### Apopka Trampoline Summer Camp Summer is short for your kids but can be long for you. Sign your children up for day camp to help them learn new skills, make new friends, and stay active all summer long. It’ll make their summer better and yours. Seven reasons you should send your kids to day camp Keep your kids active. For most children, the days of heading out in the morning to play with friends all day, only returning in time for dinner, are gone. We just don’t live in that kind of world anymore. As our culture and lifestyles have changed, it has become normal for children to develop a routine of turning to a screen every time they have any down time. The structure of an active day camp, like the Rebounderz summer camp programs in Apopka, provide fun, interactive exercise for your kids which is good for their bodies and their brains. Build your child’s confidence. Spending time away from home and the watchful eye of parents gives your child an opportunity to have independent experiences — successes and failures — that help them learn and become more confident in their abilities to deal with the world on their own terms. Improve social skills. Summer camp is a great opportunity for your kids to make new friends, practice making their own decisions, and learn more about choices and consequences. When mom and dad aren’t around, kids have to resolve conflicts on their own. Or they’ll be dealing with adults with conflict resolution skills that may be different than what they experience at home or in school. Learn to try new things. At camps like the Rebounderz day camp in Apopka, your children will have the opportunity to try things they’ve never done before. Team competitions, arts and crafts, and trampoline jump time are just a few of the things your kids will experience at our Extreme Fun Summer Day Camp. Create a foundation for success. Day camp gives your child an opportunity to learn new things at their own pace and to try new things. Their experience at day camp can help you make decisions about your child’s readiness for overnight summer camp or other activities that will build on their day camp experience and help them continue to develop new life skills. Get unplugged. Whether it is a cell phone, tablet, video game or television screen, there is no denying that our children spend way too much time with technology and not enough time interacting in person with live human beings. Children who attend our trampoline camps don’t even miss their technology. They’ll be more excited to tell you about the day’s adventures and less anxious to get back to their games, phones and television shows. Reinvention. Just like adults, children can get stuck in certain roles within a family, at school, and with a group of friends. Spending an extended amount of time with new people — adults and children alike — helps them develop a sense of self and better understand the role they want to play in their relationships with others. Stop by Rebounderz in Apopka with your children today and try out all of our activities. Talk to our staff and learn more about our summer programs. You can sign up while you are there or on our website. We look forward to having your child join us for summer camp. We know they’ll have a great time.   #### At Rebounderz Extreme Fun Is for Girls! If your little princess would rather be climbing to the top of an obstacle course than having a tea party, we’ve got the perfect place for her to have her next birthday party. Our Extreme Fun Center has everything your little adventurer could want, and everything you need to make sure the day goes smoothly for everyone. We’ve got 32,000 square feet of full-out, no-holds-barred fun in store for her and her friends. They can challenge each other in our 4-lane Basketball Slam Arena, try out the JumpXTREME tower, run the Ninja Warrior Course to see who gets the best time, and of course, they can jump to their heart’s content in the open jump arena. Don’t forget Air Dodgeball, the arcade, and our cafe. We’ve also got private party rooms for your celebration. While the kids are having a blast, you can have someone set up the party room with a theme that will surprise and delight your little girl. She’ll love it! Here are some theme ideas for your little girl’s Rebounderz birthday party. Wonder Woman We can’t think of any little girl who wouldn’t like to be Wonder Woman for a day. If you’ve got a superhero fan on your hands, this should be your go-to theme. Even the least girly-girl will love to wear Wonder Woman’s tiara and superhero bracelets for a day. Go all out and create everything with a red and gold theme in mind. From the cake to the table toppers, there’s no end to the ways you can make a Wonder Woman themed party a great day for your little girl. Ninjas Let’s remember, girls can be ninjas too. You’ll have no trouble finding on-theme decorations, party favors, cake toppers, and more. Your little adventure seeker will love it! Jungle We love this idea. There is really no going wrong here. From balloon animals to animal crackers and monkey-themed snacks, this is one of our favorite ideas for girls or boys. Get the whole gang into the act with jungle safari themed headbands, complete with ears, antlers, and wings. Turn your party room into a safari destination or go all out with a giraffe or zebra theme. You’ve got tons of options and whatever you choose, the kids will love it! Rainbows No one doesn’t love a rainbow. They make everyone smile. Just imagine your little girl’s face when she sees the rainbow-colored balloon arch, rainbow plates, rainbow-themed party favors, and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow filled with chocolate coins! Colors Does your little girl have a favorite color? Imagine one of our party rooms plastered wall-to-wall with purple or green, or blue. Frosting, cake, party hats, streamers, and confetti, all in your little one’s favorite color. Won’t that make for a story everyone will be telling for years to come? Remember when... Sports   Is your little girl a sports fan? Does she have a favorite football or baseball team? Or maybe she’s a soccer or softball star in her own right. There are endless options for sports-themed parties. If she’s a basketball fan, you’re really in luck. Tie up your theme with a contest at the Basketball Slam. Have prizes for the best dunk, the funniest try, and the highest jump! Whatever theme you choose, your daughter and her friends are going to have a great time. Who says a princess can’t also be a ninja or a dodgeball champ? Not us. We think a princess can be anything she wants. We know she’s your little princess and you want to give her a birthday she’ll never forget. We’re here to help you do just that. Give us a call and stop by today to consult with one of our party planners. You’ll be glad you did.   #### Avoid Winter Hibernation and Get Active With Rebounderz! It can be hard to stay motivated and active in the winter when all you want to do is cozy up and hibernate until spring. Stay motivated with Rebounderz indoor trampoline park! Staying active in the summer months — especially in Sunrise — is effortless. Between surfing and swimming, moving is mindless! And then rolls in the slightly cooler Sunrise winter temperatures that make us want to put on the kettle and hibernate, but staying active in the winter months is so beneficial. At Rebounderz indoor trampoline park in Sunrise, you can stay active with the whole family all year long. Enjoy and celebrate birthday parties or use it as an excuse to have a fun day out with your friends. Venture into the topic of staying active in the winter and why it is beneficial for everyone. Don’t Blindly Abandon Your Activity in the Winter! It can be easy to forego your workout routine because of the winter blues — the days are shorter, the temperatures drop, and there is less vitamin D to be absorbed — but even if the indoors beckon you, you should opt to stay active no matter the conditions. Regular exercise is beneficial in so many areas of your life as it boosts your mood, improves your energy levels, and helps you sleep better at night. Need a few ideas of what to do in the winter months for fitness inspiration? Below are a couple of ideas to keep you motivated. Hot Yoga There is nothing like going to hot yoga in the wintertime — you enter a calm, quiet, and perfectly warm environment. Your muscles stay warm and you can really improve your flow. Indoor Swimming You can swim year round, just find an indoor swimming facility! Improve your stamina and aerobic performance by swimming laps — the wintertime is a great time to increase your fitness and get you ready for all of your outdoor spring and summer activities. Join a Gym Joining a gym in the winter can get hectic — hello new year’s resolutions — but if you avoid peak times, it is a perfect place to get a well-rounded workout. From treadmills and rowers to weights and group classes, a gym is a multi use facility. Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park Anyone — young or old — can have an amazing time while staying active at Rebounderz. An indoor trampoline park keeps you moving and active in the best way — you don’t even realize it! You’re bouncing with friends and playing games, that the time passes quickly! How amazing is our indoor trampoline park? Bounce into these attractions including: Ninja Warrior Course JumpXTRME Tower Air Dodgeball Basketball Slam Air Pit Open Jump Arena Arcade Wifi Cafe Weebounderz Jumping is great for your muscles and ignites your body’s detoxification system (lymphatic), so why not have fun while burning calories? Hopefully, your fitness motivation has been restored and you’re ready to try out a few new activities this winter! Hop over to Rebounderz and get moving with us! #### Awesome Kid's Birthday Party Themes Nobody wants to have a boring birthday party. When you’re a kid, that’s especially true. How can you make your kid’s next birthday party truly special? By centering it around a theme that interests them. We’ve compiled a list of super fun and unique themes that you can use to elevate your next party. When you’re looking for an awesome location that will make a birthday party feel really special, check out Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Rohnert Park. We’ve got plenty of space, safe trampolines, and a super cool Ninja Warrior course that everyone is sure to enjoy. -Superheroes With all of the fantastic comic book movies that have come out this year, it’s only natural for kids to want in on the derring-do and adventuring. Have guests dress up as their favorite superhero (or supervillain, if they’re so inclined). Create a little adventure or mystery for them to uncover, like “Who stole the cookies?!” or “Rescue the Commissioner.” If you have one (or all) of the parents play the role of the baddies, it’s a great way to be involved in the festivities while being able to monitor behavior. Party stores have a ton of accessories and decorations to bring everything together. Have a group craft activity where everyone designs and explains their own personal superhero. There are so many possibilities here! -Medieval Royalty Maybe your little Prince or Princess is more of the royal type. You can plan a fun dinner for all of the visiting Dukes and Duchesses, have a parent dressed as a Court Jester, and have games, like ‘Pin the Tail on the Horse’ or safe sword fights or jousts with foam weapons. The jousts can take on a whole other dimension when you add in a hobby horse the jousters have to ‘ride’ while they play. You can dial this all down to a simplified Princess Tea Party, too. It all depends on the size of the party and the level of activity your kids like to have. You can also have them draw their dream castle or dragon as a keepsake of the day. -Witches and Wizards Maybe your little one is fascinated by the magical exploits of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. Wizard robes and wands can be fashioned or found pretty easily. Serve up some homemade (non-alcoholic) Butterbeer, add in strange and fun candy, and tie it all up with a little lesson on how to do a magic trick (many tutorials are available on YouTube and make tricks very easy to understand and do on your own). Get some old brooms, six hula hoops, and a few soft balls to start your very own game of Quidditch! You can even have some fun with the invites, with the sorting hat making the announcement of the invitation. -Birthdays! In! Space! Whether it’s based on Star Wars, Star Trek, or regular old real space, this is a wide-reaching and malleable theme that you can do a lot with. A group project focused on sharing their favorite character or planet is a great opportunity to add crafts to the mix. The space theme also works incredibly well when you have access to Laser Tag, as the kids can pretend they’re spacefaring adventurers, like Flash Gordon and Samus Aran. Depending on the time of night, the temperature outside, and the light pollution in your area, you can have some fun with a telescope looking at the various constellations in the sky. From there, everyone can do a drawing of their favorite and what they think it’s supposed to look like. These are just a few of the many possible themes for your child’s next birthday party. See if any of these jump out to them and ask if there are any other ideas they might have that they would enjoy more. There’s no reason to have a plain birthday party. A great way to ensure your child’s next birthday party is one to remember is to have it right here at Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Rohnert Park. We’ve got tons of room for fun activities, obstacle courses, trampolines with basketball hoops for easy dunking, and much, much more. We want to take your child’s birthday party to the next level and put a spring in your step. #### Awesome Trampoline Games to Play With Friends While it’s already fun to jump around on a trampoline, sometimes you just want to play a game with your friends. At Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale, we are constantly looking for new ways to get you jumping and having fun. With that in mind, we’ve gathered six of our favorite games to play on a trampoline with your friends. Once you’re done reading, why not come test them out in our safe and fun trampoline park? -HORSE Similar to the basketball game of the same name, this game of HORSE has you competing with friends in a trick challenge. To start, flip a coin or play rock-paper-scissors to determine who does a trick first. Once they’ve done their trick, you have to try to copy it. If you do it successfully, it’s your turn to do a trick for everyone else to copy. If you are unable to do the trick, you get a letter. Whether you play HORSE, PIG, or any other word, whoever receives all of the letters and spells the word in full will lose. This continues until only one person remains. However, if you are uncomfortable with doing a trick, it’s always better to stay safe. Don’t do any tricks you don’t feel like you can safely do. -Bounce Battle Bounce battle is a combination of a game and exercise, with a competitive twist on it. This game all comes down to how long you can last. Each player faces off doing seat drops for as long as they can. The first person to lose their balance or stop doing the seat drop loses. You can vary this game by changing the trick that needs to be repeated for an extra twist. -Simon Says The classic game that everyone can play works just as well on a trampoline. For best results, Simon Says should be played with at least three people. To begin, one person is chosen to be “Simon.” They will give commands to the other players with the phrase “Simon Says”, which the players will then have to follow. However, if “Simon” doesn’t say “Simon Says”, don’t do that command. If you do and “Simon” catches it, you’re out of the game. Feel free to change the name to whatever you like. Whoever is the last person standing is the winner! -Dodgeball What is already a fun game on solid ground becomes incredibly exciting when you move to a trampoline. This adds a whole new twist on the game, as it requires much more hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness to successfully hit someone with a ball. This one needs a lot of space to be played properly, so test it out at Rebounderz and enjoy wide open spaces. Dodgeball is probably the most competitive trampoline game, so you’ll want to be careful to make sure nobody gets hurt while playing. -Dunk Contest Trampolines have the power to elevate your jump to new heights. You can take advantage of that to pull off incredible basketball feats. Whether you play HORSE or you just try to see who can do the coolest dunks, this is a great way to feel like an All-Star. Live out your dreams of being as good as LeBron! Check out the SlamBall court at Rebounderz to take your basketball game to the next level. -Hot Potato Another solid ground game that gets crazy when you add a trampoline, hot potato is easy enough for everyone to play. You can play with a ball or another object, passing it around quickly between everyone. Whoever drops the ball or stops jumping is eliminated, and the last one standing is the winner. Keep in mind, if you hold onto the ball for too long, you will be out. There are so many games that become even more fun when you play them on a trampoline. Whether you play any of the games we’ve talked about today or you try out your own ideas, you’re sure to have a blast. If you want to try your dunks on the SlamBall course or test your tricks on the JumpXTREME Tower, we’d love to have you visit. Call Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale today to book your jumping time! #### Baking Different Types of Birthday Cakes Making a Birthday Cake One way to significantly lower the amount of money you’re currently spending on your child’s birthday party is to bake your own cake. Now, before you gasp with shock, let us explain why making the cake is a good idea. When making the birthday cake, you don’t have to worry about spending $30 to $50 on a gorgeous cake that will only last a few hours. When you buy birthday cakes at a bakery, you don’t always get a choice about what the cake will look like, or even what is in the cake. If your party has dietary requirements, some bakeries won’t be able to oblige — this is almost a guarantee if you buy the cake at your local grocery store. Baking your own birthday cake also gives you more control over what your child and their guests are ingesting. For example, some cakes can have an overload of sugar content, that could make your guests turn into little wild animals. Baking your own cake can give you assurance that you know what is in the cake. Better still, baking the cake yourself will give you domain over what the cake tastes like. For example, if you like unique flavors or want to make your birthday cake special, a homemade baking job will be able to see your vision become a reality. Baking your own cake might seem like an easy task, but few really understand the pressure and work it takes to make a truly beautiful cake. That is why so many bakeries exist! Baking is difficult, especially if your “flying blind.” It is important that you have a clear vision for your cake and allow yourself a few errors in the first trial. It is really important when baking your cake that you know what you want the final product to look like. The first thing you must determine about your cake is how many layers you want it to be. Types of Birthday Cake Deciding what type of cake you want to bake will determine the difficulty level of the baking project. There are many different types of cakes. For simplicity’s sake, we have narrowed down the options into four categories: sheet cakes, multi-layered cakes, towering cakes, and shape cakes. Sheet Cake Sheet cakes are less difficult and a more forgiving baking project to take on. Sheet cakes are also a great choice for kids’ parties because they are simpler to cut and makes proportions more manageable. Sheet cakes are typically baked in rectangular pans. Once the cake is fully baked, you can decorate it whichever way you like. With sheet cakes, you won’t have to worry about tearing the surface or having the cake topple over. Sheet cakes are easy to bake and easy to decorate, which is why they are the most popular party cake. Multi-Layered Cakes Multi-layered cakes can be less forgiving and require a bit of planning. For one, you will have to plan for enough frosting to cover both the outer-part of the cake, as well as between the layers. If you plan to do more than two layers, you will have to strategically plan out how much frosting you will need. If you do not make enough frosting, your cake will not look even and the inner part of the cake will taste dry. When it comes to multi-layered cakes, waxed paper and your timing device will be your best allies. Waxed paper will help you move the layers and place them on the cake easier, without the risk of breaking. WARNING: If you try to move the cake layers with your hands, they will break and you will have ruined the layer. Your timer will be an ally because you rely on it to bake the cake to exactly the right time. If you burn the cake, if will be harder to decorate. If the cake is not fully cooked, it will lose its form and spill over the rest of the cakes layered — essentially ruining the entire thing. Towering Cakes If you trust your own skills and would like to take on a towering cake, do so with caution. A towering cake will require patience and grace. One nick to the surface could disrupt the entire shape of the cake. Not only that, but in order to make a towering cake, you will either have to have different shapes of baking tins or invest in cake fondant. You can either make the fondant or buy it. However, buying is probably your best option, as fondant is notoriously tricky to make. It is best, if you are indeed attempting a fondant cake, that you look up how to place it on the cake successfully. If you place the fondant on the cake incorrectly the first time, there is no way to reverse your mistake. When it comes to towering cakes, consistency is the most important thing. If one layer is thicker than the other, it could weight the whole cake down or topple over. One way to combat gravity from taking hold is by creating a stabilizer within the cake, such as a pole attached to the base dish. By having something holding the layers together, your cake won’t be victim to gravity or any uneven measurements. Shaped Cakes When it comes to shaped cakes, you have no choice but to rely on fondant. Shapes are almost impossible to decorate without fondant because it allows the surface to become smooth. If you try to cut the cake and then decorate it without fondant, the cake will fall apart. Fondant will help not only keep the shape of your cake together, but make sure it doesn’t crumble when you begin to decorate it. Shaped cakes are tricky, especially if you don’t have a lot of practice with a cake-cutting knife. It is important when cutting into a cake that you make small fast motions. Do not just start cutting chunks of cake! Be sure to think every cut strategically and be sure to take your time. Rebounderz A birthday cake is a huge piece of any celebration. However, no matter how great the cake ends up being, a party is only as good as its entertainment. If you want your child’s party to be fun and exciting, take them and their guests to an indoor trampoline park, like Rebounderz! At Rebounderz, we have dozens of fun activities that will keep them and their guests entertained for hours! Contact us! #### Basketball Drills For Kids Here at Rebounderz, we are big fans of team sports! They are a great way to provide socialization for your kids, build on skills they will use even as an adult, and have a great time while doing it! Basketball is one of our all time favorites, which is why we have our own trampoline basketball course at our Lansdale trampoline park. It's a great place for kids to have fun and practice the sport at the same time! But in between going to our basketball course, here are some basketball drills kids can run to help them improve their game. Pivot Shooting This is a great drill option for building footwork and ball handling together. Essentially, players begin by passing the ball to the coach in front of them. After the pass, the player will sprint to the free throw line, where the coach will pass back to them. The player will then catch the ball in a jump stop, pivot towards the basket, and execute whatever kind of scoring their coach yells out (3 point, layup, etc.). Chase Down Layups An integral part of basketball is being able to force your way through the opposing team to make layups. This drill helps your kids practice just that. Start by bringing a player out, giving them the ball, and giving them a slight head start over the other defensive player. When the coach calls out "Start!", the player with the ball will dribble as fast as they can and try to score a layup while the other player closes behind them to try to steal the ball. This drill helps players perform even under pressure. Dribbling Lines Dribbling is one of the fundamentals every new player needs to master. This fun introductory drill is a great way to expose your kids to this skill set. You just have the players line up on one end of the court, give them all a basketball, and assign them each a dribble movement (examples: right hand up and left hand back, crossovers, behind the back, low dribble, through the legs, etc.). Then, when the coach yells "Start!", each player makes their way to the other end of the court using the dribble style they were assigned. Coaches need to make sure that each player keeps their head up (straight ahead, not looking at the ball) at all times. Once each player has mastered the dribble style they were assigned, switch them up repeatedly until every one gets practice in every style.   Hopefully these drills will prove helpful when training your little one into a basketball powerhouse. If you're having trouble getting your child motivated for the sport, bring them on by our trampoline basketball course! We also have lots of other fun attractions here at our Lansdale trampoline park. If you have any questions about our location, attractions, or rules, please don't hesitate to give us a call today. One of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. #### Basketball Drills for Kids, Part 2 In our last article, we went over some great drills for your kiddos to run to help them on the road to basketball super stardom! Being big buffs of basketball here at Rebounderz, our Lansdale trampoline park offers its very own trampoline basketball court. It's a great place to take your kids for a fun night out, or to replenish their love of the game. But in the meantime, if you want to help them improve on their basketball skills, here are some drills that you can run with your kids. 21 Cones This is a great game for building shooting form. In it, all of your players are divided up into two teams. Cones are lined up at half court, each team is given a basketball, and each team shoots from a designated spot. When a team member shoots, if they make it, they run to half court and grab a cone for their team while the next in line grabs the ball to shoot. The goal of the game is to get the most cones by the time they are all snatched up. Pressure Want to help hone your kid's shooting game while helping them perform under pressure at the same time? This drill is perfect. In it, players just form a line at the free throw line. They will take turns shooting free throws. Whenever someone makes a basket, the next person is "under pressure". They must make their shot, or they are out of the game. If they make their shot, the next person in line is "under pressure". This continues until there is only one player left, who wins the drill. Dribble Knockout If you want to work on ball handling and defensive dribbling, then this is the drill for you. Essentially, you just gather everyone into a small area (for five or six people, within the three point line works). Each person gets a basketball, Their goal is to dribble their ball while trying to knock away everybody else's. Once enough people have been knocked out, the coach can make the designated out of bounds area smaller. The last person with their ball left wins the drill. Collision Dribbling This drill is very similar to the dribble knockout, with one major difference; players aren't allowed to knock out their opponents' balls. You'll want to section off a much shorter out of bounds area for this drill, so that players don't have much room to move. When you yell "start!", they must dribble around each other in the small space provided without looking at the basketball. As players lose control and get out, shorten the out of bounds area. The last player standing wins. Scarecrow Tiggy Another dribbling drill, this one is high intensity and keeps players on their toes. Everyone on the team gets a basketball except for two players designated as taggers. Everyone with the ball starts at the half court line except the taggers. When the coach yells "start!", the taggers try to tag everyone with a basketball. If a ball handler gets tagged, they must stand with their legs spread out holding the ball above their head. Another ball handler can get them back in the game if they dribble their ball between the out player's legs. The game is over if the taggers get every other player out. Dribble Tag This game is very similar to scarecrow tiggy, and helps your kid build on their skills under pressure. Everyone on the team gets a basketball in this drill, and the coach selects two taggers from the team. The remaining players spread out around the taggers, and the coach yells "start!". The taggers will attempt to steal the ball of everyone else on the team, and the last dribbler with a ball wins. If the taggers are unable to get anyone out after an extended period of time, the coach should tighten the out of bounds area. Sharks and Minnows This drill will help your child with ball control up and down the court. Gather your team, and select one or two members to be sharks. The rest will be minnows. All minnows start from one in the court, while the sharks start in the middle. When the coach yells "start!", the minnows try to dribble to the other side of the court, where they are safe if they make it. If a minnow gets tagged by a shark before they reach the other side, they must stand still over their basketball as a "scarecrow". While scarecrows cannot move, they can tag out other minnows that dribble too close to them. The last player not to get tagged wins the drill. Partner Passing This is a great drill to instill the basics of passing in your budding basketball star. Pair off all of the members on your team. Have them stand parallel to each other on each side up and down the court. Each pair gets a ball, and the coach will yell out different types of passes. Each player must pass to their partner whatever type of pass is yelled (bounce pass, one hand push pass, chest pass, etc.) If a pass isn't caught, or the wrong pass is done, that team is out. The last team with the ball wins. Stationary Keepings Off This is a great drill, especially for young kids, to teach the importance of spacing, passing, and decision making under pressure. It is basically an altered version of monkey in the middle. Pick one or two kids off of the team to be defenders. The rest will get one ball, and will spread out across the court. The defender's job is to steal or deflect the ball, and the rest of the team has to keep it away from them. However, they are not allowed to move from their positions. Switch the defenders out with other team members every few minutes. Continuous 3 on 2 This is a great drill for making progress on passing skills and decision making in stressful situations. Select two small groups out of your team, one of two and one of three, and have the rest wait in line. The group of three will be offense, starting at one end of the court, while the group of two will be defense, starting at the half court line. The offense will use the advantage of their extra member to try to pass the ball to the other end of the court and score. Whether they score or have the ball stolen, two members of the offense group will run to the half court line to become the next defensive team, while the third gets in the back of the line. The two defensive group members from the play will be joined by a third person from the line, and become the new offensive team to try to score on the other end of the court.   Hopefully you find these drills helpful when teaching your child the sport of basketball. If you'd like to spark some interest in the game, consider bringing them by our Lansdale trampoline park to try out our trampoline dunk basketball course. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about hours, location, or attractions! #### Basketball Fundamentals: An Overview Is your child enamored with the sport of basketball? Would they like to be the next Michael Jordan? It takes a lot of work to gain real skill in the sport, but there's a lot of fun to be had along the way. When you want to combine fun and learning, you can always take your kids to our Apopka trampoline park basketball court. But if you're really trying to build your child's basketball skills, the best place to start is with the fundamentals. These are the most used skills in the sport, from which more advanced basketball skills can be built upon. Here, we will list some of the most important basketball fundamentals, as well as some ways to improve them. Lay Ups Lay ups make or break a basketball game; they are the primary way points are scored. At the professional level, layups made should hover right about 100% without a defender blocking them. That may seem daunting to the basketball newbie, but regular practice will show improvement and make the goal seem much more manageable. There are a wide range of lay up drills that you can use to build your child's skills while also improving ball control. Shots Lay ups may be where most of the points are scored, but a good defense can shut that down pretty quick. When that happens, your kid's team may have to rely more on the long shots. Both foul shots and three pointers can make a huge difference in game, even if their success rate tends to be lower than layups. Here are some great shooting drills to build you kid's skills. If your child is getting tired of practicing their free throws, you can always take them to our Apopka trampoline park basketball court for a little boost in motivation! Passing Even if your kid is a natural point scoring machine, that won't be enough to make it to the big leagues. Being able to work seamlessly with your team wins games above all else. Part of that can only come from playing, but the best way to improve teamwork mechanically is to build good passing skills. Ball Handling By ball handling, we mean the integration of dribbling, passing, and understanding how they work together to get the team to the opponent's side of the court with ball in possession. Between building good shooting and ball handling techniques, your kid will be able to wow onlookers with their skills both on and off the court. Here are some good ball handling drills. Defense The ability to score points doesn't mean much if your opponents can match or exceed you. You need to be able to keep the other team from scoring too. Balance and the ability to read your opponent are key. Here are some good tips for improving your kid's defense.   Hopefully this information comes in handy on your child's journey to stardom. If they want to take a break from the intense training, let them try out our Apopko trampoline park basketball court. They'll be able to improve their skills, have fun with peers, and maybe get that extra spark of motivation. Give us a call for more information. #### Basketball Tips For Parents Here at Rebounderz, we are big proponents of getting kids into team sports when they show an interest. There are a whole host of benefits to joining a sports team during your formative years when the environment is positive. Generally, you can leave the important lessons about teamwork, winning, and following authority to the coaches and refs. As a parent, your main job is getting the little one there, and keeping the sport fun. Here, we would like to go over some basketball tips for parents that can help guide your little one into becoming the next Michael Jordan (okay, maybe just in your eyes). Offer Encouragement When it comes to getting your child to focus on improving a skill, you can approach things one of two ways: with negative or positive reinforcement. This is one of those instances where the golden rule should come into play. When you are learning a skill, especially in front of an authority figure like a boss, do you perform better when they threaten repercussions or provide genuine encouragement? Unless you're a special kind of person, the former probably just stresses you out. That is doubly true for children, who rely on authority figures much more than adults. So give them plenty of encouragement to play! Learn the Game Basketball is a rich sport full of history. If your child is interested in basketball, and you would like to encourage them, one of the best ways to do that is to learn about the sport yourself. Not only will you and your child get some bonding time, but you can put new pieces of information they acquire into perspective to help them learn. Give Them Time to Play Many parents get into the habit of planning every little detail of their little one's day in order to build structure early. While that's definitely a good thing, sometimes children need to be able to pursue things that they want. If your kid shows interest in basketball, or really anything productive, on their own, it's probably a good idea to let them pursue it. On the flip side, a lot of parents will give their kids lots of leeway all the time, either due to personal philosophy or necessity. This is often great for creative learning, but should also be mediated with structure. For instance, if your kid shows a genuine interest in basketball, but refuses to practice regularly, adding it into the schedule and playing the "because I said so" card can be beneficial.   If you're looking to spark or build on your child's interest for the wonderful sport of basketball, then Rebounderz has the perfect opportunity. We have combined our Grand Rapids trampoline park with a basketball court to bring a whole new twist to the game. If you're interested in letting your little one improve their basketball skills, give one of our representatives a call today. They will be happy to go over the course, course rules, and more. We look forward to hearing from you! #### Bay Area Winter Break Idea Are you looking for something to keep the kids busy during the winter break from school? Check out all the great activities we offer and come and visit us over the holidays! We are located in Rohnert Park and convenient to Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and even Napa and San Francisco are just a short drive away. Make the day of it and head to Rebounderz in Rohnert Park. If this is the first time you come to Rebounderz, allow us to introduce ourselves! We are a family owned business and put family fun and fitness as priorities. We do what we do with an eye to the family budget and keep prices accessible. We offer many programs and have some designed for just about every age group. Tons of fun, all under one roof for one price! Ninja Warrior Course This attraction was recently added and people from all over are coming here to have fun and challenge themselves on this course. There are three levels, so you can try them all or focus on just one. Trampoline Open Jump One of our most popular attractions, you can jump for hours at a time on our safe trampolines. The specially designed structure for our trampolines make them safe because they don’t shift around. Basketball Slam Who hasn’t dreamed of slam dunking a basketball? You can live the dream on our basketball slam area. Jump up to the padded hoop and slam that basketball at any adjusted height. Extreme Jump Tower Let the daredevil in your life have fun while you know they are safe. Take a jump off our raised platform onto the specially designed inflated landing surface. Gymnasts will really love this one! Indoor Playground There will be days during the holiday break where you’ll be counting down the hours until school begins again and the kids are busy. Why not spend a day at Rebounderz letting the kids roam through our giant indoor playground? Designed for kids from 4 to 12 with a separate, but connected area for younger kids, the playground is 44 by 23 feet and is 19 feet tall. There are tubes, tunnels, slides, and a Spider Climb area. If you have a holiday birthday to arrange, this playground is included in birthday packages. Arcade Parents and kids alike love the arcade! We have Air Hockey, Skee Ball, Kung Fu Panda, Car Racing, NBA Hoops, Aliens, Guitar Hero, as well as Pac Man, Street Fighter 2, and more oldies but goodies! Win arcade points to redeem at the redemption counter. Air Dodgeball A game of dodgeball on trampolines? Oh yes! Kids love this one! Soft balls on padded tramps make sure kids are kept safe while burning off all that energy! Grab a ball and hurl one at your kids! You’ll have fun, burn off some holiday calories, and make some lasting memories while you are at it. Cafe and Wi-Fi If sitting around while the kids play is great but you have work to do, grab your tablet or laptop and head to the Wifi Cafe. Get your work done and keep an eye on the kids on the CCTV. If you live in the North Bay areas of  Sonoma County, Marin County, or San Francisco County, head over to Rebounderz in Rohnert Park for some family fun! [uxi_button link="post_id-267" new_window="0" tel="0" class="button-block button-block-mobile button-35" padding_x="60" padding_y="15" text="Call Us Today!" text_size="16" text_size_mobile="" text_font="header-font" sub_text="" sub_text_size="12" sub_text_size_mobile="" sub_text_font="header-font" icon="" icon_size="12" icon_size_mobile="" icon_align=""] #### Benefits of Corporate Team Building Events Here at Rebounderz, we are all about fun. Trampoline parks are weird like that. And while you might not think that fun and work should go together, there is actually a lot of compelling evidence for why they should. We often host corporate team building events here at our Sterling trampoline park, and have seen first hand how it can benefit a business. If you've ever considered hosting a team building event for your business, here are some of the ways that it can benefit you. Foster relationship building You don't have to be a sociologist to know that people act vastly different in their home and work lives.Ultimately, this is a good thing, as everybody needs to compartmentalize to function. However, in a business setting, this can have the unintended effect of blocking important communication. There are many reasons that someone might not feel like opening up in an office setting, and the best way to get around them is with fun and personalized team building events. Stimulate creative thinking In a work place, tasks are usually automated and streamlined as much as possible to increase productivity and avoid errors. This is great for when you're just trucking along, but really puts people off their game when problems arise that require critical thinking. What's a great way to hone critical thinking skills? Fun and quirky team building tasks, that's what! A great team building event will keep your employees on their toes, always ready to tackle the next task at hand. Hopefully, it's something they'll carry with them over to the work place. Opportunity for education The scarcest commodity on the job isn't energy or money, it's time. This can be a problem when people need to complete educational courses or receive certifications, but the busy work day doesn't allow it. Not only can a team building event be a great time to address training and certifications, they can also be incorporated into a fun team building curriculum. If you want a team that can seemingly grab complex solutions out of thin air, regular corporate team building is a fantastic way to train them. Opportunity for reward Your employees are what keep your business running, and unfortunately there's not a lot of time to show appreciation during the work day. That's where corporate events come in; they are a great opportunity to reward your employees and show thanks for all that they do. These events are already fun and enjoyable to attend, and adding accolades onto them can do a lot to promote company pride and work satisfaction.   Do these sound like the kinds of things you would like for your company? If so, our Sterling trampoline park is the perfect venue to host an exciting corporate event. Not only do we host team building events, but we've got the best attractions for them, with our trampolines, ninja warrior course, and much more. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about our attractions, booking, or anything else. #### Benefits of Exercise for Kids   We all want the very best for our kiddos. One way to help ensure that is regular exercise. Here at Rebounderz, we believe in making exercise fun as well as teaching the virtue of hard work. At our Sunrise, Fl trampoline park, kids can expend all their pent up energy, get some exercise, and have fun all in one place. Kids who exercise regularly can see a whole host of benefits, some of which we'll list right here. Heart Health You exercise your muscles to strengthen them. Since the heart is a muscle, regular exercise is important for its health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and the earlier you can get your children in the habit of exercising, the better protected they'll be from it. Helps Blood Flow Over time, fats and cholesterol build up in a person's body. This is especially detrimental in the United States, where bad eating habits are much more prevalent. Luckily, regular exercise reduces the amount of cholesterol and fat in the blood, as well as increasing the strength of the vessel walls and lowering blood pressure. All of this also helps to reduce the risks of a heart attack or stroke. Lung Health Lung capacity and cardio exercises are closely linked. The more you work out your body, and by extension your respiratory system, the stronger it will be. With regular exercise, your child will not only be able to draw in more air per breath, but your body will also learn to use that oxygen more efficiently. Prevent Diabetes Your body uses glucose for energy, which it burns up during exercise. Accumulating sugar over time can be a factor for developing diabetes. Regular exercise, starting in childhood, is a great way to minimize chances of developing this illness. Helps Regulate Weight Over time, a sedentary lifestyle can be very unhealthy. All of the calories that aren't getting used get stored as fat. While there is a wide range of healthy body weight, too much fat can come with a host of maladies. Strengthens Bones Exercise, especially anaerobic exercise, is great for your bones. Just like your muscles get stronger when you work them out, so do your bones. Regular exercise improves bone density and helps prevent osteoporosis, a condition that causes the bones to become fragile and break easily. Helps Prevent Cancer Many studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between people who exercise regularly and avoiding a cancer diagnosis. This is more apparent in some cancers than others, including prostate, colon, uterine, and breast cancers. More Energy It may seem counter intuitive, but regular exercise equates to more energy throughout the day. That's because the human body is always trying to reach homeostasis, and when exercise is regularly put into a person's routine that just becomes a factor the body considers in its quest for that "just right" balance of chemicals. Improves Mood Have you ever experienced a "runner's high"? When the body is pushed physically, it releases endorphins that block pain and make a person feel good. Serotonin, the "feel good chemical", production is also affected by exercise.   That is a lot of good to be had for a half our to an hour out of the day. If you're having problems motivating your kids to exercise, a trip to Rebounderz may be just what the doctor ordered. Our Sunrise, FL trampoline park hosts kids birthday parties and summer camps, has a ninja warrior course, and a JumpXtreme tower. If you have any questions about our attractions, times, or rules, feel free to give us a call. One of our friendly representatives will be happy to answer any questions you may have. #### Benefits of Family Play Time Spending fun time with your family shouldn’t feel like a chore. But with everyone being so busy, the kids involved in different activities across town from each other, and no one home for dinner at the same time, it can start to feel like one. That’s a shame. Don’t let that happen to your family. Set aside some time every week for fun family time, you’ll be happy you did. Here are some reasons why it is so important: Emotional development: Children who spend unstructured, fun time with their parents, who see their parents having fun, and who feel safe to explore and expand their horizons are enhancing their emotional development. They are bonding with their parents and siblings when they are playing in ways that the don’t when families are eating meals together, or engaged in other activities. Physical development: When your kids see you engaging in active, physical play, getting exercise and taking care of yourself, they’ll learn that those values are important in your family. They’ll strive to incorporate those values into their choices. And, they’ll grow up with better habits that will make them healthier, less-sedentary adults. Family bonding: In addition to the benefits for your children, spending this time together helps you get to know them better, and in many cases, brings you closer to your spouse. Stronger family bonds can definitely translate into stronger marriage bonds. Ideas for Family Play Time Every family is different. Your family may like indoor activities. Others might be fans of the outdoors. Don’t ever feel like you have to try to be someone you aren’t. There are all kinds of ways to grow up. As long as you are including family play time, of any kind, into your parenting strategy, you are doing a lot to help your children grow up more healthy and more happy. Of course, we think that spending time together at Rebounderz in Grand Rapids is a great idea for your family. But there are a lot of great ways for your family to spend time together. You don’t have to spend a lot of time planning or spend a lot of money to make your time together special. Here are a few ideas: Put on a family play: This doesn’t mean let the kids put on a play that you just watch. It means everyone plays a role. Maybe one child is an actor, another paints the sets, another directs, while mom and dad can either act in the play or let the kids assign them a special role. The key is that everyone participates. Need an audience? Perform for grandparents, pets or even an audience of stuffed animals. Go on a bike ride and a picnic: You don’t have to load the bikes into the car and drive five miles to a local park. If you’ve got little ones, a leisurely ride around the neighborhood, followed by a special picnic in the backyard, can be a great way to spend an afternoon together. You can even add board games or other activities into the mix after you eat. Sounds like a great day to us. Have a family slumber party or backyard camp out: This works for outdoor lovers and families that prefer to stay inside. That makes it great for any time of year too! In the winter, everyone can huddle together in the living room in sleeping bags, playing games, doing puzzles and eating popcorn. In the summer, a backyard campout can include stargazing, scary stories and other fun activities. Family Play Time at Rebounderz We saved the best for last. Here’s why we think the best place for family fun is here at the trampoline arena. There’s Something for Everyone: If your family is competitive, you can compete on the Ninja Warrior course, play a game of trampoline dodge ball, have your own basketball dunk competition or come up with your own trampoline-based game or competition. If having fun without keeping score is more your speed, you can jump all day long on the trampoline, test your skills on all of the games and laugh your way to a great day. You can also have some one-on-one time in the arcade, pitting mom vs son and dad vs daughter at a bunch of whirring, beeping and roaring videogames. All Ages Welcome: Your little ones will have a ball in the foam pit and in the open jump area, while teens and tweens have their choice of more than a dozen different trampoline-related activities. Mom and dad, pick and choose whatever looks the most fun! Active Minds and Bodies: Especially for the littlest ones in your family, jumping on the trampoline, climbing out of the form pit and participating in air dodgeball, helps them build strong bones and muscles. They’ll also be exercising their problem-solving skills, and it is never too early to start working on those! Come by and see us soon! We are looking forward to meeting the whole family. #### Benefits of Rebounderz Who wouldn’t want to play for an afternoon? At Rebounderz of Sterling, Virginia, we offer many different types of attractions that encourage your youngsters be active and play. Though our attractions are active-intensive, they are also extremely fun and can include everyone! Our attractions, such as our trampoline arena, our ninja warrior course, our dodgeball court, and our slam ball court, can include everyone from the young to the elderly. Groups are Welcome! Best of all, our attractions can be used as a group or by a single person. For example, you can use the trampoline arena to jump by yourself or use it with your friends and family. Because of the size of our indoor trampoline park, we are able to house all of our attractions and all of our customers. So, don’t worry about there not being enough room, there is plenty of space for everyone to jump! Friendly Competition If you are part of a group, you can play games with each other on our attractions as well. Together, you and your group can play exciting, action-packed games such as dodgeball or slamball. These two games are fun, fast paced, and have the potential of being competitive. You and your group can split up into two different groups and compete in a game or two. Not to mention, whichever team wins has bragging rights until the next trip to Rebounderz! Teaching Experiences When you and your group come to Rebounderz, you can use the time you spend at our indoor trampoline park to teach your group members lessons. For example, if someone in your party doesn’t know how to play slamball or dodgeball, you can use that time to teach them. Also, if you bring your young kids to Rebounderz, it is an excellent place to teach lessons on sharing, playing well with others, and conflict resolution. These lessons are obviously important to teach young children, and Rebounderz gives you a safe place to facilitate these teachable skills. Exercise…but Fun As stated previously, Rebounderz give you and your group a fun-filled afternoon or evening where you can bounce to your heart’s content. However, while you are bouncing, you are also working out your body’s muscles. Yes, that means exactly what you’d think — exercise! As you might know, exercise is not always fun. It takes time and effort to work out, which is not easy for any hard-working person. However, when you come to Rebounderz, the whole experience changes significantly. Instead of groaning about going to a smelly gym, you are going to a playground where people jump with joy! Open Even during Poor Weather Rebounderz is an excellent option if you want to encourage your group to stay active, especially in the winter and summer seasons. Because our indoor trampoline park is temperature controlled, no matter how wet, cold, or hot it gets outside, Rebounderz is always a comfortable atmosphere for you and your group. This can be beneficial when the weather is poor outside and young kids don’t want to play. Rebounderz offers you another option to keep your kids active, no matter the heat or cold. Safe Because our indoor trampoline park primarily cares for young kids, our business is extremely safe. We pride ourselves on being a wonderful place for children because we are both safe from outside dangers, as well as dangerous falls from our equipment. At Rebounderz, we are also an enclosed space, so you never have to worry about your kids escaping and getting lost or harmed; this obviously takes a lot of stress off you and will allow you to enjoy the park alongside them. Inspiration When you bounce at Rebounderz, your mind can wander. Children are exceptionally good at thinking creatively and imaginatively. At Rebounderz, this style of thinking is only reinforced as they can imagine themselves as a ninja in our ninja warrior course or an NBA star at our slamball court. Imagination is an important skill to practice as a child, and when your youngsters are given the opportunity to use their creativity, they will be able to grow into mentally healthy adults. Prepared At Rebounderz, we are prepared to handle any of your requests. For example, if your child trips and falls, we will be there with a band-aid and an ice pack! Also, say if it is your kid’s birthday, we have an in-house party room specifically designed to help contain your party and give you a calm space away from the playground. At Rebounderz, we do our best to provide you, your children, or your party with the best service and a comfortable space to enjoy each others company. If you live in the Sterling, Virginia area, come by your local Rebounderz! We would be happy to have you and your group come and enjoy our park. If you have any questions about our indoor trampoline park, do not hesitate to contact us! One of our kind representatives will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. #### Benefits of Sending Your Child to Summer Camp Nobody loves like a parent, and the only thing that can even come close to a parent's love for their child is a parent's annoyance at their child. Kids require a lot of work, and all too often breaks are few and far between for parents. Luckily, there is a way to show your love AND get a break from the kiddos at the same time by signing up for summer camp at our Edison trampoline park. Summer camp isn't just good for parents, it's good for kids too. Here are just some of the benefits your kids can reap from attending summer camp at one of our Edison trampoline parks. Unplug Raising kids today isn't the same as it was 20 or 30 years ago. Old school parents may act hard, but they've never had to contend with all-pervasive technologies like parents today have to. Tantrums from taking away an iPhone or console are much more severe than tantrums from taking away television privileges used to be because the reward systems built into these devices are more psychologically addictive. The information age comes with a price, which is why it's a great idea to unplug for a while to give your kids some perspective. Summer camp at our Edison trampoline park is the perfect way to do that, because not even the mighty technologies of tomorrow can compete with the pure joy of a trampoline park! Gain Confidence We often think of people as inherently confident or not, but in reality confidence is largely determined by how you're exposed to the world around you. There are all kinds of theories for how to build confidence in children, but in general it boils down to interactions with peers in a positive environment. Our trampoline activities bring out all the best aspects of competition, all under the supervision of a trained Rebounderz referee. It's a great way to expose your kids to the world of interpersonal interaction in an environment conducive to growth and confidence building. Gain Independence Separation anxiety can be a real struggle for children sometimes. It's hard to suddenly be taken away from your primary provider and caregiver, especially when the world is so new. But since it has to be done eventually, there is no better way than in a fun environment with responsible supervisors. Chances are, even if they start to feel home sick, once they get going on the trampoline park all their troubles will melt away. Socialization If you've ever met an avid camp-goer, you're probably aware that summer camps often culminate in very tight knit communities. This can be great for your child's socialization, and they might even make friends for life. With healthy competition, a fun environment, and adult supervision, we mitigate any chances of your children building up negative associations with their peers. Exercise Instilling regular exercise habits in kids is probably one of the most beneficial things a parent can do. Not only does it teach them discipline, keep them healthier, make them stronger, and tire them out at the end of the day, but it improves their quality of life as well! There is one caveat though, because when exercise is forced, motivation to do it goes way down. The best way to get around this is by making exercise fun, and one of the best ways to do that is a trip to our Edison trampoline park!   Whether you want to send your kids to summer camp, create the perfect birthday party environment, or just have fun filled day, our Edison trampoline park is the place to be! If you have any questions about our location, features, or policies, feel free to give one of our friendly representatives a call today. They'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. #### Benefits of Team Building Events It takes a lot to run a business well. And any great business owner knows that hard work should be rewarded with hard play. Here at Rebounderz, our Sunrize, Fl trampoline park offers a great venue for corporate team building events. Having hosted many over the years, we are aware of the beneficial role that they can play for a company. If you are on the fence as to whether there can be any return for a fun day out at the trampoline park, then consider the following. They help to build relationships Everyone understands intuitively that people are different at work than they are at home. This is a good thing, everybody needs to compartmentalize, but it can also be a road block in building productive business relationships. By having to cooperate in a team event outside of a work setting, and the stress and propriety demanded in it, it's possible to spark creative relationships that then bleed over into work life. People who may not have felt comfortable speaking up in a work setting will get the chance to in a fun one, allowing everyone to feel valued. They help to stimulate creativity Every now and then, an intractable problem at work will come up that requires a creative solution. But normally, companies are designed to streamline work for efficiency, so there's usually an element of monotony. When the brain gets too inundated with monotony, it can be hard to innovate in those moments when it is necessary. By shaking things up and bringing your team to a fun, quirky team building event, you can jog their brain to keep them on their toes. It's essentially practice for those moments when everything goes wrong and a solution needs to be pulled out of thin air. It creates an opportunity for education The workplace demands attention, which can make it a hard place to make sure everyone has the time and tools necessary to learn what they need to know. Team building events offer the perfect place, secluded and separate from the office environment, to work educational material and certifications into the day. Fun activities and prizes can even be used to motivate the completion of learning materials. Reward great work A business is only as good as the people who run it, and team building events are a great way to show your employees what they are worth to you. They create a fun environment where rewards for hard work can be handed out in a positive setting. These events provide a vacation feel, where the relaxing environment is a reward unto itself to punctuate your appreciation for your workers. If you're looking for an exciting place to host your corporate team building event, then you'll love our Sunrise, Fl trampoline park! We've got all kinds of fun attractions for your employees to enjoy. When it comes to fun attractions, we are the place to beat. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about our events or attractions. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. #### Benefits of Team Sports for Kids Team sports have been a staple of American life for centuries. Healthy competition in a social setting can provide a host of benefits for young, growing minds. While we are big fans of the classics (baseball, football, basketball, etc.), our growing population of little ones may need a little more variety to keep them interested. Here at our Rebounderz trampoline park in Grand Rapids, we offer many classic team sports with a new age twist: a gravity defying trampoline course! Kids always have a blast at our trampoline parks, but here's how they can learn and grow while doing it! Builds Confidence Playing team sports and building confidence go hand in hand when the spirit of competition is healthy. While putting pressure on kids can sometimes have the opposite effect, competition in a fun and friendly environment (like a gravity defying trampoline park!) gives them a chance to test, practice, and showcase all the fun new things they learn. Starts an Exercise Routine Regular exercise is one of the most important facets to healthy living there is, and so building up a good exercise habit early is extremely beneficial for your little one. Team sports are one of the best ways to do this because they make the exercise fun, rather than monotonous, which is the death of motivation for children. As a parent, you will appreciate the boost to the immune system your little ones get from team sports, and the extra stress you'll avoid from potential sicknesses. Builds Social Skills Social interaction is becoming a bigger deal the more we move into the global economy and information age, and it's also changing. While kids are no strangers to online interactions nowadays, opportunities for in person social interaction can sometimes be lacking. Team sports are a great way to force kids into social interactions, but in a positive environment where anti social behavior is less likely to develop. Puts Winning in Perspective Growing up is hard; kids start out with no knowledge of anything in a scary world, and constantly have to reevaluate their belief system to put things into perspective. Winning and losing are some of those concepts that can either be a positive or negative influence in a child's life. Team sports teach the value of winning as well as the knowledge that losing is an opportunity for improvement. They also put winning in perspective, teaching kids that putting in your best effort is the most important thing. Teaches Respect Until advanced critical thinking skills can be taught, children rely on authority not just for learning but also for safety. A chronic disrespect for authority can end up causing problems during childhood. Luckily, the dynamic between peers, coaches, and referees in team sports is a great way to instill the importance of respecting proper authorities at an early age.   Here at Rebounderz, we are taking team sports to a whole new level! Not content with regular old dodge ball or basketball, we offer a trampoline based version of both. Not only will your kids have a blast playing these sports with a fun twist, but our referees will ensure they do so in a safe and nurturing environment. Give us a call today for find out more. #### Benefits of Trampoline Jumping as Cross Training Any elite athlete in any sport will tell you about the benefits cross-training to improve your craft. When you work cross training into your training routine, you work your body in a different way than you are used to which allows you to give some of your primary muscles a break and build other skills. Many runners find cycling an enjoyable cross-training activity while swimming and trampoline jumping are full-body alternatives to aid weight lifting efforts. At Rebounderz Trampoline Park we know the value of trampoline rebounding as more than just fun. Here are just a few of the reasons you should consider trampoline jumping as a serious cross training opportunity. It increases muscular strength. If you have ever done any cardio or high-intensity training, you already know that jumps are used as the perfect total-body exercise — think burpees. When you jump on a trampoline rather than a hard floor, you do not get the benefit of a pause in exertion. On an elastic trampoline, you are vaulted back into the air right away. The muscular benefit in your legs, back, glutes, and abs cannot be understated. If you do more than just jump, such as attempt flips and other trampoline games, you have the potential for a great full body workout. It improves your cardiovascular endurance. Jumping continuously is an intense cardiovascular workout — think about jump roping. So much so that 10 minutes of trampoline jumping is the cardiovascular equivalent of running for 30 minutes! Imagine the workout you could get in an hour of playful trampoline rebounding! Trampoline jumping gets your blood pumping on your very first leap. Because of the elastic surface, the springing is difficult to stop and so you just keep going. This continuous rebounding ensures that your heart rate stays high your entire workout. It improves coordination and balance. Trampoline rebounding requires a lot of balance and coordination to remain upright and continue to jump. If you have issues with balance and coordination, it can make any sport difficult. The trampoline surface is made of an elastic material and is constantly moving so you must be hyper-aware of your center of gravity as you land. You must be mindful of where and how your feet are landing and react quickly. Trampoline rebounding helps improve reaction time which will help improve any sport. It helps with flexibility. Jumping helps to strengthen and lengthen muscles, which aids in flexibility. Jumping continuously helps to loosen up muscles and relax the mind which helps the body bend more readily. Trampoline jumping is particularly helpful to the flexibility of weightlifters and runners who do the same motions repetitively. Many serious athletes know the value of cross training to improve their craft and reduce injuries. While not many people recognize trampoline jumping as a true sport, it has been an Olympic sport since 2000. Just as swimming and yoga have been useful, trampoline rebounding should be added to your training plan. If you are looking for a trampoline park to cross train in, come on down to Rebounderz Extreme Fun Center in Jacksonville and get your cross training on! #### Best Birthday Party Checklist You know what needs to be done. You know what you want the final event to look like and feel like. But you don’t know how you’re going to fit it all into your busy schedule. Here’s your solution. Use this handy birthday party planning checklist and your child’s special day will be a cherished lifelong memory for you and them. Ten weeks in advance Talk with your child about what kind of party they want to have. This is not only a great planning tip, but it is a great opportunity for some fun time with your birthday girl or boy. Encourage them to tell you about how they feel about turning a year older, what their hopes are for the coming year, and work together to plan something special that both of you will be looking forward to. Two months before the big day Decide who will be invited. Will you invite the whole class from school, neighborhood friends, buddies from Scouts or other friends? Sometimes you just can’t invite everyone. And this can be a tough thing for a young child to understand. So use this as another opportunity to spend time helping your child develop new emotional and social skills. Work with them to help them understand the limits of the venue and any other restraints on the size of the party. Also, be sure to consider the feelings of children that won’t be invited. If there are 20 children in your child’s class at school, and they only want to invite 17 of them, this can be a good opportunity to learn about your child’s school life. Find out why they don’t want to invite only three people in their class, and work through any issues. An ideal solution will include inviting everyone in the class, and your child understanding how it would have felt to be one of only three kids not invited to something. Six weeks out Finalize your date. Book your venue. Send out invitations. This is a lot for one week. You don’t have to wait this long to finalize your date and book your venue. But, don’t send out invitations too much later than this. You know how busy you are. Everyone else is in the same boat, and they need to plan in advance. Four weeks before Make your master checklist including what you need to make or buy for: goodie bags, decorations, food, games and crafts, entertainment, games, plates, cups, and beverages. Make a grocery list. Order any specialty items like your theme party cake and any items that are personalized. These can take a while. Even if you think you can get them in two weeks, ordering them in advance is easy, so why not take a little pressure off and get it out of the way in advance? Three weeks before Check in with anyone who hasn’t RSVP’d and make sure they got your invitation. Line up your party helpers including older children and parents who will help out on the day of the party. Do your party decoration and goodie bag shopping, and pick up anything you’ll need that isn’t perishable. Two weeks before Confirm. Confirm. Confirm. Anything that isn’t in your direct control needs confirmation, including your venue, catering, special orders, cake, speciality items and more. No detail is too small. If you think the venue is booked from 11am to 3pm, and that it will be available an hour before for setup, confirm those details. If you are expecting help from on-site staff, confirm that too. If you just confirm the date, but not the details, you could end up with a huge headache on the day of the party. Avoid letting miscommunication ruin your child’s big day. Confirm. Confirm. Confirm. One week in advance Make calls to anyone who still hasn’t responded, and confirm your final attendance numbers with your venue, caterers, and other service providers. Put the goody bags together. Get your kids involved. This is a great opportunity to teach them about the importance of gratitude and showing how much they appreciate their friends by giving them a small token to say, “thanks for being there on my big day.” Three days and counting Make sure your helpers all know where and when to show up, and what their roles are. Go back through your checklists and take care of anything that has slipped through the cracks. If you’ve followed the list to this point, you should be in pretty good shape. You should have a great day. If you’ve already decided to have your party at Rebounderz in Lansdale, here are a few more tips specific to your child’s birthday at the trampoline arena. Rebounderz birthday party tips When the time comes to send your invitations, we’ve made it easy for you. Download our printable invitations. They include all of the day-of details your attendees are going to need, including a map. Include a copy of our waiver with your invitations. Every jumper must sign a waiver, and it’ll be a big help to you if everyone shows up to the party with a signed waiver in hand. We don’t want to see any tears because someone gets dropped off without a waiver, and can’t participate in all the birthday fun. And, we know you don’t want that either. You’re all set That’s it. You and your little one are all set for the big day. Whether it is for a birthday party, or just a day of family fun, we look forward to seeing you at the Rebounderz Trampoline Arena in Lansdale.   #### Best Kids Movies Here at Rebounderz, we know the importance of regular exercise for children, which is why we are proud of our Sunrise trampoline park and all the activities we offer. But we're just human, and we can't be active all the time. Sometimes we just want to curl around the television and be entertained. There are a lot of great kids movies out there, but probably not enough time to sift through them all. For your convenience, we've listed some of our favorite children's movies here. Charlotte's Web We recommend both the book and the movie, but this is one instance where the movie was respectful of its source material. It's a heart warming story of Wilbur, a pig on a farm who is all set to be eaten for Christmas dinner. Don't worry, Wilbur ends up safe and sound, and everybody learns lessons on loyalty, faith, and acceptance in the process. Finding Nemo If you haven't already seen this movie gem, then put it on your list. Little Nemo the clown fish gets lost in the big wide ocean and his father has to find him. With Ellen DeGeneres as Dory (and a great sequel, Finding Dory also available), there's no end to the jokes, humor, and adventure in Finding Nemo. WALL-E Set in the far future, where the environment is destroyed and humans live on giant spaceships, WALL-E follows the adventures of a long abandoned robot on earth. It's got action, love, and the savior of the human race all wrapped up into one! A great pick for family movie night. Homeward Bound Do you and your kiddos love animals? Then you'll love this cult classic. Follow Chance (dog), Shadow (dog), and Sassy (cat) as they are left behind by their owners on vacation. Not knowing what to do, and being the good pets that they are, they set out to find their owners. Overcoming all kinds of obstacles on the way, these characters are sure to provide a night of enjoyment for you and your little ones. Howl's Moving Castle Hayao Miyazaki is a huge name in Japan, and could in a sense be considered the Japanese director version of Disney. Howl's Moving Castle boasts an all star voice cast (Christian Bayle, Emily Mortimer, Blythe Danner, Lauren Bacall, etc.) and stunning animation. Follow Sophie in a magical world where magicians and witches exist. After getting cursed, forced to live in an old lady's body, Sophie finds refuge in Howl's moving castle, the movie's namesake. Will she be able to break the curse, not to mention solve all the problems spouting up in this magical world? Watch and find out!   Hopefully you'll be able to enjoy one or more of these great kid's movies. Here at Rebounderz, we are happy to provide a fun place for kids to expend all of their energy with our Sunrise trampoline park. With kid's birthday parties, all kinds of events and activities, and of course our trampoline attractions, there's tons of fun to be had. Please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions. #### Best Kids Movies, Part 2 Here at Rebounderz, we are all about the fun parts of being a kid. That's why we are so proud of our Sunrise, FL trampoline park, where kids come to have a blast every day! But not all fun and games has to be extreme trampoline attractions and kids' birthday parties, sometimes a fun time is just a night in with the family watching a movie. To help give you some inspiration for the next such night, here are some of the best kids' movies. Jumanji This Robin Williams classic follows Alan as he's sucked into the weird and wild dimension of a magical board game. When two kids (played by Bradley Pierce and Kirsten Dunst) stumble onto the game and start playing, then events really start to unfold! Can they win the game before the unthinkable? Watch and find out! The Goonies This movie can be summed up in two words: treasure map. Or maybe truffle shuffle. Actually, there's a lot of words that accurately describe this movie, and they're all wonderful. Don't miss this 1985 cult classic produced by none other than Steven Spielberg. The Nightmare Before Christmas Is this a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie? We'll let you design! You and your kiddos will love this fun take on holiday themes as they follow the adventures of Jack Skellington after he decides to take over Santa's job for a night. With wonderful animation style and a Broadway musical feel, this movie is sure to delight. The Karate Kid If you've ever heard the phrase "wax on, wax off", and wondered where it came from, then this movie is a must see. Follow young Danny as he deals with bullying at his school. Luckily, kind and wise martial artist Mr. Miyagi is there to train him. A great lesson for standing up for yourself. Alice in Wonderland They may be a little young for the book, but Disney's adaptation of Lewis Carroll's work is a fun substitute! Follow Alice down the rabbit hole as she experiences a very unbirthday with the Mad Hatter, chases down a chronically late bunny, and tries to keep her head in the queens court in this exciting kids adventure.   If you're looking for a fun place to tire the little ones out for movie night, check out our Sunrise trampoline park. We also host kids' birthday parties. Give us a call if you have any questions. #### Birthday Party Games for Tons of Fun! When it comes to throwing a kid’s birthday party, it can often be tricky to keep most kids entertained in a safe manner. Planning a birthday party can be tough because you have to keep kids busy and make sure you haven’t forgotten anything, such as the cake. In order to make your life a little less stressful, let the birthday party pros at Rebounderz of Edison help you plan the perfect day for your child. We’re here to help make your party fun and easy; in fact, all you have to remember is the cake! But if you’re ready to hop in and help create some structured play for your kids here at Rebounderz, here are a few games that will be tons of fun and work just about anywhere! Keep reading to get in on the action! Musical Chairs It doesn’t matter if you’re at Rebounderz or at home, you can never go wrong with musical chairs. This game is great for a variety of ages and never gets old. Choose some fun music and let the kids have a blast. At Rebounderz, each trampoline pad in a circle can be a “chair,” and a child is eliminated when the music stops and there is only one person left standing. The last child with a chair or trampoline bed is the winner. Hula Hoop Challenges Hula hoops didn’t just stay in the 90s, kids today love them too. While cake is being served, have a hula hoop competition, and the person who can stay in the longest or beat the most other kids wins a prize. Have kids go head to head, this way, you don’t have to have more than two hula hoops with you. Also, if you happen to have a child at the party that just can’t sit still to eat, hand them a hula hoop and see how many seconds they can go without stopping in order to keep them occupied. Inflatable Volleyballs Who doesn’t love this simple, yet fun toy? Inflatable volleyballs can lead to hours of fun. From playing “Don’t Let it Touch the Ground,” to different relay races, you can come up with plenty of games to play with some simple inflatable volleyballs. For a birthday party at Rebounderz, set up some crazy relays that use only inflatable volleyballs. Each leg of the relay needs to have a different activity with it. Perhaps one leg involved a child bouncing the designated length with the volleyball between their legs. Another leg could involve two children having to bounce with the volleyball between them without using their hands. The options are truly endless. Simon Says Rebounderz is the perfect place to take Simon Says up a notch. With more options available on a trampoline, the kids can have a rousing game. Let one kid lead and say things like, “Simon says jump.” Or, “Simon says spin in a circle.” Kids will get knocked out if they decide to do a motion and Simon didn’t say to! Reward the winner with a prize. Obstacle Courses There is nothing wrong with a great backyard obstacle course, however, here at Rebounderz, we’ve taken the obstacle course up a notch. Instead of backyard games, bring the kids in to take on the Ninja Warrior Course at Rebounderz of Edison. Kids can race each other for the fastest time through the course in order to win a prize. This play time makes a great addition to any birthday party and encourages friendly competition. Bobbing for Donuts Instead of opting for cake, make the kids earn their sweets. Set up a fun bobbing for donuts activity while they’re out bouncing. This is a play on the traditional bobbing for apples. Kids have to race to eat donuts that are on string and suspended from the ceiling. The catch is that they can’t use their hands in order to help them scarf down this sweet treat. Mini-Photo Booth Lastly, a great kid’s party game would be to include a mini-photo booth in the private room at Rebounderz. Bring in some fun props, such as hats, boas, and mustaches, and purchase a Fujifilm Instax to capture some great memories of your child and their friends. You can even opt to create a scrapbook with the pictures that are taken, or give the pictures away as a party favor so kids can remember the great time they had together. There are many different things you can do to make sure your child has fun during their birthday party, and sometimes, the games that work best are truly the simplest. Try out some of the games we’ve described and laugh away. But be sure that you book your kid’s birthday party with Rebounderz today! We’re here to make planning your child’s party easy and provide incredible fun for all ages. #### Birthday Party Snacks Kids Love When you’re throwing a kid’s birthday party, there are a lot of things you have to consider. One of the biggest tasks to be handled is what you’ll feed all of the young, hungry and energetic party guests. If you choose traditional sugary treats like cupcakes and ice cream, it can increase your stress and their hyperactivity. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the best kid’s birthday party snacks for healthy options they’ll love. When you’re looking for a location to hold your child’s next birthday party, look no further than Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale. -Edamame Quick, easy, portable and healthy; edamame is a snack that is sure to please. Their attractive green color, great taste, and protein make for a great side or replacement for potato chips. If you really want to have a hit on your hands, throw shelled edamame beans in with some olive oil and kosher salt, and roast them up in the oven. Try them warm and fresh out of the oven for a toasty treat that can’t be beat. -Carrots and Hummus This one is delicious and easy to prepare, which makes it ideal for party planning. While you might think kids wouldn’t like hummus, most of them actually like it a lot as long as they don’t know it’s made from beans or chickpeas. If you can find them, try rainbow carrots for an extra colorful spread. Hummus is pretty easy to make at home, so you can play around with different flavors to give everyone options. The great thing about hummus is how well it pairs with just about everything, so don’t feel limited to carrots when celery, broccoli, and peppers can all add more healthy variety. -Ants on a Log This snack is a classic for a reason. Not only is it easy to prepare, its a healthy option that has a bit of sweetness. You can swap out the peanut butter for sunflower butter to avoid issues with nut allergies. Use raisins, cranberries, or dried cherries to mix it up and give options for flavors. This snack is a great one to prepare with your little ones, so get them involved in adding the toppings! -No Bake Oatmeal Cookies Just because you’re going for healthy snacks doesn’t mean you can’t have some cookies! No bake oatmeal cookies are incredibly easy to make and you can make alterations to them for fun variations. This is another option where sunflower butter makes a perfect substitution for kids with nut allergies. Try rolling them in unsweetened coconut for snowball cookies or press a small piece of dried fruit in the center for thumbprint cookies. If you have any leftovers after the party, these make a great treat to take in a lunchbox the next day. -Smoothies Steer clear of the juice boxes with zero percent fruit juice and the sugar-filled soda for a healthier option. Blend up equal portions of fruit, yogurt, and either freshly squeezed fruit juice or milk. Serve them in small cups with colorful straws for a bright touch to the party. If you want to add even more nutrients, use greek yogurt for a boost of protein and flaxseed for some Omega-3s. -Popcorn and Cheese Sticks You might be surprised to learn that popcorn is actually nutritious thanks to its fiber content. Naturally, kids love popcorn, but it’s a good idea to pair it with cheese sticks, thanks to the protein they provide. While you can get prepackaged cheese sticks at the grocery store, they’re pretty easy to make at home with some toothpicks. Try different types of cheese, cut them into fun shapes, and spear them with the toothpick for a healthy treat. -Granola Bars While the granola bars you find at the store are all well and good, many of them are packed with added sugars, which essentially makes them candy bars. Instead, make some homemade ones. That way you can control what goes into the bar, while also giving kids some input in what they’d like. Not only are they delicious and easy to make, they’re also a fraction of the price of the ones you find at the grocery store. -Yogurt Popsicles For something cool and sweet, make some homemade yogurt popsicles to tie your kid’s birthday party together. Some fresh fruit and yogurt are all you need for this delightful snack. Take them to the next level with a cool popsicle mold to give them fun shapes. You might even be able to find a mold that fits the theme of the birthday party! Keep them in a bowl of ice or a cooler so everyone can grab them and go at their leisure. There are a ton of healthy snacks that kids love you can have at your next birthday party. A little bit of creativity can make something old and unhealthy into a fresh and nutritious that will please everyone involved. For your kid’s next birthday party, why not have it here at Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale? Our trampolines are incredibly safe, the foam pit is a blast to play in and the Ninja Warrior course is the perfect challenge for athletic kids that want to show off their skills. Birthday parties at Rebounderz come with specially trained birthday party staff that will organize and set up the party and assist through the duration. That means less stress for you and more fun for everyone. We hope to see you soon! #### Birthday Venues Dos and Don’t When planning your kid’s birthday, there are a lot of factors you must consider, such as what the theme should be, what to serve, and what party games to plan. Aside from all of these different decisions, you also need to make the most important decision: where to have the party. Choosing a party venue is by far the most important decision you will make in the entire party-planning process. When deciding on a venue, you must confirm that the location is safe, enclosed, and able to handle a crowd of running, shouting, and laughing children. Don’ts Your House In our previous blogs, we have discussed why having your child’s birthday at your house is a notoriously bad idea. Children are naturally hyper-active and accident-prone; if you value your time, money, and sanity — don’t host at your house! If our two blogs of why not to host your child’s birthday at your house were not evidence enough, we can continue to give you reasons why it is not a good idea. For example, while children are a joy, their presence almost ensures a giant mess. If you serve any sort of food at the party, you can bet money that a child will take it upon themselves to smear food on any of your home’s surfaces. In most cases, small children will decide that your nice, clean walls deserve a little something extra — like chocolate cake or cheeto dust. Park The most popular choice for kids party venues is the park, specifically local and public parks. The issue with these sorts of parks is that they are often not enclosed, which can pose a challenge when trying to keep an eye on your child and their birthday guests. Parks are also often located near a street, which can be dangerous to cross or even be close to. Because most parks are public, you also have to be watchful of who is at the park with your guests. If you child is still too young to understand the importance of “stranger danger,” you will have to keep your head on a swivel constantly. Though no one may wish any harm to your kid’s party, as the parent, you are responsible for the safety of all of the guests, not just your children. By having your child’s birthday party at a park, you are adding stress to yourself by trying to coordinate and protect all of the party’s attendants at the same time. A Restaurant It is rare that a restaurant will be big enough to handle your entire party. If you have indeed found one, you can pat yourself on the back, because finding one is the equivalent of finding buried treasure. However, if you have been unlucky in your search, there are always other options, so don’t worry! Restaurants are a daring choice to have a birthday party because they can be expensive. If your child invites many kids and their parents, you are responsible for paying the bill. Not to mention, you will have to leave a pretty sizable tip for the poor waitress/waiter that was forced to take orders from a crowded table of rambunctious children. Amusement Parks If you decide to have your young child’s birthday at an amusement park, not only are you brave, but you are positively fearless! Why? Well, amusement parks can be stressful enough when you’re just caring for one child. If you decide to have a birthday party at amusement park, you are caring for your child and their friends. The whole thing will make your head spin. Not only are amusement park tickets extremely expensive, but they are often crowded. It is almost impossible to keep on eye on everyone at once, and on the slight chance you lose one of your guests, you must spend the rest of your day trying to find them. Ice Rink Though ice rinks are large enough to handle the size of a birthday party,they tend to be dangerous. If you have the glorious idea of having your kid’s party venue at your local ice rink, keep in mind that you are allowing children to play on hard, cold ice, with razor-sharp blades attached to their feet. Injuries are bound to happen, and not simple ones either. Children are naturally uncoordinated; this results in them falling over and over on the rink floor. When kids fall, they are also likely to sprain or break a limb, which will lead to very loud, very high-pitched, crying. Dos Now that you have a list of some of the venues you don’t want to host a birthday party at, we will now explain why Rebounderz is a good option for you! Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Parks At Rebounderz, we are a large indoor park that not only is equipped to handle a large group of children, but that is our business! We have tons of safe attractions for your guests to play on and even a private party area where you can collect presents and party favors. If you are interested in hosting a worry-free birthday party for your child, contact Rebounderz today and book a date! #### Birthdays in Different Cultures Last time we dove into the history of birthdays and the evolution of their celebrations. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at some birthday parties from other cultures with a bit more detail. Getting older is important to all of us, but it’s fun to see how different people symbolize that importance and what birthdays are raised above the others.   -Quinceañeras We briefly touched on the Quinceañera in our last blog, but it’s a truly fascinating subject. To recap, it is the birthday celebration for a girl who is turning 15. It is symbolic of her transition from childhood to young womanhood. In the years leading up to this birthday, the girl is usually taught skills like cooking and weaving to prepare her for adulthood and marriage. While many Quinceañera traditions are carried over across multiple different countries, the differences can be surprising. Most parties follow a program of segments to give the reception a schedule of events, between which food and drinks are served to the guests. A common thread through the celebrations is the waltz, usually between the birthday girl and her father. This is usually considered the first public dance of the girl’s life, and is quite significant. A segment found particularly in the Mexican Catholic tradition but optional in other countries is the practice of holding mass, commonly at the beginning of the celebration. It can be easy to mistake a Quinceañera for a wedding at first glance and that’s not a mistake. Its origins came from the belief that girls were ready for marriage at 15. Thankfully, kids are allowed to be kids a bit longer nowadays.   -Bar and Bat Mitzvahs A bar mitzvah is held for a Jewish boy when he turns 13, while a bat mitzvah is held for a girl when she turns either 12 (Orthodox and Conservative Judaism) or 13 (Reform). The celebration is held to symbolize becoming accountable for their own actions, where prior to a mitzvah, the child’s parents take responsibility for their actions. Bar and Bat Mitzvah translate to “Son and Daughter of Commandment” in Jewish Babylonian Aramaic, meaning that while it is used to describe the ritual itself, its origins stem from what the person going through the ritual was called. Typically, a mitzvah is held on the Shabbat or Sabbath following the important birthday. While many leaders in the Jewish community have stated they don’t like how mitzvahs seem to have become more about the party than the religious significance of the rite of passage, the parties have gotten more elaborate with sometimes very over the top themes since the 1970s. The festivities typically include a celebratory meal with friends, family, and members of the synagogue, with gift giving and a reading from the Torah taking place.   -Philippine Debut A Filipino coming-of-age celebration called a debut, which celebrates a young woman turning 18. While men also reach legal maturity at 18, they celebrate their debut at 21, which are less formal than the female counterpart, if they celebrate it at all. A debut shares many similarities with a Quinceañera, however, a debut revolves heavily around the number 18. A Filipino girl will throw a party with 18 guests of her choice and they’re typically dressed either in traditional formal dress called Barong Tagalog or in a more western Black Tie style. Dancing plays a considerable part in a debut, with a waltz known as the ‘Grand Cotillion Dance,’ the ‘18 Roses Dance,’ where 18 male guests provide her with a rose or her favorite flower, and a father-daughter dance taking a prominent position in the party. The connection to that special number continues with the 18 candles, which are provided by female friends or family members. Each gives a short speech about their relationship, then lights the candle and places it either in her hand or on a nearby display stand. A more modern addition to the proceedings is the ‘18 Treasures,’ where 18 guests present the birthday girl with a gift accompanied by a speech. While similar to what takes place with the roses dance and candle ceremony, this is not separated by gender. The party concludes with a speech about life from the birthday girl while expressing gratitude to the guests.   -Doljanchi The bulk of what we’ve taken a look at here has been mostly focused on birthdays signifying the entry into adulthood, but let’s wind the clock back and look at a Korean tradition now. Doljanchi is the celebration of a baby’s first birthday. As civilization was still finding its way, it’s sad to say babies passed due to complications connected to illnesses we’ve thankfully cured now. Because of that, a baby turning one was of incredible significance and something to be celebrated. The entire village would join in on this party, sharing food and well wishes of a prosperous future for the baby. Many traditions have carried over from this starting point. A custom revolving around fortune telling, doljabi, is often the highlight of the doljanchi. In this portion of the celebration, the baby is sat upon a table which has a variety of food and objects spread across it. The baby is then encouraged to choose one of the objects, which is considered to foretell the child’s future. During the party, guests can try to guess which object the child will choose, with a prize going to whoever guesses correctly. A dol table is set up by the baby’s parents where food is piled high to symbolize a life of prosperity.   Those are just a few of the different birthday celebrations from different cultures. As you can see, there are many similarities and even more differences setting them apart. There are even more traditions that come into play when you look into smaller communities, but we thought it was fun to take a look at how other people celebrate something we all share, growing old. At Rebounderz in Lansdale, we want to make your birthday something really special. Give us a call today to schedule your party! #### Bonding Experiences with Your Step-Children Bonding With Your New Family Members Nearly 50 percent of American families are remarried or re-coupled. Because so many couples remarry there are a lot of families that must handle the new parent/step-child dynamic. This relationship can be tricky, especially when the children are already grown up knowing and respecting another parent. As a step-parent, it can be difficult to understand the line between what behavior is appropriate for your relationship with your step-child. For instance, you may question how to punish misbehaving children, how to interact with your step-child in a conversation, and so much more. The relationship, as a whole, can be somewhat strained. However, there are ways to improve the relationship and foster a step-relative relationship rooted with love and trust. In this blog, we will discuss some of the activities that you can experience with your step-child, as a way to grow a significant bond with them. We hope that by reading this blog, you can become inspired and learn ways to grow a lasting relationship with your step-child. Choosing Your Family Though family, in its formal definition, are relatives who share a bloodline, not all “families” can be defined that easily. It is commonly said that there are two types of family; one family you choose, and the other family you are born into. A step-parent and step-child relationship is family that you choose. Ultimately, it is up to both of you to create a lasting relationship with each other. If you are successful in creating a healthy and trustworthy bond, your relationship can graduate from a shy meeting of strangers to a parent-child relationship. Also, just because you are not blood-related, does not necessarily mean that you won’t be able to bond with each other. Chosen family can sometimes we as connected, or even more connected, than actual biological relations. Bonding Experiences The best way to get to know someone is to spend time with them. Just as you get to know friends and significant others by spending time with them, the same amount of attention and time needs to be devoted to fostering relationships with your step-family. When hanging out with your step-children, it can be a little nerve-wracking at first — especially when it is just you two alone. When a step-child is with their biological parent, they will be a little bit more reserved and have a sense of protection. But, in order to have a good relationship with your step-child or children, you need to spend individual time with them. For one, by having this time together you will see what kind of kid they actually are. You also will see how they respond to things away from their parents. Depending on the type of child your step-child is, or how old they are, will determine what activities you can enjoy together. For example, if your step-child is quiet and timid, you won’t want them to engage in a game of football or any anxiety-inducing activities. If you are nervous about getting the activity just right, don’t panic. Luckily, you have their biological parent as a valuable resource to learn about the child and what they like to do. Spoiling your step-child is an easy tactic to get them to like you, but that doesn’t guarantee that they will be comfortable with you. Buying them nice things is no substitute for a real human connection. The best way to get to know your stepchild is by taking them somewhere they would enjoy. Public Parks Public parks are a great place to take your step-children. For one, they are public and filled with many different activities. City parks will have pathways where you both can walk and talk, and even get ice cream. Your step-child will remember your effort more than anything else, so taking time from your day to put them first will speak volumes. City parks are also a wonderful location to hang out because they also have jungle-gyms and other attractions. Depending on how old your step-child is, they might enjoy going to the park with you much more than anything else. Theme Parks Themed parks or restaurants are also a good choice. Theme parks have plenty of exciting attractions, rides, and foods to experience. Because these parks are so fun, your step-child will remember enjoying the park with you for years to come. Indoor Trampoline Parks Indoor trampoline parks are a popular outing choice for the summertime. Because outside can be sweltering, indoor trampoline parks are by far more favorable. Inside, these parks are air-conditioned and completely safe. Together, you and your step-child or children can jump on a trampoline for hours. Better still, some indoor trampoline parks have an entire collection of different attractions to choose from, such as Ninja Warrior obstacle courses, Xtreme Towers, and so much more. Rebounderz of Newport News If you are looking for a fun, interactive park to enjoy with your step-children, Rebounderz is perfect. Here we offer you a fun, safe space, filled with many activities to enjoy. If you live in Newport News, stop by your local Rebounderz. #### Boredom is Healthy for Your Kids Boredom is Necessary Boredom is healthy for your kids! We have all felt that nagging, empty feeling like there is nothing to do. The feeling is annoying, but little did we know boredom is actually healthy for you — especially for your kids! Yes, in fact, Gallup polls have found that one in five parents strongly agree that boredom is actually good for their kids. But why? Well, the common idea is that boredom is necessary to appreciate when you are busy. However, there are other theories to why boredom is good for children. In this blog, we will discuss why boredom is actually a good thing for your kids. Ideas about boredom Some people believe that in boredom, we can appreciate when we are busy with things to do. Others, however, view boredom as a sign that they aren’t doing enough in their lives. The following are reasons why boredom is a benefit to your child. Boredom encourages imagination and creativity. Boredom can be a device children use to exercise their creativity. When kids are bored, they are able to think imaginatively to occupy their time. This can be extremely beneficial, as children with active imaginations are happier and generally, healthier. Though you should not try to make your child bored, you should also feel the obligation to fill their time. Allowing them to create and imagine when they are bored in necessary for helping them build a healthy mind. Boredom develops problem-solving skills. When children are bored, they will often complain to their parents. However, it is not completely your job to fill your child’s every waking moment with something to do. Sometimes, it is good to do nothing so that your child can build important problem-solving skills. They can build these skills by realizing that their parents aren’t going to entertain them and that they will have to learn to entertain themselves. Typically, when children decide to entertain themselves, they will choose to do things that are good for them. For instance, they can lay down for a nap, paint, play, and even write a story. All of these activities are healthy for them, and the best part is, they have decided to do it for themselves. Boredom develops new skills. While your child is bored, they will decide to partake in activities to occupy their time. This can mean that they use this time to develop current or newer skills. For instance, while your child is bored they can grow interests in other skills, such as art, music, and sports. Through boredom, children can find other things that interest them. When children dully look at a television screen, they aren’t improving their skills set. Allowing your child time in the day to ponder and think of things that interest them can be extremely beneficial. Boredom helps children form stronger bonds. When you’re bored, you are more likely to do things you don’t normally do. For instance, when you are bored, you may decide to call a friend or spend time with someone you haven’t seen in a while — children are no different. When children are bored, they are much more likely to contact their friends and even their family. This can help your child build lasting relationships with their friends and family. Rebounderz Rohnert Park Of course, though boredom does have its benefits, not many of us enjoy feeling bored. If you and your child are having an uneventful day, stop by your local Rohnert Park Rebounderz. We have plenty of exciting attractions to help fill your day and give you the dose of cardio you need. Visit our indoor trampoline park today! #### Bounce Back-To-School In Confidence! (Part One) The summers for kids are spent unstructured where they can roam wild and free, so naturally, going back to school can foster feelings of anxiety around the upcoming school year. Each new season of school ushers a certain amount of uncertainty that freshly challenges them intellectually, socially, and emotionally. After a long summer, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of things and adjust to more structured days, which is why confidence is crucial to help them off on the right foot. So, how can Rebounderz of Sunrise help?     A strong sense of confidence is healthy for kids to develop as they start the new school year, and Rebounderz of Sunrise can help cultivate confidence that translates to the classroom. Come bounce at our indoor trampoline park and join us in today’s post as we explore how to build confidence in kids! Building Confidence in Kids — One Bounce at a Time!   Guiding your child towards confidence can come in many forms from talking with your kid and giving them verbal affirmations to reassurance and communicating about their anxieties, however, where does an indoor trampoline park come in? Find out below!   Rebounderz Cultivates Confidence Through Play     One of the best ways to foster confidence is through play. Whether it’s you and your child playing at Rebounderz or they’re playing with friends, the experience will build on their confidence.   If you have an outing at Rebounderz trampoline park before school starts, really make it a point to be present with your child. Together, create games the both of you can play — this creative time engages both you and your child. Playtime is advantageous to confidence because it calms anxiety and allows the kid to be a kid and can create without barriers.   Rebounderz Cultivates Confidence With Problem Solving Skills   When your child faces problems, as a parent or caregiver, ysn’t included or the kids are at a birthday party they weren’t invited to. This is upsetting seeing your child hurt, but it’s important that they handle the situation with the skills they have. Afterwards, you can touch base with them and ask them about the situation and how they feel about it and how they handled it.   When kids have the chance to deal with problems and find their own solutions, this builds confidence and a self-trust that they can handle these types of situations in the future.   Confidence is vitally important to your youngster as they begin to navigate this great big world! Help equip them with the tools they need, and one of them just happens to be confidence!   At Rebounderz Sunrise, we offer more than just your typical indoor trampoline park! We have activities for the younger crew such as Toddler Time and Munchkin and Me to Sensory Friendly Nights for those of all abilities! Come in and check us out today!   #### Bounce Back-To-School In Confidence! (Part Two) In part one, we began looking into building confidence to help guide your child in the upcoming school year. We’ll continue the conversation today with even more ways Rebounderz Sunrise can help build confidence!     Rebounderz Cultivates Confidence Through Helping Others   How great does it feel when you can help someone else out? You feel great and it’s empowering! The same sense of empowerment can serve your child and foster confidence when they help others out while bouncing. This can be teaching someone how to bounce safely or showing a new friend around the facility. In any helping scenario, the child can realize that they have something to offer and will continue to help others, thus building more confidence! And, the best way to teach your child to be helpful is to model it yourself as a parent!   Rebounderz Cultivates Confidence Through Interacting With Different Age Groups   At Rebounderz Sunrise, we see a wide variety of age groups from the youngest bouncers that are toddlers to adults! Typically, kids like to stay within their own peer group around the same ages, but being exposed to other ages, both younger and older, can build confidence through the interactions they have. Kids have to learn how to navigate middle schoolers who can be cruel or smaller kids who may get in the way. In this sense it builds resilience giving your child a different viewpoint of their environment which gives them confidence when they encounter different people and different groups.   Rebounderz Cultivates Confidence Through Fun Tasks   Play fun games at Rebounderz with your child and give them an opportunity to display their skills and the things they’re good at, this is the ultimate confidence builder. For example, play Simon Says and ask them to repeat things they’re really good at like jumping on one foot! You can also time how long it takes them to jump from one end to another, and challenge them to do it in a faster time. Whatever task or fun game it is, make sure your child feels successful and useful, as they will feel more confident when they finish or achieve something.   Rebounderz Cultivates Confidence Through Goals   Setting goals is a great way to champion confidence. Whether your child succeeds or falls short, they’ll learn a great deal from this experience. Perhaps they’re a really great dancer. On one of our Friday Night Frenzies encourage them to enter the dance contest, or have them sign up for an exercise class to improve their athleticism.     Rebounderz Cultivates Confidence Through a Positive Perspective   Perspective is everything and the sooner your child learns and implements one, the more confidence they can build. When a problem arises — perhaps they’re being left out or they can’t quite get a back flip — they can use their problem solving skills and then following the event you can dialogue with them about ways to have a better perspective. You can be empathetic that they can’t get a back flip and say something like “I can understand how disappointed you are, so let’s brainstorm ways that will help you get a back flip the next time around.” This builds perspective and confidence the next time a dilemma comes their way.      Confidence is crucial when it comes to a successful school year! Have fun with your child and build up their confidence while you’re at it! Stop into our Rebounderz Sunrise location today!   #### Boy’s Birthday Party Themes When you have your boy’s birthday party here at Rebounderz in Grand Rapids, you can go wild with your birthday party themes. We know not all boys are Ninja Warrior or Guardians of the Galaxy fanatics, although we love those themes. We’re taking a broader approach here, and we’ve organized ideas based on other things that your boy might be interested in. We’re sure our list will spark the perfect idea. Once you’ve decided, give our birthday party planners a call. They’ll help you plan the perfect day. Movie Characters Minions—We have to admit it. We love the Minions. They make us laugh every time we see them, and we are impressed at every single Minions birthday party by how creative everyone is getting. Is your little guy a fan of the Minions? Well, then you can’t go wrong by including any of these ideas for their party. If you’re up for a little DIY, one of our favorite ideas is the Minion party cup. All you’ll need are yellow paper cups, black and silver sharpies, and plastic adhesive wiggle eyes from the craft store.   Step 1: Draw a black band about ⅔ of the way up the cup. Step 2: Draw two silver circles, just a bit larger than the adhesive eyes next to each other, in the center of the black band. Step 3: Stick the eyes to the center of the silver circles Step 4: Draw a little sprig of hair above the eyes and a funny smile under them. Voila! They are adorable. Use these cute cups for beverages, fill them with popcorn, or fill them with party favors and wrap them in clear cellophane for everyone to take home with them. One more for the DIYer. How would your little guy like Minion cupcakes? Here’s all it takes. Step 1: Make your little one’s favorite cupcakes in blue paper cupcake liners. Step 2: Frost with yellow frosting. Step 3: Add a marshmallow to the center. Step 4: Fix a brown M&M to the center of the marshmallow with a dab of frosting. Step 4: Draw a smile and band for the Minion’s googles using chocolate decorative icing. There you have it. More whimsical Minions. We Can’t Help Ourselves. Just because we love the minions so much. Here are some other great ideas we’ve seen. Minion bananas Minion twinkies Minion banana cream pie. Really! Minion jelly bean jars Angry Birds—Whether it is the movie or the video game, if your guy is a fan, they’ll be thrilled with this theme. Start out with store-bought items. There are a ton to choose from. They are affordable and super cute. You’ll find everything from party bags and balloons, to stickers and themed plates and napkins at your local party store. Here are a few ways to add your own special touch. Bird and pig decorated sugar cookies are easy to make and are always a big hit. Decorate red cups with angry bird faces and green cups with piggy noses. Empty cardboard boxes are the perfect foundation for crates of TNT.   Animals Everyone loves animals. Does your little guy have a favorite? Or maybe a zoo or safari theme is what they’re wishing for. You can really go wild when you’ve got this as your theme. Here are some great ideas for animal themed parties. Some of these are DIY projects. Others you can find ready-made at your local craft store. Animal-nose straw toppers. You can make your own, purchase them at the craft store, or print them out using this handy printable template. Either way, each partygoer will be transformed into a different animal when they take a sip of their drink. Now, let them use those straws to drink some jungle juice with plastic spiders and bugs swimming through it. Here’s an easy one for you. Get a few foot-long submarine sandwiches, cut them into individual serving sizes, wrap them around the table, add two black olive eyes and a red pepper tongue. You’ve got an instant snake sammie! Another easy to make treat is animal-shaped sandwiches. Use animal cookie cutters to create a jungle full treats that are just the right size for little hands. You can use those same cookie cutters to make animal-shaped Rice Crispie treats. Our favorite way to work an animal theme into a party is with cupcakes. Here are some of the most creative ideas we’ve seen. Use gummy worms and gumdrops to create octopus toppers. An Oreo cookie and three brown M&Ms make a perfectly respectable paw print on top of a white-iced cupcake. Cupcakes with topped with overflowing swirls of blue icing and a Goldfish snack cracker will swim their way into your heart. Pump up your theme with safari hats and animal shaped balloons. And, for an easy party favor, hand out boxes of animal crackers with a plastic animal and thank you note attached with a bit of raffia. Real life Heros You can never go wrong with a party theme dedicated to real life heros. Firefighters, in particular, are popular with our partygoers. Here are some party ideas for the little hero in your life. Given its popularity, you can find a lot of ready-to-go party decor and cake toppers for this theme, including: Firefighter hats. Fire hydrant-shaped sippy cups. Themed tablecloths, invitations, and party favors. Water buckets. Dalmation toys and stuffed animals. We always like it when parties have a personal touch.  So, here are some ideas to make the day extra special for your birthday boy. Yellow, red and orange streamers are definitely right on theme. Use them to decorate the party room. Sugar cookies and cupcakes make a great foundation for firefighter badges. All you’ll need is a little decorative icing and a bit of creativity. Gold and red fire chief badges, personalized with each party attendees name, are pretty easy to make with a printer, colored paper, and red ribbons. These are always a big hit. Cookie cutter sets that include fire trucks, dogs, firefighters, and hats are easy to find. You can go wild with these. Use them as templates to cut table-toppers out of construction pages. Make cookies with them, trace them onto paper and give the kids crayons to decorate their own take-home picture.   Whatever theme your birthday boy chooses, let us help you plan your perfect day. Call one of our party planners today. We’ll help with all of the details. See you soon! #### Bringing Summer Campers for Active, Indoor Fun There are two words a kid couldn’t love more and a parent typically dreads: Summer Vacation. While kids get go to off and have a great time, parents are still stuck at work  wondering what to do with their kids so that they are cared for and don’t get into trouble. Summer camp often becomes the go-to choice for many parents, and that’s great! Summer camps are a great way for kids to make friends, have structured and monitored play, and continue to learn new things during the time away from school. There are a wide variety of activities that summer camps may participate in across the Sterling area to help enrich the time that kids spend at camp. These summer camps can include things like arts and crafts, trips to the National Zoo, days at the local pool, or afternoon trips to Rebounderz trampoline park. Consider these reasons to encourage your child’s summer camp to schedule trips to Rebounderz in Sterling this summer. Active Play With childhood obesity rates on the rise, one of the best ways to prevent this problem and to help lower rates of childhood diabetes is to encourage kids to be active every day. There’s a mentality that a calm child is one that is the best behaved, but here at Rebounderz, we encourage active play. Active play is important for both health and wellness, as well as to help with overall brain development. By bouncing and moving about at our trampoline park, kids are given the opportunity to burn off excess energy and really be kids in a safe and fun environment. Avoid the Heat Summers in Sterling can be exceptionally difficult. They get both hot and humid, making it miserable to get outside sometimes. That leaves many kids stuck inside during the hottest parts of the day in order to avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion, and other heat related illnesses. If your kids are begging to go play outside, but you find yourself saying no, suggest your child’s summer camp schedule times at Rebounderz trampoline parks in order to stay out of the heat and get in some great play time. In addition to avoiding any heat related illnesses, you’re also making sure kids get out of the sun, especially during the hottest parts of the day. This means no sunburns and no need to worry about kids constantly reapplying sunscreen. Unique Play Time at Rebounderz trampoline parks allows kids to expand their minds with unique play. It’s not every day that kids get to go play all over trampolines and come up with new and inventive ways to provide themselves with entertaining fun. This type of unique play can help to engage the imagination and flex those enterprising brain muscles. If your child is going to be attending summer camp in the Sterling area this summer, talk to the camp or day care about regular visits to the Rebounderz trampoline park located in Sterling. For safe and engaging fun, you can’t ask for a better activity for kids. In addition, our summer camp rates are priced for maximum entertainment at a low group price. Find out more about of summer camp slots available by contacting us today! #### Budget Birthday Planning Tips It’s true across the board that every parent wants to provide a great kid’s birthday party. What’s also true is that not all of us are made of money and, as a result, we sometimes need to get a little creative. We get it, sometimes it can feel like you’re competing with other families, but the truth is, all your children want is a cool party, and a cool party doesn’t have to be expensive. The good news is, you don’t need to throw a party worthy of a Kardashian. All you need is a lot of creativity and a little persistence. Keep reading, and we’ll share a few tips to help you throw an amazing bash while still keeping costs low. When you schedule the party is important, particularly the time of day. To cut down on food costs, we like booking the celebration between 2-5 in the afternoon. Your guests will have already had lunch, so minimal snacks and drinks should suit everybody just fine. Since your child’s birthday party takes place at roughly the same time every year, don’t let yourself fall into the trap of running around at the last minute spending too much on supplies. Dollar stores and dollar bins at retailers like Target are great places to pick up discounted decorations and small toys to use as party favors. Speaking of party favors, if your child came home with a goodie bag filled with treats you don’t want them to eat or toys they’re not interested in, save the contents for pinata filling. A little searching online will show you lots of pinatas selling for less that $20, and you’ll have an activity and take-home treats in one. Beware getting hosed on pricing in party supply shops. In many of them, you can find candy sold at the “low” price of 5 pieces for $1. Head to your local big-box store and buy a bag of minis instead. You’ll get more and end up paying less. Along similar lines, one of the more insidious traps you can fall into at party shops is impulse buying stuff you don’t need. Instead, buy the bulk of your supplies online. You can get exactly what you need, and you’ll likely pay far less for it. However, place your order well in advance so that you have time to address any potential problems. There are still some parents who live in the 20th century and send out expensive invitations by mail. We think that’s a complete waste of money, considering there are websites out there that allow you to email invitations for free. You can often include maps and directions to the site of the party, and keep track of who has and hasn’t RSVP’d. Don’t feel like you need to have gourmet baking skills for your child’s cake. To save time and money, use a box mix, but substitute water for buttermilk. As a result, you’ll have a cake that’s a little less sweet, but much firmer. For frosting, you can whip up a yummy buttercream frosting using unsalted butter, milk, confectioner’s sugar, and vanilla. The end result will blow away the kids without blowing away your finances. #### Can Trampolining Make You A Better Basketball Player? As a basketball player, there are a lot of skills you need to train in order to be effective on the court. When you have a good vertical leap, solid coordination and balance, you’re able to play at a higher level. Many players have begun to add trampolining into their training regimen, to great results. How can jumping on a trampoline make you better at basketball? We’ve gathered some of the ways trampoline training can help you. When you want to give it a shot for yourself, come over to Rebounderz in Sunrise! We’ve got a SlamBall court for you to test your skills on and the safest trampoline park perfect for all of your training needs. -Vertical Leap The training method utilized to improve vertical leaping is called plyometrics, which is a fancy way of saying jump training. Though many people do box jumps for their plyometric exercise, this can be high impact and can result in a great deal of knee pain if done improperly. When you move your plyometric workout to a trampoline, you’re able to see the same benefit with less stress placed on your joints. This allows you to increase your leg strength in a safe manner. With an improved vertical leap, you’ll be able to shoot over your opponents easier, make layups with less trouble, and maybe even dunk! When you jump, your body acts a lot like a spring. As you crouch down, you begin to store up potential energy, which is then released when you jump in the air in explosive fashion. That process is thanks to a component of your muscles and tendons called the series elastic component. Jumping on a trampoline is a great way to learn about stored potential energy, as you can see a direct correlation between your actions when you store that energy and what happens when you release it on a larger scale than you would on solid ground. -Coordination and Balance Having good coordination and solid balance is key to being successful in basketball. Coordination comes into play with the number of separate movements that need to be done at the same time with a great deal of control. Dribbling the ball, moving down the court, making a move around a defender and to the hoop, and finally putting it all together to take your shot all require high levels of coordination in order to be effective. Jumping on a trampoline improves your coordination by involving your entire body in the exercise. From head to toe, every body part is necessary for trampolining. This gets your body used to moving different parts of yourself at the same time for one goal. If you’ve ever seen someone jump on a trampoline for the first time, they can look like a baby doe on ice as they try to get their balance. Once they get their bearings and start jumping, their balance begins to improve. That’s because when you jump, your arms instinctively act as a balancing agent, helping you distribute your weight across your center of gravity. As you learn this skill on the trampoline, your normal balance improves as well. It gives you a better understanding of how to control your balance in a way that translates to solid ground more than you might expect. Basketball players with a strong sense of balance are able to move around the court better, set stronger picks, and take a charging foul if necessary. -Cardiovascular For anyone who has even played a quarter of basketball, you know it can take a lot out of you. The consistent need to run up and down the court can be exhausting if you’re not ready for it. While running itself can be decently effective for cardio training, NASA found in a study that 10 minutes of trampolining is actually more effective than 33 minutes of running. As we discussed above, trampolining is low-impact, which reduces the amount of strain you’re placing your knees under. That means you’ll improve your cardio and endurance while avoiding serious knee injuries that can come from extensive amounts of running on hard ground. When you improve your cardio, you’ll be able to handle long periods of exertion with less trouble. You won’t have issues with being out of breath, which can make you lose focus. Ask any athlete and we’re sure you’ll hear them talk about how important cardio and endurance are to being an effective and successful player. -Core Muscles Basketball requires you to use all of your muscles, but other than your legs, your core muscles are engaged the most. That’s because you’re consistently bending, crouching, and stretching those core muscles. The muscles right around your spine are working overtime to keep your balance strong as you jump and move around. The trampoline works both your back and abdominal muscles, creating a stronger, more stable core to work around. This will help your jumps be more explosive, improve your center of gravity for better balance, and provide a better sense of control over your body’s movement as a whole. There are many other ways that trampolining can improve your basketball game, but we hope this gets you started on your new training regimen. If you would like more great information about basketball training, check out this fantastic resource from Sports Fitness Advisor to learn more. When you want to see how a trampoline can elevate your game, come to Rebounderz in Sunrise. We want to take you to new heights! #### Celebrate Family Health and Fitness Day 2018 With Rebounderz   The last Saturday in September is reserved each year to observe and celebrate National Health and Fitness Day. This year, September 29 is the day to get your family active and moving! If your family — yes, ALL of the members — is already getting the recommended amount of physical activity, the day will be a day to celebrate your fitness and the health benefits that come along with it. It is also a day to bring community awareness to the cause and encourage others to be as active as your family. However, if you are like the nearly 60 percent of American families that don’t get nearly enough physical activity, September 29 is a day to begin! To help you get started on your family fitness journey, here we will share some ideas on how to get your family active. Register for a community walk/run and start training One fun way to get your family active is to set a goal together and work toward it. A community fun walk/run is a perfect goal that the whole family can register for — sometimes even your furry friends can join! Once you have decided on the goal or event, you can begin family training. If you have registered for a 5k, get out and go for daily family walks or jogs, building up to the full distance. Sign up for an extracurricular activity. Since every member of your family has different interests and skills, you can embrace this by having each family member sign up for a physically active extracurricular activity. Ideas include swimming lessons at the local pool, karate at the local dojo, soccer at the local rec center, or spin class at the local gym. Whatever it is, get each family member engaged in some activity. Not only will this help each family member be more active and feel better about themselves, but it will offer something to talk about over healthy family meals! Take turns cooking healthy meals. A big part of health and fitness is diet. It is important to nourish your family with healthy meals, snacks, and drinks. To help the entire family be more healthy food conscious, encourage family members to take turns planning and creating healthy meals for the family. If a family member struggles with the menu, this is a great opportunity to have a family discussion about healthy diet and nutrition. Have the kids help you clean out the pantry and review the health status of each of the foods in your house. Encourage moderation in the things that are less healthy and offer alternatives for unhealthy foods. Bounce on over to your local trampoline park. Get out and engage in some active fun! Spending active quality time together helps to promote healthy physical activity. At an indoor trampoline park, you and your family can jump to your heart’s delight, all the while knowing you are improving your overall fitness while you are having fun! Here in Lansdale, PA, Rebounderz indoor trampoline park offers quality entertainment that is also healthy for the whole family! Read some of other blogs to learn about all of the health and fitness benefits of trampoline rebounding and then hop on over to trampoline park today! #### Celebrate the Holidays With Rebounderz! Giving experiences instead of things — because really, who needs more stuff? — is a holiday tradition more and more families are adopting and Rebounderz is the perfect place to get started!   Celebrate the coming new year by giving experiences instead of material things this holiday season — from traveling to exciting locations to supporting local Sunrise businesses such as Rebounderz —  new experiences enrich our lives in ways things never can.   Come and experience new things with us at Rebounderz Sunrise! Join in the fun with our Ninja Warrior Course and dodgeball to the classic jumping fun! In today’s post, we’ll dive into what is available to you this holiday season at Rebounderz indoor trampoline park. Jump into New Experiences in the New Year   The holidays usher family fun and an abundance of good food — which can leave families motivated to get moving. Experience a new kind of bliss at our indoor trampoline park in Sunrise.   Holiday Gifts at Rebounderz   We are offering holiday bundles to get everyone jumping for joy this season!   The Holiday Rebounderz Pack   When you purchase a $100 gift card you will also receive a $25 gift and included swag such as:   Rebounderz t-shirt Rebounderz water bottle Rebounderz stadium cup Rebounderz grip socks Rebounderz bookmarks Rebounderz calendar magnet Rebounderz wristband   Gift Cards   A Rebounderz gift card is the perfect gift to give — all ages can enjoy it. This gift goes beyond a night at the movies or going out to a restaurant — it is a place you can gather with all your friends and be active, enjoy a new experience together, and having the most fun.   In case you need more coaxing…   Rebounderz has the best indoor trampoline attractions around!   Our 32,000 square foot extreme fun venue is a fantastic birthday party venue and great for corporate holiday parties, spirit nights, and fundraisers. Rebounderz is truly an experience for all ages. Check out the following attractions and stop in during the holiday season!   Ninja Warrior Course   Train like the professionals on our ninja warrior course! With three lanes of thrilling adventures, you can navigate the hanging doors, quad steps, slackline, warped walls, cargo netting, and more!   JumpXTREME Tower   This 14-foot tower tests your fear of heights! Stand on a platform and trust your jump onto an inflatable landing surface.   Air Dodgeball   Who didn’t love playing dodgeball growing up? Take dodgeball to the next level and get extreme air from our trampolines. Come with your friends for some friendly competition and get your dodgeball game on!   Basketball Slam   Do you love basketball but are too short to dunk? Well, Rebounderz has made your dream come true! Slam dunk like the pros and get air!   Air Pit   Rebounderz Sunrise is one of the first indoor trampoline parks to have an air pit. Learn new tricks while landing safely on this comfortable surface, or just have a blast hurling yourself from our five-lane trampoline platform!   Rebounderz can offer a greater gifts than material objects this holiday — instead of filling a stocking, fill your loved ones with the joy of a new and fun experience!   Shop our holiday bundles today!   #### Celebrate Your Birthday With a Grown Up Trampoline Party! You know you want to do it. You’ll feel like a kid again. Your friends will too, and they won’t be able to stop talking about your party. It’ll be the event of the year! Think about it. Do you want to sit through another stuffy dinner at a fancy restaurant, in uncomfortable clothes, or spend days or weeks planning a party at home that only leaves you with a big mess to clean up? Or do you want to jump, laugh, relax and play? Do you want to enjoy time with your friends, see them in a whole new light, and discover a whole new side of yourself? We’ll vote for jumping, laughing and discovering every single time! Rebounderz in Lansdale is the perfect place for your big day. Have a Late-Night After Hours Extravaganza Your party can start when the doors close for the day when you reserve the entire Rebounderz Trampoline Arena for your party. If you are planning an adults-only party, this is a great option. You and your friends can play for hours without having to worry about watching your kids, or anyone else’s. We know you love them, but sometimes it’s nice to just let loose and go all-in on the fun. Invite 50 of your closest pals or all 300 of your office mates. Either way, we’ve got you covered. You’ll have exclusive access to: More than 10,000 square feet of rebounding trampoline surface. You and your guests can jump till you drop. Our custom, trampoline-suspended foam pit. It’s a great way for grownups to blow off steam and let go of the day’s stress. Basketball slam. Take your friendly pickup game competition to the next level and challenge your pals to a competitive slam dunk contest. Last but not least, our favorite, In-The-Air Dodgeball. Dodge, Dip and Dive. You’ll be literally bouncing off the trampoline-lined walls. Four private party rooms. You can use these rooms however you like. Set them up for relaxing with beverages, food, and birthday cake. Have a ball game on in one of the rooms. They are there for you to use however you want. Want to create a custom event? We can help you do that too! Our party planners will work with you to come up with a party that meets your requirements and your budget. The Most Fun at Any Age Whatever milestone you are hitting this year, you are never too old to celebrate your big day at Rebounderz in Lansdale. Stop by and check out everything we’ve got to offer. While you are here, talk to our party planners about what kind of experience you want your guests to have. If you need help coming up with ideas to help make your party a night to remember, we’re here to help. So, go ahead, play like you’re a kid again. You’ll be glad you did. Your guests will have the time of their lives. And you’ll leave feeling younger and ready for the year ahead! We look forward to seeing you soon.   #### Celebrate Your Graduation With a Trampoline Party! Congrats Grad — Now Jump! It is that time of year when we must make the painful goodbyes to our friends, professors, and mentors. As the school year draws to a close, it is important to remember all the good times you have had in school. At the same time, as you reflect you will need to think about how you want to celebrate this major cornerstone in your life. Graduation celebrations are rare, which is why you want to make sure you celebrate them to the fullest. Typically, you will invite your family and friends to your home and have a huge party. However, there are definitely drawbacks to hosting a graduation party at your own house. In our previous blogs, we have discussed in depth why hosting parties at your home can be an absolute disaster. Though it can be argued that our blog was specifically about kid’s birthday parties — adult parties can be way messier and rambunctious. Where to Celebrate? Depending on how big of family you have, your home may not be able to accommodate that many people. Because of this, it is important to have access to an open area where everyone in your family can freely sit, stand, or talk as they please. It is difficult to find one of these areas that will be able to take in a lot of people, entertain them, and give them a place to recline and catch up with their family members they haven’t seen in awhile. An obvious choice for a party location would be a public park, but parks often don’t have fencing, are in the harsh sunlight, and are not built to accommodate private parties. Rebounderz, however, is more than able to handle large groups and offer them a space to place food, desserts, and presents. Private Rooms At Rebounderz, we offer our customers a public bench area to sit and place items, such as shoes, purses, and jackets. But, for private parties, our indoor trampoline park also provides exclusive themed party rooms. If you want to host a private party, you have the option of choosing between a Rock ‘n Roll room, A Diva Boutique room, Special Ops room, a Beach Luau room, and an Extreme Sports room. These diverse options will help customize your party true to what you like. So, whether you want to celebrate your achievement in a tropical luau party or “rocking around the clock” at a rock n’ roll party, the choice is yours! Packages At your trampoline party — you call the shots. Which means any of the final choices about the party are completely up to you. To make party planning simple and easy, Rebounderz has segmented out the different types of parties we throw at our park. For instance, the parties are structured in three distinct groups: The Ultimate Party Package The Rebounderz Plus Party Package The Rebounderz Party Package Each of these parties comes with access to a variety of fun and entertaining activities. The Rebounderz Party package, for example, comes with a one hour jump time at our trampoline park, 10 $5 arcade players cards, and 10 30-minute jump passes. We also provide add-on party features, such as diverse food options, balloons, and candy. Food You may ask, “What about food? How can I feed all of my hungry guests?” Well, Rebounderz has thought ahead for you; included in all of our party packages are pizza delivery options and several soda pitchers. The main variations between party packages are determined by how many people you have in your party. For instance, if you have 10 guests, Rebounderz will provide you with two included pizzas and soda pitchers! So, don’t worry about trying to make a reservation in a crowded restaurant, Rebounderz has lunch or dinner covered! Available For All Ages One of the greatest benefits of Rebounderz parks is that they are inclusive to all. No matter your age or even physical disabilities, everyone can enjoy something different when they come to our trampoline park. Whether you want to bounce on one of our trampolines or travel through our Ninja Warrior obstacle course, our park has something to offer every one of your guests. Rebounderz If you are interested to have an unforgettable party, contact events team today. They are available Monday-Friday from 9:00- 5:00 pm, and are happy to help you coordinate your celebration. Contact us today! #### Chilly Weather Activity Ideas Winter has arrived! And, along with it, the cold weather, snow, and dark afternoons that keep kids coming inside much earlier than the summer months. All this being inside early can lead to either an increase in screen time or boredom. As we discussed in a previous blog, boredom can be a good thing to inspire some creativity, but when it leads to an increase in sedentary behaviors and added screen time, it can have a severe negative effect on learning and cognition, sleep patterns, weight, and eyesight. To help quell the boredom and prevent your children from developing poor habits as we wait out the winter, we want to offer some fun chilly weather activity ideas for your kids. Arts and Crafts Arts and craft time has become a highly overlooked activity in the digital era. With access to cleaner, more reusable forms of expressing creativity, many parents are hesitant to allow their kids to make the mess and play with things like scissors and glue that require supervision, not to mention the use of supplies that must be restocked and then having a tangible item that is sure to be displayed. However, arts and crafts time is incredibly important to brain growth and development as well as honing essential tactile skills that digital forms cannot provide. Don’t be afraid to head to your local discount store and buy all sorts of random craft supplies, let the kids make a mess — and even join in! You can create a box to keep their work in, an empty frame to display it in, or pass it on to loved ones as gifts this holiday season. Staycation All too often, we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that is interjected with getaways. While this is just healthy life, it can serve to prevent us from exploring and appreciating what is in our own communities. When the chilly weather falls, it is a perfect time to do all the local things you never have time for. Check out the local museum, catch story time at the library, or head downtown to check out the holiday lights and local shops. Use this winter as an opportunity to celebrate mini staycations and discover your hometown with your kids. Family Entertainment Center As a positive and active bonding experience that is sure to be the opposite of boring for your kids, treat your entire family to a day at your local family entertainment center! At Rebounderz, we offer a wide variety of activities for kids of all ages. We feature our trampoline arena, ninja warrior course, and arcade for hours of entertainment for the entire family. Your kids will be able to burn off energy, making them more content to be inside while it frosts over outside Rebounderz in Jenison is your local indoor trampoline park, offering a variety of indoor activities to keep kids of all ages engaged and enjoying life. If you have not stopped by before, use the chilly weather as an excuse to get out and stop in. Contact us or just stop by our Jenison location today! #### Choosing the best corporate event venue To start, let’s acknowledge that there are a lot of corporate events, that’s why there are so many corporate event venues that say they are the right choice for you. There really is no perfect venue for every single event. The answer to the question of what is the perfect venue is, it depends. That’s not very helpful. So here’s some food for thought that might be a little more useful for you and your event planning team. What is the purpose of your corporate event? Corporate event is a pretty broad term. It includes: Extravagant launch parties to introduce new products to market; annual celebrations where the whole corporate office gathers for a holiday party or annual founder’s day event; parties to celebrate the quarterly or annual success of a sales division, or the entire nation-wide sales team; a retirement party, team building event, or departmental celebration. We could go on, but we think you get the picture. Certainly, you wouldn’t choose the same venue, or the same type of entertainment or activities for an annual company-wide holiday party as you would for celebrating a division of the sales department that met its quarterly goals. At least, we don’t think you should. What is the size of your event? Are you a small business with fewer than 50 employees. If so, you’re in luck. You are going to have a lot more options to choose from than a company with 100, 500 or 1,000 employees. A company with 50 employees can celebrate just about any event at a restaurant or at a local theme park or arena like Rebounderz Trampoline Arena in Lansdale. They also have a whole host of outdoor venues to choose from. They can rent a ballroom at a hotel at a reasonable price for that number of people, and maybe even set up tents in the CEO’s backyard for an elegant evening event. If you are a large company, but are planning an event for your sales team, senior managers, or an intra-departmental event, you’ve also got a lot of choices. For team building events, one of your best choices is a sporting arena of some kind. For instance, at Rebounderz our event planners can help you organize team building activities that are entertaining and effective. Most of us have been to those team building events where everyone participates because they have to, not because they want to. At Rebounderz, your team will want to partake in team building exercises. They’ll have a lot of fun and come away having built new bonds with their coworkers. Who is attending your event? If you are celebrating the launch of a new product, your attendees may include investors, analysts, members of the press and other people who may not necessarily want to jump on a trampoline or play dodgeball at your launch party. But your engineers and marketing team may love that. So, why not consider throwing a special event just for the people who have done all the hard work to bring your new product to market? We’d be the perfect place to throw that party. Is your event going to include spouses and families? Think twice before planning a fancy event at a hotel with live music, alcohol and dancing, if you are including families on the invitation list. If people bring their children to an event like that, neither they nor their kids are likely to have much fun. There are a lot of family-friendly venues to choose from, stick to those for this type of an event. How much time do you have for planning? An event at a fancy hotel or similar venue takes a lot of time to plan. The process of finding and booking the right venue sometimes has to begin a year in advance. That’s right, some venues book their spaces a year in advance. Some have even longer wait times than that! If you are already planning an event that is more than a year out, great job! We’re impressed. But, we know that most companies, especially small businesses, are too busy to have someone assigned to event planning that far in advance. Do you have someone dedicated to finding and booking the entertainment, managing the budget, choosing the food and type of service, picking décor and fussing over valet parking and other issues? We’re guessing that you probably don’t. To avoid taking someone away from their real job so they can focus on these things, choose a venue where the fun and entertainment are baked in. A venue where the entertainment and activities are already in place, where the décor is standard, where menu choices are easy, and where there is plenty of free parking, is going to be your best bet. Rebounderz in Lansdale checks all of those boxes. Make it fun Whatever type of event you are having, and wherever you decide to have it, just make sure it is fun. We don’t know many people who actually enjoy stuffy, sit-down dinners, where they have to dress to impress and listen to speeches by board members and executives. Maybe those kinds of events are necessary sometimes. But, we think that more often than not, a fun event that includes families, is going to be much more successful and make your team much happier. An event that shows how much you appreciate your employees, rather than an event where your executives are patting themselves on the back, is always a winner in our book. Give our event planners a call to learn more about all of the corporate event options we have for you here at Rebounderz. We’re pros at this, and can walk you through all of your options. We can make recommendations. And, we’ll be here the day of your big event to make sure everything goes smoothly and that even your event planner has a great time. You event planners out there know what we’re talking about. See you soon! #### Climb, Jump, and Chase: Get to Know Our Unique Activities Previously on the blog, we talked a bit about what truly makes Rebounderz of Jacksonville a unique and versatile trampoline park, not only for the Rebounderz brand, but also compared to trampoline parks nationwide. The sheer extent of activities for whole families is unparalleled. When you think about trampoline parks, you typically think about only trampolines. You think about the giant jump arenas. You maybe even think about jumping into foam pits, but that’s about where your trampoline park imagination ends. You probably don’t imagine a trampoline park with an extensive arcade, an incredible leap of faith, or a laser maze straight out of Mission Impossible. But that’s exactly what Rebounderz of Jacksonville has to offer you and your family. In today’s blog, we’re going to take a little time to explore the non-trampoline attractions of the Rebounderz of Jacksonville trampoline park, because they deserve it. Laser Maze If you want to feel like a super spy, there is no better place to come than to than Rebounderz of Jacksonville. Enter the Vault and try to navigate through the intense field of lasers without touching a single one. You’ll be surprised at how challenging this activity is, but it’s oh, so much fun. Try to get your name on the leaderboard, or try on of the other versions of the game. Just ask a Referee about your laser maze options. Mini Bowling Our mini-bowling area is quite a bit like hitting up the regular bowling lanes, but on a slightly miniature scale. The lanes light up in colorful patterns and the scale allows for families to enjoy bowling together. Simply grab a lane and cheer on your friends and family for that elusive strike. No special equipment is need to enjoy mini-bowling! Climbing Wall No other Rebounderz has a climbing wall for anyone to enjoy. With several walls and climbing options to choose from, you’re sure to find just the right challenge for your skill level. While being belayed, race to the top of the wall and take on the different challenges presented. Opt for the Orb Wall for a cool wall that lights up and entertains all at once. Maybe you want to test your skill and speed? Then the Speed Wall is the perfect choice for you. Race to the top as quickly as you can without falling. Ready to take on a family member or friend? Try out the Face Off Wall where two individuals can go head-to-head in a race to the top. Leap of Faith Also unique to Rebounderz of Jacksonville is our Leap of Faith attraction. Climb a ladder high up in the building, stand on a tiny platform (with a harness of course), and then leap for an apparatus of your choice. This leap is much harder than it looks, but so satisfying when you make it. Rebounderz of Jacksonville is a premier family entertainment center with so much to offer. Every member of the family will be sure to have a favorite after just one visit, so bring the family in and have a blast. Call us for further information about hours and pricing. #### Come to Rebounderz for the Fourth of July What Do You Do For the Fourth of July? The Fourth of July is almost here! Now is the time to start planning for what you and your family are going to do on Independence Day. In years past, most of America celebrated its Independence by barbecuing and watching the fireworks. This year, the Fourth of July traditions that you know and love might be altered. This year, the holiday lands right in the middle of the week, on a Wednesday. Because most people have to work on the following day, many won’t celebrate the way they are used to. In this blog, we will discuss come of the ways you can celebrate the Fourth of July, while still being able to return to work the next day in one piece. July on a Wednesday? Fourth of July is a beloved American tradition. Most people will grill meat up on their grills and kick back with a can of beer. However, due to the fact that this holiday is landing on a Wednesday, most people probably won’t leave their town for the holiday. So, instead of going on a picnic or traveling to a nearby beach or lake, most Americans are suspected to lounge at home. What To Do? Regardless of how you expect to celebrate the holiday, a day off is more than welcome for any full-time worker. However, the trick of this holiday will be how to enjoy the most out it. Because you can’t go on any extravagant trips or destinations, you might have to make the most of what you have. Besides, having a day off in the middle of the week may be a positive thing, as you will be able to spend more time with your kids while they are on summer break. Beach or Lake Outing One day may not seem like much, but you can actually do a lot in just one day. For instance, you can always go to the beach or a nearby lake to celebrate America. Going to the water is a great way to cool down and enjoy the July sun. At work, you never will get the opportunity to lounge around and experience the nature around you. The Fourth of July is an excellent opportunity to experience new things and soak in as much of the summer sun as possible before returning to work on Thursday morning. Barbecue or Picnic In 2016, it was found that 64 percent of Americans attended a barbeque or a picnic. Barbeques are a great way to reconnect with old friends and eat some of the most iconic American meals — hot dogs and hamburgers! Barbeques are so popular in the United States that there were nearly 36 million of them country-wide. This encouraged citizens to spend a total of $2 billion on the cookouts alone. If you are interested in hosting a barbecue, you can enjoy the holiday to the fullest. Best of all, you don’t have to travel very far to enjoy a good barbeque. In fact, a great barbeque can be just in your backyard. The only issue with a barbeque is that they can be pretty expensive and require pre-cleaning and post-cleaning of your home. Barbeques also mean that you will have to entertain a large number of people, which depending on your personality, could cause you stress. Indoor Trampoline Park If the summer sun is proving to be too much, and you have no interest in grilled meals or cold drinks, spending time with your kids is important. Because you don’t get that many paid days of vacation, it is important to utilize those days and spend them with your child. The summertime is a great season to engage with your child, especially when there is so much you can do both indoors and outdoors. Indoor trampoline parks are an excellent way to spend time with your child, especially when it is too hot outside to do anything else. Best of all, trampoline parks are full of exciting activities that can entertain both you and your child for hours. Rebounderz of Apopka During the summer season come to Rebounderz of Apopka, FL. We have plenty of fun attractions and events planned throughout the summer. Bouncing together can create a great bond between you and your child. Enjoy your day off and come to our indoor trampoline park today. #### Come, Hang Out, and Play When it comes to finding fun family activities that truly the entire family can enjoy, it can often be a challenge. Your daughter doesn’t want to go play soccer and your son doesn’t want sand in his swimsuit, and the idea of staying cooped up inside with both of them is probably why you’ve got more grey hairs than you did when you woke up. So what do you do? What activity can please the whole family? When you live in Sunrise, Florida, the answer is simple. Come and play at Rebounderz of Sunrise. Our trampoline park is sure to please the entire family and have a little bit of something for everyone. Take a look at the many attractions we have at our Rebounderz location, and then come try them out for yourselves! Ninja Warrior Course You don’t have to be an American Ninja Warrior in order to compete on a ninja warrior course. Many Rebounderz locations, including the Sunrise location, have unique and fun ninja warrior courses just for your entertainment. Race your family and friends across the course for the best time, or just practice different moves in order to perfect the course! JumpXTREME Tower If you’re afraid of heights, conquer them with the JumpXTREME Tower. At 14 feet in the air, you’ll jump from the platform onto a thick air cushion and feel the rush of simply falling. But know that at Rebounderz, your safety is our number one concern. Air Dodgeball Nothing beats a great game of dodgeball and here at Rebounderz of Sunrise, we have the perfect trampoline arena  playing an all-out, winner-takes-all game of dodgeball. Don’t just run. Bounce your way to dodgeball victory! Basketball Slam If you love basketball, you’ll love our basketball slam here at Rebounderz. This fully adjustable attraction lets everyone feel like a star as you bounce your highest to make incredible slam dunks. Have a dunk off with your child, and just for fun, maybe let them win once in awhile. Air Pit The Air Pit is a unique and new attraction to the Rebounderz line. Much like our foam pits, the Air Pit allows you to jump from a trampoline platform onto a soft landing. However, the inflatable air landing is more sanitary than the foam pits and tons of fun to boot. Jump Arena Here at Rebounderz, we’re well known for our classic jump arena. The unique design and innovative layout make out arena fun and safe for everyone. Jump to your heart’s content in this spacious trampoline surface! Weebounderz We can’t forget part of the family here at Rebounderz, and that’s why Rebounderz Sunrise offers a play space just for our littlest jumpers. The Weebounderz area is full of inflatable fun that your tiny tots will love. Watch them jump and slide all around the imaginative playset and giggle with delight. Here at Rebounderz of Sunrise, we work hard to make sure that your whole family will have a blast during every visit. Come, hang out, and play with the whole family when you spend an afternoon at Rebounderz trampoline parks! #### Connect With Your Kids in an Age of Technology In this age, we are constantly connected. We are “together” through the image on a screen or a comment in the comment section of a social media platform. It seems increasingly clear that modern technology has wiggled its way into our everyday lives. This advancement should be met with pride, as we have made innovations that most could never even dream of. The issue with our advancement in technology is that it has disconnected us from one another. This may seem paradoxical, but it is true. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, American adults use their five hours of recreation time almost solely in front of a screen. Because TV and phone screens are taking up more recreation time, there is less time for other activities like enjoying the outdoors, playing games, and connecting with your family. Children often will follow the example of their parents. So, if parents are using their time in front of a screen, the odds are children are doing the same. The difference between the two becoming involved in our digital world is that one has already developed, and the other is still developing. Children need both nurturing from their parents and activities that strengthen them mentally and physically. Though it can be argued technology is mentally beneficial for children, the same cannot be said for their physical and emotional needs. It has been found that recreational activities such as fishing and hiking have seen a 16-18 percent participation decrease in the last five years. Perhaps, kids are losing interest in fishing? Or what if the problem is deeper than we realize? What if it's not a lack of interest, but an increase of distraction? It has been reported that children have been increasingly distracted by video screens, which steer them away from playing or exercising. On average, children in America watch anywhere from 30 to 53 hours of television a week! With not that many hours in a day, if a child is watching that much television, they obviously won’t have time for family time or exercise. At Rebounderz, we hold family time and exercise in the highest of esteem. You could say, that is why we are in business! At our indoor trampoline parks, we provide all families with a space where they can come and connect with each other. Families can jump and exercise, as well as bond through conversation. Being a parent includes a lot more than just caring for your child. Half the enjoyment of having children is getting to know them and learn about their lives. When you are bonded with your children, they will learn to trust you and respect your judgement. Because of this, children will learn to be more obedient and form a better relationship with you. Not to mention, that when children are allowed strong relationships with their parents, they grow up to be more stable and emotionally healthy adults. It is best when you are bonding with your children that you participate in an activity that you all enjoy and can get something out of. When you play games with your children you are allowing them to not only develop brain functioning skills, but developing a beloved memory with you at the center. If you live in Apopka, Florida, and wish to give your children a fun memory with you that they are unlikely to forget, bring them to Rebounderz! At our indoor trampoline parks, you and your children will have a wide-range of different trampolines and attractions to choose from. At Rebounderz, we offer you the opportunity to use all of our attractions, from our bouncy trampolines to our Ninja Warrior Course. This day of fun will last in your kid’s minds for years to come. Contact Rebounderz today to begin your happy family memory free from screens! #### Corporate Team-Building Events Rebounderz Rohnert Park is proud to announce the newest addition to our lineup of great activities in our indoor trampoline park.  We now offer corporate events that are sure to boost camaraderie and team spirit of any group! This package is a great way to reward employees with a fun, but also productive outing. Corporate Team Building Package 45 Minute Facilitated Team Building An experienced facilitator will lead this interactive program designed to meet your group’s unique needs “All Access” to attractions for 45 minutes Rebounderz Socks that are required for jumping A bottomless cooler of PowerAde Platter of fruits and veggies or two cafe pizzas Access to cafe menu Use of Corporate Room or choice of party rooms Package is based on 10 participants Extra people can be added for $22 a piece Corporate events, such as this, are great for morale building and building team spirit among employees. It gives the participants a chance to engage in the facilitated group activity to learn how to work together better (or whatever you and the facilitator decide is needed), and then to go have fun together. This type of team building helps overcome personal interaction barriers that can stand in the way of creativity and group productivity. Working together to solve a fun problem such as you will find at Rebounderz Ninja Warrior Course can help people learn to problem solve in the office as well. When people learn to go through a problem together, instead of going through it against each other, the job gets done better, faster, and more efficiently. Get out of the office for a fun time at Rebounderz, bond, and then go back and conquer your job! #### Corporate Team-Building: Power of Play All Work, No Play Have you ever been sitting in a corporate meeting wondering why you had to be there in person, rather than read it in an email? You find yourself staring into space, daydreaming about all the other things you could be doing or places you could be if the presenter would just stop going on and on. Perhaps they are presenting content that is relevant, and in other circumstances, you would find intriguing. But, this is your second meeting today and your attention span has met max capacity. The proverb, “ time is money,” guides our daily work lives; productivity means staring at the computer monitor for hours on end, negotiating on the phone, hustling to meeting after meeting. Minds get bored, and we operate on autopilot, simply going through the motions, muscle memory shuffling us through the day. What can you do to engage employees and ignite that spark that allows one to turn the cruise-control off and be present and engaged? Teamwork is a critical element to the success of any business, from retail sales to corporate law. Including an element of fun by harnessing the power of play can instill excitement and creativity in individuals, getting the proverbial juices flowing. Engaging groups in team-building activities offer a great return on investment by boosting morale, fueling passion, and creating a culture of belonging, which fosters collaboration. Work Together, Play Together Classic team building games have traditionally been played in the office, perhaps in the breakroom or conference room. Most of us have played the group challenge games at some point, such as making teams collaborate to cross pretend bridges or survive on fictitious islands with limited resources. These team building exercises require people to work together to solve problems and work toward a common goal. These are practical ways to get people thinking outside of the box and interacting with coworkers they may not otherwise. As kids, we took a recess to give our minds a little break and our bodies a little activity so that we could effectively sit and pay attention afterward, recharged. Children find it difficult to sit still for hours on end to absorb new information and spit out new ideas; why are we suddenly expected to make it through the day without those breaks as adults? Somewhere in the process of “growing up,” our recesses got shorter and shorter until they were no longer taken. To bring back recess and recharge employees, indoor playgrounds aren’t just for kids! An outing to a trampoline gym can offer the change of pace needed to get even the shyest employee out of their shells and the grumpiest employees to crack a smile (have you ever seen anyone not smiling on a trampoline?) When people have fun together, it not only builds camaraderie, but revitalizes the individual. An active meeting reduces stress, increases positive thinking, and increases blood flow to the brain, allowing ideas to flow. Build esprit de corps in your team by remembering another old adage “work hard, play hard!” Hosting your corporate meeting or team building event at a trampoline park creates a different environment for staff to let loose and bounce ideas off each other… literally! #### Creating the Perfect Birthday Party Remember when birthday parties were awesome? As adults, most of our birthdays aren’t too memorable. If we even bother to celebrate them, we might go out to dinner, have a glass of wine and we’re in bed by 9:30. While our birthdays might be a bust, the same can’t be said for our children. We all want our kid’s party to be memorable, something that years later, they’ll think back with a smile and say, “Now that was cool.” But sometimes planning a party can be a major source of stress. You need to figure out who’s coming, when and where it’s happening, and you need to make sure it’s not going to cost you a truckload of money. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, or the stress is getting to you, relax. We’re here to help. Keep reading, and we’ll share a few suggestions to help you throw a solid birthday party for your kid. We have good news and bad news for you, and first, the bad news. Picking the theme of the party is absolutely the hardest part. The good news is, picking a theme is a cinch. It’s a fact that every kid has a favorite book, movie, TV show, or song. All you need to do is find out what that is and run with it. Now that you have a theme, shopping for decorations becomes a lot easier. We know, it can be difficult walking into a party supply store and seeing rows upon rows of shiny stuff. But knowing your party theme can help you to focus and avoid spending money on things you don’t need. If you’re doing a popular theme like Pokemon, you’ll frequently find ready-made decoration bundles either at the store or online. They often contain napkins, tablecloths, hats, absolutely everything you need. For most kids, one of their favorite parts of a birthday party it taking home the goodie bag. But before you start to panic, keep in mind that you can create a great bag by just heading to your local dollar store. You don’t have to do a Martha Stewart special. In fact, the party guests will be happy receiving some small treats or little toys, even if they only receive a few things. Party planning is a bit more of a challenge for today’s kids due to dietary restrictions. One guest might have a nut allergy, another might be gluten-free, and another might be sensitive to dairy. The best way to avoid all of that is snacks that are fruits and vegetables. Also, if you remove the skin of a watermelon, cut it in half, and add whipped cream, you’ll get a “birthday cake” that virtually everyone can enjoy. Let’s say you’ve decided to have the party at your local indoor trampoline park (Good choice!). Odds are the kids will bounce around and make their own fun. But if things start to quiet down, here’s a classic trampoline game. Have the kids jump on the trampoline, and give the parents foam balls. The parents, from the sidelines, will throw the balls and try to hit the kids, while the kids have to keep jumping and dodging. When a kid is hit by a foam ball, they’re out, and the last kid standing is the winner. It’s great fun for the kids and a solid way for parents to get their aggression out. #### Design Safety at Rebounderz Rohnert 2/2 In our last blog, we covered some of the innovative features that Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Area incorporates into the design of out jump features to keep all of our jumpers safe. If you have not yet read the first blog in this series, you can do so here. To learn more about the safety features used at Rebounderz, keep reading. Wall Angles and Double beds One great feature in our indoor trampoline area is the wall trampolines. The walls of the trampoline area are specifically designed for maximum safety. The trampoline beds, too, have safety in mind. Every bed is a double layered, so if one fails, there is a second layer to support the jumper. If a layer ever fails, it is replaced immediately. Trampoline Corners Older trampoline designs had corners where two trampolines overlapped, creating the potential for someone, or part of someone, to slip between the two membranes and  become injured. This is no longer a possibility. The new, safer, design uses a specially designed and engineered corner that keeps jumpers safe! Clear Jump Area If you’ve ever jumped on a trampoline, you know that there is a sweet spot that gives you the best jump. The edge of the trampoline has more tension and a less predictable jump. To solve the problem created by people jumping too near the edge, we’ve created “Joshua Lines”. These red lines remind jumpers where to jump, and the reasons are explained to jumpers in a video they have to watch before getting on the trampolines. Safety Gear All jumpers under the age of 18 are required to wear headgear to protect their heads and special socks that offer ankle support and gripping power on the trampolines. Rebounderz Rohnert Park Indoor Trampoline Arena adheres to a “safety first” philosophy. We want you to come back time and again,enjoy yourself, and stay fit with trampoline and Ninja Warrior Course fun! #### Design Safety at Rebounderz Rohnert 1/2 If you are an adult with kids of your own, you may think that an indoor trampoline is like the ones that you went to when you were young, but you would be wrong! Indoor Trampolining has improved, gotten safer, and has added features that mean even more fun is to be had! Rebounders Rohnert Park Indoor Trampoline Area uses a design wherein every feature of the trampoline was designed with a “safety first” mentality. We know that parents appreciate the steps taken to keep kids safe, and kids too, will know that they can have fun without putting themselves in danger. Trampoline Parks Were Not as Safe as They Needed to Be In the good old days, a lot of kids got hurt on trampolines because the trampolines were poorly designed. Those old designs were basically separate trampolines in their own frames, lashed together to form one big, shifting trampoline area. This design meant that when one trampoline was jumped on, the motion generated by the jump moved the trampolines around it, causing instability and shifting to occur. This is inherently dangerous. It is important that the trampoline surface stay still so where you think you are going to land is in the same place when you come down, as when you went up! The best hardware, such as high-grade nuts, are used to hold the structure together. Safer Exoskeleton Design This new and patented trampoline design has safety at its core. The design is based on one framework that has many trampolines built into it. A single, rigid frame is bolted to the foundation of the building, and the trampolines are located in the windows created by the grid-like framework. the structure, or as we call it, exoskeleton. To learn more about our innovative safety features, check back for our next blog. #### Dietary Restrictions at Your Kid’s Birthday Parties Dietary Needs and Picky Eater at Birthday Parties There is always that one kid at a party that is either picky or has specialized dietary needs. Diet can always be a segregating factor for a child, especially when all the other kids are enjoying their meals. As a host, you will want to include everyone in the meal, but with some restaurants and carry-out places, finding foods that are adjustable to dietary needs is difficult. In this blog, we will discuss some of the most common dietary restrictions children may have and how to work around them. If you are planning your kid’s birthday party, planning the meal might be the most stressful. It is our hope that by reading this blog, you will be able to gain some perspective and solutions to your guest’s dietary needs Celiac Disease Though in the past most people stopped eating bread to cut back on carbohydrates, there are millions out there that struggle with Celiac Disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when genetically predisposed people ingest gluten and suffers small intestine damage. According to a statistic published by the Celiac Disease Foundation, one in 100 people worldwide suffer from this disease. When a person with this autoimmune disorder eats carb-based items, their body will prepare an immune response that will attack the small intestine. This attack can lead to damage of the small intestines villi, projections that help the body absorb nutrients. When the villi are attacked, the nutrients your body intakes cannot be absorbed into the body. It is estimated that 3 million children struggle with Celiacs. That means they aren’t able to eat any regularly wheat, barley, or rye based items. If you are hosting a party, and plan to feed your guests, it is wise to ask the child’s parents if they have any serious allergies. A child won’t always know or want to say what they are allergic to, which is why it is best to directly ask their parents. If you are planning to make sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, or order pizzas, you need to be aware that all bread will trigger their allergies. When you purchase your food ingredients or order your pizza, it is important to ask for “gluten-free items.” By doing so, you will have your gluten-intolerant guests avoid a lot of pain, on what is supposed to be a day of fun. Lactose Intolerance Lactose intolerance refers to when a person can not have any dairy-based products. Lactose intolerance is not curable, but there are ways to work around the disorder. For one, you can choose not to ingest any dairy-rich products. However, in American society, almost all items have some sort of cheese or milk-base. Depending on the severity of a child’s symptoms, you will have to be careful where you get your party food. You also want to be careful about the candy and cake that you will be serving as well. Cakes are rich with dairy in both the actual cake, as well as the frosting. Dairy is in a lot of things we may not expect, which is why it is important to be mindful about adhering to the dietary restrictions of your guests. In fact, it has actually been found that over 65 percent of the human population has some sort of lactose intolerance. So, by adjusting how you make your meals and desserts, you could be helping many more people than just the people that are open about their lactose intolerance. Eggs Allergies One of the most common childhood allergies is an intolerance of eggs. An egg allergy can be a bigger deal than you might think. Though it is obvious that eggs are found in cakes and breakfast meals, they are also found in many things that you would not think of, such as doughs, pastries, fried foods, and some salad dressings. Because of this, it is important to be mindful how common birthday party foods can be dangerous for a child with an egg allergy. Be sure to ask parents if any of their children have an egg allergy before you make or order any foods for your party. Luckily, there are some ways to work with this kind of allergy. Not all cakes are made with eggs, which can be a huge benefit for children who still want to enjoy one of the most classic birthday traditions — the birthday cake. Solutions There are solutions to childhood allergies; people have been striving to develop new recipes that are more inclusive of all people regardless of personal allergies. At Rebounderz, we offer you a space to host your kid’s birthday party. While we do offer you a space to entertain your guests, we also offer birthday packages that you can choose from. Each package comes with a decorated private party room, as well as party food and snacks. In each party package, we offer you large pizzas and pitchers of sodas. If your guests have any allergy restrictions, please let us know. You can have the option of ordering gluten-free pizzas for your party as well. Rebounderz If you are interested in hosting a memorable birthday party for your child, contact Rebounderz today! We have party packages for you and your guests, and can provide your party with delicious pizza and drinks. Visit us online to view our party packages! Make this birthday special, but also make sure that everyone invited has fun and is included. #### Different Age Groups Can Use an Indoor Trampoline Park: Part One 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. #### Digital intervention shows promise for moderating alcohol consumption In most instances, fish oil doesn’t interact with Eliquis. However, taking Eliquis with fish oil may increase your risk of bleeding. To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effect details” in the “Eliquis side effects” section above. Taking certain HIV drugs with Eliquis can increase the level of Eliquis in your body. Taking one of these drugs with Eliquis can raise your risk of bleeding. FAQs about Eliquis and interactions Sometimes, however, a blood clot can appear in blood vessels such as the aorta artery that supplies your heart or brain with oxygen-rich blood.Eliquis can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others.It can raise your risk of blood clots by increasing your platelet count and activating blood platelets, making them more prone to spontaneous clotting.In clinical trials, some people taking Eliquis reported having blood in their urine, which could be a sign of bleeding in the kidneys. In addition to the information below, you can refer to this article to learn about interactions with Eliquis. However, the Eliquis dosage recommended for treating and preventing DVT and PE is the same for older and younger adults. The usual dosage of Eliquis to prevent DVT or PE from recurring is 2.5 mg taken twice a day. If you think you have water retention or edema while taking Eliquis, you should contact your doctor. If the edema is caused by a blood clot or hematoma, it may need to be treated. For more information about bleeding and other side effects of Eliquis, see the drug’s prescribing information or talk with your doctor. What Are Blood Thinners? If you’re interested in taking the generic version, ask your doctor whether it’s an option for you. These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Eliquis, with Xarelto, or with both drugs (when taken individually). Drinking coffee or other drinks that contain caffeine doesn’t affect how Eliquis works in your body. More don’ts if you take a blood thinner Studies have shown that text-based messaging interventions can result in short- and medium-term reductions in alcohol use. Digital programs that tailor content according to users' evolving outcomes, similar to clinical care, may be particularly effective. Switched to Eliquis after 10 years on Warfarin for leg DVT. Eliquis alternatives: which other blood thinners can I take? If you need to take this antibiotic, talk with your doctor about safe treatment options. If you need to take one of these HIV drugs with Eliquis, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of Eliquis. If this isn’t possible, your doctor can talk with you about other treatment options. If you need to take one eliquis and alcohol usage of these antifungal drugs with Eliquis, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of Eliquis. If you need to take one of these antidepressants with Eliquis, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe for you to use the drug with Eliquis. Your doctor may recommend a different type of antidepressant. What to know about blood thinners and alcohol If you have any active bleeding, such as a bleeding stomach ulcer, your doctor will likely not prescribe Eliquis. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you. You can also see the “Side effect specifics” section above to read more. Tell your doctor if you have any upcoming surgeries or dental procedures while you’re taking Eliquis. Further, alcohol can affect how long it takes for your body to process blood thinners.Doctors may recommend benzodiazepines (such as Xanax) for people having hip or knee surgery. Alternatives for preventing DVT after a hip or knee replacement You may wonder how Eliquis compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses.Additionally, be cautious while brushing and flossing your teeth.Learn more about some of the side effects that Eliquis may cause.It’s not recommended that you start drinking alcohol if you don’t normally.During this period, I have found myself having a little difficulty getting the right words out when speaking. Doing anything that can make you bleed is something to seriously consider not doing if you’re on a blood thinner. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Common Blood Thinner Medications Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). If you are taking apixaban to prevent blood clots from forming after surgery, the length of treatment is based on the type of surgery that you had. One is about the risk of spinal blood https://ecosoberhouse.com/ clots with spinal procedures. The other is about the increased risk of blood clots if Eliquis treatment is stopped early. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above. Eliquis has boxed warnings for the risk of blood clots if stopping Eliquis treatment early and risk of spinal blood clots from certain spinal procedures. Factor Xa is integral to the blood coagulation process as it facilitates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, an essential step in blood clot formation.However, drinking large amounts of alcohol may raise your risk of bleeding with Eliquis.Eliquis stops this clotting factor from working, which makes your blood less able to form clots.For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article. Let’s further explore why it’s vital to consult with your doctor. Xanax is a drug that’s used to treat panic disorders and anxiety. Doctors may recommend benzodiazepines (such as Xanax) for people having hip or knee surgery. There haven’t been any specific reports of vitamins interacting with Eliquis. However, it’s still important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Eliquis treatment. #### Do Not Trampoline While Pregnant Part 1 Things You Should Not Do While Pregnant Each year, there are 130 million new babies born in the world. Although, some argue that this number is actually much higher, as there is a prediction that at least 6 million babies are born but are not registered. So, with all of these births, there are millions of brave women that endure the labor of pregnancy. Pregnancy can be an immense blessing; however, it can also be very restrictive. There are many things that you are not allowed to do, or at least instructed to stay away from while you are expecting. Of course, it is up to the mother to determine whether or not to listen to medical professionals and pregnancy specialists. In this blog, we will be discussing some of the things you should stay away from while you have a “bun in the oven.” Our hope is that, by reading about the things you should stay away from, you might be able to make smarter and healthier choices for you and your little one. What You Should Not Eat At the top of every medical professional’s priority list, it is to tell expecting mother’s what not to eat. Because what you eat can directly affect the baby, it is important that you adhere to prescribed foods and ignore foods on our “bad list.” This list is a run-down of all the problematic foods that could have effects on your fetus. Due to the fact that your baby directly receives nutrients from you, the mother, it is important not to expose your baby to bacteria and chemicals that you may ingest. Bad List: Fish Raw Eggs Soft Cheeses Raw Meat and Shellfish Fish: Fish generally will have some level of mercury in it. High-level mercury fish include sharks, king mackerel, swordfish, and tilefish. All of these sea creatures could expose your baby to trace amounts of mercury, which can be extremely unhealthy for a growing fetus. There are low-level mercury fish, such as tuna. However, even this type of fish should be eaten very sparingly. Raw Eggs: Because raw eggs pose the threat of salmonella, you never want to eat them when you are pregnant. Because of this, hollandaise sauces, custards, eggnog, mayonnaise, and homemade Caesar dressings are all off limits. Soft Cheeses: Your days of wine and cheese are over — at least for nine months. Soft cheeses can have listeria, which is a type of bacteria. Because it may have this bacteria, it is best to stay away from any soft cheese, such as Roquefort, feta, brie, and gorgonzola. Also, you will want to stay away from any cheese that isn’t made with pasteurized milk. Unpasteurized milk could have a plethora of bacteria that could be harmful to your baby. Raw Meat and Shellfish: Eating raw meat on any day can be a risk. But when you are pregnant, it is best to be careful. Uncooked fish and meat have the potential to be contaminated with toxoplasmosis or salmonella. Because of this risk, sushi, oysters, mussels, clams, and red meat are all off limits. Painting Your House or Nursery If you are pregnant, you finally have a “license” to get out of certain tasks. For instance, if your house needs a fresh coat of paint, or even if your spare bedroom needs to be painted, you can get out of doing the task. There’s no real way to measure toxicity from exposure to paint fumes. Paint toxicity depends on the solvents used, as well as the chemicals in the paint. Most household paints are generally low in toxicity; however, not all paints are made the same. To lower your risk of paint toxicity, it is best to stay away from these types of household tasks. So, while you’re pregnant, don’t be afraid to count yourself out of household tasks, such as painting your nursery or home. Instead, you can relax and enjoy your time off instead. Stay Away from Stilettos No one can deny the captivating look of stiletto heels. Unfortunately, when you become pregnant, your center of gravity changes. Due to the change of balance, the added weight, and your swollen ankles, stilettos are no longer a reliable or safe footwear option. Besides, the larger you grow, the less likely you will want to wear any heels at all. Stilettos won’t have an effect on your health, per se. However, the stress of wearing too- high shoes can change your mood. Also, because you will no longer be stable in your high-heeled shoes, you are at a greater risk of falling and hurting yourself. Hot Tubs and Saunas When you are pregnant, you have to assume that anything you do to your body, the baby will experience the consequences. Though hot tubs and saunas are quite enjoyable, they are dangerous for pregnant women, especially those in their first trimester. When you step into a hot tub or a sauna, you are essentially exposing your body to extremely high temperatures. As a result, your body is internally and externally heated, your heart rate increases, and you will sweat as a way for your body to cool itself down. This increase in temperature can be dangerous and cause certain birth defects in babies, especially those developing in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. So, instead of going into a hot tub or a sauna, you can just take hot baths. Baths are a great way to relax and heat your body, without causing any harm to your baby. Of course, you may not be able to take baths throughout your pregnancy, as the bigger you grow, the less likely you will be able to enter and exit your tub safely. Trampolines When you are pregnant, being on a trampoline isn’t recommended. During your first trimester, many physicians will recommend staying away from any jumping or intense physical activity. Of course, since the fetus is only just beginning to grow, there are some instances where you can still workout and bounce on a trampoline. This can happen when you are unaware that you are pregnant and still going about your day-to-day life. When you <b<do find out you are pregnant, you should refrain from jumping for the remainder of your pregnancy. During the second and third trimesters, you will gain weight and change your center of gravity and your posture. Balance is one of the first things that are altered during a pregnancy, which can make you more at risk for falling. Because of this, it is important that you don’t partake in any physical activities that could jeopardize your baby. Rebounderz of Apopka We will continue discussing why trampolining while pregnant can be dangerous for you and your baby, as well as other activities you should not do while you are pregnant. Though you might be expecting, that doesn’t mean that the rest of your family can’t enjoy an indoor trampoline park. At Rebounderz, we have a sitting area where you can calmly relax while your other children jump and utilize our other attractions. If you are looking for a safe location to bring your children to play and allow yourself to get some time to yourself, Rebounderz is perfect. Contact us today. #### Do Not Trampoline While Pregnant Part 2 Things You Should Not Do While Pregnant... Continued Pregnancy is quite the blessing. For nine months you will be able to foster a relationship with your child that you have never seen before. During your pregnancy, you will be able to care for your baby and carry them close to you. But, in this close proximity, you can be exposing your child to dangers you may not be aware of. Because your baby is inside of you, and dependent on you for safety and nutrients, it is ultimately up to you to make sure you are giving the baby what it needs. At the same time, you are also responsible for making sure that your baby is not in danger of infection or birth defects. In our previous blog, we discussed some factors that could put you and your baby at risk. We will continue with listing off things that could harm you both, in the hope that by reading about possible threats, you will do your best to avoid them. Trampolining Trampolines are incredibly fun for people of all ages. Trampolines aren’t typically restrictive, but when you are expecting, it is best to keep off of a trampoline. During your first trimester, it is important to stay off your personal trampoline or to avoid going to indoor trampoline parks. In order to stay safe, you should always consult with your doctor and gain medical clearance if you would still like to bounce while pregnant. However, the clearance won’t last long, as you won’t be able to bounce in the second or third trimesters. As the baby grows, you will be getting larger. When you grow, your body naturally will lose its original center of gravity and balance. Balance is essential for bouncing and if you aren’t balanced, you could fall. Any activity that put you at risk of falling should be heavily avoided during your second and third trimesters. Unfortunately, bouncing is one of them. Aside from falling, while you are pregnant, you are at a greater risk of severely injuring yourself. During your second and third trimesters, your body will naturally release relaxin. This hormone is utilized in order to prepare your body for the eventual birth. The hormone loosens up your joints and relaxes your pelvis, making them vulnerable to injury. So, no matter how much an experienced jumper you are, one wrong fall could result in serious consequences for you and your unborn child. Tanning Tanning — any tanning — is not a good idea while pregnant. Both self-tanners and tanning beds both can pose a threat to your baby. Fake tanning locations will have an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Though the chemical is non-toxic on the outermost layers of your skin, it can still be dangerous. Because you apply DHA to your skin repeatedly to get the perfect tan, your cells are exposed to the chemical. It is rare, but some people who use tanning lotion can have an allergic reaction to the solution. Whether you are pregnant or not, having an allergic reaction all over your body can be traumatic and cause your body to go into shock. Because of this, most pregnant mothers are warned to stay from tanning locations. Tanning beds are not recommended for pregnant mothers. Because sunbeds give off ultraviolet (UV) rays, they are extremely dangerous for both mothers and their babies. UV rays can give off harmful radiation that can cause skin cancer in the mother, as well as birth defects in the fetus. Also, pregnant mothers will typically have more sensitive skin due to the intense concentration of hormones in their bodies. If you try to tan in a tanning bed you might find that you are more easily burned than you used to be. Cat Litter If you have a cat and you are pregnant, it is time for you to play that, “I am pregnant” card. Of course, you can still clean out the litter but you have to be very careful. Why? Well, toxoplasmosis is a common infection that occurs in most birds and mammals. The parasite called Toxoplasma gondii is typically found in cat feces and cat litter. Though the risk of getting the parasite while you’re pregnant is low, you will never want to take that risk. If you are infected during your first trimester, you might suffer a miscarriage or your baby might suffer from blindness or brain damage. It is important if you have to clean out the litter box, that you do so with gloves on. After you are done cleaning up the mess, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. But, if you have a significant other, you may ask them nicely to clean it up while you are expecting. Rebounderz At Rebounderz, our goal is to make sure everyone in your family has a good time, safely. This, of course, includes the adults too. If you are pregnant, you cannot jump on our trampolines. However, if you have other younger children, you can still bring them to bounce on their own. At our indoor trampoline park, we also have a comfortable seating area for you to sit at while your other children play. If you want to bring your other children to a fun, as well as safe place, Rebounderz is it! Contact us today! #### Do You Have What It Takes To Become A Ninja Warrior? I’ve you’ve ever watched American Ninja Warrior,, you’ve probably modestly thought, “Heck, I could do that,” at least a time or two. Well, now’s your chance to put your money where your Ninja Warrior Skills are. Here at Rebounderz trampoline park in Sunrise, we are the only extreme fun center that also houses our very own state-of-the-art Ninja Warrior Course where kids and adults alike can test their mettle and climb, jump, and crawl their way to glory — or failure. American Ninja Warrior is one of the hottest television programs and challenges out there right now. And sure, you could do your best to recreate one of the famed courses in your own backyard. But, we’re afraid you just might hurt yourself. Instead, come down to South Florida’s premier center for extreme fun and high-flying action to see if you truly do have what it takes to become a Ninja Warrior in your own right. Here are just some of the unique features of our own Ninja Warrior course. The Courses At Rebounderz of Sunrise, our one-of-a-kind Ninja Warrior course features hundreds upon hundreds of feet of extreme fun action and obstacles. We have three different lanes with courses available at difficulty levels ranging from beginner to intermediate to advanced (for those looking for a real challenge). While our Ninja Warrior Courses aren’t exactly what you’ll find on the famed TV show, they provide a great replica if you are legitimately training for the competition. Or, you can simply come in to test your agility and skill in a unique way that allows you to have fun and improve your fitness level. You do need athletic shoes in order to run through the course, so come prepared. You must be 44-inches tall and there is also a weight limit of 275 pounds. The Obstacles Yes, you will have a real opportunity to test yourself like a true Ninja Warrior would. So, what are you waiting for? Here’s what you can expect from our innovative (and padded) Ninja warrior Course: Quad Steps: Jump from angled step to angled step and do your best not to fall into the pit! Hanging doors: Here, you’ll have to leap and grip onto a hanging door and maneuver your way across the open pit. Swing-to-Cargo Netting: One of the most difficult challenges, you have to get your way across by climbing through giant nets filled with round balls. Warped Wall: The most famous obstacle in Ninja Warrior lore. Of course, you have to conquer the final stage of the course, the warped wall, once and for all to consider yourself a true Ninja Warrior. Do you think you have what it takes to become an American Ninja Warrior? Let’s find out. Come check out our innovative obstacle course and find out for yourself. Contact our South Florida Rebounderz today to learn more. Our trampoline park and extreme fun center also includes private themed rooms for kids birthday parties, wall-to-wall patented jumpers, arcades, jump pads and towers, and a whole lot more. #### Do You Know the Do's and Don't's for Kid's Birthday Parties? Do you have to go to every party you are invited to? How much should you spend on presents? And who do you have to invite to your kid's birthday? The world of kid's birthday parties can be pretty stressful, especially considering if you are like most American families you have one or two to attend each month. If you are confused about the do's and don't's of birthday parties, the team at Rebounderz in Edison is here to help. We've hosted hundreds of birthday parties in our trampoline park, and over the years we've learned a lot about what you should and shouldn't do. Here are some of the frequently asked questions we hear from parents! FAQ About Birthday Party Etiquette At what age should I start having a birthday party with other children? Most people want to have a birthday party for their child on their first birthday, but if you've ever attended a one-year-old's party, you know it's more for the adults than the kids. Most children could care less about a party at this age (and might get overwhelmed by the experience). Most children don't really start to enjoy a birthday party until they are also old enough to really enjoy having friends over, say around the age of 4 or whenever they start school. This is a great time to start throwing them a birthday party and inviting some of their favorite playmates to join in the fun. Who should I invite to my child's birthday party? Some schools actually have rules about birthday invitations in the classroom, so be sure to check. A lot of people follow the rule of the child's age plus one; so for example, if your child is turning six, then they would invite seven friends to the party. That generally keeps things in check, size wise. However, if your child is especially social you might decide to invite more. If you end up inviting almost their entire class, though, you'll need to invite everyone just to be polite. You can also consider just keeping it to all of one gender in the class, too, if that's easier or more appropriate. If you only invite a few children from the class, that's fine, but you might want to discuss the idea of discretion with your child so they don't brag about the party in front of others. Do I have to bring a gift? How much should I spend? If your child is attending a birthday party, they should definitely bring a gift unless specifically asked not to on the invitation. Even if you can't afford to bring a big gift, making up a batch of brownies or the child's favorite treat is always a welcome gift (make sure to check with the birthday boy or girl's mom before you start baking, though, just in case of allergies). There is no set rule for how much you should spend on a gift. That's really up to the individual family's budget. If you are attending two or three birthdays a month, then $20 a gift will add up quickly. It's fine to spend $5 or $10; it's the thought that counts, after all. What should I spend on a birthday party for my child? There are no hard answers for this question. You should spend whatever you feel comfortable with and is within your budget for your child's birthday. Some families like to really go all out for birthdays and make each one a big event. Other families choose to one celebrate a milestone birthday with a big bash and keep other years small and intimate. You get to do what's right for your family! What should I provide for guests who attend? Some birthday parties seem to come with all the trimmings: cupcakes, gift bags, party hats, and more. You leave with more stuff that you came with! That can be a lot of fun, but you are under no obligation to provide anything to your guests. It's tradition to have at least a cake, but you can choose to have snacks or even a full meal for your guests if you choose. This is another area where you'll need to determine what's within your budget and your sanity to organize. Is it rude not to attend every party my child is invited to? Not at all. Whether you are just burned out on birthday, need to keep a tight budget that month, or your kid just isn't that crazy about the birthday boy or girl, it's okay to decline an invitation. Whatever you decide, though, always RSVP with your yes or no. That will help the party organizer get an accurate headcount, and even politely declining is much appreciated in those instances. Can my other children attend a birthday party? Many parents will put on the invitation whether or not siblings are invited. It's usually assumed that at least one parent will also attend the birthday party, at least until the other kids are older. You can call the party organizer and ask if it's okay to bring your other children along, just don't be upset if they say no. The more people there are, the more expensive it's going to be, after all. But most families are very understanding and will welcome siblings who want to join in the fun! Should my child open their presents at the party? The jury is out on this one! Some people love to watch the birthday boy or girl's reaction to opening gifts. Some parents feel like this is just a recipe for disaster, especially if the child isn't interested in opening the gifts, doesn't care for the present, or if the other children get jealous of all the attention. Do what works best for your family. It's helpful to let guests know that you'll be opening presents later, though, just so they are aware of your plans. Should we send thank you cards to the guests? Sending thank you cards to everyone who came to your child's birthday party is a great thing to do. It teaches your child to thank their friends and have gratitude for the gifts they received. It's also time-consuming and can become a battle with your child to get it done. If it happens, great! If not, don't beat yourself up. You can always try again next year! Trying to plan the perfect birthday party for your child? Rebounderz can help! Our trampoline park in Edison has lots of experience with kid's birthday parties and we can make sure it's fun for kids and stress-free for adults from start to finish. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our birthday party packages!   #### Do You Know the Rules About Who You Should (And Shouldn't!) Invite to a Birthday Party? Sending out invitations for your child's birthday party might seem like a relatively easy task. You go to the store and buy some invitations, fill them out, and send them off. It's only when you start to make that list of who to invite when you realize that the task might not be as easy as you initially thought. The invitation list can be a social minefield, causing stress for parents and children alike. As one of the premier kid's birthday party places in Rohnert Park, we've been asked for invitation advice from many parents. Don't let this part of the planning get you down! Here are some of the do's and don'ts when it comes to making your invitation list. FAQ About Birthday Party Invitations Do I have to invite my child's entire class? Some schools have actually implemented policies about birthday party invitations in order to avoid hurt feelings in the classroom. It's worth having a look to see if your school has any rules; often, they ask that you invite every child in the class so no one feels left out. That way it can be up to the individual child as to whether or not they wish to attend. If there aren't any guidelines from the school, you might want to see if the teacher has any suggestions or advice on what other parents in the class are doing. If your school doesn't have any rules, though, here are some guidelines you can follow: If you invite almost the entire class, go ahead and invite everyone. Chances are good that not all of them will be able to make it anyway, but by passing along an invitation, you won't be leaving anyone out. You don't want to invite almost the entire class and leave two or three kids off the list. If you don't want to invite everyone, consider keeping it to one gender or the other. If you are only inviting a couple children from the class, make it discreet. Send the invitations via mail or email instead of handing them out at school and have a talk with your child about avoiding talk about the party while at school. How many kids is a good number to invite? A lot of parents follow the "child's age plus one." That means if your child is turning 8, having nine kids there is a good number. Of course, if your child is especially social, you may choose to invite more children. If your child is more introverted, they may prefer to have a smaller group of close friends. Should invitations be hand delivered? It's nice to hand deliver a cute party invitation that gets kids excited about coming to the birthday party. But let's face it, not everyone has time to make all those cute invites. While it might have been frowned on in the past, today it is perfectly acceptable to email a party invite. It's often easier for the parents, too, because they can use services that will automatically track their RSVPs for them. What if no one RSVPs? A RSVP is a very good thing. It allows you to get a head count about who is and isn't coming to the party so you can be prepared with the right amount of food and gift bags. However, it's easy for parents to get busy and forget to send their RSVP back to you. If it's getting closer to the party date and you still have a lot of people who haven't responded, it's fine to reach out to them again. Call them up or send a follow-up email and ask that they RSVP by a certain date. Do I have to invite siblings? There is no hard and fast rule on this one. If you have space and resources for siblings to join in the fun, then that's great! Whatever you decide, it's best to make it clear in the invitation. Either note that siblings are welcome or that you regret that you cannot host siblings at the party. If you decide not to allow siblings to attend, it's a nice gesture to allow parents to drop off the invited children and pick them up later. What if no one comes? It's every parent's (and kid's!) worst fear, but it's really, really unlikely. Make sure you invite a couple of people who are sure to show up, whether that's a best friend, cousins, or the neighbors. Picking a great venue for the party will get kids excited about attending, too! Making it a fun break for the parents will bring in more kids as well, so keep that in mind. We Can Help Take the Stress Out of Birthday Planning Is birthday party planning stressing you out? The team at Rebounderz can help! We've helped plan hundreds of birthday parties. Our easy, no-stress party options are one of the reasons we've become the premier place for kid's birthday parties in the Rohnert Park area. Once you've tackled those birthday party invitations, let our team take over. We'll take care of everything from the pizza to the activities and make sure that all the kids who attend are having a great time. we even clean up when the party is done. Want to learn more about turning your birthday party over to us? Get in touch with our team! Give us a call or contact us through our website to learn more about having your child's next birthday party at Rebounderz. #### Dodgeball Birthday Fun Once you child hits a certain age, it can often be hard to figure out what kind of birthday party they may want. One that can please even the pickiest of teenagers can be hard to come by, but here at Rebounderz, we have just the solution for your teenager birthday party woes. Gather the group and head to Rebounderz in Sterling for an unforgettable dodgeball party that everyone is sure to love. Here’s how to make this awesome party happen for your teen. The Perfect Dodgeball Birthday Party Venue No dodgeball event, or in this case birthday party, is ever complete without the perfect venue. Sure, you could just buy some soft dodgeballs and set up a game at the local park, but then you have to worry about the weather, teenagers getting stung by yellowjackets, and a whole slew of other problems. Rebounderz in Sterling is the perfect location to host a dodgeball birthday party. Our indoor Jumpers are already set up as the perfect space for match after match of dodgeball. Don’t just run around; jump your way to victory. At Rebounderz, we are able to host private events where you can rent out a Jumper for a specific amount of time, so your teen’s birthday party has the space all to themselves. Also consider renting a private room for pizza, soda, and the best part, cake. The Best Cake...EVER No party is ever complete without the perfect cake, and when you consider that hungry teens will be battling it out in several heated games of dodgeball, they’re going to want to eat. At Rebounderz, we can supply everything but the cake. Because of that, we’ve come up with a few ideas to help you out with the cake for your teen’s dodgeball extravaganza. You can never go wrong with a cake based on the movie Dodgeball with Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn. Have the baker make a hand gripping a dodgeball with the quote from the move, “Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.” Or perhaps, "If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball," depending on your teen’s sense of humor. Another fun option could be cupcakes. These cupcakes could be wacky faces with gobstoppers as the dodgeballs making impact with the cake face. Cupcakes make it easy to bring just the right amount, and also make it easy to provide a variety of delectable flavors to choose from. Evening Movie Chillax Time After an exciting day at Rebounderz, caravan the party back to your house for some wind-down time watching the perfect movie. Nothing compliments a dodgeball birthday party better than an evening watching Dodgeball. Watch the Average Joe’s compete in a Las Vegas dodgeball tournament for the good of their community. Pop some popcorn with butter, load up on the soda, and let the teens sprawl in front of the TV. Perfect Birthday Party Favors After watching Dodgeball, before you call it an evening for your teen’s birthday party, send them home with some party favors they’re going to love. Order some “Dodge This” small gym bags and include a large, iced dodgeball cookie in the bag. Also, throw in a small, red stress ball that looks like a dodgeball as a reminder of all the fun they had that day. At Rebounderz, it’s easy to throw the perfect party for just about anyone. Whether you have tots or hard-to-please teenagers, Rebounderz in Sterling can help you organize just the right party. Contact our location today to get more information about the different party options and to figure out what is the best fit for your needs!   #### Dodgeball Tips Ah, dodgeball, America's other, other past time. What better way to (safely) pelt your enemies into submission, all in a fun and sociable setting? Kidding aside, dodgeball is a sport like any other, and that means the quickest and most skilled players tend to come out on top. Here at Rebounderz, we have our very own Apopka trampoline park dodgeball course, if you'd like to take the sport to the next level. To help give you an edge over your friends, here are some dodgeball tips that will assist you on your path to victory! Throwing Throw Together -- This is simple math. It's harder to dodge multiple balls than one ball at a time. To greatly increase your team's hit ratio, throw at the same time so that the other team will have to dodge many balls, rather than just one. Spread Around -- On top of coordinating your team's throws, you should coordinate your team's position as well. When balls are all flying from the same area, they're easier to dodge, but if your team can throw in harmony from different sides of the court, your opponents won't even see what hit them. Throw at the Line -- Assess your risk before doing this, as it leaves you more open to attack, but when you throw the ball closer to the line, not only is it going to be traveling faster when it hits your opponent, but they'll have less time overall to see it coming and dodge. Choose Your Targets -- It may seem like a good strategy to take out the easier opponents first so that you can focus on the harder ones, but that just gives them more time to knock out members of your team. Focused on the most skillful players first, and once they're out, you've greatly increased your chances of winning. Bide Your Time -- Dodgeball is a little bit like fishing. You want to lure people into vulnerable positions where they can be hit. If you don't have a good throw lined up, don't throw. Bide your time, and wait for an opening. Each second you keep the ball in your possession is a second it's out of the hands of the other team. Catching Conservative Catching -- The one armed reach grab may wow the audience, but your chances of pulling it off are much lower than for a regular catch. Keep it simple, as successful catches are a huge part of winning. Wait for balls that are coming at you directly within your line of sight to maximize your chances of catching them. Keep Moving -- You've made a catch and ousted an opponent! Great job, but don't stop there! Right after a catch is one of your more vulnerable moments on the dodgeball court. You already have a ball in your hands, and you're distracted. Keep moving to avoid a knockout from the opposing team. Deflect Up -- Deflecting is not a good strategy in general, as if the ball hits the wall or floor before you catch it, you're out. But, if you do need a deflect to avoid an out, make sure to deflect up to maximize your chances of catching it afterwards. Play the Odds -- How aggressively you go for a catch should reflect your need to do so. If you're ahead  five players to two, there's not much need to go for the catch, as failures are costly. However, if you're behind two players to four, a catch/throw combo could be just what your team needs to catch up! Dodging Jump Dodge -- When opponents throw the ball, they're generally aiming for the waist down. This is because it it's harder to catch a ball the further away it is from your hands. But, you can use that to your advantage when dodging because there is less surface area to hit. A high jump may be all you need for the ball to fly harmlessly under you. Watch Your Opponents -- Keeping an eye on all of your opponents at all times is key to dodgeball defense. If one gets out of your line of sight, their throw will also be out of your line of sight, and that means a likely out. If you're playing at the back of the court like you should (when not trying to grab a loose ball), then you'll have less area to keep in mind when tracking opponent's movement. Spread Around -- The more your team clumps together, the bigger of a target they become to hit. Make sure that you and your team are constantly moving around, leaving enough space between each other so that everyone can move around easily. Additionally, never remain behind a teammate for more than a moment, because if they dodge a ball that is thrown at them, you will likely not see it coming. Last Man Standing Keep Cool -- If you find that you're the last man standing on your team, keep cool. Dodgeball is designed for the comeback upset. This is your time to shine. Return Balls -- Under UKDBA rules, leading teams can only hold onto balls for 5 seconds once they have two balls in their possession. You can use the to your advantage to force a catch. Once you've dodged all of the balls, and they're just laying on your court, roll a couple back to the opposing team. They have to throw within the five second window, or get an out.  When you see it coming, the ball will be much easier to catch. Stay Low -- When you're the last one on your team, catches matter, and dodges at best are only a delay. When you're at the back of the court, stay low. This will diminish your target surface area, as well as increase your chances of making a catch. Your ability to dodge will be decreased, but at this point an all or nothing strategy has a higher success rate.   Hopefully these tips help you on the court. If you're ready to take dodgeball to the next level, try our Apopka trampoline park dodgeball court. We also cater to kids birthday parties, and have a trampoline basketball court and other activities as well. Give us a call for more information! #### Dodgeball Tips Here at Rebounderz, we are aware of the benefits of team sports. Whether you're talking about football, basketball, soccer, or even dodgeball, team sports have a lot to teach. Here at our Sterling trampoline park, dodgeball is just one of the many fun trampoline activities we offer. Our dodgeball course is a blast, and we recommend that you try it out. Before that, though, you need to brush up on your game. Here are some dodgeball tips to help give you an edge on the course. Know when not to throw You might think that in a game called dodgeball, that it would always be beneficial to try and throw someone out. In fact, that is an easy way to get an out from having your ball caught. Especially when most of the balls are in the opponents court, you are extremely susceptible to an out if you make an inopportune throw. Coordinate your attacks It's best to coordinate your team's throws at a single target. Just have the captain mark a player, count down, and everybody throw at once. That way, the target is less likely to be able to catch or dodge the plethora of balls thrown at them, helping your team avoid an out while weaning down the opposition. Throw in unison You can tell an inexperienced team by how little they work together. If everyone is throwing on their own time, it's much easier for the other team to dodge and catch. By throwing at the same time, or in succession, you are better able to control your opponents and the tide of the game. Spread out your team While you want to throw in unison, the last thing you want is for your team to congregate together. Not only does this cramp movement, and thus your teammates' ability to dodge, but it makes everyone a bigger target as well. By spreading everyone out, you minimize your chances of a teammate getting hit and your team losing a player. Throw at the line The more distance a ball has to travel, and the longer it is in the air, the more likely it is going to be caught. The best place to throw a dodgeball is right at the dead zone at the line of scrimmage. That minimizes the distance it has to travel, giving your opponent less time to react to your throw. Throw low When aiming, go for the legs. A dodgeball is easiest to catch when it is thrown at center mass. By aiming low, the target has to move into an uncomfortable position to catch the ball, which increases their chances of missing. Take out the best opponents first Dodgeball isn't hunting on the Savannah; you're not going for the weakest link. The longer the opposing team's strongest players are on the court, the more likely your team is to get outs. By taking the strongest opponents out first, you gain a huge advantage on the court. In fact, getting the best one or two players out on the opposing team virtually ensures victory. Make use of the court Hitting someone with a ball isn't the only way to get them out, you can also force them out of bounds. Pay attention to when people are getting overwhelmed by balls thrown at them, and how they react, and you may just be able to force them out of bounds.   Hopefully these tips prove useful. If you want to hone your skills, take a trip to our Sterling trampoline park dodgeball court. We'll be happy to have you! Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions. #### Don't Forget These Things for Your Kid's Birthday Party Your child’s special day should be just that, special. Especially when a child is young, it’s easy for little things to go wrong that can quickly escalate into much bigger problems. This can even escalate into a melt down during the birthday party, and that’s the last thing anyone wants. It’s important to set your kid’s birthday party up for success. When you book your kid’s birthday party at Rebounderz of Sunrise, you’re already well on your way to success. But just like any other party, there are a few things you don’t want to forget, even though Rebounderz takes away most of the hassle. When you book a party at Rebounderz, we take care of the entertainment, pizza, beverages, and even paperware. Specific party packages will even come with a host or hostess to help with all aspects of your child’s party. However, here are a few things you won’t want to forget: Cake The cake, or even cupcakes, is not something you want to forget. While we have extensive packages here at Rebounderz of Sunrise for your child’s birthday party, we do not include the cake. Order one from your favorite bakery, and make sure it is decorated to match the theme that you choose. Your child will love a richly decorated cake just for them and devour all the icing in a heartbeat. If, for some reason, cake isn’t a good option, just contact our party planning team, because outside food is not permitted outside of the cake. We’d be happy to work with you for allergies if necessary. Gifts While you will probably save your gifts for your child from yourself for a more private time, it’s not a bad idea to bring one small gift to get the gift table started. This way, your child will have a tangible item that shows them you’re thinking about them and love them very much. A Great Theme Here at Rebounderz of Sunrise, we have many great party room themes to choose from to host your child’s party. Choose from the Superhero Room to the Fairy Tale Room to find the theme that best fits your child’s interests. With this theme, you can go above and beyond with a few decorations and even add some fun props. If you opt for the Castaway Room, perhaps bring some pirate patches and hats for the kids to wear throughout the party. Party Favors Lastly, kids love party favors after a fun kid’s birthday party. This is another area that you can opt to play off the theme and fill a goody bag full of hidden treasure or glittery wands for all the party-goers. If you aren’t so sure about pulling together party favors, we always offer Rebounderz t-shirts for purchase so each party-goer will remember their great experience. If you live in the Sunrise area, opt to host your child’s birthday party at Rebounderz of Sunrise, but don’t forget these critical things. Call our facility today to learn more about our party packages!   #### Don’t Forget the Cupcakes! When you host a kid’s birthday party at Rebounderz of Newport News, you’re opting for a fun, safe, and hassle-free environment where you can relax and let your kids have fun. Not only is a Rebounderz party a dream for parents, but the kids are going to love it! With plenty to do, and tons of active fun, every kid will leave tired out and smiling. However, there are still a few things that you have to do as a Rebounderz party parent. You will have to send out the invitations and, of course, you’ll have to make sure the guest of honor arrives for their birthday party! Lasty, you’ll want to bring a cake or some cupcakes for the kids to enjoy. That’s it! That’s how easy it is to host a kid’s birthday party at Rebounderz. And if you’re struggling to figure out what cake or cupcakes to bring, here are a few awesome ideas for your kiddo’s birthday cupcakes. Camo Cupcakes If your child loves Call of Duty or the armed forces, then camo cupcakes are the solution for you. Book a Rebounderz X-Box party in Newport news and bring in awesome camo cupcakes to match. For these cupcakes, you’ll make regular batter and then divide it, adding various army colors. Mix and match as you pour the batters in the pan. You can even make camo swirled icing to go with it in a similar fashion. Decorate Your Own If you know you’ve got a picky group of kids, than plain vanilla cupcakes with white icing is the best way to go. However, for a bit of fun, pick up small, watercolor palettes at an art craft supply store. Put the cupcake in the middle and fill the little divots around the side with a variety sprinkles and candy for kids to decorate their own cupcake with style. Campfire Cupcakes For kids who love the outdoors, but want to play at Rebounderz for their birthday, campfire cupcakes could be the perfect fit. Whip up some chocolate cupcakes and top with orange icing so that it looks a bit like flames. Then grab some pretzel sticks, toothpicks, and little marshmallows. Stick the pretzels in the cupcake like little logs that form a teepee around the icing. Then add two marshmallows to each toothpick and stick that in the flames. You’re now ready to enjoy. Root Beer Floats Root beer float cupcakes are more about the flavor than anything else. You’ll make a delicious, root beer flavored cake and icing. Once you get those put together, add a maraschino cherry to the top and a small piece of straw into the icing. Lastly, you have to serve these with vanilla ice cream for the full effect. Unicorn Poop Cupcakes These may have a silly name, but they’re incredibly fun and popular. Utilizing bright, pastel rainbow colors, you’re going to fill up ice cream cones with the batter instead of a cupcake tin. Once those bake, add colorful icing to the top and perhaps some glittery sprinkles! PB&J Cupcakes When a kid won’t eat dinner, what do you make them? The answer is almost always a PB&J sandwich. These cupcakes are sure to please any picky child and wow all the rest. Make a peanut butter batter for your cupcakes. Once they are baked and cooled, you’re going to remove part of the center from the top. Fill this with grape or strawberry jam. Top off these cupcakes with a decadent peanut butter icing and a little bit of drizzled jam. Peanut butter lovers unite! Classic Red Velvet Red velvet cupcakes always sound like a decadent and delicious treat, but in reality, they’re quite simple to make. Pick out just about any red velvet recipe and make your cupcakes. Top them with a rich, buttercream icing, and you’re sure to impress the kiddos. While relatively simple, kids see these cupcakes as a novelty, and the rich flavor definitely doesn’t hurt. When you plan your kid’s birthday party with Rebounderz of Newport News, your child will love it, and you’ll have a stress-free day, as long as you remember the cake. Try out some of these fun cupcake recipes to truly impress! #### Don’t Forget These Things for Your Kid’s Birthday Party There is so much to remember for kids birthday parties! You want their special day to be perfect, and that's going to involve remembering a lot of little details to get it all done. The pressure to make their birthday party a success can be intense and leave you feeling stressed out. To help, we've made this checklist so you make sure you have everything you need to make their party perfect. Do you have... Invitations? It won't be much of a party if you forget to invite the guests. Send them out with plenty of notice for a bigger crowd! The presents? Sure, guests might bring some additional gifts, but you'll want to make sure you bring your own gift for the birthday boy or girl. A cake? What's a birthday without a cake? You don't want to find out. Make sure there is plenty for everyone! Food for the guests? You don't want to only serve cake at the party, trust us. It's important to get some other food into the kids in order to head off the sugar high as much as possible. Pizza is always a good idea! Plenty of water? It's a good idea to keep the kids hydrated as they are running around the party. Plus, it can help them wash down all the sugar from the cake! Gifts for the guests? It doesn't have to be much, but it's a good idea to provide your guests with a little treat to say thank you for coming. Fun games and activities? You can't just open presents, eat cake and leave! You'll want to make sure that the birthday boy or girl and all of their friends have plenty of fun. Make sure you have activities and games that everyone can participate in! Decorations? Nothing says happy birthday like balloons and streamers! Don't skimp on the decorations to celebrate the big day. Plates and utensils? You don't want to know what happens when you forget these and everyone ends up eating cake with their hands. Trust us. Cleaning supplies? Kids birthday parties are a messy event, so you'll want to make sure you have plenty of cleaning supplies to take care of the mess afterward. Or, We Can Do It All For You! We know that planning a kid's birthday party can be tough. That's why we do it all for you! When you come to Rebounderz, we make sure you have everything you need for an amazing birthday party. All you have to do is bring the gifts! We even have pre-designed invitations so you can quickly print off the number that you need and get them out to all of your friends. Our basic birthday party package comes with 60 minutes of access for 10 party guests, 2 large pizzas, bottles of water, paper plates and utensils, video game cards and so much more! We also offer add on extras like additional time, shirts for your guests, balloons and more. You can even hire a dedicated party host so you can join in the fun and not worry about hosting the party!We'll take care of all of the setup and clean up so all you have to do is enjoy the party. Adults can even participate in many of our activities, so it's fun for everyone! Want to make this the most special, least stressful kid's birthday party of all time? Get in touch with Rebounderz in Sunrise today. With just a $75 deposit, you can secure your birthday party spot and your dedicated party coordinator will take care of the rest. This is going to be the best birthday ever!   #### Don’t Let April Showers Rain On Your Kid’s Activity Level Like the popular saying goes “April showers bring May flowers.” While this is a way of seeing the silver lining of the overall uncomfortable weather that is common in spring, it also suggests that things will improve once the rain clears and summer comes. Your children are much like those flower bulbs you plant in early spring and flourish in the summer. To ensure they stay active and healthy despite the inclement weather, spring is the time to get creative with activities to prevent young minds rotting in front of a screen. Here are some ideas to help keep your kids active, despite the weather. Start your garden, indoors. While planting an indoor garden is not a physically demanding activity, it is engaging and mentally stimulating. Planting an indoor garden also helps to teach children about the importance of patience and caring for a living thing. Once the weather clears, you can transplant the garden outside and you can watch your plants grow, as a family. Find a new hobby. Springtime is the ideal time to try out new activities with your kids. Let them discover a new hobby whether it is karate or trying their hand at bowling. Getting involved in community activities helps to keep kids motivated to continue to try improving to get out and do it! Plus, trying a new skill will keep them mentally and physically engaged as well as developing self-confidence. Explore fun zones. Fun zones, such as Rebounderz Trampoline Parks offer kids (and parents) a fun and exciting way to remain active and release stored up energy. Many fun zones offer a variety of activities such as trampolines, laser tag, and arcade games. When families explore entertainment centers together, it can help with family bonding. Play indoor games. You don’t have to feel obligated to leave the house to keep your kids active. While it is true that kids play harder and get more exercise out of play when they go outside, you can still keep your kids active and engaged at home with a variety of games. Turn off the screens in the house and engage in play. This can range from hide-n-seek or a scavenger hunt to making a fort in the living room. Plan social gatherings. Make keeping your kids active and engaged a community activity. Plan some social event such a sleepover for your kids and their friends or cousins where they can build forts and tell stories and giggle as kids do. You can plan dinner parties or game night and invite family, friends, and neighbors to help everyone combat the urge to curl up on the couch to binge watch television. When the weather outside makes playing outside less than desirable, get creative with some indoor activities rather than hibernating until the storm passes. If you and your kids are the types that don’t mind stomping in puddles and dancing in the rain, then get out there and play. But, if you are the type who finds being soggy miserable, head to your local trampoline park to get the whole family some joyful activity! For a trampoline park near Jenison, stop by Rebounderz of Grand Rapids today! #### Easy Birthday Party Ideas A fun and memorable birthday party doesn’t have to be a chore. Your birthday boy or girl cares about having fun with their friends, not about impressing the other parents. Focus on that, and everything will become easier. Simplify If we haven’t been at one of these parties, we’ve definitely heard the stories. Parents throw lavish parties with not one, not two, not three, but a whole park full of special and expensive activities. The pony rides, petting zoo, magician show, bouncy house, or superhero extravaganza isn’t all it is cut out to be. You’ll be too exhausted to enjoy the day. And, honestly, the kids will be so overwhelmed that they won’t be able to enjoy it all either. More can sometimes be just that, more. It isn’t necessarily better. Let someone else do the planning Think about holding your event at a venue that has party planners and supervisory staff on-site. At a venue like Rebounderz in Lansdale, our party planners are here to help you plan a great day, and our staff is on-site to make sure everyone stays safe and has a good time. You don’t have to worry about the planning details, or play drill sergeant the day of the birthday party. Ours is an all-in-one birthday experience. The food, birthday cake, goodie bags, decorations, and more are right here for your choosing. No shopping, no searching, and no last-minute panic over forgetting something important. Let them entertain themselves When you’ve got a group of kids together, the great thing is that they want to be together. So, give them things to do that will keep them happy and busy. You don’t have to plan activities that require constant adult supervision. Arts and crafts are fun, but they require oversight to make nip any spills or other disasters in the bud. Temporary tattoos are great. Pour them out on a table and let the kids go for it. They can help each other apply them. If they make a mistake, no harm no foul; they can just pick up another one and start again. Of course, we think the best way for kids to entertain themselves at a birthday party is for them to be active, learning, and tiring themselves out. There isn’t a better place for that in Lansdale than Rebounderz. Between the trampoline arena, Ninja Warrior course, jump dodgeball games, and foam pit, the entire crew will be active and busy all day. When it comes time for food and birthday cake, they’ll be hungry and ready for a break. It won’t be like herding cats to get them all seated to sing happy birthday. It’ll be more like herding sleepy sloths. They’ll be happy to take a seat for a while. Keep them busy! Once again, we think throwing your child’s next birthday party here is the best solution for keeping the kids busy. But if you’re planning an at-home or outside birthday party, here’s another tip for you. Set up an assembly line. This sounds a little more boring than it is. We just couldn’t think of a better word to describe it, because that’s kind of what it looks like. Stations, set up one after the other, with face painters, caricaturists, and other simple, affordable activities that are supervised by the person providing the service are a great way to go. These activities keep kids occupied, and if you’re at a park or other outdoor venue, they are great at helping to keep them in the designated party area. Don’t go crazy with the decorations Balloons are great. They make any party festive, and kids can take them home at the end of the day so you don’t have to figure out what to do with them. And it should come as no surprise at this point that we have balloons for your party. Just let us know what colors and we’ll have them filled and ready to go on your big day! Take advantage of technology Send invitations via email or an online invitation app. It is easier. People are more likely to respond quickly. And, you guessed it, you can email our downloadable birthday party invitation! Find your venue, your service providers, and your decorations online. Maybe you feel like you should buy your party decorations from a local store to support local businesses. We want to support local businesses too. But, sometimes, as parents, we just need a break. Don’t hold yourself to an impossible standard. It is perfectly okay to simplify things and order online. Check your local party supply store’s website. You may be able to order directly from them online, so you’re still helping the local economy. Make it a Rebounderz day We aren’t just paying lip service to wanting to make your child’s birthday a fabulous day, and wanting to make things easier on you. We’ve got a lot of experience doing this. As a matter of fact, we’ve got a whole network of Rebounderz party planners across the country who have fine-tuned the art party planning and organizing, and we’ve taken advantage of all of their learning to make sure your child’ day is perfect. If you’ve never been to our trampoline arena, bring the family in for a day of fun. After you see how much fun everyone has, it’ll be an easy decision to hold a birthday party here. Suggest it to your little one on the way home, and we’d be willing to bet that by the time you get home you’ll have your venue selected and will be ready to call our party planners to get the process started. We look forward to seeing you and your family here soon! #### Easy birthday party ideas You love your kids. You want them to have a fun, memorable and joy-filled birthday. But does that mean you have to work yourself to the bone or spend yourself into debt to do it? Heck, no. As a matter of fact, the things that you think are important and spend a lot of time on, might not even be noticed or appreciated by your little one. Sometimes we forget what it is like to be a little kid. Remember when they were babies and had more fun playing with the box the toy came in, than they did with the actual toy? They had their own way of looking at the world at that age, and they still do. Don’t get caught up with what you think is important, try to think like a kid again. Do they care if the words on the cake are a little crooked? No. Do they care if the table toppers are the ones from the dollar store instead of the fancy ones from the party store? No. Do they care if their friends are there to share the day with them? Yes. Do they care if you are happy and relaxed and enjoying the day with them? Yes. Wherever you hold your party, follow these simple rules to keep the stress-level down. Have a start time and a finish time. Clearly indicate on the invitation when the party ends, and remind parents who aren’t staying when they need to pick up their kids. Start early. Just keep the party in the back of your mind, and when you see things on sale that you think would make great decorations, or if you find birthday candles on sale, grab them. If you’ve been picking stuff up along the way, it’ll make your life a lot easier as the big day approaches. Don’t make yourself crazy over the cake. Make it semi-homemade. No one cares that your cake was made from a box and not from scratch. You can pick up decorations at the dollar store and add a little home-made touch with a tube of decorative icing or homemade buttercream frosting. If you are looking for easy, look no further. A great way to keep the party planning simple is to have your child’s next party here at Rebounderz in Edison. We’ll take care of all of the hard stuff for you, so you can relax and enjoy the day. Games and activities: It should go without saying but, with the trampoline arena, Ninja Warrior course, basketball dunk and air dodgeball, we’ve got you covered. Food: Our snack bar will provide all the food you need. We’ll even help take care of the deserts with Cold Stone Creamery cakes and Cookie Rush cookies. Goodie bags: Take your pick from a lot of options, and add a few of your own items if you like. We’ve got goodie bags and everything from t-shirts to water bottles to go in them. Add an arcade prepaid game card, and you’ll be a super star! Invitations: Print your invitations right from our website! It doesn’t get much easier than that.   All that’s left is to show up and let our team make it a great day for you, your child and all of their friends. Other easy birthday party ideas If your child’s sibling just had their party at Rebounderz and they are determined to do something different, here are some other easy birthday party ideas for you to consider. Skimp on spending but not on fun There are a lot of fun birthday party activities that don’t cost a dime, but are sure to be filled with lively laughter. Some of our favorites include: musical chairs, hot potato, freeze dance, red rover, charades, simon says and duck, duck, goose. They may be old standbys, but they are still tons of fun. Take it to the park Your local park has everything you need for a great day right there. Just bring hotdogs for the grill, and get some parents to volunteer to keep an eye out for wanderers, and you’ve got the beginnings of a wonderful birthday. Buy online Do your shopping for decorations and other birthday supplies online. We know that you like to support local stores, but sometimes simple has to be the priority. So, just this once, make an exception. You’ll get great prices and everything will just show up at your front door. Whatever you choose for your child’s birthday, we hope it is a great day! And, don’t forget, come see us soon. You don’t have to wait for a birthday.   #### Everything But the Cake When you host a kid’s birthday party, whether it’s at your own house or at a birthday party venue, it can often feel like there is a limitless number of things you have to do in order for it to be a successful party. In fact, sometimes it can be so stressful that you’re glad that your child’s birthday only comes once a year. But when you choose Rebounderz for your child’s birthday party, not only will they have tons of indoor trampoline fun, you won’t have to worry about anything but the cake. What is it like to have a Rebounderz birthday party? At Rebounderz trampoline parks, the options for your kid’s birthday party are virtually endless. With such a variety of party themes, activities, group size, and even price, you are sure to find the party that is the perfect fit. There are several different options for parties, all of which help reduce your stress and your need to manage anything besides the cake. If you’re looking to have lots of kids to your child’s birthday party, you will probably want to opt for one of our party room packages. These packages allow you to have a private, themed party space for kids to gather and eat in. All of the packages include jump time, a designated host, and pizza for the sure to be hungry guests. You will have all your bases covered by having a great activity for all the party-goers and you’ll be prepared to make sure they’re all fed as well. You don’t have to structure all the games or activities, leave that up to your party host who is there to help out. Just the Cake? When we say that all you have to worry about with a party package is just the cake, we mean it. When you book a kid’s birthday party package with Rebounderz, we include everything from the jump socks for all the guests to the paper goods in order to eat pizza and cake. So what do you think you’ll do for your child’s cake? If it’s the one thing you need to worry about, we could see how you might want to bring the best possible cake for your child’s party. Consider some of the following suggestions for your child’s birthday cake. If your child loves music, the Rock ‘n Roll themed room may be the perfect fit for their party. With all the vinyl records and guitar decorations, a guitar, or other instrument-themed cake, could be the perfect choice. Choose a cool guitar and have a bakery make the perfect replica for your child to enjoy. Or, with a guitar, you could opt to have the cake made completely out of individual cupcakes to make serving that much easier.   You can never go wrong with a sports themed party when you gear it towards your child’s favorite team or activity. Our designated sports room has all of the local national teams displayed prominently throughout the room, but don’t hesitate to pick a cake that plays off of your child’s favorite sport, no matter what it is. If your child loves soccer, go for a soccer themed cake that includes their personal favorite team or player, or go for a more generic cake that is just a soccer ball. It may be simple, but it will look great. For your daughter who simply had to have a Rebounderz party, consider who her favorite role model may be, whether it’s a Disney princess like Belle or an amazing superhero like Jean Grey for the theme of their cake. She will love it. Let their personal ambitions help guide the type of party and cake you pick for your daughter in order to provide them with boundless opportunities for happiness. Younger kids may love the Rock n’ Roll room, no matter the gender, and a sock hop theme could be a great way to through a Rebounderz party. Kids can dress up to come jump on the trampolines and you can order a super cool, record player cake with popular vinyl records on it for the kids to enjoy. No matter what theme your child picks for their birthday party, Rebounderz can help to hold a fun and active birthday party that let’s them have a blast! Learn more about our party packages by calling our Sterling location or schedule your party online today!   #### Exercise in the Winter The winter months can bring much joy, especially to young children. It is a time when children can play out in the snow, make snowballs and snowmen, and even ice skate! It can be a wonderful season, but sometimes the winds can be too blustery and the chill can be overwhelming. As a result, your kids may stay indoors for days, not getting their proper exercise. When children are not able to get their fundamental daily exercise, cognitive functioning is reduced and fat deposits build up on their bodies. In a recent report published by NBC, it was recorded that one in five children ages six to eleven are not just overweight, but obese. Today, as much as 70.7 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. The obesity epidemic has reached a staggering rate and is only suspected to rise. In 2017 alone, the obesity epidemic hit a major peak compared to previous years. Though the 40 percent obesity in adults is an alarming statistic, the childhood obesity rate is even more disturbing. Adults can make their own decisions; they make money and know the difference between healthy eating habits, and ones less so. However, a child does not know the difference, and often cannot make decisions for themselves. They eat what they are given and adapt to the habits of their guardians. Because of this, and what we know about the obesity crisis, we can conclude that the problem lies with the adults in a child’s life. By educating adults about healthy living, perhaps we can change the tides in this obesity epidemic in America. By possibly changing attitudes about health in parents, perhaps we will see a trickle down effect to our children. One way we can help educate parents is to share what we know about exercise, specifically jumping. At Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks, we house many different trampolines, games, obstacle courses, and a giant foam pit. We have these attractions to help motivate kids to stay active both mentally and physically. When you jump on a trampoline, every muscle is used in order to keep your body upright and balanced. Without knowing that your are doing a full body exercise, a trampoline can tone your muscles and give you an afternoon of fun. Jumping on a trampoline also does wonders for the circulatory system. As your child jumps on a trampoline, their heartbeat rises, pumping blood faster throughout their body. As the blood circulates, this contributes to a healthy heart and cognitive brain development. Because of this, your child not only becomes healthy physically, but they gain health mentally. This creates a more healthy and stable child. Childhood obesity can be dangerous because habits are hard to break. If a child grows up in an unhealthy way, they are more likely to continue those habits later in life. Because of misuse of their bodies throughout their adolescence and into their adulthood, long-lasting health issues can occur at a younger age. By damaging their bodies while they are young, children only hurt their chances to gain a healthy future. Ultimately, it is up to the parents to determine the right course of action for their children. By introducing your child to physical activities, you are encouraging them to live healthier lives; perhaps a healthier childhood you were deprived of? As a parent, the outcome of your child’s health is your responsibility. Do right by them, by showing them a healthy living style. Visit your local Rebounderz this winter and introduce your child the joys of trampolines, games, and physical activities. By showing them alternate things to do during the winter months they will be less inclined to sit around and damage their health. Visit Rebounderz online today! #### Extreme Fun: Foam Pit vs. Air Pit When it comes to extreme, yet safe, fun, there is no better place to visit with the family than Rebounderz of Sunrise. As the premier trampoline park in the Miami area, Rebounderz is the perfect place to spend a day bonding with your family and making memories that are sure to last. Our family entertainment center provides a bunch of great attractions to enjoy every time you visit, so that no matter how many times you come by, you’re sure to try something new every time. One of the unique attractions you’ll find here at Rebounderz of Sunrise is our Air Pit. As the first Rebounderz in the nation to feature this particular attraction, you have to come by and try it for yourself! Historically, many Rebounderz locations have included a foam pit at their facilities. And while the foam pit can be a blast, there is truly nothing better than the air pit. There are a few distinct differences between these two attractions, and here’s why our location prefers the air pit by far! Cleanliness While all the Rebounderz locations that have foam pits feature Lycra foam cubes, not all family entertainment facilities can say the same. Lycra helps to prevent the spread of germs, and when you live with kids, you know how easily that can happen. However, the air pit is exceptionally easy to clean and keep sanitary as the surface simply gets wiped down with appropriate cleaning products on schedule. Nothing will ever get lost in the air pit either. Foam pits are notorious for eating socks and other belongs, but anything that comes off of your person will be easy to spot on the air pit landing pillow. Safety The air pit allows for additional safety. While there are always a few minor risks, the air pillow makes it easy to land and fall without causing any harm. The foam pits are also great, but it’s easy, especially for small children, to get caught and overwhelmed by the foam blocks. This will never happen with the air pit! Size What makes the air pit at Rebounderz of Sunrise truly unique is the size. We have a full five lanes for endless jumping fun. Some locations only have two to three lanes, but we’ve taken this attraction to the max with the full five lanes of fun. You’ll never have to wait to take a jump and land safely on our GIANT air pillow. Challenge your kids to a jumping contest and see who can jump the highest onto the air pillow! Or who can laugh the most from all the fun you’ll be having! Ease-of-Use It may be a ton of fun to jump into a pit full of foam cubes, but crawling out is a whole other story. You’ll never see kids getting stuck or struggle to get out of the air pit! This attraction is not only fun, it’s exceptionally simple to use and enjoy over and over again. Here at Rebounderz of Sunrise, we’re always working to bring you the best in extreme fun. Come by and try out our innovative air pit today! #### Extreme Trampoline Moves Here, at Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone, we carry our name with pride as a place where kids of all ages can come and have some extreme fun! Many of our locations offer many exciting attractions to compliment the main attraction, which is our trampoline park. Our trampoline parks offer extreme fun because, unlike your backyard trampoline, our trampoline arenas are covered in giant bouncy trampolines that allow you to do some of the most extreme trampoline moves that you shouldn't dare try in your backyard. Here are some extreme trampoline moves for you to try at your next visit to Rebounderz. Be warned, all of these moves are considered advanced and should not be attempted without proper safety mechanisms in place. Double Front Flip With enough air, almost anyone can land a front flip on a trampoline. However, it takes some skill, practice, and height to land the double front flip. To perform this extreme trampoline trick, you must get enough air height that you can tuck your body, perform two consecutive front flips, and land on your feet. This move requires you to commit fully to avoid injury and to launch forward a little bit to propel yourself into the double spin. Once you’ve made the second rotation, open your stance to nail the landing, Misty 720 This is a popular trick for gymnasts and looks really cool. This trick involves twisting your body to the side, rather than tucking into a flip. This trick requires you to start by getting some considerable air. Once you are in the air, you’ll initiate the trick by flailing back with your back parallel to the trampoline and then throwing your right arm toward your left toe. Look at the left shoulder and twist your entire body toward your left toe. You should make two complete rotations, or rotate 720 degrees. Side Flip The side flip is like a cartwheel, in the air. To execute this trick, simply jump until you have enough air to make a flip. Once in the air, rotate your body into a sideways flip by flinging your shoulder on one side toward the foot on the same side. Make your sideways flip in the air and then open up for the landing. If you are not able to make the landing, this trick has the potential to hurt your neck, if you have time to react, try to thrust yourself so that you land on your back or shoulder, rather than your head. Extreme trampoline moves look as cool as they sound and are sure to impress your friends. Before attempting any advanced trick, make sure that you are comfortable and proficient with some basic tricks, as this will help you have better control over your body in the air and landing, as well as give you a sense of where you are in relation to the trampoline surface. If you need a place to practice, and are looking for a trampoline park in Jacksonville, stop by Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone! #### Facts about Kids Kids can be a handful sometimes, and it is not like they come with a handbook. Sometimes they are doing everything right, and deserve a fun night out at our Lansdale trampoline park, and other times they won't listen to a word you say, and are more fit for a night alone in their room with no electronics. There is no sure fire way to raise kids, but knowing a bit about what makes them tick can make the parenting job easier. To that end, here are some facts about, or related to,  kids that you may not have known. The Grant Study The Harvard Grant Study is the longest running study of human beings that has ever been conducted, running 75 years. It followed the growth of infants, and found that professional success in life is highly correlated to doing chores as a kid. It is a longitudinal study, meaning that data was gathered from the same group over a long period of time. A Lack of Sunshine A United Kingdom study found that three out of four children are active outside less than prison inmates, who receive a mandated one hour of outside exercise time. Researchers posit that this has a lot of unintended consequences for kids' health—not just down the line, but even in early adulthood. German Debt Forgiveness When a German child transitions legally from kid to adult at 18, they receive a chance to have all of their debt wiped clean in exchange for everything they own. This is so that no one has to face a life of debt for choices they made as a kid (teenager). Language and Learning According to many studies, learning a second (or third) language as a child gives them a major head start on empathy related learning skills. This is likely in part due to a reliance on social cues from different people to determine which language to speak to them. "We'll be right back after..." If you remember the phrase "we'll be right back after these messages" from the 70s, 80s, or 90s, there is a good reason for that. It is because during this time, the FCC mandated that all children's television shows have this message so that they could tell the difference between the show they were watching and the commercials. Calculus for Kids? We think of calculus as a course fit for people with a college education, but studies suggest that isn't the case. Mathematicians have been able to teach children as young as five how to do calculus. Sociologists have taken this to to suggest that calculus should be taught to all citizens, not just those who go on to pursue a higher education. The Ultimate Distraction Chances are you have probably heard the buzz about how dangerous talking on the phone and driving can be. It is even being outlawed in some places. Well, it turns out that according to one study, driving with kids is 12 times more dangerous than driving while talking on a cell phone. A Test of Fortitude In Siberia, where the climate is freezing, it is common practice in some area to strengthen the immune system of children by having them run outside in the snow in their underwear and pour freezing water on them. Is this something we would recommend? No, but that doesn't stop these Russians. Sad Fight Club A bizarre tragedy, in 2015 two day care employees in New Jersey were arrested for creating a fight club for the toddlers they were watching over. They had a dozen girls and boys between the ages of four and six, and posted videos of the altercations on Snapchat. Gotta Play to Grow Despite common misconceptions, an Oxford study found that children who play video games up to one hour per day actually develop faster than those who never play. They report higher levels of self satisfaction, less hyper activity problems, and less emotional issues. However, kids who played more than an hour a day lost these benefits, reporting lower levels of satisfaction with their lives. Who Needs Polls? Our country spends millions of dollars every year on presidential polls. And all this time they could have just asked their kids. Nickelodeon TV Network has been airing campaign specials since 1988 called Kids Pick The President. This televised mock election has correctly predicted who would win the Presidency of the United States all but twice since it has aired. We wonder how much all of those polls compare to that track record! Broken Toy Experiment This controversial study took children and gave them toys that were designed to break (don't worry, they were absolved of blame after the experiment). The children's reactions were measured, and they were tracked later on in life. The study found that the children who expressed the most guilt were also the least likely to display behavioral problems later on in life. Smile, It's Natural! Children learn a lot of things from their parents and the world around them, but smiling is not one of them! Researchers have found that even blind children smile when provoked, meaning that it is an innate response rather than a learned behavior. The Cinderella Law In South Korea, the Cinderella Law bans any children under the age of 16 from playing any online games between the hours of 12 and 6 AM. It is allegedly done for their protection, and to prevent them from creating bad video gaming habits. Effort Over Intelligence A growing body of research is suggesting that praising kids' intelligence, rather than their effort, can have a negative effect on their drive. In one study, kids were praised according to their intelligence or effort in two groups. Afterwards, they got to choose between an easy and hard test. The majority of kids who were praised for intelligence took the easy test (copping out), while the majority of kids praised for their effort chose the harder test. Twins + Twins = Siblings If you took a set of identical twin men, and they procreated with a set of identical twin women, the resulting children would all be genetic siblings, rather than cousins. That is because the genetic blueprint of each set of parents would be the same.   Hopefully you found some of these kids facts interesting. There is one fact that every parent knows; kids have a lot of energy. If you'd like to take them to a fun and exciting place to expend that energy meeting new people and enjoying fun activities, then take them by our Lansdale trampoline park. Give us a call if you have any questions about our hours, location, or attractions.   #### Fall Birthday Party Ideas for Kids Children born in fall are blessed with the most beautiful time of year! While many kids tend to enjoy summer birthday parties full of sunshine and water balloon wars, fall birthday parties hold much more potential for fun that doesn’t require as much sunscreen! For school-aged children, birthday parties are a great reason to invite new classmates and establish new relationships early on in the school year. Fall birthday parties also mean that the kids can spend more time outside, comfortably, and you don’t have to worry as much about the hazards that water and heat pose. To get started planning your kiddo’s fall birthday party, we have gathered up a few ideas. Fair Who doesn’t love the fair? Delicious food, rides, games, and plenty of exciting things to do! For your kid’s birthday party, create a mini-fair in their name! Set up simple games and offer small party favors as prizes. Stock the party with your favorite fair snacks including caramel apples and funnel cakes. You can set up tents in the yard or set hay bales as benches. Theme your fair anyway you like and celebrate fall and your kid at the same time! Costume Party We aren’t suggesting to make a second Halloween party (unless that’s what your kid is into!) but, every kid has trouble deciding the ONE thing they want to dress up as for Halloween. Throw a themed costume party and let them pick two costumes this year! Some costume themes include superheroes, Disney characters, Hollywood stars, or use their favorite movie or game. Make snacks and games that fit the theme and have your camera ready! Magic or Science Party Help encourage kids to be excited about both back-to-school and your kid’s birthday party by incorporating some learning. Science-themed birthday parties offer the kids a chance to learn and explore while having fun! Set up some science experiments and let the kids discover new things. With a magic party, you can test the kids’ logical skills while celebrating their imaginations! Trampoline Park If you love fall party ideas, but don’t want the hassle of decorating, hosting, and cleaning up your home, take the party elsewhere! Trampoline park birthday parties are increasingly popular and kids love them! There are many benefits to booking your birthday party at a local indoor trampoline park including no required set up or clean up at your own house, the weather has no bearing on the success of the party, and the kids will go home exhausted! If you are interested in hosting your kid’s birthday party at one of Jacksonville’s best birthday party venues, look no further than Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone. Our birthday party packages include a party planner to handle all of the logistics, in addition to complete the setup and cleanup of the party room! The kids can spend the day jumping around and enjoying all the activities we have to offer. All you have to do is invite the guests and supply the cake! To book your party date, contact us today! #### Family Playtime Ideas The verdict is in: the family that plays together is happier, healthier and more prepared for whatever life brings their way. Kids build self-esteem when they spend time playing with their parents and seeing their parents have fun. Family bonds are strengthened and positive behaviors are reinforced. One of the best parts of spending time playing together as a family are the happy memories you are all going to share. What’s the best kind of family play time? We’re certainly a little biased, but we think time spent at Rebounderz in Edison is the best. Here’s why: Trampolines In addition to being a laugh a minute, our trampoline arena helps kids develop important motor skills. Your kids will see you having a lot of fun, laughing, falling and jumping just like them, strengthening those family bonds. They offer a great chance for you to get some exercise too. And, remember, kids learn more by what they see us doing than what we tell them to do. So, when they see you out there, getting active, and not just staring at your phone screen, they become more likely to become active adults themselves. Ninja Warriors Our course features four lanes, each with an increasing level of difficulty. There are activities for adults and children, so everyone has a chance to participate. Your little ones will develop their fine motor skills Your tweens will practice their critical thinking and memory skills as they race each other through the course, trying to improve their performance. And everyone will be amazed at how well mom and dad do on the course. Well, they’ll be amazed or they’ll have a great laugh. Either way, it’ll make for great family fun. Wherever you do it, just play We’d love to see you here at Rebounderz. But if you can’t make it, here are some great at-home family play time ideas for you! A backyard campout Pitch your tent and get out the sleeping bags. Start your afternoon with a family barbecue and top if off with s'mores and board games. Hang out under the stars and share stories. If the weather isn’t cooperating with your plans, drag those sleeping bags into the living room, huddle around the fire and make it a slumber party. Playing in the garden It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced gardener, or you’ve never been able to get anything to grow in your life. Getting outside and playing in the garden with your kids is a great way to learn about them, and for them to get to know you in a new and different environment. Plus, getting dirty together, finding bugs, planting living things, and being out in the fresh air and sunshine, are good for everyone. Race to the finish Create your own Ninja Warrior Course in the yard. You don’t have to spend a bundle to make it fun. Empty cardboard boxes can serve as tunnels to shimmy through. Two by fours, inner tubes and traffic cones can all be part of your backyard obstacle course. Is it a nice day out? Include a small blow-up pool in the mix. We know that some of you will be falling in on purpose, to get a laugh or just to cool off. Face paints Everyone loves to get their face painted. But, how about painting someone else’s face? Let your kids paint each other's faces. Then, let them paint yours! It’ll be great fun for everyone. Siblings who have a hard time getting along might all of a sudden find themselves collaborating in a scheme to do a really great job painting your face! Cook together This is an oldie, but a goodie. Kids love to be in the kitchen. It counts as play time. And it doesn’t matter if the final product is actually edible or not. The point is not to bake a masterpiece, it is to have fun together as a family. Play, play, play! We hope you’ll come visit us in Edison. Come in for an afternoon, or have your next birthday party here. And don’t forget, we’re not just for kids. You can have your grown up birthday party here too. Doesn’t that sound like fun? We think so. See you soon! #### FAMILY RUN, FITNESS, AND FUN, ALL UNDER ONE ROOF! The motto here at Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Area is FAMILY RUN, FITNESS, AND FUN, ALL UNDER ONE ROOF! We will spend this blog explaining how this breaks down when you come in for a day of fun. From our family, to yours! We run Rebounderz as a family, and we cater to families in so many ways! We know you don’t want to be nickeled and dimed for every feature your kids want to try so we offer all-access pricing so they can try everything and figure out what they like the best. "We also broadcast NFL games, so you don’t have to miss the game!" Munchkins and Me, a program for parents and children under seven is offered on Tuesday and Fridays from 11 to 1 during the school year, and during the summer the hours are from 9 to 11. This program gives moms and dads a chance to meet other parents and gives kids a chance to get exercise, have fun, and play with other kids. They can play on the trampolines, or with foam blocks and toys that we bring out for this program. Enjoy the complimentary coffee and bagels while your child plays! Open Jump time is a great way to give your kids an opportunity to get their energy out and to socialize. Weekday Daily Unlimited All-Access packages are just $19.00. While they jump, play, dunk, climb, play video games, and swing, you can join them or enjoy some me-time in our Trampoline Park Cafe and WiFi Lounge. Grab a  bite to eat and check your social media while the kids play. You can keep an eye on them from the bird’s-eye location of the cafe. We also broadcast NFL games, so you don’t have to miss the game! We even offer massage chairs for your to get away from it all while your child builds their appetite. #### Family-Friendly Competition When you think about trampoline parks, you might not immediately think about them as a family activity. In fact, how many parents do you know that have gone to a trampoline park lately? We’d bet it’s probably more than are willing to let on. Here at Rebounderz of Edison, we pride ourselves on being a family-friendly environment perfect for an afternoon of play. But when there is play, it never hurts to have a bit of family-friendly competition. Rebounderz of Edison is the perfect place to create family teams that will actually help bring your family closer together. Whether it’s parents versus kids or parents pick their favorite child (yes, we know you have a favorite), it’s easy to bond when you’re playing at Rebounderz of Edison. Choose your teams wisely and then try out one of these competitions. Ninja Warrior Course Of course when you think of competition at Rebounderz of Edison, all thoughts probably go to our Ninja Warrior Course. Our Ninja Warrior Course is the perfect competition inspiring activity for some family-friendly competition. However, in order to make sure that the kids aren’t being left in the dust, you’ll have to find a good way to score or balance the teams for a real heart-stopping competition. Perhaps you even do scoring based on improving individual times, that way everyone is always pushing themselves to improve. Most Front Flips in a Row Along with our incredible Ninja Warrior Course, everyone is sure to love the jump arena. Our massive jump arena just screams for some good competition. One of the best ones we think you should definitely duke out as a family is to see who can do the most front flips in a row before falling over in dizziness and fits of giggles. Perhaps even buy some competition trophies before you come for the first time and award them after your visit. Each time you come, try the challenge again and pass the trophy on to the new champion. Most Dunks in a Row Similar to the most front flips in a row, challenge one another to the Basketball Slam and see who has the best slam dunk or who can do the most slam dunks in a row. The obstacle is adjustable for height, so no need to compensate in the score. You might also want to see who has the most stylish dunk or who has the highest dunk! Dodgeball Champion You can’t come to Rebounderz and not leave without playing a game of dodgeball. In fact, you will probably have a firey, all-out, family showdown on your hands when the dodgeballs come out. Choose your teams wisely for this competition, because whoever wins will be crowned the dodgeball champion, and that’s quite a bragging right. Make sure your team has someone who has an excellent shot and fill the rest up with family members who can duck and dodge very well. Highest Jump When it comes to the classic trampoline area, there is tons of fun to be had, including a variety of tricks and flips that can be made into family-friendly competition. Along with the front flip competition mentioned above, you can come up with a variety of similar challenges in order to test your skill and take on your family members. Try for the highest jump, neatest trick, or most twists for some more family bragging rights. Capture the Flag Lastly, for older kids and larger families, a game of capture the flag could be great fun. Because there is no actual place to hide the “flag,” the game is heavily oriented toward teamwork and distraction in order to capture the other team’s flag. This game alone could have you playing all afternoon with tons of smiles, and it’s great for teens who think they’re too cool to play with the family at the local trampoline park. There won’t be a single family member who will want to be left out of this fast-paced fun. Here at Rebounderz of Edison, we’re all about making sure the whole family can play and bond together. Spend the afternoon and come back time and time again for a great place to play, laugh, and challenge one another on a regular basis. Come play today!   #### Father’s Day Activities That Are Fun For Him and His Toddler Father’s Day is June 17, which is quickly approaching! If the dad in your life is like most dads, knowing what to do to celebrate their special day is difficult, especially if he is a father to a toddler. Not many toddler-friendly activities are fun for dads and while you could let dad do his thing for the day, doing an activity without his children defeats the meaning of the holiday! While you could plan a barbeque, dad would likely be the grill master, unable to relax and be doted on. Perhaps special gifts and his favorite dinner is how your family has always done things. But that tradition is as outdated as a tie and a coffee mug! This year, take father’s day to the next level and plan some activities that are fun for both dad and his toddler! Plan a Fishing Trip When people think of traditional Father’s Day activities, one of the first things that probably comes to mind is fishing. If the dad in your life is up for a day of fishing, plan the day for him to relax by the water with his pole and his kid — and maybe his father too! Learning practical skills, such as fishing, from their fathers is important to the development of children, and can make dad feel good by passing on information or a skill that he holds. In addition, if the trip is successful, they may bring home a tasty dinner you can prepare while dad plays with the kiddos. Sign Up For Hardware Store Classes For the handyman dad in your life, there is nothing better than a trip to the hardware store and all the treasures it holds. When your kids are toddlers, the dad in your life may feel bummed that they cannot pass on the handy skills and knowledge they possess. In an effort to bring kids and their handy dads together — and to allow mom to let them into the store, unaccompanied — many hardware stores offer classes for kids and their parents to build something together. Find a class in your local area or find a small project — picture frame or shelf — that dad can build with the kids at home. Make a Scavenger Hunt No one knows your toddler and their dad better than you! Create a scavenger hunt they both can participate in to find his hidden Father’s Day gifts. Leave clues that maybe your toddler doesn’t understand, but remind dad to explain everything to the toddler. Not only will dad have Ron Swanson caliber fun, it is an opportunity for your toddler to watch and learn from their dad. Don’t feel limited to hiding clues only inside your house! Make an adventure of it and plan small activities they can share along the way. Play at the Local Family Entertainment Center One thing that dads and kids have in common is the joy they find in playing! For this reason, a trip to the local family entertainment center would be a planning a win for both the dad in your life as well as his kids. Whether you have a local indoor trampoline park, arcade, go-kart range, or indoor climbing wall, plan a day out to let dad and his kids be kids for the day. At Rebounderz of Grand Rapids, we offer a full trampoline arena in addition to a Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course, dodgeball, and human foosball. For the toddlers, we also have a three-story playground. Father’s Day is the one day a year to celebrate the special bond between dads and their children. When planning the events of the day, be sure to include both dad and the kids in all of the activities. For more “daddy and me” ideas for Father’s Day or to play the day away, call or stop by Rebounderz of Grand Rapids today! #### Fiestas de Cumpleaños en Rebounderz Si estás buscando una manera de dar a tu hijo o hija una fiesta de cumpleaños inolvidable, estás en el sitio correcto. Ven a Rebounderz para una fiesta de cumpleaños que destaque. ¿Por qué venir a Rebounderz para tu cumple? Cuando celebres aquí en el parque de trampolines de la ciudad de Panamá, disfrutarás de muchos beneficios. Tu fiesta será divertidao para todos los invitados, sin que tengas que trabajar tanto. A todos los niños les encanta soltar en las decenas de trampolines que ofrecemos, y tu fiesta estará llena de gozo y de sonrisas. Saltar en nuestras camas elásticas es ejercicio además que diversión. Hay beneficios para el corazón, los pulmones, y los músculos de todos tus invitados. Todos los niños estarán en un lugar seguro, y no tienes que preocuparte por dónde se han ido. Para los que no les gustan (o no pueden) saltar en los trampolines, hay muchísimas otras diverciones que pueden hacer, desde el salón de videojuegos hasta la piscina de espuma (foam pit). ¿Uno de los beneficios más grande? ¡Es facil! Planear una fiesta de cumpleaños puede costarte mucho trabajo, pero si vienes a Rebounderz, puedes decir “adiós” al estrés. Tu fiesta de cumpleaños es tan fácil cuando vienes aquí que querrás volver cada año. Olvídate todos los deberes y por haceres de preparar una fiesta de niños. Ya no tienes que limpiar la casa, proteger tus cosas frágiles de los niños, o hacer las decoraciones. ¡Ni siquiera tienes que cocinar! Solo tienes que mandar las invitaciones. Todo lo demás puedes ponerlo en las manos de Rebounderz. Haremos todo y volverás a casa sin todo el cansancio que ibas a tener si lo hubieras hecho todo ti mismo. Ideas para tu fiesta de cumpleaños en Rebounderz Las fiestas más divertidas suelen tener un tema que aparece en las invitaciones, las decoraciones, los juegos, y hasta los regalos. Aquí tenemos muchas ideas que puedes escoger para tu fiesta. Película favorita Si tu hijo o hija tiene una película favorita, ¿por qué no elige esta película como tema para la fiesta? Muchas veces, puedes encontrar cositas en las tiendas que tienen que ver con esta película. Desde las princesas de Disney hasta Cars, hay un terreno amplio que puedes mirar para encontrar el tema perfecto. Deportes No puedes perder con un tema del deporte favorito de tu hijo o hija. No importa si es fútbol, béisbol, baloncesto, o tenis. Encontrarás muchas ideas en internet de cómo preparar una fiesta que sigue este tema. Animales A casi todos los niños les gustan los animales, y tu tema puede resultar muy bonito con un enfoque en los caballos, los gatitos, los delfines, o cualquier animal que ya sabes que le agrade a tu hijo o hija. En algunos lugares, puedes encontrar pequeños animales de plástico, globos con animales, y disfraces o títeres que representan los animales que has elegido. La princesa Si tu niña sueña con ser princesa, ¿por qué hacerla esperar hasta su quince años? Para las princesitas en tu vida, puedes incluir coronas, vestidos bonitos y tal vez un poquito de maquillaje y esmalte de uñas. Ven a Rebounderz para tu próximo cumpleaños. ¡No lo olvidarás!   #### Finding the best fundraising venue What is the best fundraising venue for your organization? Well, that can be a complicated question to answer. Consider these things before beginning your search. Who is your audience? All types of people support all kinds of organizations. It is important to know your audience. If you are raising money from parents for a school band, for a sports league, or for a trip abroad for the senior class, you are going to want to hold your fundraiser in a much different type of venue than if you were raising money to build a new building, to support arts in the community, or to fund a homeless shelter. Not every venue is perfect for every kind of fundraiser. But, if your audience is made up of parents, grandparents, community members and organizational supporters who are committed to raising money for your school, Scout troop, or similar organization, Rebounderz in Lansdale is likely the perfect fundraising venue for you. Are most of your supporters individuals, couples or families? If you are raising money for any kind of sports-related activity, a scout trip, church mission trips, or anything of that nature, we’d be willing to bet that a family-friendly activity is going to be a much bigger hit with potential donors, than an adults-only fundraiser. That’s another reason Rebounderz in Lansdale is the perfect venue. Kids definitely love it here, but so do adults. Sometimes we think the parents have more fun than the kids do when they are here. And, when it is all for a good cause, everyone is sure to get in on the fun. How much money do you need to raise? Be sure to consider what kinds of fundraising activities can be hosted at the venue you choose. Is the only opportunity in ticket sales? Or once people arrive at the event, are there multiple activities that allow for additional on-site fundraising? Regardless of what you are raising money for, the more opportunities your venue provides for people to give, the more money you are likely to raise. And, a venue that offers activities and contests that raise more money, means that you can raise more for your cause, even if you don’t have a huge crowd. How much money can you spend? Many of us have attended fancy fundraisers at expensive hotels where no expense has been spared. The fact is though, that someone footed the bill for that great venue. Either a donor paid for it, instead of giving money directly to the cause, or the charity itself had to come up with the funds. Sometimes it is money well spent, because that’s what’s needed to bring in big-dollar donors. But if your donors don’t have deep pockets, don’t spend too much money on your venue. If someone wants to donate money for a fancy venue, ask them to make their donation with no strings attached so that you can spend their donation where it is most needed, and where it will do the most good. Who or what are you raising money for? If you are raising money for cheerleader camp, your donors aren’t likely to want to pay $100 a head for a fancy dinner. We bet they’d be up for a fun day at Rebounderz in Lansdale, though. In addition to selling tickets, the dodgeball tournaments, basketball dunking contests, and jumpathons will raise a lot more money for your event. And, let’s face it, no one really wants to go to one of those stuffy dinners and listed to a bunch of people get up on stage and talk, and talk, and talk. How much help do you need? If you are depending on help from volunteers to pull of a great fundraiser, you’re in the same boat as most nonprofits. We love volunteers, and we know that many organizations couldn’t exist without them. It is important to be realistic though. Volunteers are people with lives, who sometimes have priorities that have to come before your event. The best fundraising venue is one that offers includes an experienced on-site staff that is at your disposal the day of your event to make sure everything goes smoothly. Your volunteers will still play a critical role. However, you really can’t beat having a paid staff on-site for support. Now that you’ve got a handle on those details, you should have a pretty good idea of what kind of venue is best for your next fundraiser. Call us here at Rebounderz in Lansdale to learn more about how we can help with your next fundraiser. We’ve got great ideas for your next fundraiser for your school field trip, for your Scout troop’s next adventure, for your team to go to summer football camp, or for your church’s next youth group mission trip. We’re here to help. We’re committed to making your fundraiser a huge success! #### Fitness For Kids Physical activity has fallen by the wayside for many kids in America, with only one in four getting the recommended amount on a daily basis. Instilling good exercise and nutrition habits at a young age can benefit your children for years to come. While we’ll talk more about nutrition in the future, today we’re taking a look at the importance of fitness, the long-term benefits, and some fun games and exercises to keep your children active. A great place to spur on a kid’s interest in fitness is Rebounderz Trampoline Park, right here in Lansdale. -The Stats Obesity is on the rise, with nearly 37 percent of children from the ages of 6-11 years old being considered overweight or obese. It’s recommended for children to have at least 35 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day. Without this activity, not only will they be at a higher risk of weight-based diseases, they can miss out on the opportunity to strengthen their bones as they grow up. -Bones During childhood is where bones see the most development in their size and strength. Being physically active while you’re young helps determine how strong and healthy the bone mass is through their life. Because bones are a living tissue, it gets stronger as you use them, as they reform consistently to adapt to the stress they are put through. -Types of Activity Weight-bearing exercises are great for strengthening both muscles and bones. Activities like walking, weight training, hiking, jogging, jumping, and dancing are all considered weight-bearing, as they all require you to work against gravity. Jumping on a trampoline may seem like it doesn’t fit, but even though you experience weightlessness, you are still working against gravity to lift yourself into the air. Cardiovascular exercise is just as important as weight-bearing, and it’s important to include both into any fitness routine, regardless of age. This can be everything from running, swimming, and biking, all the way to, you guessed it, jumping on a trampoline. The main goal of cardio is to strengthen the heart and lungs, as that will help keep blood pressure low, improve muscle strength and flexibility, reduce anxiety and depression, provide weight control, and improve quality of sleep. Cardio is all about pumping oxygen into the bloodstream, which helps improve overall health and ability to fight disease. -Getting Started The most important aspect of fitness success for just about everyone is that you have to want to do it. Building that desire at an early age can make it a lifelong habit, but it’s hard to get kids motivated to exercise. Start out with a variety of exercises and activities. See what your kids respond to and what they dread. Find ways to make the ones they don’t like more fun, or find activities that accomplish the same goal that they can try out instead. By giving a kid a measure of control in their fitness, it will increase their investment in it. Try switching up activities throughout the year to keep everything fresh and fun. Use people or characters your kids look up to as motivation. Bring up that Steph Curry and Serena Williams did similar workouts and how it led them to success. Include games and music they enjoy. Making exercise and fitness something to be excited about goes so much further than taking a boot camp style mentality. It’s vital that you are involved in the exercise with them because if you’re just watching from the sideline, it makes them feel isolated or like they’re being forced to do it as you monitor them. When playing a game, put the emphasis on having fun rather than competition. Long-term fitness and health makes winners of us all! If you need to incentivize your child, use physical activities as a reward. Something like a trip to the park or the zoo is more active and engaging than going to a movie. Exercise should be a part of everyone’s daily routine, so scheduling blocks of activities to be done throughout the day can help instill a regimen and habit. Many people that started working out when they were young have said that if they miss a workout they feel off. Plan ahead for the possibility of bad weather by including indoor activities and exercises in your routine. This will help build the consistency that is so important to fitness success. Try setting specific goals with a reward tied to them. Something like improving how many sit ups or push ups they can do is an easy milestone that they can focus on and have a toy or book waiting for them when they reach that mark can be all the motivation they need to keep going. Working out can be super fun if you look at it the right way. When you’re helping your child start exercising, you’re in control of how it’s framed. Make it something that they look forward to every day. Using a whiteboard is a great way to track progress in a way that kids can visualize. If they see how many jumping jacks they did on week one, then compare it to how they’re doing months later, they’ll see in real numbers that they are getting better. That’s exciting to see, no matter how old you are. -Moving Forward As you begin to implement the tips from above, your child will become more comfortable with the act of exercising. At this point, you can take the opportunity to see if they have developed their own goals. If they’ve really taken to running, they may express interest in participating in a 5K run. Many 5K’s are connected to charities, so that is a great chance to have physical activity connected to helping those less fortunate. Maybe they want to join the local recreational baseball league or try their hand at basketball. There are many opportunities to see where this newfound love of fitness can take them. There are many options and possibilities for starting your child on the road to wellness. With a good foundation, fitness can be carried long into adulthood, assuring long-term health and happiness. When you’re looking for a great way to jumpstart your child’s fitness, call us at Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale. We have more than trampolines to get them moving. There’s the super exciting Ninja Warrior obstacle course that will test their ninja abilities, a Slamball court so they can dunk just like Lebron, and exercise classes to help improve their aerobic skills. We want to take your family’s fitness to the next level and we know you’re going to have fun doing it. Hope to see you soon! #### Fitness is my life - Written by AirXercise Trainer Amber Plaster Fitness is my life. Throughout my entire life I have always been active and had a love for fitness. I was a multi-sport athlete in high school and that continued into college playing volleyball. After college I had two beautiful children. I did work-out routines during both pregnancies. I then decided to do Bodybuilding shows; The Bikini Division, to get me back in shape after having each child. It was a great achievement for me! As of right now I am continuing my fitness journey, I play indoor volleyball as well as MPVA beach volleyball, I work out religiously and my new adventure is teaching AirXercise at Rebounderz! I go into teaching an AirXercise class with the mindset “what kind of exercises can I do to make class enjoyable and beneficial, all at the same time?” I love nothing more than helping others get the same benefits I enjoy every day. As well as helping them look better and feel better about themselves. We have had a lot of fun and energetic groups. Most of the clients we have come back, and it has become part of their lifestyle. We had some of the Kellogsville Girls Soccer Team attend as part of their soccer conditioning. It is a fun and engaging experience that people enjoy. AirXercise is great because it’s a lot different than just going to the gym. I mean come on you’re on a trampoline!! Let’s give you a preview of how I run an AirXercise class. I start out by having anyone who is attending run a couple laps around the facility to get their legs warmed up. Then onto the trampolines. I make sure we warm up very well don’t want anyone getting hurt. We do a bit of jump roping as well as a jumping jack circuit. Now for the tougher part of the workout, all the different exercises that involve jumping as well as moments where I slow it down. I want to bring the heart rate up for a bit and then drop it down as well for just a couple slower exercises. I tend to try to involved each muscle group in a session. After the trampoline workout, we go into using bands for our upper body. This helps incorporate muscles that may not be used during our regular work out. Then following band work we do abs and then stretch. There are so many benefits of doing a trampoline AirXercise class. Spending 8-10 minutes of jumping on a trampoline is equivalent to running 1 mile! A huge bonus to trampoline exercise is the strengthening of your core muscles, which tends to be a problem area for most men and women. A person can burn over 1,000 calories in one hour doing this workout. It builds your immune system and pushes out all of the bad toxins in your body. AirXercise helps with coordination and balance as well. Lastly, it improves energy levels because it helps oxygen flow around the body. There are so many benefits to these exercise classes!! So if you haven’t gotten the chance to attend a class, ask yourself ‘what’s stopping you’ ? Written by AirXercise Trainer Amber Plaster. Rebounderz Grand Rapids, MI 7500 Cottonwood Dr. Jenison, MI 49428 616-455-5600 RebounderzGrandRapids.com Click here to learn more about our AirXercise Classes. #### Five Fun-Filled Kids Birthday Party Themes When it comes to planning your kid’s birthday party, choosing the right theme is half the battle. And half the fun. Having an all-encompassing theme that your child can relate to makes everything easier; from planning the decorations to the cake to the wrapping paper to the gifts themselves. Many kids like to choose their favorite sport, or favorite movie, or favorite superhero for their party theme. While those are all old-reliables, we think it’s only right that we help give you ideas to make your kid’s birthday party even more special than all the ones that came before. And, if you’re looking for a unique party venue to go along with your newfound theme, be sure to contact Rebounderz in Apopka to host your next kid’s party at the most extreme fun center in the Apopka and Orlando areas. With wall-to-wall jumper action, high-flying air basketball courts, a full arcade, and more, our indoor trampoline park serving Orlando and beyond has everything you need to ensure your child and their friends jumps for joy, literally, at a party that will be talked about for the next 365 days. Plus, as you’ll soon see, our Rebounderz kid’s party packages include your choice of five different themed private party rooms, including a Boutique Room, a Beach Luau Room, and more. Contact us today to book your jump time. Now, let’s take a look at five fun-filled kids birthday party themes that we think could be great for your next party. Rock and Roll For the boys and girls who are a little bit rock and roll, consider hosting a party with a music theme that will be sure to knock their socks off. Fun ideas include a cake shaped like a record (a relic from a better time, right parents?), cool rocker wigs that they can wear around throughout the party, and maybe even an air guitar competition. Our rock-and-roll themed private party room at Rebounderz is the perfect space for you to host your little rocker’s next gig. Fashion Guru Does your youngster have a keen eye for fashion? If they’re starting to ask, “Who made that scarf?” rather than, “Can I have a scarf?” then you might want to opt for a fashionable birthday party theme. Get all of the hit designer-inspired accessories, from tote bags to oversized sunglasses and let your party guests indulge in a slice of cake and sip of tea. The Diva Boutique party room at Rebounderz would be an excellent space for such a party, with high-class decor and amenities galore. Then, when they’re ready, they can simply take off their high heels and hit the trampoline arena for hours of bouncy fun. Disney’s Moana There aren’t many kids movies that are more popular right now than Disney’s Moana. The tale of an island heiress blossoming into a full-on adventure hero has resonated with kids far and wide, and having a Moana-themed party would surely be a kid for your next kid’s party. Think about island-themed, and have your birthday honoree dress as their favorite character — whether it’s Moana herself, the affable Maui, or even Hei Hei the chicken. Then, come to Rebounderz in Apopka to host your Moana kid’s party in our special Beach Luau Room. X-Games Does your offspring have that wild sense of adventure that you remember from your younger days? If so, you can’t go wrong with an extreme sports kid’s birthday party theme. The X-Games are basically the Olympics for extreme sports, so you can’t go wrong with decor featuring things like motocross, skateboards, snowboards, and a whole lot more. Then, gather the x-treme party guests and haul them down to Rebounderz, where our Extreme Sports private party room can suit your wild child (and their friends). Then, they can head out to the top trampoline park in the Orlando area and do their best to recreate the flips and tricks they love to watch to pros perform. Army Ranger Maybe your kids are a little more into the real life heroes from our military. If they like playing things like Call of Duty, then an Army Ranger-themed birthday party could be a fun, tactical time for you and your group. For the decor, think things like face paint, all-camo-everything, and special operations accessories. Our Special Ops room at Rebounderz in Apopka would be well-suited to host any sort of Army Ranger theme that you or your child desires. Host Your Party at Rebounderz Rebounderz is the most extreme, fun, and high-flying action you can find in Apopka and beyond. Just a short drive from Orlando, our indoor trampoline park offers several party packages that fit your budget and desire for a fun, memorable party. From our open jump arena to the foam pit, your party guests will love bouncing around with their closest friends. Book your kid’s party at Rebounderz today and experience the thrill of our state-of-the-art trampoline parks! #### Fostering Your Kid's Creativity Being a kid is one of the best parts of life. When the biggest worry is getting math homework done, there’s a lot of time open to exploring new topics and hobbies. Imagination can carry weight as a kid that is sorely missing from most of adulthood. Creativity can set a child up for huge success when they grow up, as they’ll look at situations from different points of view much easier than if they’re locked into rigidity. Fostering that creativity and helping it grow will prove incredibly valuable in the long run. Creativity is a key component to success in everything from school and work to friendships and inner happiness. But how can you help it grow? -Provide Opportunity for Creativity to Flourish The number one thing adults are always lacking is time. It’s hard to juggle family, friendships, and career while still having enough time to work out those creative muscles. Don’t take that freedom away from a kid. Give them time to play around in an unstructured way. Let them make up their own games, stories, characters, and art. Do your best to center this time away from commercialized properties and premade characters. This is their time to let their imagination run wild. Ensure they have plenty of room to work in. If they want to draw, a large table with lots of different color crayons or markers goes a long way. It’s especially helpful if this is a room they can get a bit messy in. Creativity is rarely focused, so something like being able to spread out the Lego blocks on the floor, can help them piece things together or come up with entirely new ideas away from instruction booklets. When birthdays and holidays roll around, recommend anyone getting your child a gift go for things like art supplies, cheap cameras, or stuff to make costumes with. Organize this space with easily accessible tubs so your child can access any pieces needed to facilitate their ideas without adult intervention. This is a big moment to develop self-sufficient feelings as they grow up and it will provide a sense of accomplishment when they complete something on their own. -Make an Environment That Encourages Creative Thought Outside of this creative space, you can continue to present opportunities for your child to think in clever ways. As you’re having dinner, you can ask the kid for ideas as to what they want to do this weekend. Have them focus on things they’ve never done before. This isn’t a point where you’re going to shoot down ideas for being impossible or expensive because you haven’t guaranteed any of these activities will be happening. The goal is to get them thinking about new experiences. Creative activities are more about generating new ideas than they are about evaluating those ideas. Encourage mistakes. One of the guarantees in life is failure. Helping a child understand that failing is a normal thing will steer them away from having a fear of failure. Share some examples of your own failure with them to show it happens to everyone. Teach them about laughing about mistakes. Make innovation and creativity something to be celebrated in your home. Hang up their paintings, proudly display their sculptures; they will value their own work if they see you value it too. Share your favorite artists, philosophers, and scientists. Let them see what you’re passionate about and they’ll find things they feel the same way about. -Encourage Reading and Art for Pleasure While there are many TV shows, movies, and video games that inspire creativity (Minecraft and Super Mario Maker are all about creating things), it’s important to limit your child’s time in front of a screen. Find books concerning subjects they’ve shown interest in. See if they want to be in a local production of a play. This instills healthy habits going into adulthood while teaching them the value of the meditation they can achieve when they really get absorbed in a good book or a drawing they’ve been working on. -Disagreement Isn’t Bad Divergent thought is often discouraged by parents. Sure, it may make it easier to say “Because I’m the boss and I said so”, but that doesn’t help kids understand the situation. Oftentimes, a child will disagree simply because they only see one option or answer in front of them. Teach them that there’s more than one solution to a problem and encourage them to find other solutions. When they’re able to find a successful solution, challenge them to find a secondary route to that solution. This will inspire both creativity and the critical thinking that is incredibly valuable throughout life. -Don’t Incentivize Creativity The creative process is supposed to be its own reward, with the end product being the incentive to keep going. If you’re finding that your child needs to have an incentive to keep working on something creative, it’s likely they aren’t that interested in the activity. Instead of giving a reward for practicing piano, ask them what they don’t like about playing piano or if there’s something else they’d rather be doing. Creativity isn’t something that can be forced. It has to be nurtured and spun out of genuine interest. -Don’t Worry About Achievements The end goal of any creative endeavor is often the least important part. Like the old saying goes, it’s the journey, not the destination. Focus on if they had fun if it’s something they want to come back to, what was enjoyable or not. Help them find the words to describe how they felt about the activity. This will help them understand what they enjoy and want to pursue. This is especially helpful when trying new activities and getting past worries of failure. By emphasizing the process of creativity instead of the end product, you’re also teaching them when it’s ok to walk away from an artistic activity they aren’t being creatively fulfilled by. There’s a lot of lessons to be learned from this. -Join if They Want You To Join While it’s important to give them their own space to explore their creativity, many kids thrive off interaction with their parents. In cases like this, your child might ask you to join in on an activity. We all know how busy schedules can get, but it’s important to join in when possible. This shows them that not only do you value their creative endeavors, you have your own creativity as well. Some particularly artistic parents will have their child start a drawing which they then finish, usually in a different color so the child’s work is not lost in the piece. Not only does this foster creativity, it shows the importance and value of collaboration with others. Demonstrating that creation doesn’t have to be, and often isn’t, a solo experience. Play music together, paint together, write together; it all helps them understand how well creativity and teamwork can go hand-in-hand with each other. Creativity is one of the most valuable and boundless resources in the world. Inspiring imaginative work is how we’ve gotten many of the most groundbreaking innovations and emotionally fulfilling artwork the world over. And if you’re looking for a safe space to help inspire creative physical activity, come on into Rebounderz here in Lansdale. With an exciting trampoline park and super fun Ninja Warrior course, a kid can create all sorts of fun ideas. #### Four Reasons to Go Out and Play with Your Family Today We’ve all heard it. The family that plays together stays together. There’s a lot of truth to that statement. Once you’ve read our list of reasons to go out and play, we know you’ll be convinced, so head on over to Rebounderz in Sunrise, the best family fun you’ll find anywhere in town. #1 Learning There is a lot of evidence, including from the Harvard Family Research Project, that family time helps children learn. Informal recreational activities are on the project’s list of top things a family can do together to help children learn. Other studies have found that quality definitely beats quantity. Time spent with your children when you are stressed out, grouchy, sleep-deprived, and short-tempered, can do more damage than spending less time with your kids. Time spent doing nothing, or just watching TV, may also be detrimental. To get the most out of your time with your children, be actively engaged with them, participate in activities together, talk, laugh, and learn together. Here’s the most important part of the learning equation. Children learn more from what we do than what we say. Getting out and spending quality play time with your kids shows them that they are your priority. You’re teaching them by example how to be good parents to their kids when they grow up. #2 Emotional Health and Wellbeing We all want our children to be happy, healthy, and successful. Spending time with your kids is one of the best ways to help set them on that path. Family time is a key factor in ensuring a child’s emotional and mental well-being as they grow up. According the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Building Blocks Program, a child that spends quality time with their family is less likely to engage in dangerous behavior or abuse drugs and alcohol. #3 Physical Fitness This is another example of where your children can learn more from what you do than from what you say. If you are a couch potato, they are likely to emulate that behavior. But if you are engaging in activities with your kids, like trampoline jumping, rock wall climbing, hiking, bicycle riding, throwing the frisbee, or playing dodgeball, they’re more likely to stay active when you aren’t around to facilitate. #4 Family Bonding When your children become teenagers, they’ll either look to you or their peers for help making the big decisions they’ll be facing. If you’ve spent quality time together, laughed and played together, and demonstrated through your actions that you love them unconditionally, don’t you think they’ll be more likely to come to you? We sure think that would be better than going to their friends. Spending quality time together doesn’t have to be a chore. As a matter of fact, if you treat it like a chore, your kids may feel like spending time with them is just another chore you have to check off your list. Quality time can be as simple as: Active discussions at meal time. Turn off the TV. Talk with your kids. Really listen. Be happy about the time you’re spending together. Playing sports. Whether it's a game of catch in the yard, or coaching the little league team, this can be some of the most fun you and your kids will ever have together. Grocery shopping. If you usually treat this as a chore, turn that around. Make it a fun outing with your kids by including them in the process. Read labels together. Talk about what you’re planning to make with what you are buying. Quiz them about the names of fruits and veggies. It isn’t difficult to find ways to spend quality time with your kids. And, of course, we think one of the best ways is to come down to Rebounderz in Sunrise and spend an afternoon on the trampolines and running the Ninja Warrior course. We hope to see you soon! #### Fun Activities to Keep You and Your Kids Active The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) agree that everyone should participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise everyday to maintain a healthy physical condition. In a digital age, run by screens, it seems to be increasingly difficult to encourage active play in kids. One way to engage your children in active play while reaching your own active goals, is to play with your children. Here are a few family-fun ways that you can keep you and your kids active. Family Bike Rides Woe doesn’t love riding bikes? Rounding up the family and heading out for a scenic bike ride can be a fun way to turn off the screens and get some fresh air. Bike riding is fun for children of all ages and can afford your family the opportunity to take in more scenes that you can if you went for a walk. If you have little ones who are too small to ride their own bike, you can easily affix a carrier to your bike and hit the road! Family Day at the Pool A day at the pool is a wonderful workout. Recreational swimming is not as intense as lap swimming, but still offers a great full body workout that is fun, so you don’t notice the workout! When you spend the day at the pool make sure you spend a bulk of your time in the water, swimming and splashing around. Trampoline Rebounding Jumping on a trampoline is a great full body workout and an extremely fun way to spend your day. Hopping on the elastic surface helps build strength, coordination, and cardiovascular endurance. So that you and the kiddos can all jump together, we suggest finding a trampoline park near you and enjoy unlimited bouncing together. Family Skating Skating is a great way to get some cardiovascular exercise as well as build muscular strength while having fun. If the weather warrants and your family have roller blades, you can head out and skate around your town. Otherwise, you can head to the local roller skating rink or ice rink to participate in a few hours of active fun. Laser Tag or Paintball You may not think about laser tag or paintball as good workouts --that is, if you’ve never played! When you are engaged in a laser tag battle or a paintball war, you spend the entire time running around looking for opponents, jumping and ducking behind barriers, and crawling to maintain a low profile. All this, with adrenaline pumping and your mind focused. At the end of your match, you’ll find your heart slowing, your breath returning, and your clothes sweat-dampened. There are so many way to engage in active play with your kids that will help keep both you and your children active, as well as strengthen your family bonds. While we have given you some exciting options for family activities that require you to go out, there are plenty of options to fit in active play in your everyday life -- play tag, walk the dogs, play hopscotch, build an obstacle course. If you are looking for a trampoline park near Grand Rapids, come check out Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone. #### Fun After School Activities for Kids When kids are in school, their time is occupied by reading, writing, and learning for the bulk of the day. While they may get some time to play at recess, they often come home with a lot of pent up energy from sitting around in class. Kids are hungry for fun stuff to do and you can help them out with some of these great after school activities that are easy to prepare. If you’re looking for an after-school spot to help your kids get active, come to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Rohnert Park. We’ve got plenty of great attractions your children are sure to love. -Obstacle Course The best part of this activity is how creative you can get with it. You can set up household items like pillows and books to create obstacles your kids will have to navigate. You can even make up a story to give the course some context (i.e. the floor is “lava”). If the weather is nice, you can set up something bigger outside. Add in stations where they have to finish a task in order to move on, such as doing 20 push-ups or jumping rope for a minute. The only limits to this are your creativity and what you have on hand. -Limbo Easy to set up and even easier for everyone to do, all you will need for this is something to act as a limbo pole. Whether you choose an old broomstick, a jump rope, or some other object, all you need is two people to hold it and one person to limbo under it. Add in some fun music for some extra jolly vibes and everyone is having fun. The only question is, “How low can you go?” -Cooking Together While many parents worry about kids in the kitchen, you can take some precautions to make it a safe and fun experience for everyone. Find some kid-friendly recipes online and let your little ones help prepare dinner with you. Not only does this make kids feel more involved and grown-up, it could even foster a love of cooking that can extend long into their adult life. -Volunteer Together Teaching young kids empathy, kindness, and the value of giving back to the community are some of the most valuable lessons you can pass on to them. Whether you volunteer together at the local senior center, rake leaves for a neighbor, walk dogs at the animal shelter, or pick up trash at a nearby park (be sure to bring some gloves for that one), there are so many ways that you and your child can get involved and give back. Fostering a child’s desire to help others has a huge impact on the community and their behavior in and out of school. -Make Up a Dance Routine With all of that restless energy burning holes in their pockets, kids go crazy for a chance to dance and move around. Even if you don’t have time or budget to go to a dance class, you can learn a lot from dance instruction videos online. Don’t feel constrained by pre-existing dances, though. Put on a fun song and let the beat lead the way. You might be surprised by the fun moves your little one comes up with. -Take a Trip to the Library If your child loves to read more than running around, you can take them to the local library. This is a great opportunity for them to pursue their own academic interests and learn about something not covered in school. They might find fantasy or science fiction suits their tastes more than the required reading in class, which can help expand their mind and help their imagination grow. There are so many after-school activities you can do with your kids that we’ll dive into more in the future, but for now, we hope this gets the ball rolling. A little bit of creativity can go a long way to help your child grow up great. So whether you choose a craft project, exercise activity, or a charitable pursuit, you’re improving their lives in ways that might surprise you in the long run. When you’re looking for the perfect after-school spot for your kids to get some extra energy out, bring them to Rebounderz in Rohnert Park! Our trampolines are safe, our foam pit is fun, and the Ninja Warrior will make your little one feel like a champion. We hope to see you here soon! #### Fun Basketball Drills There are two extremely important aspects of going about teaching your child basketball when it is something they're genuinely interested in. First, and most obviously, instilling good training and practice habits is an absolute must for becoming a good basketball player. But, just as important, a sense of drive and motivation needs to be instilled in the child to keep up these practice habits. One of the best ways to do that is to make practice fun. Working at our Edison trampoline park, we here at Rebounderz have a little bit of experience making basketball fun with our trampoline basketball court. To that end, we'd like to list some fun basketball drill examples. The Bulldog Drill This is a simple drill that blends ball control, concentration, and healthy competition to improve your child's overall ball handling skills. The rules are as follows: Pick a player or ask for a volunteer, that person will be the bulldog. Give them a ball and have them stand at half court. Line up all the rest of the players on the baseline, and give them all basketballs as well. On your mark, the players will try to advanced passed half course while dribbling. Set a time limit to keep things interesting. The bulldogs will try to steal or knock away the balls from the rest of the team, all while maintaining a dribble themselves. Each time a bulldog knocks away a basketball, that person also becomes a bulldog. The last one standing wins, and gets to be the first bulldog next game. Knockout Drill This is a great drill for a plethora of skills. Not only will it help your kid perfect their free throw, but it will teach them to keep their cool in stressful situations, as well as improve quickness and reaction time. The rules are as follows: Line players up at the free throw line, and give the first two in line a ball. The first player shoots the ball. If they miss, they have to get the rebound and get it through the hoop before the second player makes the shot from the free throw line. If the first player makes their first shot, then they pass the ball to the next in line and run to the back of the line. Same goes if they make their layup after a miss before the second player makes their free throw. Should the second player make their shot before the first, the first is out of the game and gives the ball to the next player in line. This process continues until there is only one player left, who wins the game and gets to be the first shooter next round. Loose Ball Drill This is an intense one on one drill that builds up the tenacity necessary for competitive sports, while also improving reaction time and speed. The rules are as follows: Split the team up into pairs. Have them stand side by side on the baseline while facing the court. The coach then rolls the ball out onto the court, and when it gets some distance, they blow the whistle. At that point, the players sprint to the ball, and the first one to reach it tries to score a point on the other player. Should the player with the ball score, they win and both players go to the back of the line. Should the player with the ball miss, or have the ball stolen from them, they lose and both players go to the back of the line. Hopefully these drills help your child on their journey to become a basketball superstar. Should you find them losing motivation for the sport, you can always take them to our Edison trampoline park basketball court. Give us a call for more information about our trampoline park activities! #### Fun Basketball Drills (Continued) Professional basketball is a grueling sport, full of intense, painful training and high stakes games. And many of your little ones probably aspire to just that! If you've got a little aspiring basketball superstar, there's no reason not to promote the activity to build character, athleticism, and social skills. Here at Rebounderz, we have our very own Edison trampoline park basketball court if you ever want to renew interest in the game, or just have a blast. But for those kiddos who are already bound and determined to improve their basketball skills, here are some fun basketball drills for them to practice. Three Man Weave If your child struggles with passing the ball, or ball movement in general, this is a great exercise. It also promotes team building, as well understanding for how each player's role works holistically. The rules are as follows: Split your team up into groups of three, and have each group in a line, with other groups formed behind them. Give the middle player the ball. The middle player then passes the ball to the player on their left and runs behind them (because they'll be facing the middle to receive the ball, that means the middle player will now be on the outside). The player with the ball (now the middle player) then passes to the last remaining teammate, and runs to the outside of them. This process repeats all the way down the court until the players are under the goal, wherein the one who gets the ball attempts a layup. Then, the process starts all over again toward the other end of the court. Terminator Drill This is one of the most fun ball handling drills out there, with a healthy dash of competition. It's a high intensity activity that pits everyone against everyone. The rules are as follows: Form a group of players, the more the better. Each player will start with a ball. Create a boundary that includes all the players, but leaves very little extra space between them. Each player must dribble the ball while also trying to steal their opponent's ball, or knock it away. It's every man for himself in a king of the hill scenario where only the last person standing wins. Chase Down Layups This is the perfect drill to create good ball handling habits for a very crucial part of the game: high pressure layups. In youth teams, most points are scored from layups, so they are often the difference between winning and losing. The rules are as follows: Players form into two pairs of lines that start at each respective of the court. Designate one offense and one defense for each pair. Give each offensive line the basketball at opposite ends of the court. The coach brings the offensive player a head start from the defensive player on the same side, wherein the offensive player tries to dribble the ball to the other side of the court. If the offensive player makes it, they win and the ball gets passed to the next pair. If the ball gets stolen, then the defensive player wins, and the ball is still handed off to the other pair. Hopefully some of these skills help your little one to improve their skills, and make it past their next major basketball accomplishment on their path to super stardom! If the drills are wearing on them, you can always boost their motivation with a fun day on one of our Edison trampoline park basketball courts! Give us a call for more information about our trampoline park, or all the fun activities we provide. #### Fun Birthday Party Activities When you’re putting together a birthday party for your kid, there’s a lot that you have to consider. Planning out activities and games might seem like a lot of work, but we’ve gathered some of the best birthday party activities that you can put together easily. Not only that, these are all affordable options, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank to put on a party that everyone will enjoy. If you’re looking for the best place to hold your kid’s birthday party here in Edison, look no further than Rebounderz Trampoline Park! Our birthday parties are always a hit with kids and adults alike. Keep in mind that all of the activities that we’re about to dive into are all incredibly customizable. Make alterations to them as you see fit so that they match with what your child’s interests are, what you have available to you, and whatever the theme of the party may be. Without further ado, let’s look at some fun kid’s birthday party activities! -Treasure/ Scavenger Hunt This is a great way to kick off a party and get everyone moving. Whether you draw out a treasure map or you create a scavenger hunt list, you’re providing an activity that gets kids to think critically and examine their surroundings. If you’re holding a large party, put everyone into teams and make it a race to see who can find the treasure or complete their list first. A small toy or snack is a great reward after running around on the hunt for treasure! -Three Legged Race A classic birthday party game that is still tons of fun. Kids will have a blast with this and parents won’t be able to stop laughing! All you need is something to tie each team’s legs together and some space to run. If you really want to kick it up a notch, add in some cones or other obstacles that the racers have to maneuver around. -Charades The best part of this game is there is no age limit on who can play. This makes it wonderful fun for kids and parents who are attending, as it is a chance for everyone to interact together. All you need is some scraps of paper with topics written on them to spur everyone’s imaginations. Feel free to adjust the rules of charades to accommodate young children that are still learning about more abstract concepts. They might not be able to get their point across silently, so giving them some leeway with hints can help them enjoy the game without getting frustrated. -Tug of War Another easy game to play with minimal supplies, tug of war only requires a rope long enough to handle everyone playing. When setting up for a tug of war, it’s important you divide the teams evenly so everyone has a chance to win. If you’re dealing with a wide range of ages in your party guests, it’s a good idea to make sure that it’s not a team of big kids against little kids. Not only would that make for a lopsided game, it will surely lower the morale of the little ones playing. Instead, when little kids get to be on a team with the big kids, it’s an exciting moment for them! -Marco Polo Just because you aren’t at the pool, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this classic pool game. With a good amount of space and a blindfold, you can make a landlocked game of Marco Polo, which will be a hit with everyone. Blindfold your “Marco” and kick the game off with a countdown to let the others run and hide. You can even alter the game to have the kids give hints as to where an object is, and have them shout out clues like “warmer” and “colder” to the blindfolded searcher. -Obstacle Course You can set up a pretty cool obstacle course in your backyard with items you have on hand. Otherwise, you can come to Rebounderz and let the kids loose on our Ninja Warrior obstacle course. If you are looking for activities that get kids up and moving, there’s nothing better than this. They’ll have the chance to run, jump, climb, and swing as they try to overcome the obstacles and reach the finish line. -Hot Potato Here’s another easy game that just needs an object to act as the “potato”. You can get really creative with this one and adapt it to whatever the theme of your party is. Gather everyone in a circle and have them toss the object around. You can set this to music as a way to let people know when someone has been eliminated. -Musical Chairs Musical chairs is another fun game that everyone can play, and all you need is some chairs and some music. Set out a circle of chairs, with one fewer than the number of people that are playing. Start the music up and have everyone begin walking around the chairs. Once you stop the music, everyone has to find a seat. Whoever is left standing is eliminated, a chair is removed from the circle, and the game continues until only one person remains. -What’s in the Bag This is a fun guessing game to play when you’re trying to wind down. Place an object in a bag and have the kids take turns trying to guess what it is only by feeling it. This is great practice for helping kids learn new ways to identify objects, describe what they feel, and form an idea of what the object is within their mind. If you’re not sure if the little ones will be able to avoid looking, you can use the blindfold from your game of Marco Polo to make sure everyone has an even playing field. -Simon Says No matter where you’re holding your party, you can play a game of Simon Says. This classic game teaches kids about listening skills and following instructions. For a fun twist on it, change the name from “Simon” to something that fits your party’s theme. For instance, at a pirate party, it could be “Captain Says.” -Tag Tag is one of those timeless games that can be changed and adapted to fit many different circumstances. Whether you’re playing with classic rules, freeze tag, TV tag, or any of the other variations, everyone will have fun and get involved. The best part is, there are no supplies required for this game. There are many more fun and easy birthday party activities that we’ll dive into in the future, but we hope that this gets your creative wheels turning. Customizing a classic game to fit your child’s interests or the theme of the party can be an easy way to make it memorable for everyone. Another way to make a birthday party memorable is to choose an awesome location with plenty to do. Lucky for you, Rebounderz Trampoline Park is located right here in Edison. Our birthday parties are a hit with kids and adults alike. With our safe trampolines, the exciting JumpXtreme Tower, and thrilling Ninja Warrior course, we’re sure we have the activity that will take your kid’s birthday party up another level. We hope to see you here soon! #### Fun Birthday Party Theme Ideas We only get maybe 18 birthdays per little one! Then, they aren't little any more. As parents, it's up to us to make them count! Nobody knows our little kiddos better than us, so it's important to choose a birthday theme that will have them squealing with laughter, and also make for some good pictures. Here at Rebounderz, we've pretty much got the fun covered with our trampoline parks and other kid-friendly activities. All that's left for your Grand Rapids kid's birthday party is an awesome theme to remember! Here, we would like to go over some popular kid's birthday party themes to choose from. Pokemon While you may be tired, nay -- exhausted, nay -- pulling out your hair trying to get your kiddo to put down the phone, it is technically THEIR day. Luckily, you can kill two birds with one stone: get them off their mobile device and give them all the Pokemon their little hearts could desire. There is all kinds of Pokemon memorabilia for you to decorate and entertain your kids with, and of course there are plenty of DIY options as well. Star Wars If you took your little ones to see Star Wars: Rogue One, chances are the excitement is still running high (we know it is for us!). Why not use it to make the best birthday bash for the little one that you can? This isn't just a theme for the boys either, because as we now know thanks to Episode VII, the force is stronger in girls anyways! Disney We would be remiss if we didn't mention Disney as an option for the girls. It's really a theme that you cannot go wrong with. Unless, that is, you pick the wrong Disney princess... If you've forgotten your kids' favorite, just google the lyrics of that annoying song that always pops in your head. There's all kinds of party memorabilia for whichever princess your little princess prefers. Cowboys Okay, we had to get away (sort of) from pop culture for at least one party theme, so we thought we'd go back to a classic. Your little boy or girl will have a rootin' tootin', high falootin', pellet shootin' blast with a cowboy/cowgirl themed birthday party! It's an easy theme to prepare for, too, as you can pretty much get by with some cowboy hats, fake pistols, and a stick horse or two. Book Party Maybe your kid is a little more cultured than the average rough ridin' cowboy. If they prefer a good book, a book party may be right up their alley. Whether they're old school and into something like Box Car Children, die hard Harry Potter fans, or more in the Doctor Seuss age group, book parties are a great way for them to have fun with their favorite characters and cement one of the better life habits.   Have these themes given you some birthday party ideas? If so, book a kids party here in Grand Rapids, MI at Rebounderz. We've got everything they need for a fun and safe day that will be sure to make many happy memories. Give us a call for more info. #### Fun Facts About American Ninja Warrior   You’ve probably seen the commercials featuring incredible athletes doing incredible feats on an incredible obstacle course. American Ninja Warrior has captured the hearts of the country by showing what humans can accomplish with training and persistence. Where did this show come from? How do competitors get on the show? Who has the biggest advantage on the course? We’re going to take a look at some fun info all about American Ninja Warrior. If you want to see how you would fare on Mount Midoriyama, come to Rebounderz here in Sunrise and test your skills on our Ninja Warrior course! -No Casting Call When it comes to most competition shows on TV, there are massive casting calls held to find new competitors. Because of the nature of American Ninja Warrior, it would be unfeasible to test everyone’s physical prowess and choose who will be on the show. Instead, Ninja Warrior hopefuls send in audition tapes that show what they’re capable of and what their story is. From there, producers select around 100 people to run the course in each city they are visiting. If your audition tape doesn’t get picked, you can test your luck with the walk-on line. The walk-on line has been compared to waiting for a Black Friday sale, with many people camping out in line for over a week in some cases. People even bring tents! Sadly, only about 20 to 30 people from the walk-on line get a chance to run the course. It all comes down to how much time is left for filming and how far other competitors advance through the course. Would you be willing to camp out for a chance to compete? -Ninja Warrior Origins You might be able to guess that American Ninja Warrior has a connection to Japan. It is based on a Japanese competition show, called Sasuke, which aired in the United States for many years on the now-defunct channel, G4, under the name Ninja Warrior. While American Ninja Warrior is an hour-long program that airs weekly, Sasuke has turned into a massive event. Twice a year, a three-hour-long TV special is aired showing the competition. Cameras keep rolling as the sun sets and the weather changes, which can add even more challenge to the course to compete with. Since the show started in 1997, only four competitors have achieved total victory in Sasuke, one of whom has beaten the course twice! Of the hundreds upon hundreds of people who have attempted to summit Mount Midoriyama, 35 have reached the final stage, and five have gotten there more than once. -Imposing Course Many competitors of American Ninja Warrior are taken aback by how large the course is in person. When the camera focuses on portions of the course, it makes it seem much more manageable on TV. Most competitors practice on obstacles very similar to the ones found on the show, but when it’s all in front of them — with lights in their eyes and a cheering crowd watching on — it gets intimidating! -Keeping the Course Fresh Quite a few of the obstacles that make up the course come directly from Sasuke, while others were created specifically for American Ninja Warrior. Obstacles are designed, built, and tested with athletes to hone in on how difficult it is. Sometimes, a small change is made, like moving a rope either closer or farther, and it totally changes how the course feels. Making these updates from season to season makes the course feel fresh and surprises competitors with obstacles they haven’t had a chance to train for. That’s where you see some really incredible talent come to the surface, as a competitor will have to think on the fly and use all of their experience to conquer it. -Surprising Body Types Have an Edge When many people think of who would be the best American Ninja Warrior, their imagination will conjure up images of a super-strong, muscle-bound guy. Over the show’s run, the most successful competitors have actually been on the smaller size, setting it apart from most American sports. The most important thing that leads to success is a good ratio of strength to weight. If you’re carrying less weight, you’re putting less strain on your muscles when you’re forced to hold yourself up for long periods of time. The strength comes in handy with the ability to move your body weight with little struggle. You can see this on display with American Ninja Warrior All-Stars’ Kacy Catanzaro (the first woman to compete on the American show) and stuntwoman extraordinaire, Jessie Graff. Their small frames combined with incredible strength have served them well and resulted in some truly incredible acrobatic feats. -Video Submissions Keep Coming In When American Ninja Warrior first began, it received around 1,000 audition tapes from aspiring competitors. In more recent years, producers have been bombarded with over 50,000 videos. It’s pretty clear that the show has captured a lot of people’s imagination and inspired them to test their ninja skills over the past eight years. Do you think you have what it takes to conquer Mount Midoriyama? Come to Rebounderz here in Sunrise and test your might on our Ninja Warrior course. Whether you’re seriously training or just want to prove that one obstacle isn’t as hard as it looks on TV, we’re the best place to try it out. If you work hard enough, who knows, you might join the rare ranks of the few to achieve total victory. #### Fun Facts About Children’s Bones Halloween invites skeletons to decorate lawns. These creepy Halloween decorations are fun to position and create displays with, but can also be used to teach children about the human body. Many adults don’t think twice about teaching children about the body by using adult skeletons, but did you know that children’s bones are very different? Join us in this skeleton-inspired post featuring some fun facts about children’s bones. Children have more bones than adults. At birth, babies have nearly 300 bones! While this may not seem super impressive, the human adult only have 206 bones. That means in the span of 20 years — when bones reach maturity — that we lose nearly 80 bones! How does this happen? Well, when we are born, our bodies are prepared for growth and development. Many bones that have yet to grow to full capacity have not yet fused. By the time we learn to walk, the count has reduced to about 270 bones, and we don’t develop kneecaps until around age three. Bones need a variety of things to develop correctly. Bones need so many things to develop correctly. Calcium is a critical nutrient that contributes to the healthy growth of bones. Additionally, bones need exercise to help repair and grow. Bones house bone marrow which is responsible for red blood cell production. It also helps produce bone marrow, which is important to supporting the body’s immune system. Children’s bones are flexible. To allow children’s bodies to grow and absorb the burden of trips and falls that are a normal part of childhood, the body’s bones are quite spongy and flexible for the first few years. For this reason, greenstick fractures — those that break one side of the bone and only bend the other half — are common. The most common bone break in children involves the clavicle because the long bones of the child’s body are softer than adults’ bones. Bones come in all shapes and sizes. The amazing thing about the human skeleton is that there are little rules when it comes to shape and size. The smallest bone in the body is the stapes in the ear. The largest bone is the femur, or the long bone of the thigh. The hyoid bone is a horseshoe bone underneath the tongue in the jaw and is the only bone that is not attached to other bones. Trampoline jumping helps support bones. Trampolines, and other low-impact exercise, helps to develop and support bones. When you engage in impact sports and exercise, it helps stimulate bone strengthening and marrow development. So, low impact sports such as trampoline bouncing and swimming can actually help ward off bone disorders, including cancers, and breaks. At Rebounderz indoor trampoline park of Sacramento, we understand the impact that trampoline parks can have on the support and development of a child’s bones and skeletal system. Bone health can have a significant impact on the overall development of children. We can help! Bring your children to Rebounderz of Sacramento for a great bone-healthy workout, and stay for the fun! #### Fun Game Ideas For Kids Here at Rebounderz, we know all about the importance of fun and games for a child's growing mind. Our Lansdale trampoline park offers all kinds of fun activities and attractions for your kids to enjoy. However, you can't go out to Rebounderz EVERY night. That does not mean you can't enjoy a fun night in with the kids anyways! If you are looking for fun activities to enjoy with your little ones, here is a list of games that you can all enjoy! I Spy A classic favorite for car trips, I Spy is a great game for focusing attention and learning to enjoy what's around you all in one! While it probably won't hold older kids' attention for long, it is great for younger kids. You start by saying "I spy something...", and then pick a descriptor for the thing you're describing. Everyone then tries to guess what that is. So "I spy something with wings" could be a bird flying overhead, or a buffalo wing restaurant sign. Keep the Balloon Up This game only requires a balloon and a high tolerance for rambunctious kids. How it works is simple; hit the balloon up in the air, and keep it up. No grabbing or holding the balloon, just volleyball like hits. You can even do a variation of the game where the last person to hit a balloon is out if it hits the ground. You will be surprised by how much fun and energy your kids will burn through playing this simple game. Simon Says Another classic, Simon says can provide fun for hours with a group of kids fun and goofy enough. How it works is simple. One person gets to be Simon. That person then then orders people to do tasks by saying "Simon says...".  So if Simon says touch your nose, everyone else has to touch their nose. Anybody that performs the wrong command or doesn't do the command in time is out. Simon continues to issue commands until there is only one person left, and that person gets to be Simon next round. Scavenger Hunt Be a part of the movement to resurrect this long lost activity. This game can be as big or as small as you want it, spanning a room, your property, or even the entire neighborhood. If you're doing it in your house, muster up a list of items lying around and put them in a pile. Make a list of all the items for each kid playing, and then hide the items throughout the house. Then, it is time to start the hunt! The first kid, or team, to find all of the items on the list wins! Hide and Seek This game needs no explanation, it is played all over the world! But that doesn't mean it is a great way to spend a night of fun. There are all kinds of variations you can add, too, like nighttime hide and seek in the dark! Duck, Duck, Goose You may have been introduced to this game in grade school. Everyone sits around in a circle while one person goes around tapping each person's head saying "Duck, Duck, Duck..." If that person taps your head and says "Goose!", you have to get up, chase them around the circle, and catch them before they sit down in the spot you were in. If they make it to your spot, you are now the goose, and go around tapping everyone's head saying "Duck, Duck, Duck..." until you pick the next Goose. Animal Charades A fun twist on charades for kids, animal charades will have everybody laughing in no time. To play, print off pictures of different animals and fold them up in a bucket. Have everyone playing grab a piece of paper with an animal on it. From there, it is just like charades as each kid tries to act out their animal without making a sound. Once their animal is figured out, switch to the next person in line. Musical Chairs This is a fun game for groups over four. All you need is some sweet jams and one less chair than you have people. In it, chairs are lined up back to back so there are two rows placed right next to each other. Then, everyone stands around the chairs until the music starts. When it does, everyone starts walking in a circle around the chairs. When the music stops, everybody scrambles to find a chair to sit in. The odd man out? They are out of the game until next round! Then you take away a chair and repeat the process until only the winner is left. Telephone Want to teach your kids that you should never trust what you hear while also having a night of fun? Telephone is the perfect game for that, and it is easy to play! Just line everybody up, think of a fun sentence, and whisper it to the first person in line. That person will then whisper what they heard to the next person in line, and that person to the next until it has gone all the way to the end of the line. You'll be amazed at what the message turns into! Try for yourself! Two Truths and a Lie This game is often used to help people to each other, but is also a great way to get to know people better, and have fun doing it! It works like this; everybody participating writes down two true things and one false thing about themselves. Every person takes turns reading out their three entries, while the rest of the group guesses as to which entry is false and which are true. You may just learn something new about your peers as you play with them!   Hopefully these games prove fun on those nights in with family and friends. And when you want to go out? We'll be right here with our Lansdale trampoline park, full of attractions that your kids will love. We host kids birthday parties as well, and are always having fun events. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about our hours, location, or attractions.   #### Fun Games For Kids, Part 1 Kids require a lot of fun and play, not just because they are kids and should enjoy themselves, but also because it is necessary to grow up into a healthy, functioning adult. Obviously, the best place to burn out all that excess energy, and have a phenomenal time doing it, is at our Grand Rapids trampoline park. But we understand you can't bring them out here EVERY day, they need games that they can play around the house and neighborhood. To help find some fun activities, here are some great games for kids. I Spy I Spy is a road trip classic, and may just keep those kids from making a ruckus in the back seat. It is simple to play. One person starts by saying "I spy something..." and then name a descriptor. They may say "I spy something red" if they see a red bird house, for instance. Everyone else in the game then has to guess what it is that person "spies". The great thing about this game is that it never technically ends, so it's a great way to kill time on road trips (and keep the family from infighting!). Simon Says Another kids' classic, Simon Says is a great way to have fun around the house. It only requires a small group, with one person starting as "Simon". In this game, Simon makes demands that everyone else must follow by stating "Simon says...". Everyone in must instantly follow Simon's command or they are out. To make things harder, Simon will start to yell out commands faster and faster. The last person left at the end of the game gets to be Simon next round. Scavenger Hunt Scavenger hunts can be anything from a fun game played around the house, to a whole neighborhood extravaganza! When playing in the house, just grab a bunch of random household items, make lists of them, and hide them throughout the house. Give your kids and their friends the list, and let the hunt begin! For a neighborhood game, have each neighbor take a certain item, and give each kid (or team) a list of different items. Each team of kids will then go from house to house, asking for items on their list. The first team to gather everything on their list wins. Hide and Seek No repertoire of games is complete without hide and seek. It is exceedingly simple, but endless fun to play! It can be played with just two people, or ten! You just pick one seeker, they count for a set amount of time while everyone hides, then the fun begins!   Hopefully these games provide a good time next time you and the kiddos have some time to kill. If you are looking to plan a trip out somewhere fun, come by our Grand Rapids trampoline park. We host kids' birthday parties and all kinds of other fun events. Feel free to give us a call for more information about our location, events, and attractions.   #### Fun Games for Kids, Part 2 Fun and games are an important part of growing up for children. That is why we offer the perfect place to let them burn out all that excess energy at our Grand Rapids trampoline park. We have a ninja warrior course, host kids' birthday parties, and much more! But you can't bring the kiddos out for a trampoline extravaganza every night! You need other fun games to fill your time. If you are running out of ideas, here is part 2 of our Fun Games for Kids series. Duck, Duck, Goose Parents likely have lots of good memories playing this game (and maybe a sprained ankle or two!). It is simple to play, and only requires a group of at least six or seven people. In it, everyone sits in a circle except for one person. That person goes around the circle tapping everyone's head saying "Duck....Duck....". When that person taps someone and says "Goose!", the person tapped jumps up and chases them around the circle. If the tapper makes it back to their position before getting tagged, the person tapped is the new goose, and goes around tapping heads saying "Duck...duck...". Animal Charades We've all played charades before, and this is the animal filled kid friendly version. In it, a bunch of animals are written down on pieces of paper and thrown into a hat. Everybody participating grabs an animal from the hat. When it is that person's turn, they must silently act out the animal in front of everyone else, while their audience guesses which animal it is. This can be just a fun game, or you can set a time limit and keep score. Musical Chairs This classic isn't as popular as it used to be, but there is still plenty of fun to be had! Musical chairs only requires a small group, some chairs, and a music player. Chairs are lined up back to back so that the number of chairs equals one less than the number of people playing. The game starts when the music starts, and everyone starts walking in a circle around the chairs. When the music stops, everyone scrambles to sit down in a chair. The odd man out is out of the game. Before the next round, remove one of the chairs. The game ends when there is only one person left! Two Truths and a Lie This is a fun friendship building game, although you may want some supervision for the younger kids. It's often used for introductions in class settings. In it, everyone writes down two truths and a lie on paper. The group goes around to each person, who reads all three things, and must figure out which of them is the lie.   Hopefully some of these games will prove fun on those nights in. When you want to go out for some fun, though, try our Grand Rapids trampoline park. We have a ninja warrior course and plenty of other fun attractions, and also host kids' birthday parties. Give us a call if you have any questions about our location, attractions, or events. #### Fun Kids Birthday Party Games Birthday parties are supposed to be fun. But think about it; as a kid, what could be the most dreaded part about having all of your friends over for your birthday party? Even with all of the cake, all of the presents, and all of the friends and family, there is still that one lingering fear in the air: that nobody is having fun. That can be devastating for a kid’s self-confidence and enthusiasm for their own birthday. As parents, it’s important that we take every step possible to ensure our kid’s birthday parties go off without a hitch, and ultimately become the talk of the town. We want our kids to be loved and revered as the best birthday party-throwers around, don’t we? That’s a given, but most of all we want to make sure they are happy first and foremost. So, with that being said, what are some ways in which you can make sure your kid’s birthday party is a smash-hit? Having a few games at the ready for the guests and birthday honoree to participate in will be a great start. At Rebounderz in Sterling, we are happy to work with you and help you set up the best kid’s birthday party in the area. Our state-of-the-art indoor trampoline park is the perfect birthday party venue for kids young and old, and even for adults. With wall-to-wall trampoline arenas, a Ninja Warrior Course with challenging and fun obstacles, high-soaring basketball slam courts, and air dodgeball arenas, Rebounderz has quickly become a utopia for kids’ birthday parties and celebrations. Contact our Sterling trampoline park today to learn more about the various packages we offer. With that being said, you’re probably ready for some game suggestions. Well then let’s get to jumping with some ideas, shall we? Air Dodgeball What better way to create lasting memories and bond as friends than by pegging each other with balls on the trampoline? Dodgeball, one of everyone’s favorite games from middle school, combined with our trampoline jumpers makes for a fun twist with the added bonus of safety thanks to the state-of-the-art soft padding surrounding the arena. Let your birthday boy or girl be the captain of their team and let the games begin. Slam Basketball Looking for a different kind of sports-related team building activity? Well, at Rebounderz in Sterling, you can also set up a game or mini-tournament using our face-to-face slam basketball courts. Another classic game with a twist, your kids will love soaring through the air with our soft, easy-grip basketballs and experiencing the thrill of a slam dunk for the first time. Once again, your kid can be the star of the show by being a team captain leading his or her squad to basketball glory. Ninja Warrior Speed Tests Of course, one of our signature features at the Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks is the Ninja Warrior Arena. Designed with several fun, challenging, and kid-friendly obstacles, our Ninja Warrior courses feature different skill levels for people of all ages to challenge themselves and pass the gauntlet. Have the birthday guests test their mettle and strive to become Ninja Warrior heroes through timed trials, one-on-one races, or a free-for all scramble through the course. With the help of a Ninja Warrior course, your kid’s birthday party will be sure to become legendary. Simon Says Remember this all-time classic? Set your kid’s birthday party up for success by bringing it back, once again with an added high-hopping twist. In this version of the game, one of the youngsters (start with the birthday honoree) acts as Simon. That designee will then perform classic “Simon Says” commands for the rest of the group to follow, only they will be doing whatever trick Simon says to do. If you perform a trick that isn’t prefaced by “Simon Says,” you’re out. Last one standing is the champion! Host Your Party At Rebounderz There is no shortage of fun game possibilities at an indoor trampoline park. Here in Sterling, Rebounderz is the premier kids’ birthday party destination, with fun activities readily available for kids of all ages. We offer private party rooms, designated event coordinators, and a whole lot more in order to help make your child’s special day one to remember. Contact us today to learn more about our kids’ birthday party packages and book your spot. #### Fun Kids' Movies for Movie Night Here at Rebounderz, we know just how important family time is. We love hosting families for fun, games, and kids birthday parties at our Lansdale trampoline park. But you can't have trampoline adventures every night, that would be too much fun. Many nights it is much better to just curl up on the couch for movie night. If you are looking for new movies to choose from, we have listed some of our favorite fun kids' movies here. Dumbo For ages four and up, Dumbo is a beautifully animated tale of a unique elephant who doesn't fit in because of his giant, unwieldy ears. It is a great movie for teaching children that it is their differences that make them special. The movie was made in 1941, so it is a little older than most animated features that kids are used to. However, the animation of the time does have a colorful charm all of its own. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial For ages 5 and up, this Steven Spielberg classic is sure to capture the imagination of your children. Follow the homesick Alien E.T. as his newfound friends attempt to help him get back to where he belongs. This award winning movie is a must see for every family. Harry Potter If your child hasn't been exposed to the Harry Potter series, now is as good a time as any. Although, you may want to use the movies as motivation to read the books first, as they are a great doorway into reading for children. Follow young Harry as he makes his magical debut in the wizarding world. But he's already got a big reputation, the question is "can he live up to it?". These movies are appropriate for ages seven and up. Brave Made for ages eight and up, Brave was made more recently than previous entries on this list. It's a wonderful tale with a heroine protagonist, skilled archer Merida. She is the daughter to the king, and must face the conflict between her responsibilities to her family and her own sense of purpose. Throw in an unpredictable magical spell, a grizzly legend, and some goofy neighbors and you've got a recipe for a huge adventure! The Incredibles Appropriate for ages seven and up, this movie is a fun packed animation super power extravaganza! Follow a gifted super family immediately following the outlawing of all super hero activities. What is a hero to do when a threat faces the world? Will this super family be able to save the day without tearing each other apart in frustration first? Watch and find out for yourself! 101 Dalmations Another old timey animated classic, this movie was made in 1961. It is made for ages six and up. For the dog loving kiddos out there, follow this plethora of pups as they try to thwart the evil schemes of Cruella De Vil. There's plenty of action and funny antics in this flick! Make sure you don't miss this Disney classic! Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Made in 1971, this movie adaptation is based on a novel by Roald Dahl. You'll get to experience an amazing chocolate factory filled with magical candy themed wonders! There is also a 2005 version of the movie with Johnny Depth as the eponymous Willy Wonka. Add this to your movie list, but make sure to have some delicious snacks handy! The Lion King No list of kids movies would be complete without including The Lion King. It's the perfect choice for budding animal lovers everywhere. Follow Simba on his African adventure. After tragedy strikes, Simba must flee his kingdom and enter a totally new way of life. But the past doesn't stay buried forever, and eventually he must return. Based on Shakespeare's Hamlet, this is a great movie filled with wacky antics and moral lessons alike. The Little Mermaid We have to include a classic princess movie on the list! This movie is based on a fairy tale written by a Danish author named Hans Christian Anderson, although this adaptation is much more kid friendly than the original. Princess Ariel is fascinated by everything that has to do with the world beyond the sea. When she gets the chance to see it for herself, will it live up to her expectations? Or is it not all it was cracked up to be? Mary Poppins Are you or your kids a fan of musicals? You will be after watching this little number! This movie has been inspiring new generations for decades. Follow the whimsical magic of Julie Andrews as the flying nanny Mary Poppins. A beautiful mix of live action and animation, this movie is extra pleasing to the eye! You'll be humming songs like "Spoonful of Sugar" until you're sick to death of them! And then you will hum them some more! The Wizard of Oz A children's classic, this movie is the quintessential movie that defines childhood wonder with its dramatic shift from black and white filming to vibrant and splashy technicolor. Follow Dorothy on her journey through Oz, to find the magical wizard of Oz, so that she can get back home to Kansas. She'll meet some interesting and wacky characters along the way, like the cowardly lion and the scarecrow without a brain. Will she be able to make it home? Or will she fall prey to the evil machinations of the Wicked Witch of the West? Babe Ever since Homeward Bound, live action movies with talking animals have been seen as pretty cliche. However, Babe is one obvious, notable exception. What is an orphaned piglet to do in the world all by himself? Learn to herd sheep, of course! Follow this little oinker on his journey to master his new profession, and hopefully find his place in the world along the way. It is a great addition to any children's' movie list. The Princess Bride This 1987 classic will have your kids laughing at its catchphrases for years. ("I am Inigo Montoya..!") It's a story of enchantment and wonder, with all of the fairy tale themes that we have grown to love. A crazy and eccentric cast of characters will delight you the whole movie through. There's a reason a whole generation from the 80s can quote you this movie, it's because it's just that good!   Hopefully there is at least one movie on this list that you haven't seen for you to enjoy. Movie night is a great way to spend time with the family, but for a night out try our Lansdale trampoline park. We host kids birthday parties and other fun events regularly. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about our hours, location, or attractions. One of our friendly representatives will be happy to speak with you. #### Fun Trampoline Games For All Ages! Here at Rebounderz in Sunrise, we love games. Playing games on trampolines? Well, that’s even better. But what are some games everyone in the family can play together? If you’re looking for some fun ideas, look no further than right here. Then, when you’re ready to schedule a time for your family to bounce around, call us! -Ring Around the Rosy The classic playground favorite with a twist. The familiar sing-songy chant sticks around, but instead of saying ‘we all fall down,’ each person on the trampoline will take a turn giving out a movement that everyone else will join in on. For instance, ‘we all … do a spin!’ Then, everyone will do a quick little spin. You can add an extra tweak by eliminating anyone that doesn’t do the command from the game. This can throw in some exciting strategy of trying to trick the others. It’s a highly customizable game that anyone can join in on. -Hot Potato A fast-paced game that kids love and gets everyone engaged. Playing with at least three people is recommended, but the more the merrier. The game begins with everyone standing in a circle, with one person holding a ball. Everyone will then start jumping around to start the game. The person holding the ball will shout ‘HOT POTATO’ and throw the ball at someone else. A person is eliminated from the game if they either drop the ball, don’t catch the ball when it’s thrown to them, or stop jumping at any point. This continues until only one player is left jumping. -Mimic Also known as Follow the Leader, this is a fantastic game with almost endless possibilities. Essentially, the game starts with one person as the leader and that role is passed along after each turn. The leader will do something that the rest of the players will then need to mimic. Since there aren’t rules* for what the leader can do, it can range from singing to dancing, even doing a crazy trick! The only rule, much like Hot Potato, is that everyone has to keep jumping. If a participant either stops jumping or is unable to mimic what the leader has done, they are out and will have to sit down until the round is over. There are so many different games that can be played on a trampoline, all you have to do is try. And if you’re looking for the best and safest trampoline park here in Sunrise, come to Rebounderz! We want to put a spring in your step. *Despite Mimic not having specific rules for conduct, remember, all games played at a Rebounderz trampoline park must adhere to Rebounderz safety rules regulations #### Fun Trampoline Games to Play at Your Kid’s Birthday Party Well done, you’ve perfectly executed hosting your kid’s birthday party at an indoor trampoline park. The facility has provided a host and you’ve been enjoying your time attempting to socialize with the other parents. The cake has already been devoured and the presents violently unwrapped in excitement, and no one has vomited. You’re about to give yourself the well-deserved pat on the back and put this year’s birthday party behind you. And then it happens, your worst nightmare has come true; the kids have run out of games to play and run to you, the trusted idea giver. What do you know about games to play on a trampoline, but like every other day in parenting, you bluff, put on your ecstatic poker face and herd the pack of children back to the jump arena. Not one of these kids can return home with an ounce of energy (this was your pledge to your guest’s parents) and they’ve got another hour of jump time remaining. Stalling, you bounce with the children as you yell at yourself internally, THINK! Don’t worry, we’ve been there. That’s why we want to offer you the rules of the best games to play with children on a trampoline. Crack the Egg Crack the Egg, also known as Pop the Popcorn, is an exciting game for little ones to play. Pick one kid to start (perhaps the birthday boy or girl) as the egg. Have them sit in the middle of the trampoline with their legs tucked into their chest and their arms wrapped tightly around them. All the other children should stand in a circle around them, giggling and bouncing. When you shout “Crack the Egg!” all the children should begin jumping to make the egg bounce. The egg will pop around the trampoline trying to hold tight and eventually lose their balance and break the hold on their tucked in limbs and begin flailing about, laughing. Be sure to tell the children to be careful when they bounce around the egg, not to get too close, we wouldn’t want to break the egg, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men won’t be able to put them back together again. When the egg cracks, have them hop up and tag someone to be the egg next. This game will keep the children entertained as long as it takes each kid to attempt being the egg twice. I highly recommend bouncing next to the children to make sure they follow the rules and play safely. If the kids have exhausted the fun offered by cracking the eggs and they still have reserve energy in their tanks, next you can try poison ball. Poison Ball You can’t possibly pretend that the trampoline surface is hot lava because the kids have to touch the jumping service to effectively jump. Instead, it is fun to pretend something else is poison. A great idea is to use medium-sized squishy balls you might use to play dodgeball, stuffed animals, or wadded up wrapping paper. Place four to five poison balls in the middle of the trampoline and have all the kids make a still circle around them. On your command, “Poison!” the children should begin jumping around, trying not to get hit by a poison ball. If they do, they are out! How you handle being out is up to you. Traditionally, the game is played that any child who is out should leave the jumping surface until the last kid bouncing is declared the victor. However, with a large group of children, it could make the children who are out, lose interest quickly. Another alternative is to make the children who got hit with the poison balls to plop down and sit where they are, creating obstacles for the remaining jumpers. Make sure this is always supervised to reduce the potential for injury. I hope that these suggestions help to reduce the fear and anxiety that may be caused by being put on the spot with a dozen anticipating children staring at you, waiting for a fun idea. Check out our sister arena's article for some more fun game rules so that you can win the party! #### Fun Workouts for Kids and Adults Staying active is one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle, and that’s especially true for kids. With many children settling into a sedentary life, obesity has been on the rise for many years. With that in mind, we’ve compiled some great exercises you can do with your kids to get them active and teach them healthy habits that can last long into adulthood. One of the best exercises out there is jumping on a trampoline, so why not bring your little ones into Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Rohnert Park to show them how fun fitness can be? -Obstacle Courses One of the most exciting ways you can get a kid active is an obstacle course. Kids love climbing, jumping, and running around, and an obstacle course gives them the opportunity to do all of that and more. You can set up your own at home, at the park, or in the playground. Take this opportunity to get really creative with the obstacles, but keep in mind that there needs to be a balance of fun and challenge when setting everything up. If it’s too hard to complete, they won’t have fun, but if it’s too easy, they won’t feel like they really accomplished anything. At Rebounderz, we have a super fun obstacle course based on the TV show American Ninja Warrior that kids and adults both love. -Push-Ups The longtime favorite of drill sergeants and gym teachers alike, push-ups are an exercise that anyone can do, regardless of age or skill. Thanks to kids having less body weight to move, they can often do many more push-ups than an adult, so you might be shocked at your child’s strength! Depending on their age and ability, they can do them from their feet or knees. As they get better and more confident, you can introduce variations, like elevated push-ups (with their feet on a chair or box) and diamond push-ups (where the object is to put your nose in-between a diamond formed out of their hands put together). -Squats When a kid is sitting in a classroom or watching TV, their lower body is getting weaker, which can cause problems later in life with bad posture and back pain. Squats are a lower body workout that exercises quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, while also strengthening the lower back. Start them off with free squats, then they can graduate to holding small dumbells, cans, or bags of rice to add to the workout. -Planks Working out your core is incredibly important, and there might not be a better workout for it than planks. You can make this into a fun little competition, challenging your kids to see who can hold the plank the longest. -Crunches Another straightforward but nonetheless important exercise, crunches can be adjusted to meet anyone’s ability level. However, it’s imperative that you teach your children the proper form and advise against doing sit-ups, as they can be very hard on your back. -Lunges Here’s another fantastic way to exercise the lower body. Try doing lunges in your backyard so you have plenty of space to move around in. We’re sure this one will cause some giggles, so have fun with it! Depending on your little ones, you may have to help them keep their balance until they get good at it. -Burpees Look, there’s no way around it. Your kids are going to laugh at the name. You might be laughing at it right now. The truth of the matter is, silly name aside, burpees are an incredibly effective exercise that works out muscles all over the body. A burpee is a series of other, smaller movements, all mashed together for one complete package. Start them off with a basic burpee, forgoing the push-up that some people add in to give it a bit of extra oomph. In order to do a burpee, you will: squat, kick your feet back, pull your feet forward, stand back up, and then jump in the air like a jumping jack. Repeat that a dozen or two times, and they’ll be ready for a snack and a nap. -Mountain Climbers Here’s another super effective core workout that everyone can do. Mountain climbers are very fun, and you can add an extra element of excitement by pretending to commentate your ascent up a mountain. Use this to keep them motivated and working hard. -Gorilla Walk You might notice a big emphasis on core workouts, and that’s no mistake. They’re that important. This one is sure to leave everyone laughing though. Have your kids do their best Donkey Kong impression as they place their fists and feet flat on the ground, then move each leg and arm forward at the same time (i.e. left arm and leg move together, right arm and leg move together). Getting active and instilling good fitness habits early on has positive effects that can be seen long into adulthood. Start your kids off easy and early and make sure they understand how important this is for their future health and happiness. Making exercise fun, not something to be dreaded, may seem difficult, but with a little creativity and ingenuity, we’re sure you’ll find a fitness regimen that works for both your kids and yourself. When you want to show off just how fun exercise can be, bring your little ones into Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Rohnert Park. We have the safest trampolines and most fun activities that the whole family will enjoy. We hope to see you soon! #### Games for a Trampoline Though you may think Trampolines are just used for generic bouncing, you are sorely mistaken. There are so many different games available to play on a trampoline. The following is a list of trampoline games that you can play at your local Newport Rebounderz.   Dodgeball This beloved sport has been around for almost two hundred years and originated among the tribes of Africa. The origins of this game actually has a bloody past, as dodgeball used to be a game to the death. Opposite teams would throw large rocks, instead of rubber balls. Once a player was wounded, the opposing team would then gang up on the wounded, throwing more rocks to finish off the player. The game used to be considered a test of strength and a method to prove who was the strongest in the tribe. A missionary by the name of Dr. James H. Carlisle, saw the game and was intrigued by its brutal nature. He saw that there was potential for the bloody ceremony to become a game. When Carlisle went back to England he tried to spread the rules of the game as much as possible. He substituted the boulders for rubber balls and attempted to have European society embrace the game. Unfortunately, the older, less agile population of Europe did not understand, nor could they keep up with the aggression of the game. It was not until Carlisle brought the game to his work at St. Mary’s College in Norfolk that the game officially took off. It was evident that the youth of England gravitated towards the game, as they were stronger, faster, and more inclined to play games.   H-O-R-S-E The origin of this game is unknown, but its influence is known around the world. Within the game players square off and perform tricks. If one player cannot complete the trick, they get one letter that eventually spells the word, ‘horse’. Once you have collected all the letters of the word, you are officially out. The object of the game is to outperform your rival player until they are out. This game can take a long time, so keep that in mind if you are prone to getting tired. The good news is, H-O-R-S-E can be cut down to the shortened version, P-I-G. In this game, the same rules apply, the word to spell out is just shorter! When H-O-R-S-E is played on a trampoline, rules are applied very loosely. Any player can perform and trick, this includes: jumping, running, flipping, and spinning. The best thing about this game is anyone can play and there is no official limit to the amount of players. It truly is a game for all!   Slamball or Dunkball Slamball or Dunkball, or whatever you call it, is a really fun game! The object of the game is very similar to that of American Basketball. Two team play against each other and try to get a ball through the opposite team’s hoop. However, if you are a mad basketballer on the streets, you might find this style of basketball a little challenging—the entire game is played on a trampoline! That means, no quick cuts and no cross overs! Your ability to jump fast and far are the only skills needed to compete in this game. This game actually reached such wide-ranging popularity that between the years 2002-2003 an official league of Slamball was televised on TNN, now known as SpikeTV. At Rebounderz, our rules differ from that of TNN’s adult league. In the televised league, violence is encouraged and players can inflict physical harm on another player. We at Rebounderz, do not condone this violence and have guarded rules about fowls and physical harm.   Crack the Egg This game is both fun and most times very fast. The object of this game is to hug your knees to your chest. Meanwhile, another player jumps on the trampoline next to you. As a player jumps next to you, the “egg” is launched into the air. When the egg “cracks” or releases their knees, the game is over. This game is very fun and is completed very fast, even the strongest person cannot help to release their knees when they are being launched several feet in the air! This game should be played only with two or three players. When the amount of players increases, the likelihood of being trampled becomes more likely. Ladies, if you are going to play this game, make sure you have your hair pulled up and all jewelry is taken off. This game can cause some injury if you are not careful.   Bounce Battle Bounce Battle might sound a little intimidating, but it truly is a battle. The object of the game is to out bounce your rival player. This game is truly a test of your endurance and stamina. Players bounce from a sitting to a standing position until they no longer have the breath to continue on. If you want to tire yourself, or prove who is the most fit, this game is perfect!   Launch This game is a very simple, but can be extremely fun if played right. Typically this is played when there is a lot of space available, like in an indoor trampoline park. The object of the game is to gain air with every bounce and then jump right next to an unsuspecting victim. The force of your bounce next to someone will result in them being catapulted in the air. This can be a very fun experience and often leads to the victim falling over.    Dance Party Dance Party could be considered a game if done in a competition. In this game players compete for the best dance moves while jumping. Dance Party is fun because there are no rules and the interpretation of the game can be dispersed throughout genres of music and dance. Hot Potato/Volleyball Hybrid This game can be a mashup of both the sport of Volleyball and the game ‘hot potato’, The object of the game is to bounce on opposite sides of a large trampoline, while keeping a volleyball or beach ball from hitting the trampoline. This game, though sounding simple, is harder than you would think. In order to compete in this game each team has to sync up their jumping in order to keep the ball from dropping. This game is played more successfully when there are a lot of players, sometimes up to 14!   Around the World Around the World is when players bounce around in circles until they are too dizzy to go on. Though a very simple concept, this game is energy consuming!   Tag Probably the greatest game ever invented because the rules are simple, it is never ending, and extremely fun! This game can be played anywhere, including your local Rebounderz. There is no limit to the number of players to this game and can be played until all the players are too tired. Plus, with the introduction of trampolines, this classic game becomes a little bit more challenging.   There are so many games to play on a trampoline. This list only touches the surface of the potential of trampolines. If these descriptions sound like a fun time, come visit your local Newport, Virginia, Rebounderz. Fun and games are here waiting for you at our local  indoor trampoline park! #### Games You Can Play On The Trampoline Kid’s birthday parties are all the rage. For the parents, it’s their time to showcase their love and admiration for the youngsters by throwing them a party that they’ll remember for a lifetime. For the kids, it’s an opportunity to play, eat cake, and best of all open up some brand new presents that your friends will all want to play with. However, the traditional kid’s party is all the same. Maybe you go to the bowling alley, have a soda, bowl a game, get bored, and go home. Or maybe it’s just at someone’s house, and the kids run around in the backyard for a couple of hours while the parents are forced to make small-talk. What if there was a better way to have a kid’s party with something fun for kids and adults alike? Well, there is! Trampoline parks are among the fastest-growing family fun centers in the world, and with great reason. These indoor arenas house wall-to-wall trampoline action, and the good ones (cough, ahem, Rebounderz) have a whole mess of additional extreme fun amenities in which kids and adults alike can experience hours of boundless fun. At Rebounderz in Apopka, our trampoline park is only a short drive from Orlando and features state-of-the-art amenities and packages that will transform your next kid’s party from the same old routine to a brand new memorable adventure. Rebounderz Apopka has several different kid’s party packages, all of which include a private party room plus jump time for your guests, unlimited access to our facilities, arcade cards, pizza, soda, and a dedicated party host or hostess. The beauty of hosting your kid’s party at an indoor trampoline park is this: your wild child and their friends aren’t limited to just playing one game. There are truly unlimited opportunities at Rebounderz trampoline parks. What are some ideas, you ask? Well, let’s check out a handful of exciting games your party guests can play on the jumpers at our Rebounderz trampoline park. Air Dodgeball Who doesn’t love a classic game of dodgeball? Well, when you throw a trampoline arena into the mix, you get a high-flying twist on a favorite childhood game. Players can divide into teams and step into the Thunderdome at Rebounderz, dodging, dipping, and leaping their way to dodgeball glory. Some things are just more fun when you can fly through the air, and dodgeball is certainly one of them. Slam Basketball Yet another thing that is just made better when you can reach new heights. Kids (and adults, just admit it) would love the opportunity to dunk a basketball, and playing hoops on a trampoline is the easiest way to achieve that goal. At Rebounderz, we have innovative slam basketball courts that are included in the jump time, so guests at your kid’s party can take to the court and dunk for hours on end. Trick Contest Kids have limitless imaginations when it comes to creating a competition. With the help of a trampoline and a highly-cushioned foam pit, they can create their own trick contests and perform flips, twists and leaps of faith that would make a gymnast proud. Our foam pits are filled with four feet of foam blocks, right next to a bed of our patented jumper trampolines, so your party guests can fly through the air and land softly. Crack The Egg An all-time classic! You might remember playing this game (or some version of it) on your own backyard trampoline as a child. Well, at a trampoline park the thrill of this game is multiplied ten-fold. Have the birthday guest start out as the egg, crossing their arms over their knees and holding on for dear life as their friends jump about trying to “crack” the egg by getting them to break their grip. Rock, Paper, Scissors Another classic game from your youth, only with the added bonus of using your full body. Your kid’s birthday guests can use this game to decide who will get to eat the first piece of cake. Opponents will take turns jumping on the trampoline and “shooting” with their symbol; rock is landing on the hands/knees, paper is a flat flop onto the trampoline, and scissors is a seat drop. Arcade Games No, this isn’t a game that can be played on the trampoline. However, it is one of the attractions that you will find at our Rebounderz trampoline park in Apopka. With dozens of classic and new-age arcade games like skeeball, air hockey, and more to choose from, the guests at your next kid’s party will have no shortage of entertainment options. Play Games At Rebounderz Any type of trampoline game you or your child can think of can be played right here at Rebounderz. Don’t believe us? Just come find out for yourself? Our Orlando-area trampoline park features more than 10,000 square feet of jumping surface for children, parents, and even grandparents to enjoy. Contact Rebounderz of Apopka today to learn how to book a one-of-a-kind kid’s party that will have your birthday boy or girl jumping for joy. #### Get to Know Your Kid’s Party Options from Rebounderz of Apopka When it comes to planning a kid’s party, it can often be a struggle to know just where to start. Between invitations, decorations, food, cake, and party games, the entire process can just feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to feel overwhelmed when you turn to Rebounderz of Apopka for your kid’s birthday party. We have a wide variety of options to fit your personal party needs that are sure to delight, entertain, and liven your child’s special day. Get to know our party options that we have available here at Rebounderz of Apopka and call us to book your party today! Ultimate Party The Ultimate Party at Rebounderz of Apopka is just that: Ultimate! There is no grander Rebounderz experience. This party is perfect if your child has a large group of friends that just love to play. You can invite up to 20 guests and get 60 minutes of jump time. This party also includes plenty of time in the arcade and food for all. Pizza and punch are provided in a private party room. All you have to do is bring the cake! We even provide a party host to help set up, clean up, and manage the entire party. With so much to do, your child will not be disappointed with their birthday party experience. Rebounderz Party Our Rebounderz Party is a parent favorite. You get the amazing benefits of a private party room and plenty of jump time for up to 12 guests. This party option also includes arcade time like the Ultimate Party. The main difference is that pizza is not included, however beverages are in order to keep the kids hydrated. Bring in cake and order pizza for the kiddos to complete the party! Picnic Table Party Picnic Table Parties are great for any celebratory occasion and are the perfect size for your kid’s tight knit group of friends. You get a reserved space at the picnic tables and jump time for up to six guests. These parties are great for kids who just want to play. This party does not include a host or hostess, but we find that a group of six kids are able to entertain themselves and play in the arena for 60 minutes with ease. This package also includes arcade cards for the six individuals, so they can enjoy some fun downtime there as well. Add-Ons Whatever you envision for your child’s birthday party, we can deliver. Along with our standard package options, we are able to customize these parties with a variety of add-ons. You can include a variety of food items for the party or add extra guests for a flat add-on rate. Or opt to send each child home with a Rebounderz t-shirt! The options are virtually endless in order to make your child’s birthday party a success. When you come to Rebounderz of Apopka for your child’s birthday party, you will enjoy a hassle-free, fun time that won’t be forgotten any time soon. Contact us today to schedule your child’s next party or come jump with us anytime at Rebounderz! #### Get Your Kids Unplugged for These 6 Reasons Some of us can still remember the days when we monopolized the home landline from our parents or when the first cellphones became readily available. In those days, you were happy to just have a wireless phone that made a call, and if your phone could do texting, all the better. But with the prevalence of smartphones and other electronics that are portable and web enabled, even as adults, it’s hard to put them down. Technology is not only entertaining for virtually all ages, it’s also addictive. Too much time on a smart device and you risk a variety of problems, from strained vision to sleep disorders. These activities can also be detrimental for children when they are voraciously consumed. That’s why it’s so important to make sure kids put down the phone or tablet and get in some active play. Keep reading to learn more about why you want your kids off of devices and playing at family fun centers, like Rebounderz of Edison, instead. Builds Relationships If a child is on a smart device all the time, they’re going to have a much harder time building relationships with their family and peers. Unplugging helps to encourage kids to get to know their peers and build long-lasting relationships. They can’t do this if they’re constantly living in a digital world. Having positive play time from a young age with family and friends can help build lasting memories and improve a child’s ability to connect with others as they grow older. Improves Sleep If you ever watch TV or play on your phone right before bed, it’s time to break the habit. Not only is it bad for your sleep patterns, but it’s also a bad example to set for your kids. If your kids are on smart devices or watching the TV right up until bedtime, it’s probably interfering with their sleep cycles. Blue light that is emitted from these devices disrupt melatonin production and can reduce both the amount of sleep you get and the quality of sleep. Kids are exceptionally susceptible to this problem. Create a rule that everyone in the household has to set aside devices at least one hour before bed in order to help improve the sleep that everyone is getting. Creates Engaged Children Do you really want your children making friends and engaging with others online? The answer ought to be probably not. However, if children aren’t exposed to active play and groups of peers, they’re going to struggle making friends and being curious, engaged children. Active play can help get kids involved and engaging with others. This promotes both social skills and the ability to interact with others in a more positive manner. Creates Emotionally Intelligent Children Constantly being plugged into a smart device can make it difficult for children to develop a fine-tuned sense of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability for a person to recognize their own feelings and the feelings of those around them. This is exceptionally hard to develop if you’re on a smart device all the time and not engaging with peers. Children who unplug more often and socialize with peers are more likely to develop a fine-tuned emotional intelligence with empathy. Teaches Mindfulness When you take the time to unplug and make your kids unplug too, you’re helping to teach them to live in the present. Planning activities such as going to Rebounderz or going camping are great ways to get unplugged. Mindfulness is the practice of living in the present, and another good time to practice this with your kids is during dinner. Make sure to always set the phones aside and to eat dinner without the TV on. Individuals who practice forms of Mindfulness are less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression too. This help promote healthy habits your kids will take with them as they grow. Gives Growing Minds a Break Most importantly, however, is that unplugging from smart devices and other forms of technology helps to give growing minds a break from all the intense stimuli. Give your kids a reason to unplug and visit a Rebounderz trampoline park. Rebounderz of Edison has both tons of trampoline fun, but also a unique ninja warrior course to entertain even the pickiest of kids. Come by and play or call us with any questions you may have! #### Good Things to Do When You Are Bored No matter how active a lifestyle you live, odds are, you probably have felt boredom at one time or another. Unfortunately, this feeling is extremely common and happens to everybody. However, the way people react to their own boredom is handled in entirely different ways. Good Reactions Some, the very few, react to boredom in a positive way. They see it as a challenge and the result of being so productive that they no longer can think of anything to do. This good reaction to boredom is normally followed by another positive action, such as going for a walk, contributing to the community, or reaching out to neighbors. Boredom, then, becomes a sort of treat; instead of doing common-day things, boredom means that a person can find something to do that is fulfilling for them and those around them. Bad Reactions Most react to boredom in a poor way. The reaction is poor in that they use their lack of motivation and productivity to do something unfulfilling. For example, when people are bored they often will eat. Much of the reason so many people become overweight is that they feel bored and compelled to stuff their faces with unhealthy things, such as chips, chocolate, and sugary drinks. Because of this bad habit, people tend to gain weight and become lethargic. Boredom can also drive people to become lazy and unproductive. Instead of seeing boredom as an opportunity to learn new things and possibly new skills, they see it as an excuse to sit on their couch all day. Though a day of rest is recommended every once in a while, laying around every time you feel bored can turn into a bad routine. In this blog, we will focus on the good reactions to boredom and provide examples for how you can turn your lack of something to do into an experience full of new and exciting adventures. If you are one of the people that falls into a slump everytime you feel bored, this list is an excellent way to inspire yourself to make a change. New Skills The best way to rid yourself of feeling bored is to develop a new skill. When you practice a new talent, you improve yourself and allow your new skill to be utilized in the future. For example, if you learn how to make the perfect batch of cookies, you can take what you have learned and give them to your neighbors. Not only are you doing a good thing, but you are also improving your skill-set. Baking As stated previously, baking is an instant cure to boredom. This activity primarily gets rid of boredom because it forces you to focus on the task at hand, which normally takes about an hour. By putting the ingredients together, balling up the dough, and baking the cookies, you narrow your time and focus, without compromising your whole day. When baking, you should take the end products and give them out to those around you. This will be beneficial to you because you won’t be inclined to eat the whole batch yourself and ruin your figure. Also, by giving out your baked goods, people will appreciate your work and kindness. Building Building things can be fun because it normally takes large portions of time from your day. If you possess the talent to build and construct things, using these skills could get rid you of your boredom all day! If you don’t possess these skills, perhaps you can use the day to learn. When learning to build something, the process can be very rewarding. Mainly, because at the end of your day, you will have created something new from your own two hands. Now, when learning to build something, you may want to start off with smaller projects. For example, you can build a birdhouse to start out with. The project is simple, relatively easy, and very rewarding. There are even stores that sell whole kits for you to use, instead of trying to find the wood from a tree or a piece of plywood. Crafting Crafting is an excellent way to pass the time, mainly because crafting is such a wide term and encompasses so many different activities. For example, crafting can mean artistic crafting, such as painting, pottery, and woodworking. Crafting, however, can also mean taking time to sew together your old clothes or make new ones! Crafting itself is such a broad term, which is why it is a valuable way to pass the time. Also, depending on the project you undertake, you could spend hours, even days, working to finish your craft. Athletics A beneficial way to cast away your feelings of boredom is to partake in sports or games. When you play outside, in any sport, you give your body fresh air, exercise, and a chance to improve circulation. Also, when you play a sport, it generally means that you play with others. Whether your playmates are your friends, family, or your neighbors, including everyone in a game will improve the overall quality of each of your relationships. Go to the Park The great thing about parks is that they are generally peaceful and filled with fun equipment to play on. No matter what age you are, you can always find some kind of entertainment at a park. For example, even if you don’t play on any of the equipment, you can still prepare a picnic for you and your loved ones. Preparing a meal, driving to the park, and enjoying your stay, will all take considerable amounts of time and improve your overall attitude. There are many different types of parks: amusement parks, public parks, and indoor trampoline parks. Each have the ability to squash your boredom and give you a day full of productivity and joy. Rebounderz is an indoor trampoline park that was built for all ages, and houses many different fun attractions. Whether you are bouncing on our trampoline arena, jumping into our foam pit, or braving our ninja warrior course, you are sure never to feel bored. If you are interested in keeping yourself active, social, and boredom-free, come to your local Apopka, Florida Rebounderz! #### Great Books For Kids Every parent has one thing in common; they want the very best for their kids. And there is a lot to prepare them for to get them ready for the real world. Since there is no guidebook, this can often be overwhelming. One of the best things you can do for your child is instill a love of reading early on. And the best way to do that is to start reading fun and engaging children's books with them early on. There is always our Grand Rapids trampoline park to sweeten the deal for regular reading as well. If you are looking for great book ideas for kids, we have listed some here. Where the Wild Things Are Maurice Sendak captures the wild and raucous, but sweet and caring, nature of children in this beautifully illustrated children's book. Follow Max as his wild imagination help him escape from life's dull monotony. Good thing mom is always waiting at home with a hot dinner ready. Owl Moon Written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by John Schoenherr, this winter forest tale has inspired many a budding bird watcher. Follow a father and daughter on their trek through the forest to find the elusive great horned owl. Grippiing woods-at-night illustrations will have you following raptly to their tale. The Giving Tree Written by Shel Silverstein, this children's story has captured the hearts of people across the nation. You'll be gripped by the tale of the tree that gives its life for a young boy who has turned into as elf centered man. Many people have interpreted it under environmentalist and religious rubrics, but they all contain the central underlying theme of generosity. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs No, this isn't the story of the three little pigs, but Jon Scieszka's ironic, witty revision of the story. Told from the view of the wolf, this story is often a child's first exposure to conflicting perspectives. This wolf claims that he is not so big and bad after all. What will you think after reading? Harold and the Purple Crayon Written by Crocket Johnson, this is a great book for budding readers everywhere. See just how far a child's imagination can take someone as you follow a creative boy who crafts his own world using just is trusty purple crayon. Madeline Written by Ludwig Bemelmans, Madeline is a lovely tale of a young French girl at boarding school. It is beautifully drawn in a penciled, water color artistic style. You will be delighted at how this spunky girl in a yellow coat navigates everything from her new school to having her appendix removed, all with confidence, grace, and poise. Anno's Journey This children's book is known for its amazing illustrations. Using a pointillism style, Mitsumasa takes readers on a journey through the very lovely northern European countryside. While the action may seem mundane at first glance (man rows to shore, buys a horse, etc), upon closer inspection there is always more in the scene to find. The Frog and Toad Collection You might think that a frog and toad are too different to be friends,but these two will show you wrong! Written by by Arnold Lobel, this children's story talks about the power of friendship and overcoming differences. Simple yet beautiful illustrations will keep your child riveted to the end. Click, Clack, Moo Written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin, this children's story shows what happens when farm animals start sticking up for their rights (don't worry, it's not at all like Animal Farm). It reveals the overcoming power of peaceful protest in a way filled with wry humor. The Story of Ferdinand This children's book was written by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson. With beautiful clashing vibrant colors, this books illustrations are sure to capture your child's attention. Follow Ferdinand, a bull that doesn't quite live up to the stereotype of its species. Ferdinand is calm, peaceful, and likes to relax under the shade of a cork tree. The Lorax Leave it to Doctor Seuss to tackle a serious world issue like deforestation without losing an ounce of whimsy. Children can't help but laugh at the fun rhyming style and colorful wordplay offered by Seuss.  Follow the Lorax as he tries to save his forest from the people trying to cut down all of the trees. Corduroy Everybody loves a cuddly teddy bear, but who could love a teddy bear that's missing a button? Follow Corduroy in this story by Don Freemon. As a stuffed animal that has spontaneously come to life, what is a bear with a missing button to do? Find it, of course! This book is filled with wonderful illustrations your child will love. I Want My Hat Back Written by Jon Klassen, and illustrated beautifully with soft, simple woodland colors, this children's story follows a bear who is seeking out his lost hat. The illustrations contain lots of clues for your child to figure out along the way. Miss Rumphius There are not that many children's books that are actually based on true stories, but this book is one of them. Written by Barbara Cooney, follow the story of Miss Rumphius as she travels across Maine spreading flower seeds everywhere that she goes. Beautiful illustrations of blooming and blossoming are bound to captivate your little one. Brave Irene Every little girl needs a strong heroine role model in their lives. This brave little dressmaker's daughter is the perfect candidate! Follow her as she braves a ravaging snowstorm so that she can deliver a new gown to the duchess in time for the big ball. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day The title may be a mouthful, but the story is a delight. Written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray Cruz, follow Alexander on what is shaping up to be a very bad day. Whether it's gum stuck in his hair, getting stuck in the middle of the back seat, missing desert for lunch, or being relegated to third best friend status, things will just not shape up for our young Alexander.   Hopefully there is at least one entry on this list that you and your child haven't read and can enjoy. It is such a great way to enjoy a night in with the family, and it is so good for children as well! For those nights out, you can always come have a blast at our Grand Rapids trampoline park. You kids can play on our ninja warrior course, basketball slam, or any number of other attractions. We also host kids' birthday parties. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about our location, hours, or attractions. #### Great Children's Books, Part 1 Here at Rebounderz, we have the fun aspect of child rearing covered with our Sunrise trampoline park. But there is so much more to raising a kid, and we know it can get stressful. That's why it's so important to take advantage of those little things that you and your kid can do together that is both fun and a great learning experience. One of the best activities for this is group reading. If you are looking for some material to get you started reading to your child, here is a list of great children's books for you to choose from. The Three Billy Goats Gruff The Three Billy Goats Gruff, by Paul Galdone, is a charming and harrowing story of three billy goat brothers who have to cross a bridge owned by a hideous troll. With fantastic illustrations, you and your child will follow these goats raptly as they make their way to the sweet, delicious grass on the other side of the bridge. Oh, the Places You'll Go! We thought we would stray from The Cat In The Hat and opt for another Seuss classic. Oh, the Places You'll Go! is an ode to life, and all of its wonderful markers. If you want to experience the very best of Seuss, or even just need a pick me up, then this book is perfect for you and your little one. What Do You Do With A Kangaroo? This fun children's tale written by Mercer Mayer uses a technique known as "dialogic reading" to encourage children to use their imagination and critical thinking to solve problems. Plus, you and your child will finally get to answer the age old question, what Do you do with a kangaroo? If You Give a Moose a Muffin The delightful sequel to If You Give A Mouse a Cookie, this gem by Laura Joffe Numeroff is a great way to expose your kids to a slippery slope. But really, who can eat muffins without jam? With beautiful illustrations by Felicia Bond, you and your child are sure to love this book. Brave Irene This book by William Steig follows the brave exploits of a little girl named Irene. It is the perfect read for the child who could use a little boost of courage. A tale of resilience with a wonderfully delightful character, this book should be added to every child's reading list. The Rainbow Fish This book by Marcus Pfister is great for teaching your kids the value of sharing. This internationally best selling story follows a beautiful fish who learns the value of friendship by sharing his most valuable possessions. Every page is decorated with beautiful illustrations that will keep you coming back to the story for enjoyment again and again. Hopefully you were able to find a new story on this list for you and your child to enjoy. When your kids need to burn off some energy before reading time, our Sunrise, FL trampoline park is just the place for them to wear themselves out. Give us a call for information about our activities and attractions. #### Great Children's Books, Part 2 Here at Rebounderz, we know the importance of, and the endless effort that goes into, raising children. That's why we are proud to offer a reprieve for parents and kids at our Sunrise, Fl trampoline park, where everyone can let go and have fun for a few hours. But there's a lot more to raising kids than super crazy fun trampoline park escapades. Maybe one of the few parts of child raising that can compete with the fun of a trampoline park is curling up at the end of the day with a great book. If you're looking for ideas, here are some great children's books. Good-Night, Owl! For budding young animal lovers everywhere, this fun little children's book by Pat Hutchins follows Owl trying to go to bed in his tree. However, new animals keep showing up, and he can't get any sleep! Your kid will love naming all the animals in this cumulative tale, and it's a great way to get them ready for bed -- just like Owl! Stellaluna This classic written by Janell Cannon is an award winning worldwide best seller, with over 500,000 copies sold. Follow the story of Stellaluna, a young bat who is lost and must find her way home to her family and friends. Guess How Much I Love You This children's book written by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram follows Little Nutbrown Hare. Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy Big Nutbrown Hare how much he loves him by reaching as wide as he can and jumping as high as he can. But Big Nutbrown Hare is bigger, and shows Little Nut Brown Hare that he loves him even more by reaching even farther and jumping even higher. What does Little Nutbrown Hare do? You'll have to read to find out! Time For Bed Written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Jane Dyer, this children's book boasts gentle watercolors and fun and easy repetitive rhymes. It's the perfect story for the little ones when it's, wait for it... time for bed! Falling Up This compendium of poems and drawings will make a great addition to any kid's library. Whether you're reading about Poor Screamin' Millie, Allison Beals and her twenty five eels, or Danny O'Dare and the dancin' bear, Shel Silverstein's whimsical stories are sure to fascinate you and your little one. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly We have all heard the old song about the old lady who swallowed a fly, and now we get Simms Taback's take on the subject. Adorned with creative die-cut artwork, this re-imagined favorite will have you and your child in stitches.   Hopefully you'll be able to enjoy at least one or two of the books on this list with your little one. And if they're just too full of energy, you can always let them play it out at our Sunrise trampoline park. We also host kid's birthday parties and other events. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions. #### Great Exercises for Kids Exercise is something that some people love and others hate. It can feel like a grind, but there are ways to make it easy and fun. Instilling a drive to work out in kids is a habit they can carry into adulthood. It’s also a great outlet for built up energy. We’re going to run down some easy exercises you can do at home with your kids to help them stay active and learn to enjoy working out. Working out with parents is a great way to engage kids and make it an activity they want to do. For a fun and exciting way to exercise away from home, come to Rebounderz here in Edison. With the safest trampoline park and an awesome Ninja Warrior course, we can take your fun to the next level. -Planking Not to be confused with the meme from years ago, planking is a surprisingly effective exercise, despite how simple it looks. To do this, lay down on your stomach, place your forearms and elbows on the floor, push yourself up onto the tips of your toes, and keep your back and abdominals straight in a line. Hold this position as long as you can. A good time marker to work off for your kids is holding this for 30 seconds. This exercise works your arms and core while improving balance. -Squats No weights needed for some quick and easy squats. With your feet at shoulder-width, do deep knee bends like you were sitting down in an invisible chair. Putting your arms out when squatting will help maintain balance. Don’t squat down so low that your knees extend further than your toes. Squats are great for improving running, jumping, and lifting strength. -Push-ups An old favorite of drill sergeants and gym teachers alike, push-ups are one of the most straightforward exercises you can do. Depending on your childrens’ ability, they can either do this from their toes or knees. Once they make the move to their toes, you can help them keep their backs straight. When they push themselves up, their arms should extend fully. A good measurement for how far down they need to go before pushing up is an upright fist on the ground that their chest will make contact with, though that can be a goal to work toward over time. -Crunches A lot like a basic sit-up, but a little bit easier. Instead of going all the way from the floor to your knees, just curl your chest toward your knees. This will get the kids used to the motion and how it feels, while strengthening their core to the point that they will be able to graduate up to full sit-ups. -Lunges Essentially, a ‘lunge’ is just kneeling while moving forward. When you take a step, kneel down until your back knee touches the floor. Be sure your front knee doesn’t go past your toes. Keep your back straight during this; some people put their hands on their hips to stay upright. Continue this process a few times, alternating which leg is stepping and kneeling with each step. -Side Leg Raises This exercise is great to use as a bit of a break. Laying on your side, raise your top leg while keeping it straight. Do about 10 on each side, or more if everyone can keep going. This helps improve flexibility and strength in hips and legs. -Burpees Depending on your kid’s maturity level, you may need to call this workout by its other name, a squat thrust. These can get pretty crazy thanks to the five steps required to complete the exercise. Those steps are: Start standing upright Drop into a squat position with your hands on the ground Kick your feet back into a push-up position Quickly bring your feet back to the squat position Stand up from the squat Those steps are repeated each time to complete one ‘burpee’. Because of the difficulty of putting these steps together, this might be one to reserve for when your kids get used to some of the easier exercises. -Mountain Climbers These are super fun! From a push-up position, alternate bringing your knees up toward your armpit. It will end up looking like a stationary bear crawl, but it feels like you’re getting set for an Olympic race. -Flutter Kicks While laying on your back, lift up your feet just barely off the floor (about six inches up) and start gently kicking them back and forth. Even though you’re moving your legs, you’re going to feel this in your abs more than anything. -V-ups This is like a super sit-up. While laying flat on your back with your arms stretched out above your head, raise both your legs and arms up to make the shape of a V with your body, then lay back down. These are just a few of the great exercises you can do with your kids. Always be sure you stretch and warm-up before exercising every time. We recommend letting one of your kids choose 3 or 4 of the exercises listed so they have some control over the day’s workout. When working out with your kids, remember, they are not olympic athletes or crossfit masters. They have limitations, so pay attention to how they are reacting to the exercise and don’t push them too hard. You want them to like exercise, not be afraid of it! When you want elevate your exercise with a hearty helping of fun, come on over to Rebounderz in Edison. We want to put a spring in your step! #### Great Opportunities for Kids to Volunteer: Part One Teaching your children about work ethic, empathy, and a sense of selflessness is one of the most long-lasting and valuable lessons you can pass on. Fostering a desire to give back doesn’t just help the community, it will also benefit your child through school and at home. If you’re looking to give your child an opportunity to volunteer, try one of these kid-friendly options. After you’ve spent a long day giving back to the community, why not come to Rebounderz Trampoline Park and jump around a bit? It’s fun for the whole family! -Senior Center Kids and grandparents go together like peanut butter and jelly. When you volunteer at a senior center, you give back to our elders who may not get very many visitors. Just because you’re volunteering doesn’t mean your child is expected to handle the medical needs of a senior, though. More often than not, it’s something as simple as playing games together or eating lunch. All it takes is some conversation and compassion to really make an impact. Check with your local senior center to see what their needs are and what you can help with. While some centers have special volunteer days, others are able to take unscheduled visitors. Whether it’s through an Adopt-A-Grandparent program that pairs a child with a specific person or they spend time with everyone around, this is a wonderful way to help out. Who knows? Your child might learn about history from someone who was really there, which they can then take into their schoolwork. -Animal Shelter If your child loves animals, this is a fantastic opportunity for them to play with some puppies and kittens that are in need of some love and affection. Because this might be a bit much for really young kids to handle, this is a better option for teens. Young children often get attached to the animals and don’t want to leave without them. Most animal shelters have age requirements for volunteers for this reason, so it’s a good idea to check with your local shelter to see what their rules are. They may have certain tasks available for younger children. -Food Pantry While you may not have trouble feeding your family, others aren’t as lucky. Soup kitchens and food pantries present an opportunity to help the less fortunate when they’re in need. Small children may be better suited to help with a trip to the grocery store to find things to donate, but older kids can help serve hot meals to the hungry. Soup kitchens and food pantries can always use extra help, year round, so don’t relegate this to the holidays. If you’re dropping off a donation, ask another volunteer to tell your little one how much this helps families in need. When they see just how impactful their contribution is, they will likely want to keep helping as much as they can. -Children’s Hospital Learning that other kids aren’t as healthy as they are can be a tough but valuable lesson for children to learn. Many children’s hospitals offer programs specifically for younger volunteers to participate in. However, depending on the ailment, your child might not come into direct contact with a patient. There might be special projects that children can participate in, or you can shop for and donate toys or other supplies that are on the institution’s wish list. Other programs are geared toward teenagers, where they are interviewed to see if they qualify for the program. After they’re selected, they might deliver presents or play with the patients to give them a much-needed break from the reality of being hospitalized. In the end, these are still kids. Kids deserve to play and laugh, no matter what condition they’re in. -Library Volunteering at the library is perfect for kids that love reading. Most public libraries offer junior volunteer programs for children over a certain age where they can help out with some of the odds and ends amongst the stacks and shelves of books. This could mean they help sort books and return them to their proper spots or assist with toddler story time. Even young kids can help out informally by cleaning up the children’s area or returning books to where they belong. You never know what book might pique their interest while they’re helping out. It could spur a whole new love of science fiction or history, entirely based on the cover or title of a book they’re putting away. We’re going to dive into five more kid-friendly places that your child could volunteer at in the near future, but we hope this has got the ball rolling on your little one's potential philanthropic pursuits. After you’re done helping out in the community, bring your kid to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Edison. It’ll give them a chance to jump and play around after a day of volunteering in the community. We hope to see you here soon! #### Great Opportunities for Kids to Volunteer: Part Two We recently took a look at kid-friendly volunteer opportunities that can teach your child about empathy and giving back to the community. Those opportunities include: Senior center Animal shelter Food pantry and soup kitchen Children’s hospital Local library Now, we’ll conclude our two-part series with a look at five more great places for your child to volunteer. After they’ve had a long day of giving back to the community, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Edison. They’ll jump around with a big smile on their face knowing they made the world a better place. Parks and Playgrounds For how wonderful parks and playgrounds can be, they are often ignored when it comes to cleaning and upkeep. Volunteering at the park can be as simple as picking up trash or pulling some weeds the next time you visit. If your local park is in need of some serious elbow grease, you can organize a large-scale cleanup project with the rest of your community. Talk to your local parks department — or whichever entity oversees the park you’re looking to clean — to get permission before setting up this type of event. They may even be able to assist in getting the word out so more people get involved. This is a great option because it gives kids a chance to see how they’ve helped the community directly. Aquariums or Zoos Of course, we’re not implying your child will be feeding the lions when they volunteer at the zoo. While some zoos have an age requirement of 18 years or older for their volunteer programs, others offer special teen programs. Visit your local zoo or aquarium to see what volunteer options they have available. Usually, teen volunteers will assist visitors, help with kid programs, and perform other day-to-day functions, such as sorting recycling. While they won’t be in direct contact with the animals, they’ll get a chance to see plenty of exotic wildlife from a safe distance. Women and Children’s Shelter This is a similar scenario to that of a children’s hospital, where you and your child likely won’t be interacting much with the residents. However, it is still a worthwhile opportunity to help someone in need. Give your local shelter a call to see what they might need help with. If you’re unable to contact them directly, a local service agency will likely have a volunteer project that you can participate in. Volunteering for a women and children’s shelter usually involves painting, basic maintenance, and other upkeep needs. Small touches that make the shelter feel homier can make an incredible difference to kids and mothers who are struggling. Charity Walks and Runs Less of a volunteer opportunity and more of a fundraising event, this is a fantastic way to get the whole family involved in giving back. Find a charity that you and your family have a connection to and get involved with a fundraising walk or run. For instance, if you have a friend or family member that has suffered from something like heart disease, cancer, or ALS, find a race that raises funds to fight those illnesses and register your family to participate. While it may be called a race, this doesn’t have to be competitive. Everyone can get involved, no matter how old they are or what their skill level is. Even little ones can get small contributions from friends and neighbors. Gathering small change to donate still teaches the lesson of giving back and can foster a lifelong love of charitable work. Older kids can go a bit further with their fundraising efforts by holding a car wash or bake sale. Helping the Sick There are many sick, injured, or elderly people who struggle every day to complete even the most mundane of daily tasks. Adults have a chance to help them out by driving them to appointments or helping out with something like grocery shopping. If you participate in one of these programs, check with the organization and person you’re helping about bringing your child along. Not only can a kid add some more excitement to boring errands, but it’s also another person they get to interact with when they might be lonely. However, it is important you get the approval from the person you’re assisting, as they may prefer a quiet ride without kids around. With so many volunteer opportunities available for you and your child to participate in, we know that you’ll find the perfect event to teach your child about charity. When you show them another side of the world where people are less fortunate, it will make them grateful for what they have and foster a desire to lift up others who need a hand. If you’re looking for a location to hold a fundraising event, check us out at Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Edison. We’ve got plenty of activities to make everyone happy. We hope to see you soon! #### Great Reasons to Go to a Trampoline Park Think a trampoline park is just for the kids? A trampoline park can be the perfect venue for many events, and adults love jumping just as much as kids! Read on to learn more about how much fun you could be having at Rebounderz, and start thinking of the next event you could host here! Family Time Want a great activity that is fun for the whole family? Are your board games seeming a little, well—boring? If you need something that is fun for both parents and kids, head to Rebounderz for a day or night of family fun! Our trampoline park gives your family an opportunity to engage in a family night that promotes exercise and keeps you healthy. When you bounce, flip, and slam dunk in our jump arena, you are engaging all of the muscles in your body and boosting your metabolism. Physical exercise makes you feel great, so this will be one family night that everyone is sure to enjoy. It can be hard to find family-friendly activities, especially ones that are interesting to both children and adults, and that toddlers, teens, and parents all enjoy. Bouncing knows no age, and whether you want to just gently bounce and watch, or amaze your family with your ninja-style moves, Rebounderz offers an indoor family playground that keeps you active, keeps you healthy, and can bond your family together. If you are feeling disconnected, with everyone going to separate activities, playing video games, or on an ever-present screen, relax, unplug, and schedule some fun family time at Rebounderz! Date Night A candlelit dinner, a romantic movie, and a stroll on the beach are great, but sometimes it is fun to do something different for date night. Rebounderz is a great place for a date, and gives you an activity that is healthy, energizing, and FUN! A great place for a first date, a trampoline park can be a way to get to know someone as you bounce, flip, and get in some great exercise! Trampoline parks are also a great place for a group date, and you can easily have a larger group enjoy time together. Don’t let date night get stale, schedule a time to go to Rebounderz with your love! Birthday Parties Have a kid’s birthday coming up? Wondering how you are going to wrangle all of your pint-sized guests, feed them, and keep everyone happy? Rebounderz trampoline park is the perfect solution to your quest for a great birthday party! We provide a huge, safe space where kids can run, play, and expel that ever-present energy. We also take care of the food, and provide tables with all of the plates, cups, and napkins you need! We even have balloons and printable invitations, so we make birthdays easy for parents and a blast for kids! At Rebounderz, you don’t have to worry about the weather on your party day, you don’t have to clean up, and you can relax while your kids jump (or join in the fun)! Rebounderz is a great location for a memorable, fun birthday party that your child will remember for years to come. Family Reunion Do you have an extended family that loves to play and adventure together? Are you tired of lawn chairs and potato salad as the main attraction at family gatherings? If you have a family reunion coming up, Rebounderz can be rented out to host your kin at a one-of-a-kind family event! All ages can play, or watch, and cousins, grandparents, moms, dads, and even that one wacky aunt will all be glad to bounce and visit with each other! Especially if you have an extended family with a lot of children and teens, it can be hard to find a venue where they will be entertained and not get restless. A trampoline park gives kids space to spread out and play, and as we mentioned above, you don’t need to worry that your reunion will get rained out. A trampoline park is a great place to have competitions that are bound to become treasured family stories, and fuel some good healthy family rivalry. If you are planning a family reunion, consider this unique venue as a great choice! Playdates Want to give your kids a place to meet up with friends and play in a safe, confined space? Rebounderz provides the perfect location for kids to run while parents can either join in, or catch up on the sidelines. If you feel like you are always chasing your kids around the playground, or worried that they will wander off when you are at the park, an indoor trampoline park gives them the space to explore and you the peace of mind that they are contained. If it is raining outside, too hot, too windy, or too cold, it is always the perfect temperature inside our trampoline park! Rebounderz can be a great venue to meet up during the summer months to keep those school friendships strong, and a good location to have a get together before the school year starts. Team Building Want a great spot for a corporate event? A trampoline park can host large or small groups, and is perfect for team building. Engaging your employees outside of the workplace can result in better work performance and can help build bonds and company culture. Jumping brings out the inner kid in all of us, and can make even the most reserved coworkers loosen up and have a blast. Organize some competitive games where you need to work together and communicate, and watch as those skills transfer to the job. A company that plays together can more effectively work together, and providing an outlet for your company to unwind shows that you are invested in more than just your bottom line, but also in your people. Exercise If you are needing to shake up your exercise routine, Rebounderz offers an awesome fitness class that will have you jumping your way to fitness! Bouncing on a trampoline engages all of your muscles, and gives you a better cardio workout than running! While just bouncing can be great for your core, our fitness classes are designed to maximize your calorie burn and give you a great cardiovascular workout. We offer evening classes that will make exercise fun and make you feel like a kid again! Don’t settle for another run on the treadmill—head to Rebounderz for your next fitness class! Train For Sports Many athletes find that a trampoline park offers a great chance to work their muscles, try out new moves, and bond with their teammates. Because bouncing works your core, and engages all of your muscles, you can really get in a great workout while perfecting your sports skills. A trampoline park is also great for bonding your sports team together and participating in a different kind of physical activity. Snowboarders, skateboarders, freestyle skiers, wakeboarders, and kiteboarders can use trampoline parks to recreate the feeling of being airborne without the danger associated with their various sports. Trampolines are a great way to avoid serious injuries while learning new sports skills. Teenage Fun While there are plenty of activities for young children, the teenage years can prove to be a challenge when looking for a safe place to hang out. You don’t want your teenager just roaming aimlessly around, but they often think of playgrounds and other kid hotspots as too “babyish”. Rebounderz provides a safe space where teens can have fun, be active, and hang out with their peers. Instead of wasting the day playing video games, watching TV, or complaining they are bored, your teen can be having a great time and getting some great exercise. Plus, Rebounderz is a place where adults can join in, providing a space where you and your teen can connect, play, and have fun. The teen years are a hard time, for both kids and parents, and Rebounderz seeks to make them more enjoyable with our trampoline arena and ninja warrior course. Holiday Parties Tired of the same old, same old when it comes to holiday parties? Looking for a spot to host your next company party? Rebounderz is a unique location to host a company or private holiday party that your guests won’t forget! Don’t let your party be a boring evening of picking at appetizers and making small talk, choose a trampoline park to get everyone moving, involved, and having fun! Maybe you have had a great birthday party at Rebounderz in Newport News, but have never considered what other events would be perfect here. We want to be a space that you think of the next time you plan a corporate event, team building exercise, date night, or family reunion—call us today to schedule your next amazing Rebounderz event!   #### Group Events at Rebounderz! When it comes to hosting a group event, it can often be difficult to find just the right venue that everyone can enjoy. It’s even harder when you have certain expectations of fun and bonding for your group. But you don’t have to struggle with this decision if you’re in Sunrise, FL. Rebounderz of Sunrise is the perfect location for a group event, especially for children and young adults, and is the premier indoor trampoline park in the Miami area. With tons of fun, lots of options for your event, and all at an affordable price, why wouldn’t you choose Rebounderz? Just to help inspire your imagination, here are some groups who could have a blast at Rebounderz of Sunrise, and benefit from the extreme fun and bonding time that the event can provide. Sports Teams At Rebounderz of Sunrise, we regularly host a variety of sports teams for their banquets and their bonding nights. Our trampoline park is a great place to get to know one another in a low-pressure setting. In addition, you’re still getting plenty of exercise when you play on our trampolines! Whether you’re looking for an outing for a swim team or a soccer team, we’re here to let kids play and be themselves with one another! Give the kids a training break and hit up Rebounderz! School Field Trips When kids work hard, it’s important to reward them and show them that their efforts are recognized. One way to do this is by providing a reward field trip through their school. Spend an afternoon at Rebounderz of Sunrise, and let the kids have some hard earned play. A group event at Rebounderz is a great way to let kids burn some extra energy and have a great time after a semester of study. Book your school’s field trip in advance for great group rates and private facility use for groups that are large enough! Girl or Boy Scouts Alright, we know that girl scouts and boy scouts typically go camping or work on crafts, but a night of bonding at Rebounderz of Sunrise can help solidify friendships that will last for years. Not to mention that the exercise is exceptionally beneficial for any child. Celebrate your accomplishments as a troop by coming to Rebounderz for a fun group event. Church Groups Not every Sunday school needs to spend the evening in church. In fact, it’s beneficial for kids to get out and bond with the other children in their age group. This play time in a safe, fun environment can help to build relationships that may last the rest of their lives. Make your next church social gather for kids and adults a fun one by booking a group event with Rebounderz trampoline parks. Company Bonding Kids aren’t the only ones who love to have fun at Rebounderz trampoline parks. Adults can have a blast and bond at any of our facilities too! Company events can be tailored to families or for corporate team building in order to emphasize any specific skills that you’re looking for. Either way, your company’s employees will be talking about their time at Rebounderz far into the future for all the right reasons. Cheerleading From cheerleading to band, there are plenty of other student groups that deserve time to play and bond over a fun activity. Rebounderz provides the perfect environment for just that, and along the way, the kids will get to know one another better outside of their rigorous training environment. College Dorm Groups With school coming back into session, we don’t want to forget all the college kids coming to campus for the very first time. Resident’s Advisors can make a great evening at Rebounderz of Sunrise for the freshmen that live on their floor in order to give the students time to bond and get away from the stress of the first few weeks of college classes. We’re the perfect place for so many age groups, college students included! When it comes to finding the perfect place for a group event, you don’t have to look far. Rebounderz of Sunrise is the perfect destination for any group event! Let us show you how much fun a trampoline park can be and why we’re the premier choice in the Miami area. Call us today to get started! #### Halloween Candy and Your Child’s Health Halloween: Trick or Treat? On average, American Halloween goers will consume 3.4 pounds of candy over the holiday. That amount averages to about 7,000 calories. Candy is deeply woven into American culture, but how much “treating yourself” is too much? Today, America faces obesity epidemics for both adults and children. It begs the question, “Perhaps the way we celebrate our holidays has something to do with our weight issues?” In this blog, we will discuss the over-consumption of candy and its effects on your child. To provide a fun alternative, Rebounderz of Apopka can offer you a different way to treat your children, without having them stuff their faces with sugar.   Is Halloween a Bad Thing? In no way is Halloween a bad thing. In fact, Halloween is a great holiday to enjoy and decorate for. The only portion of the holiday that is “bad” is the fact that overcoming candy can be a poor decision in terms of your health. And, since the holiday is mostly targeted at children, candy consumption issues typically involve them. This means that kids are eating large quantities of candy and consuming copious amounts of sugar. Ultimately, it is up to parents to monitor and regulate how much candy a child will consume during the holiday. But then again, most parents aren’t available to watch their child 24-hours a day. Instead, the only thing they can do is make sure that children aren’t stuffing their faces with all of their Halloween candy in one night. Why Are Children Territorial Over Their Halloween Candy? If you have watched the Jimmy Kimmel special “I Told My Kids I Ate Their Halloween Candy” you will be able to witness the drama that ensues after that sort of statement. Tears, screaming, and a bit of attitude is shortly to follow a parent telling their children that they ate/threw away their candy. Most kids get upset about losing their candy because they don’t get much candy in their normal lives. This makes their Halloween candy that much more of a treat. However, there are other kids that get upset because they took the time and the effort to collect their treasure trove of sugary delights. The idea of losing their candy often sets off their tempers and causes parents to witness their child have a tantrum. But is throwing away their candy actually a bad thing? Most children won’t be able to finish all of their candy anyway. And, half the fun of Halloween is being able to go house-to-house and yell, “trick or treat!” So, why keep all that candy around to sit on top of your refrigerator and potentially add to your child’s candy consumption. Though Halloween and candy be a great treat, sometimes it can be abused. Instead of the holiday being about fun and friendship, it becomes about how much candy can one child eat. The best way to keep your child healthy for the holiday is to figure out a way to regulate how much candy they are eating. For one, you could always tell them that they can keep one half of their candy collection. The second half you can either throw away or give away. Ultimately, if an entire collection of candy is left in your house, you or your child will eat it. It is sometimes better to be wasteful than unhealthy. Rebounderz of Edison, NJ Though Halloween has its downsides, it doesn’t have to be all bad. The holiday is a great time to enjoy with your family, decorate, and dress up. The candy aspect of the holiday is only one portion of the day. And, even if your child does consume a lot of candy, there are ways to try and remedy the situation. Rebounderz of Edison offers your child a fun and exciting place to jump and play for hours. Here, they can enjoy the holiday and even burn off some of the calories they ate from their candy. Stop by your local Rebounderz today for a healthy treat during the fall season! This way, you can ensure that your child is getting the exercise they need to burn off their Halloween candy. At Rebounderz, we offer kids a fun way to exercise. Stop by our Edison location today. #### Halloween Fun at Rebounderz Rohnert Park! Join us on October 24th, 26th, and 27th for Bouncy, Spooky Halloween Fun! Next Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday we will host a Halloween Party from 6:30 to 7:30   Rebounderz Rohnert Park, an indoor trampoline arena,  is having the Halloween Party that is not to be missed! We’ll be celebrating the spookiest holiday with extra fun, just when you thought Rebounderz couldn't get any more fun!   From the 24th to the 31st we’ll have the haunted rooms upstairs for you to visit and get a thrill. Come during our regular hours and enjoy the decorated rooms. If you want to increase the fear factor, come on in and  join us on October 24th, 26th, and 27th for and extra Bouncy, Spooky Halloween Fun! On these three days, we’ll have scary-actors on hand to give you an extra bounce! On Halloween, we’ll be open from 2pm to 6pm and little ones are welcomed to Trick-or-Treat around the facility to give us oohs and ahhs at their costumes and to get candy from us!   Be scary but safe! We ask that you not wear glitter, face paint or anything that trips so you can get in your bounces without falling or having face paint drip into your eyes.   Rebounderz is the place to come for an extra Halloween treat this week! If you have a birthday party coming up be sure to book one of our wonderfully decorated birthday party rooms. Check out our packages and rooms here.   If you are looking to have a great weekend, and just want to jump away the hours, we have a great all-access price for the weekends. See our pricing guide here.   We look forward to seeing all the fun spooky costumes next week! Join us!   #### Halloween Trampoline Extravaganza! Halloween is a magical time of year. It’s the time of year where spooks come out for a good haunt and candy is bountiful. With the hot summer temperatures cooling down and the days getting shorter, it’s time to celebrate the fall season! If you work with school groups, church groups, or manage company parties, and are looking for great options for your Halloween party this year, you’ve come to the right place. Pumpkin spice lattes aren’t the only way to celebrate the fall and Halloween season. In fact, when you have to throw a Halloween party, you want to be able to provide a family-friendly environment with tons of fun and games. There’s nothing better than hosting a Halloween event right here at Rebounderz of Jacksonville. With such a wide variety of activities and tons of space, Rebounderz is the perfect space to rent for a private event or just to throw a small party in a private room. Either way, it’s easy to share the Halloween fun and have a great time at our family entertainment center all at the same time. After you’ve enjoyed time at Rebounderz of Jacksonville for Halloween, make sure you’re ready for trick-or-treaters with a few of these spooky ideas to spruce up your porch. Pallet Wood Jack-O-Lantern A spooky jack-o-lantern that you can light a candle in is great for your porch, but they don’t last very long at all. Instead, create a clever jack-o-lantern that can last you year in and year out. Simply build a pallet board box and paint it orange. Provide a distressed look and then cut out a spooky face with a jigsaw. Top it off with some ever-lasting green foliage on top and you’ve got a yearly decoration that is sure to please. Boo Barrel If you’re not a fan of opening the door for trick-or-treaters, don’t let the kids miss out on candy. Instead create a boo barrel to hold your candy on the porch in a fun and festive way. Track down a bottle bucket with legs. They’re hard to find, but you can always make do with a round side table and bucket to match. Spray paint the bucket white and drape the table with a white cloth. Add a spooky ghost face to the cloth and put all the pieces together prior to filling up the bucket, or a bowl placed in the bucket, with candy. Webs Galore There is nothing creepier than feeling a spider web brush against your skin. Deck out your porch with fake cobwebs. Mix the type you can purchase at the grocery store with torn up strips of cheesecloth to create different textures. Floating Witches’ Hats For something cute, purchase a bunch of cheap costume witches’ hats from your local Halloween store. Grab some fishing line and hang them from the ceiling for your porch. They’ll look like they’re floating on their own! Hay Bales, Scarecrows, and Cornstalks If you’re not into spooky, opt for more traditional fall decorations on your porch. You can’t go wrong with a few hay bales, some happy scarecrows, and bundles of cornstalks. Add some pumpkins or jack-o-lanterns and you’re all set. Painted Pumpkins More and more people are opting to forego carving their Halloween pumpkins in favor of painting them instead! This is great for younger kids and there is a lot of variety you can do without having to use knives. Paint your favorite football logo or simply go for a classic jack-o-lantern face. Either way, the process of painting a pumpkin is just as fun as carving one! When it comes to your Halloween party, come have fun at Rebounderz trampoline parks before a night of trick-or-treating! Call us for details today! #### Happy 10 Years, Rebounderz! At Rebounderz of Sacramento, we are still busy with the hustle and bustle of opening the doors to Sacramento’s newest family entertainment center option with our indoor trampoline park. But, our corporate company, Rebounderz, is celebrating 10 successful years as a company! This means that when you visit our brand new extreme fun zone in Sacramento, you can rest assured that although the location is brand new, the experience and business savvy backing our facility is celebrating a decade of gaining traction in the industry. Additionally, the proud new owners of the Sacramento location have also owned and operate the Rohnert Park location, which has been successfully serving the Greater Bay area for three fun-filled years! A Decade of Fun As the rest of the company reflects on the last decade, as one would at their high school reunion, as a freshman just entering the game, we here in Sacramento are looking ahead to the next ten years of jumptastic memories that have yet to be created. At Rebounderz of Sacramento, we are excited to offer a Ninja Warrior course, a JumpXetreme Tower — a high dive onto an inflated surface, an air pit, an indoor playground, a trampoline basketball court, rock climbing walls, and an arcade. Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone prides itself on providing safe and exciting entertainment for kids of all ages. Whether you come by for an hour of trampoline rebounding or you want to host your kid’s birthday party or corporate team building event, Rebounderz has the right package to meet your needs. For the littlest ones, we have toddler jump times, for our autistic friends we host sensory friendly nights, and to provide a safe night out for young adults, we host a teen night. Rebounderz is excited to begin the journey of providing these services to the Sacramento community. Contact us for more information. Happy 10 Years, Rebounderz! #### Hattori Hanzo: The Greatest Ninja If you couldn't tell, we are big fans of American Ninja Warrior here at Rebounderz. That is why we have our own Grand Rapids ninja warrior course in our trampoline park! But the athletic machines on the show are still very different than the classical ninjas we have all mythologized. Probably one of the greatest mythological ninjas is Hattori Hanzo. If you've never heard about this legendary figure, read on for a quick overview of his life. The Life Hattori Hanzo was born to Hattori Hanzo Yasunaga, a samurai in the service of the clan that would later become the Tokugawa. He grew up in Iga, in the Mikawa Province. It was there that he fought his first battle at the young age of 16 during a nighttime attack on Udo Castle. During his young adult life, he would also successfully rescue Tokugawa's daughters who were taken as hostages and successfully lay siege to Kakegawa Castle. Later, he would earn distinction in the battles of Anegawa and Mikatagahara. It was at after the battle of Mikatagahara that Hattori was recognized for his battle prowess, and became the commander of an Iga ninja clan unit of 150 men. However, it was in the Tensho Iga War that Hattori really shined, despite the Iga clan's ultimate defeat. Hattori Hanzo was able to repel Oda Nobukatsu from conquering Iga land at the behest of his father Oda Nobunaga. For almost three years after that, he defended the Iga clan until Oda Nobunaga wiped them all out in 1581. After the destruction of his clan, Hattori would go on to serve Tokugawa Ieyesu, protecting him and his family in many battles and through countless feats of strength, cunning, and bravery. Mythology and Legacy As Hattori Hanzo lived during the 16th century, all that we know about his life comes from writings. Suffice it to say, not all of those writings are believable. Various tales of his exploits recount different supernatural powers. These include teleportation, psychokinesis, and precognition. With all of that in mind, it is no wonder that he left such a legacy on our pop culture. He has made appearances in video games (most notable recent example being Nioh), been referenced in movies (Kill Bill's Hattori Hanzo Sword), and has made his way into many pieces of literature as well. In the actual world, Hattori Hanzo was succeeded by his son Masanari Hanzo. There are still many relics of Hanzo present in Japan today, including Hanzo's Gate in Tokyo Imperial Palace and Hanzo's spear that was given to him by Ieyesu Nobunaga.   Hopefully you enjoyed this quick historical overview of Hattori Hanzo, perhaps the greatest ninja to have ever lived. That is, until you came along and trained at our Grand Rapids ninja warrior course. We also have plenty of other trampoline park attractions, and even host kids' birthday parties. If you have any questions about our location, attractions, or hours, please feel free to give us a call. One of our friendly representatives will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. #### Have Your Next Corporate Party at Rebounderz in Jacksonville A trampoline arena is a great place for a corporate event. You can have the whole place to yourselves. Everyone can behave like a kid for a few hours and leave all their work worries behind. If you want to include children and spouses in your outing, there really is nothing better. That’s all well and good, but imagine this for a minute; a trampoline arena, a ninja warrior course, laser tag, mini bowling, the leap of faith, and climbing walls. Which do you think your employees would pick? Well, they don’t have to pick, because Rebounderz in Jacksonville has each and every one of those things, and you can reserve the whole facility for your next corporate event. The Ninja Games There really is something for everyone. If you’ve got ultra-competitive employees who would jump at the chance to tackle the Ninja Warrior course, make a game of it. Hand out fun awards for first, second and third place. Give out awards for the most coordinated, least coordinated, most entertaining ninjas who tackle the course. Handing out the prizes will be almost as fun as watching your team in action. Mini Bowling If you’ve got some employees who are a little more laid back, who are up for some competition but don’t want to break a sweat, have them enter a mini-bowling tournament. Rebounderz in Jacksonville is North Florida’s only interactive bowling experience. Our Unreal Bowling lanes come complete with customizable HD effects, so each team can pick their own lane effects. The smaller balls and shorter lanes make the game more exciting than traditional bowling, and no stinky rental shoes are required! Rock Climbing Our rock walls are perfect for employees who want to test their own skills rather than competing against their teammates. They can choose from the Orb wall designed for pretty much any skill level or the Speed wall designed to test speed and endurance. And if they want to race against someone, they can tackle the Face Off wall Laser Tag Who doesn’t love laser tag? C’mon. You know you do. We’ve got North Florida’s largest and most extreme laser tag experience. Our state-of-the art, 8,000 foot, multi-level arena would be a great option for your corporate party. But remember, it is just one small part of the experience. Laser tag is something that all your employees can enjoy. We love seeing managers take on their staff. It’s great fun and always results in a lot of laughs. Or have the marketing department take on the sales team. They’re sure to have some feelings that need working through. What better way to de-stress than with a fun game of laser tag? We’ve got even more for your employees to choose from including our laser maze. Once they’ve completed the Ninja Warrior Course or conquered their foes in the laser tag arena, you can gather in the cafe for some good food and conversation. Give us a call. Better yet, stop by and see us. We’re sure that once you see how much fun we have here, you’ll be ready to book your corporate event. We look forward to seeing you soon #### Having Children: The Pros and Cons Why Should You Have (Or Not Have) Children It used to be that having children was a basic human instinct. In the days before modern medicine, children were a way to ensure the passing on of money, prestige, and genetics. Children were also a sort of insurance policy, or protection. The more children you had (specifically boys), the more you would be cared for physically and financially in your old age. A lot has changed since the days of lords and serfs, now, children are not a necessity. Today, people have children to pass on the family name but also expand their family. Though it is popularly considered that children can be a positive addition to a family, now more than ever couples are choosing not to have children. And, if they do decide to have children, it is not until they are well into their 30s, sometimes 40s. A recent poll states that in America, there were 103 births per every 100,000 women between the ages of 30 to 34 years. In the 1950s, the average age women gave birth was 25. Today, women typically won’t have a baby until they are 28-years-old. Why? Much of the reason women are choosing to have children later is that they have many more career opportunities than in the past. Today, women have the capability to reach managerial, executive, and even CEO positions. Because of this shift in opportunities, some women like to focus on their careers, rather than raise a family. In this way, women can live their lives being fulfilled by their merits, rather than how many children they can have. Ultimately, the choice of having a child narrows down to the type of person you are. Being a mother can be taxing, and requires more patience than imaginable. However, motherhood is also a basic instinct of our species. Today, humankind is seeing a shift in childbirth, as women (and men) are choosing to live their lives fulfilled by something other than offspring. In this blog, we will discuss some of the positives and negatives associated with having a child. We will demonstrate the shifts in the mindset of procreation, as well as the statistical facts that surround the subject. Pro: Children Can Bring Joy and Meaning To Your Life The most common benefit to having children is the joy they bring to your life. Having a child shows you the simplicity of the world and encourages you to see your surroundings with a refreshed aptitude for imagination, creation, and positivity. Though some may think children are naive and don’t see the world as it truly is, parents of children are given the unique perspective of a child. By interacting with your child, you will be able to see basic human nature, the methods to curb behavior, and the joy life can bring. Having a child can also bring meaning into your life. Evolutionary psychologists claim that the desire to reproduce is interwoven into our DNA. As a species, our past method of survival was procreation. However today, we no longer have that need. But, even with the original reasoning no longer valid, having children still can provide meaning to your life. By passing on your genetic information, your stories, and the lessons you teach, you carry on a bit of yourself after you die. A child is a parents way of sustaining the lessons they learned from their parents, and so on. Con: Having Children is Expensive Children are expensive — there is no way to sugar-coat that fact. On average, a parent will spend almost $14,000 annually to care for one child. If you are planning to have more than one child, you must understand the expenses that are included. With these expenses, a couple could be spending well above $233,610. Of course, this sum is only a tentative sum, and only covers birth to 18 years-old. Also, this number does not include college tuition. So, if money is an issue, deciding to have children might give you pause. Pro: Children Are Entertaining A positive aspect of having children is that they are exceptionally entertaining. When you have a child, your life is consumed by their existence. Everything they do, say, eat, or dream about, become your priority. When you get older, having a child to share your life with, and share theirs, can be emotionally rewarding. Also, as children are so entertaining, you will never find yourself with a lack of purpose or something to do. Because a child can be entertaining, you will have more reason to experience and explore the world around you accompanied by your child. Con: Children Require Entertainment Children, though entertaining, require constant stimulation. This means that your child will want to play constantly and experience things. So, as a parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that your child is looked after and entertained as much as possible. But keeping your kids stimulated, you can encourage learning skills and behavioral lessons. Pro: Elderly Care Though in the middle ages children were a form of social security, today there are still elderly benefits to having children. If you have children, when you grow old your kids can help take care of you and make sure you are well looked after. When you are older and without children, your own care is in the hands of your spouse and taxpayers. Having children can definitely be a benefit to you when you are old, although just because you have children won’t guarantee that you will be supported by them when you reach seniority. Pro: Unconditional Love Having a child evokes a type of love that only parents can describe. Giving life, caring for that life, and seeing that person grow up, is one of life's greatest gifts. Being able to share your life with a child and teach them lessons passed down from your parents can be rewarding. Regardless if you can send your child to the best schools or give them everything they ever wanted, being able to have a family produces a love that is unconditional. For some, having a baby, despite the expense it worth this feeling of love. Rebounderz As stated, children require a great deal of entertainment. At your local Apopka Rebounderz, our indoor trampoline park offers your child a safe space where they can play as long as they would like. Better still, our attractions are not restricted to just children. Parents are also welcomed to join in the fun. So, if you are looking for a place to enjoy the experience of being a parent, Rebounderz would be it. #### Health Benefits of Jumping on a Trampoline When it comes to getting exercise, you may make excuses. You may find yourself to busy. You may find yourself in pain. There are any number of reasons that getting exercises seems just out of your reach, but the thing is, your health and longevity is dependent on you getting sufficient amounts of exercise. This goes for children as well. With the national childhood obesity rate ever increasing, it’s even more important to teach children healthy eating and exercise habits now rather than when they have to struggle to lose weight down the line. So whatever your excuse is, Rebounderz of Jacksonville takes away all of them, because anyone can get good exercise and see improved health from bouncing on a trampoline. Our trampoline parks are tons of fun, but who knew how beneficial they could be for whole families to stay healthy? We did! You can reap many of the following benefits when you spend time jumping on a trampoline. So come on by! Improved Bone Density Have you ever wondered why astronauts exercise on trampolines in space? When there is no gravity, there is no way to maintain their bone density. Gravity, impact, and strength training all go a long way to help keep our bones strong. But sometimes it’s hard to do the activities that benefit your bone density. Trampoline workouts can help to build up bone density without putting added stress on your joints. It’s a win/win all around in helping to prevent pain and osteoporosis. Easy on Your Joints Like we were just talking about, trampolines allow you to get exercise without putting added stress on your joints like activities, including running, might do. When your joints hurt, it can be hard to get beneficial exercise, but that doesn’t have to be the case when you add trampolining to your routine. Not only can you relieve the stress on your joints, but you’ll also get just as much exercise in less time. Cardiovascular Fitness Many doctors and other medical professionals are always going on about how important it is to get regular cardiovascular exercise. Cardiovascular exercise is defined by the ability to raise your heart rate and increase the flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body. Time on a trampoline still allows you to do just this but without the added impact on your joints. Because the trampoline flexes with you, it doesn’t compress your joints as much, leaving you feeling better while still getting a workout. Work on Your Balance Balance is something that has to be regularly worked at in order to maintain good levels. However, it’s also something that is hard to exercise. Trampolines have so much give to them, that they constantly force your body to work on balance. From the stabilizer muscles to orienting your inner ear, trampolines are one of the best places to consistently work on balance, and all you have to do is stand on one to get this benefit. Reduce Stress Yoga is regularly touted as the exercise that helps to reduce your body’s cortisol levels, but yoga isn’t the only form of exercise that can do this. In fact, most forms of exercise can help reduce stress hormones and boost the endorphins associated with activity. Take the time to get some trampoline exercise in and fight off that stubborn tummy fat that cortisol creates. Circulate Your Lymphatic Fluid Your lymphatic system helps your immune system to function at optimal levels and in order to do so, lymph fluid is circulated throughout the body. This fluid helps to clear waste out of the body. However, unlike your cardiovascular system, there is no active pump to move this fluid. Exercise helps to contract the muscles that move lymphatic fluid along, but bouncing on a trampoline is exceptionally helpful because it stimulates much of the movement that this fluid needs. Flat Out Fun While there are many health benefits to jumping on a trampoline, the fact is that the activity is just plain fun. You get to enjoy yourself and the health benefits follow. When you visit a Rebounderz trampoline park, you can know that while you and your family are having fun, you’re also working towards a healthier lifestyle. So come down to the Rebounderz of Jacksonville and get your jump on today! #### Healthy Habits Every Kid Should Learn As kids grow up, they pick up habits they carry into adulthood. We’ve gathered a list of healthy habits you can teach your children now to ensure they’re happy and healthy as they grow older. One of the habits we’ll be getting into is regular physical activity, which you can teach them here at Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Rohnert Park. With our safe trampolines, exciting Ninja Warrior obstacle course, and SlamBall basketball court, we’ve got so many different fun ways to get kids up and moving. -Get colorful with food A healthy plate of food is often very colorful. With a variety of green, yellow, orange, and red, you’re getting a good spread of fruits and vegetables into your child’s diet. It’s well known how much children enjoy colors, so embrace it with your dinner plans. Not only can you use this opportunity to teach them about healthy foods, you can also engage them as they make the connection between the colors and vegetables, making the whole meal a valuable learning experience. While you don’t have to make every meal a color explosion, utilizing a wide range of color options will engage your child more while also teaching them the benefits of healthy eating. Who knows? This might lead them to their new favorite food! -Breakfast is important It’s long been said the most important meal of the day is breakfast, and it’s true. When you teach children how to have a routine eating schedule, you’re also helping them get enough energy to be productive all through the day. Starting off the day with a healthy breakfast has been shown to have incredible benefits, with Harvard Medical School reporting that children who skip breakfast regularly are four times more likely to develop obesity. With a meal high in fiber, you’re able to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. However, it is vital to point out the high sugar content in many kinds of cereal and other breakfast staples, like pancakes. When you start the day off with a sugar rush, you’re far more likely to crash at lunchtime. Steer clear of foods with added sugars, opting instead for the natural sugars found in fruits. -Find physical activities they enjoy While some kids are naturally athletic and love sports, others may dread gym class. However, just because they don’t like sports doesn’t mean they don’t like physical activity. Let them try a variety of activities to see what connects with them. Whether it’s going on a family hike, giving archery a shot, or jumping around on a trampoline, any way they get active is a positive. Kids will be more likely to want to be active if they see their parents participating as well, so get involved with them. This could be when they find a hobby they latch onto long into adulthood, so fostering an interest in a physical activity is of great benefit to them. -Cut down on couch time This might be a tough sell to some kids, but spending time away from the glow of a television is a hugely healthy habit to pass along. So much of our lives, in this day and age, are connected to a screen, and disconnecting from it is very important. Mayo Clinic found that when a kid watches more than an hour or two of television a day, it increases their risk of serious health and social problems, including but not limited to: Poor academic performance Behavioral issues Emotional and social disconnection Attention disorders Irregular sleep patterns Less time to be active, leading to declining fitness -Embrace reading outside of school Not only does recreational reading help with reading comprehension in school, it also fosters a desire for knowledge outside of regimented classwork. When a child develops strong reading skills at an early age, it benefits them greatly as they get older. It will help them in their future career, as well as make them more well-rounded individuals. Find books related to things they’re interested in, especially if it isn’t a focus in school early on. Get a good mix of fiction and non-fiction so they learn about storytelling along with the world around them. The right book can teach empathy, friendship, and other valuable skills that will help them as they grow. Studies show that reading can help build a child’s self-esteem and relationship with their family. You can make reading a part of your child’s daily routine, whether it’s during playtime or bedtime. -Skip the soda One of the most healthy choices you can teach your children is avoiding soda in favor of water. Soft drinks are loaded with sugar and chemicals that lead to long-term health issues if consumption is not kept under control. There are no nutrients to be found in soda, which makes the calories they provide empty, and can lead to obesity and diabetes. Water, on the other hand, is incredibly important for a healthy life. When you are dehydrated, you are more susceptible to illness, as your immune system is weakened and unable to properly fight off infections and germs. Teaching your child the importance of drinking enough water early in life will start a habit that will continue to benefit them on a daily basis. -Pay attention to food labels As we’ve discussed previously, teaching kids about their nutrition is incredibly important to their long-term health. Teach them what is good for them, help them avoid what is bad for them, and build an understanding of a healthy diet. The main things that should be focused on are: Calories Saturated fats and trans fats Sugar content When they understand how to read a nutrition label, they will be more aware of what they consume. This builds an ownership over their body, along with a responsibility for their own well-being. When a child is able to have ownership over their actions, they learn consequences. This is a safe way to teach them about those consequences, as well as how to make changes in their life to be happier. Healthy living starts early! When you teach your children healthy habits early on, you are arming them with the tools for success that will stick with them long into adulthood. Fostering a desire to learn, teaching them about healthy eating, and helping them stay active leads to health and happiness for years to come. For a fun way to get the whole family active, come to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Rohnert Park. We have the safest trampoline park and a ton of fun attractions that the everyone will enjoy, no matter how old they are. We hope to see you jumping here soon! #### Healthy Party Snacks to Have at Your Kid’s Birthday Party A birthday party or celebration is always a good excuse to indulge in some party treats, after all, it is a celebration! However, any parent knows there are always celebrations and parties with treats - one classmate after the other’s birthday party, soccer team win, scout meeting, a holiday, a cousin’s graduation, dances, the list goes on and on. The point is, if we took every celebration as an excuse to eat unhealthily and allow our children to eat unhealthy snacks as well, there would be very few opportunities to eat healthy. At Rebounderz of Jacksonville, we believe that healthy eating can be as fun as exercise, you just have to make it fun, appealing, and tasty! Here, we have gathered up a few deliciously healthy snacks to share at your kid’s birthday party. Ants on a Log/Tire These tasty, classic treats are as tasty as they are delicious! Clean and cut celery stalks into three to four-inch pieces. Slather with nut butter of your choice (we recommend peanut or almond) and place some dried raisins along the sticky stalk. For a twist on this snack, core and slice apples into rings. Spread honey or Nutella on the apple rings and top with raisins or dried cranberries as ants. Chia Banana Sushi This is a super simple, super healthy, delicious treat that looks great on a platter. Slice bananas into sushi-thick slices. Dip half of the edge into honey or Nutella (alternate for variety), and then dip into chia seeds. Let the “rolls” sit in the refrigerator for an hour and serve. Fruit Kabobs This treat is super simple and what makes it delicious is the fun of eating it! Use toothpicks as skewers to string several pieces of bite-sized fruit. To add in something sweet, you can add a small marshmallow here and there or roll some of the fruit in Nutella before adding it to the mix. You can use any fruit for your kabobs, if they include fruit that browns once cut, simply squirt a little lemon or lime juice on your kabobs before letting them sit. Parmesan Zucchini Fries A great way to get kids and parents alike to enjoy eating their vegetables is to not serve them as vegetables! These parmesan zucchini fries are easy to make and delicious. Simply cut your zucchini into chunky strips, coat with a very thin layer of olive oil and roll in a mix of parmesan cheese and basil. Bake until golden brown, serve. Just because you host your kid’s birthday party, doesn’t mean you have to serve unhealthy snacks and treats for your guests. There are many healthy snack ideas that are as fun and healthy as they are scrumptious. Check out a few recipes and Pinterest suggestions before surrendering to the baked good gods. Of course, you can also serve a delicious baked birthday cake! If you need more suggestions for healthy, fun kids birthday parties, give us a call at Rebounderz! #### Heart Health for Kids February is Heart Health Awareness month — Valentine’s Day makes so much sense. Because February is a short month and your heart is so important, we figured we’d take the opportunity to discuss your child’s heart health now, so you are better prepared to participate come February. Many people don’t think of children when they think of heart disease, but the habits we form as youngsters are what set the pace for our perception of wellness and overall health that is difficult to change over a lifespan. Here are some things you can do to promote heart health in your children. Lead by Example Kids don’t hear you when you say “do as I say, not as I do.” They learn by example, they are always watching, and they want to be just like you — yes, you. To instill healthy habits in your children, they must be routine and the expected normal. Most importantly, the behaviors you want to see in your children should be emulated from you. Eating healthy, getting exercise, reading, and sleeping well are all habits that are picked up by watching you. Turn Off the Screen It doesn’t matter what kind of screen your child is exposed to throughout the day — iPad, television, cell-phone — turn them off. Engage with each other and discuss your days over dinner; make the dinner table a cell-phone free zone. Turn off the television and encourage your children to read a book to engage in imaginative play. Screen time limits physical activity, which when made a habit, leads to a sedentary lifestyle and de-emphasizes exercise. Healthy Eating Habits Healthy eating habits should be established when children are young. Instead of sugary snacks, kids should learn to enjoy fruit. Saturated fats and processed sugar should be avoided or limited. Vegetables should be enjoyed at every meal. A glass of milk or water are better alternatives to mealtime drinks than juice. Children should never be required to “clean your plate,” as this causes them to learn to eat to excess, which is a major risk factor for obesity, which is the leading cause of heart disease. Foods should be low in cholesterol and sodium, which both negatively impact heart health. Know the Inherited Risks Although some factors that contribute to heart disease are directly related to habits and lifestyle, some factors are inherited. Knowing your family’s heart history can help you understand what your child is more at risk for so you can do everything in your power to mitigate the consequences. If you or your partner’s family has a history has a diagnosis of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, type 2 diabetes, or heart disease; or have had a stroke or heart attack, your child is already at an increased risk for heart disease and heart health must be aggressively pursued. Physical Activity Physical activity or exercise is paramount to heart health. Regular cardiovascular activities help to maintain a healthy weight and support heart health. For children, regular play such as jumping on a trampoline, rollerblading, or playing tag, are all good, easy examples of fun physical activity. Everyone should engage in at least 30 minutes of physical exercise a day. The best way to get your kid active is by getting active with them! For a fun family activity that will get everyone’s hearts pumping — and put a smile on faces — plan an outing to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Grand Rapids. Jumping on a trampoline is the equivalent of running for 30 minutes! Come have fun while you improve your whole family’s heart health! #### Helping Your Child Succeed in School: Part One While a lot of your child’s educational success comes down to the effort they put in while at school, support from parents can give them that extra boost so they can get the most out of their learning. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the best ways that you can help your child succeed in school. This is an opportunity to foster a lifelong love of learning that will enrich your child’s life long after they’ve finished their schooling. Today will be the first part of our two-part series regarding your child’s educational success. Something that can help with your kid’s brain function is ensuring they’re getting enough physical activity. When you’re looking for a fun place for your kid to be active, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Lansdale! -Go to Back-to-School Nights and Parent-Teacher Conferences Getting involved in your child’s education has a tremendously positive effect on their performance. One of the easiest ways that you can get involved is by attending functions that allow you to meet with your child’s teachers. Not only does this give you a chance to see what their expectations are for the school year, it will also help you understand the curriculum that will be covered going forward. When you have that information, you’ll be better equipped to assist your child if they are struggling with their homework. Parent-Teacher Conferences will also help you track your child’s progress. When discussing how your child has done over the past semester, their teacher will bring up concerns or recommendations for improvement. This is a great chance for you to create a game plan with their teacher for how to help them succeed. Whether it is a struggle with homework, poor testing, or bad behavior in class, together you’ll get an idea of where your focus needs to be placed. If there is a point where you believe a special meeting with a teacher would be beneficial, most teachers are able to make arrangements at any time during the year. -Go to the School and its Website When you visit your child’s school, you’re able to get a better idea of how it is laid out so you can connect with your child more when they discuss their school day. Make sure you know where the main office, school nurse, lunchroom, gym, playground, auditorium, and your child’s specific classrooms are. Checking the school’s website will provide you with a wide range of information, such as: The school calendar, including holidays when school will not be in session. Upcoming events like field trips or tests. Contact information for the school’s staff. Lunch menu, which allows you to plan when you might need to pack a lunch. Many teachers and schools keep their websites updated with homework assignments, testing dates, and field trips as a special resource for parents. With this information, you’ll be able to remind your child about important days and assignments that they need to focus on. -Support Homework Expectations While many kids find homework boring, the truth is its purpose goes beyond education. Homework helps to form a child’s work ethic when they’re outside of the classroom. This makes it doubly important for children to practice good study habits, as those habits will carry over throughout their lives. This will also impress upon themselves a sense of responsibility for their own actions. When you foster responsibility and work ethic, they will have a stronger feeling of control over their success. To make homework a priority in your household, it’s important to provide your child with an effective study environment. Make sure their workspace is quiet, well-lit, comfortable, and stocked with plenty of supplies like pencils and paper. Keep the area clear of distractions like TV that would pull their attention away from their studies. Depending on the assignment, you may be able to set a start and stop time to give your child a similar structure to their work as they would have while at school. A good guideline to keep in mind for homework or studying is it should take about 10 minutes per elementary grade level. That is to say, fourth-graders will typically spend about 40 minutes on homework or studying each night. However, if you notice it is taking much longer than that, it is a good sign you should speak with their teacher. Their workload may be too much for them to handle or they may be struggling with the subject matter and require extra teaching. Make yourself available to your child while they’re studying in case they need help interpreting assignment instructions, extra guidance, or answer questions to help them understand a tough project. However, that does not mean you should provide the correct answers or complete the assignments yourself. A great deal of learning comes from making mistakes, which is an experience you don’t want to take away from your child. -Start Their Day Off Right Brains need nutrients in order to function properly. This proves the old adage is true: Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. When a child starts their day off with a nutritious breakfast, they will have more energy, be more attentive in class, and grasp complex concepts easier than if they are working off an empty stomach. Kids that eat breakfast will also be healthier, which means fewer trips to the school nurse or days spent sick at home. You can help improve your child’s attention span, ability to concentrate, and information retention with a breakfast rich in whole grains, fiber, and protein. It’s a good idea to steer clear added sugars, which can cause an energy crash halfway through their day. Packing a snack with fresh fruit, nuts, or yogurt can help ensure they have energy throughout the day. Outside of breakfast, there is another way that you can ensure you’re sending your child to school ready to learn. Most school-age kids need around 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night in order to be productive the following day. Help your child practice good bedtime habits by turning off electric devices one to two hours prior to their bedtime to ensure they get enough sleep. When kids don’t get enough sleep, they will be more likely to be irritable or hyperactive and struggle to focus in class. A consistent bedtime routine is key to helping your child be ready for school every day. Do what you can to manage your child’s schedule of after-school activities, recreational sports, video games, computer time, and other activities to ensure they’re getting a full night’s rest. There are many ways that you can help your child succeed in school, which we’ll be covering in the near future. Keep an eye on this space for more helpful tips to ensure your child gets the most out of their academic pursuits. When you’re looking for a great way to reward a wonderful report card, bring your child to Rebounderz here in Lansdale. Whether they want to jump around in our exceptionally safe trampoline park or they want to test their might in the Ninja Warrior course, we know they’ll find a fun and exciting way to be active. We hope to see you here soon! #### Helping Your Child Succeed In School: Part Two Last week, we took a look at some of the ways that you can help your child succeed in school. That blog discussed why going to parent-teacher conferences, visiting the school, supporting homework expectations, and sending your child off to school ready to learn are all so important to their success in their studies. Today, we’ll be concluding our two-part series with a few more ways you can help out. Giving your child opportunities to be physically active will help their brain function, so why not bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Lansdale so they can have some fun while getting exercise? -Teach Organizational Skills While being organized can certainly come to some people easier than others, it is a skill that can be taught. By giving your child a solid foundation of staying organized, not only will they be able to be more successful in school, they will carry those skills onward into adulthood. Being organized will save your child time and stress, as they won’t have to search high and low for what they’re looking for, since they’ll already know where it is. That gives them the ability to stay focused and avoid the anxiety that comes with losing something important. What should your organization expectations be at an elementary school level? You can make organization easy with an assignment book and a homework folder where they can store their homework and projects. This will help them keep track of where their assignments are and when they are due. It’s important that you provide a level of accountability for your child as they are developing these skills. Check their assignment book every school night to ensure you’re familiar with the assignments they’re working on so you know they aren’t falling behind. This will also give you a chance to check in with them in case they are struggling, so you can discuss ways to pull them out of a slump. Kids often have assignments or papers that need a parent’s signature, so it’s a good idea to set up a box for these types of papers. Likewise, you can put together a box for completed and graded assignments, report cards, and other pieces you may want to hold onto. This will also give you a chance to toss out anything that isn’t important so your child’s backpack isn’t cluttered with unnecessary items. While you won’t necessarily be able to help your child keep their desk or locker clean and organized, do what you can to show them how helpful it is when things are in order so they will be compelled to keep them that way at school. It’s also a good idea to teach your child about making to-do lists and using a calendar or agenda to help them know what is a priority. -Teach Them How to Study Just like organizational skills, knowing how to study can have a great affect on your child’s success, even beyond school. Good studying skills translate to good learning habits as they get older, which they can then apply to their future careers. For elementary school, most classes have end-of-unit tests in math, spelling, science, and social studies that they will take every so often. This is why it is important to have a good schedule for school assignments and tests, as it will help you plan for what needs to be studied on a given night. When a test is coming up, remind your child to bring home any necessary supplies, books, notes, and study guides that they might need for the test. Help them break down their studying into smaller, more manageable tasks that make the test less overwhelming. Depending on your child’s skill level, you can teach them handy memory tricks, such as mnemonic devices or acronyms, that will help them retain tricky information. It’s a good idea to keep these sessions to 45-minute chunks before taking a break. That break is important to help your child process and remember the information they’ve just learned. -Familiarize Yourself With Disciplinary Policies Typically found in student handbooks, schools will detail their student code of conduct to ensure everyone knows the behavior that is expected of them. This will also get into the consequences of not meeting those expectations as they pertain to behavior, dress codes, use of electronic devices, and acceptable language. These policies may also cover attendance, vandalism, cheating, fighting, weapons, and bullying. When you understand the policies and consequences contained in the code of conduct, you’ll be able to teach your child how to behave in school, as well as what to do when a classmate is not following those guidelines. When you make behavior expectations consistent between home and school, you show your child that both environments are safe and caring, which gives them the confidence to succeed. -Volunteer in School Activities Getting involved in events the school puts on is a great way to show your interest in your child’s education. Many elementary school kids love to see their parents at school or school events, but it is important that you gauge how much interaction your child is comfortable with. If they begin to feel uncomfortable with you being around at school, it’s a good opportunity to take a more behind-the-scenes approach with your volunteering. Let your child know that you’re not there to spy on them and their friends — you just want to do your part to support the school community. Some examples of ways that parents can get involved include: Volunteering as a classroom helper or homeroom parent Organizing or helping with fundraising activities, such as bake sales, car washes, and book fairs Chaperoning a field trip Planning a class party Participating in school board meetings Joining the school’s PTA (parent-teacher association) Assisting in the library Reading a story for the class Speaking at career day Attending school concerts, plays, or sporting events Talk with your child’s teacher or another school staff member to discuss volunteer opportunities that you can fit into your schedule. All it takes is a few hours during the school year to make a huge impression on your child and show them how much you care about their success in school. There are so many ways that you can give your child the tools to succeed in school, but we hope these help get the ball rolling for you. Being an active participant in your child’s learning has the power to make them more motivated to do well. Teach them how to be organized and study, understand the rules and expectations the school has of your little one, and volunteer to help out when you can to ensure they thrive in their education. A great way to reward a strong report card is to bring your child here to Rebounderz in Lansdale. We’re sure they’ll love jumping around in our super safe trampoline park. We hope to see you here soon! #### Helping Your Kid Learn Through the Summer With less than a month left in the school year, many kids are already looking ahead to a summer filled with fun and excitement. While it’s great that kids get to take a break from school and enjoy summer days of running around with their friends, it’s important that they engage with the learning they’ve done through the past year of school. Many kids end up losing some of the knowledge they worked so hard for through summer break, which makes going back to school tougher to do, resulting in a month or so of struggling to get back in the swing of things. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the ways you can help your kid keep their mind active through the summer. When you’re looking for a fun way to beat the summer heat, bring your kiddos to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Edison! -The Summer Slide When a kid is in school, it’s basically like a full-time job, with work overflowing into their personal time when they get home. This makes it easy to understand how they can get burnt out over the course of the school year. Summer is a retreat away from long days spent in a classroom and coming home with a pile of homework that needs to be done. However, when kids make that full disconnection from education for a few months, they fall into a situation called the Summer Slide. For example, kids can lose up to two and a half months worth of math skills during summer vacation. Younger kids can lose a month or more of their spelling skills. This is why it is so important to engage your child’s education throughout these off-months. -Summer Reading Encourage your child to read through the summer to keep their brain active. This is a great alternative to spending long days in front of a TV screen or buried in a cell phone. Let them know this is a great opportunity for them to pursue their own interests that might not be covered in school. Take a weekly trip to your local library so they can pick their own books out. If you can come away from the library with at least one fiction and one non-fiction book, you’ll be engaging both sides of their brain. This is their chance to have a say in what they learn about, so let them know it’s ok to try reading something they aren’t that familiar with it. You never know what book might trigger thoughts of a future career! -Creativity Of course, it doesn’t all have to be book learning. Craft projects and other creative endeavors can have just as big an impact on your child’s brain function as reading a long book about long division. Teach them how to knit, paint, build models, put together puzzles, try photography, build or repair something… the possibilities are truly endless. Take an art class at the local community center together to make the activity a shared experience between you and your child. You can even just take a trip to the museum to show them the art on display. You’d be surprised what can get a kid’s creative gears turning. We’re going to be taking a look at some of the other ways you can keep your child learning throughout the summer in another blog post coming next week, so keep an eye out for that. For now, we hope these ideas get you thinking about ways that you can keep your child engaged outside of school. One of the biggest things to consider through summer break is how much physical activity your child is getting. Bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Edison to get them moving around in a fun and safe way. We hope to see you soon! #### Helping Your Kid Learn Through the Summer: Part 2 We recently took a look at some ways to help your kid keep learning through the summer and why it’s so important. Today, we have some of the best activities you can do with your kids to keep them engaged and teach them new things so they can avoid the summer slide. As kids grow, physical activity is just as important to their brain function as reading and writing. When you want to give your kids a fun and safe place to be active, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Edison. -Plant a Garden When you want to teach your child about science and the ecosystem, there’s nothing better than planting a garden together. Whether you start with seeds or small plants, this is a great opportunity to teach your child how things grow, along with the responsibility required to keep it growing. Talk to them about what plants need to thrive: air, sun, water, and nutrients. Get a good mix of flowers and vegetables to show them the differences between them. Plus, this could foster a lifelong love of gardening and veggies when they get invested in their development. -Make a Scrapbook No matter if it’s about a family vacation or just some fun adventures, a scrapbook is a creative activity that engages many different aspects of your child’s learning. Let them take pictures, write short stories, color, draw, and decorate the scrapbook however they like to really see what they can do. If you go on a vacation, collect some things to go in the scrapbook, such as postcards, menus from restaurants you visited, and anything else you think would fit in well. You can make this an activity you do together or let them have free reign — either way it gets them away from the TV screen and working on something creative and productive. -Cook Together Teaching kids how to cook early on is invaluable, as it will ensure they’re prepared when they get older to eat healthy and avoid eating fast food every day. Grab a cookbook and browse through it together until your little one finds something they want to try. Take a trip to the grocery store so they can practice getting all of the ingredients they’ll need. Then, when you start cooking, teach them about how to find different measurements, techniques that will change the food, safety practices, and any other questions they may have about the process. Starting off with something small like cookies is an easy sell to kids and doesn’t get too complicated. -Build Something Hobby shops and toy stores have a lot of kits for building things, with everything from birdhouses to model airplanes ready to be put together in one handy box. Learning how to build something teaches kids how to follow instructions, helps them hone their motor skills, and gives them the pride and confidence of having something they’re building take shape. Depending on how old your child is, there will be a good kit for them. See what interests them and make sure its age appropriate. You can even find models of the solar system if your little one wants to learn more about the universe around us. -Museum Trips Museums are a font of knowledge and history just waiting to be uncovered. A natural history museum will teach your kids about a wide range of subjects, showing the incredible ways that science affects everything we do and everything around us. An art museum can foster a love of the arts and inspire your little one’s own creative endeavors. After taking a trip to the museum, talk to your child about what they liked, what they were interested in, what they want to learn more about, and what they were bored by. On the way home, make a stop at the library and pick up some books about the subjects they’re interested in to keep the learning going. -Explore Nature Summer presents a fantastic opportunity to explore the great outdoors and learn all about the local flora and fauna. Take a family hike, ride bikes on a bike trail, go camping — it all gives plenty of opportunities for learning about the environment around us. Print out some information about animals and plants that are native to the area and see how many your child can spot when you’re out and about. Not only will this teach them more about the world around them and their community, it will also help them avoid being sedentary during the summer. There are so many different and exciting ways that you can help your child keep learning all summer long. Try to mix up the types of activities you do to keep them interested, but pay attention to what they are enjoying and what they aren’t grasping. Lean into the things they’re interested in to maximize their engagement in the activities and get the most out of these learning opportunities. Frame it as a fun activity instead of “educational,” because for many kids, that word and summer vacation just don’t go together. It’s not supposed to be homework; it’s a change of pace from the grind of the classroom. This is an opportunity to explore areas of interest that aren’t necessarily covered in general education, so let them lead the way with what they want to learn while providing them ample options to learn something new. Staying physically active is a huge part of keeping kids healthy, happy, and learning. When you are looking for a place to beat the heat while your kids get some exercise, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Edison. We know they’ll have a blast! #### High Energy Kids: The Perfect Energy Outlet If you’re a parent, then you’ve probably been there: Your child ends up running around like crazy and there is nothing you can do to get them to chill out. They have too much energy and simply don’t know what to do with themselves. As an adult, you’re probably wishing that you had that much energy again. Or even as a parent, you may be concerned that your child has ADHD, or some other problem, when they simply can’t calm down. However, high energy isn’t always a bad thing, and it doesn’t immediately mean that anything is wrong with your child. It’s important that your children get enough active play in order to help alleviate any pent up energy and provide them with stimulating activities in order to help them be calm and focused when it matters most. Rebounderz of Lansdale is the perfect place to let your kids play. They get the perfect opportunity to jump, play, explore, and just be silly when they play at our indoor trampoline park. Here’s why that’s so important. Kids are constantly growing and learning, even into their 20s for most. Part of this process involves the development of specific regions of the brain. Studies done at the University of British Columbia that were published in 2014 suggest that cardiovascular exercise have a direct impact on both verbal and memory sections of the brain. In fact, individuals who participated in cardiovascular exercise saw an increase in the size of the hippocampus and also saw improved cognitive function. In addition to helping improve the health of the brain, regular cardiovascular exercise for children can help improve their behavior and ability to learn in a classroom setting. Children are a bit like glasses of water. Each glass can only contain so much liquid before it overflows. The same can be said for children. They can only contain so much energy before it starts to come out through negative behaviors. Things like acting out in class, not being able to sit still, and lack of focus can all be attributed to having a vast amount of energy with no outlet. Regular cardiovascular exercise for kids can help to moderate these behaviors and help them to focus better and maintain appropriate energy levels in a classroom setting. So what are some of the best ways to help kids get active, creative, and stimulating play? There’s always the local kid’s soccer team. Swim team can be a great option too. Both of these help to raise heart rates and increase blood circulation. However, for a real treat that really can give your kids a lot of energy release and get them sweating, turn to Rebounderz. Our indoor trampoline parks allow kids to jump, flip, dive, and play to their heart’s content. Regular play at Rebounderz can help to burn that excess energy and help kids to feel their best, no matter what they’re facing each day. Take some time to reward your kids with healthy, active play at Rebounderz today! #### History of the Ninja The ninja has reached cult status in America due to its portrayal in modern pop culture, much like the samurai. But remember, these iterations are based on actual historical groups of people with a rich and storied history. If you're a fan of American Ninja Warrior (we are!), you may be interested in learning a little bit about the history of the ninja. Here, we'd like to go over a quick history of ninjas in Japan. And if it pumps you up to learn that these figures actually existed, try your hand at our Edison ninja warrior course here at Rebounderz! Ninja Predecessor Before there were ninjas, there was Yamato Takeru. He was a 4th century prince mentioned in the Kokiji, the oldest still existing written chronicle from Japan. In it, legend has it that Yamato disguised himself as a charming and attractive maiden in order to assassinate two rival chiefs. Yamato has retroactively been dubbed a ninja, although the term did not exist back then. History It wasn't until the 15th century, known in Japan as the Sengoku period, that actual records of ninjas trained specifically for espionage came into existence. This is also when the word ninja (shinobi) came to refer to this group of people. While there isn't concrete historical data of ninja training for this period, later manuals often appear to co opt many Chinese military tactics, like those found in Sun Tzu's The Art of War. Professional Ninja While the definition of ninja itself is broad, and could include many people, there were actually places where ninjas were professionally trained in the art of the shinobi. Credit for this goes to two distinct family clans: the Iga and KŌga. Both of these clans made their home in remote provinces, which might have contributed to their secret development. They even had a role system, including jonin (top rank), ChŪnin (middle rank), and gēnin (lower rank). In the tail end of the 15th century, Oda Nobunaga, a powerful feudal lord, raided the Iga province and destroyed both clans. Survivors fled into the mountains, and some made it to a benefactor, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who treated them well. Hattori Hanzō (a famed historical ninja) even went on to become one of Tokugawa's bodyguards. Even as late as the 18th century, ninjas were used as part of an intelligence agency by shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune. Ninja Roles Not only did ninjas have ranks among them, they had specific roles as well. These roles included everything from spy (kancho), to agitator (konran), to ambush attacker (kishu).   Hopefully this quick overview about ninjas proved interesting. But remember, the ninja legacy lives on! If you're interested in training to become the next American Ninja Warrior, we have our very own Edison ninja warrior course at our trampoline park. With four different difficulty levels, you're sure to meet the ultimate challenge to test your skills as a ninja. We also have a host of other fun activities, including trampoline basketball and a foam pit. Drop by today or give us a call for more info!   #### Host The Most Extreme Birthday Party Of All Time As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and legal guardians, we want the best for our kids. That goes for their educations, their diets, and of course for their birthday parties. In fact, we’d venture to say that the last one probably means more than anything to them, up until a certain age at least. That’s why when it comes to planning your kids’ birthday parties, you have to be on top of your game and have the perfect plan in place to create an event that will be remembered and relished for the next 365 days. Well, here in Sunrise, we have the answer for you to help you throw the most extreme, most exciting, and most memorable kids birthday party of all time. Rebounderz, an indoor trampoline arena and extreme fun center, is proud to serve Sunrise and indeed all of South Florida as the premier ultimate party destination. Your kids birthday parties will never be the same after you experience one at a Rebounderz. This is what we were built for. We have a variety of kids birthday party packages to help you cater your event to the wishes and dreams of your precious child. Plus, our attractions and amenities feature wall-to-wall trampoline jump arenas, a jumpXTREME Tower for those height-loving daredevils, air dodgeball arenas for competitive bonding, basketball slam courts for dunk-happy ballers, a thrilling high-diving air pit, and even an arcade for those looking to take a break from the trampoline action. Our indoor trampoline park and extreme fun center has all you could ever dream about and more to host the most extreme kids birthday party of all time. Keep reading to learn more about our packages and offering, and contact Rebounderz of Sunrise to learn how to book your event today. Private Party Rooms When hosting an extreme birthday party, the first thing you want to be sure of is that you have a dedicated space for your wild child and their friends. At Rebounderz of Sunrise, we have five dedicated private party rooms to choose from as well as a specially trained birthday host to help organize and manage all aspects of your party. All you have to do is bring the cake! Our private party room themes have something for every birthday girl and boy. You can choose from a variety of themed rooms, including: The Super Hero Room The Red Carpet Room The Castaway Room The Fairy Tale Room The Sports Room Kids Birthday Party Packages Whether you’re in Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, or anywhere in South Florida, our private party packages are worth the trip to Rebounderz for your next kids birthday party. When you purchase one of our birthday party packages, you get the aforementioned party room, a dedicated party host, as well as full access to our massive indoor trampoline arenas and jumpers, our world-famous American Ninja Warrior courses, the XTREME Jump Tower, basketball slam courts, a state-of-the-art arcade, and a whole lot more. Our party packages include: Frenzy Table Party: This package is our smallest, yet provides you with a whole lot of bang for your buck. This package includes three hours of full access for 10 guests, two dedicated picnic tables, the necessary Rebounderz Grip jumping socks, two pitchers of soda, two large pizzas, and paper plates and utensils. This package does not include a dedicated party host, though we will aid in setup and cleanup. Major Party Package: This kids birthday party package does feature a dedicated party host for your event, as well as 2 ½ hours of full access for up to 10 guests, the exclusive use of one of our themed party rooms, two large pizzas, Rebounderz grip socks, 10 bottles of water, paper plates, utensils 10 pre-loaded arcade cards, and a special Rebounderz t-shirt for the guest of honor. XTreme Party Package: Our biggest package allows full Rebounderz access to all of our great amenities for up to 20 birthday guests, exclusive use of a party room and a dedicated party host, three large pizzas, and 20 of everything (bottled water, Rebounderz socks, arcade cards). Our Attractions Still need a little bit of convincing? You shouldn’t. But if you do, here is just a taste of what our extreme fun center offers. Ninja Warrior Course: Have you ever wanted to test your mettle on the Ninja Warrior course? This is your opportunity. Have kids test their agility and skill in this one-of-a-kind obstacle course. Jump XTREME Tower: Standing at 14-foot tall, our JumpXTREME tower lets your daredevils take the plunge onto a custom inflatable landing surface. Open Jump Arena: If your party-goers just want to jump around, well that happens to be our specialty. We have wall-to-wall coverage of our patented Jumpers, which are designed with superior engineering for maximum safety. Learn more about hosting your next kid’s birthday party at the only Rebounderz serving South Florida. Call us today to schedule your event. #### Host The Most Extreme Holiday Party Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or a regular-old employee looking to boost your team’s spirit, you are probably already in the beginning stages of planning out your annual holiday party. From a catered event right in your own office to fancy dinners out on the town to drinks at the local watering hole, there are no shortage of options available for corporate holiday get-togethers. The problem is, everyone already knows what to expect. You show up. You mingle a little bit. You force awkward small talk. You have a drink. You give a speech. And then everyone goes home, possibly kicking themselves because they missed their favorite primetime show for two hours of casual fraternization. Luckily, there’s still time for you to change the game. You can create long-lasting memories, friendship, and improve team morale greatly when you decide to ditch the boring holiday party model and instead throw the most extreme holiday party imaginable. We’re not trying to convince you to throw one of those wild parties where you end up with a lampshade on your head; but if you do, be sure to send us an invite. Instead, we’re simply suggesting that you consider Rebounderz, the best trampoline park in the Orlando area, to be the site of your next corporate holiday outing. After all, they do say that companies who take a leap of faith together tend to stay together. And what better way to do that than by actually leaping, jumping, and bouncing your way to a stronger team? Let’s take a look at a few benefits to hosting a high-octane corporate outing at our Apopka trampoline park, as well as some fun challenge ideas for you and your company to participate while you’re at Rebounderz. Contact us today if you’re interested in booking for this holiday season! Benefits Of Hosting A Corporate Party At Rebounderz Rebounderz is here to help you throw a corporate holiday party that will knock the socks off your management team, employees, and their families. Our innovative, state-of-the-art trampoline park facility features more than 26,000 square feet of action, with over 10,000 square feet of wall-to-wall trampoline action. But, we also have private rooms, an arcade, and a cafe area for those non-jumpers in your group. Here are a few of the top reasons why holding your corporate event at Rebounderz might be beneficial: Break The Mold Perhaps you’re thought of as your typical, run-of-the mill manager who doesn’t like to mingle with employees. Well, you can break free from that stereotype by setting up an extreme holiday party that no one will ever forget. Rebounderz offers several corporate party options that can also provide food, drinks, and any other needs your group may have. Team Bonding Break free from those awkward silences and small talk by getting your employees involved with a variety of challenges. From air dodgeball to foam pit relays, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of fun and unique games your group can participate in which will lead to teamwork, bonding, and a sense of community among your company. An Excuse to Let Loose Often times, we have to be on our best behavior at work. That might even mean stifling your true personality in order to not ruffle any feathers. Well, there’s something about bouncing around on a trampoline that allows your inner kid to re-emerge. Guests will be sure to have more fun than they’ve ever had with their co-workers, possibly even leading to lifelong friendships and boosted morale. Bring The Whole Family Hosting a corporate outing at Rebounderz allows for your employees to include their entire family. Rather than leaving the kids at home, or rather having to stay home because they can’t find a babysitter, your employees can bring the whole family along to experience the thrills and high-flying fun. Unique Holiday Party Game Ideas There will be plenty of time to mix and mingle later. When you’re at a Rebounderz trampoline park, you’ll want everyone to take full advantage of the bouncing world they have right at their fingers (or toes). Our Rebounderz staff will help you facilitate a handful of exciting, team-building activities your group can participate in during your event, including things like: Air Dodgeball Tournaments Arcade Ticket Challenges Slam Dunk Contest Foam Pit Relay Mine Fields Scavenger Hunts Capture The Flag And more! After experiencing the most extreme, most unique corporate holiday party imaginable, we are certain your team will walk away closer and stronger than before. Like we said, there’s just something about jumping about on a trampoline that makes the fun come out in all of us. We can customize any program to help you celebrate a year of hard work, while also jumping (get it?) toward your future goals. Contact your Rebounderz in Apopka today to learn how to book our trampoline parks for your Orlando company holiday party today. #### Host Your Halloween Event with Rebounderz With Halloween just around the corner, it’s worth giving a thought to what you plan to do to celebrate. Do you enjoy hitting up the haunted houses? Do your kids love to trick-or-treat? Do you have to plan a party for your work or your kid’s school group? If you’ve been tasked with coming up with a great idea to celebrate Halloween, we understand how stressful that can be. But Rebounderz of Sunrise is here to make things just a bit easier! As the premier trampoline park in the Miami area, we’re the perfect place to hold a group event that will be both fun and spooky for all ages, but you need to book today! Whether you opt for a private event where you get to take over the facility, or you want to host a smaller party in one of our private party rooms, your Halloween party is sure to be remembered when you host at Rebounderz trampoline parks. Here are a few ideas to get your party planning started for your Halloween extravaganza. Spooky Decor No Halloween party is complete without the right decor to add to the feel of the party. This can include everything from fake cobwebs to homemade bats flying around the party room. In order to add a bit of flare without much cost consider the following: Mason Jar Pumpkins: No Halloween party is complete without pumpkins, but bringing large pumpkins into Rebounderz may be a bit overkill. Instead, grab some mason jars, tissue paper, and modge podge to create a unique table decoration. Simply tear up orange tissue paper and paste it to the exterior of the mason jar with the modge podge. Add a face with black tissue paper for cute table decor. Tissue Paper Bouquets: If you’re catering to a family or adult crowd who loves to have fun, consider making a bouquet of tissue paper flowers for the table decor in fall colors. Paper Plate Candy Corn: For an easy to hang Halloween banner, pull out the paper plates and some paint. Cut the plates like slices of pie and paint with orange and yellow so that each slice looks like candy corn. Use a hole punch at the top and then hang them from some string or yarn for a festive touch. Stenciled Table Covers: To dress up the tables at Rebounderz, simply pick up a white table cover, some paint, and pumpkin carving stencils. At home, use the stencils to add some spooky images to your plain white table covers for a very unique table decoration. Boo Barrels When it comes to Halloween, the party is never complete without candy. As parents, you know you always sneak candy from your kids while they're in a sugar coma from the festivities. For a party at Rebounderz, set up a candy station in the form of a boo barrel. Try out this boo barrel tutorial from Sadie Seasongoods for this perfectly themed spot to set up a candy station for young and old alike. Cupcake Decorating While Rebounderz will have you covered on the food front with pizza and soda or lemonade, a sweet treat is always a great idea for a Halloween party! You could always opt to bring in a Halloween sheet cake, but if kids are attending your party, let them have a little fun and set up for Halloween cupcake decorating. Use small watercolor trays to hold all the possible candy decorations and let kids pick their favorites to place atop their own cupcake. A good idea would be to pick up chocolate cupcakes with chocolate, yellow, or orange frosting to keep the fall theme going! Sounds of Halloween No Halloween party is complete without the spooky sounds or festive music to go with it. Set up an iPod and speakers in your private party room, or rent out the whole facility and we can play your favorite festive music over the building speakers. Embrace Halloween, because it’s truly that much fun! Come Costumed! Halloween is about two things: candy and costumes. No party is complete without Halloween costumes, however, with a Rebounderz party, you have to think long and hard about what you’re going to wear. Whatever you decide to dress up as, make sure that you can move and jump around. Also make sure that there are no part of the costume that can damage the trampolines. Great options might include dressing as dominos or Mario and Luigi. The options are virtually endless. And if you opt to wear and skirt or dress, please make sure to wear shorts underneath so you can partake in the fun! When it comes to throwing a fun, family-friendly Halloween party, let Rebounderz of Sunrise help you out! Contact our event coordinator today to get started! And don’t forget to stop by Rebounderz anytime for a fun day with the family.   #### Hosting Your Company Summer Get-Together Each year, summer comes around and companies throw picnics and other types of parties to help improve company culture and reward their employees for all their hard work. When it comes to planning these company get-togethers, it can often be an overwhelming task for those in charge. However, for family fun, ease of planning, and an affordable solution, turn to Rebounderz of Apopka trampoline park for your next corporate event. One of the most difficult aspects of planning a corporate event is organizing a family-oriented event that everyone can enjoy. When it comes to picking a venue, you have few options, and many of them don’t take care of details for you. You’re left with restaurants, with no activities, or outdoor locations that won’t appeal to many. Here at Rebounderz of Apopka, we’re a family entertainment facility that can appeal to a wide variety of ages and backgrounds. In fact, who wouldn’t love to challenge their boss to a game of dodgeball or play with their kids in the foam pits. Rebounderz always puts the emphasis on families, making it the perfect choice for a summer company get-together that includes families. In addition to being the perfect place for families, Rebounderz trampoline parks can provide an all-inclusive experience. If you need food and beverages for your event, we’ve got you covered and can customize any package to fit your event needs. We have dedicated event coordinators on staff to manage your specific event needs and help you create the perfect, corporate event that everyone is sure to remember. You don’t have to choose Rebounderz of Apopka just for the family focus or the all-inclusive experience; the best reason to choose Rebounderz is that it’s a fun, versatile entertainment center for everyone. When you choose Rebounderz, you’re providing employees with a fun atmosphere where they can play on the trampolines or break out a game of dodgeball. But there are more activities than just that. They can challenge each other to the Basketball Slam or they can even hit up the arcade. Each Rebounderz arcade is full of fun games, both old and new, for all ages to enjoy. Do you love skeeball? Great, hit up the skeeball lanes! How about Pacman or Air Hockey? You won’t be missing out at our arcade! It can often be hard to impress employees on a budget, but Rebounderz makes it possible. From pizza and rebounding fun to a family focus and a packed arcade, you will be able to plan an irresistible evening for employees to enjoy with their families and with each other. In order to get the plans for your summer corporate event underway, you need to call Rebounderz of Apopka. Our event planners can help you secure your date, plan out your food, and address any unique needs you may have for your particular event. When you book our Rebounderz trampoline park, we’re able to work with you on your unique needs. If you’re looking to impress and entertain, choose Rebounderz of Apopka for your summer corporate event today. #### How a Trampoline Can Be Good For Your Toddler Trampolines and Toddlers Though it may seem like trampolines and toddlers would not mix well, they actually make a beneficial pair. The thought process, for most parents, is that trampolines are dangerous and meant for older children, such as six-year-olds. On the contrary, studies have shown that trampolines are actually good for toddlers and provide a range of health benefits. Not to mention, trampolines are entertaining and fun, for everyone. So, when thinking of a fun place for the whole family, your local Newport News Rebounderz would be it! How Are Trampolines Beneficial? In past blogs, we have discussed the many benefits to having a trampoline, either for children, adults, and the elderly. Though we have covered those age groups, we cannot neglect the toddler age group, as they too can benefit from bouncing on a trampoline. But, how? Though babies and toddlers don’t know most of their numbers or colors, they can feel sensations. When they bounce or walk on a trampoline, they are still experiencing the sensation of the elastic under their feet. Also, because children like to observe, they can stay entertained by watching others bounce. Even if they don’t understand the name or physics of a trampoline, they are just as likely to enjoy one, just as any other age group. Physical Benefits Physically, a baby can benefit from the motions of bouncing or even crawling on the trampoline fabric. Bounces or jumps can provide toddlers with vestibular stimulation. The vestibular system constitutes the inner ear and its direct nerve pathways to the brain. This system is responsible for movement, balance, and other developmental roles. During play, this system is stimulated and offers children a greater sense of balance and motor control. As a toddler, these skills are valuable to eventually perfecting walking and running. Trampolines also offer toddlers muscle strength and motor skill development. Through the repeated jumping motion on a trampoline, toddlers can build leg and torso muscles, as well as gain a better understanding of movement and body awareness. Mental Benefits Bouncing on a trampoline won’t make your baby speak coherent and complete sentences or make them learn times tables. However, bouncing on a trampoline can teach them non-verbal lessons that will impact them nonetheless. When children are between the ages of two and five, they are extremely impressionable and learn by example. At an indoor trampoline park, toddlers are able to learn valuable lessons by either observing other children or demonstrating themselves. For example, at a trampoline park, children will learn about safety, such as to give other jumpers space. Toddlers can learn this lesson too and determine the appropriate spatial awareness among other jumpers. Second, toddlers can also learn the importance body control. Jumping can teach children how to use their lower body muscles, but also their core. This learning will help them develop other physical skills, as well as mentally teach them the capabilities of their body and mind. Emotional Benefits Emotionally, your child could benefit from an afternoon on a trampoline. If your child enjoys adventure and exploration, an indoor trampoline park would be ideal. Within Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks, we have several attractions and multiple trampoline arenas. Your child, no matter the age, will be overwhelmed by the magnitude of our park, as well as all the fun activities within it. Aside from being emotionally overwhelmed with the possibilities of our park, your child will also be overcome with joy after playing at our park. Trampolines naturally encourage dopamine release, which makes you feel light and happy. Rebounderz At Rebounderz, there is a little bit of fun around every corner. Better still, this fun isn’t restricted to just older children. Anyone can enjoy bouncing on a trampoline and reap the physical, emotional, and mental benefits. If you are interested in introducing your toddler to the world of trampolines, bring them to your local Rebounderz. #### How Being Active Helps With Brain Function Here at Rebounderz Trampoline Park, we are absolutely crazy about getting people active. From little kids to adults, we want to see everyone jumping, running, and laughing the whole way. You might not be aware of this, but being active can have pretty incredible effects on how your brain functions. How so? We’re going to dive into the many ways that physical activity can boost your brain today. If you’re looking for a fun way to get active and get these benefits, why not come to Rebounderz in Sunrise? Whether it’s on our safe trampolines or in the exciting Ninja Warrior course, you’re sure to find a fun way to get moving here! -Improved Circulation When you are physically active, your blood flow increases. This in turn delivers vital oxygen and glucose directly to the brain, while removing waste products that can gum up the system. Cardiovascular exercises, like running or rebounding on a trampoline, have an even bigger effect, pumping more oxygen and glucose to the brain thanks to the increase in heart rate they create. Physical activity and exercise has also been shown to stimulate the growth of cerebral blood vessels, which also improves blood flow to the brain and through the rest of your body. When you exercise, the synapses in your brain are stimulated as the number of acetylcholine receptors located at the junction of your nerves and muscles are preserved. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that plays a large role in memory, motivation, and attention, making it invaluable. This also means that people who are active have more receptors active in their brains than inactive people. -Better Mood When you are active, your body is able to produce more serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that is strongly connected with good health and stable mental well-being. What that means is exercise can operate as a natural antidepressant, as an increase of serotonin can help balance mood and emotions. That means that physical activity can also help reduce stress levels and anxiety issues. Beyond the physical activity, many people find a sense of calm when they’re able to focus on the task at hand of working out, which also helps improve mood. -Learning and Memory You would be amazed that even moderate exercise, such as a 30-minute walk, can help to improve your memory functions, learning abilities, and even abstract reasoning skills. While it’s tough to say exactly why this happens, many believe it all comes down to the improved oxygenation the brain receives during this type of activity. When your brain receives more oxygen, it is able to operate properly, which allows you to retain more knowledge easier than otherwise. -More Brain Cells For many years, the common belief was that the human brain was complete at the time of birth and was not able to grow new brain cells. However, in 1999, the Salk Institute produced a study that showed that an adult human brain actually does have the capability to produce new cells. This process is what is called neurogenesis. In the years since that discovery, more studies have been conducted to determine the process behind the new generation of brain cells. Many of these studies have pointed toward exercise stimulating the production of a brain protein called Noggin. This aptly named protein drives the production of neurogenesis, as well as stem cells. That means exercise increases your brain’s ability to grow new cells, and the more you work out, the more new brain cells you can produce. -Brain Disease Prevention The National Institutes of Health have stated that physical activity can help to delay or prevent the loss of cognitive function that is brought about by age and disease. People that do not engage in physical exercise are two times as likely to develop debilitating brain diseases, like Alzheimer's, compared to those that are regularly active. It is recommended to do physical and mental exercises to help fight these diseases. Some mental exercises include using your non-dominant hand to do tasks or completing word games and math problems. These exercises help your brain strengthen its neural connections, as well as create new ones. Physical exercise increases the flow of important nutrients to your brain which help it to stay healthy. When you combine the two forms of exercise, you’re ensuring your brain will be operating well for years to come. No matter which physical exercise is your favorite, it is fair to say it will help with how well your brain functions. All it takes is 30 minutes of activity, at least three times a week, to see results. If you’re looking for a fun way to be active, look no further than Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Sunrise. Whether you’re catching some air on the trampoline, taking a leap of faith off the 14-foot tall JumpXTREME Tower, or you’re dunking on our SlamBall court, you won’t struggle to find the perfect activity to boost your brain power. We hope to see you here soon! #### How Different Age Groups Can Use an Indoor Trampoline Park Part Two 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! #### How Exercise Can Keep Your Child Healthy   Today one in three American children and teens are considered overweight or obese. Since 1971, the rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled, causing nationwide health concerns. Health issues, that remain dormant as they are children, will surface when they are young adults. The issue of obesity is deeper than just health concerns, it is how children mentally develop what is good for them and what is bad for them. A big obstacle that allows obesity to grow is children no longer are getting their needed, daily exercise. Not only that, but parents and schools are opting for faster, easier options of children — which rarely are good for them. It is no secret that the child obesity in America is a problem. With 13 million overweight or obese, we cannot just think about how that reflects on our country, but how the choices kids make today, will affect their futures. Because of the rising importance of this issue, new meal standards at schools went into effect in 2012. This was the result of the Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which stated that breakfasts and lunches would be served at U.S. school to prevent child hunger. For every serving, the government regulated that each meal had to include a serving of fruits or vegetables. Though since 2010 there have been many strides to make America healthier, the obesity problems still loom over our heads. Though diet is an incredibly important factor in health, without exercise, the job is only half done. Exercise is important because it helps jump-start the immune system, it encourages healthy digestion, and helps metabolism. Though what kids eat is important, how they break down their food and build muscles is extremely important. How can you make sure our kids are getting exercise? One important way kids are getting exercise is that at most American schools, children are given recess time. During this time, children are encouraged to play on a playground and interact with each other. Even teenagers are mandated to participate in one hour of physical activity every day. However, if children are accustomed to thinking that physical activity is their enemy, they will be less likely to participate. Ultimately, it is up the parents of the child to encourage positive reactions to active play. How Jumping on a Trampoline Can Help One way to encourage activity is to make the physical activity as fun as possible. If your kids are given excitement and fun while they play, they are more likely to fully participate. The challenge of being a parent and trying to encourage play time is that you will have to find a place that you both can comfortably be active. Parks are a great choice, however, they rarely aren’t big enough for a parent to participate with their child. This is where an indoor trampoline park can be helpful! When you bring your child to an indoor trampoline park, they can jump all day long! At the same time, you, the parent, are also encouraged to jump with them. Not only will you both be getting exercise, but it is a great opportunity to bond with your kid. If you are wondering how jumping on a trampoline could be beneficial could be good for exercising, you would not be the first. It is difficult to think that something that could be so fun, could also be an excellent workout. In fact, trampolines are one of the best methods of exercise because they work every aspect of your being at once. Here is how: Use of Energy When you jump, whether they are big jumps or small jumps, you are exerting energy. This is good because when you use energy, you are simultaneously breaking down the nutrients in your food. You also will break a sweat, which is good for releasing toxins from your body. Use of Balance You might never know it, but when you jump, you use your core muscles a lot more than you would think. Why? Because they are responsible for maintaining your balance when you jump. Think about it, every time you jump on a trampoline, you never bounce up perfectly up and down. Your body subconsciously uses muscles to maintain balance. This is why jumping is such a valuable exercise activity. Use of Mind When you jump, you are reliant on your brain to determine the distance of spaces and cognitively process jumping. Though some might think jumping on a trampoline is mindless. In actuality, it is very mind-intensive. Use of Body When you jump, it would make sense that you would use your body. But do you know how much of it you are using? The answer is almost all of it. Most of the muscles groups that are used are in your legs, glutes, and core. Your arm muscles are the only group that isn’t used quite as much, although you can participate in jumping activities that involve your arms. At Rebounderz, we have a large trampoline arena and a ninja warrior course where you can utilize your entire body. By bringing your kids to a Rebounderz, you are giving your child the best start in life. Not only that, but you are instilling in them an appreciation for exercise and value to their health. Stop by a Rebounderz today! #### How Exercise Improves Academics For centuries, it has been understood that exercise improves cognitive function and other body processes. There has also been an assumption that better cognitive function can be translated into improved academic performance. This theory is important for people of all ages but can be much more relevant to children who are still developing and where academics is the main focus of their daily lives. Here are just a few ways that exercise can help improve academic performance in children. Increased oxygen flow to the brain. The entire human body requires oxygen to work effectively. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. When a person is sedentary, the body’s blood continues to travel to end capillaries, offering oxygen to the body’s vital components. However, when engaged in cardiorespiratory intensive exercise, the heart rate and respiratory rate increase to quickly distribute oxygen throughout the body. When the brain is exposed to increased supplies of oxygen-rich blood, it puts it to good use by increasing neurotransmitters and improving cognitive ability. Exercise essentially wakes the brain up and makes it more receptive to information processing. Enhanced ability to focus. When children are able to burn up physical energy through exercise, it helps improve cognition. If children are allowed to use energy, they are able to focus better and pay attention. Little minds have a short attention span because their bodies are developing rapidly. Oftentimes children quickly get distracted because their brains need time to process and absorb the new information. Allowing children to play between lessons can dramatically increase the amount of information retained. Exercise is the most effective way to get a child to sit still and retain information readily. Improved self-esteem. Exercise helps to improve self-esteem. Whether it is related to discovering what you are capable of or the increase in endorphins and a decrease in cortisol levels, exercise can dramatically change your view of yourself. While having better self-esteem does not directly correlate to improved academics, children who have better self-esteem tend to try more and aren’t as quick to limit themselves for fear of “looking dumb.” Asking questions rather than holding back and exploring without abandon does contribute to better academic performance. Children with better self-esteem tend to be more successful in all areas of their life, and higher grades are no exception! Studies have shown that children who engage in vigorous cardio activity several times a week perform better academically than their sedentary peers. While recess and physical education classes can help, they do little to promote sustained cardio activity. Short of putting a treadmill in your living room, offering exciting activities such as trampoline jumping is the best way to get kids active. An hour of trampoline rebounding is the cardio equivalent to running for three hours — and much more enjoyable! At Rebounderz indoor trampoline park, we offer a variety of activities that will get, and keep, your child active. Check out our programs online or visit us today! #### How High Could You Jump on Another Planet? Part 1 Jumping is something humans seem to love to do. If you think about it, jumping doesn't necessarily make much sense. Sure, if you're jumping over a puddle or a stream, it's great. But why do we want to jump when there's no practical reason to do so? So many of us crave the feeling of our feet leaving the surface of our planet, even if it's for a few seconds. There's something great about propelling yourself upward, in fighting the gravity of our planet, that feels really great. Do you know what's weird? The same amount of energy can take you different distances into the air depending on where you are. When we say "where," we're not talking cities, countries, or continents. We're talking planets. Because each planet in our solar system has different mass, each planet also has different gravitational pull. That means they pull down on you different amounts. Some less, some more. This completely changes how high you can jump. We want to sit down and explore the important question: when we expand across the solar system and there's a Rebounderz on every planet, what kinds of jumps should we advertise? How high could you actually jump on each of our planets? In the next few blogs, we're going to take a little tour of our imaginary interplanetary Rebounderz chain and explore just how high you could jump on each planet. Of course, when you jump at a Rebounderz, you get trampolines helping you fly a bit higher, so for the sake of this experiment, we're going to explore how high you can jump right off the ground. Let's get started close to home! How High Can You Jump on Earth? Earth is pretty big. In fact, its mass is 6,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000 (6 x 1024) kilograms. It generates plenty of gravity, which means if you're a normal person and you crouch down and then jump straight up with all of your energy, your feet won't get higher than 1.5 feet off the ground, and you'll only get to spend a second in the air. Bending your knees and bringing you feet up doesn't count! This is a pretty nice jump, but we can do better. That is partly why we have so many trampolines at Rebounderz. We want to jump higher! Of course, we could just go to... the MOON! How High Can You Jump on the Moon? Before we hop on to other planets, we figure we'd better consider the moon. After all, it would be a good starting point for our expansion! So, if you visited the pretend Rebounderz on the moon and just jumped in the parking lot, what would happen? The moon isn't as big as the Earth, which means its gravity is only 17 percent of the Earth's. This is great for jumping, because guess what? If you repeated your jump from Earth on the moon, you would go up 10 feet and stay up in the air for about four seconds! Your feet would go higher than the tallest person ever, and you'd get to be up there for four whole seconds! We think this is looking really promising! Tune in for our next blog as we leave our solar system and explore the rest of our beautiful planets! While you're waiting, visit our wonderland of trampolines in Orlando and Apopka. Our trampoline parks are the perfect place for parties, birthdays, and just plain fun. We understand the fun of jumping, and we've created the perfect place to get in all the jumping you've ever wanted. In fact, you can get a feel for what it might feel like to jump on the moon! Read Part 2 #### How High Could You Jump on Another Planet? Part 2 Humans have had their eyes on the sky for a long time - practically forever. We wonder if we're alone on this planet. We build complex machines and put our own lives at risk to venture off the ground and into space to discover what lies beyond. We make up grand stories about what is out there and turn them into beloved movies. Yes, our planet is pretty great, and plenty of us are fine staying here, but we all look up sometimes. At Rebounderz, we think there's nothing wrong with looking up and pushing off the surface to take flight, if only for a few seconds. That is why we have put together the perfect trampoline land in Apopka! But do we have the stop there? No! Why not expand off of planet Earth? We can't know if there are alien kids out there wishing we could build a Rebounderz on Mars so they could have their birthday parties there, but we can figure out how high those alien kids could jump! In our last blog, we explored how high you could jump on the Moon (more than 10 feet up!). In today's blog, we're going to get a little toasty. It's time to see how high you could jump if we made a Rebounderz on Mercury and Venus! How High Can You Jump on Mercury? Well, before anyone does any jumping, we'd have to install a super-strong air conditioning and heating system as well as a really strong bubble to hold in air, or atmosphere. Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system and is the closest to the sun. It has no atmosphere at all! That means heat from the sun hits really hard, really fast, and then leaves really fast when things get dark. During the day, Mercury can get up to 800 degrees hot and -280 degrees cold during the night! No human can survive those temperatures, not without a lot of protection, so we'd have to work on that. Once we got everything safe, we could start jumping. Because Mercury is small and has gravity only 38 percent as strong as the Earth's, we could jump three feet into the air! Sure, this isn't as high as the 10 feet on the moon, but getting to jump with the sun looming huge in the sky would be awesome! How High Can You Jump on Venus? Even though Venus isn't right beside the sun, it's still the hottest planet in the whole solar system, reaching up to 863 degrees Fahrenheit! Why? Because it's covered with clouds of acid. It turns really slowly, so one Venus day is equal to a whole year on Earth! That means if you went to our imaginary Venus Rebounderz for one day, you would be there for the length of a whole year on Earth! Of course, you'd have to stay inside our specially-cooled building, because you wouldn't want to get acid on you. Now, Venus is often called Earth's "sister planet" because it's almost the same size. That means, inside our Venus Rebounderz, you wouldn't notice much difference in how high you can jump. It would be pretty much the same. We don't know about you, but the Moon is still winning here. It isn't burning hot or covered in acid, and you can stay 10 feet up in the air for four seconds! So far, Rebounderz is just on Earth, and we think that's great, because it's where you are! We provide a safe, fun, dynamic environment full of the best trampolines ever. Visit our trampoline parks in Orlando and Apopka for great fun and check back for our next blog. Who knows? Maybe another one of our planets will beat the Moon for jump quality! Read Part 3 #### How High Could You Jump on Another Planet? Part 3 Whether you're a daredevil or not, you have to admit there's something really compelling about leaving the surface of the planet for a little while. We do it often in airplanes, and while plenty of people would be happy to never fly, we all look up at the stars sometimes. We experience eclipses. We can't ignore that there's more out there. We learn about the planets that share our solar system, orbiting the sun with us and spinning out their unique features across space around us. In our last few blogs, we've looked up at the sky ourselves and asked this very important question: if we put Rebounderz on all of the planets of our solar system, how high would we be able to jump on each one? So far, the Moon has the best jumps of 10 feet lasting for four seconds. Mercury can get us jumps of three feet, and Venus jumps are pretty much like Earth jumps. In today's blog, we're going to put our backs to the sun and go past the Earth to the next planets in line: Mars and Jupiter! How High Can You Jump on Mars? Okay, so you've arrived on Mars. You're on a planet with a very thin atmosphere made of carbon dioxide, so you'll need a suit and oxygen. You might see Olympus Mons in the distance, the biggest volcano in the whole solar system. You might also see a dust storm coming, which is a sign you need to hurry into our imaginary Rebounderz. Dust storms on Mars can cover the whole planet and last for months! So let's get to the important question: how high could you jump? Well, Mars is smaller than Earth, and its gravity is only 37 percent as strong as Earth's. That means you could jump about four feet up off the ground. This is better than Earth (1.5 feet), Mercury (three feet), and Venus (1.5 feet), but the Moon (10 feet) is still better! Guess we'd better blast off and go a little further from the sun. It will be hard to miss our next planet; it's the biggest one in our whole solar system! How High Can You Jump on Jupiter? Well, Jupiter is way bigger than the Earth. In fact, it has about 300 times more mass than the Earth. It is so big that three Earths could fit into the Great Red Spot, its most massive storm. That means its gravitational pull is way, way stronger than the Earth's. Now, trying to find some ground to jump on would be kind of hard here. Jupiter is made of up of mostly gases. You'd have to go all the way in to its core, which is made of rock, ice, and metals. Your jump would be tiny, maybe a few inches, and that would be it. It would help to have a trampoline like the ones we have at Rebounderz, but not that much. We might not put a Rebounderz on Jupiter, because it doesn't seem like very much fun! Looking at Jupiter and Mars make us glad we're here on Earth, where we can set up a bunch of awesome trampolines and help people have a great time flying through the air with their friends. We are a fantastic venue for birthday parties and more, and we work hard every day to provide a safe, fun environment for every one of our visitors. Who knows if we'll ever expand beyond our planet, but while we're waiting, it doesn't hurt to jump a little! Visit our trampoline parks in Apopka and Orlando and enjoy our amazing world of trampolines today! Read Part 4 #### How High Could You Jump on Another Planet? Part 4 We all learn about the solar system in school. In fact, it's usually one of the coolest science units we get to explore. There's something just fascinating about learning what is out there, right now, hurtling through space beside us. The different features of each planet in our solar system make each planet intriguing and fun to explore. At Rebounderz, we aren't science teachers, but science helps everyone on our equipment have fun every day. Our trampolines help us fight the gravitational pull of Earth for just a bit longer so we can really enjoy flying! Of course, this got us wondering: how high could we jump on other planets? In our last few blogs, we've been exploring how high you would be able to jump at imaginary Rebounderz across our solar system. Why? Because you never know what the future holds. Maybe, a thousand years from now, there will be Rebounderz across all the planets! At least we will have done some research so we won't be taken by surprise. We've explored Mercury, Venus, Earth, our Moon, Mars, and Jupiter. The Moon is still winning jump-wise with jumps of 10 feet, while Jupiter is losing with jumps of only a few inches. Today, we're going to look at Saturn's moon and Pluto! How High Can You Jump on Saturn's Moon? If we brought Rebounderz to Saturn, we would put it on its moon, Enceladus, because Saturn itself isn't going to give us very great results. Its moon, however, would be amazing! We would have to set up our Rebounderz on ice, because the whole moon is basically an ocean with ice over the top. It even shoots out geysers of water into space! This Rebounderz would have to have a ceiling tall like a skyscraper. Why? Because one jump here will shoot you up 140 feet before you come back down. You'd be up in the air for a full minute! This is a lot higher than our own moon, so we guess we have a winner! The only downside of Enceladus is how far away it is from Earth. You'd have quite the ride to get there! How High Can You Jump on Pluto? Pluto is a dwarf planet, and it would take a long time to reach it because it's way out at the very edge of our solar system! Once you got there, you'd have to get inside fast and warm up. Pluto is far away from the warm sun, which means it is all ice and rock. However, once you got inside our imaginary Pluto Rebounderz, you could jump 25 feet into the air, twice the height you can jump on our Moon. You'd get to be up in the air for 10 whole seconds! Talk about fun! This is our last blog exploring jumping in our solar system, so we have a bonus! Our system has a lot of comets shooting through it, and it might be fun to make a Rebounderz on one. Or would it? How High Can You Jump on a Comet? We're going to consider a great example of a comet, Comet 67P. Because let's face it, there's nothing cooler than jumping on a comet whizzing through space! There's just one problem: if you did a normal jump on Comet 67P, you would jump straight off of it and just float into space. The comet doesn't have enough gravity to pull you back down. That means your legs are strong enough to escape its gravity! Although, we don't think this is necessarily a great thing. Floating through space doesn't sound like a picnic! Speaking of picnics and parties, there is no better place to enjoy great company and have fun than our trampoline parks in Apopka and Orlando. When you visit us, you get access to one of the most fun places on our planet. Sure, it isn't a moon of Saturn that lets you take jumps that last a whole minute, but we think being up in the air for a whole minute and just waiting to fall back down might get a little boring. We love Earth and its gravity just fine, especially when we have a trampoline (or 10) to make our jumps that much more fun! #### How Important is Child Interaction? When you have multiple children, your kids grow up well adjusted to interacting with other children. This ability to communicate and problem solve with others is crucial to human development. Mostly because as we grow older we rely heavily on these skills to be successful in life. The best way to hone your communication skills is to practice them when you are younger. In the cases of only-children, they have less opportunity to develop these skills with other children. The following blog is a list of opportunities in which your child can learn strong communication and problem solving skills with other children. Sharing If you have multiple children, odds are your kids started learning the word “mine” longer before any others. The main reason children develop this word faster than others is because they want to distinguish to their siblings what is theirs, and only theirs. In multiple-children households kids learn to know the difference between what is communal and what is shared. In the case of having multiple siblings, children are more used to the idea of sharing their things. Mostly because in families with multiple children, especially those of the same gender, it is hard to separate their belongings completely. Conflict Resolution When a child is constantly surrounded by other children, they learn conflict resolution skills far better and faster than single children. In a home with multiple kids, conflicts can be an everyday occurrence and happen over simple things. Children in large households must use their communication skills in order to resolve conflicts with their siblings. These skills can then be transferred and applied to everyday use, such as in the workplace, school, or in relationships. Humility When a child is given a lot of interaction time with other kids, they are given an opportunity to see the world from a different point of view. No child is the same, which children with multiple siblings would understand; they also learn that the world doesn’t revolve around them. Because children with multiple siblings get to witness different perspectives throughout their lives, they are less inclined to become outwardly selfish and self-absorbed. Now, of course, children with multiple siblings can develop selfish personalities, however, they are less likely to when they are surrounded by children with their same wants and needs. How Rebounderz Can Help! Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks are fun for any child — siblings or none! When you bring your child or children to a Rebounderz, they will be able to freely play and interact with other children. Even for children with siblings this can be a positive, as they will be able to communicate with other children. For only-children, the Rebounderz playground is a wonderful place to hone communication skills and interact with other children. By developing these skills as children, they will be able to use these lessons of sharing, conflict resolution, and humility, and apply them to their adult lives. If you would like to give your child or children the best head start with these skills, contact a Rebounderz today! #### How Obstacle Courses Can Help You Overcome Life’s Challenges Life is full of all sorts of hurdles and obstacles. There are the physical obstacles, barriers of rules, challenging circumstances, and mental hurdles. Life is, in no way, easy by any means. However, it is overcoming these obstacles and hurdles that help make you stronger and more resilient. While some people don’t understand the point of voluntarily attempting an obstacle course, there are many positive benefits and they operate as a giant simile for life — the rolling log balance beam is like tackling puberty while the rope climb is like grappling for academic successes and the barbed wire low-crawl is like your quest for financial freedom! Obstacle courses are great for helping tackle life’s challenges. Here, we will discuss a few ways that obstacle courses can help you overcome life’s hurdles. Focused Determination When you complete an obstacle course or train to complete a difficult obstacle course, you are focused on each of the obstacles that stand between you and the finish line. You can measure up the hurdles and develop a game plan about how to tackle them. If you don’t make it the first time, you can start over and attempt again, adjusting your technique until you find what works. These skills of logical reasoning, problem solving, adaptability, and resilience that you use to take on the obstacle course directly translate to life and your ability to face challenges. When you’ve developed the ability to assess and attempt again, you can easily tackle life’s challenges and roll with them. Confidence Booster Many times in life, we are our own worst critics. We put ourselves down and sell ourselves short because we do not recognize the awesomeness inside ourselves. We see people who are bigger, stronger, taller, funnier, smarter, richer, and more capable than we are and we compare ourselves, coming up short everytime. This leaves us with a feeling of inadequacy and insecurity. Really, all we need is the opportunity to prove to ourselves how great and capable we really are! Obstacle courses can be the perfect venue for this. Sure, the first time you attempt to run a course, you may stumble, there may be an obstacle you can’t figure out, maybe you complete it much slower than you hoped, and maybe you can’t even complete it on your first attempt, and that’s even better! Because trying until you succeed on a course you can predict will prove to you that you are capable of anything that you put your mind to., When a hurdle comes up in life, you can reflect on that thought, take a breath, and know confidently that you can and will get through it! Active Health It should come as no surprise that exercise offers many health benefits. You have heard all of the recommendations to get in the gym and watch what you eat and make your life a little better through physical exercise, but who wants to spend hours in the gym lifting up heavy things and putting them back down repeatedly? It’s true, that is enjoyable for some people, but for most people, we want to enjoy our workouts. The great thing about obstacle courses is that they are designed to be physically and mentally challenging. So, as you navigate your way through the course, you get a functional, active workout without counting reps or logging miles! Additionally, if you find yourself struggling to complete an obstacle because of a physical shortcoming — you can’t get up a tall wall because you lack the upper body strength — it could be a good reason to put in some reps at the gym to tackle that obstacle! Quality of Life Many people have found strength in the simple “because they told me I couldn’t.” Physical challenges such as losing a limb or being diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have been reasons for some hopeful athletes to begin their training. For these people, it is not completing the obstacle course that is the motivation for training, but attempting the obstacle course is the incentive for overcoming their physical handicap and gives purpose beyond simply surviving, despite their physician’s sentence. For many people faced with physical challenges, obstacle courses take on a whole different meaning and offer hope in the face of adversity. You don’t have to have a physical handicap to gain the same benefit and get a little more out of life when you knock down challenges. If you love taking on challenges or dream of one day being an American Ninja Warrior walk-on, you will love our Ninja Warrior obstacle course at Rebounderz of Jacksonville. Our courses feature various ability courses adjusted to fit even the smallest of contenders. Constructed of foam and durable padding, you can tackle all of the challenges and get up to try again should you not make it on your first attempt. If you are interested in taking on one of our courses, check us out online or stop by and give it your best shot today! #### How Obstacle Courses Help Kids Obstacle courses have been around for ages, providing fun and excitement for kids and training opportunities for adults. At Rebounderz Sunrise, we’re proud of our Ninja Warrior obstacle course that gives kids and adults alike a chance to live out their ninja dreams. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the ways obstacle courses can help kids learn and develop. Once you’re done reading about the benefits of obstacle courses, why not take a trip over to Rebounderz with your little ones to give them a chance to test their might on our course? -Sequencing and Memory An obstacle course by definition has multiple obstacles that must be overcome in order. As such, it gives kids a great opportunity to work on their memory of the obstacles and which sequence they occur in. You can help them out by writing out the different obstacles in order and testing their ability to remember them. Then, set them loose and see how they do with remembering where the obstacles are and how to take them on. Test them on their memory of the course after they’ve run it by having them jot down which obstacles they can remember. -Sensory Input Through each activity in an obstacle course, different senses and actions will be involved. Obstacles that require climbing, lifting, running, jumping, and twisting will all engage different parts of the body, as well as the brain. Not only will this keep kids interested in the activity since they’re always doing something new, it will transfer over a better understanding of how to adjust to different situations on the fly. -Strengthening and Balance As we grow up, our balance is constantly developing, and it’s something we have to work on regularly. Obstacle courses can contain many different opportunities that require maintaining your balance, such as a balance beam or slanted platform. Other obstacles will increase strength, either through climbing a wall or crossing a set of monkey bars. When kids work on their strength and balance, they’re in a better position to stay physically active and healthy, so this is a great thing to focus on. The best part of strength and balance is they are two of the easiest traits to track the progress of. How many monkey bars were you able to get past? Were you able to balance all the way down the rope bridge? Kids will love to push themselves and conquer these obstacles, providing a huge sense of pride, confidence, and accomplishment that will keep them working hard. -Motor Skills With obstacles requiring a variety of different actions to conquer, your child will be engaging and developing their motor skills throughout the course. Motor skills are broken down into two distinct categories, gross and fine. Gross motor skills refer to all movements related to large muscles, such as your legs, arms, and torso. Fine motor skills are all movements involving smaller muscle groups, like your hands, fingers, and wrists. As someone goes through an obstacle course, they’ll be engaging both gross and fine motor skills. For kids, the development of these motor skills is vital to their growth and independence. -Bilateral Coordination While bilateral coordination seems like a mouthful, it’s just a fancy way to describe using both sides of your body to complete a task. It stands to reason that this level of coordination would be required to conquer an obstacle course, but it also transfers over to daily tasks like riding a bike or sweeping the floor with a dustpan and broom. Bilateral coordination even crosses over into smaller tasks like typing or writing, so developing it early on is important to their success in a range of activities. Obstacle courses are pretty amazing, especially when you consider how unique and different they can be. You can even set one up at home with some couch cushions and other household items. But when you want to give your child a chance to develop these important traits while they live out their ninja dreams, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Sunrise to run our Ninja Warrior course. When they’re done running the obstacle course, they can jump around in our safe trampoline park, practice their basketball skills on the SlamBall court, or live like a daredevil with the amazing JumpXTREME tower. There’s something for everyone here at Rebounderz, so check us out today! #### How Our Indoor Trampoline Park Can Give You Confidence Trampolines That Create Confidence Trampolines can help you build up your self-confidence. Well, perhaps not literally, but Rebounderz offers kids a way to build their confidence, communication skills, and negotiation skills. As summer draws to an end, many children look to school with anticipation and excitement. Going back to school can mean that they can reconnect with old friends, attend new classes, and meet new people. Unfortunately, there are some kids that look to every new school year with dread. Kids who are bullied tend to not enjoy their school and lack the enthusiasm for things most kids enjoy, such as school dances, class presentations, and gym class. Bullying is never okay, but allowing yourself to be bullied isn’t good either. Letting words discourage you from enjoying your time as a kid in school is never a good thing. As a result of being constantly teased, you could grow to become depressed, lonely, and insecure. However, there are ways to build up your self-confidence and protect yourself from being the victim of bullies at your school. It might seem odd, but trampolines can build up your self-confidence. In this blog, we will discuss how the simple act of jumping at your local Rebounderz may make you a stronger, healthier, and more confident person. Bouncing Helps You Build Muscle The most obvious way Rebounderz can help you is that our trampolines and obstacle course can help you build muscle. In many cases of bullying or feeling inconfident, people aren’t comfortable with their bodies. For instance, either you feel that your body is too scrawny or too chubby, and therefore inadequate. Much of self-confidence comes with a comfort in who you are. No matter what you look like, if you are comfortable with who are you, you have the ability to be a confident person. At Rebounderz, we have an obstacle course and trampolines that help build your leg, arm, and core muscles. Best of all, this form of exercise is extremely fun and easy. If you are looking for an exercise that will make you strong and healthy, bouncing at Rebounderz is an easy way to do so. Dopamine Boosts It is a little-known fact that bouncing on a trampoline can create a dopamine boost in your brain. Your body has endorphins that can be released in times of excitement or exercise. When you bounce on a trampoline, dopamine, the neurotransmitter that initiates feelings of happiness, is released. So, if you are feeling blue or unhappy with the upcoming school year, perhaps an afternoon of bouncing could do you good. Also, after an afternoon of bouncing and allowing dopamine to transmit throughout your brain, you can feel more at peace and calm about your situation. Many times the advent of an upcoming school year can be enough to cause anxiety or depression. By bouncing on a trampoline, you can relax your mind and body to cope with the event in your near future. Overcoming a Challenge Rebounderz of Newport News also gives its customers the ability to play on an obstacle course. For many, an obstacle is much more than a physical activity. In some ways, this type of exercise can be therapeutic. If you are currently struggling with school or bullies in your class, turning to therapeutic methods might be good for you. At Rebounderz, you can climb, jump, and run through our obstacle course. This activity can be considered a metaphor for how you can get past your current challenges and emerge victoriously and the end of the course. Though being teased is never fun, it happens, and building a resilience to what bullies say can benefit you for your entire life. Strengthening your mind and body will help you overcome not only challenges in your school-life, but life in general. Rebounderz of Newport News, VA At Rebounderz, we equip our customers with the tools necessary to build up their self-confidence. If you feel inadequate, sad, or anxious, our indoor trampoline park may have the ability to turn your frown upside-down. If you are anticipating the new school year and want to be more self-confident, turning to therapeutic activities like jumping can be a benefit to you. Visit your local Newport News, VA Rebounderz, and see for yourself what a little bouncing can do. #### How Physical Activity Benefits Kids Part 1 Every person looks at physical activity a little differently. While some take to it like a fish to water, others struggle to work up the energy required to be active. However, the benefits of physical fitness are massive, and this is especially true for kids. Today we’re going to take a look at just a few of the ways kids benefit from physical activity. Keep an eye on this blog for part two of this series in the coming weeks. If you’re looking for a fun and safe place for your kids to be physically active, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Lansdale. Whether they just want to bounce on the trampoline or they want to test their skills on the Ninja Warrior course, we know they’ll enjoy their time exercising here. -Stronger Heart As one of the most important parts of our body, the heart needs a little extra love and care to keep us healthy. What many people overlook is that the heart is a muscle, in addition to being a vital organ. Just like other muscles, you can exercise your heart to make it stronger. This is very important for the health of kids and adults alike. When your heart is strong, not only does it improve circulation — more effectively bringing oxygen and nutrients to the parts of our body that need them — it can also help fend off the spectre of heart disease. Because heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, even in young kids, this isn’t something to be ignored. -Clear Arteries, Clear Veins In order for our heart to do its job properly, the circulatory system needs to be in good condition. When we exercise, it reduces the amount of dangerous cholesterol and fats in our blood. Physical activity also makes the walls of our blood vessels more flexible and lowers blood pressure. This also goes a long way toward reducing someone’s risk of heart disease and stroke. -Stronger Lungs When we work out hard, it increases our lung capacity. With more lung capacity, our body is more efficient in moving air in and out, bringing in more oxygen and expelling more carbon dioxide and other harmful waste gases. Exercising on a regular basis will also help to prevent the reduction of oxygen we take in as we get older or become more sedentary. As you can see, it’s incredibly important for our body to have enough oxygen in order to prosper. -Reduced Blood Sugar Levels One of the most common ailments affecting the youth of today is diabetes. While a lot of that is due to our diets, a lack of physical activity causes just as many issues. Working out helps to prevent sugar from building up in our bloodstream, as it will trigger our muscles to consume more glucose from our blood to use for energy. When sugar isn’t able to build up in our blood, we’re less at risk of developing diabetes. -Weight Control Childhood obesity is on the rise, and a sedentary lifestyle only serves to continue that epidemic. Being sedentary causes us to take in more calories than our body needs to operate, resulting in an accumulation of fat. Physical activity properly burns those calories and the associated fat, helping to maintain a healthy weight. A person at a healthy weight will put less strain on their heart and help to fight against diabetes. -Stronger Bones Our bones are the structure that hold our bodies up and allow us to move. Similar to the way muscles become stronger under stress, so too do our bones. Working out increases our bone density, which helps to prevent conditions such as osteoporosis, in which our bones lose density, weaken, and become fragile and porous. When we have a strong structure underneath, it allows us to build on top of it for a more healthy overall body. That brings us to a close on the first of our series discussing the benefits of physical activity for kids. If you want your child to thrive and lead a healthy lifestyle, establishing a love of physical activity early on will go a long way. Bring them over to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale to foster that love of exercise in a fun and safe way. #### How Physical Activity Benefits Kids Part 2 We recently took a look at some of the ways physical activity benefits children and as promised, here is the second part of that series. Being physically active is one of the most important pieces to a happy and healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise ensures we shake off the sedentary lifestyle so many people have slumped into in recent years. However, it’s important that physical activity isn’t viewed as a chore. Instead, it should be something we all enjoy in order to get the most out of it. At Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale, we are always looking for new ways to make exercise and physical activity fun for everyone, regardless of their age. -Prevent Cancer Exercising regularly strengthens our bodies, which makes us more equipped to fight against cancer. That is because of the effect physical activity has on our body’s operation. From top to bottom, the benefit from increased blood flow, circulating vital nutrients and oxygen throughout makes us healthier overall. This means that our body’s defense mechanisms are able to fend off cancerous cells and other maladies. The cancers that are affected the most by regular exercise include colon, prostate, uterine, and breast cancers. -Blood Pressure Management Studies have shown the powerful effect physical activity has on our stress levels. With lower stress comes lower blood pressure, which reduces the risk of heart disease. Alongside lowering the risk of heart disease also comes a reduced risk of stroke, which is a development often caused by high blood pressure. Other positives of proper blood pressure management include improved vision and stronger kidney function. When blood pressure is too high, it damages our kidneys to the point where they are no longer able to regulate our blood pressure. At that point, the risk of kidney failure is greatly increased. -Boosted Energy Levels While you might think that physical activity drains our energy levels, you’d be surprised that it actually increases our overall energy. Regular exercise gets our blood flowing and our heart pumping, distributing vital oxygen and nutrients throughout our body. When our body is being nourished by those nutrients, it is less prone to getting tired since it has the fuel it needs to operate. This creates a cycle where the more you exercise, the more energy you have, leading you to exercise more often. It also ensures you won’t have those crashing moments during your normal day to day activity, something that is incredibly important for kids to pay attention in class. -Improved Emotional Health The stress-reducing power of physical activity stretches across our entire emotional well-being. Many people say they have a sense of calm and happiness after exercising. This is likely due to the release of serotonin during exercise. Serotonin is a natural chemical found within our body that plays a role in everything from our mood and appetite to our motor and cognitive skills. As it is released into our system while we are active, our mood and functions improve, which gives us a better sense of confidence to keep being active. -Everything In Between The effects of physical activity are wide reaching and numerous. Along with everything else we’ve discussed, exercise helps to improve our self-esteem, helps us sleep better, and improves our coordination by establishing connections between the different parts of our brain. Boosted energy levels and strengthened circulation not only helps us concentrate and think, but it also makes sure the food we eat is digested properly so that we’re getting the fuel we need. Physical activity has many definitions, which means that it can be social and done with others, or it can be something we pursue on our own to find a sense of inner peace. Physical activity is something that is often ignored nowadays, with many people of every age preferring to live a sedentary lifestyle attached at the hip to their couch or computer chair. However, the positive benefits everyone stands to gain from regular exercise cannot be ignored. From improving our moods and fighting depression to making our bodies stronger and prepared to fight illnesses, physical activity has a profound effect on improving our quality of life. If you want to show your child the fun of physical activity, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale. No matter if they just want to bounce on the trampoline, test out their skills on the Ninja Warrior course, or live out their daredevil fantasies with the massive JumpXTREME tower, we know everyone will find a fun and exciting way to be active. We hope to see you soon! #### How Rebounderz Helps You Conquer Fear How To Get Over Fear 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! #### How Rebounderz is Good for Your Sanity Part 1 It takes a special kind of parent to host their child’s party in their home: a brave one. Children are messy, loud, and have too much energy. You might have enough anxiety just taking care of your own kids, let alone 10 others. The idea of hosting your daughter or sons’ birthday sounds like a trial, one that would test your patience and sanity. But you don’t want them to miss out on their childhood. You are a good parent, and you obviously want the best for your child. Well, your Newport News, VA Rebounderz has your best interests in mind — literally. We have compiled all the reasons why it is better to host your child’s party at your local indoor trampoline park than your house.   The noise Close your eyes for a moment and visualize your home. It is beautiful and serene — engulfed in a calm stillness. Now, forget that completely, because at your kid’s birthday party, complete chaos will ensue. Hear the shrill shouting of children and the sound of toys crashing, and perhaps, the sound of your favorite china breaking? Nothing can be more disturbing and anxiety-provoking than the gathering of small children at a party. They are always loud and are often not gentle with your things. Come to Rebounderz, where nothing can be shattered, and you can drown out the noises with conversation or even headphones.   Someone always get hurt No matter what, at a kid’s birthday, one kid will always get hurt. We don’t understand what it is about children convening, but one kid always draws “the short straw” and either falls or bumps their head. The whole ordeal is filled with drama as the kid cries as if their leg was just amputated. Obviously, the injury is not that serious but naturally, you must call the parents and tell them what happened. Whether you could have prevented the injury, in their minds it is still your fault. In the eyes of the guest child’s parents, you were the responsible adult at the scene; therefore you should have rapidly developed six eyes and seven arms to ensure that their child wouldn’t have gotten hurt. The whole thing is a headache. It wasn’t your fault; accidents happen. But why would you want to bring that kind of drama into your home? Especially if you don’t have to.   The mountain of dishes After hosting a child’s party, you can almost count on a mountain of dishes waiting for you at the end of the day. Enduring the party was not even the worst part. It is the clean up afterwards. You put up with screaming, crying, and mess, but now your real work begins — cleaning off everyone’s dishes. Kids tend to be picky eaters, so there is almost always half-eaten food on their plates, not to mention sticky frosting from the birthday cake you bought! A little elbow grease is all that is needed to finish this job, but you are exhausted. You could have easily gone to Rebounderz and never would have had to deal with the mess of cleaning up in the first place! The “Birthday Hurricane” Much like the mountain of dishes collected in your sink, your backyard more likely is in disarray, looking as if a hurricane just blew through it. Having children over for a party generally means that they had to have been entertained for a full afternoon. This could mean a pile up of toys you have to clean up by the end of the day. Worse, if your child was born in the summer and you decided to throw a pool party/water balloon fight, you will have to deep clean your pool of urine and will be finding balloon latex until December. Don’t do it! Host your child at Rebounderz!  Our facility is both fun and safe. Plus, you won’t have to clean your backyard after the party.   There are many different reasons why you should have your child’s birthday party at your local Rebounderz. We will continue our list in part 2 of this blog series. However, if we have listed off enough reasons for you to reconsider hosting your child’s birthday party, visit your Newport News Rebounderz online today! We can handle the chaos and give you and your child a birthday party to remember! #### How Rebounderz is Good for Your Sanity Part 2 If the first part of this blog series was not evidenced enough, we have compiled yet another set of reasons why Rebounderz is good for your sanity — specifically during your kid’s birthday party. As a parent, you want the best for your child. You want him/her to experience the joys of childhood, and unfortunately, birthday parties with 20 of their classmates are included under the umbrella of “childhood memories.” It is a wonderful experience for your child, because they get to play and eat cake all day. However, for parents, the whole ordeal is stressworthy and can cause a breakdown, or two. Children naturally have a lot more energy than parents do, matched with a sugar-high, most kids are beyond the point in which a parent could settle them down. The truth is, children’s birthday parties, are pure chaos — so why would you even consider having the event at your house? Here are our second set of reasons why hosting your kids birthday party at Rebounderz would be better for your sanity. Something is always broken No matter how careful you are, something at your house will always be broken. It is not too surprising however, kids are very good at finding hard-to-reach places; especially when you have a large group of children, it is almost impossible to keep tabs on all of them all of the time. In the moment that you look away, you can almost guarantee something of yours will be snapped or shattered. Of course, it is not the children’s fault, they don’t know what is valuable and what is not. To them, everything is a toy — even things that have no play value, like a vase or clock. Save yourself some mourning and host your child’s birthday party where you know they cannot do any harm to your priceless items. Expensive Hosting a party can rack up a pretty penny, especially when organizing the whole event from scratch. By this we mean, you create the activities, make the food, and bake your own cake. Ingredients and party favors can add up in expenses, which can really hurt your wallet in the long run. By hosting at an indoor trampoline park, you don’t have to worry about providing entertainment for your children and their friends. All you need to think of is getting food and possibly a cake. In this way, your stress threshold is significantly decreased, as Rebounderz makes the whole process a lot easier. Days of Preparation When planning your kid’s birthday party, you can almost guarantee that you will be up planning the event for days. You will try to plan every aspect of the party to ensure that the children are happy and safe the entire time they are at your house. However, this planning can be taxing on your brain and can cause undue stress. Children naturally desire to be entertained 24/7, which would not be a problem if they didn’t have such little attention spans. This provides an extra challenge when trying to plan a day full of activities that are as entertaining as they are captivating for long periods of time. Unfortunately, creating multiple activities can be difficult, expensive, and time consuming. Having your kid’s birthday party at Rebounderz is a fantastic idea because we have countless attractions that can keep your guests active and busy for hours at a time. Not only will your child have a memorable birthday, but all of your guests will be fully satisfied with their time at the party! There is always a dispute No matter how much you try to make things fair, kids will always find a reason to whine or start a dispute with another child. Depending on your kid’s age, disputes can start over who got more candy, what candy they got, how big their slice of cake was, etc. No matter what you do, someone will begin to argue with someone else, which normally leads to tears — loud, whiny tears. You then have no choice but to begin your role of mediator between the two parties, explaining how the “plaintiff” has no reason to be arguing with the crying “defendant”. This mini dispute court session takes up most of your time during the day, as well as your attention. Instead of enjoying the day, you have to try to make sure both parties are happy, which normally means giving them more cake or candy and sending them on their way back to the party. Dealing with disputes wastes time, you would be better off if you had organized the birthday party celebration at a Rebounderz, where there would be no reason for kids to argue with each other. There are plenty of other reasons why hosting your kid’s party at your home is a phenomenally bad idea, not only for the state of your mental health, but the state of your home. Kids are naturally loud, messy, and energetic. It is impossible to watch all of them all the time and make sure they aren’t getting into anything they should not be. Also, entertaining a large party of children can be difficult, as their attention spans and patience levels are not that high. You might be adding more stress on yourself trying to provide a party full of fun, than having fun yourself. That is why it is a good idea to host your child’s birthday party at your local Rebounderz. We are more than equipped to handle large parties, and we offer a full day of fun with all of our attractions. If you are interested in actually enjoying your child’s birthday party, you may want to go to Rebounderz. Contact us today! #### How Sports Improves Sportsmanship With the 2018 Winter Olympics a little less than two weeks away, it is easy to get into the competitive spirit. Any parents have probably wondered if their child is the next Olympic star that will one day be medaled a victor. In truth, any child can be an Olympic champion if they train and work hard on their skills. Many of our American Olympic athletes have trained since they were very small, and have made decisions based on how far they were willing to take their sport. Training, in many ways, is difficult. For one, training often is expensive and requires a great amount of sacrifice. Time is always an enemy and everyday activities must be cut short in order to make room for the time needed for training. In many respects, professional athletes have to give up a lot of their everyday lives. However, what makes every passed opportunity worth it is the fact that they love their sport and enjoy what they do. At Rebounderz, we believe that instilling friendly competition and sport in children is important. We believe, that, by offering children a play area where they can explore different physical activities, they can find a sport they are good at and equally enjoy. By giving them this “training ground,” we give children an opportunity to learn about sports for an affordable price. 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! #### How to Cater to Food Allergies at Your Kid’s Birthday Party Historically, people with allergies either didn’t attend parties, or attended and weren’t able to participate in the festivities that their allergies restricted. However, in recent years, the public has become much more aware of allergies, and recipes have been modified to cater to everyone, even those with limiting allergies. If your kiddo, or someone who was invited to your kid’s birthday party, has severe food allergies, we would like to recommend a few allergy-friendly birthday cake options. Allergen-Friendly Birthday Cakes Eggless Birthday Cake Egg allergies are fairly common and hinder celebrations for most egg-allergy sufferers because most baked goods include eggs as the binding substance. Eggs are in so many common foods, that it often discludes those with allergies from joining in festivities. The great news for egg-allergy sufferers (and vegans) is that there are many egg-free cake recipes to choose from. This eggless vanilla cake from Mommy’s Home Cooking (https://mommyshomecooking.com/egg-free-vanilla-cake-recipe/) uses: 2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup unsalted butter 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4 cups self-rising flour 2 cups whole milk 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar In a large bowl, beat sugar and melted butter until creamy; add vanilla. Mix milk and vinegar in separate bowl. Add the flour alternately with milk to the butter mixture, use a rubber spatula to turn the batter over several times, beat until incorporated, without overmixing. Pour batter into desired cake pan, bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the skewer comes out clean. Lactose-Free Birthday Cake Those with milk or lactose allergies generally know to avoid baked goods. Impress your allergy suffering guests with a lactose-free cake they can enjoy! The key to making a lactose-free birthday cake lies in realizing the ways that lactose is snuck into baked goods. The most obvious lactose-ridden ingredient is milk. Traditional cow’s milk can easily be swapped out with lactose-free milk, rice milk, or almond milk. Butter is another culprit of harboring lactose; be sure to choose a dairy-free shortening instead. If you are making a chocolate cake, use cocoa powder instead of milk-chocolate flavoring for a lactose-free flavor. For a dairy-free icing, try making your own by mixing: 1 cup dairy-free margarine 4 cups confectioners sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoon plain, unsweetened almond or soy milk Whip ingredients until fluffy spread on your dairy-free cake and allow your lactose intolerant guests to enjoy cake too! Gluten-Free Birthday Cake A fact of life that those with gluten allergies, historically, have come to accept is that baked goods and bread are out of the question. However, in the last decade, quite a bit of attention has been paid to this allergy and preferred eating style for many healthy eaters. Now, there are many more gluten-free options than ever before. To make any baked good gluten-free, you can swap the regular flour for a gluten-free flour option. If you are using gluten-free flour to make cakes or bread, add a teaspoon of xanthan gum. Just because your child or someone they love has a food allergy, does not mean that they should miss out on enjoying the festivities at your kid’s birthday party, including the celebratory birthday cake! Try out one of these allergy-free birthday cake recipes. If you need help planning and hosting your kid’s birthday party, give us a call at Rebounderz. We make celebrating your kid’s birthday as easy as it is fun! #### How to Do a Backflip Over the past couple of months, we’ve been taking a look at how to do some tricks on a trampoline. With the front flip and Barani flip under our belt, today we’re going to get into how to do a backflip. While still considered one of the more basic trampoline tricks, it still carries with it some risk if it is done incorrectly. We’ll be going through the step by step process of how to do a backflip, from getting started, getting used to the individual motions, and finally putting it all together for a trick that’s sure to impress. When you want a safe place to practice all of these tricks you’re learning, there’s nowhere better than Rebounderz here in Sunrise! Our trampoline park is very safe and we have a foam pit for you to softly land in when you try something crazy. Now, let’s get to flipping! -Work With A Partner When you are attempting a trick like a backflip, it’s always recommended to have a partner working with you. Whether they are spotting you, providing some launching momentum, helping your rotation, or just holding their arm at your back to give you some balance, they will be able to help you get more comfortable with the trick. Additionally, they will be there in case you do end up getting hurt. It’s always better to be “safer than sorry”, they always say. If you or your partner are not comfortable with being on the trampoline together, one of you can stand off to the side, ready to help if necessary. -Warm Up In order to do a backflip, your body is going to need to be limber, so warming up with some jumping will help you loosen up. Because some trampolines are different than others, it’s important you get an idea of how much air you get depending on your exertion. That is because you want to get the right amount of hangtime without over-rotating. You’ll typically get the best amount of bounce when you jump in the middle of the trampoline, and it is the safest place to start. Do some tuck-jumps and straddle-jumps to get your legs ready. -Backdrop After you’ve warmed up, you’re ready to start with the individual movements. The first one to do is called a backdrop. Essentially, you just jump up and fall onto your back. Once your back bounces off the trampoline, use that momentum to pop back up to your feet. When you’re comfortable with that, try doing a backdrop where instead of going forward to your feet, you throw your legs overhead for a small backward somersault. This helps you get used to the sensation of flipping backward, which can be disorienting for some people. -Handspring Now you’re going to go a bit further. To start, you’ll do a “sideways” handspring over your shoulder. This takes the backdrop and adds in more momentum. It’s not a full back handspring, so it’s a little bit less scary when you’re not comfortable with flipping. To do this, bend your arms at the elbow and think of them going over your head, which will propel you backward for a full rotation. That motion will be the foundation of the rest of the handspring. As you’re jumping, look over your shoulder. Your body follows your neck, so this will help with the rotation and let you find your landing space. At the peak of your jump, throw your body weight over your shoulder and aim to land on your hands. You don’t need to worry about landing on your feet when you’re starting out. It is perfectly fine to land on your hands and then knees as you’re getting comfortable with it. After you’ve gotten used to the “sideways” handspring, you’re ready to move on to a regular back handspring. To do this, you’ll look up and behind you instead of over your shoulder. Other than that, it is essentially the same move. Make sure you get a good amount of air so you have enough to get all the way over. It’s important that you stay aware of how and where you’re jumping, as if you propel yourself backward instead of jumping straight up and down, you run the risk of falling off the trampoline. To avoid this, start your jump at the edge of the center to give yourself room behind you. Jump straight up and around, not backward, and you should land it without trouble. When you’re ready to land on your feet, you’ll need to add a bit of momentum from your arms when you land on your hands to finish the rotation. You’ll need to throw your abs and hips into the jump to get a fuller rotation. -Putting It All Together Now is the moment where you take all the separate pieces and put them together to make a great backflip. Position yourself a step or two away from the middle, to give yourself plenty of room to land. Start jumping straight up and down to build up your momentum. You want to have upward momentum and then over momentum to carry your body around. Make sure you’re looking straight back and not to the side. This will help to keep yourself aligned during the trick. You’ll use your hands to maintain your balance, but the bulk of the weight in a backflip is carried by and lands on your feet. Right now, you just need to focus on getting all the way around, so don’t worry if you don’t land on your feet right away. Once you’re comfortable with the act of flipping over without landing on your hands, you can perfect it with landing on your feet. If at any point you aren’t feeling comfortable, go back to whichever step you are struggling with. Don’t push yourself too far and risk injury. It takes practice but we know that if you stick to it, you’ll have an awesome backflip to show off to your friends. We’ll keep taking a closer look at how to do more tricks in the near future, but now you have the tools and knowledge to execute a great looking backflip. If you are searching for a safe place to practice your new tricks, why not come into Rebounderz in Sunrise? The safe trampoline park gives you room to test it all out, the foam pit gives you a soft place to land, and if you’re feeling particularly daring, you can try tricks off our 14-foot tall JumpXtreme Tower onto a cushy crash pad. Whether you’re an avid acrobat or a budding tumbler, you’ll have plenty to try out when you come to Rebounderz. We hope to see you soon! #### How to do a Barani Flip Previously, we took a look at how to do one of the more basic trampoline tricks, the front flip. Today, we’re going to describe how to do a slightly more difficult trick, the Barani flip. It was named after an Italian circus acrobat by the name of Alfonso Barani, who was the first to perform the trick all the way back in 1881. It is considered an advanced maneuver which can be seen in a wide variety of sports, such as gymnastics, trampolining, cheerleading, and professional wrestling. It can be described as a front flip with a 180-degree turn, otherwise known as a half-twist. When you want to test out your acrobatic ability, come to Rebounderz in Sunrise. With a safe trampoline park and foam pit, we have many ways for you to safely experiment with acrobatic feats. -Step 1: Front Flip Before you start considering an advanced move like a Barani flip, it is absolutely required that you can comfortably complete a front somersault. The foundation of a Barani flip comes from the front flip, so if you are unable to do one with complete control, you risk injuring yourself. Work on your front flip until you feel comfortable enough with the motion to move on to the next step. -Step 2: Air Time Once you’re comfortable with your ability to do a front somersault, it’s time to work on your airtime. To get the best amount of height, bounce in the middle of the trampoline. After about five or six bounces, you should have a good amount of airtime. It’s important you keep your body in balance while you increase the height of your bounce off the trampoline. -Step 3: The Twist In order to get ready for the 180-degree turn that makes the Barani flip special, it’s a good idea to practice a basic 180-degree spin. This will give you a good understanding of exactly how much force you need to turn your body around. It will also help you maintain your bearings when you’re suddenly looking in the opposite direction. -Step 4: Putting It All Together Now that you’re comfortable with the individual pieces that go into a Barani flip, you’re ready to put it together for an acrobatic act that’s sure to amaze. Begin bouncing in the middle of the trampoline until you have gotten enough height for adequate hang time. When you’re ready to begin, stretch your arms up as you go upward, then retract them into your body as you begin your front somersault. As you start to flip, twist your body toward your weaker side. If you are right-handed, the weaker side you twist toward would be your left, and vice versa. To bring it all home, get your body back into an upright position right before your feet are about to touch the trampoline. There you have it! A perfect Barani flip. We’ll be taking a look at some other awesome trampoline tricks in the near future, but we hope this inspired you to see what you can accomplish with a little bit of practice. When you’re ready to test out your Barani flip, or you want to spend a bit more time in the dojo working on your front somersault, come on into Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Sunrise. With our incredibly safe trampoline park, super fun foam pit, the imposing 14-foot tall JumpXtreme Tower, and the agility testing Ninja Warrior course, Rebounderz in Sunrise has everything you could ask for when you want to achieve greatness. Call us today to schedule your jump time. We’re a great place to hold a fun kid’s birthday party! We hope to see you soon. #### How To Do A Front Flip When you watch someone with a lot of trampoline experience, you’ll see many incredible tricks and feats you would think were impossible. One of the first tricks you can learn is a front flip, and with a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to pull it off with style and flair. Follow these steps and you’ll impress your friends in no time. Of course, it is recommended you stretch and warm up before attempting a trick like this. For a safe place to practice your flips and try out new tricks, come on over to Rebounderz here in Sunrise. Whether you’re trying tricks out in the foam pit or making the jump to the trampoline, we have so many ways to elevate your fun. -Tuck Jumps When you are doing a flip, you need to tuck your legs in so your body can rotate over. You also need to be able to kick your legs out of the tuck so you can land the flip properly. Practice this by doing tuck jumps, where you jump straight up, tuck your knees up to your chest, then kick them back out to land. Make sure you maintain your balance during this, because you don’t want to move from the center of the trampoline when doing the flip itself. Once you have this part down, a front flip becomes much easier and that knowledge can transfer to when you want to try a backflip. -Handstands To practice the rotation that will be necessary for a full front flip, do handstands on the trampoline. Falling over is a normal part of this process, so don’t be afraid of it. Falling over from a handstand onto your back will get you used to the rotation you’ll feel, so gradually start falling from the handstand faster. You’ll eventually start doing the same process without your hands touching the trampoline. Once you’re comfortable with this process, you’re ready to move on to the next step. -¾ Flips Now that you’re starting to put the pieces together, it’s time to put them into practice. For these, you’re going to flip over onto your back. Try to land flat on your back with your arms outstretched and your chin tucked. If you’re having trouble getting all the way over, keep practicing with the handstand until you get more comfortable with it. Start off with smaller bounces and jump higher as you go. A good flip requires a lot of air time, so getting acquainted with how it feels to flip when you’re higher in the air will get you ready for the real thing. -Almost Full Flip Once you’re used to rotating in the air without your hands, try to go a bit further with your rotation. You’ll be landing on your bottom in a sitting position this time, which gets you used to a full 360° in the air. However, when you land on your bottom, it gives you a bit more time to work the movements out before including landing on your feet. Keep in mind that you want to stay in the center of the trampoline when you’re doing this, so if you are moving away from the center, you will need to adjust your flip so you’re not moving too far forward, backward, or to the side. -Putting the Pieces Together Now it’s time to go for it! Jump up high, tuck your knees in, rotate over, and extend your legs out for a safe landing. Make sure you land with your legs a little bent and your feet flat. If your legs are straight when you land, you risk injury, but when they’re bent, they can absorb your weight and help you maintain your balance. You may need to use your arms to keep balanced as well, however you can also tilt your upper body forward or backward to achieve the same effect. -Make Adjustments You’ll be able to tell what type of adjustments you need to make for a stable landing, so pay attention to what happens on each attempt. Whether it’s keeping your knees tucked longer, rotating faster, or jumping higher, slight changes can be the difference between landing on your feet or right on your bottom. The best part about a trampoline is the safe environment it provides for trying tricks out. Don’t be afraid of mistakes, just learn from them. Any trick, no matter how elaborate it looks, is made up of smaller movements that are easy to practice. If you break down the individual portions of a trick, you can master it in no time. Now that you’re a front flip expert, come on into Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Sunrise. Test out your tricks in the trampoline park, in the foam pit, or if you’re feeling really daring, the JumpXTREME Tower for 14 feet of air to work with. We hope to see you here soon! #### How to Do a Frontflip (Or Backflip) Here at Rebounderz of Newport News, there is plenty of action to be had. There are plenty of cool tricks and jumping action that you can try out. From the JumpXtreme Tower to the jump area, you can find the perfect activity for you at our trampoline park. While some trampoline parks may not allow front or backflips at their facilities, here at Rebounderz, we encourage you to have some extreme trampoline fun. This means that frontflips are more than just feasible, they’re totally worth trying. However, before we go over the basics of how to do a front or backflip at Rebounderz, let’s cover a few of the rules we have here that you will need to keep in mind. Only do single flips, not doubles. It may be fun to try a double flip, but they are against the rules. Always land on two feet. No double bouncing. Yes, we know you could get more height with a double bounce, but that’s strictly prohibited. If you fall, tuck your arms in. While it may seem natural to reach out if you miss you landing, try not to. Tuck your arms in to protect your wrists. Last, but not least, always listen to the Referee. The Art of the Frontflip When you’re at a trampoline park like Rebounderz, it’s actually very simple to do a frontflip if you know what you need to do. In order to give one a try for the first time, find a nice, quiet spot with plenty of space around you. Get comfortable and simply work on a good bounce. Practice getting a nice, high bounce in one spot. Once you feel comfortable with your bounce, it’s time to give a flip a try. For your frontflip, simply get your bounce going. After a few good bounces, at the top of your bounce, bring your knees into a gentle tuck and throw your arms down from up by your ears towards your knees. Tuck your chin down towards your chest at the same time. This motion allows your arms and head to guide where you body goes and help you make a full rotation. Try and spot the ground and kick your legs back out as the ground comes back around. Allow your arms to go out, like if you were on a balance beam, to help you gain your balance. Remember to bend your knees as you land. A backflip is very similar, but your motions are a little bit reversed. Once again, get comfortable bouncing. At the top of your bounce, leave your arms up above your head and bring your knees up to your chest, letting your head go backwards a little to look where you want to go. Again, kick out as you spot the ground and feel your single rotation coming to an end. There are many ways to adapt a single rotation flip, both forwards and backwards, into other tricks that are a blast to try at Rebounderz of Newport News. A couple ways would be to try doing a flip in a pike position or a layout position instead of a tuck. In a pike, you keep your legs straight, and bend in half at the hips. For a layout, you don’t bend at all but make a full rotation in a flat position. You can also add twists to your flips. Twists are added solely with arm control. If you were to do a backflip with any form of twist, you simply bring your arms upwards on the bounce, start the flip and then bring one arm across your chest in the direction you want to twist. The other arm goes backwards into a folded position behind your head. The amount of force you give your twist and the amount of airtime for your flip will dictate the number of twists you can get in. Here at Rebounderz, we love to push the level of skill of all our guests and let you try new things that you feel comfortable with. Feel free to practice your flips at our Newport News Rebounderz location, but remember to always follow the rules and the Referee’s directions. Come play at Rebounderz today! #### How to Give Great Birthday Presents On a Budget How many birthday parties is your child invited to in the next month? Chances are good that it's more than one. It's becoming a common practice for children to invite their entire class to their birthday party. That means your child could be getting twenty of more party invitations during the school year, and if you say yes to all of them, that means you'll be attending two or three each month. And if you have more than one child, you'll be multiplying those birthday party obligations. It's easy to see how the birthday party social schedule can quickly get out of control. For most parents, the issue isn't the time that it takes to go to the birthday party or even that your child is eating more than their fair share of the birthday cake. Sometimes the issue becomes more about the financial obligation that comes with attending a birthday party every other weekend. Spending $20 or more on each present is going to add up quickly. If you spend that on 20 birthday presents this year, that means you are shelling out at least $400 annually on birthday presents for other kids. That's a lot of money, and probably more than you want (or can afford) to spend. Don't start marking no on those RSVP cards just yet! There are plenty of ways to give gifts while staying on a budget so your child can still attend all the best social events of the season. Because we're a premier kid's birthday party place in Rohnert Park, we've seen presents of all kinds at birthday parties. Here are some of the best ideas we've seen for giving birthday gifts while staying on a budget. Budget Saving Ideas for Birthday Gift Giving It's okay to spend less on some people. You don't have to spend the same amount on every birthday party you attend. It's okay to spend less money (like $5 or $10) on someone your child is only acquaintances with and spend a little more (like $15 or $20) on children with whom your child spend more of their time. You might decide to spend even more on family members or your child's best friend. Set a budget and talk to your child about how much you are willing to spend on each party. This will give them a goal to stick to when shopping and help them learn to budget their money, too! Stock up during sales. If you know that your child is going to be attending a lot of birthday parties in the future, keep it in mind when you are out doing your shopping at other times of the year. Christmas and after-Christmas sales are a great time to stock up on birthday party gifts for the rest of the year. Pick things that are age appropriate for the kid's around your child's age and pick a selection. Of course, you probably won't be able to do much tailoring for individual personalities, but things like games, books, art supplies, and outdoor activities can be great for almost any kid no matter the gender. Build an activity kit. You can make a gift look much more expensive and special when you spend a little more time putting it together. Think about what the child likes to do, and then create an activity kit that will encourage them to do it. It's a great way to pick up a few inexpensive items and then put them together in a fun, brightly-wrapped way. Here are a few ideas: For kid's who like to bake: Add all the dry ingredients they'll need to make their favorite cookies to a mason jar. Include the recipe and finish the jar with some brightly colored ribbons. Include a kid-sized chef's hat and spatula to make it even more special! For kid's who love the movies: Pick up a copy of their favorite DVD (or choose one that your child loves) and pair it with a bag of popcorn and a pack of their favorite candy. They'll be able to enjoy a show and a treat after a long day of birthday party festivities! For kid's who love to create: Build up their artistic skills with a new pad of paper and some new markers! Include a list of things to draw, like themselves, their pets, their room, or their backyard. It's inspiration and an activity all in one! None of these gifts should set you back more than a couple bucks, especially if you go to the local dollar store for the supplies, but the time and thought that you put into them will make them even more special! Create a homemade gift. Homemade gifts can be a welcome break to loud, shiny toys and they are often the hit of the party. Play to your strengths as a parent. If you love to bake, ask the child what their favorite treat is and bake them up a supply all for themselves. Or if you love to paint, paint them a picture of their favorite cartoon character to hang up in their bedroom. It's even better if you can involve your child in the process. They'll be proud that they helped create something that they can share with their friends, and you'll be glad to share your talents with others. These presents may be heavy on time, but they'll be soft on your bank account. Offer an experience. Sometimes the best gift is time! Instead of buying a child something to clutter up their room, invite them along on an adventure with your child. Create a sign that invites them to one free adventure. Maybe your family loves to go on nature walks and the birthday boy or girl could go with you the next time. Or maybe you want to host a movie night over at your house. Or even let them sleep out in tents in the backyard. These kinds of experiences are often the most memorable and might not cost you a dime. Want to make this a memorable birthday for your child without breaking the bank? Rebounderz in Rohnert Park offers birthday party packages for a variety of budgets. Visit our website to learn more today! #### How To Improve Your Child's Working Memory We all want the absolute best for our children, but sometimes it's a little unclear how to achieve that. Many of the social structures that people relied upon 20, 30, or 50 years ago are not as reliable as they once were. Pensions are all but extinct, job security has plummeted across most industries, you can't pay your way through college with a job on the side, the list goes on. Because of all this, it's more important than ever to promote your child's mental acuity and critical thinking skills to give them a higher chance of success later on in life. Here at Rebounderz, we usually focus on the fun side of child rearing, like having a kid's birthday party at one of our Apopka trampoline parks. But just in case you're looking for a little advice, here are some tips on how to improve your child's working memory, an indispensable tool for adulthood. Play Games We'll start with a fun one. If you've ever watched a nature documentary, you know that young mammals use play to learn the basic skills they'll need to survive later in life. Essentially, the same is true for humans. Even out there games like our Apopka trampoline park basketball help children learn good life skills, but if you want to focus on improving their working memory, a card game, board game, etc. works as a great tool. Not only is it necessary for kids to memorize the rules to participate, but will also build critical thinking skills when determining HOW to play the game within that set of rules. Read Instilling a love for reading is maybe one of the best tools you can give to your child. Not only will you give them their own little world to retreat to when they feel overwhelmed, but that world will build their vocabulary, expose them to new concepts, and help build their budding sense of identity. When they get a little older, you can take reading to the next level by teaching active reading habits. Using the highlighter, making comments in page margins, asking questions about the reading, explaining views on the reading, all of these things improve your child's ability to understand information, as well as increase their working memory. Make Learning Manageable When you get right down to it, with few exceptions, anybody can learn just about anything if they have the time and resources to put into it. What stops most people from doing so is the idea that some things are just too complicated for some people to learn. That is rarely the case, but rather people's expectations of what they should be learning in any given time are too much. Nip this problem in the bud by teaching your kids techniques to make learning big concepts manageable. The best way to do this is by splitting information into bite sized segments. There's a reason phone numbers have a dash in them, and that is because smaller groups of numbers are easier to remember than big groups of numbers. Apply this logic when your kid is having trouble retaining memory or grasping new concepts. Use Multi-Sensory Stimuli Have you ever wondered why you tend to remember things better when you write them down, even if you never look at that writing again? That's due to the way our brain works, by literally creating connections between neurons. We learn by associations, and so presenting information through different sensory mediums is a great way to increase the amount of connections your brain is making. This is a tried and true method for learning vast amounts of information in college, and it's never too early to instill the habit in your children.   If all that sounds like a lot, don't worry, it is! But you've got plenty of time to work with your kids to build the skills they'll need as a productive adult. There is also no reason that learning can't be fun, and we encourage you to participate right alongside your child for maximum effect. If you're looking for some fun for fun's sake, check out our Apopka trampoline park, with activities like trampoline basketball and dodgeball. We also host kid's birthday parties. Give us a call for more information, or to book an activity today! #### How to Jump Higher (Even When You Don't Have a Trampoline!) Do you love the feeling you get when you are jumping high in our trampoline park in Edison? It's a great feeling, soaring into the air and trying to hit your highest jump yet. We use only top-quality trampolines in our park so you get the best bounce possible. It can make regular jumping on land feel kind of disappointing. But there are a number of ways that both kids and adults can increase their jumping ability even when they aren't on one of our awesome trampolines! Here are our best tips for getting more distance out of every jump. Do These Daily Exercises to Get More Distance Jump-Squat-Jump This is essentially how you'll practice your jumps. Start in a standing position, then crouch down, bending your knees and keeping your back straight. Then leap up into the air as quickly as possible, straightening your knees and pushing off with the balls of your feet. As you land, come back down into the crouch position and immediately leap up again. You can add to the intensity of your jumping practice by doing it with a couple dumbells in your hands. This will be building your muscles and give you more resistance to work against. That way when the dumbells aren't there, it will feel easier to jump even further. Jump-on-the-Box This is another great way to train your body to jump higher! Using the same crouch-and-jump strategy above, this time you'll be jumping onto something. It could be an apple crate, a step, or a solid wood box. Just make sure that it's solid enough to hold your weight and won't move out from underneath you (you can place it up against a wall to keep it in place). Leap onto the box using both of your feet from the crouching position, hold for a few seconds, and then leap back down. You'll be amazed at how quickly this one works to build power in your legs! Deadlift for Leg Muscles You'll probably need to do this sort of jumping practice at the gym because you'll need a barbell with the amount of weight you know you can deadlift. Deadlifting means lifting as much weight as you can straight up, then setting the weight back down while keeping it in your control. You'll start in a crouching position and then straighten your legs to bring up the barbell. This is a major workout for your arms, back, and legs, all of which are important when you are working on your verticle leap. And some additional tips... Push off the ground with the balls of your feet and try to straighten your hips, legs, and back as quickly as possible to get the most lift. Practice, practice, practice! Like with most things, the more you practice jumping the better you are going to be at it. Use your arms. Your arms provide you with a lot of momentum in your jump. Start with them down by your side and then swing them up as you jump up. Strength and flexibility matter. Building strength in your body, especially your legs, will help you jump up higher. You should work on your flexibility, too, which can help you get more momentum going. Don't get discouraged if you are short! Height doesn't really matter. In fact, some shorter people find it easier to jump higher because their muscles are compact and are able to spring into action faster. Wait...Does Jumping Really Matter? Yes! You might think that jumping is just something that we do for fun during a visit to a trampoline park. That's not true, though! Jumping helps your body burn calories. If you decide to put your jumping skills to the test with a jump rope, you can burn almost 500 calories in just 30 minutes. While jumping can place additional stress on your bones, that could actually be a good thing. It could help strengthen your bones and help prevent health concerns like osteoporosis in the future. It's also good for your core strength, exercises your heart, and can even help release endorphins that help improve your mood. Plus, it can be an advantage for virtually any sport you play, because it trains your muscles to react with explosive power, getting you where you need to go faster. The benefits of jumping are even greater in a game like basketball! Think of your favorite basketball player moving down the court and leaping for the net; we bet they had an amazing vertical leap! And you'll get all of those benefits whether you are jumping in or out of our Edison trampoline park, so it's time to focus on your jumping skills and see just how high you can really go. Book Your Jump Time and Practice Your Jumping Skills Put your new jumping skills to the test here at Rebounderz in Edison! We have a facility where you can get more distance out of every leap and challenge yourself to push your jumping skills even further. Whether you just want to reach the highest jump on our trampoline park or take your skills to the next level on our Ninja Warrior course, we're here for you. Our facility is open seven days a week and late on the weekends to meet all of your jumping needs. Visit our website to learn more about our hours, rates, and all the great areas where you could be practicing your jump! #### How to Keep Your Kids Active in the Winter In a digital era where people spend most of their time engaged by a screen, it can be increasingly difficult to keep your kids active. The battle becomes even harder in the winter when kids are less likely to be comfortable spending time outside. Don’t let your kids hibernate this winter; exercise and physical activity are important to maintain all year round! Here are some ideas about how to keep your kids active through the winter. Rec Center Classes Check out your local recreation center to see what classes they offer throughout the winter. Classes can range from dancing lessons to karate or basketball. When kids are enrolled in classes, it helps widen their social network beyond their family and classmates and gives them a structured schedule to look forward to. When your child tries out a variety of active classes, it helps them to remain active as well as teaches them new skills that don’t require sitting in front of a screen, which is important in sustaining long-term physical activity. Trampoline Park Although your backyard trampoline may be covered with a thick blanket of snow, you can take your kids to a trampoline park near you to spend the day rebounding away! Trampoline jumping is an incredibly efficient workout and a fun way to stay active. Most trampoline parks offer family discounts and benefits for being repeat guests. Get your kids out of the house and into a trampoline park! Snow Day If your local winter is plagued with snow, use it as an excuse to go outside and have a snow day! Show your kids how to use the snow to remain active. You can make snow angels, build a snowman, go sledding, or go snowshoeing around your house. For a day out, you can go skiing or snowboarding for an active day of snow play. Although the cold may keep your family inside more during the winter, it shouldn’t keep you inside all the time! Family Game Night Try a new, active, twist on the traditional family game night while team building with your loved ones and play a team sport! Head to the rec center or gym to play a friendly game of basketball, and challenge your neighbor’s family if you want! If you have the gear, host a street-hockey game or a football game out front of your house. Getting your family up and playing sports helps with your kid’s confidence and creates a stronger family bond, not to mention you can all have fun getting your exercise in and turning off the screens! Winter is always a little harder to get your children to be active, simply because it is not as comfortable to be outside. However, with a little effort, you can help ensure that you and your kids stay active this (and every) winter. Teach your kids to be active while they are young to set them up for success when they are older. Staying active helps stimulate brain development and reduces childhood disease significantly. Don’t rely on recess or gym. Having children lets you have an excuse — not like you need one — to let out your inner child and participate in activities from your youth. For a trampoline park near you, check out Rebounderz today! #### How to Keep Your Kids Active Over the Holidays The Holiday season has arrived! Days full of joyous celebrations with good food and the company of family. When it is cold outside and there are a million things going on inside, it can be difficult to make sure that everyone in your family is still active. Physical activity is incredibly important all year round, but special attention should be paid in the winter when it is more difficult to stay casually active — running around outside, visiting the playground, riding a bike to friends’ houses, while at the same time there is an increase in sweet treats and densely packed family meals. Physical activity for children is important to their neurological and physical development, maintaining a healthy weight, and helps promote better sleep and cognition. Join us in today’s post as we discuss some of the ways you can help keep your children active over the holidays. Walking light show. Instead of piling into the car and driving around to gawk at the amazing Christmas light shows, strap on your sneakers and pound the pavement instead! Bundle up the family and head out for a post-dinner walk to enjoy the lights and trees in your neighborhood. You can drive to other neighborhoods and get out and walk. Not only is this idea great for getting in some physical activity, but is also a nice bonding experience away from the noise and screens of the daily hustle at home. While you walk, it also allows you time to chat with your family, which will help bring you all closer together, and there is no better holiday gift than that! Winter sports. There is a variety of fun winter outdoor sports that you and your kids can engage in! Even if the ground is covered in snow, you can get out and have fun enjoying it! Take up horseshoeing, cross-country skiing, or hockey with your kids. You can go ice skating or find a nice hill to go sledding down. The great thing about winter sports — besides the fact that you can’t do it all year around — is that they are fun, so you don’t even realize the exercise you are getting! Additionally, participating in outdoor winter sports also helps your kids hone the skills needed to play non-winter sports! Indoor trampoline park. To get your kids exercising and having fun at the same time, take them for a few hours at your local trampoline park. Research suggests that jumping for 15 minutes is equivalent to running for an hour — but is way more fun! Your Lansdale Rebounderz offers a variety of fun and active activities including a trampoline basketball court, air dodgeball, a 10,000 square foot trampoline arena, and a laser tag arena. Your kids will delight in running around all day, not even aware of the beneficial exercise they are engaging in! Don’t wait until the new year to make your family more active, start today! Keeping your kids active in the winter will help make it easier to stay active all year! Join us at Rebounderz of Lansdale for some active indoor fun this holiday season. Check us out online or stop by today to find out about our specials and plan your day of fun! #### How to Make Healthy Eating Fun for Kids Our trampoline park in Edison is a great way to get your kids moving. Jumping on a trampoline can burn as many as 1,000 calories in an hour! When so many of our kids are in danger of living a sedentary lifestyle, that kind of calorie burn doing something that doesn't feel like exercise is pretty amazing. It can encourage kids to get active and stay active through their school years and into their adulthood. But moving is only half of the healthy living equation. They also need to eat right. In a world of fast food, how can you encourage healthy eating and make it (almost) as much fun as jumping at the trampoline park? Here are some suggestions we've gathered to help you. These Tips Can Help Make Healthy Eating Fun Grow Your Own Food A family garden can help ignite a lifetime love of healthy eating! Kids are fascinated by the process of planting a seed, nurturing it, and evening harvesting their own food. They will be much more likely to be willing to try a new vegetable if they helped grow it! There are a number of vegetables that are really easy to grow in our East Coast weather, including beans, carrots, peas, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and potatoes. Talk to your local gardening center about which plants will do well in your garden and pick up some seeds at the beginning of the growing season. The best part is that not only will your kids eat healthier, but growing your own produce will help cut down your grocery bill. Shop for and Cook Your Meals Together Children love to be involved! Let your children help you with the meal planning, shopping, and preparation of your family's food. When they are little, that might feel like more work (and it will be), but it will pay off when they are older. They'll be able to help with a lot of the preparation of the family meals so it's not all on your shoulders. They'll be more excited to try a new healthy dish when they helped make it, too. Plus, being involved in the process will allow them to feel like they have some control over what they are eating, instead of just being forced to eat whatever is on the table at suppertime. Plus, all those cooking lessons as a child will pay off big time when they are adults out on their own. Bring Their Current Interests Into It What are your kids currently into? If they are really into The Hulk, whip up a spinach smoothie and call it Hulk juice. are learning about another culture, try healthy foods from that country. If they love their interests with their healthy foods will make those foods seem much more exciting. Their whole attitude about a food can change in an instant when you give them a new reason to be excited about it by relating it to something they know and love. You could even try telling them that it's their favorite characters favorite food! We've heard that Teen Titans love broccoli and carrots. Let Them Try Dips A lot of dips might not be the healthiest thing to put on your kid's dinner plate, but if it helps them eat more fruits and veggies, then it might be worth a try. A lot of kids don't like the taste or texture of vegetables, but they love a little bit of ranch dip. Or they might suddenly love apples when they get to dip them in a little peanut butter and honey. Pick your battles and decide if it's worth a little dip or two in order to introduce them to some new foods. Chances are good that they'll grow out of the need to dip pretty soon and still love those foods! If you want to introduce dips that aren't quite so high in calories and sugars, look for Greek-yogurt based dips or search for some recipes of your own online. Focus on Color and Shapes Your kids' toys are all about colors and shapes, so why shouldn't their food be, too? Fruits and vegetables come in every color of the rainbow, so pick a few different colors and line them up on a plate in a rainbow shape and watch them gobble it down. If they are learning their shapes, pick up a few simple cookie cutters and use them on sandwiches, fruits, and other healthy food items to make them more appealing. Appealing to their other senses can help them get past the look or smell of a certain food. Once they get past that initial reaction to new foods, they often find that they love them! Do You Have Other Fun Healthy Eating Tips for Kids? Do you have a trick for getting your kids to eat healthier? We'd love to hear them! Leave a comment below and tell us what you're doing to bring more healthy foods into your child's life. We love when parents share information about helping their kids become healthier and happier! In the meantime, Rebounderz will keep them moving! Book jump time for you and your kids over at our website and get all the benefits of moving your body in our trampoline park in Edison. We're open seven days a week so you always have plenty of jumping time whenever you need it. Be sure to check out our rates and hours for information about any upcoming special hours. #### How to Make Kid's Birthday Parties Fun for Adults, Too We recently wrote about birthday party gift giving on a budget, and how for many families, all those birthday parties can start to be a strain on their bank accounts. For a lot of adults, it's not the gift giving that is the hard part. it's attending the party itself. Let's face it: going to a children's birthday party isn't always fun as an adult. Sure, you want your kids to have a good time, enjoy themselves, and build relationships with their peers. But you could probably do without some of the other things that come with attending a kid's birthday party, like the cleanup, the boring small talk, and the constantly glancing at the clock. If you want to throw a birthday party that's fun for the adults to attend, too, we have some suggestions! As Rohnert Part's premier place for kid's birthday parties, we have seen a lot of parties over the years and we know what makes them fun for both kids and adults. Here are some of our suggestions for making it a successful party for everyone involved. Want to Make a Kid's Birthday Party Fun for Adults? Make expectations clear on the invitation. One of the worst things you can do to a parent is to make their weekend more confusing or more of a hassle. Start the party off right by setting clear expectations on the invitations. Let parents know where or not the siblings are invited, or if they drop off their child and pick them up later (provided there will be plenty of safe adult supervision, of course!). You can also put on the invitation whether you have any requests about gifts, dress code, or allergy warnings. When all of the information is clear, you can get the party off to the right start! Have activities there for the grown up, too. Parties should be about the birthday child and their guests, of course. But it won't hurt (and will definitely help!) to have some activities there for the grown-ups, too. Keeping the grown-ups happy means they'll be more likely to stay longer and allow kids more time to play. You can do things as simple as providing more grown-up snacks and beverages so they don't have to ruin their diets with pizza and soda. Or you can go all out and provide them with board games or a space to watch the latest football game. Give them a quiet place and some wifi. Sometimes, adults just want some peace and quiet...and wifi. Make an "adults only" space at the party where the grown-ups can go hang out and get some time with other adults without participating in the noise and frenzy of the birthday party. Just having a few quiet minutes to check in on Facebook or send a couple emails can make a parent's day. Suddenly your event will be their favorite one of the year! How We're Making Parties Better for Adults We have created a space that's built around both kids and their parents, making it ideal for birthday parties and more. Here are some of the things the adults at your next kid's birthday party will love about Rebounderz. We have great coffee. Sure, kids love our pizza and soda, and many grown-ups do, too. But sometimes all you need to get through a party is a nice cup of coffee. You'll find it in the cafe here at Rebounderz, along with hot dogs, ice cream, and other grab-and-go items that will keep you full and happy while the party goes on. Get away in the parent's lounge. Want to get away from the noise of the birthday party? Head up to the parent's lounge. This is a great place for grown-ups to gather and catch up. Enjoy our comfortable seating along with all of the free wi-fi you could want! Enjoy the football game. We're football fans, too. If the birthday party you are attending is during a Giants game, don't worry! We'll have it on the big screen television in our parent's lounge so you can catch all of the action on the NFL Redzone. Spend some time in our massage chairs. Just want a few minutes to relax? It's something that is a rarity for parents, but we wanted to give them an opportunity to rejuvenate while here at Rebounderz. That's why we installed state-of-the-art massage chairs. Hop in and take a turn...you might not want to leave! Keep an eye on the kids. Even when you are enjoying the parent's lounge, we know you'll want to keep an eye on your little ones. That's why we installed windows in our parent's lounge that overlooks the play area. You'll have a bird's eye view of all of the action that's happening down below, so you can check in with your kids without putting a stop to your fun. Or join in the fun! Sure, all this grown-up stuff is great, but sometimes you want to get in on the fun with the kids! At Rebounderz, you totally can. Go play in the arcade or try your hand at some of our other attractions. You might end up having just as much (or more!) fun as your kids do! Let Us Host a Birthday Party Both Kids and Adults Will Love Do you love the idea of having a birthday party that's as much fun for the adults as it is for the kids? Then you'll love having your birthday parties at Rebounderz. With all of our amenities, there is plenty to keep every guest happy no matter what their age. We can even tailor your birthday party to make it even more special. We even have birthday party hosts on hand that will manage the entire event so the adults can relax; we'll even handle the set up and clean up of your event. Check out some of our birthday party packages and find one that's right for your next event. Book your party online or by giving us a call today! #### How To Make Kid’s Birthday Parties Fun for All Ages As an adult, it can be a bit of a drag to attend kids birthday parties. Sure, the first couple are fun, but as your child's social circle continues to expand and suddenly they are attending the birthday party of almost every kid in their class, it gets a little old. So when it's time for your child's birthday party, you might be eager to find a party idea that's fun for all ages while still making it special for the birthday boy or girl. Here are some ideas about how to make that happen! Making Birthday Parties Fun for All Ages Make sure there are tasty food options. A birthday party is way more fun for adults when they don't have to be thinking about what to make for dinner later! Make sure there are delicious food options available for kids and adults. Pizza is sure to be a crowd-pleaser no matter how old you are, but you'll want to make sure there is gluten-free options as well in case anyone in attendance has allergies. Think outside the box for activities. If you really want to make the birthday party fun, think of activities that involve everyone including the adults! Birthday parties at a trampoline park are a great example. Most trampoline parks allow the parents to join in the fun right alongside their kids, which means everyone can get in on the action. Kids love seeing their parents jumping around and doing tricks, while adults love getting to be a kid for the day! Take the pressure off of the adults. This might be the biggest piece of advice for ensuring adults have fun at the birthday party: don't make it feel like a job! Hiring a party host to keep the games and fun going and make sure that everyone is involved is the perfect solution. Birthday party hosts can manage the party while the adults go off to have some fun. Make sure adults know they don't have to help with the setup or the cleaning up afterward, either. This will take some of the pressure off of those who are attending. Make an adults-only zone. Sometimes adults want a little space of their own! At your party, create an area that's "off limits" to kids unless there is an emergency. This gives adults a chance to chat and mingle while their children are playing. Just make sure children are being supervised! If you are having your party at a facility like a trampoline park, tell the kids that certain areas are for the adults. That way the grown-ups can let loose without worrying about knocking over a little one! Relax! If you are relaxed, then the other adults will be more relaxed, too. Join in the fun and set a good example. Adults aren't likely to join in the activities unless they know it's okay, so show them that it is by going first! Bring Your Kids Birthday Parties to Rebounderz! If you are looking for a birthday party idea that's going to please both kids and adults in attendance, then Rebounderz is the place to go. Everyone loves going to a birthday party at our facility in Sunrise because it's low stress, no cleanup, and parents get to have some fun, too. If you are tired of the same old birthday party and bored grownups, then give us a call. Your party planner will make sure that everything is perfect for the big day and make sure you have all the extras you need, like balloons, a party host, gluten-free pizzas, and more. Call today to put your $75 deposit down on your birthday party slot! #### How to Make Your Weekends Fun For the Whole Family When Friday rolls around, adults are excited to have the weekend off from work and kids are happy to be out of class for a few days. The weekend is when families get to spend the most time together. Many families squander quality bonding time on the weekends by using their down days to catch up on chores and homework and get ready for the next week. Kids grow up fast, move on to their own lives, and have children of their own; it is important to remember to create fun family memories and spend time enjoying each other. We have assembled a few ideas to have fun as a family on the weekends. Unplugged Family Game Night One night over the weekend, have a party at home. Put everyone’s cellphones in a bowl and leave it tucked away. Turn off the television and pull out the board or card games. Enjoy each other’s company and engage in friendly competition. We like to make finger food appetizers and a fun punch and select a variety of games to play that suit everyone’s interests and abilities. If you have extended family or your best friends — who may as well be family — invite them, too. Game time is quality time that requires you to pay attention and interact. Game night is excellent bonding time and invites lots of laughs. Game night is also a great idea to assign a weeknight every week for. Make it a family tradition! Stay-cation A fun way to spend time together and get to know your hometown and its surrounding areas is to go on staycations. Find a restaurant or park you’ve never been to and make a day exploring new parts of your town. If you live in a big city, go to one of the local attractions and just be tourists for the day. Oftentimes, people take for granted that they have access to things all the time and never go! We consider vacations as going somewhere new and exotic while forgetting the treasures in our own backyards. Camping Camping is great pastime that allows families to bond and share new skills. Spend the weekend in the great outdoors, hiking and fishing and then sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows and telling your favorite stories. If you have small children and a big backyard, pop your tent up in your backyard and camp at home. Camping gives you the opportunity to close yourself off from luxury resources and forces you to find your sense of adventure. Discover new things and breathe fresh air on a fun, family camping trip. With all the vacation destinations and amusement parks, the past-time of family camping is often overlooked. Reconnect with nature and your family with a weekend camping trip! Family Entertainment Center One of the fastest growing industries is family entertainment centers (FEC). FECs are facilities that are designed to offer fun and entertainment for the entire family. They usually include a combination of arcades, eateries, laser tag, trampoline parks, obstacle courses, go-karts, bowling, and batting cages. The idea behind these facilities is to offer a full day of fun for the entire family. Spend the day running around letting out your inner child, with your children! Engage in friendly competition and keep the entire family engaged all day. Home Movie Night Pop up some popcorn, whip up some smoothies, pull out the blankets, and put on your jammies, then settle in for a night of family movies. Pile on the couch together or stretch out with pillows on the floor, and wind down while watching some classic favorites or new releases that no one has seen. While movie night invites the screens back in and discourages talking to each other, taking some time to just settle down and be together can often be enough to reconnect. Invite discussion about the movie’s theme or overarching moral story afterward, or simply tuck the sleepy kiddos into bed. This is an inexpensive alternative to going out and a great way to wind down at the end of a busy day. Family time is important, and with the hustle and bustle of overlapping schedules, sport practice and games, scout meetings, homework, and overtime, it may be difficult to find the waking time to squeeze in family time. Make the most of your weekends by planning something to do together, even if only for a few hours. Taking the time out of busy schedules to fit in family time can make everyone feel appreciated, included, and loved. Make every effort to enjoy each other before everyone has their own lives! If you are looking for a family entertainment center near Grand Rapids, look no further than Rebounderz trampoline park. Stop by for some family fun today! #### How to Plan Your Kid’s Birthday Party and Have Fun Doing It! Every year, you get another chance to plan the perfect party for your little ones. This year, take the stress out of planning your kids birthday party and get started now. That way, when the day comes, you’ll be able to relax and have fun at the party. To help simplify your planning, all it takes is a little organization and planning. Here is a handy checklist that we hope helps! Theme Ask your child what kind of party they would like to have. Do they want a superhero at-home party? Or a ballerina party at a trampoline park? It is a good idea to do this several weeks in advance so you can keep your eyes peeled for deals that match the theme. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll be stuck with whatever you can find at the moment, and it can get expensive. Invitation List Develop your invitation list. Do you want to openly invite your kid’s entire class and soccer team or will you limit it to close friends and family? This will help develop the activities you will do as some games work better with smaller groups while live entertainment is better for bigger crowds. Don’t forget to invite friends and family who don’t live close but will still want to feel included, like Grandma in Colorado. Book the Entertainment Be sure to select and book entertainment as early as possible. You don’t want to find out the week before the party that your entertainment selection is not available. This will also allow you to find out if they have any space or setup requirements that you should know about before party day. Select a Date Select a date, closest to your child’s birthday that is a good day for party guests to attend your party. It is always better to host a birthday party the weekend before rather than the weekend after the actual birthday if it falls on a weekday. If there are specific people that your child wants present — a best friend or an out of town family member — make sure the date works for them! Send Invitations We recommend that the invitations you send be creative and should clearly express the theme of the party. If you are hosting the party at an outside location, such as a family entertainment center, include facility details and cost (if you are asking your guests to pay their own way). Include an RSVP to let people let you know if they are coming and how many they will be bringing along. Plan for Supplies The first step is to make the itinerary of events and plan the menu. Then you can make a list of supplies and groceries that you will need and then begin buying items as you find them. If you have close friends or family members that will be helping, see what they have on hand before purchasing all new items. Day Prior Preparation The day(s) before your kid’s birthday party are the time to put in the work. If you are hosting the party at your house, thoroughly clean your home and childproof your home — if it isn’t already. Go grocery shopping and make any of the food that needs to be refrigerated or doesn’t need to be fresh. Prepare goody bags for guests and follow-up on people who didn’t RSVP. Party Day! When party day arrives, if you have planned and executed your plans, the day of the party should be stress-free and allow you to relax and have fun with everyone else! Be sure to take too many pictures and show your little one how much you love them. If other parents, adult family or friends attend, don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to them to help everything run smoothly! If you didn’t plan your kid’s birthday party months in advance, call the party planners at Rebounderz Extreme Fun Center of Jacksonville. Our family fun center includes a trampoline park, laser park arena, obstacle course, and arcade. We have party hosts who can take care of the planning, set up, and clean up for you — the only thing they don’t do is invite the guests! Take a tour and book your date today! #### How To Plan Your Kids Birthday Party It’s party time! Planning your kids birthday parties can and should be a whole lot of fun. But without prior proper planning, it could turn into a stressful chore. Well here at Rebounderz in Grand Rapids, we know you already have a lot on your plate. That’s why we’re here to help you with this handy how-to guide for planning your kids’ birthday parties. But we’ll take it to the next level, too. Rebounderz, the ultimate indoor trampoline park and extreme fun center in Grand Rapids, is available for you to host your kids birthday parties with a fun and bouncy twist. With several kids birthday party packages available for you to choose from, you can ensure that your child will have a festive, fun-filled party that will be talked about around the schoolyard for weeks and cherished for years. But more on that later. For now, let’s take a look at the step-by-step party planning process to help you create the best party on the planet! Step 1: Choose Your Theme A party is only as good as its theme. No child wants a party where they don’t have something to rally around and bond over, and that’s where having a theme with cool decorations, gifts, and a cake comes in. You might want to ask your kid what type of theme they would want, or better yet give them a handful of options that you think they might like and that you know will be simple to procure. Rebounderz has a variety of themes you can choose from here at our facility, including: fashion boutique, rock n’ roll, beach, Marvel Avengers, Motor City sports, and arena. Step 2: Pick Your Date In a perfect world, you’d schedule your kids birthday party for the exact date of their birthday. However, we know that sometimes life gets in the way. Check for the best possible open date, avoiding any potential conflicts with holidays, major events, and more, so that you can have the best possible turnout. Step 3: Pick Your Venue Of course, you’ll want to make sure your preferred venue has an open date for your kids birthday party. Make sure you choose a venue that is fun, spacious, and includes more than just the party space. Hey, maybe you’ll even choose a place that is filled with wall-to-wall, high-flying trampoline action. We wouldn’t be opposed to that. You can call Rebounderz in Grand Rapids at any time, and we’ll help get you set up with a date and time that will work for you. Step 4: Invitations You certainly don’t want to go overboard when it comes to inviting guests, especially for younger children. At Rebounderz, our biggest package features jump time and socks for up to 20 guests; and it’s a good rule of thumb to stay at or below that number so that your party doesn’t become a huge fiasco. Step 5: FOOD This is a big part of the planning process. What will your guests be eating? When you plan your kids birthday parties at Rebounders, your party package will include some top-notch pizzas as well as drinks (choose from water, soda, and more) for the youngsters. However, you’ll still need to bring the piece de resistance: the cake. Plan for the most popular flavor, and be sure you get some input from the special birthday boy or girl. Step 6: Jump Around Now that everything is in order, it’s time to come on down to Rebounderz in Grand Rapids. We host the best, most unique, and special kids birthday parties imaginable, with exclusive access to things like a Ninja Warrior Course, Slam Basketball Courts, open trampolines, and more. Contact us today to learn more about hosting a party at our extreme fun center! #### How to Play Laser Tag Like a Pro: a Novice's Guide So you've never played laser tag before, or you have but you lost miserably and don't want a repeat? No need to surrender another loss, spend the game hiding behind a barrier, or worse- never play again. This guide will set you up for success at your next match; your opponents will rue the day they challenged you!   Rules   Every laser tag center will give you a rundown of the general rule as well as additional rules they may have. Pay attention, you may find hints in what they say. Pay special attention to boundary areas and the rules about crossing into the opponent's’ area. Never cover your sensors, this is always a rule, but also an integrity violation.   Dress for the Occasion   Most indoor laser tag parks set their laser tag areas in dim to dark lighting accented with glow in the dark or black light reactive paint and glowing laser tag vests. There is not much you can do about your glowing vest, aside from cheat and cover it, but cheating is no way to win! Wear dark, comfortable clothing that you can move around easily in. Don’t wear anything that has black light reactive or glow-in-the-dark components. Don’t wear anything that has a light on it. Be mindful of light colored accessories and accent stitching or logos on clothing that may shine. Although long sleeves can help disguise fair skinned arms, just remember how much you may sweat when you start running around! Be sure to secure any jewelry or loose clothing as you do not want to lose it during the match or allow it to make noise. Some laser tag is played outdoors. If this is the case for you, the only outfit recommendations I have is to make sure that you are comfortable running in it.   Footwear is probably the most important part of any ensemble. Make sure to wear something comfortable that will allow you to move quickly, quietly, and comfortably. Flip flops or high heels are completely impractical for a laser tag game. Sneakers are your best bet, as long as they are comfortable.   Picking your team   Your teammates can make or break your game. You can be the best laser tag player in the world, but if you are on a team with other novices, your game can end quickly in defeat. Unless you and 20-30 of your closest friends rent the arena, chances are you will be playing with strangers. Laser tag is a popular kid's birthday party venue, so don't be alarmed if a bulk of your team is under 12 years old; do not count these mini ninjas out, chances are, they’ve played more than a few times and they are able to hide well. When picking your teammates, make certain that you select players who are as competitive as you. Competitive nature can make up for other shortcomings, like the ability to run fast, jump high, or hide well. Your teammates should have an understanding of the game and be able to move, shoot, and communicate. Having varying skills levels is a good idea too, but always have a sniper.   Equipment   Before stepping out into the ring, get to know your equipment. Vests vary but are typically similar. Make sure you have fitted it the best you can and that it is operable. Check your weapon. Some laser tag parks require you to shoot at a specific area in the arena to reload, if this is the case, make sure you dry fire practice leading up to the start of the game. If you are cornered or outnumbered, you need to already be familiar with how to reload and react quickly. It is a good idea that every time you fire, reload; be proactive rather than reactive. Some laser tag places have guns that never need reloading if this is the case, just keep shooting.   Strategy   When you step into the laser tag arena, it's simple, annihilate the enemy. You should designate a small team to protect your team's area. If you are on this team, it is important you don't abandon your post. Your job is to take out anyone who comes into your area. If you are on the assault team, you should relentlessly pursue the goal of reaching the enemy target. The other team may be watching and waiting, so be vigilant. Traveling in small teams may be a good tactic, but don't stand too close together. Sending out distractions is a good tactic to draw the enemy’s attention away from someone else who can reach the goal. Remember if you are attempting to be stealthy, you should practice noise discipline. Run quietly, keep warrior calls at bay, and monitor your breathing.   I would recommend playing multiple matches. Afterall, practice perfects your game. Repeated matches at your favorite indoor laser tag arena will allow you to become familiar with the layout and hiding places. Before you know it, you'll be the laser tag champion!   #### How to Prepare for Your Child’s Birthday Party Preparing for the Worst, To Receive the Best When it comes to kid’s birthday parties, the whole experience can be great and memorable. Afterall, your child and their friends can build lasting memories together and celebrate another year of their life. However, the experience can be, at times, the most stressful event on the planet. Now, you may think this is a negative outlook to have. But, if you believe kid’s birthday parties are a quiet and peaceful get together among childhood friends — you obviously don’t have children. Birthday parties for kids can quickly escalate into a messy, loud, and anxiety-inducing experience if you don’t prepare. For example, kids are naturally rambunctious and accident prone. Not only that, but with kids, you have to keep a weather-eye for accidents, conflicts, and anything else in your way. For younger children, a birthday can be a great experience if you have a lot of chaperones on staff. However, if your child is older, say around 6-12 years-old, you might be “understaffed” and extremely outnumbered. Not to mention, children ages six to 12 are often ungrateful, whiny, and obnoxious (sorry, it is true). However, preparing for the event can limit the amount of times you hear, “I am bored” or “When is presents?” or “I want cake.” No matter how great of a parent you are, there is a chance your children will utter one or all three of these sentences. First off, just because they say these things, does not mean you are a bad parent. Children are naturally curious and want things that instantly gratify them. If you schedule out your day, you may not have to deal with whiny children. How? Well, through our list you will ensure a limited number of questions, groans, injuries and tantrums. Putting Away Sharp Objects If you are planning to have the birthday celebration at your home, the first thing you must do is remove all sharp and pointy objects from any public areas. This includes but is not limited to: Incense Hard-metal Utensils Fireplace Tools Any Pencils or Pens (for more reasons than just being pointy) Anything That Could Make a Stain When it comes to birthday parties in your home, you have to be aware that something you enjoy will get ruined. For instance, if you have beautiful white walls or furniture, expect that they will not be the same shade after the party. Children have a knack for finding objects to write or draw with. More importantly, they know how to find these items, and use them on your things. So, before the party has even begun, take the time to hide any pens, crayons, markers, or chalk, that could be within little-arms-reach. No matter how much talent your child has, your home is not a canvas. Therefore, remove the temptation before the party begins. Removing Anything Breakable As stated, children are naturally energetic. Through no fault of their own, they tend to get carried away with their social party games, and something is always broken. That something is almost always an object you loved, enjoyed, or spent a fortune on. However, you cannot punish your child or guest for breaking something while playing. It is in a child’s nature to be uncoordinated and absent-minded. If anything, the accident is on you for not noticing their behavior and removing your items from high-traffic areas. If you are a parent, you are well aware of the danger of having breakable items around children. Not just for the sake of them breaking the object, but for the aftermath after something is broken. For example, if a glass is broken, the shards could travel great distances and blend into the floor. Worse, children don’t often adhere to proper party attire, which means that the second the party starts, their shoes come off. So, not only will you have shards of sharp glass all over the floor, you will have wild children frollicing without shoes around your home. Barefoot children and sharp glass are a recipe for disaster. Restricting Passage The key with hiding breakable, markable, and sharp items, is securing them in a room or place children cannot get to. Being able to set boundaries is important for you and your home because you can limit where children will be able to play. Also, just because you are opening your home to your guests, doesn’t mean you have to open your whole home. Limiting the rooms in which children can be will keep them safe and give you less to stress out about. It is always good to have a safe in your home, however, if you do not have a safe, you can always put the items in a locked room. Putting Down Towels If your child was born in the summer, you could easily have a pool party or a water party. When water, slick floors, and bare feet are put together, you can almost ensure there will be an accident. More importantly, you can count on tears, screaming, and bruises. Because of this, pre-planning for an incident can actually help prevent the worst scenario. Placing towels on the floor can help prevent nasty spills while on your watch and make your life a lot easier. Easier, meaning, whether you have a water party, dirt will get tracked into your home. Children naturally will track in the outside world into your home. So, if you appreciate a dirt-free floor, laying down towels is a good option. Rebounderz With all of these preparatory measures, there is an easy way to celebrate your child’s birthday — go to Rebounderz! At our indoor trampoline park, we have dozens of attractions to entertain your children. At our establishment, you don’t have to worry about nasty spills or anyone hurting themselves. Instead, all you have to do is sit back and relax while your child has a memorable trampoline birthday party. If you are interested in making your preparatory list shorter and your stress levels lower, contact us today. #### How to Prevent Breaking Your Bones Breaking Bones: How to Avoid It! Your bones are the essential structure of your body. Without strong bones, your body wouldn’t be able to run, jump, stretch, or even stand. Because your bones are so essential to your life, when they break it can be devastating to your life. For one, breaking a bone hurts — a lot! Bones aren’t meant to be broken, which when they do, you can suffer massive amounts of pain. In this blog, we would like to discuss how to prevent severe injuries, such as bone breaks, on trampolines. How to Bones Break? At Rebounderz of Rohnert Park, we keep our indoor trampoline park extremely safe. Not only do we limit how extreme jumpers can be at our park, but we also take the time to pad each of our attractions. This added attention to safety makes our park that much more safe for our little customers. However, as you might know, accidents can happen always — even with every precaution in place. With this being said, broken bones can happen when you least expect it. But how to bones break? Bones can break for three main reasons: Bones Stress Impact Fractures Weak Bones Bones Stress: Bone stress occurs when too much pressure is applied to a bone in the same spot. However, the consequences of this stress won’t appear until much later. As your bone is stressed continuously, it will weaken and develop small cracks. Though you won’t be able to feel these cracks, the bone will be extremely weakened and vulnerable. The cracks will develop as small imperfections at first then grow to become a large fracture and then become a full break. Impact Fractures: Impact fractures occur suddenly when the bone is hit hard with enough stress to break the bone. Impact fractures are the most common type of break and seen when people are exerting themselves too harshly. Any athlete that participates in contact sports is likely to know what an impact fracture feel like. Weak Bones: Certain illnesses can cause your bones to grow thinner and weaker. When your bones lose their strength, they are much more vulnerable to fractures and breaks. And, worst of all, weak bone break don’t need to occur when you are being heavily active or in an accident. Even if you are just participating in everyday activities, your weak bones can break. If you know that you have thin bones, you need to be careful about how heavily you exert yourself. When bones are fragile, they are most likely to break, but also take longer to heal. The Most Common Bones to Break Different bones are more fragile than others. For example, your clavicle, which is the top bone that connected your arm to your ribcage and is the most commonly broken bone in the human body. The clavicle, or collarbone, is the most vulnerable bone in your body and is, unfortunately, one of the hardest bones to heal. Though your hyoid bone is the weakest bone in your body, your clavicle is the bone that takes much of the impact of your body. If you are hit or are impacted by something hard enough, your clavicle could easily fracture. Even newborns that pass through the birth canal can easily break their clavicle. The second most common bone you can break is your arm. Your arms are used to brace yourself, especially for impact. On a trampoline, it is natural that you would want to put your arms out to keep from hitting your face on the trampoline. However, when you brace yourself with your arms, you are focusing the weight of your body and the impact of your fall on your arm bones. If you are going to land, it is best to do so with a rolling motion. If you do this, the weight and impact of your fall can be distributed throughout your body, rather to just one bone. How to Handle Impact? On a trampoline, the best way to land is on your bottom. With tissue and strength of your lower body is much stronger and can handle your fall. You should never try to land on your hands or even on a single leg. When it comes to using a trampoline, you want to do so safely. After all, who wants to spoil all the fun by breaking one of their bones? To prevent breaks, make sure that you are using Rebounderz trampolines the right way. And, to ensure that you will not injure yourself, be sure to refrain from flipping, landing in unique ways, and jumping too high. Rebounderz is about having fun in safe ways, but there are ways to abuse our trampolines in ways that could potentially be harmful. Rebounderz of Rohnert Park Though breaks can happen, if you are careful, you won’t be at risk of an injury. Rebounderz of Rohnert Park is here to provide children a fun and safe place to have fun. To ensure that you are safe while at our park, please respect our safety protocol at all times. Stop by your local Rohnert Park Rebounderz today! #### How To Teach Kids To Set Goals Raising a child is maybe the hardest thing a person can do. Each kid will have different needs, there is no rule book, and life won't wait for a parent to catch up. But there is nothing more satisfying than nurturing your child into a card carrying, responsible adult. Part of doing that involves teaching kids how to set and reach goals. Here at Rebounderz, our Grand Rapids trampoline parks work as a great motivator, and our team sports also help kids practice reaching their goals. Here, we'd like to go over how to teach your kids to effectively set and reach their goals. Be SMART SMART is a great acronym for learning how to effectively set goals, and maintain a reasonable plan for meeting them. It stands for Specific, Measurable, Adjustable, Realistic, and Timely. To illustrate how it can help your kid learn how to meet their goals, let's look at an example; maybe your kid says "I want to be better at basketball". A lofty goal, but on its own is very vague and somewhat abstract. Translated into SMART language, the goal might be changed to "I will practice for one hour four days a week on free throws and ball handling, and spend two hours a week watching professionals play". This has the same effect as the former goal, but sets a realistic, measurable expectation for how to meet it as well. Record Progress We are all familiar with the concept of writing things down to remember them better, and that can be applied to help kids achieve their goals. Not only do they get the extra benefit of keeping the goal more present in their mind, but recording progress is a great way to set micro goals, increase satisfaction with the work already put towards a goal, and adjust strategy to meet a goal. Set Active, Not Passive Goals Eliminate the verb "to be" in all its forms from your kid's goal vocabulary. Goals aren't met by essence, but by action! Using our first example, change "I want to be a better basketball player" to "I want to improve my free throw." Not only will the latter result in the former, but it's a much more manageable and straight forward goal. Be A Good Role Model Kids are information sponges, and they learn everything by watching others. All of the best practices in the world won't help them achieve their goals if the people they imitate don't set an example of how to use them. Not only will your example help them understand these goal setting tips, but it will be a great motivational factor as well!   Another great way to motivate kids is setting an appropriate reward for working towards a goal. Here at Rebounderz, we think there's no better motivation than a fun day at our Grand Rapids trampoline park. We've also got fun trampoline versions of basketball and dodge ball, where your kids can learn the value of achieving goals in a team setting. Give us a call today to learn more about all the fun activities we offer here at Rebounderz! #### How to Teach Your Child to Problem Solve As kids grow up, one of the most important lessons they can learn is how to effectively solve problems. Throughout every piece of our lives, we encounter problems that need to be handled, often times quickly. Everything from the tiniest of issues to big situations have to be dealt with as they come, so showing your little one effective problem-solving skills is beneficial from childhood to adulthood. With that in mind, we have compiled some of the best ways that you can teach your child how to be an effective problem solver. When these strategies are used in conjunction with your child’s teacher and how they pass along problem-solving skills, your child will be able to tackle whatever issue they may run into. Give them space One of the ways you can stunt your child’s problem-solving skills is by swooping in at the first sign of trouble to fix the issue for them. Letting your child tackle a problem on their own will help give them the confidence they need to manage stress and difficult situations in the future. While it’s good to give them the support they need to make those decisions, it’s important you refrain from taking control away from them. When they don’t have control over the situation, they are more likely to feel overwhelmed when a problem presents itself. That will result in an overreliance on your assistance that can create a large burden on yourself, as you will shoulder your child’s problems as well as your own. Avoid being a “helicopter parent” and show your child that with knowledge and hard work, nothing is insurmountable. Encourage creative playtime There are many ways that kids can solve problems, especially when it comes to playing around. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, being creative works those problem-solving skills a great deal. Utilizing imagination to create a story or situation for their action figures or dolls to interact in puts them into situations where they will be solving problems in a new way. They will invent problems for their toys which they then need to come up with fun or interesting ways to handle on their own. Even if they aren’t formulating an elaborate plan for how Spider-Man has to save the day, they could be engaging their problem-solving skills in other ways. That can be playing with wooden blocks or building a Lego kit while following the instructions. Even with a regimented form of creative play, problems can arise that will need to be handled in order to complete the project. Encourage your child to engage in creative playtime that keeps their imagination working and you’ll see the results. After all, solving a tough problem can be a big reward on its own. Create a roadblock for them to overcome As a contrast to actively solving problems for your child, you can present them with a reasonable problem that they need to overcome. Make it a problem with a solution that is attainable and provide them with as much information about the issue as possible. When they have information about the problem they’re attempting to take on, they will be better equipped to handle the issue. This will also prepare them for critical thinking that is required to overcome obstacles throughout their life, as they will have practice under their belt and the confidence that comes with achievement. Present multiple possible solutions Take any opportunity that you can to facilitate decision making for your child. When you present your child with multiple options to solve a problem or answer a question, it will ensure they do not avoid tough decisions. It is especially important that you do not explicitly state that there is one right answer that isn’t negotiable. Show your child there is more than one way to complete a task, address an issue, or find a solution to a problem. When they see that there are many ways to get things done, it will help them think outside the box with future issues they encounter. That makes them less likely to give up when there isn’t a clear solution put in front of them. Make problem-solving a fun activity at home Problems come up every day, in everyone’s life. Instead of treating a problem like something to be dreaded, make overcoming that difficulty a fun situation. When you approach problem-solving with a positive outlook, you not only show your child that problems aren’t something to be afraid of, you also teach them effective coping mechanisms when life gets tough. Read stories about problem-solving together There are many wonderful books that both children and adults enjoy that feature problem-solving at their heart. For instance, one of the most popular book series of all time, Harry Potter, constantly presents big issues for the heroes to overcome. Throughout the series, there are many examples of creative thinking and active problem solving are presented. When children see examples like this in literature, it shows them how problems can be handled, how to think about those problems creatively, and how they can achieve things they didn’t previously think were possible with some hard work and ingenuity. Work on some do-it-yourself projects together Even if you don’t consider yourself all that handy, you can tackle a tricky project together with your child. When you become an active learner alongside your child, you are sharing in a journey together. Look up YouTube videos or How To books to see how you can build something, paint something, or cook something together. Your child will cherish this moment as a moment where you are on the same level together. Even if your experience level is higher for a certain project, tackling something that is a little more difficult for you will be a great learning experience for the both of you. Teach them the basic steps of solving a problem Every problem can be broken down into manageable steps that can make even the toughest issues look far easier to accomplish than they would if looked at as a whole. First, identify the issue at hand. Then, break it into smaller tasks to be handled, one by one. Essentially, you are making a recipe or instruction booklet for how you can solve the issue step by step. Some examples of problems you can break into smaller parts for your child are: Homework isn’t done Breakfast hasn’t been eaten Teeth haven’t been brushed Lunch isn’t packed Their backpack isn’t ready for school All of those issues can be broken down into separate steps that can be handled one at a time until the problem has been solved. One of the biggest things that can create anxiety regarding decisions or problem-solving is when the problem itself seems too large to handle. Allow for failure As a parent, it can be tough to stand by and watch your child fail at a task. It’s easy to want to jump in and help them out as much as you can. However, when it is safe to do it, let them fail. There is no better teacher in all of life than failure. When we try something and don’t succeed, we’re able to look at the situation, see what we did wrong, and make adjustments. Failure can be scary, but if you make your child fear failure, they will lose the confidence needed to accomplish great things. You can’t know what it means to succeed if you don’t lose sometimes. Show your child the value of failure by providing examples of successful people that had to fail a lot before they succeeded, such as Thomas Edison. Problem-solving comes in handy for everyone, of every age. Teaching your child how to effectively problem solve, learn from mistakes, and think creatively will make them a more well-rounded individual. Challenge them and show them ways to overcome seemingly insurmountable roadblocks to see them flourish. At Rebounderz in Rohnert Park, we love to see kids being creative. Whether they’re working out their imagination in our safe trampoline park or they’re utilizing their problem-solving skills in the Ninja Warrior course, you’ll see them thrive here. We hope to see you soon! #### How to Upgrade Your Rainy Day In the words of Barbara Streisand, “Don’t rain on my parade!” Though outside may be in a downpour and cold, that doesn’t mean that all fun goes out the window! It is true, during bad weather, much of the fun activities your child is used to are no longer available. However, there are still fun things to do to take advantage of during the rainy season! In this blog we will discuss all the entertaining things you can do to revamp your child’s rainy days. Stay In and Play Games When it is raining outside, a lot can get cancelled or has to be given a “rain check.” When it rains, many of your child’s favorite outdoor activities, such as playing, riding bikes, and hanging out in a tree house, are no longer options. Though the fun may seem drained from the day, there are still ways to make staying in just as fun. When you have a rainy day, you have the ability to stay in and entertain your child with the toys and games in your house. However, this should not mean allowing them to stay glued to a television all day. There are still ways to keep your child engaged and active throughout the day, even when it is pouring outside. For example, when you stay in, you can play one-on-one with your child, such as playing board games. It is so rare that you will have an opportunity to sit and socialize with your child. A rainy day is the perfect excuse! Make a Fort When it is raining outside, you often stay at home. Instead of letting your kids zone out in front of a television screen, use this time to play with them! Building a fort is a great way to socialize with your children. When building a fort, you and your child must negotiate where the fort will be located, how big it will be, and what it is to be made out of. This planning and building something from scratch is a great way to socialize with your child and build team bonding skills.   Play Hide-and-Go-Seek Playing Hide-and-go-seek is one of the oldest and most fun games to play during a day indoors. Though the game can be played outside, during a rainy day it can be modified to be played inside your house. The game, when it is played inside a house, actually becomes easier and more fun because there are defined boundaries and less places to hide. Because of this, players must become creative in order to find new and hard-to-find places to hide. The great thing about this game is there is no official start or end to the game, this means you can play for hours, only stopping when you’re tired of playing. Make Cookies Who doesn’t like cookies? When it is raining outside, cookies are the perfect way to raise everyone’s spirits! Cookies are also time consuming, which is great because once they are done, often the rain has cleared! Cookies are fun to make, delicious, and shareable. When it rains outside, encouraging your child to make cookies with you will allow you both to bond and discuss what is needed to make the cookies scrumptious! Also, half the fun about cookies is being able to eat them and give them out to your neighbors. In this way, you can share some joy during the rainy day with those around you! Make Hot Chocolate Rainy days and cold weather are synonymous with each other. During rainy days, you want to bundle up by a fire or crank up the heating in your house. One other way to warm up during your rainy day is to purchase or make a delicious cup of hot chocolate. You can either buy or make hot cocoa with a Keurig or craft it from scratch. When you make hot chocolate from scratch, you can teach your kids how to make their favorite drink and add fun into the process. Buying marshmallows to go along with your hot chocolate can make the day much more enjoyable. While you are making your hot chocolate, you can even play fun games like “Chubby Bunny.” For those who don’t know what chubby bunny is, the game involves stuffing your face with gooey marshmallows until you can’t say “chubby bunny” anymore. The game is almost guaranteed to make all who are involved laugh the marshmallows out of their cheeks! Go to Rebounderz If on your rainy holiday you wish you leave your house, you can always take your kids to your local Rebounderz! At our indoor trampoline parks, you and your child can bounce to your hearts content. And, if you get tired of bouncing, Rebounderz houses many other attractions such as the Ninja Warrior Obstacle Courses and the JumpXTREME Towers. In our obstacle courses, you can test your endurance and see how fast you can make it through our expertly designed course. For our JumpXTREME Towers, you can make a plunge from our ten foot towers into a perfectly safe landing mattress. Both of these extra attractions are perfect for testing your abilities and conquering fears. Rebounderz is beneficial during a rainy day because all locations are built indoors. That means, no play time is sacrificed due to a little rain. Also, Rebounderz allows your kids to get the exercise they need without getting their clothes wet from the rain and mud — which can get them sick and give you the challenge of washing out the stains. What is cool about Rebounderz is that it is an inclusive activity for both you and your child. The trampoline park is completely safe and protected from the rain. By bringing your child to Rebounderz, you will teach your child that just because the sun is not out, doesn’t mean all fun goes away. More importantly, you are teaching your child that there are more productive things to do during a rainy day than sit in front of a screen. Rebounderz allows you to interact with your child, while giving them a rainy day they are not likely to forget. Visit Rebounderz online to find an indoor trampoline park near you! #### How to Win at Babysitting If you are a high school student trying to pick up extra cash or a full-time nanny looking to boost your ratings with the kids, entertaining the kids you watch can be difficult. Of course, you could plop them down in front of the television for a movie or video games, but that won’t keep you on the call-back list for very long. To help you win at babysitting, we have compiled this list of activities that are sure to make you the favorite, for the kids and their parents. Arts and Crafts Arts and craft time is a fun time for kids and sitters alike. Kids love it because it is a time to let loose and make a creative mess. It is great for you because it keeps them actively engaged and mentally stimulated. When you make crafts along with them, it affords you the opportunity to let out some of your creativity and your inner-child. Parents love it because they will have new art to display proudly. Clean-up One of the best ways to pass time with the kids is to clean up. Make it a game and have the kids help you clean. You can make it a competition on who can clean their room fastest and offer a healthy reward to the winner. If there is only one child, you can ask them what they would love to do and then tell them that once you clean your room, we can do just that. The kids can have fun discovering toys they left abandoned and the parents will be pleased because you didn’t just simply pass the time while they were away. Go For a Walk Take the kiddos outside for a walk. It’s great for the kids because it gets them outside, in the fresh air, engaged in physical activity. You can make it an adventure and take different turns to lengthen the walk. Make a stop at the neighborhood park as a rewarding stop along the way to encourage the kids to participate in future walks. The kids will love that you are spending time adventuring with them and it’s a moderate exercise for you. Their parents will be delighted you got them out of the house and used up some energy, especially if you take their dog too! Trampoline Park A trampoline park is an ultimate babysitting win! When you go to a trampoline park like Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone, the kids can have a blast jumping in their respective age-appropriate areas and you can either watch or bounce right along with them. The kids love it because they have fun the entire time and it's great for you and their parents because the kids are guaranteed to leave exhausted — a tired kid is a well-behaved kid! Bake Cookies If the kids you babysit are naturally curious, teach them a new skill while you bond, and then enjoy a tasty treat by baking some cookies. Children love cookies but are often not involved in the baking process. Including the kids can be fun in the kitchen and baking cookies is a relatively simple process. The kids will be delighted that you included them and the delicious reward at the end. Their parents will be pleased when they get to enjoy the product of your fun. To win at babysitting, it doesn’t take much more than some energy and being engaged. Anyone can simply sit on the couch and take advantage of their host family’s cable to pass the time, but a great babysitter interacts with the children. If you want to be a babysitter that gets invited for more jobs, try out these tips. If you want to bring children to a trampoline park, bring them by Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone in Jacksonville. #### How Trampoline Rebounding Benefits Your Child’s Physical Development While jumping on a trampoline is great fun for children of all ages and the perfect way to wear them out, trampoline rebounding also offers some benefits for your child’s physical development. Here, we will take a look at some of the ways that bouncing babies can stimulate development and healthy growth. Vestibular system activation. The vestibular system is physically located in the inner ear and is responsible for spatial orientation and awareness. It works by collecting information and interpreting input from all of the other senses to coordinate movement, provide balance, and allow for spatial awareness. When the vestibular system is activated or stimulated through movements such as bouncing, swinging, or swaying, the brain becomes active, interpreting data and providing feedback about body relation to itself. Our vestibular system allows us to be aware of where we are in space and in relation to our own body. This is why rocking and bouncing your baby helps with development and as toddlers, jumping swings are encouraged. When your kiddo bounces on a trampoline, their vestibular system is stimulated and can help make their brains and their senses sharper. So, jump-jump, little one! Improves balance and coordination. Along with activating the vestibular system, jumping on a trampoline continually causes the center of gravity to change, which forces the jumper to use balance and coordination to rebound over and over. For children who have not yet developed good balance or coordination, jumping on a trampoline may help hone those skills. And, the great thing about trampolines is the “ground” is much more forgiving with its bouncy surface! Because bouncing is so much fun, kids are more likely to continue to try more than they would if they kept falling over on the living room floor. Large muscle development. When babies are born, they have no control over muscle movements and rely on reflexes for movement. As they grow and develop, their large muscle movements begin to become more voluntary and controlled, while still lacking coordination. By the time children reach toddlerhood, their large muscles are developed enough to be controlled, but are still immature and will take years to fully develop. Once children are able to walk and run, it is time to strengthen large muscles groups and help develop fine motor skills. This can be done through physical activity and developing skills. Large muscle development also helps with flexibility and agility. Just as it is true for older children and adults, it is true for younger kids —trampoline jumping is an excellent full body exercise that requires the use of all of the body’s muscles. So, get out there and jump for strength! Cardiovascular health and development. This benefit is no different for developing children than it is for any other age group. The heart is a muscle that should continually be challenged to encourage health. The lungs are powerful muscles that should be given the opportunity to be worked —completely filled and deflated through heavy breathing— every once in a while. Trampoline jumping is the perfect cardiovascular workout, in disguise! Jump for your heart, jump for your health. Strengthened immune system. It is true, exercise in general helps to improve the immune system, promoting healthier kids! Trampoline rebounding, specifically, promotes optimal blood flow which stimulates the lymphatic system, leading to a strengthened immune system. The increased blood flow also helps promote digestion and the release of endorphins. Difficulty with digestion may keep children feeling sick, and while it has little to do with the immune system, the combination of a stronger immune system and eased digestion can make your kid feel great! Endorphins are the “happy hormones” that can help your kid have a more positive outlook on life, which also helps ward off illness and disease. Of course, there are some physical risks that come along with trampoline jumping —just like with any other physical activity— so children should never be left to jump unsupervised. Children should be reminded of safety rules and every effort should be make to prevent injury. Trampoline parks offer more safety, and added supervision, than a backyard trampoline. Always be sure to wash your child’s hands after leaving the trampoline, before they touch their face or hands —so, quick! For a trampoline park near Jenison, stop in to Rebounderz of Grand Rapids today. #### How Trampolines Can Teach Your Child to Share Sharing is not an innate skill children are born with. They are not born and immediately know how to share with others and be selfless. Unfortunately, at our core, humans are selfish. When we see something we want or need, our first instinct is to take it for ourselves. The idea of sharing with others is only learned and strengthened when we practice it. For young children, sharing can be difficult because they do not yet know what it means to give up what they like, such as candy or toys. Children must develop this very important skill while they are young and they can only learn the importance of sharing if they are exposed to it throughout their lives. Parents must instill in their children the importance of selflessness and the idea of sharing, in order to raise a caring child. The word “mine” Sometimes even before ‘mama’ or ‘dada’ some children learn the word ‘mine’. This is a dangerous word because it is the first indication that your child is learning selfishness. The key to sharing is the idea of selflessness, or putting others ahead of yourself. This is an incredibly difficult skill to teach and most people never truly learn or understand it. It is good, in some respects, that children form strong attachments to items or people that would make them claim it as their property. When a child can form attachments, it is the sign of healthy development and emotional stability. However, when a child becomes too attached over too many things, this is the universal sign that the child is growing to be more selfish. When children are born into multiple sibling households, sharing becomes an everyday occurrence — whether they like it or not. In single child households, sharing becomes more difficult, as the child doesn’t have the need to share with other children. When a single child interacts with other children, that is when you will be able to see if they need to be taught sharing skills. One way to ensure a single child learns sharing is through you, the parent, teaching and encouraging them the necessary skills at home. You can also bring your child to public playgrounds where many children play and interact with each other. Don’t force sharing Sharing is a sign of empathy, however, empathy does not develop in a child until later in their development. You cannot expect a child younger than 3 to know and understand what sharing is, as their brains have not yet developed that stage of awareness. In fact, most children under the age of two never actually play with anyone. Mostly, they play alongside someone, attending to their own needs for play and not sharing the experience. Because young children don’t understand sharing, it is not fair for a parent to enforce the idea of it. If sharing is pushed on a child too early, with instances of punishment if they don’t do it, children can grow a disdain for sharing. By associating punishment if they don’t share, children will be less inclined to share with other children and even their parents! Step in, if necessary Overbearing parenting is the first way to ruin your child’s desire to share. Children, when they reach the ages of four or five, will start to develop independence and a willingness to share. At this time, if you are overly involved in their sharing development, they might think that a parent must be present for them to share. In this way, they will grow dependent on your approval of when to share and with whom to share. As a parent, you are responsible to step in whenever the sharing becomes hostile. For example, if two children want to use the same toy and they both are tugging on the item, it can cause a tear, in which case both parties will be upset. You also want to intervene if an altercation occurs such as crying, shouting, or hitting. Hitting is never an ok reaction and needs to be disciplined immediately. When children learn to hit to get their way, they can cause harm to others and may create a hard habit to break in the future. For the most part, sharing is a skill that your child should learn on their own. Part of problem-solving is being able to handle a situation without any help. When your child is learning to share, it is wise to be a bystander to their process, instead of an enforcer. Encourage sharing It is important that you encourage sharing throughout your child’s life. When they are encouraged to share, they are given a positive feeling towards sharing. When they are more positively inclined to share, they will be more likely to do it in their lives. It is important when teaching your child to share that you perform as their role model. You must show them how to share and implement the steps of sharing in a way they would understand, such as sharing food or candy. Play Games It is important that you encourage your child to play games with you, as well as other children. When you play games with your child you can encourage sharing and grow more connected with your child. When you create a strong bond with your child, they will grow to trust and respect your judgement. When they do this, they will be more inclined to listen to you and follow your guidance. Playing games naturally calls for sharing, whether is it with toys or number of turns. When you take your child to a playground, you will be able to show and witness your child play and interact with others. Playgrounds, such as indoor trampoline parks, are the perfect place to take your child. Trampolines require both individual play and group play. Group play normally occurs when your child is playing a game such as trampoline basketball, which demands sharing the basketball. When you take your child to playgrounds, such as your local Rebounderz, you will be able to see first-hand how your child reacts to moments of sharing. It also is a great place to teach your child sharing, especially if they have not fully developed the skill. Sharing is an extremely important skill to learn and practice. One way to help your child develop these skills of sharing is by implementing it at a public playground. There, you can be the bystander and the fellow playmate! By taking your child to Rebounderz, they can learn important skills and have fun at the same time! Visit your local Apopka, Florida, Rebounderz today! #### How Trampolines Fight Mental Illness In the words of R.E.M, “Everybody hurts sometimes.” But, some of us hurt more often than others, and not in places visible to the eye. Some, have inner thoughts encircling their brains, draining joy, love, and emotion out of their day-to-day lives. 42.5 million adults currently battle some form of mental illness. That means that roughly 18 percent of the total population struggle with mental illness and its symptoms. With that many people fighting with their thoughts, there has to be a definite reason why this is happening — right? The answer: not always. Genetics Sadly, there is no definite reason why certain people develop mental illnesses, although there are some root causes. Genetics is a huge factor that contribute to the development of mental illness, such depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. Unfortunately, some of us are “wired” to develop certain mental health issues based on our developed brain chemistry. Self-Inflicted A second factor of mental illness is self-inflicted mental strife This occurs when someone willingly engages in habits that alter the health of their brains. This effect can occur is someone is a chronic drug user, alcoholic, or they engage in any other mood enhancing substances. Abuse Trauma or abuse can also contribute to mental health problems. If you are exposed to trauma or abuse in your life, your brain can suffer amounts of shock that will affect the way it thinks. Of no fault of your own, negative thoughts can change the way you behave and interact with others around you. Brain Chemistry Sometimes, deficiencies of chemicals in the brain happen, with no logical reason. Neurotransmitters are “naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body.” Some people develop impaired neural networks, which deprive the brain of certain necessary chemicals. Because of this chemical imbalance, diseases, such as depression and anxiety, can occur. Treatment Now that we have identified some of the causes of mental illness, we can list off some of the ways in which we can treat these issues. Though some turn to medications to treat their illnesses, sometimes, medication can do more harm than good. If you are not careful, some medications may not react well with your body or any other medications you are currently taking. Medications also can take years before a concoxion can accurately treat your chemical deficiencies. One reliable method in order to treat issues with mental illness is to encourage natural healing methods. These methods can include being around someone that makes you happy or doing something that takes your mind off your thoughts. Though these two things may seem simple, the treatment options are limitless and differ for every person. By being with someone you love and who loves you back, you can be reminded of the good in your life instead of the bad. When you are happy or contented, your brain increases in the amount of oxytocin it releases. This neurochemical is what makes humans you could call “social creatures.” When we have increased levels of oxytocin, we are enabled to feel empathy, which helps us be bonded to others. When we are bonded with others, this helps us feel like we belong, which increases our happiness. Doing something to take your mind off your thoughts is a very vague prescription, but it has been proven useful. When your mind is busy, it has less time to dwell on negative aspects. In this way, you save yourself angst about wondering why you are the way you are. One excellent way to keep your mind busy is to expand your experiences. This method works wonders, especially when your experience incorporates daring activities. But why? Well, when you engage in adventurous activities, you allow your body to increase its levels of adrenaline and dopamine, both of which are crucial to the health of the brain. Adrenaline is increased when heart rate is escalated. While the body reacts, it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. With the body and brain pumping with adrenaline, you become more alert. This response can be beneficial to those with a mental illness, as most symptoms of mental illness include a lack of interest and a moody, less alert attitude. While you are doing something to expand your experiences, you are also releasing trace amounts of dopamine into your brain. Dopamine is the neurochemical mostly associated with happiness. It is mostly released when you are feeling emotions of anticipation. When you are doing something you have not tried before, you are more likely to have feelings of anticipation, resulting in increased dopamine levels. Another method to help your mental illness is to do something that you already know makes you happy, something you are familiar with. These sorts of activities increase the levels of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a type of neurochemical responsible for feelings of happiness and aids as a mood stabilizer. When you feel emotions of contentment or joy, serotonin is boosted, resulting is an easy treatment for your mental health. How Trampolines Can Help Believe it or not, trampolines can help you with your mental illness. By bouncing on a trampoline, you will be naturally exercising your body. When you exercise, neurochemicals, such as endorphins and adrenaline, are pumped throughout the body. Both these chemicals work together in the brain, making you feel more alert and giving you a feeling of excitement. If you have never bounced in an indoor trampoline park, your dopamine levels may be affected, as you are in anticipation of what the experience may be like. Even if you have bounced at a park like Rebounderz before, the act of bouncing up and expecting to land back on the trampoline naturally gives your brain doses of dopamine. Aside from just trampolines, Rebounderz also has many different attractions that can help you increase the amount of adrenaline and dopamine in your brain. For example, you can always try our JumpXTREME towers. These ten-foot towers are probably not something you are not used to, which will give you a boost of dopamine and will most assuredly increase your adrenaline levels, especially if you are weary of heights! If you come to Rebounderz, not only will the exercise help with your mental health, but the motion of bouncing will help as well, especially if you bring along someone you enjoy spending time with, such as your child. When you and your guest experience the joy of bouncing together, your brain will increase its oxytocin and serotonin levels. This spike in neurochemicals will give you the feeling of being happy and help with your mental health illness. If you believe that you could benefit from a day at a trampoline park, such as Rebounderz, please join us! Visit your local Rebounderz and see how the effects of bouncing on a trampoline can help your mental state! Not only will you feel better, but by bringing a special guest, you will add a little joy to their day as well. When R.E.M lyrics say, “Everybody hurts,” this does not mean that you have to hurt or struggle with your mental illness constantly. An equally important R.E.M lyric states, “You are not alone.” There are ways to treat your mental illness, and a day at Rebounderz can help! #### How Trampolining Helps Develop Resilience While the answer may be painfully obvious, trampolining helps develop an ability to bounce back. Resilience is the ability to bounce back in life, whether from illness or injury or overcoming an obstacle. Jumping on a trampoline is probably one of the best literal and metaphorical examples of resilience. In this article, we will explain exactly how regular trampolining can help develop resilience, at any age. What is Resilience? The dictionary defines resilience as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties —the ability to bounce back. Resilience is a toughness that allows some people to be knocked down and rebound stronger than ever rather than letting failure overcome and drain them. So, how do you teach resilience? It would be cruel to push your child over and let them continue to get up to teach them a lesson about overcoming being knocked down in life. You could wait and take each failure or challenge as an opportunity to teach about resilience. Or, what we think is a better option, is to encourage a positive outlook and provide opportunities to bounce back. Of course, we mean literal bounce-back such as what happens when you jump on a trampoline. How Trampolining Helps Develop Resilience It encourages confidence When you do any physical activity, it helps to develop a multitude of things including strength, coordination, logical reasoning, and endurance. It also helps to show, or prove, what you are capable of. Many of us will be awkward and clumsy the first time we try a physical feat for the first time —walking, dancing, throwing a ball— but, with repetition and practice, our skills improve, as does our confidence in ourselves. Trampolining is no different, it is a physical activity that provides the opportunity to learn new things. The beauty of trampolines is the resilient surface that pops a jumper back up, even if they didn’t land the jump just right. A trampoline offers a little more forgiveness than other sports and encourages jumpers to try again and again. It regulates hormone response Regular exercise of any kind promotes the natural release of endorphins, the “happy hormone.” Endorphins help people to have a more positive outlook on life in general, which is important when faced with challenges or obstacles. Exercise also helps to keep the stress hormone, cortisol, at bay. Decreasing the amount of cortisol in your system can help numb the hormonal response to sudden psychological stress, like a failure or sudden deviation from a plan. Regulating these hormones can help improve sleep and decrease anxiety, both of which are contributing factors to resilience. It boosts your immune system Trampolining is an excellent way to promote immune function! One thing that really does a number on your immune system is stress. As we talked about in the previous section, exercise helps to reduce stress hormones and increase happy hormones. In addition, trampolining is an incredibly fun way to exercise, which helps increase the jumper’s mood and energy through laughing and positive vibes. Decreasing stress and improving mood are not the only immune boosters in trampolining, though! The continual movement trampolining causes increases blood circulation throughout the body, including to the lymphatic system, which stimulates the immune system and its functions. Trampolining biologically boosts your immune system! Provides the bounce when you can’t find your own Have you ever seen someone crying while jumping on a trampoline? Or laying perfectly still on one? If you have, that was an extremely rare experience. Trampolining is a fun activity that makes it nearly impossible to not smile. We aren’t entirely sure if it is the pure joy of completely letting go and releasing your inner child or the mock feeling of flying, but trampolining is scientifically proven (okay, maybe not, but pretty close) to improve your mood, even when you are down and resisting a smile. Because of the elastic surface on the trampoline, it is difficult to lay still on one. At times when your heart isn’t into launching into another jump, the trampoline surface provides the bounce for you, even when you are finding it difficult to find your own. These qualities provide tools for your resilience toolbox to use when you encounter struggles in life. Trampolining helps develop physical and mental toughness and is the ultimate metaphor for resilience. To help instill resilience in your child or to develop your own resilience, visit your local trampoline park today! If you are looking for a trampoline park in Jacksonville, Florida, come check out Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone now! #### Ideas to Entertain Your Child For Summer Summer Is Coming Many will know the famous words of Game of Thrones character, Eddard Stark, “Winter is coming.” In our case, winter has now passed, and another season is well on its way — summer. For children, the phrase, “summer is coming,” will cause overwhelming excitement and joy. However, for parents, the phrase can cause both an internal and audible groan. Summer is fun for children because it is their vacation from school. For the entire summer, they are away from their school and don’t have to worry about an assignment or even cafeteria food. Summer, for a child, is synonymous with freedom. But with this freedom, children will then demand to be entertained constantly. When a child is in school, they are looked after constantly and offered endless things to do to keep them occupied. When summer rolls around, however, children have no construct, no schedule, which typically means they sit on the couch watching television for two months.     The Challenge of Keeping Your Child Active As a parent, your child’s health is your responsibility, which means you will want to do all that you can to ensure your child is getting their due exercise. The issue with juggling both your parental duties and your job is that you might not always be around to ensure your child is staying active. For some parents, staying involved in your child’s physical activities can be difficult, especially when your child is left in someone else’s care. It is important, as a parent, that you encourage your child to sustain an active lifestyle outside of school. Mainly because school doesn’t last forever. If you encourage your child to be healthy outside of school, they will most likely continue being physically active long after they have eventually graduated from school. How to Encourage Physical Activity In this blog, we will discuss the many ways you can keep your child active during the summer months. With this blog, we hope you can find inspiration and learn new and exciting ways to involve your child in activities throughout the summer. We understand the struggles of keeping your child active, especially when you are working a full-time job. Because of this, our examples include easy options that could potentially keep your child healthy throughout their lives. Best of all, these activities don’t have to involve you. These activities can be conducted with other people or just by your child. Though they don’t involve you, having a chaperone keeping tabs on your child is also important. For example, if your child is unexpectedly hurt while they are active, it is always good to have someone looking out for them while you are at work. Ride a Bike One of the most common activities for a child to participate in is a bicycle riding. A bike can be a great way to keep your child active and mobile throughout the summer. Best of all, it is also a mode of transportation, so if your child would like to ride their bike to a friend’s house, they can. Bicycles are an advantageous item because they are not only fun to ride, but they encourage movement in almost all muscles in the body. Bikes allow children to strengthen their leg muscles and increase their ability to focus. For example, when a child rides a bike, they have to be vigilant to look for cars, animals, and people. Also, if your child performs any tricks on their bike, they must stay alert so they do not seriously injure themselves. Bikes are wonderful toys because, if your child is interested in learning new tricks on their bike, perfecting certain moves can take hours. For example, if your child is interested in learning to perfect a “wheelie,” the whole venture could take them one to two hours! Bikes are an excellent source of entertainment, as they can be used for both exercise and tricks. Ride a Skateboard A skateboard has many beneficial uses. Though skateboarders are accident prone, skateboards are incredibly useful to learn balance, physics, and bodily motion. For example, a skateboard cannot move or change positions without the rider learning how to control their body. Without proper balance or control, the rider would lose the ability to control the speed or direction of the board. Because of this, your child could learn valuable lessons about trajectory and motion. Also, despite a rider staying in a standing position most of the time, skateboarding actually involves almost all muscles in the body; a rider’s legs are used for propulsion, while their core is used for maintaining balance. The arms are also used to keep balance and sometimes perform a trick. Skateboards are wonderful items to intrigue your child for hours and keep them active throughout the summer. Skateboard are items that need a learning curve. Because of this, if your child is just starting out as a skateboarder, you should buy them safety pads. Proper balance isn’t something your child will be able to learn in one day. Because of this, some falls and trips are in order. It is important that you prepare yourself and your child for some injuries. But, even with this cautionary bit of advice, there are still advantages to riding skateboards. For example, if your child is used to making boarding errors, they will be more accepting of other errors in their life. And, just like in skateboarding, they will likely try again and again until the task is perfected, ultimately improving their capacity for perseverance. Play a Sport Basketball and soccer are both great sports to play with others and individually. Whether your child is just shooting hoops or randomly kicking around a ball, they are still getting exercise. Best of all, these types of sports can increase endurance and prepare your child for in-school sports programs. Small actions, such as shooting a basketball, take more exercise than you would assume. When shooting a basketball, you are incorporating your leg and arms muscles simultaneously. Because of this, your child is getting their much-needed workout, while also enjoying a sport. Go for a Walk Walking can actually be a valuable tool in terms of keeping your child active. When your child walks, they are still burning calories, albeit slowly. Walking can be an excellent way to clear the mind and take in the surrounding scenery. Because your child is often cooped up in a classroom, they won’t often get the opportunity to simply walk through a park or your neighborhood. Rebounderz of Apopka If your child isn’t interested in the above activities, they can always come to Rebounderz. With an adult (you or a chaperone), your child can gain access to all of our exciting attractions within our indoor trampoline park. Your child will be able to rebound all afternoon and tirelessly make their way throughout obstacle course. Rebounderz of Apopka can provide your child with an easy way to stay active, and have fun at the same time. It is important for children to stay active in the summer, but it also is essential that they have fun. Rebounderz has indoor trampoline parks all over the country, dedicated to enhancing your child’s summer vacation. If you are interested in finding an exciting, safe location for your child, Rebounderz is the place to be. #### Imagination at Work Our ability to think beyond the possible allows us to uncover what could be possible. This ability to look past what we know and dream of what could be, is practiced and honed when we are children. Only through careful attention to our own thoughts and imagination can we excel forward, creating change and innovation. But what if you were never allowed to use creativity? What if in some way your mind sat dormant during the buzz of a television set or a phone screen? A child without the ability to imagine and create fantasy, loses a fundamental capability for wonder. We at Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks believe in the gift of imagination. Our park are filled with activities with the sole purpose of inspiring your child’s creative mind. We house several trampolines, games, obstacle courses, and even a giant foam pit! In this blog we will discuss how each of our items has been strategically built to optimize your child’s physical and mental health. Trampolines As an indoor trampoline park, we house many different kinds of trampolines. Our most popular activity at our park is the over-sized trampoline arena, which house almost a dozen trampolines laid side by side. On our trampolines your child can jump to their hearts content. When they jump they can imagine they are a basketball player reaching out for a basketball, or even an astronaut walking on the moon. With our trampolines, your child has the freedom to imagine they are anything, while expending their built up energy. Basketball Slam Court At our park we house a full trampoline basketball court. Our courts are made with a trampoline floor, providing an extra challenge to the beloved sport of basketball. While playing on our court, your child can yet again dream of dunking a basketball like Lebron James. We hope to instill an enthusiasm for sports in every child, to promote their active lifestyle. With our Basketball Slam Court, your child can be bouncing with their imagination and foster a new-found love of sports. The Obstacle Course Our obstacle course is called the Ninja Warrior Course for a reason. Built and named after the television show American Ninja Warrior, our course encourages physical activity and perseverance. Each course is constructed to test each participant and build strength and endurance. We at Rebounderz value personal strength above all else, so no matter how long it takes to complete the course, we value the attempt. Any child can pretend they are a contestant on the show and see if they have what it takes to an American Ninja Warrior. Foam Pit At Rebounderz we have a giant foam pit that anyone can use. The pit is designed to test endurance and jumping skills. The pit is also used to challenge a child’s fear of heights. When a child jumps into our foam pit they can imagine they are in any situation and use their problem solving skills to climb out from under the foam. JumpXTREME Towers Our towers are also used to help battle fears of heights. Our tall towers foster courage amongst participants as they have to jump nearly 14 feet off a platform! Our cushioned landing space provides an extra safety message so no injuring occur in the process. By using our towers your child can learn to master their fears and become a more daring person. They can imagine themselves as a fearless explorer jumping off a waterfall or cliffside. At Rebounderz we have so many different and exciting attractions, each testing strength and perseverance. Most importantly, our attractions promote imagination in children. We believe that our future is secured when there are happy and healthy children around us. By using our courses, games, and trampolines we can ensure that our participants will grow instilled with the importance of imagination and physical activity. Come and enjoy the fun at your local Rebounderz! #### Indoor Birthday Fun Look, we all know there are certain times of the year where it can be hard to have a birthday party as a kid. Here in Rohnert Park, we may not have to deal with snow, but October through March, we sure to get a lot of rainfall. This can make it exceptionally hard to plan an active birthday party for any kid. But no matter what time of the year, you can always find the perfect kid’s birthday party place in Rohnert Park right here at Rebounderz. When you don’t want to let your child down, but you know that their birthday falls an inopportune time of the year for an outdoor birthday party, that leaves you with only indoor choices. That’s okay, because Rebounderz is here for you. Instead of the same old indoor pool party or sleepover, opt for something new and different. A kid’s birthday party at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park will allow you the following benefits: No Hassle, No Stress When you book a kid’s birthday party with Rebounderz, you will find out that the experience is almost heavenly after you send out invitations and get the party booked. The only thing you will have to worry about is the cake. Rebounderz staff takes care of the rest. Everything from setup to cleanup, including providing the paperware and a variety of party games, is taken care of by Rebounderz. Let the kids run free throughout the facility without having to worry at all. Party No Matter the Weather When you plan a pool party or any other outdoor event for your child’s party, you risk being at the mercy of the weather. It doesn’t matter if it storms or is just windy for the day, any of these will put a crimp in the plan. Next thing you know, you’ll have a gaggle of kids inside your house going wild. Don’t let the weather ruin your plans when you book with our indoor trampoline park. Private Party Space For any party that you have with Rebounderz, you have the option to book one of our themed and designated party rooms to be able to have private social time for food and gifts. This private space lets your child feel like they’re the center of the room and the party, just like they should be for their birthday. Choose from a variety of fun themes to please your child. Set Party Time Anytime you host a sleepover party, think about how many kids stay late or struggle with the long night. Don’t spend 12 to 15 hours slaving over a party when you can have a designated party time and the structure that comes with it to make sure your child’s birthday party stays within the time frame that you set ahead of time. This way, after only a handful of energetic hours, the children will be tired and sated, ready to go home. It can be hard to figure out what to do for your child’s birthday party, but when you choose Rebounderz of Rohnert Park, you’re choosing the perfect indoor party. Contact our location for more information about our party packages. #### Indoor Birthday Party Fun We may not want to face it, but at some point, summer is going to end. And that point is coming sooner rather than later. With fall quickly approaching, the hard time of the year to plan a kid’s birthday party begins. If you’ve ever tried to plan your child’s birthday party in October, you know how easily you could be facing the season’s first snowstorm and cold temperatures. This makes planning an outdoor birthday party in Edison virtually impossible. So what do you do for the kid who has boundless amounts of energy and just wants to play? Take them to Rebounderz! When you need a solution for an indoor birthday party for your child, Rebounderz of Edison is the the place to go. Our incredible indoor space has tons of square footage for kids to play and have a great time celebrating. What to expect at a Rebounderz birthday party. When you opt to host your child’s birthday party at Rebounderz, you’re choosing a hassle-free experience. In fact, the only two things you have to do are show up and bring a birthday cake. Birthday parties hosted in a private, themed party room are the easiest option you can choose. When you book a private party room, you receive jump time, a designated party host, pizza, and even all the paper products needed to feed up to 16 jumpers. This means you can throw a big party for your child and not have to worry about 16 screaming kids running around your home. Not only that, but you’ll be happy to let them play at our family fun center, whether they’re jumping in the trampoline arena or challenging each other to the Ninja Warrior Course. At the start of each birthday party, the kids will be given safety instructions and grip socks before being let loose to play for a bit. Food and cake will always come after play time because we find that works out best for children’s tummies. Variety for your kid’s birthday party. Choosing a Rebounderz birthday party doesn’t have to just be about jumping on trampolines. While that is a big part of the experience, there are several other activities that kids can partake in at Rebounderz. Our Edison location has an incredible Ninja Warrior Course to play on and, of course, no Rebounderz party is complete without a rousing game of dodgeball. In addition to these activities, we also have an extensive arcade for a bit of downtime with a lot of laughs. Whether kids challenge each other to air hockey or the latest racing game, they’re sure to have a blast. It’s easy to see why a Rebounderz party would be a hit for kids and for parents. During the cooler months, don’t risk the weather ruining your child’s special day; opt for a Rebounderz birthday party so that you can be sure your child will have fun. Contact our event coordinator today in order to book your kid’s birthday party with Rebounderz of Edison today! #### Indoor Trampoline Arena Birthday Parties Rebounderz is more than just a place to bring your kids for an afternoon of energy expending fun. We also host parties to make their special day one of high jumps and super fun activities. We have a number of exciting areas, all in one building. Birthday Party Packages for 15 or 10 Guests The Weekend Rebounderz Party and Weekday Rebounderz Party packages are designed for 15 guests, come with 90 minutes of jump time, and last for two and one-half hours. The main difference between these two packages is what day of the week it is held. Otherwise, both parties get an all-access pass to the Warrior Ninja Course, the Jump Tower, the trampoline activities, and the playground. There are also two party packages for 10 guests that come with 60 minutes of jump time and last for two hours. These parties also have all-access to the fun activities listed above. Activities Included in Party Packages Rebounderz Trampoline activities are super fun and designed for the safety of your children. Imagine a large room filled with trampolines for one, two, or more people, all lined with thick padding that covers all springs and metal parts. The trampolines line the floor, and extend up the walls for added bouncy fun, and are designed for optimum safety. The Jump Xtreme Tower lets kids tap into their inner-stuntman and jump onto the huge landing pad. There are two sections of the indoor playground, one for kids four and younger, and one for 4-12-year-olds. A party helper and lots of extras will make this year's party one to remember! Book your Rebounderz birthday party now! #### Indoor Trampoline Park Attractions - Part One Trampoline parks offer far more than just an open area for gaining serious air. When many people book their jumping session, they often aren’t aware that trampoline parks are filled with a number of additional activities like obstacle courses and foam pits. The many different attractions that trampoline parks possess can often turn a normal day of bouncing into an unforgettable experience filled with rigorous physical activity. Not only is this a great way for your child to exercise and expend energy, it will also ensure that they are entertained for hours on end. That’s why, throughout this post, we will discuss five additional attractions offered at our indoor trampoline arena. If you are located in Orlando, Apopka, or the surrounding areas, and are looking for an excellent way to spend time with your family, look no further than Rebounderz. We offer our customers a number of beneficial programs such as our exercise classes, or our home school program which allows homeschoolers from around Florida to meet for a day of excitement. To learn more about all that our indoor trampoline arena has to offer, continue reading more below! Dodgeball One of our most popular attractions, air dodgeball is fit for the most fierce competitors. What sets air dodgeball apart from traditional dodgeball is the ability to fly through the air to evade your opponent’s attempts to eliminate you from the game. This makes for an entertaining event for all parties involved while completely changing the way many view the sport of dodgeball. For the most competitive individuals, we have even created an air dodgeball league, where the best teams constantly compete for the top spot. If you want to become a part of our Rebounderz league, or would simply like to experience how much fun air dodgeball can be, our dodgeball arena is always welcoming of new contenders willing to put their skills to the test. Ninja Warrior Course If you have ever watched American Ninja Warrior, you have probably seen the top acrobatic competitors weaving through obstacles, climbing extreme heights, and jumping from object to object. These gauntlets require incredible physical endurance and a steady balance in order to successfully maneuver through the various obstacles presented to challengers. For those who can’t get enough of the TV show, and would like to experience the rush that comes with navigating through a maze of obstacles, our Ninja Warrior course is perfect for you. Our challenging obstacle course offers three different difficulty levels so that both beginners and experts alike can join in on the fun while testing their might. With several different obstacles to navigate through like our netting, climbing walls, and slack lines, Rebounderz’ Ninja Warrior course is loaded with a diverse range of obstacles that are waiting to be conquered by those who are brave enough. Trampoline Basketball Many kids dream of one day playing as a professional basketball player in the NBA. Although your child may not be tall enough to dunk a basketball on a standard basketball court, they can easily throw down the most extreme dunks by using Rebounderz’ trampoline basketball court. This is an easy way to turn your little one’s dream into a physical reality, and will make them want to keep their basketball skills while at home! With padded rims for the most protection, and soft basketballs that ensure a secure grip, your child can practice in a completely safe environment without worry of injury. Best of all, our trampoline court has a number of basketball hoops that all feature adjustable heights to accommodate young and old individuals alike. From flashy one-handed tomahawk dunks to powerful two-handed spinning dunks, your child can show off their basketball skills to spectators while our trampolines send them airborne. Arcade Once your child has spent a day full of fun on our trampolines or obstacle courses, they may be physically worn out. However, the fun doesn’t have to stop after your child is finished jumping! While we are an indoor trampoline park, we are also an extreme fun center! That’s why our arcade is filled with retro games as well as modern arcade machines. Kids will also have the chance to accumulate tickets before trading them in for any amount of prizes. This is a great way to continue the fun while taking a break from our open jumping areas. Not only is our arcade area great for kids and adults, it is also perfect for your younger children who may not be old enough to use our bouncing areas. Rebounderz Cafe While your little one is enjoying their time on our trampolines, obstacle courses, or foam pits, why not visit Rebounderz Cafe for a refreshment or appetizer? At Rebounderz Cafe, customers can enjoy a variety of delicious snacks like wings, pizza, and even ice cream! With several TVs around our cafe, you can even catch the big game while your child has a blast on any of our featured attractions. If you have work obligations that just can’t wait, we also offer free WiFi so that parents can use their laptops or cellular devices to browse the internet. We even provide customers with comfy massage chairs that will be sure to destress you after a long day of work. Whatever your needs may be, there is something for everyone at Rebounderz Cafe. The five attractions highlighted above are just a glimpse into all that Rebounderz’ indoor trampoline arena has to offer its customers. To view our full list of featured attractions or to read about the programs we offer, simply visit our website today! Our trampoline park was designed with the highest safety standards kept in mind, so that you don’t have to worry about the safety of your child while they enjoy themselves on any of our trampolines or obstacle courses. If you would like to learn more about any of our services offered, our high level of safety standards, or would simply like to book your next trampoline session with Rebounderz, visit us online today or contact our friendly team of professionals! #### Indoor Trampoline Park Attractions - Part Two In part one of our multi-part series, we discussed how indoor trampoline parks feature a number of different attractions for all those who enter. While many plan for a day full of bouncing, visitors will also often find entertainment in a number of other fun activities like our arcades, obstacle courses, dodgeball arenas, dunk contests, and so much more. During part two of our series on indoor trampoline park attractions, we will highlight a few more fun things to do while you spend your day at Rebounderz. As Florida’s top indoor trampoline park, Rebounderz has provided a safe and unique form of entertainment for both children and adults living in Orlando and its surrounding areas. With three separate locations in Florida alone, you can easily find a Rebounderz in your area. While we provide an open jumping area for people of all ages, we also offer several additional classes like toddler time, a program that allows younger children to experience the excitement that comes from jumping on a trampoline. If you are considering visiting one of Rebounderz’ many locations, or would just like more information on our various attractions, read more on the topic below! The JumpXTREME Tower While many children and adults come to Rebounderz to jump on our countless trampolines, others prefer taking a leap of faith from taller structures. A popular attraction for many wanting to experience the weightlessness of freefall without worry of injuring themselves, the JumpXTREME Tower allows participants to jump from 14 feet in the air before landing safely on an oversized inflatable cushion. Whether you are looking to combat your fear of heights, or just want to know what it feels like to leap from a tall surface, the JumpXTREME Tower gives individuals an extremely safe way to have fun while flying through the air. Foam Pit For those who have never experienced the joy that comes from jumping on a trampoline into a giant foam pit, Rebounderz is the perfect place to live out your dreams. Not only do you not have to worry about landing on your feet while using our foam pit, you can even work on perfecting tricks and flips while having a safe landing area directly underneath you. With foam cubes made of Lycra, a material designed to wick away moisture while preventing the growth of bacteria, you can be sure that our foam pit is both safe and sanitary. Start rounding out your trampoline tricks today by taking the plunge into Rebounderz’ oversized foam pit! Weebounderz Many of our jumping areas are reserved for children and adults, which may leave your little one feeling left out. Luckily, we know that youngsters want to have just as much fun as older individuals, which is why our Weebounderz play area was designed with your child in mind. Our kiddie play areas are reserved for children under 44 inches in height, ensuring that your kiddo has a safe space to play in away from adults, teens, and youth. We offer several inflatable play structures that are perfect for children, and even have mini obstacle courses to prepare your child for our more extreme obstacle courses once they are older! If you want to give your child a safe place to expend their energy while they bounce on decorated inflatables, visit the Weebounderz kiddie area at your local Rebounderz. Open Jump Arena The area that individuals love most at Rebounderz, our open jump arena is incredibly safe and large enough for a number of children to use at once. Each trampoline in our open jump arena possesses a red outline along their edges which indicate where to avoid jumping if you are trying to achieve the greatest airtime. By staying within the red lines, participants can easily find the trampoline’s sweet spot, ensuring that you safely maximize your bounce while experiencing an endless amount of fun. Our trampolines are made of the highest quality materials, and are designed to keep our customers safe at all times. In fact, our trampolines are so safe that we are the only indoor trampoline park in the country to possess a number of patents on our trampoline technology. For this reason, there is no safer trampoline park in the United States than Rebounderz. There are far more activities available at indoor trampoline parks than many would think. Rebounderz is proud to offer so many additional attractions which will keep your child entertained throughout the entire day. We even have a variety of fun activities available to adults while their child enjoys navigating through obstacle courses, foam pits, and much more. If you are located in Orlando, Apopka, or its nearby areas, would like to read about our entire lineup of attractions available to customers, or would like to learn about our programs offered, visit us online or get in touch with our staff of highly qualified individuals today! #### Indoor Trampoline Parks and After School Programs - Part One While indoor trampoline parks offer a safe environment for kids and adults to experience the excitement of jumping on various trampolines, some trampoline parks also provide after school programs where children can meet other kids from around their area. During this post, we will discuss just a few of the many after school programs offered by Florida’s top indoor trampoline park. If you are searching for the premier indoor trampoline arena in Orlando or its surrounding areas, look no further than Rebounderz. With a variety of attractions to choose from, as well as birthday parties and private event hosting, Rebounderz is the highest rated indoor trampoline park in Apopka, Sunrise, Jacksonville, Orlando, and their surrounding areas. To learn more about some of our after school programs offered, continue reading more below. Exercise Classes Instructed exercise classes are a great way to meet other people while burning calories and having fun. Our exercise classes are taught on individual trampolines, meaning that you can easily develop your core strength while taking part in an intensive aerobic workout. All of the exercise classes that we offer can take up to one hour to complete and are designed to accommodate all levels of cardiovascular endurance. It is important to note that since there are multiple Rebounderz locations throughout Florida, you should contact the Rebounderz closest to you for more information on any of our instructed exercise classes. Sensory Nights We know that loud music and bright lights aren’t for everyone. Parents who have children with special needs may be more inclined to do something fun with their child that does not involve overloading the senses. That’s why Rebounderz hosts sensory-friendly nights to accommodate children with special needs. Children of all ages should be able to experience the thrill of bouncing on a trampoline, which is why we lower the lights and turn down the music during our sensory-friendly nights. Sensory-friendly nights may vary based on location, so it is best to call a Rebounderz near you to learn more. Homeschool Days Many children use school as a way to meet new people and build new friendships. However, some children who are homeschooled may not have as great of an opportunity to meet others as a child who attends public school. For this reason, Rebounderz has implemented a special homeschool day where we allow homeschooled children to attend Rebounderz before normal operating hours. This is a great way for homeschooled kids to meet new people while having a great time at our extreme fun center. Contact your nearest Rebounderz today to learn more about our special homeschool days! In part two of our multi-part series, we will highlight three more amazing after school programs that we offer children and adults. To locate a Rebounderz near you, simply use our convenient “find a location” tool which lists Rebounderz that are located in your area. To learn more about any of our programs, schedule a private birthday party, or if you have any questions or inquiries, contact our friendly staff today! #### Indoor Trampoline Parks and After School Programs - Part Two Many children and adults visit indoor trampoline parks to take part in a day filled with bouncing, running, obstacle courses, and more. However, there are many indoor trampoline arenas that offer far more than their promoted attractions. Rebounderz features a number of after school programs designed to help children relieve stress while meeting and building relationships with their peers. In part two of our series highlighting Rebounderz’ after school programs, we will discuss three more programs that both children and adults love. Are you searching for a great way to have fun while also benefiting from physical exercise? If so visit Rebounderz’ indoor trampoline park today! Residents of Orlando and the surrounding areas will love all that Rebounderz has to offer, as it is geared towards providing fun and excitement for the whole family. To learn about three of our engaging after school programs, read more on the subject below! Toddler Time Since many older children visit Rebounderz to jump on our countless trampolines, there may not be a good opportunity for little ones to experience the fun that comes with bouncing. Fortunately, at Rebounderz, even your toddlers can enjoy our trampolines thanks to our Toddler Time program. During Toddler Time, children under seven years old can jump on our trampolines while being accompanied by their parent. This is a great way for your little one to socialize with others while also taking part in an unforgettable experience. Since Toddler Time occurs before our normal hours of operation, you will want to call your nearest Rebounderz beforehand for more information. Friday Night Frenzy If your teenager is looking for a fun way to spend Friday night with friends or classmates, Rebounderz’ Friday Night Frenzy is the place to be. With additional activities to take part in, like our dance contests, teens enjoy bouncing the night away while being able to win prizes from some of our many contests. Your teenager will love how our indoor trampoline park turns into a weeknight hangout spot after hours where they will experience live music from a DJ, as well as delicious food from our snack bar. Parents Night Out Do you want to take a night off from watching your child? Maybe you would like to spend more time with your significant other. Whatever your reason may be, you can enjoy a night of solitude thanks to our Parents Night Out event. At participating locations, Rebounderz allows parents to drop their child off at our indoor trampoline park, so that they may spend a night with their loved one while their child enjoys a night filled with fun. As this event is only offered at participating locations, you should first check with your nearby Rebounderz to see if they host a Parents Night Out event. These are just a few of the events provided by Rebounderz! Your child will love the excitement that comes with our extreme fun center, creating a memorable experience for everyone involved. To view all our available attractions, events, and birthday party services, simply visit us online today to learn more! #### Indoor Trampoline Parks are Fun Workouts Jumping on a trampoline is a whole lot of fun, but the health benefits will put an even bigger smile on your face! The rewards of trampoline jumping makes it the perfect activity for people of all ages and health status. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily to keep your body healthy. An indoor trampoline park is a perfect venue to jump to your heart's content and health. Low impact cardio The continual jumping and bouncing on a trampoline gets your heart and respiratory rates up, which puts you in the prime fat-burning zone. The flexible surface of a trampoline stretches as you land, making it much lower impact than alternate cardio activities, such as jogging. Bouncing puts much less stress on your joints and results in fewer injuries.   Balance and Coordination The bouncy surface of trampolines makes them difficult to balance on. With practice, jumping on a trampoline can dramatically improve your balance and coordination. The simultaneous jumping and balancing helps improve overall coordination. Remaining upright and jumping on a flexible surface helps to develop agility and flexibility that aids in overall coordination.   Lymphatic System Stimulation Your lymphatic system runs throughout your entire body, just like your circulatory system; however, unlike your circulatory system, your lymph system doesn't have a pump that provides circulation. When you do activities such as jumping on a trampoline, it promotes circulation of lymph tissue, which allows the built-up toxins to be excreted by your body, naturally detoxifying yourself. The vibrations caused by jumping and landing helps to push lymphatic fluids out of tissues, which reduces the unsightly appearance of cellulite. Stimulating the lymphatic system is also proven to help prevent cancer.   Digestive Health The increased circulation caused by cardio activity helps your digestive tract move food along and force out waste. Regular exercise helps promote the growth of good bacteria in your intestinal tract, which is responsible for breaking down your food. This can also help decrease swelling by returning fluids to your digestive and cardiovascular systems. On a side note, it is not recommended to jump within two hours after eating a meal.   Muscle Strength One of the obvious benefits of jumping on trampolines, and any exercise in general, is increased muscle strength and tone. Although jumping is predominantly a lower body and core workout, an indoor trampoline park offers the ability to jump to a full body workout, without consciously trying to!   Trampoline jumping is not just a fun source of entertainment for children, it is an excellent way to improve your whole family’s health. Gather the entire family and head to your local indoor trampoline park today for some healthy family fun. At Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park of Grand Rapids, Michigan, we offer a place for everyone to jump. Stop in or call and get jumping with us today; your family will be none the wiser that you secretly planned a workout for them! #### Indoor Trampoline Parks for Birthdays When trying to plan a child’s birthday party, determining the location or venue can be challenging for many. Finding a business that can accommodate a number of children is often difficult, especially when trying to appeal to all of your children’s friends. For example, while some may love the idea of throwing a birthday party at an arcade, other children may become quickly bored, leading to an underwhelming birthday party. For this reason, you should consider hosting a child’s birthday party at a location that offers a number of different activities to appeal to a wide range of children. Luckily, if you are planning a birthday bash in Orlando, Apopka, or the surrounding areas, there has never been a better birthday venue than Rebounderz. As one of the top indoor trampoline parks in the entire country, Rebounderz offers far more than just an area for kids to experience extreme airtime. We provide children with a number of additional attractions that will continue to keep children of all ages entertained throughout the entirety of the day. That’s why, during this article, we will talk a little bit on why you should consider celebrating your child’s next birthday at a venue that was designed to keep your child engaged during fun physical activities. At Rebounderz, we are committed to providing the safest environment for your child, so that they can experience an unforgettable birthday party that will be exciting for everyone involved. To learn about our services offered for birthday events, continue reading! Our Qualified Birthday Hosts Rebounderz knows that a child’s birthday is a very special day for them. This is a time for children to enjoy eating delicious cake, receive thoughtful gifts, and spend time with their friends and family. That’s why our trained birthday hosts are devoted to meeting every need you may have to make your child’s birthday a memorable one that they won’t soon forget. Since our hosts are responsible for setting up and facilitating your child’s birthday, you will be required to do far less work while still being able to provide your child and their friends with a day filled with fun. Countless Activities One of the downfalls that many kids’ birthday parties experience is the lack of variety in activities. Since children generally have shorter attention spans when compared to adults, the more activities they have at their fingertips, the better. With countless activities and innovative attractions, Rebounderz is the perfect location for your child’s next birthday. We offer several different trampoline activities designed to keep your child and their friends entertained, and even let those daring enough to take part in our challenging obstacle course. If your child’s birthday party is on the larger side, they can even form teams to face each other head-to-head in a competitive game of trampoline dodgeball. For the more athletically inclined, your child and their friends can challenge each other to an exciting dunk contest, thanks to our multiple trampoline basketball hoops. These are just a few of the many activities that we offer that are perfect for both children and adults alike. A Wide Variety of Arcade Games Your child may have friends who aren’t as physically active and would rather play games than spend time jumping on our state-of-the-art trampolines. We know that fun comes in various forms outside of trampolines. For this reason, our arcade is perfect for those looking for endless entertainment with the chance of winning neat prizes. With both classic arcade machines as well as modern-day arcade games, you can be sure that you will never become bored while visiting our gaming area. After your child’s friends have collected their arcade tickets, they can easily trade their tickets in for cool prizes and candy. At Rebounderz, there truly is something entertaining for every type of individual. A Place for Adults You may not know what to do with yourself while your little one and their friends enjoy bouncing on our trampolines throughout the day. Many times parents will find themselves sitting in the corner during their kid’s birthday party, but it doesn’t have to be that way at Rebounderz! Our cafe is the perfect spot for adults to relax while their children have fun. Not only do our cafes sport oversized TVs, you can also access free WiFi for all your internet browsing needs. If you find yourself becoming hungry during your child’s party, you can order delicious snacks and appetizers like pizza or wings directly from our cafe. You may even find yourself becoming stressed at your child’s party, which is why our cafe area also features the latest massage chairs to help remove any tension that you may be experiencing. Retreating to our cafe after your child and their friends have started their party is a great way to enjoy your time at Rebounderz. If you are looking for the top location to host your child’s next birthday party, view all that Rebounderz has to offer today by visiting our website. With countless activities and attractions to choose from, you can be sure that your little one and their friends will enjoy an unforgettable experience that they will continue talking about well past your child’s birthday. We make it easy for you to relax while we coordinate your child’s party, resulting in a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. You can easily receive more info about renting one of our private birthday party rooms by contacting our friendly staff today! #### Isaac Caldiero: American Ninja Warrior Winner If you've never seen American Ninja Warrior, then clear your schedule and order some pizza, because you're in for a whole new type of television show. It is a spinoff remake of a Japanese television show called "Sasuke", more commonly recognized around the world as Ninja Warrior. In this show, contestants compete to finish a grueling obstacle course and climb the famous "Mount Midoriyama" to win the title of American Ninja Warrior! Since we have here at Rebounderz our very own Ninja Warrior course in Grand Rapids, we thought we would write a quick bio about the man to beat in American Ninja Warrior: Isaac Caldiero. Who is Isaac Caldiero? Mostly, Isaac Caldiero is just a cool dude who lives in his 1978 RV and lives FOR rock climbing. Before American Ninja Warrior, you wouldn't have recognized his name outside of the rock climbing community. He has a nice list of accomplishments in the climbing world: V14 first ascents, 5.14 free solos, and third ascent of Ambrosia (a V11). Time on American Ninja Warrior You already know that Isaac won American Ninja Warrior, but he didn't do it his first time. While he did make it all the way to the final stage, a wardrobe malfunction caused him to slip. He had brought rock climbing shoes to a glass course, which they get no traction on. The second time he didn't make it to the end either. In fact, he fell on off the Salmon Ladder on the second stage. He attributes this loss to a difference a difference in the obstacle that he had built in his backyard, which threw him off. Luckily, the third time was a charm. Caldiero attributes the win to his mental preparation this time around: meditation and breathing exercises. The event takes place at night, and the heat is extreme; he claims that his mental preparation helped. The Controversy We would be remiss not to mention the small controversy Isaac was a part of on the show. Unfortunately, American Ninja Warrior only acknowledges one winner per season, and Isaac wasn't the only one to complete the course. Earlier, fellow competitor Geoff Britten also completed the American Ninja Warrior course, but took 3.24 seconds longer to finish. Geoff was always supportive, but eventually found issue with Caldieri getting the prize, money, and fame without ever giving Geoff any credit for completing the course. While rules are rules, the spirit of competition should acknowledge Geoff Britten for his amazing feat as well.   Are you an American Ninja Warrior fanatic? If so, you have come to the right place. Here at Rebounderz, we have an American Ninja Warrior course in Grand Rapids available to the public. In fact, we've got them at most of our Rebounderz locations, although features vary from course to course. With three levels of obstacles just like on the show, you can start your training to surpass the famous Isaac Caldiero today! Give us a call or drop by our location today, future American Ninja Warriors! #### It’s Easy to Play Your Way To Better Health “It is a happy talent to know how to play.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson We all have great memories of childhood playtime. Organized play, like sports, and unorganized play with neighborhood kids that we engaged in as children helped make us who we are today in more ways than you may think. As adults, we can still realize great health benefits from simple play. We’ve put together some of our favorite reasons why you and your kids should spend more time at play. And, of course, we can’t think of a better place for you to do that than at Rebounderz Trampoline Arena in Newport News. “Play is the exultation of the possible.” – Martin Buber Adults Need to Find Time For Play Our lives are more hectic than ever. We work a lot. We spend a lot of time in the car. We’re volunteering to help others and taking care of our families. Generally, we are all tasked with more responsibility than we can always handle. Making time to play can help us deal with these unavoidable daily stresses much better. It can make us happier, make us feel more relaxed, bring us back into the present moment, and release us from our worries for at least a little while. “We are never more fully alive, more completely   ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing.” – Charles Schaefer Active play activates the four neurotransmitters responsible for making us feel our best. Endorphins help us deal with anxiety. They give us a second win when we need one. And, it turns out, that laughter is one of the most effective ways to release more endorphins. So, come to Rebounderz to jump, laugh, and play your way to happiness. Oxytocin, released when we feel better, like when we are playing, helps strengthen relationships. It is often called the “trust hormone” because it helps us connect to and trust each other. Bring the whole family to run the Ninja Warrior course and build some new bonds. Serotonin fights feelings of loneliness and melancholy. Your body releases serotonin when you remember the good times you’ve had. So, when you spend time playing, and then reflect on the fun you had and the closeness you felt with your family, you’ll be flooded with good feelings. Dopamine is the great motivator, helping us push through procrastination and meet our goals. Dopamine is released when we feel rewarded and appreciated. So, go out and play with your kids. The big smiles, hugs, and all the laughter are great ways to feel rewarded as a parent. Being playful can make us feel like kids again. It keeps us energized and helps us be more creative. It helps lift the fog of an unfocused mind and relieves the stress of just being a grownup every day. The take-away from all of this is that, for adults, play can help strengthen relationships, make us emotionally, mentally and physically stronger, and ultimately make us happier. Given all of this, we think a better question than, “Why should adults play,” is, “why shouldn’t they?” “Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” – O. Fred Donaldson Play is Not Optional Play comes naturally to children. It is their way of learning about their world, developing new skills and growing into happy, healthy adults. There’s a lot more to it than that, though. If you think most play time is a luxury, we encourage you to rethink your perspective. Play is not optional. It helps children develop creativity and builds cognitive capacity. It literally helps new neurons connect in their growing brains! Social Skills Play helps children develop social skills. Have you ever noticed how much your toddler looks forward to going to the park? That probably has a lot to do with the social interactions they have with other children. The playground, trampoline arena, or dodgeball court is a complex, little social structure where children experiment with social norms and learn life lessons. Play also helps children build self-esteem because it often requires them to solve complex problems and maneuver through new, unstructured environments. Cooperation and Teamwork There’s a reason the phrase, “play nicely,” sounds so familiar. It is what we are learning to do when we’re playing. Play breaks down barriers and helps children learn to work together. They can learn empathy through play, which helps them to behave more kindly to their peers. “If you want to be creative, stay in part a child, with the creativity and invention that characterizes children before they are deformed by adult society.” – Jean Piaget Improved Attention Spans We talked earlier about the importance of dopamine to help adults stay focused and complete tasks. It is even more important for children. If your child has trouble paying attention to tasks at school or at home, try taking a break for some play time before returning to the task at hand. Fitness We all know that it is important to stay active. Whether you are eight or 80, you’ll benefit from the physical activity that play provides. From the day we’re born to our last day, play helps us build stronger muscles, improves how our lungs and heart function, keeps our bones strong, staves off diseases, like type II diabetes, and just makes us feel good. Fun Let’s not underestimate the importance of fun. If you don’t buy into any of the other reasons to play, do it just for the fun of it. “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw Come and play at Rebounderz in Newport News. We’ve got activities to entice even the most reluctant, unplayful among you, including our Ninja Warrior course, dodgeball  court, basketball slam station, foam pit, and open jump arena. And, don’t forget the JumpXTREME tower, where you can test your fear of heights! We look forward to seeing you.   #### It’s Hot Out There. Get Your Jump On! Does the Apopka heat and humidity have you feeling a bit wilted? Come in out of the heat. Join us at Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Extreme Fun Center for some air-conditioned indoor fun. Ditch the Sunscreen When you live in Florida, you can only take so much fun in the sun. But sitting in a cold movie theater or staying home isn’t much fun, especially when you’ve got a group of kids in to keep entertained. Bring your tweens and teens down to Rebounderz and we’ll help you keep them happy and entertained all day. Good, Healthy Fun Don’t tell the kids. It’ll be our little secret. All of the activities at Rebounderz aren’t just crazy-good fun, they’re also crazy-good exercise. Really, they’ve done studies on this stuff! Trampoline jumping increases your metabolic rate, improves coordination, builds stronger bones, and gets your heart pumping. It’s low impact and anyone can do it. Kids who may be left out or feel insecure about other sports, will fit right in and have a great time. Friendly Competition Dodgeball is back! The activity so many of us enjoyed as kids is the hottest new trend on and off the trampolines. We think it is a lot more fun on the trampolines though. It’s pretty tough to duck and dodge when you’re in mid air, and timing your throws is a whole new experience. Our favorite part of dodgeball on the trampolines is the hilarity that ensues and the nonstop laughter of participants and observers alike! Not Just for the Kids You may plan on just watching the kids from the sidelines, but we bet you won’t be able to resist jumping into the fun. Once you see everyone jumping and dunking the ball on the Basketball Slam, you’ll want to give it a try. You’ll be challenging the kids to a slam dunk contest before you know it. And you know, the health benefits are not just for the kids. We’re getting older every day and the trampoline can help out with a lot of age-related physical issues. We know YOU aren’t having any trouble, but taking some preventative measures never hurt. Join in the jumping and dodgeball to improve agility and balance, build strength and maintain good hand-eye coordination. Say it’s for your health, but do it for the fun of it! Something for Everyone When the kids need a break from the jumping, throwing, dunking and diving into foam pits, they can take a rest in the arcade. They’ll continue the friendly competition with classic favorites like air-hockey along with some of the most popular new hi-tech games. After one more trip to the trampolines they’re sure to be ready for a snack, so be sure to stop by the cafe before you go. You’ve had a full day of fun and laughs, the sun is starting to set and the humidity is letting up, so it’s safe to head outside again. Don’t be surprised if the kids are asleep before they get home. It’s been quite a day.   #### Jacksonville.com covers Rebounderz Jacksonville's Sensory Friendly Night Program Click here to view the full article!  #### January/February Issue of Seminole Magazine: Jump Into Fitness at Rebounderz We were recently featured in the January/February Issue of Seminole Magazine! The article featured our AirExercise fitness class, and highlighted it as a fun and exciting new way to get in shape! Check out page 15 in the issue below (Click to expand the reader). http://issuu.com/seminolemagazine/docs/seminole_janfeb2016.digital?e=0/33351891   #### Jump 'n' Jam at Rebounderz! Jump ‘n’ Jam at Your Local Rebounderz Hey Teens! Your Friday Night Just Got An Upgrade... Your Friday nights are significant.They mean the end of a long week of work or school, or perhaps even both. It is the one night of the week where you can forget about your responsibilities, homework, school, and even chores! Fridays signify the beginning of a fun weekend and the ability to reconnect with family and friends. More importantly, Fridays are meant for fun and exploration, to do something new and create memories. However, sometimes it is hard to determine what to do on a Friday night. Unfortunately, many Fridays go to waste because a decision cannot be made on where to go. It is not as if you lack enthusiasm for fun; you just don’t know the activities or events available in your area. You have the motivation to explore, however, you just have no direction of how or where to have your adventure. Well, that will change once you hear about all the fun activities at your local Rebounderz Trampoline Park. For example, every Friday night Rebounderz Trampoline Parks hosts a Jump ‘n’ Jam event at all of their locations. Imagine it, a fun-filled Friday night with a room filled with indoor trampolines and music. Rebounderz even hires a live DJ to take song requests from participants! It sounds like an upgrade from your usual Friday nights, right? At Jump ‘n’ Jam, you can jump and dance with your friends to your favorite songs for hours. Also at the end of the dance party, all guests are given the opportunity to show off dance moves at the park in the weekly Rebounderz Dance Competition. Whether you can dance or simply jump and kick around, everyone is invited to participate in the dance competition. At the end of the night, one winner is awarded a grand prize for the coolest dance moves. But let’s say, perhaps, dancing isn’t really your thing. Well, then no worries! You still have all the fun attractions of Rebounderz to choose from, like the Ninja Warrior Course, the foam pits, and a full-sized trampoline Basketball court. So as you see, your Friday night would never suffer just in case you aren’t a spectacle on the dance trampolines. At Rebounderz, you have so many different fun activities to choose from! Take advantage of your time off and do something exciting on your Fridays! I mean, I guess you could sit on your couch every night but that doesn’t seem to inspire fun or memories. Your best bet is to go out and explore the options and events around you. Rebounderz gives you that chance to have a fun-filled night without worries or boredom. So in recap, the Rebounderz Friday Night Upgrade includes... Fun Affordable Fun (even better) Great Music A Prize for Your Sweet Dance Moves A Night with Your Friends And…   A Great Kick Off to an Amazing Weekend   If having fun on a Friday night interests you visit Reboundz! #### Jumping Benefits for Seniors Although typically frequented by children, trampoline parks have amazing benefits for children of ALL ages! Even seniors can find the benefits and enjoyment of spending some time rebounding. Here are just a few benefits of trampoline jumping for seniors. Improves Heart Health The number one cause of death in the United States has been cardiac arrest caused by heart disease for over a decade. While this is not a unique phenomenon to seniors, chances of cardiac problems increase as we age. What this means for people of all ages is that they need to take care of their hearts by eating healthy and getting plenty of cardiovascular exercises. The human heart is an incredible structure that is able to develop new blood vessels to reroute around failing ones to improve function. The more your heart is worked, the better it becomes at this. Cardio activity like jumping on a trampoline helps to get the blood pumping all throughout the body which helps prevent clots, opens up vessels, and works your heart -- all of which help to prevent sudden cardiac death. Helps Build Strong Bones A common problem that accompanies aging, especially in postmenopausal women, is bone density loss that attributes to frailty and fractures, that tends to leave most people fearing to do anything that may cause them to fall. Weight-bearing, impact exercises such as running and jumping helps to build bone density and strength. Activities such as trampoline bouncing are great for strengthening bones because of the elastic surface that helps soften the impact. Building bone density also promotes red blood cell production (because red blood cells are created in the bones!), which helps promote overall circulation and perfusion. Improves Outlook on Life A positive outlook on life has been proven to help people sleep better and live longer. Happiness has been linked to a strong immune system, so it can be said that happy people don’t get sick as often as others. Engaging in activities that make you feel young and invigorated creates more happy hormones that can lead to improved overall health and a sense of wellbeing. We think that trampoline rebounding is a great way to boost your mood -- have you ever seen someone frowning on a trampoline? Builds Strong Muscles Activities such as trampoline jumping help to improve muscular strength. Improving muscle strength doesn’t just help moving and daily activities easier, but strong muscles can help support your bones and joints to help reduce pain and potential for injury. Building muscles strength also helps to make normal activities such as walking and sitting more comfortable and helps to improve your quality of sleep. At Rebounderz, we are passionate about sharing the fun with kids from toddlers to 100+ because we know the value of healthy fun. If you are an aging senior and have never experienced a trampoline park, we encourage you to come out to Rebounderz of Jacksonville to try it out, we are confident you'll feel like a kid again and leave feeling better than you did when you arrived! Contact us for more information or stop on in to check out the bounce! #### Jumping is Great For Kids!   There are some things that kids just love, and jumping is definitely one of them! While jumping is inherently fun, it also has a myriad of other benefits. Read on to find out why jumping is so great, and how you can incorporate jumping into your child’s next birthday party! Great Exercise Even kids that don’t like the thought of exercise like to jump! Jumping is a great form of cardiovascular exercise, and is great for heart health. Parents want their kids to stay active, and if your child isn’t drawn to playing sports, trampoline jumping is a way to incorporate exercise and fitness. The best part is, kids won’t even know they are exercising because they are having so much fun! Jumping on a trampoline engages all of the muscles, and offers a full body workout while kids feel like they are just playing. With the epidemic of childhood obesity in this country, jumping on a trampoline can be one way to start incorporating exercise early in life and developing healthy habits. Jumping strengthens the core, and is a way to build healthy bones and muscles without the impact associated with running. Coordination Along with being great exercise, jumping improves coordination and stimulates both sides of the brain. If your child plays sports, jumping can help them become a better athlete by refining their control over their body. Along with coordination, trampoline jumping results in better balance—helpful for both children and adults! Academic Success Wait, are we still talking about jumping on trampolines? Yes! The muscle control and coordination that come with jumping can help children academically, and the concentration found in jumping can help the brain focus and learn. When children have control over their body and movements they are able to put more attention towards learning, which will benefit them academically. Jumping, and learning new skills, can also teach that persistence and dedication pay off, which are essential skills in the classroom. Behavior Sometimes kids just need a release for pent-up energy, and if they don’t get that it can result in behavior problems. Trampoline jumping is a great way to release energy in a positive way, and can have a good impact on their behavior. A child who is restless, anxious, and agitated often finds relief in jumping, and the increased oxygen circulation helps them feel more alert and refreshed. Think of how great this is at a kid’s birthday party! Instead of cooping the kids up inside your house and hoping they don’t start fighting, you are providing a place for them to move and get out their energy. Stress Trampoline jumping can have such a great behavioral impact because it reduces stress and anxiety. The repetitive jumping motion is a way to focus and relax, and to reset after a hard day at school. There is a calming effect on the nervous system when you jump, and it is a constructive way to channel stress. Kids sometimes can’t articulate their stress or identify their stressors, and jumping gives them a way to physically work through their anxieties. Confidence Jumping can increase your child’s self-esteem through offering a way to set and accomplish goals and learn new skills. Jumping can lead to flipping and doing tricks as your child grows in confidence, and each new skill learned gives them increased self-esteem. Trampolines offer a safe way to practice moves that would be difficult on the ground, and kids are excited by how quickly they can master a new trick. The confidence gained on a trampoline can carry over into other parts of their lives, and can help them with friendships, academically, and can help them continually reach for new goals. Social Skills Jumping, and the environment of a trampoline park, help kids work on their social skills at their own pace. Spontaneous games, challenges, and play can help kids understand how to relate to each other and strengthen friendships. A trampoline park allows for solo play as well, and kids can engage with their peers at their own pace. Immune System When you jump on a trampoline, your lymphatic system is stimulated, which helps push toxins out of the body. Toxins are a source of disease, and detoxifying can lead to a better immune response and better overall health. A boosted immune system is especially helpful for kids, who are exposed to countless germs at school and can seem to be sick all winter long. Any way to strengthen your kid’s immune system is great! Decision Making A trampoline park gives kids a great opportunity to assess and manage risk as they learn their physical limits. Climbing, sliding, jumping, and dodging obstacles all help the brain learn how to assess risk, which can help kids learn how to make good decisions. The unstructured play that a trampoline park affords children is great for the imagination, but also for developing social and cognitive skills. Good decision making skills are crucial for children to make healthy choices throughout their lifetime. Happiness While there may be some complex chemical reactions going on in the brain as you jump, the end result is that you just feel happier! Trampolines give kids a way to be happier, which will carry over into all areas of their lives. The endorphins released while jumping put a smile on everyone’s face, making it almost impossible to not be happy while jumping!   With all of the benefits that jumping gives kids, there is no better place to have kid’s birthday parties than at Rebounderz in Newport News! Not only are you providing a fun party activity, you will be increasing their physical coordination and balance, helping them work on social skills, offering a great outlet for stress, and even boosting their academic performance! If you are planning a birthday party, call us today! #### Kacy Catanzaro: American Ninja Warrior American Ninja Warrior: it may sound redundant, but this show is a big deal to a lot of people. If you haven't heard about American Ninja Warrior, it is a spinoff show in America based off of a Japanese show called Sasuke, more commonly known around the world as Ninja Warrior. Essentially, it is a grueling obstacle course laid out in stages for contestants to complete. But in reality, it's a community event showcasing some of the hardest working athletes you'll ever see. Since we are big fans of American Ninja Warrior here at Rebounderz, and in fact have our own ninja warrior course here in Grand Rapids, we would like to go over one of the top athletes in the show: Kacy Catanzaro. Who is Kacy Catanzaro? Kacy Catanzaro is a New Jersey girl, born in Glen Ridge. She grew up there, attending Belleville high school near the area. Of Italian descent, she is relatively small, standing at about five feet and weighing 95 lbs. That doesn't stop her from being an athletic powerhouse, though. She has been a gymnast since age five, and got in to Towson University in Maryland on an athletic scholarship, where she studied early childhood education. In 2012, Kacy was awarded the Southeast Regional Gymnast of the Year for competing Division 1 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. She also received the Eastern College Athletic Conference Gymnast of the Year award, ranking in the top spot for that conference. Competition Career Since before she competed officially at American Ninja Warrior, Kacy has worked at an obstacle course gym in Texas called Alpha Warrior. In 2013, she was invited to American Ninja Warrior as a wildcard, where she fell short on the Giant Ring. It wasn't until 2014 when Kacy gained some notoriety on the American Ninja Warrior course, becoming the first woman to finish the qualifying course on Season 6. Perhaps the most impressive part of this feat was her making it up the warped wall on her second try, the first woman to do so in competition. Also in 2014, Kacy became the first woman ever to complete the city finals course for American Ninja Warrior, and the second woman to ever attempt it (with credit for the first going to Jessie Graff). What makes this feat so amazing is the fact that Kacy has a relatively shorter stature than most of her competitors, and yet still beat them all out. The extra effort this requires is visibly apparent when watching her course runs compared to other contestants. Her achievement here went viral on Twitter, getting over 100 million views and earning her the moniker #MightyKacy. While she still hasn't yet finished the course, her deeds have earned her the adoration of many, and she has a multitude of fans cheering her on to victory.   Are you interested in becoming an American Ninja Warrior? If so, you'll need a place to train. Here at Rebounderz, we have our very own ninja warrior course in Grand Rapids. In fact, we've got them all over the nation! While features vary, generally there are three levels of obstacles just like on the show. Give us a call today to find out more, and take the next step to becoming America's next top Ninja Warrior! #### Keeping Active in the Fall at an Indoor Trampoline Park Staying Active in the Colder Seasons As summer draws to a close, we are becoming more aware that fall is just around the corner. Fall can be a great season; however, it does mean that colder weather is in our near future. Fall can be a difficult time to keep your children active, especially if you live in a colder region. Part of the struggle of staying active in the winter is bundling your children up enough, but still giving them the opportunity to play. Similarly to the scene in A Christmas Story, it is difficult to keep your children warm for the cold season and still allow them free mobility to around and play. Though your bundling skills might not be that bad, the colder temperatures still pose a serious challenge. Most parents don’t want their children to play in the snow for too long. And, most children can’t handle being out in the snow for that long anyway, especially if they don’t have the right gear. This does not mean that children don’t need exercise in the chilly months. In fact, due to the fact that the colder months mean more time indoors, the need to keep your kids active is all the more serious. In this blog, we will discuss some of the activities your kids can do indoors in order to keep them active. Put on a Play In the moments when it is too cold outside, it is important to entertain your children with something other than a television. A TV can be time-consuming and cause your child to become lazy. Staying all day on the couch won’t teach your child a new skill and won’t allow them to get their blood pumping. One of the best ways to keep your child active and creative during cold days is by encouraging them to put on a play. The good part about theatrical plays is that they can be put on by multiple kids or just one child. Regardless of the number of actors or actresses, putting on a play can excite your child’s creativity and motivate them to act out their ideas. By encouraging this form of communication and imagination, you can teach your child newer and better ways to share their thoughts and ideas. This can be a useful talent when they are older and want to create, share, and communicate with others. And, allowing them to act out their ideas will keep them active and give them a new perspective about their ideas. For instance, if they want to act in a play about jellyfish, they will have to think and act like a jellyfish; thus, giving them the opportunity to think about things different from them. Play Hide-and-Go-Seek Hide-And-Go-Seek is a timeless game for two reasons. One, it is a fun game that can be played with as few as two people. The second is the game has no ending point, which means it is literally a timeless game. You can play this game for hours, in almost any location. When it is cold outside, this is the perfect game to play with friends or siblings. And, because the game requires heavy movement and suspense, your child will get the muscle and blood movement they need to stay healthy. Hide-And-Go-Seek can be a great opportunity to teach your small children important skills, such as counting, hiding, sharing, and much more. Counting is obviously an important skill to learn, and sharing, too, is an essential lesson to teach your child. Hiding, though seemingly an odd teaching opportunity, can be useful. If your child knows how to hide they may be able to protect themselves later on in life. Hiding also eventually means giving up your location. For some parents, children can give them a scare if they hide and don’t show where they are hiding. By practicing hiding and revealing where they are, you can train your child to know that hiding from their parents is not okay other than when playing a game. Going to A Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park If staying cooped up in your home doesn’t sound like a pleasant experience for you or your children, Rebounderz is an ideal choice. At our Edison indoor trampoline park, you and your kids can bounce the day away. Here, your kids can bounce and play on our obstacle course for hours. With our attractions, your children can get the exercise they need without freezing in the cold. We offer a better alternative to staying active that doesn’t involve playing out in arctic weather. At Rebounderz, your children will be able to learn how to share attractions with other kids, and possibly make a friend or two of their own age. Rebounderz is also a great place to let them play freely by themselves; on our obstacle course, they can let their mind run wild and pretend they are jungle creatures or secret spies. At Rebounderz, your child can imagine they are anyone or anything. Best of all, while they are using their creativity, they can exercise on our trampolines and courses. This activity can get their blood pumping and keep them healthy during the cold seasons. Rebounderz of Edison At Rebounderz, you and your family can enjoy an afternoon of fun and experience a memorable day with each other. As a parent, there are very few moments where you can give your child something they want and that is good for them at the same time. Rebounderz gives your kids a time they won’t forget and the exercise they need to stay healthy. Visit your local Edison Rebounderz. #### Keeping Kids Active This Summer School is wrapping up, which means summer is right around the corner. You might be planning a family vacation at this point, or you might just be looking for ways to keep your kids occupied when they’re out of school. When kids have free time, they may be tempted to lay around the house and play video games or watch TV for hours on end, resulting in unhealthy summer weight gain. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of seven ways that you can keep your kids healthy and active all summer long. When you want a cool and fun way to beat the summer heat, bring your kiddos to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Rohnert Park. Not only will they get some exercise, they’ll have a blast doing it! -Limit Screen Time Whether your kid loves watching TV or is all in on playing Fortnite, it’s important to set limits on how much time they spend in front of a screen. Experts recommend keeping screen time to about two hours a day to keep them from falling into a sedentary lifestyle. You can also incorporate physical activity into their television time. Have them do jumping jacks during commercials or push-ups during loading screens to get them off the couch while they have fun. You can even make it into a game or contest, such as how many jumping jacks can you do before your show comes back. -Make it a Family Activity An easy way to make sure kids are staying active is to make it something the whole family does together. Go for a walk around the neighborhood after dinner, play some basketball together, play catch — really anything that gets everyone up and moving works great. Kids are more responsive to activities when they get to participate with their parents, because it gives them the feeling of being involved in something. -Give Them Structure While we’re not suggesting you put your child in some extreme CrossFit routine that dictates every exercise they need to do, giving them a bit of structure can help them maintain focus when they’re getting physical activity. This can be anything from enrolling them in a summer recreation league for baseball or just setting a specific time each day to go out and play. Try to schedule their outdoor play for when the sun isn’t at its peak, because it’s much harder to have fun when you have the sun beating down on you. -Free Day Camps Check around with local organizations to see what type of programs and camps are offered for kids in the summer. This is a low-cost and often free way to keep kids active while giving them a chance to make some new friends in a safe place. Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the YMCA are both great organizations that put on many programs for this reason, and they will also have adult supervision so you can trust that your children will be safe. -Don’t Forget the Fun One of the biggest things that gets kids to tune out of physical activity is when it feels like work. If you want to foster a desire to stay physically active, it’s important to find things your child finds fun. Try out a variety of different activities and sports to see what they latch onto. Kids can learn a lot of life lessons that they’ll carry with them for years to come through participating in a local sports team. When you find an activity they have fun with, ask them why they like it. If there’s an activity or a sport they don’t enjoy, see why they don’t. Not only will this engage your child and get them to think critically about what they’ve been doing, it will also help you think of more ideas for activities they will like. -Give Them Options Whether you work full-time or you’re a stay-at-home parent, there may be times where you aren’t able to be fully involved in your child’s physical activity. Keeping toys and equipment somewhere that’s easily accessible to them will help them take control over their exercise and activity. Have a stash of balls, rackets, jump ropes, hula hoops, and other stuff like that available to them in the garage so they can easily grab something and go play when they want to. -Get Friends Involved Nothing makes exercise feel more like a chore than when you’re forced to do it alone. When you get your child’s friends involved, they’re more likely to enjoy physical activity. They’re probably going to ask to stay out playing even longer than their scheduled play time when they have friends around. Just remind them to keep out of trouble while they’re out and about! Keeping your kids active through the summer will help them stay healthy and engage their body and brain in ways that will help them a lot when they go back to school. Make sure they’re getting at least an hour of aerobic, muscle strengthening, and bone strengthening activity every day and you’ll have a happy and healthy kid on your hands. When you want to give your child a fun opportunity to be physically active, bring them to Rebounderz in Rohnert Park. Whether they’re just jumping in our safe trampoline park, living out their daredevil dreams on the JumpXTREME Tower, practicing for the slam dunk competition on the SlamBall court, or testing their might on the Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course, we know they’re going to have a blast at Rebounderz. We hope to see you here soon! #### Keeping Your Family Active in the Fall Around the country, fall can be a difficult time to keep your family active. When the hustle and bustle of a busy summer draws to an end, and individuals find themselves settling into new routines outside of the home, when families meet back up in the evenings, it is easy to fall into a relaxed schedule that includes homework, eating dinner, and television before scooting off to bed. Additionally, fall is the beginning of inclement weather conditions, whether it includes September rain, hurricane season, or the first snowfall, that make it difficult to get the outdoor playtime that summer promises. At Rebounderz, we understand how important it is for you to keep your family active and the struggles that fall may bring. Here, we would like to offer a few family-friendly fall physical activities. Embrace the Fall Chill If there is no active precipitation or threat of twirling wind, the fall can be one of the most comfortable times of the year for getting outdoor playtime! The crisp fall mornings that lead into the chilly fall evenings offer an environment that is much more conducive to outdoor play than the sweltering heat of summer. Fall means baseball playoffs and the beginning of football, hockey, and basketball seasons. Get your family in the spirit by engaging in a game of your family’s preferred sport — Go Lions! If your neighbors are up for it, invite them to play as well! Soak Up the Sunset Fall means later sunrises and earlier sunsets. One of the easiest — and most beautiful — ways to stay active is by going for a stroll to watch the sunset. When you include your family on a walk, or a bike ride, through the neighborhood at sunset, you can enjoy active, quality family time, set to a beautiful backdrop. You can also use this time to engage your kids in meaningful conversation without the distraction of what else may be going on at home. Stop to catch some fireflies along or appreciate the changing colors of the leaves. Find Indoor Community Activities When getting outdoors is not an option, find indoor alternatives. Head to the community rec center to engage in community sports leagues or check out your nearest ice skating rink. Rebounderz trampoline park offers a full arena of trampolines to bounce the evening away on. As a family, you can play trampoline dodgeball or basketball, or test your skills on our Ninja Warrior course. When you jump along with your kids, you can all have a physically active good time together, which is important to physical health and family bonding. At Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone in Jenison, we offer a family-friendly way to stay active all year round. No matter the season, no matter the weather, you and your family — and all your friends — can come to enjoy an evening of joy in our trampoline arena. We have activities for jumpers of all ages to enjoy, and jumping is one of the best ways to stay physically fit. Keep your family active this fall by bringing them to Rebounderz! #### Kid's Birthday Party Checklist Part One So your little one has a big day coming up. Planning a birthday party can feel pretty overwhelming sometimes, but you can bypass a lot of stress and headaches with a good checklist. We’ve compiled a checklist that you can use as your roadmap to a fantastic kid’s birthday party. One of the biggest decisions that you have to make when planning a party is the location. Take out the guesswork and go with a location guaranteed to be a hit with all partygoers, Rebounderz Trampoline Park right here in Rohnert Park! Before we dive into the checklist, it’s always recommended to talk with the birthday boy or girl to see what they would like. Not only will that help narrow down your decisions, it’ll also give them a sense of involvement and pride when they see their idea come to life. With that out of the way, on with part one of our birthday party checklist. -Budget You don’t need to break the bank to have a successful birthday party. When you start off determining your budget for the event, it makes every other decision much easier. Keep in mind, just because a party has lots of stuff doesn’t necessarily mean it’s any more enjoyable than something smaller. Decide on a budget that you’re happy with and gives you the flexibility to work around. However, just because you set a number for your budget doesn’t mean that’s exactly what you have to spend. It will instead act as a framework for the rest of the checklist items. There are many ways that you can save some money without losing out on items that often raise a party budget. Baking a homemade birthday cake and making your own invitations are both cost effective as well as a great way to make your party look and feel unique. A creative and affordable party is much more memorable than a generic store-bought one, so let those ideas flow. Plus, if you come in under budget, you might be able to get your little one an extra present they weren’t expecting! -Time There are two ways that time will need to be factored into your party planning. The first, what time you decide to have the party, will typically determine what type of food you’ll be having. If it is a party that starts at noon, it stands to reason you’ll have a more extensive lunch menu. On the other hand, if it starts in the afternoon, the partygoers are more likely to have already eaten their lunch, so the focus can shift to snacks. The second factor that needs to be accounted for is the age of the children. With younger children, they typically get tired and cranky after a few hours, especially when it’s close to their nap time. Doing either a morning party around 9 am or an afternoon party between lunch and dinner can ensure nobody gets cranky and everyone has fun. -Length of Party This goes hand-in-hand with what time you’re holding the party, as well as the age of the children. For toddlers and young kids, a party that lasts about two to two-and-a-half hours should be a perfect sweet spot. When kids get older, a party that lasts around four hours gives a bit more freedom, as you can pack that time with activities or games without the worry that they’ll get bored or cranky. -Guests Deciding how many guests you will be inviting impacts just about everything on your birthday party checklist. How much food will be needed, the size of the cake, number of party favors, and activities that involve everyone are all items that change depending on how many people will be attending. It’s also a good idea to determine if the party will be all boys, all girls, a boy and girl party, and whether there will be a range of ages invited. If you have a wide range of ages attending, it’s a good idea to go with party favors that aren’t age specific. -Party Theme This is usually the easiest decision to make, as children will have a character or subject they love that you can center the party around. Whether that’s making a superhero or princess party, it gives you a basis to form all of the activities, invitations, party favors, and other bits and bobs around. When they get older, their interests may move away from characters to activities, which could be a day at the trampoline park or skating rink. You can add some extra flair to the party regardless of the theme by including your child’s favorite color to make it feel made for them specifically. -Invitations As we said before, invitations are a great way to save some money while flexing your creative muscles. However, if you aren’t looking to DIY your invites, there are some other options available to you. Naturally, you can buy packages of invitations at party stores, grocers, and other retailers. They often have characters or themes attached to them, so if your party will have a theme, this is a great way to set expectations and get the kids excited for what’s to come. Otherwise, you can avoid wasting paper and time spent mailing by using evites online. -Decorations This is an area where it is very easy to overspend. Even if your theme is focused on a specific character, that doesn’t mean that every piece of decoration needs to have that character on it. Use the color palette of the color to find accent pieces to go with the character decorations. One cost-effective option is getting stickers of the character or theme and attaching them to plastic cups in the color palette. -Party Supplies Just like the decorations, you don’t need to have a character or theme on every piece of party supplies. With licensed products often carrying a premium price, supplementing them with generic but colorful pieces can end up looking better and more cohesive than if you drop a bucket full of cash on all character-laden party supplies. A fun and inexpensive idea is to give all guests a blank name tag to put on their cup, which everyone can then color and customize to their heart’s content. That makes it a creative group activity which allows everyone to make their own imprint on the party, no matter how small. -Cakes While this checklist item may be called ‘cakes,’ that doesn’t mean you can only choose a cake for your kid’s birthday party. This is another opportunity to really get creative and work with your child’s taste. Whether it’s store-bought or homemade, classic or ice cream, cupcake or cheesecake or pie, the options are just about limitless. If you want that look of a themed cake without shelling out for a bakery to make a custom one, making a homemade one and adding small figures is not only more affordable, it gives you more freedom to make a cake that fits your kid’s interests (and dietary needs) instead of a generic design. Most party supply stores have a section with a wide variety of cake toppers. While this concludes part one of our look at making a birthday party checklist, rest assured we’ll be back with part two shortly. However, once you take these preliminary steps, the rest of your party planning will be a piece of cake. In part two, we’ll be diving into party food and drinks, party favors, entertainment, activities, games, and music. Luckily for you, there’s a perfect location for you to hold your little one’s birthday party, right here at Rebounderz in Rohnert Park. With our incredibly safe trampoline park, intimidating JumpXtreme Tower, exciting Ninja Warrior course, and the dunk-friendly SlamBall court, we’re sure there’s something to make all of your party guests have a blast. There’s no better place when you’re looking for a fun place no matter your age than Rebounderz. We hope to see you soon! #### Kid's Birthday Party Checklist Part Two We recently started compiling a birthday party checklist to make your party planning easier than ever, though we still have a few more entries to tackle today. We’ll be looking at the final touches that you can put on your kid’s birthday party to make it a day to remember. One great way for a memorable day is to pick a location that has fun built-in. Here in Rohnert Park, there’s no better place for a birthday party than Rebounderz Trampoline Park! We have awesome birthday party packages that will make your little one’s special day a blast for everyone, parents included! Without further ado, part two of the birthday party checklist. -Food and Drinks As we covered before, much of the decision for what food you serve will come down to what time the party is held. Whether you end up choosing lunch or appetizers, there are plenty of kid-friendly options available to you. There’s the old standby of pizza, pretty much every kid likes chicken tenders, or you can even go with some mini-corn dogs. Finger foods are always the best option as they’re easier to prepare, serve, and clean up after than more involved meals. It’s incredibly important that you get information from parents regarding any food allergies their child may have. Include this question on your invite to help your planning and avoid any health emergencies. If your party has a theme, try choosing foods that will fit in with the theme. With drinks, it depends on age and activity. For younger kids, juice or water is usually the best option. When they get older, iced tea, lemonade, or soda are popular choices. For summer birthdays, you can have snow cones or milkshakes for a fun treat to beat the heat. -Party Favors Here’s an item that gives you a lot of freedom to work with. You can either go with store-bought tchotchkes and favors or you can make your own. This is where you can really bring a party’s theme to life. If it’s a space adventure party, you can find little toy ray guns for everyone to play with. A swimming party can have goggles and pool toys. Whether you try to go specifically with the age range of your guests or you go more general to appeal to a wide range of ages, there are so many options available to make this a party everyone enjoys. A goodie bag with snacks, candy, toys, stickers, or craft supplies gives everyone a present they can take home and have fun with. You can also set up a box with different party favors, give each guest a bag, and have them pick out a few things to give them a choice in what they get. -Entertainment, Activities, and Crafts This entry on the checklist can take many forms. Entertainment can range from hiring a balloon artist, selecting a location with activities (like Rebounderz Trampoline Park), having a movie party, or renting a bounce house, just to name a few. If you end up going with outside entertainment for the party, it’s a good idea to match it with the theme of the party. That is to say, if you’re having an under the sea themed party, a performer in a Spider-Man costume wouldn’t fit in too well. Keep in mind any additional items you may need for the entertainment when you take care of this checklist item. Some other options for entertainment include scavenger hunts, karaoke, craft projects (like making slime), or a cookie decorating station. Ask your kiddo what they would want to do with their friends for their party to get more ideas. -Games Everyone loves to play games, no matter what age they are. Choose some games that tie into the theme of the party to get everyone involved and having fun. If you’re having a pirate party, play a game of “Walk the Plank”. Mark off a plank shape on the ground with tape or chalk, blindfold the participants and have them try to walk across the plank without stepping off. Whoever gets to the end or gets the furthest without falling can win an eyepatch or toy pirate hook! Even if you don’t have a particular theme, there are plenty of games that you can play that are fun for everyone. You can always lean on old standbys like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” or “Musical Chairs”. At Rebounderz, you can have everyone run the Ninja Warrior obstacle course, awarding a prize to whoever does the best. Depending on the age range of the party guests, you should find something that is engaging but not too intense. It’s all for fun, after all! -Music Whether you make a CD yourself or you buy a party CD, music can kick a party up a notch. You could even tie the music in with the theme of the party. A pirate party complete with jolly sea shanties can bring everything together in an exciting and unique way. For young kids, you can find CDs that have songs which double as games like “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” or “If You’re Happy and You Know It”. Older kids will likely have music they enjoy, so putting together a playlist of their favorite songs will really give them a customized party that is suited to them. Music is often the X-factor that, when it’s missing, it can make a party feel incomplete. That concludes our two-part look at making a kid’s birthday party checklist. Whether you follow this to the letter or you make your own adjustments, we hope it helps you avoid the stress that party planning can cause. With a little bit of preparation and creativity, you’ll be able to put together a birthday party your little one will remember for years to come. Before you get started, check off the location on your checklist when you book your party at Rebounderz Trampoline Park right here in Rohnert Park. Our birthday party packages are awesome, with set up, clean up, and a dedicated party host there to help everything go smoothly. We hope to see you soon! #### Kid’s Birthday Traditions Around the World: Africa It’s crazy to think how everyone has an image in their mind for how a birthday is celebrated. In the United States, this looks like lighting the candles on the cake, singing happy birthday, as well as making a wish and blowing out the candles to the applause of loved ones in the background. Yet as we’ve covered in our series of kid’s birthday parties from around the world, this looks different depending on the country and the culture. In today’s edition of various birthday traditions, we will be traveling to the largest continent on the planet. Africa is not only the largest continent on earth, but has some of the most diverse range of cultures imaginable. The countries and languages are as drastically different as the people themselves. To paint a picture of the differences in culture across the continent, there are an estimated 1500-2000 languages spoken across Africa. That being said, it is nearly impossible to encapsulate all of the varied traditions that take place for kid’s birthday parties, but the birthday celebrations—whether mentioned in this post or not—are rich in history and depth nonetheless. Take a look at some of the kid’s birthday parties that happen in countries across Africa, and book your next birthday event at Rebounderz in Rohnert Park! Start a tradition you and your family will enjoy, and schedule a birthday party today. Ghana Located in western Africa, Ghana has some birthday celebrations that differ significantly from cake and candles. Kids are treated to a breakfast dish called oto, which is sweet potatoes and eggs combined into a patty, and is then fried. There are many tribes and peoples in Ghana, one of which are the Asante people. During a person’s birth week, they participate in a cleansing ritual that helps to purify the birthday person’s soul. A feast takes place after the ritual. Morocco, Algeria, Egypt Many countries in northern Africa are predominantly Muslim, which has an impact on kid’s birthday parties. While families who are not Muslim or who are non-practicing Muslims, birthday celebrations might look similar to Westernized celebrations (the candles and cake, etc.). However, some practicing Muslims adhere to a more strict interpretation of the Quran, and believe that birthdays should not be celebrated. Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt are some of the most well-known countries in northern Africa, and reflect this sentiment. The western and European style of kid’s birthday parties have grown in popularity around the globe, and their influences have made an impact on how other religions and cultures celebrate. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe is located in the southeastern region of the African continent. In many cultures in Zimbabwe, gift giving is an important part of life. Gifts are regularly given at kid’s birthday parties, like in the United States, but gifts are also of great significance in general. To refuse a gift, no matter the occasion, is seen as the utmost sign of disrespect. Unlike the United States, it’s also very common to ask for a gift. This is not seen at all as a cultural taboo, rather, it’s just part of life. Food is commonly given as gifts, but practically anything, from medicine to birthday presents, can be given and is a sign of care. Namibia Many people celebrate Westernized customs in many parts of Namibia when it comes to kid’s birthday parties. However, one tribe has a unique way for remembering a child’s birthday. The Himba tribe recognizes a birthday as the day a child first became a thought in the mother’s mind. Additionally, each child in this tribe has a special song, and they and their community sing it to the child all throughout their life. This practice continues well into adulthood, all the way up until death. Kenya Birthday celebrations are very similar to those in the United States in Kenya. One of the standards of a kid’s birthday parties is bringing treats to school, and this is the same in Kenya as well. A fun difference exists in the tradition of feeding each other birthday cake. On their birthday, a kid will first be fed a piece of cake by their parent, then the teacher, followed by their best friend. No matter where you are around the world, there’s such an appreciation for life. Celebrate any upcoming birthdays at Rebounderz in Rohnert Park! #### Kid’s Birthday Traditions Around the World: Asia Celebrating a kid’s birthday is always a pretty big ordeal. In the United States, it’s a time when kids get presents, they usually have some kind of birthday party, they bring treats into school, and then of course there’s the cake back at home on the actual day. This is pretty much such a standard in birthday procedure that we forget other countries and cultures might do things differently. For example, did you know that more kids in the world slurp long noodles on their birthday than blow out candles on a cake? There are so many amazing birthday celebrations around the world that in today’s blog, we’re just focusing on kids birthday parties in the United States and countries in Asia. When you’re looking for a kid’s birthday party of a lifetime, contact the experts of fun at Rebounderz in Rohnert Park! From after school clubs and dodgeball to birthday parties, we can offer a celebration that will be one to remember. Read on to learn about kid’s birthday traditions from around the globe, and book your next event with Rebounderz. The United States It might seem strange to start with kid’s birthday celebrations in the United States, but it’s important to start with a place that serves as a baseline. Remember, just because it seems normal to us doesn’t mean that other cultures would see it as common practice! Having this perspective in mind is important, because it serves as a reminder that different does not mean bad, nor strange. It could be easy to think of slurping noodles as weird, but when you think about it, is it any weirder than blowing out flammable tiny sticks that are moderately entrenched into a cake? In the US, kids’ birthdays are celebrated annually on the day that they were born. The birthday is one of the most important days in the year for a kid, because it’s a day dedicated to celebrating them. Kids might get a special breakfast in the morning, and often will bring treats to school to share with their classmates in celebration. Treats might be cupcakes or some kind of candy, but most schools have pretty strict regulations on what can or cannot be brought. With their families, the tradition for most kids and adults alike is to have a cake (of their choice) for dessert, and however old the birthday person is turning reflects the number of candles in the cake. Though sometimes, in lieu of having 20 or 30 candles in a cake, people will insert candles that simply spell out the number instead. Once the candles are lit, the family sings the “Happy Birthday” song (or some variation), and once it ends, kids make a silent wish before blowing their candles out. In many instances, families will say that however many candles are not blown out on the first try reflect the number of girlfriends/boyfriends a person has. Usually in the week or so surrounding the actual birthday, families will host a kid’s birthday party, where the child invites friends to a fun event. Friends and other family members usually bring presents for the birthday kid as well. Whew! There’s a lot that goes into a kid’s birthday party in the United States! With all of that in mind, let’s dive into some other birthday celebrations around the world. Vietnam In Vietnam, the most important day of the whole year is Tết, which is the Vietnamese New Year. On this day, not only is the arrival of spring celebrated, but it’s actually when everyone in the country celebrates their birthdays, all at once. Unlike the US, the actual day you are born is not acknowledged at all—rather, a baby turns one on Tết, and then two the following year on Tết. Since the whole country is celebrating, a kid’s birthday party is more like a massive, nation-wide party (not just specific to them). On the first day of Tết, kids receive red envelopes full of money from numerous adults in their lives. China The US sees some pretty elaborate birthday celebrations for kids on their first birthday. However, parents in China throw a party when their child turns one month old. This is called a red egg and ginger party, and was a custom that carried over from ancient times when infant mortality was much higher. The red egg and ginger party is often held at a restaurant (but can be less formal and hosted at home as well), and—like the name suggests—people eat red eggs and pickled ginger. As the website Red Egg and Ginger Party explains, “Guests are presented with red eggs, which symbolize luck and unity, and pickled ginger, which brings the body back into balance after childbirth.” How about celebrations after turning one month old? Kid’s birthday parties might look pretty similar in some ways to those in the US, but one big difference comes from the aforementioned slurping of the noodles. Long noodles, often referred to as longevity noodles, are not bitten, but rather slurped for good luck, as well as living a full and long life. Thailand There are many similarities to kids’ birthday parties in Thailand and the US, where sometimes cake and parties are staples of the day. However, one major difference comes from the religion of Thailand. As a majority Buddhist culture, people will visit a Buddhist temple and offer food to the monks on their birthday. People will prepare food ahead of time, then give a meal as an offering to Buddhist monks as a way to show reverence and gratitude. There are many customs and certain body actions that are acceptable and unacceptable in Buddhist culture, such as the height of your hands when greeting a monk. One of the simplest customs to remember in this birthday offertory scenario is to remove your shoes before greeting a monk! India Birthdays are important days, no matter how old you are in India. There is usually a kid’s birthday party or celebration, but presents are less of a focus, and may not be given at all. One thing that stands out, however, is that people will wear a formal and/or new outfit on their birthday—dressing your best is key to celebrating your birthday. Not only is it a fancy, dressy outfit, but sometimes clothes are tailor-made in preparation for the big day. South Korea Birthdays are important in South Korea, but there are two ages in particular that really take the cake. Dol is the celebration of a child’s first birthday. The child will wear traditional Korean clothing, and certain foods and objects must be included in the ceremony. Foods that can be found are a bowl of steamed white rice, seaweed soup, and pure water. The location of foods is also highly important—the foods mentioned are all placed on a praying table, whereas next to the table is where you can find red bean rice cakes. Also on the table are a series of objects: a brush, a knife, a pencil, a book, money, a bow and arrow, and a spool of thread. It is believed that whichever object the birthday child reaches for first indicates their interests and potential careers in the future. As one example, if a child reaches for a book or a pencil, they are believed to become successful in academics. Additionally, a person’s 60th birthday is called hwangap, and is a pretty big deal. According to the Korean zodiac, this is the year that the zodiac cycle is complete. A feast and big celebration is thrown in honor of the person turning 60. In the United States and in countries around Asia, there are some wonderfully unique celebrations that all serve the same purpose: celebrating life. For your kid’s birthday party, they will love the activity and fun that comes with a Rebounderz birthday event. Book a kid’s birthday event with Rebounderz today!   #### Kid’s Birthday Traditions Around the World: Europe As we talked about in a previous blog post, there are many different types of kid’s birthday parties and celebrations around the world. In certain countries in Asia, kids might receive red envelopes full of money or slurp long noodles on their birthday, instead of blowing out candles like in the United States. Today we’re traveling to another continent, covering some popular birthday celebrations that take place in European countries! Planning a kid’s birthday party can be quite the ordeal, but Rebounderz of Rohnert Park takes the hassle away. Organize your next event with Rebounderz for a birthday that promises to be fun for everyone! Whether you’re looking to plan a kid’s birthday party, have an adult night out with the best alternative to babysitting possible, or more, Rebounderz is here for you. Find out more about kid’s birthday parties around the world, and book an event today! Similarities in Customs Since many immigrants to the United States came from Europe, there are equally as many similarities when it comes to celebrating a kid’s birthday party. It’s fascinating to see where some of these customs come from! For example… Blowing out birthday candles is believed by many to have originated in ancient Greece. People during this era would make cakes and cover them with candles to celebrate the goddess Artemis. Another popular theory is how ancient cultures believed that smoke was a vehicle for carrying prayers to the gods. This serves as a potential explanation for why people make a wish before blowing out the candles on their birthday. Serving cake on your birthday came from Germany during the Middle Ages, as well as matching the number of candles on a cake to how old you are. However, in Germany during this time, it was common practice to put an additional candle on your cake, to wish luck for having another healthy and prosperous year. Great Britain The traditions in England are essentially the same as the birthday celebrations in the United States, which makes sense. As the British began to colonize the United States, they brought their traditions and customs with them, which of course imparted onto societal norms today. If you’ve ever wondered where these traditions come from, it’s likely that they were brought from the colonists back in the 17th century. Ireland As part of the United Kingdom, kid’s birthday parties are also very similar to the United States, with one exception. Particularly for younger kids, every year on their birthday, the birthday kid is held upside down, and their head is bumped on the floor for each year they’ve been alive. An extra bump is given at the end, symbolizing good luck that they will have another great year ahead. Germany In Germany, it’s considered really bad luck to wish someone happy birthday before the actual day. Whereas in the United States, it’s fairly common to receive well-wishes or cards before the big day arrives, this is frowned upon in Germany. Regardless of whether it’s a kid’s birthday party or an adult’s, one thing that is unique to Germany is that the birthday tab is on the birthday person. Any festivities or drinks are not bought for the birthday person, but rather by the birthday person. Austria Certain parts of Austria differ from other European customs, in that they celebrate birthdays the night before. Kids would probably love getting to open up presents the night before their birthday, instead of having to wait until the actual day! The Netherlands There’s particular significance in the United States with certain birthdays, primarily because of the things you can do at that age. For example, turning 16 indicates you can legally drive, 18 means you can vote, and turning 10 is simply exciting because you’re in the double digits. In the Netherlands, special years happen at the ages of five, 10, 15, 20, and 21, and these are called the Crown Years. Kid’s birthday parties on Crown Years are marked with even bigger presents than normal. Russia The celebrations are overall pretty similar to the United States, with a few exceptions. For example, Russians encourage paying attention to dreams that occur the night before your birthday—they are believed to serve as some kind of foretelling of the future. Additionally, many families actually put presents up on the clothesline, and the birthday kids have to go and reach them. As one standard that seemingly exists in several cultures, a kid’s birthday party would not be complete without the birthday kid getting their ears pulled for the number of years completed. Greece Kid’s birthday parties are pretty typical in Greece, and are mostly the same as birthday parties in the United States. However, name day celebrations are of equal importance, and last far into adulthood. Many (if not most) Greeks are named after a saint. Each saint is celebrated by a church on a specific day, and on the day of your saint’s celebration, you get to celebrate as well. People will visit kids and adults alike on their name day and give small gifts and well wishes. In many other Catholic countries, such as Poland, name days are also celebrated with added zest and vigor. This has transferred to the United States as well for those practicing the Catholic faith within this country. Spain One of the biggest traditions in terms of kid’s birthday parties originated in Spain, and that takes the form of the quinceñera. When a girl turns 15, this marks her entrance into adulthood, and is a huge ordeal. Usually at a rented out space, family and friends alike are invited to celebrate this coming-of-age event. Girls wear elaborate dresses, and the ceremony usually goes from a church ceremony to a party where food, music, and dancing take place for hours on end. This celebration transferred over to many Spanish-speaking countries, as it was brought over by Spanish colonists in the mid-20th century. Sweden Less the case for kid’s birthday parties, but as the youngsters get older, Sweden is known for having speeches after speeches at their birthday parties. Birthdays are practically galas in many instances, with elaborate dishes served and enjoyed, and massive venues rented out as more significant birthdays take place. Bonus Country: Australia Alright, so Australia is definitely not in Europe, but it was colonized by the Brits as well, and they have very similar influences to the United States. However, they do something even more special for a kid’s birthday in the form of fairy bread. To celebrate a kid’s birthday, kids get to consume a slice of bread with butter or margarine on it, which is then slathered in sprinkles. It’s safe to say any country would love this as a birthday tradition. There are many similarities between European countries and the United States in the manner in which we throw kid’s birthday parties. One thing that sets many countries apart, however, is that they don’t live near Rohnert Park, and they can’t celebrate at Rebounderz. You on the other hand get a chance to host the kid’s birthday party of the year by booking with Rebounderz. For boundless fun and entertainment, book some jump time and a fabulous kid’s birthday party today! #### Kids and Exercise: Is There Such a Thing As Too Much? When it comes to our little ones, we only want the best. That's why we spend so much time, money, and effort into providing everything they need and setting up an environment conducive to nurturing and growth. One of the best ways to do that is to instill healthy exercise habits early, as it makes them easier to maintain later in life and they can reap the health benefits that much earlier. But as with most things in life, a level of moderation is key. Here, we would like to go over some healthy exercise habits for kids, as well as when too much exercise can be detrimental. 60 Minute Minimum The United States lags behind some countries in regards to the amount of healthy exercise kids are allowed. It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of exercise per day. While that may seem like a lot all at once, it is generally done in piecemeal a few minutes at at time, as kids' attention spans tend to function in spurts. In many first world countries around the globe, parents are recommended to give their children three hours of exercise a day. So let's not let American exceptionalism lag behind, and get those kids active! Aerobic and Anaerobic It's important to get both aerobic and anaerobic exercise activities in your kid's schedule to reap the maximum health benefits from exercise. Without getting too much into the science of it, aerobic and anaerobic just refer to ways your body produces energy (with or without oxygen). Aerobic (with oxygen absorption) exercises include running, biking, hiking, etc. Anaerobic (without oxygen absorption) exercises include weight lifting, gymnastics, pushups, etc. There is anaerobic and aerobic energy production in any exercise, but the degree varies greatly. As long as your kid is doing an activity associated with either with any regularity, they will be reaping the benefit from both. When to Tone It Back Luckily, kids are very good at knowing their limits. Problems usually only start to arise when kids are forced into one size fits all training regimens, like those commonly found in team sports. That isn't to say team sports aren't a great tool for exercise and socialization, parents and coaches just need to be aware that kids grow at different rates, and have different limits. There is a good rule of thumb for kids entering team sports, and that is they should only do regimented sports training one hour a week for every year they've been alive. That would mean for a 12 year old, you wouldn't want more than 12 hours of organized sport training.   Here at Rebounderz, our Edison trampoline park is a great way for kids to get all the exercise they need in a fun environment. It is a great way to make exercise fun, and it also provides a great environment for kids to learn and build on social skills. If you're interested in learning more about our Edison trampoline park, please don't hesitate to give one of our friendly representatives a call today! #### Kids Birthday Party Ideas for Winter Kid’s Parties for the Winter Season If you have a child born during the winter season, you may already know what a challenge it is to plan their birthday parties. The winter is often very cold, icy, and not appropriate for outdoor play. So, how can you still plan a fun birthday party in the winter? In this blog, we will go over some party ideas you can browse through. Hopefully, by reading this blog, you will get inspired to plan a truly unforgettable birthday party for your child. Ice Skating Party Since it is the winter, you have the opportunity to use the weather to your advantage. Because of this, you can plan an ice skating or hockey birthday party for your children. Because it is cold outside, they can use the weather to participate in fun winter-time sports. Ice skating is an incredible pastime that requires patience and balance. With an ice skating party, you can get every one of your guests to participate in a fun and easy activity. And, best of all, ice skating involves more physical activity than you would think. Because of this, your children can unknowingly get the physical exercise they need. The downside of this type of party: There are downsides to this type of birthday party that are hard to ignore. For one, if you have a birthday party in an ice rink, you have to be used to the cold temperature inside. Because the ice rink needs to be kept at a certain temperature to keep the ice frozen, your guests may have to bundle up for the entire duration of the party. Not only that, but ice skating can be a bit tricky to get the hang of. If your party is filled with ungraceful participants, falls are bound to happen. And, if you have smaller children, tears may be inevitable. Movie Party It is hard to go wrong with a movie party. With this type of birthday party, your little one and their closest friends can enjoy a movie of their choosing. Not only can this type of party be entertaining for everyone involved, but it can give your guests a memorable experience. Movies can give your children something to enjoy, talk about, and remember forever. Better still, depending on the film, a light comedy can put you all in a good mood and uplift you for the entire day. Even better, since movie theaters are heated, you and your guests can have a warm, comfortable place to sit away from the winter cold! As a parent, movie parties are a great choice because they require your children and their friends to sit and enjoy a film for roughly two hours. This means, you can sit and relax, while they have an enjoyable time watching a flick. Watching a movie at your local theater also means that you won't have to host your child’s party at your house and clean up their mess. When children have birthday parties at your house, something is bound to be broken, stained, or dirtied. At your local movie theater, you are not responsible for cleaning up your child or their friend’s messes. This can help parents calm down and reduce their stress greatly. Limiting stress can be enough to make movie parties a win-win for parents. The downside of this type of party: Though movie parties can have a long list of benefits, there are just a few downsides to them as well. For one, movie parties can be expensive. When you plan this type of party, you have to expect to feed each of your guests with popcorn, soda, and any other concessions they want. Then, you may have to expect that one of them will have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the movie. If you are planning to have a movie party, generally, you will want another chaperone to accompany you. Obviously, you can’t leave any of the children alone, especially if only one needs to use the restroom. Because of this, having another adult with you can be helpful. Both parents can work as a team to ensure all the children are fed, safe, and enjoy the movie. Slumber Party Slumber parties are great for parents who don’t want to spend large sums of money at a local movie theater. Though a movie theater party has its perks, it can be very expensive to execute. Because of this, slumber parties can be a better choice for families with many children. For one, slumber parties can make friends feel closer together and enjoy their time more. As stated, movie theater parties can be a bit isolating, as children can zone out and watch the film. If you would like your child to have a birthday party with more interaction, slumber parties are ideal. At a slumber party, you can plan out many different fun activities for your little guests. From nail painting to fun games, your slumber party can be anything you want. Better still, you can theme your child’s slumber party, so that all the games and activities involve participation. And, since all the activities are in your home, they don’t have to be wild or extravagant. In the winter, you want to have parties indoors in order to keep children warm, safe, and entertained for long periods of time. Slumber parties can allow your child to have a fun afternoon and night to enjoy with their friends. Not only can they have fun playing, eating, and chatting with their very best friends, but they can stay up late. Generally, slumber parties mean that bedtimes don’t apply, or at least, they are a lot later. This can give your child a sense of freedom and an extra special treat just for their birthday. The downside to this type of party: We mentioned this a bit in our previous paragraph, but parties hosted at your home can get messy. Parents are generally the ones that have to clean up the mess and try to get their home back in order once the chaos has subsided. Slumber parties can also be a bit problematic because they require your constant attention. For one, parents not only have to prepare their home for the party, but they have to think of fun activities to entertain all the guests. If there aren’t enough activities, the guests can grow bored and not have as good of a time. Indoor Trampoline Park At an indoor trampoline park, you and your guests can gain a warm place to play and stay active. At Rebounderz, we have activities already set up for you and your guests. This means that you won’t be responsible for researching fun activities to entertain your child’s friends for two hours. Instead, all you have to do is visit your local Rebounderz. And, if purchasing individual tickets for your guests seems like an expense you are not looking forward to, Rebounderz has birthday packages that you can take advantage of. In our birthday packages, you and your guests can receive one to two hours of play time, arcade time, pizza, and so much more. Instead of stressing out about planning your child’s birthday, Rebounderz provides you with everything you need in one location. And, since all of our attractions are indoors and heavily padded, your guests can enjoy our park away from the cold and completely safe. Rebounderz of Rohnert Park If your child has a birthday in the winter season, it may be a good idea to check out your local Rebounderz. Here, you will find endless activities for a price you will love. If you are looking for a location for a winter birthday party, you won’t find anything as convenient and as entertaining as our Rebounderz indoor trampoline park. Contact us today to reserve a birthday party room. #### Kids Birthday Party Planning Tips As your kids get older, the planning process for their birthday parties will start to become more extravagant. That’s because, as we know, kids want what they want; and compromise is rarely on the table. However, planning your kids’ birthday parties doesn’t have to be stressful or painful. With a few prior proper planning techniques, tips, and tricks, you can streamline the whole process so that it’s painless and efficient. Having a great birthday party can greatly improve your child’s enthusiasm for their big day, as well as help build bonds and friendships, boost confidence, and a whole lot more. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today with a few of these kids’ birthday party planning tips. Choose A Theme Of course, every kid's birthday party has to have a theme. Whether your strong-willed little girl is obsessed with the latest superhero flick, or your boy wants to revel in decor featuring his favorite sport, it’s important that you gather input from the master of ceremonies before settling on a theme. Then, once you have a good idea, you can plan your entire party around that theme; from the invitations to the decor to the wrapping paper and gifts. Your child will never forget their themed birthday party, and neither will the guests who attend. Choose A Venue This is the second most important part of planning a fun, exciting kid’s birthday party. Where you host the event goes a long way toward gaining favor with the guests, as well as your own little birthday boy or girl. Is there enough room at your house? Do you want a bunch of little cake-filled creatures running around your living room? If not, there is no shortage of options available in Sterling. Chief among those options, of course, is your friendly local Rebounderz indoor trampoline park. With wall-to-wall trampoline action a Ninja Warrior Course, and more at the ready, our fun center is the perfect utopia for kids birthday parties of all ages. Your child is sure to be the talk of the town after a birthday party filled with high-flying, bounce-happy action that also includes food, drinks, and more. Contact us today to learn more. Finalize The Guest List After booking your venue for a date that works best for you, your child, and your guests, it’s time to finalize that guest list and send out invites. In this day and age, it’s better to keep your circle as tight as can be, so you don’t have to tend to organized chaos and instead can focus on providing the space for a fun, safe, all-inclusive event. Also, technology has helped many parents to save costs on the invitations, as there are many ways in which to send invites online, such as through social media, email, and more. Plan To Entertain Making sure your guests, as well as the guest of honor, are thoroughly entertained for the party is probably the biggest stressor when it comes to planning kids’ birthday parties. However, that’s where picking a unique and fun venue with plenty of entertainment options readily available comes in handy. It’s important to have games and activities pre-planned, as well as a specific times set aside for eating food, cutting cake, and opening presents. At Rebounderz, we can accommodate kids birthday parties with extreme fun activities like open trampolines, a state-of-the-art Ninja Warrior course, trampoline basketball courts, and more. That not only helps take pressure off you, but also ensures that everyone involved will have the time of their lives. Feed The Frenzy Of course, one good way to get the kiddos settled down and organized is to provide food and cake. That will ensure they have some food in their bellies for energy, while also making sure they are all accounted for. At Rebounderz, your kids birthday party planning is made easy with a variety of different party packages which include pizzas and refreshments; all you need is to bring your child’s favorite cake! Have Fun! Remember, this event is all about your precious little one. So, it’s important that you keep a positive attitude and find out what they want in a party. And what could be better than an extreme fun center for your next birthday party? Contact Rebounderz in Sterling today to book your special day here. #### Kids' Basketball Tips Here at Rebounderz, we are big fans of basketball! At our Lansdale trampoline park, we even have an air basketball course for kids to practice and play on! It is the perfect place to build a love of the game with your kids. Maybe they will even want to be the next basketball superstar. If your kid has shown an interest in the sport, here are some tips to help them get the hang of it. Practice Daily Practice makes perfect, and this is doubly true for basketball. If your kid wants to get an edge on the competition, they will need the discipline to practice and improve every day. As a parent, you can help getting them a basketball goal to practice on, or giving them a ride to the closest basketball court. No other habit will help them get ahead in this sport more than regular practice. Join a League While daily practice will help your kid perfect the technical skills they will need on the court, they need actual experience on the court to know what to do with them. When they join a league, be it school or extracurricular, they will get experience playing the sport with their peers.This is great for socialization, and integral to building a good basketball player. Additionally, their coach will likely be able to hone their skills further, as well as pinpoint areas that are ripe for improvement. Take an Interest Kids are really just big imitation machines when you get right down to it. They learn just about everything from their parents. Chances are, if you take an interest in something, so will they. Whether that's playing a pickup game with them in the backyard, or watching a game on t.v., spending time with them engaging in the sport is a great way to keep them interested, and you might just learn a few things from each other too. Make it Fun Kids have short attention spans, it is something that every parent deals with. This can be frustrating when you are trying to keep them focused on something. When distractions make focusing impossible, try putting a fun spin on whatever activity you're doing. If you are shooting free throws, and your child wants to stop, try giving them a reward for making one more (something small, like an ice cream). And of course, when you want to break out the big guns, you can always take the kids to our Rebounderz Lansdale air basketball course for a day of fun and practice all in one swoop.   Our Lansdale trampoline park hosts a ton of fun activities and attractions for your kids to enjoy. Whether it's our basketball slam, in the air dodgeball, foam pit, or open jump area, there is sure to be something for your little ones. If you have any questions about our location, hours, or attractions, please don't hesitate to give us a call today. We'll be happy to answer any questions that you may have.   #### Kids' Recreation Newport News: Activities to Occupy a Energetic Child Activities for an Overactive Kid Energy is what can separate parents from their children. Kids have a sense of youth and explorations that parents typically grow out of. If you have an overactive child, it is best to encourage this type of behavior. Overactive children are far more curious, athletic, and enjoy the adventures of life. Though you might wonder whether their exuberance is natural, we are here to tell you that children are energetic — and that is a good thing! But with this knowledge, we would like to offer you some activities to preoccupy your child and get out all of their energy. Hopefully, by reading this blog, you will have more ideas to entertain your child and give them the encouragement they need to continue being active little hooligans! Being Active is a Good Thing Being a child is about running, jumping, climbing, and shouting for joy. If not when they are young, then when? Studies have shown that children who are raised to live a lethargic lifestyle, never learn to be active in their adult lives. This can obviously be dangerous for the health in the long run, as our health is directly linked to how active we are. Obesity, for example, is a much higher risk for children who have been raised to not enjoy being active. Of course, you don’t have to force your child to be a superstar athlete, but aerobic play is important to encourage, especially when your child is young. This ability to enable your child to be as active as they want can help them develop a positive relationship to physical activity. At Rebounderz, we are able to provide families with a safe location to play and jump. At our Newport News location, your child can release all of their pent-up energy. And, if you, their parent, would like to join them, Rebounderz allows for jumpers of all ages to participate. But, if the thought of jumping on a trampoline is enough to make your joints ache just thinking about it, we also have a sitting area for parents. At our indoor trampoline park, we have plenty of activities for your child to entertain themselves with. Below is a list of some of the attractions we have to entertain your active child. Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Trampoline Arena Trampoline Dodgeball Court Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Our Ninja Warrior obstacle course is designed to help your little warrior climb and maneuver through difficult obstacles. With our help, your little one will be able to crawl through our obstacle course and preoccupy themselves with the twists and turns of our course. If you would like your child to stay active and use their motor skills to maneuver through an obstacle course, Rebounderz has what you need. Instead of trying my make your own obstacle course in your house, Rebounderz has a professional course built just for kids. Keep your child active with our Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course! Trampoline Arena If our obstacle course is like an appetizer, then our trampoline arena is like the main course. At Rebounderz, we have dozens of trampolines to use and jump of. On our trampolines, your kids can jump for joy and even roll on our trampolines. By using our trampolines, your child can work out their legs, arms, torso, and brain. Bouncing requires most of the muscles in your body to help bounce and keep balance. Most kids won’t realize this, however, and just bounce for the joy of being high in the air. But, while they are jumping, as their parent, you can rest assured that they are getting all of their energy out. Trampoline Dodgeball Court On our dodgeball court, your child can use all of the muscles in their body by playing a friendly game of dodgeball. On the court, your kid can jump, throw, duck, dip, dive, and dodge incoming foam balls. All of this activity is sure to help them release their pent-up energy and stay active. Better still, while playing dodgeball on our trampoline court, they can meet other children with the same interests as them. Why Is Releasing Energy a Good Thing? Releasing energy, especially for children is a good thing. When kids are cooped up and unable to express their energy, they can begin to grow anxious and even develop bad behaviors. Taking your kid to a trampoline playground, like Rebounderz, give your child the opportunity to tire themselves out. Not only will they be getting the exercise they need, but they will be tired enough to sleep deeply and through the night. As a parent, all you can ask for is that your child is healthy, happy, and well-rested. Rebounderz gives your child the opportunity to expend their energy and get tired for a long and good night’s sleep. Rebounderz of Newport News, VA Rebounderz is proud to offer an indoor trampoline arena to the residents of Newport News. At our trampoline park, we can give kids and parents the opportunity to release their energy. Instead of having your child cooped up and repressing their desire to jump and play, bring them to Rebounderz! Our attractions are built to let your child have fun and exert their copious amounts of energy. Our doors are open to those who would like to jump and play! Visit our Newport News location today.9ind #### Kids’ Birthday Traditions Around the World: Central and South America So far in our series on birthday traditions from around the world, we’ve learned that in some countries, people all celebrate their birthday on the same day. In other cultures, family members take turns feeding each other cake, and some kids get picked up by their ankles and have their heads bumped on the floor! And of course, there’s that little-known fact that more kids slurp noodles on their birthday than there are people in the United States. Today’s fourth and final installment on kids’ birthday parties takes us to Central and South America! No matter where you are around the world, kids’ birthday parties are usually cause for celebration. Read on to see how kids are celebrated in Central and South America, and book your next event with Rebounderz in Rohnert Park! From scheduling jump time to after school clubs and more, we’ve got the active type of fun that kids simply adore. South America vs. Central America While sometimes associated with South America, Central America is actually part of North America. This association often happens because the national language in practically every Central American country is Spanish, which is similar to the most predominantly spoken language in South America. However, it should be noted that the cultural and linguistic differences between Central and South American countries are extremely varied. From the indigenous peoples of the Amazon to those of the Yucatan peninsula, from the Portuguese-speaking country of Brazil to the English-speaking country of Belize, it’s important to recognize that there are significant differences between the countries and continents alike. Whether you’re saying “Feliz cumpleaños,” “Bon anniversaire,” “Feliz aniversário” or “Happy birthday,” there’s a kids’ birthday party out there to match. Read on to see how birthdays are celebrated for our many neighbors to the south! Mexico It wouldn’t be a kids’ birthday party in Mexico without the classic piñata. Piñatas are thought to actually be invented in China, and spread to the colonies. It was believed that the Aztecs would put a filled and decorative pot at the base of a temple or a god’s statue, and then broken, simulating the breaking of piñatas that have been modernized today. Traditional piñatas are pointed spheres, filled with candy, then hung from a tree or other surface that raises them off the ground. Kids at birthday parties are blindfolded, and take turns trying to hit the piñata while an adult moves it up and down. Today, you can find piñatas in practically any shape, design, or character, and they have become popularized in the United States as well. El Salvador Cakes bought from the store in El Salvador can be pretty expensive, so it’s not uncommon for a kids’ birthday party to be absent of birthday cake. While cake might not be on the menu, this is cause for a celebration, which means foods saved for special occasions are created. The process to make tamales is more on the lengthy side, so making them in bulk really only happens on super important days (like birthdays, of course!) Tamales are dough made from corn, filled with chicken, cheese, tomatoes, or some other kind of meat. The filling is similar to an enchilada, but less saucy, and to preserve the flavor, the tamales are wrapped in leaves. Salvadorans are known for being some of the most hospitable people on the planet, and tamales are a delicious way to bring family and friends together! Brazil A Brazilian birthday party is usually very similar to that in the United States, though some of the culinary fare is different. Whereas really the only food that’s considered commonplace in the United States is the birthday cake, it’s practically standard for Brazilians to include salgadinhos, which are a type of dumpling. There are several varieties of salgadinhos, and all of them are filled with some combination or type of meat. Chile To the west of South America lies the long country of Chile, and also where some awesome kids’ birthday party traditions take place. One of the most popular birthday treats is pineapple cake, which is a really decadent cake filled with whipped cream and pineapple, and topped off with—you guessed it, more pineapple. As a person is blowing out the candles, it’s customary to push the cake closer to them in attempts to get frosting on their face. For younger children, they are sometimes thrown into the air by family members, with the number of times they’re thrown corresponding to their age. Argentina In Argentina, the standard in birthday food consists of sandwiches and sweet pastries from a local bakery called masas. For each year of a kid’s age, friend and family pull said birthday kid’s earlobes! If personal space is a thing for you, maybe avoid Argentina around your birthday, or just wear some really pointy earrings. Peru One of the things we think of most often when it comes to birthday cakes in the United States is the candles. Each candle represents a year of the person’s life, or the birthday person’s age is spelled out with numeric candles. In Peru, however, usually just one candle is used for the entire cake. For kids’ birthday parties, it’s common for all the kids in attendance wear fancy paper hats. The birthday kid wears a crown-shaped hat. Honduras Located in Central America, there’s a very specific birthday celebration in Honduras that some might say is not so egg-cellent. Regardless of age, the birthday person gets egged, as in an egg is smashed over their head. After this, people throw flour and water on them, somewhat creating the consistency of an unbaked cake. Other than this unique tradition, Honduran kids’ birthday parties are very similar in style to a traditional birthday party in the United States. Venezuela One thing you can expect at a birthday in Venezuela, whether it’s at a kid’s birthday party or not, is getting a bit of cake on your face. Many people celebrate by pushing the birthday person’s face into their cake! This is a symbol of good luck for the year ahead. Bonus Countries: The Caribbean! Many islands in the Caribbean have similar influences to their country counterparts in Central and South America. Check out which country will cover you with flour and read on! Jamaica This tradition is reported as common practice in many countries in the Caribbean, but Jamaica is perhaps one of the more famous examples. Friends and family will throw huge amounts of flour onto the birthday person, regardless of how old they are. Sometimes the birthday person might also be covered with water first, just to really make it stick. Many people get flowers on their birthday, but in Jamaica you’ll just get floured. Dominican Republic In the Dominican Republic, you don’t have to go to a kids’ birthday party to see someone get dumped with water on their special day. One of the most common birthday traditions is dumping water on the birthday person, no matter the age! The Caribbean, Central and South America have some amazingly fun and festive birthday celebrations. No matter where in the world you go, birthdays are pretty special. When you’re in the Rohnert Park area, make sure you book your kids’ birthday party with Rebounderz! Call and schedule an event that is sure to be one to remember.   #### Labor Day Activities For the Whole Family Labor Day is the first weekend in September and is a time to celebrate all the achievements of the US labor industry and recognize all the efforts of workers, by rewarding them with a day off of work that is filled with parades and celebrations. Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer — most school districts are back in session, pools close at the end of the weekend, and the focus shifts to fall activities. Make this Labor Day weekend one to remember for your family before you are all swept up in the bustle of fall. Labor Day weekend is the perfect opportunity to round up your family for one last family bonding opportunity before the winter holidays. It is a good opportunity to reflect on the fun that the summer offered and look forward to the opportunities that fall brings. Of course, there will be barbeques, parades, and celebrations, but there are alternative activities that shouldn’t be overlooked for fun family bonding. Family Camping Trip Camping is a great family activity, especially for a long weekend! Camping offers the opportunity for families to get together and leave technology behind to just enjoy each other’s company and the beauty that nature has to offer. Whether you pitch a tent in your own backyard, rent a teepee at Camp Nauvoo, or set off for Irish Creek in your RV, your whole family can unplug and relax without all the distractions of normal life’s routine. Pack up the playing cards, the fishing rods, and all the s’more fixin’s and spend the long weekend bonding with your family and exploring all that local nature has to offer. Swimming Although Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer nationally, in Sacramento, the temperatures are typically still in the mid-80s over Labor Day weekend. These conditions will provide the perfect opportunity to get in one last weekend of poolside lounging before the outdoor pools close for the season. Pack up your sunscreen and a picnic for the family, put on your suits and head to your local swimming pool for one last weekend of splashing about together. Better yet, head to Paradise Beach or Sand Cove Park to explore the natural beaches that Sacramento has to offer! Head for the Coast If your weekend allows, pack up the family and head for the coast! Sacramento may be smack dab center of California, two-and-a-half hours from the Pacific Ocean, but the drive is well worth it! Head out to the beach for a day of surfing, sand volleyball, or just walking the boardwalk admiring the sea lions. It is always nice to get away for the weekend and San Francisco and the entire Bay Area offer some great family-friendly activities to fit any family. Because the coast is still relatively local, you can opt to head home at the end of the day or you can stay for the entire weekend. Plan a Staycation We are fortunate to live in a wonderful city full of amazing things to do and see. Whatever your kids and family are into, there is something fun to do! Given a long holiday weekend, plan the ultimate back-to-school staycation and use the opportunity to do things here in Sacramento that you just haven’t gotten around to doing yet. If you want to really celebrate the labors of workers and get your kids prepared for back to school, check out one of the many local museums! Get input from all of your family members and build a list of things they’d like to do. You can pick the activities that suit the majority’s preferences or that fit the family budget. Organize a Neighborhood Weekend If your neighborhood is like most American neighborhoods, you may know your neighbors and spend some time with a few of them, but generally, life keeps you too busy to unify as a whole. Take the long weekend as an opportunity to organize community events such as a neighborhood game of football to welcome the pending season start or a community barbecue or potluck. Encourage families to bring their kids in hopes that maybe the school year will go smoother for everyone when your children see familiar faces in the halls. Visit Your Local Family Entertainment Center Rebounderz of Sacramento is proud to offer a family-friendly family entertainment center that offers a variety of activities for the whole family! The main attraction is out giant indoor trampoline arena that features wall-to-wall trampolines for the whole family to bounce on! Our Ninja Warrior course allows you to test out your obstacle course skills and work as a team to complete the course. Engage your family in a round of trampoline dodgeball or basketball, climb on our rock wall, or let the kids run around in our indoor playground! Labor Day weekend is a great opportunity to harness some quality family bonding. Don’t let the holiday weekend be lost to sleeping in and doing house chores, but take the weekend to round up your family for some end-of-summer fun! At Rebounderz, we encourage active family bonding through healthy fun all year round, but would love to have you stop by our brand new Sacramento location! For more information or teo get your tickets, contact us or stop by today! #### Landing on a Trampoline Safely If you’ve ever done gymnastics, or even if you’ve had the unfortunate experience of breaking a wrist when you were younger, you probably already know that there is such a thing as a right way to fall and a wrong way to fall. This may sound a little silly, but it’s true. By learning how to fall properly in any situation, kids, and even adults, can help reduce the risk of injury to their wrists, arms, elbows, and shoulders. When you visit any Rebounderz location, you will be provided with a safety briefing on the rules and appropriate behaviors in order to keep every guest on the trampolines safe. This safety briefing will include some of the following rules: No Jumping Barefoot Listen to the Referees Referees Say is Final No More Than a Single Flip Always Land with Two Feet No Running In addition to these rules, you should always try to fall correctly if you fall at a trampoline park. So what does falling correctly mean? The number one cause of a wrist injury during any type of fall is because you reach out to catch yourself when falling. It’s completely natural to want to do this in order to slow your fall or to protect your head and body, however, by doing so, any individual is risking hurting their wrists and arms. On a trampoline, you don’t have to worry about protecting your head or body when you fall. Consider this situation: a child is learning how to do a front flip for the first time. It’s really easy to over rotate a front flip when you’re first learning how to do them. That means that when a child lands, the odds are that they keep rotating forward onto their hands. Instead of reaching out to stop the rotation, anyone in this situation should tuck their arms to their body, like a hug, and roll. The only exception should be to protect your head, like if you’re falling off your bike when you thought just riding up and down the block would be okay. By utilizing the hug technique, anyone avoids their hands, wrists, and overall, arms being the first to make contact with the ground. Contact with these relatively fragile appendages with the high amount of force behind them could cause sprains and breaks if you don’t use the proper safety precautions and follow the rules. Trampoline parks take all the possible safety precautions to make sure that each individual who comes and plays is as safe as possible. Rebounderz is in a class all its own when it comes to providing the appropriate safety precautions at each and every location. From unique Jumper design and anchoring to properly padded areas, you’ll find no safer jumping experience than at Rebounderz. Come have a great time at Rebounderz of Lansdale today and know that your safety is always first and foremost in our minds. Trust only the best trampoline parks when you choose Rebounderz as your family fun destination. #### Laser Tag Tips and Tricks When it comes to having a great time, nothing is as great in terms of competition and laughs than a rousing game of laser tag. And when you live in Jacksonville, you don’t have to go far to have a truly unique laser tag experience for your family or for a kid’s birthday party in Jacksonville. At Rebounderz of Jacksonville, not only are we packed full of extreme trampoline fun, but we also have a variety of other activities that make your time here great. Our laser tag facility is state-of-the-art, and covering over 8,000 square feet, you’re sure to get some great game time in. When you do decide to come on by and play a few games of laser tag, you’ll probably want to be ready to play and play well. As easy as the game may look, in reality, whether you’re an adult or kid, there are some very specific techniques that can help you to do better. Keep reading to pick up a few tips and tricks from the Rebounderz of Jacksonville laser tag pros. #1 Wear Dark Colors Success with laser tag starts before you even don your gear and enter the arena. With the lights down low and black lights placed all over the facility, you’re going to stand out like a sore thumb if you decide to wear white, or any other bright colors for that matter. If you know you’re going to be playing laser tag, make sure to dress in dark colors that aren’t going to light up under the black lights and make you an immediate target. #2 Be Aware of Your Shoes While there is some room to wear many different types of shoes when you play laser tag, you’re going to want to make sure you wear comfortable shoes that you can move quickly in. At Rebounderz of Jacksonville, we do not allow you into the laser tag arena if you are wearing flip flops or crocs, so come prepared. A sturdy pair of tennis shoes are going to be your best bet for this attraction. #3 Scope Out the Layout Once you get into the game space, it’s important to move around a lot and scope out the layout of the arena. More likely than not, you’re going to find patterns that will help you to move with ease throughout the space. Try to memorize as much as you can so that when you’re moving, you don’t have to think too hard about where you need to move for your strategy. Get to know where the points for getting to upper and lower levels are. Also, find one good spot that you can hunker down if you need to catch your breath. #4 Keep Moving or Hunker Down There are two different strategies for laser tag. For the most part, it’s important to keep moving. The more you move, the harder it is to hit you and the harder it is to catch up with you. When you keep moving, you also give yourself more opportunities to take shots at competitors. On the flip side, you can find a great place to hunker down. Ideally, you’ll want to be on an upper level for this method, and if you find the right spot, you can just let people come to you. However, this method is a bit riskier as you may get stuck in a surprise shootout. #5 Sideways is Good Whether you’re staying put or moving about, you’ll want to try and stay sideways. This reduces the ability for shots fired to hit you. You become a smaller target and still maintain your ability to shoot at others. This is a standard tactical defensive method that works really well in the game. #6 When in Doubt, Rapid Fire Lastly, if you’re ever in doubt when playing laser tag, that’s okay. Simply move sideways, keep moving and just rapid fire in the general direction of your opponents. While this is not necessarily an accurate tactic, it at least increases your odds of scoring some points. It’s better than not shooting at all. When it comes to having a great time, there’s no better choice than visiting Rebounderz of Jacksonville. Play on the trampolines or dominate in laser tag; the choice is yours! #### Laughter is the Best Medicine We hear the old phrase: “laughter is the best medicine” all the time, but with medical advances, does laughter really outrank prescription drugs or precision surgery as the best medicine? While science may not support the claim that it is the best medicine, it is a scientifically proven fact that laughter is a very strong, all natural, medicine. At Rebounderz indoor trampoline park, we care about the health and happiness of our patrons, so we’ve gathered the data; let’s explore the health benefits of laughing. Benefits of Laughing Physical Benefits Laughing can’t replace regular cardiovascular exercise, but 10-15 minutes of laughing a day is like your own personal mini-workout! A good, hearty laughing session actually does burn a few calories. Like any form of activity, a giggle at a knee-slapping joke is probably the equivalent of walking into the gym, whereas a laughing fit is more like doing a few sit-ups, so it stands to reason that the more laughing you do, the better! When you laugh, your whole body relaxes and a rush of endorphins — the happy hormone — is released that helps your body release all the tension. Laughing is a reaction that involves your whole body, it gets your heart pumping faster, which helps to increase your energy levels in the same way that getting up and taking a short walk would! Brain Benefits Laughing is a natural reaction that requires a burst of energy that increases blood flow to the brain and gets your neurons firing, which has some pretty powerful benefits. Laughing releases serotonin, which is a chemical that regulates sleep, memory, mood, and body temperature. Regular laughing can help battle insomnia and allow you to sleep sounder. Many studies have shown that you are much more likely to remember something that made you smile or laugh than information that you just had to commit to memory. When you laugh a little, it can improve your memory. While whatever is making you laugh may be a temporary distraction, that distraction can be enough to clear your brain, along with increased blood flow, and help improve your concentration. Medical Benefits It is true that laughter is a medicine! Laughter naturally decreases cortisol — a stress hormone — and stimulates your immune system to create immune cells and antibodies. This helps you to combat infections and helps your resistance to disease. Studies have shown that cancer patients with a sense of humor lived longer than those who laughed less. It is unclear if it is due more to the positive outlook in someone with a vigorous thirst for humor, or if there is a direct immune system connection. One thing is well documented, though, which is laughter’s ability to relieve pain. Although laughter does not take the pain away, it can help alter the perception of pain and provide a positive distraction from something painful. Laughing helps to naturally lower blood pressure and gets your blood pumping faster, which helps protect your heart. Laugh to help prevent heart disease! Laughing also helps to regulate hormones which helps all your bodily functions to run better and decreases the risk of disease. Emotional Benefits When most people think of laughing, they think of the emotional benefits it has, as they seem pretty obvious. Laughing is an automatic mood booster, which helps to inspire hope and see the bright side of things. When people laugh in “inappropriate” situations, it is a natural remedy to correct the uncomfortable, sad, or painful feelings they may be experiencing. Laughing helps to reduce stress by relieving tension and improving your mood. This can actually give you a more positive outlook on stressful situations or life in general, increasing joy in your life without changing circumstances. A major benefit of laughing is it can quickly defuse anger, as laughing is connected to happiness — the polar opposite of anger. Laughter also helps to shift perspective and see things in a more realistic light, that is often clouded by anger. Laughter and smiling also helps you to forget about resentments, judgments, criticisms, fear, and doubt, which are all common root causes of anger. Mental Benefits As children, we tend to laugh, play, and act silly more. As we grow older, we are “tamed” into sitting still, being more serious and polite, to the point that we sacrifice fun and excitement. Life’s burdens get heavier the older we get, coupled with society’s expectation of work over play, it is no wonder why early adulthood where most behavioral health disorders begin to disrupt life. Laughing helps to reduce stress and lighten burdens. Laughing is a natural anti-depressant which can also help ease anxiety by stopping distressing emotions. Laughing allows you to deeply express emotion. Although laughing is primarily a happy reaction, it can be felt as deeply and release as much emotion — both positive and negative — as a strong cry. When emotions are expressed, rather than bottled up, they are less likely to wear you down; laughing is a positive outlet for any emotion. A humorous perspective on life, even in negative situations, helps create a psychological distance from the situation, which can help avoid feeling overwhelmed. It is true that a sense of humor is a coping mechanism as it helps to strengthen resilience when you are able to “laugh it off” when life is dark and painful. Social benefits Although it is more than possible to laugh alone, it is the social aspect of laughter that plays an important role. Think of your favorite person, what is it you love about them so much? Chances are it has something to do with their smile, the way they make you smile, their sense of humor, their laugh, or the way they make you laugh. Laughter is more contagious than the flu! Have you ever heard someone in a gut-clenching laughing fit and been able to not even crack a half smile? It’s nearly impossible! People love to share laughs and make each other laugh. Laughing attracts people to each other. You may be attracted to someone by their laugh, or in a crowd want to be where the laughing is happening; laughing means fun. This is why laughing helps to enhance teamwork — even in a group of people that don’t get along! Laughing helps to build relationships and promotes bonding by sharing an emotional connection and defusing conflict. How to Laugh Laughter is a natural, biological process, you were meant to do it! Before you understood words that make jokes, you were laughing. Even if you grew up in a household where laughs were silenced and humor stifled, you are never too old to learn to laugh! Smile It really is as easy as that. You don’t have to hear a joke or think about something funny, just start with a smile and go from there. You may even giggle at how silly you think you look just smiling at nothing! Embrace the ridiculous and express yourself with a smile. Laugh That’s right, just laugh. Not the “lol” you texted without cracking a smile, but force out a laugh. Fake a laugh if you have to. It’s okay to let out a “ha-ha-ha” to get you started with a real laugh. If you can’t find the funny, simulated laughter can be just as beneficial as the real thing. Listen to Laughter and Move Toward it Play a YouTube video of a baby laughing and try not to smile! Listen to laughter and you are likely to laugh, which is why sitcoms have laughter snippets — that’s right, it’s not just to let you know when a joke was made! When you hear laughter, move toward it. Ask “what is so funny?” It’s not usually rude or butting in (setting will dictate), people want to share laughter. It is likely that when you ask, whoever is laughing will share with you so they can laugh again and share the fun with you. Spending Time With Humorous People Negativity is just as contagious as laughter. Boot the negative from your life and spend time with the humorous, playful people you know. Their positive, fun energy will start to rub off on you. Have Fun Make time for fun! Host a game night with humorous friends or do something silly. Spend time goofing around with children or pets. Watch a funny movie or read the funny pages in the newspaper. Make time for fun activities such as bowling or karaoke. Jump on a Trampoline That’s right, jump on a trampoline and you’ll be laughing in no time. Have you ever seen someone jumping on a trampoline that wasn’t smiling? We dare you to come to a Rebounderz indoor trampoline park in a bad mood, spend an hour trampoline rebounding, and not laugh! It’s impossible. Laughing, like exercise and fun, is good for your physical and emotional health. Be sure to take time to find the joy in life and a reason to smile. Seek out laughter even when life becomes hectic and stressful. Take some time to laugh and lighten up. When you find your inner child and take things a little less seriously, you can be happier, calmer, and more productive. At Rebounderz Extreme Fun Center of Grand Rapids, we are not a medical clinic, but we can offer you fun, exercise, and laughter! Stop by and bounce with us today! #### Learning Trampoline Tricks - A Franchise in Review At Rebounderz of Sacramento, we are excited to be the newest Rebounderz location. Our sister locations have been blogging for years about the fun that is to be had at our indoor trampoline parks. In today’s blog, we will share some of the information about learning trampoline rebounding tricks that our other locations have shared over the years. Be sure to check out all of their posts while our archive is being built. How to do a front flip. In the article from the Sunrise, Florida location simply titled “How to Do a Front Flip,” the author does an in-depth review of some of the steps required to master the trampoline front flip — tuck jumps, handstands, ¾ flips, almost full flip. With this step-by-step guide, you can go from being intimidated to being a master trampoline front flipper! Check out the article and then come into your Sacramento indoor trampoline park to give it a try. How to do a backflip. Once you have mastered the trampoline front-flip, you may feel encouraged enough to attempt the backflip. If you are feeling froggy, the backflip is not something you should attempt without a little instruction. In the article from the Sunrise, Florida location titled “How to Do a Backflip,” the author offers step-by-step instructions along with some critical safety tips, to teach you how to execute the perfect backflip. These instructions can be useful for diving boards, a foam pit, or on a trampoline. At Rebounderz of Sacramento, we don’t have a diving board or a swimming pool, but we do have a foam pit and a trampoline arena you can practice your backflip in. How to do a Barani flip. Also from the Sunrise, Florida location, the article titled “How to Do a Barani Flip,” is another installment in the how-to trampoline flip series. The Barani flip is a more acrobatic flip, also called the half-twist flip. This article gives a full breakdown of the flip so that you know all the tricks to perfect your own Barani flip. When you are ready to come practice what you read in this article, hop on over to your local indoor trampoline park, Rebounderz Sacramento! Extreme trampoline tricks. As if the backflip and the Barani flip weren’t difficult enough, for those who seek a real challenge, the Jacksonville, Florida location published an article called “Extreme Trampoline Moves” that details just that. In this article, you can learn all about a few other flips — double front flip, Mist 720, and side flip — that are sure to get a few cheers when you nail them at your local indoor trampoline park. To practice all the moves mentioned in these articles as well as any other moves — or just plain old trampoline rebounding — check out the enormous indoor trampoline arena in Sacramento. We are excited to offer thousands of square feet for trick-masters like you to practice and hone your flipping craft. Contact us for details about hours and pricing. #### Let Your Inner Child Out. Celebrate Your Birthday at Rebounders in Apopka Do you have a big birthday coming up? Turning 30, 40, 50? How are you going to celebrate? Do you really want to go out to another dinner or host another party, or be subjected to a well-intentioned “surprise”? Would you rather have to get dressed up and act your age on your birthday, or let loose and go wild, let go of your inhibitions and laugh hysterically like you did when you were a kid? If your answer is that you’d rather go a little wild and feel like a kid again, we’ve got the perfect birthday plan for you. Plan a Trampoline Arena Birthday Lock out everyone else. Leave the kids with a sitter. You and your friends will have exclusive use of the Rebounderz facility and access to unlimited activities. Bring 30 of your closest friends, or invite the whole neighborhood. We can accommodate up to 250 adults for a private party. Look, we know that adulting every day is tough. No matter how much you love your job, your family and your home, things get stressful. Take advantage of your big day to burn off an entire year’s worth of stress and start off the next year with an extravaganza of no-holds-barred fun! Remember when you were a kid and didn’t worry at all about looking silly or foolish, would take on a dare from your best friend without a second thought, had the freedom to roam and explore? Be that free again at Rebounderz in Apopka. Everyone’s going to be behaving as silly as you. You can leave the expectations and judgements of the real-world behind. Fifty is The New Five! Play Like a Kid Again You and your friends can have more than 10,000 square feet of rebounding surface all to yourselves. And don’t worry, you can feel free to let your inner-child roam. Safety is our number one concern and we’ve worked hard to make our trampoline arena the safest one in the industry. Create your own games! Want to play a little dodgeball on the trampoline, having a dunking contest, or make up your own competition? We’ve got everything you need. What about the foam pit you ask? Yep. You can jump, somersault, and cannonball into the foam pit until you are too tired to crawl out. Don’t forget the arcade. When was the last time you played skeeball or air hockey? Have a tournament and compete for bragging rights. Winner plays first at the next Rebounderz late night, lock in! Eat Like a Kid For the Night We agree that at your age you should probably be eating a little healthier. But heck, it’s only one night. Bring a big cake and order pizza, pretzels, hotdogs, nachos and fries from our snack bar. Don’t forget the ICEEs. Bet you haven’t had one of those since you were a kid. Go for it, it’s your birthday! Book Your Indoor Trampoline Arena Party You know you want to. Come on, let your inner kid out to play for a night. You’ll be glad you did. And your friends will have so much fun they’ll want to do it again. Make it an annual tradition that everyone looks forward to year after year. You’ll be that guy. The guy whose birthday party everyone tries to get invited to each year. The legend. The hero. Give us a call or stop by for more information. We look forward to helping you plan your big night!   #### Local Things to Do With Kids in Apopka, Florida Things to Do With Kids in Apopka, Florida Florida is a very child-friendly state. When you think about it, Florida has more amusement parks, play areas, and other fun activities for kids. With this in mind, if you are ever wondering what activities your child can participate in, this blog may come in handy. In this blog, we will go over some of the fun activities you can bring your child to in and around Apopka, Florida. Let the playtime begin! Princesses and Princes: Indoor Play Center This cute little play area, located just a bit outside of Apopka, in Ocoee, is ideal for tikes. This play area has everything your little one would love to play with. At Princesses and Princes, your toddler can play like royalty and be surrounded by incredible toys. Inside this play area is a large, detailed castle playhouse and a dress up studio. This means that your little one can not only pretend to be a royal, but dress like one too! This play area is definitely suited for younger customers, so if your child is a bit older, they will not enjoy this area. For example, the play area features very basic stimulating toys, such as train, toddler shapes matching games, and much more. So, if you have an older child, you may want to opt for another play area. Planet Obstacle Planet Obstacle is an incredible obstacle park located in Lake Mary, Florida. At this obstacle park, your child can use rock climbing walls, play bumper cars, and even a zip line. If you are looking for a play area to entertain your child for an afternoon, this place is ideal. However, though Planet Obstacle can be extremely fun, it is definitely for older children. Some of the obstacles and even the bumper cars are pretty advanced. If you have a younger child between the ages of five and eight, another play park might be better suited for you. Lucky Monkey 4 Kids Lucky Monkey is a play park that offers a variety of slides and a playhouse. Located in Altamonte Springs, Florida, this play park is smaller and offers a more intimate play experience. Here, your child will be able to use the playhouse and climb and slide as they please! Much like Princesses and Princes, this play area is definitely suited for younger children. If you have older children, they may grow bored easily, as the play park has a few slides and a trampoline area. Rebounderz of Apopka Rebounderz of Apopka offers so much for all ages, however, older children will definitely appreciate our park more than toddlers. At our indoor play park, we offer many different attractions, all of which can offer you optimal levels of fun. Below are some of the attractions we offer at our Apopka location! In-The-Air Dodgeball: Catch some air and dodge to stay in the game. Our In-The-Air Dodgeball court offers a cool twist to your traditional dodgeball game you remember from gym class. Use our trampoline court and jump and dodge the afternoon away! Foam Pit: Our foam pit allows you to jump into a squishy oasis. Let yourself fall into a cushioned pit and swim through countless foam cubes to “dry land!” Open Jump Area: Our trampoline arena allows you to jump at maximum heights and jump from trampoline to trampoline. Our trampolines are a great place to catch some air and ever try out some neat tricks. Arcade: Our arcade gives your child access to the latest games and activities. If your child is looking for a truly awesome arcade experience, our arcade is ideal. Our arcade is not only newly installed, but features new and classic games, such as air hockey, skeeball, and so much more!! Basketball Slam: Our Basketball Slam is just like our dodgeball court, in that, we offer a bouncy twist to physical activities. Instead of playing basketball on a firm court, our court is played on a full sized trampoline! Stop by and slam a basketball, today! Join Us At Rebounderz! If you are interested in taking your child to a one-of-a-kind indoor play park, bring them into Rebounderz. Our indoor trampoline park has a large collection of fun games and trampoline activities to try out! Visit us today! #### Love Your Body Into the New Year! Because health and wellness shouldn’t focus only on how much you weigh!   New Year’s resolutions are being made and intentions are being conjured and most are glaringly made in the name of traditional beauty standards — for men it’s being ripped from head-to-toe and for women it’s being skinny and toned — but this fitspo in the new year is pretty exclusive and alienates much of the “real” representation of the American population.   At Rebounderz Sunrise, our facility welcomes everyone for an amazingly fun experience that is good for the body, too! With options for the whole family — from a Ninja Warrior Course and JumpXTREME Tower to an air pit and open jump area, our indoor trampoline park is a great place to play in the new year. So go ahead, and venture into ways movement and fitness is great for you and without staying so focused on your body.   How Movement and Exercise Add to Your Health (That Doesn’t Have to do With Your Body)   We get it, everyone wants to look amazing and fit into this ever-changing ideal of what traditional beauty is. But as we move away from our looks and into how we feel, we begin to create a healthier, more loving relationships with our bodies. It’s important to cultivate healthy eating and lifestyle habits too, but in the new year be kinder and more aware of your body. Below is just a splattering of what fitness can do for our health that doesn’t require losing weight or gaining a mass amount of muscle.   Sleep like a baby.   How does a restful night of sleep sound? For many adults, sleep disruptions are a common issue that leaves us fatigued and in a fog most of the time. And for kids, if they’re sleep deprived it can affect their growth and maturity and set them up for a host of academic issues. So, get more sleep! Exercise and movement is a perfect remedy to this. Exercise has both long- and short-term effects on sleep — not only does it prepare our bodies to fall asleep more quickly and sleep through the night, but then the next day we feel and function much more clearly.     Some forms of exercise such as yoga can actually calm your nerves and stress response — lulling you to sleep. So after an energetic visit to our indoor trampoline park, do a short yoga flow before bed to calm and relax your body.   Improve how you feel.   Especially around and after the holidays you can feel depleted and drained, both physically and emotionally. Invest in yourself and get some additional movement in to boost and release endorphins. When we begin to get better and more consistent in our exercise something truly magical happens — we feel better. Our bodies love it and our emotional health gets boosted by the lovely and adoring endorphins. So if you need an uplift in your life, exercise is one sure — and science-backed — way to do it.   Tackle Your Stress (Once and For All)   Stress is a nasty little bugger — stress ruins our immune system and over time can cause a whole slew of health complications — hello heart attacks and high blood pressure. If you struggle with stress, and we all do, get active. Focus on activity that makes you feel good. Our indoor trampoline park is a great way to connect with those you love, have a good laugh, and enjoy some healthy activity. Some other great ways to reduce your stress through movement is yoga, long, peaceful strolls, and swimming.   Get in tune.   When you begin to get active, you begin to tap into and understand what your body is telling you. You know what pushing your body may feel like when you experience muscle soreness or when you can up your game and dig in a little deeper. Exercise may even boost your confidence, regardless of the number on the scale.   Become more creative and productive.   When you move, you get things flowing — your blood oxygen levels increase and your lymph freely flows spurring the natural detoxification process — your body is beginning to wake up! If you’ve been in a slump, we know the shorter days combined with the holidays can really do a number, try getting more activity in. Increased activity can also spark your creativity and productivity! Many people who are consistent in their exercise routine report being more focused and productive at work and even more creative. Find a solution in movement when things are stale and need to be reimagined.   Reignite your motivation.   The holidays can drag you down — you’re eating a ton of treats and dealing with family — you’re just trying to survive. When things wind down, just get out and move, or even better, try it during the holidays. Sneak away and take the dog for a walk while the cookies are baking or grab a couple of friends and have a fitness night out — jump and bounce around at Rebounderz! There is nothing better than moving to gain motivation. Getting active and gaining better acceptance of your body, actually motivates you more to continue! The better you feel, the more likely you’ll keep doing it!   Momement, fitness, exercise — whatever you want to call it — reaches far beyond how much you weigh and what you look like. It is beneficial for so many more things that aren’t focused on your body. So get out and get moving in the new year. Stop into our Sunrise location and move healthily into the new year!           #### Make Rebounderz of Lansdale Your Summer Camp’s Destination Summer is right around the corner, and many parents may be scrambling to figure out what their kids are going to be doing during the hot summer days. Parents who work full time don’t have the luxury of being able to stay home with their kids, and often, kids are too young to be left home on their own. That regularly leaves parents with just a few options as to what to do with their kids during the long summer days. Summer camps can be an asset for any parent who has children who can’t be left alone when they’re not at school. But which summer camps are the best to pick and what activities are important to look for? Keep reading to learn more about the importance of summer camps for kids. Things to Look for in a Summer Camp When you choose a summer camp for your kids, you have to be able to trust that the summer camp you pick is going to be both the best fit for your child and have your child’s best interests at heart. With so many different options, it can be hard to figure out which one fits those criteria. First, you want to pick a summer camp that has a wide variety of activities that will appeal to your child. During the summer, it’s easy to become bored, and since you’re paying for summer camp, bored is the last thing you will want your child to be. In addition to a wide variety of activities available, it’s important to get a sense of the type of individuals that your summer camp employs and has working with your children. Get to know not just the employees a bit, but also how the employees were screened and hired. Safety Safety is a key concern for any child in just about any situation. Knowing that your child is going to be safe at their summer camp can be key. Being sure that they will respect your wishes if a child has a food allergy or that they will keep an eye out is something you should check. Also, make sure that the employees of the summer camp you’re considering are appropriately certified in CPR and basic first aid in case they’re ever necessary. Stimulation When you pick a summer camp for your child or children, as we mentioned above, it’s important that the summer camp provides a variety of activities, field trips, and stimulating activities. Ask your summer camp what they typically do. Do they go to the pool? Do they schedule time at the local trampoline park? Do they provide a variety of challenging arts and crafts? Figure out what is important for your child and make sure the summer camp you’re interested in provides both mental and physical activities to keep your child interested. If you know your child would love time at Rebounderz indoor trampoline park in Lansdale, make sure that their summer camp is scheduled to come visit us for some great jump time this summer. Learn more about the summer camp jump time options available with Rebounderz of Lansdale.   #### Make Time for Family Time Have you ever heard the saying, “the family that plays together, stays together?” We believe strongly that time spent playing together as a family is important for you and your children. Spending time with you outside of your normal routine is important for your children’s development. The more time spent with, and positive attention received from the most important adult in their life (You!), the happier, healthier, and better adjusted your children will be. If you need more to convince you, here are some well known benefits of playing together as a family. Come on down to Rebounderz in Sterling to experience these first-hand. Encourage learning When your children see you trying new things, playing without being self conscious, and having fun, they learn to do the same. When children feel empowered to try new things and explore, they develop self confidence and a desire to learn. If you are willing to try something new, your kids will be too. Learning to play dodgeball on the trampoline sounds like a pretty fun way to help your child build a strong sense of self that will serve them in their social interactions, academic endeavors, and family relationships.   Getting closer We think this hardly needs any explanation. A day spent laughing, learning, falling, and getting back up in an environment, like a trampoline arena, can’t do anything but bring you and your family closer together. Let all of the stress of chores, homework, and carpools behind and spend a day just having fun. Your kids will thank you for it. Sibling bonding Do you have kids who don’t always get along with each other? Is there competition for attention? Are they seemingly always bickering, or are feelings often hurt? Sometimes, siblings fight. There’s no way around that. But there is a lot that you can do to help them develop healthy relationships that can last well into adulthood. Providing your children with an opportunity to try new things, where they are responsible for looking out for each other without intervention from you, is a great place to start. We think Rebounderz is a great place to start them off building a better relationship. Just imagine how great it would be if your kids came home from a day at the trampoline park with stories about how they encouraged and supported each other, instead of complaining or fighting. They’ll be so proud of themselves that they’ll want to have more bonding experiences. Reducing stress Quality time with family reduces stress for you and for your children. It is easy to forget that when we are stressed out about our adult lives, our children can feel it. If we don’t take the time to decompress, our children won’t either. Playing together in an environment like Rebounderz, will benefit you and your kids. They’ll get to experience seeing you worry-free and know that it is okay for them not to worry either. Setting a lasting example Our kids learn by watching what we do much more than listening to what we say. If you want your child to grow up to be the kind of parent that spends time playing with their kids and planning special experiences for them, just because; then you need to be that kind of parent. We think this is a great reason to get the whole gang in the car right now and head on over to Rebounderz in Sterling. Come see us any time. And, don’t forget to ask us about private events, birthday parties, and other ways you can enjoy the trampoline arena with your family. We look forward to welcoming you all for your next family-fun-time outing! #### Making Competition Healthy for Your Kids As a good parent, you know that teachable moments can be found all over the place, you just have to keep an eye out for them. For example, you’re planning your kid’s birthday party, and one of the many things that needs to be done is figuring out which fun kid’s party games to play. Here’s where it gets a little tricky. By their very nature, games have winners and losers, right? On the one hand, you don’t want one kid losing a game and having a miserable time at the party. On the other hand, today’s world is, in large part, built on the concept of cooperation and competition, and the sooner the kids get that, the better off they’ll be. You can use your kid’s birthday party games as an opportunity for a hands-on lesson in healthy competition. It’s our responsibility, as parents, to prepare our kids for a competitive environment, because in life, competition is everywhere and they won’t be successful adults if they don’t learn the rules of fair and healthy competition as kids, through play. They need to understand that sometimes they’ll lose and other times they’ll win, and it isn’t always important. But we need there to be an emphasis on healthy competition. Your child winning a game and shouting, “IN YOUR FACE,” to everybody else isn’t helpful to anybody, and may lead to your kid being the one picked last in team sports and left out at company gatherings as an adult. Here are a few helpful tips to encourage positive competition in children to keep in mind when planning your kid’s birthday party . #1 Don’t Be a Sore Loser One of the biggest displays of character is how someone acts when they have lost. We have all seen the losers who stomp around, throwing a fit about it or become violent or angry claiming that the winner cheated. Nobody likes a sore loser, but losing will happen in life. Your kids will go further if they learn that sometimes, you can do everything right and still come in second. In a case like that, dust yourself off and promise to work harder and do better next time. #2 Be a Humble Winner The flip side of that coin is being a gracious winner. Everybody has dealt with someone who won a competition and proceeded to crow and boast about it to anyone who would listen, usually putting down the loser. Remind your kids that, while it’s okay to be proud of yourself for making a good effort, it’s not okay to rub the victory in somebody else’s face. Teach them to accept a win and congratulations humbly. #3 Don’t Cheat It’s a tragedy in today’s world that we teach kids to follow the rules and be good sports, but we tell adults to do whatever it takes to win, including bending and breaking the rules. Showing respect for the rules and good sportsmanship is a big step towards becoming a mature and thoughtful adult. The direct link to cheating in play games and stealing and lying should be readily apparent. Trustworthiness and honesty go a long way in life. Besides, many of the people who cheat to win are just proving that they don’t have what it takes to win fairly. #4 Strategize One of the most important things in life is knowing when to take a risk and to look at all the possible outcomes before making your move. Games and youth sports are an excellent way to show kids the values of developing strategies and taking risks to win a game or accomplish an objective. These settings have relatively low stakes, so kids can initially take a chance without huge consequences. Plus, it can show kids that those who constantly play it safe will end up not getting very far. This is also an excellent time for kids to develop leadership skills and self-confidence. #5 Be Creative Along similar lines, not every opponent can be beaten the same way and not every problem has the same solution. Creativity plays a large part in competition, and kids should always be encouraged to stretch their thinking and develop new tactics for new situations. This will help develop critical thinking and sound reasoning skills. Plus, when playing on a team, team strategies can often be much more effective than individual plans. Play is a critical part in a kid’s healthy development and a birthday party is the perfect venue to help develop many kids at the same time. When you are deciding on what games to play at your kid’s birthday party, keep these tips in mind to ensure that every kid has fun and walks away with something useful, even if they aren’t aware of it! For some ideas on fun birthday party games, read our previous article, Fun Games for Kids.  #### Making The Most of Your Trampoline Park Visit Take a moment and picture it. It’s a rainy Sunday morning, and it looks like the rotten weather will continue all day. Your family is going through a serious case of cabin fever. The kids are bouncing off the walls, and you’re thiiis close to losing it. Then, like a bolt from the blue, it hits you. “If they want to bounce around so badly,” you think, “let’s make that happen!” You announce to them that you’re taking them to a trampoline place, and there are squeals of transcendent joy. A couple of hours spent at an indoor trampoline park is a couple of hours well spent. Considering that over the last few years, these attractions have been opening up virtually everywhere, we’re not the only ones who feel that way. But if you want to get the most out of your visit, keep reading, because we’ve got a couple of tips to share with you. You may be less than thrilled about this, but trampoline parks are totally unregulated. As a result, everybody needs to sign a waiver before they can get to jumping. Many trampoline parks give you the option to either fill out the form online or print it out & sign it ahead of time. Take a close look at it before you sign, and remember that everybody who is jumping needs a separate waiver. Lots of trampoline places offer specials and have different prices at different times. As you can probably imagine, prices are highest on weekends. Consider going on weekdays, and you’ll likely pay less. Also, check the company’s website for military, family, and other discounts. Along with prices being higher on weekends, trampoline places tend to be jam-packed with people on weekends. That’s a problem for two reasons. First, trampolines should only be used by one person at a time & safety can be an issue. Second, a good chunk of time can be spent waiting to jump or use the foam pit. On weekday afternoons, there will be far fewer people & far more time to have fun! If everybody in the family is planning to jump, make sure to dress the part. Skinny jeans aren’t a smart fashion choice. Instead, wear clothing that makes it easy for you to move and work up a sweat. Athletic shorts, yoga pants, and t-shirts will do the trick nicely. Before you leave, make sure to leave jewelry and watches at home. Necklaces and bracelets can easily get snagged, and rings can slip off of sweaty fingers very easily. Trust us, you don’t want to be digging around the bottom of a foam pit for your wedding ring. Along similar lines, if you’re going to jump, make sure all of your pockets are emptied. You don’t want to lose a smartphone, wallet, purse, or camera as you’re bounding around. While many trampoline parks have storage areas, they don’t always have locks. Call ahead of time to check, and if they don’t have locks, bring a padlock from home or leave belongings in the car. #### Making The Most of Your Trampoline Park Visit-Part 2 As a kid, there’s something magical about jumping on a trampoline. You probably remember it, the feeling of gravity loosening its hold on you, just for a second. Very briefly, you feel like flying. For many of us, back in the day, the only way to enjoy the trampoline experience was if we owned or knew someone with one in their backyard. Too often, old school trampolines were rickety death traps. But with the rise of the indoor trampoline park, things are a lot different. Trampoline parks have become wildly popular in the last few years. They are a great place for a birthday party for the kids, or simply as a fun place for your kids to go and blow off some steam. But if you’re looking to get the maximum amount of fun from the experience, keep reading. Yesterday, we shared a few tips to keep in mind when planning your trampoline park excursion, and today, we’ve got a few more. Not all trampoline parks have the same rules, and one of the biggest things to keep in mind is whether or not socks are required. Some places don’t require socks, while others do, and still others require everyone to wear socks with grip bottoms (which they helpfully sell). Make sure to find out the rules ahead of time, and beware the foam pits, which have a way of stealing socks from unwary feet. As an adult, there’s one thing many of us have forgotten from childhood, and that is the fact that jumping on a trampoline is a tough workout. Like any other extended exercise, you’ll burn a lot of calories and become dehydrated. Dehydration can sneak up on you faster than you think, so make sure to take frequent water breaks. Better yet, bring a big water bottle with you so you don’t need to embark on a water fountain hunt. For most trampoline parks, you pay for a set period of jumping time, usually an hour or two. That amount of time will exhaust nearly anyone, but here’s how to get a little extra jump time. Arrive and buy your tickets a few minutes after the hour or half-hour. If you arrive at 1:10 and you pay for an hour of jumping, you’ll likely be called to leave closer to 2:30 instead of 2:00. The vast majority of folks who opt to bounce at trampoline parks are adults. Once in awhile though, some brave or foolhardy parents decide to join in the fun. That’s okay, and keep in mind adults are allowed to jump. Don’t worry about looking goofy, just enjoy yourself. Maybe have some ibuprofen ready for later, though. Just about every trampoline place has a separated area for smaller kids. These are a great idea, and make sure to take advantage of them if you’ve got tinier tykes. Older kids can get crazy and accidentally slam into a small child if you’re in the main area. If you’re taking the kids, or showing up for a birthday party, what if you’re unwilling or physically unable to jump? No problem! Most indoor trampoline parks have somewhat comfortable seating, so if you’re bringing older kids, you can relax while they run...er...bounce wild. #### Making Your Child's Birthday Party One to Remember When you’re putting together a kid’s birthday party, you want to make it a memorable one that they’ll enjoy. However, it can feel pretty overwhelming with the large amount of different possible activities, meals, treats, and presents you can choose. To help make this process a bit easier, we’ve gathered some of the best ways that you can make your child’s next birthday party one to remember. At Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Sunrise, we have a team of birthday party extraordinaires, ready to help make your party fun and exciting for everyone involved. Call us today to book one of our party rooms for your kid’s next birthday party! Make it Meaningful Many kids love giving back, and their birthday presents a great opportunity to do just that. After a long day of having fun with friends and getting a big pile of new toys, give them a chance to go through some of their old toys to see what they don’t play with anymore and would like to donate to some kids that may not get anything on their birthday. Not only will this help keep their playroom from getting cluttered, it will also teach them the joy that comes with giving to the less fortunate. They’ll have a sense of joy when they’re able to pass along something that made them happy to someone that could really use it. You can also take a chance to make a day full of kind deeds, with a random acts of kindness challenge. Encourage your child to do the same number of good deeds as their age on their birthday. As they get older, that number will increase and they’ll get more creative with the ways they can help out. You can also help them set up a craft station to make birthday cards for kids who are sick in a children’s hospital or volunteer with a local charity. Take this chance to show your child the value in giving so they don’t feel like a birthday is only for receiving gifts. This can foster a lifelong desire to improve the community and the lives of people around them. Another way you can improve the community while celebrating this momentous occasion is by planting a birthday tree, which they’ll always be able to look back on as they get older, charting their growth as it relates to the tree. Make the Day Unique to Them As kids are growing up, they can often feel left out of big events that older kids and adults get to participate in. Their birthday is the only time of the year where the festivities are for them, so when you make it special and unique to what they like, it will make it exciting and meaningful for them for years to come. Ask them what type of birthday cake they would want, let them choose the dinner menu, and get creative with it. You can even surprise them with something like a cake shaped like their favorite animal or decorated with their favorite princesses and superheroes. Party supply stores have a wide array of decorations and party favors that can bring everything together with everything they love. Make Gift-Giving Creative While you can absolutely have a point where presents are given and the birthday kiddo gets to open them, you can extend your gift-giving to make the whole day exciting. Give them small toys and snacks through the day to hold them over until they are able to open their ‘real’ gifts later in the day. You can also leave them a present in their room, either on their bed or on the floor, so it’s the first thing they see when they wake up. That starts their day off on a fun foot and immediately makes the day feel special and different. You can also make it into a treasure hunt, where you hide gifts (or one gift that has multiple parts) throughout the house and yard, and give them clues, riddles, or a map showing where to find them. Throw the Ultimate Party Your little one will only be little for so long, so take this opportunity to make their birthday something really special for them. Choose a different theme every year based on something they love. For example, you can have a superhero party at Rebounderz, where everyone wears a costume and lives out their superpowered dreams in the trampoline park or leaping into the foam pit. You can even choose a theme based on their favorite animal, a movie they really enjoy, their most beloved book series, or anything else you think might excite them. A birthday is a great opportunity to show your child that you care about them and pay attention to what they enjoy. Kids will naturally want to have a party with their friends, but they also enjoy spending time with other family members on their birthday. After the friends have gone home, have a nice family dinner as grandparents, aunts, and uncles are able to share in the fun and tell stories about when they were growing up. Not only does this give kids another perspective about what it was like being young years ago, it’s also a great chance for them to get to know their family a bit better. You can take it up a notch by having a backyard campout with their friends where they can have a sleepover in a tent, complete with s’mores and campfire stories. Try creating a photo booth that matches up with the theme of the party to send everyone home with a memento they’ll cherish for years to come. To tie everything together, have some games for everyone to play, like pin the tail on the donkey, bobbing for apples, or a piñata filled to the brim with your child’s favorite candy. There are so many ways that you can make your kid’s next birthday party special, but we hope these ideas help get the ball rolling for you. If you’re looking for a sure-fire way to make a birthday party they’ll always remember, book one of the party rooms at Rebounderz in Sunrise. With a dedicated party host helping with the festivities, from setup to cleanup, we’ll take the stress off your shoulders so you can enjoy this special day with your little one. We have many awesome attractions that will make everyone happy. So whether they want to try to dunk on the SlamBall court, test their might on the exciting Ninja Warrior course, or they want to live their daredevil dreams on the 14-foot tall JumpXTREME Tower, we’ve got everything you could hope for. We hope to see you jumping here soon! #### Managing Sugar Intake at Your Kid’s Birthday Parties Sugary Goodness Might Not Be So Good? Sugar seems to have become a daily food group in the lives of many Americans. Most products sold in common supermarkets, sold in restaurants, and even at schools, are made with processed sugars. In truth, a little bit of sweetness is welcomed in any diet, for both adults and children. However, today, the content of sugar in products is becoming uncontainable. For example, the average adult needs to sustain a 2,000 calorie-a-day diet and shouldn’t eat more than 40 grams of added sugar. A modern-day child can consume more than 40 grams of processed sugar in just one meal. A Little Sugar is Harmless, Right? Many school lunches have twice the amount of sugar than in classic lunch items, such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a juice box, and a cookie. Part of the issue with sugar is that many are not given a proper education on the subject. We are commonly led to believe that the things we eat are healthy for us, even though some products could be filled to the brim with sugar. But, what’s the problem with a little sugar? How could sugar be bad? In the past we have overlooked the effects of sugary beverages and treats because they were tasty, and most times, cheap. However, after years of analyzing the patterns of large-sugar content and the age of children, there is a clear connection between the amount of sugar a child ingests and the possibility of developing heart disease, diabetes, etc. But, these symptoms of overeating sugary items only skims the surface of health risks. In fact, there are still studies being done on the effects of sugar, especially on the brain. What is the most frightening part about our current sugar epidemic is that most parents aren’t aware how they are encouraging their child’s sugar habits. For instance, more parents encourage eating large, sugar-rich items at their kid’s birthday parties. Now, just because birthday parties have a lot of sugar at them, in no way does this mean that you should boycott birthdays. However, perhaps developing new methods for making the birthday cake and refraining from overindulging your child in candy, would significantly help their health—especially when finding out that the average child in America under 12 years old consumed 49 pounds of sugar per year. What Does Sugar Do? Sugar has obvious drawbacks such as weight gain. Currently in America, one in three kids and teens are overweight or obese. From 1971 to 2011, child obesity has tripled in America. Sugar is known to be absorbed by the body and made into fat deposits. However, the consequences don’t end at obesity. No, there are dozens of other health effects ranging from the brain to the body. In the brain, high sugar intake in children can cause an imbalance in the brain by affecting the interference between neurotransmitters. Specifically, the neurotransmitters affected are responsible for mood stability. Anxiety and depression are both major side effects in children who consume large quantities of sugar. Also, increased sugar levels over time can lead to a resistance to insulin. This eventually results in the body not being able to control blood sugar, which leads to diabetes. Diabetes in children can be dangerous because often children aren’t equipped to be responsible for their blood sugar and taking their insulin shots. If your child is diagnosed with diabetes you, their parent or guardian, will be responsible for their care. Roughly 30.3 million people in America have diabetes, which means that 15,000 children are diagnosed with diabetes each year. Worse, diabetes can lead to serious illness later in a child’s life. Today, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. 60 to 70 percent of all people diagnosed with diabetes experience nervous system damage. Alternative Grocers? Obviously, our behavior towards sugar should be changed. However, it can be difficult to change your attitudes about sugar, as it is incorporated in almost every type of food in your local supermarket. It is unfortunate that such a high level of sugar is in so many items we eat. Though in America, making a dietary change can be difficult, but it is not impossible. There are many grocery stores available to the public that put an emphasis on natural foods that are healthy for the body. For example, Sprout’s, Henry’s, WholeFoods, and Natural Grocers are all chain supermarket stores that believe in the nutritive value of organic food. Are Sugar and Cocaine Brothers? It is important to remember that your children learn their eating habits from their parents. If you allow them to consume large traces of sugar, in many ways they will become “addicted” to sugar. In the New York Times, a study was published demonstrating the addictive nature of sugar in subjects both human and animal. It was found that sugar stimulates brain pathways in adults and children much like opioids. Sugar has also been found to incite neurochemical changes in the brain and considered habit-forming. Worse, the cravings induced by sugar are comparable to drugs such as cocaine and nicotine. In fact, during an experiment conducted with lab rats, it was proven that rats would choose sugar water over cocaine due to the lasting effects of the “high.” So, are sugar and cocaine comparable to the relationship of brothers? Whether their relationship is close or not, those effects have been proven. What Can You Do? The biggest question to ask is, “What can you do?” Well, for starters, you should clear your come of things that are naturally filled with processed sugar. This means you should not buy sugary drinks such as soda, or commercial juices. After the sugary beverages are gone, then throw away any candy or processed desserts. Make sure that when you are making this sugar-purge, look through your pantry and toss your jar of white sugar and maple syrup. Processed maple syrup has one of the highest contents of sugar and is commonly eaten by your kids. Now that you have cleared the sugar from your house, you must find alternatives. Though sugar can be dangerous, small traces of natural sugars can be good for you. For example, fruits have natural sugars and nutrients that can be utilized in snacks, meals, and desserts. There are also other alternatives to sugar that you can use to sweeten dishes and desserts. For instance, coconut sugar, natural maple syrup, and honey are all valuable sweet alternatives that can still give you your intake of sugar without the side effects. Also, there are granulated sugar alternatives, such as Cassava, that are great to incorporate in desserts as well. So, just because you don’t believe in consuming processed sugar, doesn’t mean you are against all sugar. Natural sugars have value, in terms of your body’s health, which is why alternatives exist. Part of every parent’s biggest struggle, however, is how to monitor their child’s sugar intake during birthday parties. Kid’s Birthday Parties are a Sugar-fest Kids’ birthday parties are a sugar fest, as sugary items are a main staple in the event. For example, at a birthday party children often drink soda or juice. Then, children will eat items such as pizza or chicken fingers. Though the items themselves don’t have sugar in them, children eat tomato sauce and ketchup, both of which are made with processed sugar and fructose. Then, after the meal, the children settle for cake, which is almost entirely made with sugar. After cake, some birthday parties also have a pinata, where candy rains down on your kids. At the end of the day, it would be no surprise if your child went into a sugar-coma. There are ways to keep this sugar-fest from happening: patience and education. If you want to limit your child’s sugar intake at a birthday party, the best way to do so is by offering better options. If you purchase healthy juices, made from whole fruit and non-processes sugars, you will solve the sugary-drink problem. Unfortunately, most food in America is made with some type of sugar. However, if you make the food yourself, you can limit the amount of sugar in your child’s meals. And, for the dessert portion of the party, you can choose to make the cake yourself! For example, organic maple syrup is a great alternative to make a cake with. Your guests will never know the difference and you can rest easy without filling their bellies with harmful substances. As for the candy part of every party — skip it. Your guests will benefit from less sugar anyway. Instead of doing a pinata for entertainment value, chose an exciting party venue. Rebounderz At Rebounderz, we have plenty of attractions to keep your guest busy during your party. Better still, our indoor trampoline park will keep your guests active and healthy with plenty of exercise. If you are planning to coordinate your child’s party, Rebounderz is a great place to set up your party and bring your own food. Not only does Rebounderz offer you a designated birthday party room, we allow customers to bring in their home-cooked foods. If you are interested in hosting a birthday party for your child, Rebounderz is the place to go! Visit us online for more information. #### Mastering the Perfect Backwards Flip Since its inception, the trampoline has been an important tool in acrobatics. Its main function is to allow a person bouncing on the trampoline enough air to perform a flip. In fact, the trampoline was originally created to help divers practice their routines before competitions. The trampoline has come a long way from its easy days as a training tool. Over the years, the trampoline transformed from a training tool for divers, gymnasts, and cheerleaders, to a public recreational toy. Today, trampolines can be found in backyards, living rooms, and even large indoor trampoline parks. If you cannot afford to maintain trampolines for your personal use, attending indoor parks such as Rebounderz can be beneficial. For example, you won’t have to worry about trampoline upkeep and you can use a large variety of different sized trampolines. This diversity of trampoline size can be advantageous, especially when practicing certain tricks. The most popular trick to master on a trampoline is, of course, the flip. This trick can be performed front ways or back ways. However, flipping backwards tends to be more of a challenge and makes you appear way more daring. The following blog is some tips and tricks to help you master the perfect backwards flip.   Step One: Prepare Yourself Make sure you mentally prepare yourself for how cool you will look once you finish a backwards flip. Because not many people know how to properly execute a good backflip, when you finally master the movement, people will be blown away by your agility and acrobatics. What is misleading about a backflip is that they actually aren’t that hard to complete, you just have to disregard any fear of messing up. Natural inertia guides the body to flip to your feet, if you have enough air and momentum. Step Two: Get a Base Jump Before you begin your backflip you want to get what acrobats call a “base jump.” Simply put, these are the first few jumps you take right before you perform a trick. The amount of jumps you do, plus the strength of the jump, will determine how high you will get off the trampoline. You want to get the most air because this will allow you time to move your feet over your head and back to the ground. If you do not get enough air the result will mean you could land on your face, which is never fun.   Step Three: Swing Your Arms Once you have mastered a pretty good base jump, you must perform the second, and most important step: swinging your arms. Swinging your arms up above your head is extremely important because it will give your body the momentum it needs to successfully land your feet on the trampolines surface.   Step Four: “Training Wheels” When trampolining, don’t be afraid to use “training wheels.” This simply means that you can use little cheating mechanisms before you are fully comfortable flipping backwards. For example, before completing a full backflip, you can do smaller side-flips. You can do this as many times as you would like, until you feel fully comfortable with performing your backflip.   Step Five: Keep Your Arms Out When completing your first backflips, it is important to keep your arms out, in the small chance you don’t land completely on your feet. Keeping your arms out and a little bent can play a huge role in protecting yourself from face-planting.   Step Six: Positioning Once you have mastered a proper backflip, you won’t need to do side-flips or keep your hands out. However, every master must still be aware of where they position themselves on the trampoline. It you situate yourself too close to the edge, you run the risk of landing wrong and hitting your head. In order to get the maximum air from your base jump you will need to complete your backflip in the center of the trampoline. Only then can you optimize your sweet new skills to the fullest!   We hope this guide to mastering a backflip was helpful. If you don’t happen to own a trampoline, come to your local Apopka Rebounder!. At our indoor trampoline park you can practice your new trick and master it. Here, you will be able to show off your cool moves, while impressing everyone with your sweet skills. Come to Rebounderz! #### More Budget Birthday Planning Tips In 21st century America, it’s a weird time to be a parent. Our kids don’t finish third grade, they “graduate.” Their friends don’t knock on the door and ask if they can come outside, we send texts to different parents to organize play dates. When we schedule a kid’s party, it’s less about everybody having a good time and more about making a statement. We don’t think it should have to be that way, and we don’t think parents should have to take out a second mortgage in order for their children to have fun. Yesterday, we shared a few commonsense ideas for party planning that will cut down on costs, and today we’d like to share a few more. Most decorations cost more than they’re worth. In fact, you likely have most of the raw materials at home that you can use to make your own decorations. Use a hole puncher and make matching designs around the edges of paper plates and napkins. Dot and binder stickers can transform plain balloons into eye-catching designs. You don’t need money, just a little imagination. Sometimes, hosting a party at home can seem more cost-effective, but it ends up being a nightmare in terms of logistics. But opting to have the party at a venue can remove a lot of the stress. Remember that it doesn’t cost a thing to either call a venue or go to their website to check out pricing options. If there’s one thing kids have a surplus of, it’s imagination. Harness that imagination when creating party games. If you’re at a trampoline park, tell them the surface of the trampoline is “lava” and they can only stand still for a second. Spray paint ordinary rocks different colors, hide them, and create a treasure hunt. Green rocks are emeralds, red rocks are rubies, and so forth. For preschoolers and kindergarteners, it can make life easier for everybody to help them cool down after physically active games. If your party has a theme, check out a book that fits in from your library and have the kids gather around for story time. If your child has a birthday that’s close to one of his or her friends, consider reaching out to the other child’s parents and organizing a joint party. This can be a great way to cut costs and end up with a giant bash. However, remember that every child wants to feel special. A good way to make that happen is to have separate birthday cakes. We know it can be adorable to throw a party for a one-year-old. We also know that there’s a high likelihood that a child that young won’t remember that the party even happened. For very young kids, opt out of a party and do something small like a picnic. You’ll have fun family time, and you won’t needlessly spend money. Instead of spending money on goodie bags, consider a personalized craft as an activity. Go online to your favorite party supply website, and type in “DIY” into the search bar. You can likely find something close to your themes, and the kids will have a blast making designs on mugs, umbrellas, tote bags, or t-shirts. This makes for a clever activity, and kids love taking home something that they made themselves. #### More Fun Games to Play at Your Kid's Birthday Party In our sister arena’s previous article, Fun Games to Play at Your Kid’s Birthday Party they taught you how to win host of the year by planning your kid’s birthday party at trampoline park and how to keep cool when your kids look to you for ideas to continue the fun. We went over the rules of the games “crack the egg” and “poison ball,” which are both great for kids from preschool age to tweens. Kids have great imaginations that help keep them entertained for quite a while, but sometimes they ask you for ideas and that's an opportunity to wear them out! Here are a few more games to help use up all their energy. Bum Bounce This game has two variations and is modifiable to the ages of the children you're entertaining. Both of these versions are much safer alternatives to some of the other game ideas because it doesn't require the jumper to interact with anyone or anything else. They are also pretty good workouts that will quickly zap reserve energy stores your children may be hiding for later. Version A- Instruct all the children to jump for momentum until you yell “Bum Bounce!” Once you yell those words all the kids must land on their bums instead of their feet and continue to bounce from a seated position as long as possible. Watch those who land in a cross-legged seated position as it's fairly easy to use your feet to push yourself back up, undetected, from that position. The last person to lose momentum and stop bouncing is the winner. This version is particularly useful for the little ones, and it’s entertaining for you when they look like little jumping beans popping all over the place! Version B- this one is more appropriate for the older kids and can last quite a bit longer. Consider using this version if the children are a little older (8 plus) or have a lot of energy. The game starts the same as version A- have the kids jump to gain momentum until you yell “Bum Bounce!” However, this time the kids should alternate landing on their bums and their feet. If a kid double bounces, meaning they land on either their bums or their feet two consecutive times, they are out and if they stop bouncing, they are out. Last kid bouncing is declared the victor. This game is great because of the continual change of position and the little momentum they are able to regain with each foot bounce. Simon Says Go with me here. The benefit to this old classic is that it has the potential to go on for a long time. Have the birthday child start out as Simon and have them yell instructions such as “Simon says take three little hops” or “bum bounce.” If someone performs a command that wasn't preceded by “Simon says,” they are out. When Simon says “bum bounce” the kids can actually play a mini version of that game! Every child wants to be Simon, so it usually keeps the group entertained until everyone has had their chance to try to trick everyone else. As the number one host, your duties aren't limited to creatively keeping the kids entertained on the trampolines, but all of your guests will surely look to you for guidance on what to do in the awkward lull after food is served, before the kids can safely return to the trampolines. Stay tuned to our next article about what to do then. When you are looking at booking your kid’s birthday party, consider Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena of Jacksonville. We specialize in kid’s birthday parties, and never allow a dull moment! Contact a party host to find which package suits you and reserve your date today! #### More Fun Means More Money Calling all cheerleaders, band members, booster clubs and scholarship funds. Raise more money for your school by having more fun. At Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena in Apopka, you’ll have more fun and raise more money! Your supporters will have a lot of laughs, get to know each other, and you’ll be exposing your cause to new people who may become supporters. In addition to a portion of the night’s sales being donated to your group, we’ll help you come up with fun ways to raise even more money. Start with a dodgeball tournament, a jumpathon and a dunking contest. Let’s discuss what else we can do to bring in the bucks on your big night. We love to get creative and will do whatever we can to help your fundraiser be a smashing success. Maybe you can get your principal to participate in a foam-pit race,or have a parents vs kids dodgeball or air-hockey tournament. Get our mascot Rick O’Shay in on the fun and you’ve opened up a door to a whole new set of fun activities for kids and adults alike. What to Look for in an Event Venue We’ve been supporting fundraisers for a long time and we know how important it is to make an event as simple as possible. Making more work for already stressed-out volunteers is the last thing you want from your special event venue. We get that. You can depend on us for help promoting and supporting your event. We provide customized flyers, spirit night stickers, and much more. We want to make this as easy for you as possible. Show Your School Spirit Make your big night at Rebounderz part of Spirit Week and make the fun and fundraising go alot further. Announce contest winners and give out prizes at your Rebounderz night to encourage more people to attend and to bring their friends and families. Here are just a few Spirit Week activities that can help you build momentum toward your big night. Deck the halls. Decorate your school with Spirit Week posters and announcements about Spirit Night. Theme it up. Make Spirit Week theme week. Tie it into your big night or your fundraising focus. If you are raising money for the band, have everyone dress up as their favorite rock star or musician. Sending a sports team to a national tournament? Get in the spirit with a sports-themed day during the week. Hold lunch-time contests and games that support your theme and fundraising focus. Get parents involved with opportunities for them to volunteer, bring snacks, and supervise Spirit Week activities. Combine your Rebounderz fundraiser with school colors day. Everyone will still be sporting their school spirit when the arrive at the fundraiser. Add school-color face painting for a little added school spirit. Make something to sell at  your fundraiser. School spirit bracelets, themed t-shirts, and other items can add big bucks to your fundraising effort. Give Rebounderz in Apopka a call to learn more about our Spirit Night and fundraising event opportunities. We look forward to helping make your event a huge success!   #### More Tips For Buying a Home Trampoline As a trampoline place, there’s one thing we see very, very often. At the end of their jump session, whether it’s families, couples, or individuals, people walk out the door looking much the same way. Their faces are flushed, they walk a little slower due to exertion, and they positively beam with happiness. Where does that all come from? Simple. It’s from jumping up and down on a trampoline. People absolutely love time spent bouncing on a trampoline. Every day, hundreds of people visit us to do exactly that. They’re inspired by the health benefits, the fun, and they want to take it a step further, so they decide to buy a trampoline for home use. But not all trampolines are created equal. Yesterday, we shared a few tips to help you buy the one that’s ideal for you, and today we’ll share a few more. Some trampoline manufacturers are absolutely committed to offering a quality product for a reasonable price. Others are...less so. Before you break out the credit card, do your research on manufacturers. You can do that on sites like Amazon.com that post customer reviews. You can also check the Better Business Bureau and news outlets. Look for similar complaints from multiple individuals. The surface area of the mat might not be a big deal if only one person is using the trampoline, but once multiple people use it, it becomes very important. Lots of sizes are on the market, like an 8-foot diameter which is good for 1-2 people, or a 15-foot diameter which is good for 1-3 people. There are also oval models that provide more space, but you’ll need to make sure it can provide the weight support as well. A trampoline is constructed from a number of individual parts. Before you buy, make sure you understand what kind of warranty covers the trampoline, what parts are under warranty, how long the warranty lasts, and what is not covered. Over time, it’s a guarantee that parts will break. If you’re going to invest in a trampoline, make sure your investment in protected fairly. Speaking of parts, what happens if you need to replace something? If you need to replace a broken spring or a worn-out mat, you can’t just get it anywhere. This is less of an issue if you’re buying for a small child and it will only be used for a year or two. But if this is a long-term investment, find out how to order parts, how much they cost, and how long it will take them to get to you. If a trampoline is placed outdoors, it’s a guarantee that the sun will shine on it. Over time, those UV rays will fade the color of the trampoline and gradually cause it to deteriorate. Many of today’s models feature some kind of UV protection that will help the color and functionality last longer. While you’ll usually cover the trampoline if it’s not being used, UV protection can help if you happen to forget. #### More Tips for Helping Your Kids Eat Healthy   There are a number of reasons why indoor trampolines have become incredibly popular over the last few years. They are a relatively inexpensive way to kill a couple of hours, a great way to help your kids burn off lots of excess energy, and they are lots of fun. However, there’s an obesity epidemic sweeping America, and when ⅔’s of American adults are considered to be overweight or obese, parents want to do everything they can to keep that from happening to their kids. That’s a smart move, but to ensure good health for you and your children, you need to take an extra step. Exercise is good, but eating healthy is better. Doing the both of them in tandem is nearly a guarantee to living a healthy life. Yesterday, we shared a few easy tips to help your kids eat smarter and healthier, and today we’d like to share a few more. Most kids have a pretty fierce sweet tooth, which is why they would rather nosh on cookies or candy instead of something a bit better for them. But it doesn’t have to be a binary choice, and you can satisfy the sweet cravings with frozen fruit bars, low-fat pudding, or frozen yogurt. Try making smoothies from yogurt, milk, and fruit that’s frozen or fresh for an appetizing treat. Younger kids are notorious for being picky eaters. A good way to help them to eat is by making eating fun. With a cookie cutter, you can transform cheese, tortillas, or bread into whimsical shapes. Using a few skewers will allow you to make fruit kebabs, or you can get out the chopsticks and practice with diced apples or banana slices. You’re only limited by your imagination, so don’t be afraid to get silly. For most parents, we don’t get an awful lot of down time. Along with child-raising responsibilities, you also need to work, run errands, and keep your home relatively clean. Take a little pressure off yourself and promote snacking independence. Leave out easy to reach bowls that are filled with fruit, put whole-grain and low sugar cereals in low cabinets, and stash cut-up veggies in containers in the refrigerator. This probably won’t come as too much of a surprise to you, but advertising isn’t always truthful. Just because a box says that a snack is fat-free, it doesn’t mean that the snack isn’t loaded with calories. Make sure you closely check out nutrition labels first. That way, you’ll know how healthy it really is, and you can make a more informed choice. Remember that when and where snacking happens is just as important as what is being snacked upon. Designate certain areas of the house as snack zones, and don’t let your kids shovel in food in front of the TV or computer. Also, make sure snacks don’t interfere with your main meals. A good rule of thumb is to skip snacks and sugary drinks within 2 hours of breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Your kids won’t be full, and they’ll be able to put away their meal with enthusiasm. #### More Tips for Making It the Best Birthday Party Every at Rebounderz Our FAQ section is a great resource for parents and guests who are attending a birthday party here at our Rohnert Park Rebounderz! But we know that you might have some questions about attending a birthday party here that aren't answered on that page. So we've put together this additional resource to answer some more frequently asked questions and help you get even more out of your time here at the best place for kid's birthday parties! Check Out These Tips to Make Your Birthday Party the Best Ever Share the dress code with parents. Don't worry! The dress code at Rebounderz is anything but formal. But it's a good idea to encourage parents to bring children in clothing that's suitable for all of the activities their kids will be doing. Avoid skirts unless they have pants or shorts underneath. Leggings or shorts are appropriate along with a short or long-sleeved t-shirt. Comfortable athletic clothing is best! Most of our activities and attraction require you to wear no shoes and put on our special Rebounderz socks, instead. These will be provided as a part of your party package for up to 15 children. Be informed about any guest's food allergies. When parent's RSVP to you, make sure you know about any food sensitivities that their child might have. Most parents are great about giving you the information without you even asking, but it's still a good idea to check in. You don't want to serve a cake with nuts in it when it could put your guests in danger. If you have several guests with the same allergy, you might consider providing an alternative treat for them or encouraging their parents to send something along. Get an accurate RSVP count. Our party packages are suitable for up to 15 children, but you can always add more for a small additional cost! Unfortunately, we cannot discount our party packages for smaller groups. It's a group idea to try to get an accurate headcount of the number of guests who will be attending your party. No matter how hard you try, though, there is a good chance that the headcount will change by the actual day of the party. That's okay! If more children unexpectedly show up, our team will do our best to accommodate them, depending on the resources that are available that day. Just let your party coordinator know those extra guests have arrived. Check out additional items available. Our party packages are pretty robust. They include everything you'll need to have an amazing birthday party. Our best packages include pizza, water bottles, Rebounderz socks, pre-paid video game cards, and more. But if you really want to take this birthday party to the next level, there is even more that we can do for you! Be sure to check out our list of additional items before you book your party and let your birthday party coordinator know if you want to include any of these. It includes additional drinks and snacks as well as cakes, goody cups, and more. Need something that's not on the list? Talk to our team about it and we'll see what we can do to help! Make sure parents know the pick-up time. Parties are fun but all good times must come to an end. Make sure parents know what time your party ends, too. Most of our party packages include access to the party room for either two or two and a half hours. Because our rooms are so popular, we do have to maintain that schedule. So if parents drop off their children and don't attend the party themselves (which is allowed as long as they've filled out a waiver), just make sure they know what time to come back. It's a good idea to get a cell phone number of any parents who aren't staying just in case they forget the pickup time or an emergency occurs. Let parents take a break. Let parents know that they are welcome to take a break in our parent's lounge! While at most parties parents are required to be more hands-on, the beauty of a Rebounderz birthday is that it can be a treat for the adults, as well. Our parent's lounge has comfortable seating including massage chairs so you can and there is plenty of coffee and wifi available, too. Parents can still keep an eye on their kids from the viewing windows that give a bird's eye view of the play area, so they can relax while knowing their children are having an amazing time. A Few More FAQ Should we open birthday presents during the party? It's really up to you! But keep in mind that our birthday party packages come with limited room time due to popularity. Our most popular packages come with 90 minutes of jump time and a private birthday party room for 2.5 hours. So you'll have about an hour to eat pizza, enjoy cake, and play video games. If you want to fit birthday presents into that time, that's great! Otherwise, consider opening them at home and sending thank you cards afterward and allow more time for the kids to enjoy our facility. What are the birthday party rooms like? Our party rooms are big enough for 15 kids and their parents, and some of our rooms are suitable for even larger crowds! Each of the six rooms is decorated with a special theme, and you can choose from Cities of Fashion, Sports, Beach, Pirate Jungle, Race Car, and Castle. You can see pictures on our birthday party page. The bright murals are like instant decorations for your party! You don't need to add anything else, so it makes it even easier to get ready for the party. If you do want to decorate, though, talk to your party coordinator about what is and isn't allowed in the rooms. Still have questions about having your birthday party at Rebounderz? We will help you get the information and answers that you need! Just give our team a call or contact us through our website and we'll get back to you right away! #### More Training Tips To Become a Ninja Warrior Everybody has a dream. If you’re reading this, we think we might know what yours is. You’ve trained hard, applied to be a contestant, and you think you’re ready. You’re appearing on the television show American Ninja Warrior, and you have a struggle ahead of you. You need to make it through 4 incredibly difficult obstacle courses, and believe us when we tell you, the Ninja Warrior course is tough. But through persistence and grit, you made it! Now, you can see yourself ascending the heights of Mount Midoriyama and achieving total victory. That’s a great dream, but here’s the reality. When season 1 of American Ninja Warrior began, there were 1,000 applicants. For the most recent season, which was season 8, there were 70,000 applicants. Guess how many people have won it all and walked away with a million bucks and bragging rights? Two people. Of the 4 stages, most competitors can’t complete the first stage. If you want to win, you need to be strong, fast, flexible, and smart. While your odds aren’t good, somebody has to win, so it might as well be you, right? Yesterday we shared a few training tips to help you get into shape and achieve total victory. Now, we’d like to share a few more. Want to dominate the course? You’ll need to be able to jump and jump well. Explosive jumping is the key since you’ll need to be able to leap off a trampoline onto a net and navigate the insanely tough Warped Wall. A few ways to boost your jumping power is to work on box jumps with one foot and with both feet, squat jumps with and without holding weights, and lunge jumps both with and without weights. Practicing general jumping, leaping, and bounding is key to success, and the best place to do that is an indoor trampoline park. Good thing we can provide that for you. Flexibility is critical on the course, since your body will be contorted into all sorts of positions, and you’ll need to extend both arms and legs. Start off with getting muscle integrity in order with foam rolling and deep tissue massage. After that, get comfortable with lots of dynamic flexibility exercises like leg swings and arm swings, both front to back and side to side. On a regular basis, factor in exercises centered around flexibility like yoga, Bikram yoga, and gymnastics. You know what’s the most common thing that happens to contestants on the course? They fall. Either they slip going across a wet log, mistime a jump on a trampoline, you get the idea. The better your balance is, the better the chances are that you won’t go down. There are lots of options available for balance exercises. Single leg yoga poses and single leg squats do a lot of good, as does using gym equipment like stability balls, bosu balls, and wobble boards. But don’t think you need lots of stuff to train. You can start by balancing on a curb or fence, then move up to slack lines or balance beams. Practice jumping from one unstable surface to another in order to get the hang of balance transitions. Finally, taking care of your joints, ears, and eyes will keep your balance steady. #### Most Unique Summer Camps in Sacramento [2023] As a child, the summer was the best time of year. You could spend entire days outside without worrying about school!  Summer camps have been an establishing part of many childhoods, and there are some outstanding summer camps available in the Sacramento area. Summer camps are a classic American tradition and have been providing kids with fun activities as well as opportunities to explore their interests, make new friends and build self-confidence since the late 19th century. Summer camps have evolved over time as Americans have become more health-conscious and tech savvy. But one thing hasn't changed: summer camp can be a great way for kids to learn new skills and make memories that will last a lifetime! Best Unique Summer Camps in Sacramento  Rebounderz Rebounderz Sacramento offers a wonderful summer camp program with different sessions throughout the summer season with options for 3-day sessions and 1-day sessions! It is the perfect place for kids to have fun, meet new friends, and get fantastic exercise during camps without them even realizing it!  From jumping on trampolines to playing in-the-air dodgeball, rock climbing walls, and an indoor playground, they’ve got you covered with all the physical activities that are necessary.  Aside from the variety of activities and fun you and your kids can have, Rebounderz also offers a great membership program that can help you save money all while enjoying everything they have to offer.  And let’s not forget their parents night out, so kids can continue to have fun while parents can take some much-needed time to enjoy themselves with the peace of mind that their kids are taken care of!   Other Rebounderz Activities:  Indoor Trampoline Arena Toddler Trampoline Zone Colorful Themed Climbing Walls Air Pit Basketball Slam Extreme Dodgeball  Spin Zone Bumper Cars Elevated Ninja Warrior Course Junior/Floor Warrior Course Multi Level Indoor Playground Jump Xtreme Tower Indoor Arcade Birthday Parties Summer Camps and Group Programs Summer Camp Pricing:  For 3-day camp: $239 For 1-day camp: $119 Daily Pricing:  Ultimate ticket: For $34.99, you can enjoy all day admission to all of the great activities offered at Rebounderz Sacramento, the all day pass also includes 1 free 500-point arcade card, 1 free fresh popcorn and 1 free ice cold fountain drink Premium Ticket: For $29.99, you can enjoy 2-hours of play time to all the activities offered  Basic Ticket: For $24.99, you can enjoy 1-hour of play time to all the activities offered Or, they offer two membership options: $14.99/month for Basic, and $19.99/month for their ultimate unlimited. Check out all of Rebounderz offerings!   Mad Science Mad Science is a fun summer camp experience filled with science experiments, designed for kids aged 3-12. They offer different science-related programs that are taught by well-trained instructors that keep kids engaged and learning. Mad Science provides an educational summer camp experience where kids also have make-and-take activities each day!  Summer Camp Pricing: Half-day camp is $175 for Mon-Friday from 9am-12pm.  The Boulder Field The Boulder Field offers fun and challenging youth camps for kids ages 6 to 17 years . Their summer camp includes climbing activities, climbing instruction,strength building activities, and games. Class sizes are kept small, with a maximum size of 8 students per instructor.  This allows for one-on-one instruction as well as ensure that instructors are familiar with their students.  Summer Camp Pricing:  Members: $250* Non-members: $300*   IR Academy IR Academy is a family-based organization aimed at promoting the sport of soccer among the local youth by providing a fun and stress-free environment. Their  soccer programs include competitive and recreational soccer, Jr. academy soccer,and  Little’s academy. However, the Little’s Academy is only available during the fall and spring seasons, it is an introductory soccer program for little ones.  Summer Camp Pricing: Pricing is not listed on their site.  Fancy Feet Dance Academy and Parties Fancy Feet Dance Academy and Parties offers a wide variety of dance classes to choose from. Fancy Feet provides an excellent foundation to make sure that the dancers are taught age-appropriate movements, skills, and proper training. Their long-term goal at the academy is to provide dance education that will inspire and lead each child to become a well-rounded dancer to perform at events.  They strive to create a family-friendly environment where dancers and teachers can focus on class and continue to be motivated. Their curriculum has a blend of techniques that focuses on personal development and challenges for dancers. There are a number of various summer camps available like Christmas in July, Magical Mermaids, Dance Intensive, Acrobatic Arts and Princess Dance Academy. Camps generally last a week and run from early July to late August. Summer Camp Pricing: For details contact (916) 451-4900 or info@fancyfeetdance.net   Code Ninjas In this day in age, kids love technology and computer based gaming!  Code Ninjas offers a game-based curriculum that teaches teamwork, logic, math, and problem-solving.  Technology is advancing at an incredible rate and whether or not  kids want to pursue coding as a career, they’ll learn a new skill set that will help them pursue their dreams and unlock their innate capacity to learn and be creative.   Summer Camp Pricing: Pricing is not listed on their site.  EDMO EDMO has camps for kids entering Pre-K through 8th grades, offered at 3 different campsites in Sacramento with 22 STEM themes to choose from. Campers are grouped by grades for each session and participate in days full of movement, adventure, and STEM learning. Summer Camp Pricing: Pricing is not listed on their site.    Art Beast Children’s Art Studio At Art Beast Children’s Art Studio children can dig into an array of art mediums in their own creative way. No matter the theme, they promise arts integration with movement, song, and story. Different programs are offered such as science, arts, building, yoga, enchanted gardens, dramas, pet-themed shows, and much more. Summer Camp Pricing: Pricing is not listed on their site.    Sacramento Central YMCA Sacramento Central YMCA is a family-friendly organization offering a fitness center with cardio and strength equipment, group fitness classes and personal training options, an indoor heated swimming pool, and other great community-building programs.   They offer the Summer at the Y programs, which helps kids build self esteem, interpersonal skills and make lasting friendships. Each week a different theme is presented, keeping the kids engaged and excited. Summer at the Y is for children in grades kindergarten to 6th and runs from early June to August 12th.  Summer Camp Pricing: $250 per week   Dream Enrichment Classes Dream Enrichment Classes offers high-quality and engaging enrichment activities with exciting themes and passionate teachers in the Sacramento community. They offer art camp, building camp, circuit lab camp, video game coding camp, stop-motion camp and robotics camp. Summer Camp Pricing: Ranges from $250-$350 according to the program you choose.  For more details contact Dream Classes at (916) 419-7644 or hello@dreamclasses.org Overnight Summer Camps Near Sacramento, CA There are a few overnight summer camps near the Sacramento area which include: Avid4 Adventure Overnight Expedition Camps Wilderness Immersion & Leadership Development (W.I.L.D) Black Oak Wilderness School Oakland Feather River Family Camp Mountain Meadow Ranch Summer Camp  Bay Area Jewish Camp Collective Camp Augusta   Sacramento State Summer Camps Sacramento offers some excellent state summer camps for children. Some options to consider are: iD Tech  Hornet sports  Peak Adventures Sac State Aquatic Center   Conclusion: Best Summer Camp in Sacramento? Sacramento has a great number of camps and activities to keep your kids engaged during the summer. You won’t have to worry about your kids sitting around being bored all summer when there are some wonderful programs to choose from in Sacramento. However, out of all the above options, Rebounderz Sacramento offers some of the best indoor  activities for value. They offer a variety of activities that benefit all age groups. They also offer great birthday party packages for those summer birthday parties.  Rebounderz indoor trampoline park is temperature-controlled which is also perfect during the summer months. No matter what the weather outside is, Rebounderz is always a comfortable atmosphere for you, your kids, and your group to enjoy. #### Munchkin & Me is a Great Time for the Active Toddler Every mom of a toddler knows that it’s helpful to find activities to entertain your child while keeping them physically active. They’ll be happy to play, and the fact that the will wear themselves out helps naptime and the rest of the day. This fun program for young children is the perfect chance for you to play with your child, for your child to play with other children, and for you to meet other moms. Munchkins & Me is for children seven and under. During the school year, the hours of Tuesday and Friday from 11 to 1. During the summer, the hours are Tuesday and Friday from 9 to 11. Parents, grandparents and caregivers will all love bringing young kids for a romp on the trampolines. The well-padded trampolines give the children an opportunity to play while they develop gross motor skills like jumping and working on their balance. They can play with the foam blocks, and build whatever their imagination leads them to build. We have other toys and refreshments to keep them, and you, happy. Join us for our Munchkin & Me sessions and end up with a happy, tired child who will be eager to share the tales of their trampoline adventures. Gather some friends and head to Rebounderz for some Munchkin & Me time! #### Munchkin and Me For Kids Under 7 Rebounderz Rohnert Park is an indoor trampoline area that provides fun for the whole family. For older kids, we have afterschool dodgeball, summer camp, and even Teen Frenzy night, but what about the little ones? We have something for them too! Time to Bounce! When your toddler is more active than your house can contain, or you need the company of other grownups, head to Rebounderz in Rohnert Park. From 11a.m.-1p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays during the school year, we have a special program for little ones. They can play on the trampolines, in the foam pit or build with foam blocks. We also get out other toys for them to play with. Moms, Dads, Grandmas, and Grandpas can enjoy free Starbucks coffee and bagels while the kids play. $15 for 2 hours for child and adult, and $3 each additional child Make Munchkin and Me part of your routine at Rebounderz indoor trampoline arena! Munchkin and Me Munchkin and Me is a program designed especially for little ones, up to 7 years, and their moms and dads. We know it can be hard to get out of the house with little kids and not lose your mind in the process. Our Munchkin and Me program gives you somewhere to go and something to keep the kids happy! Parallel Play Children go through distinct developmental stages as they grow, and one stage that is very pronounced is the parallel play stage. Between about one year and 18 months, children go through this phase, which is marked by them liking the proximity of other children their age but engaging in parallel play, which is playing next to them, but not interacting with them. The Older Toddler From about 19 months to 25 months, toddlers begin to play in earnest with other children, though this may leave you wishing for the days of parallel play. During this phase, they can be fiercely possessive of their toys and, lacking self control, tend to bite or hit to defend their toys. #### Must-Read Books for Kids Parents have a lot on their plate, from socialization, to education, to just plain keeping the kids alive. That's a lot for anybody to do. Naturally, it probably feels like you're being pulled in a ton of different directions all of the time. Luckily there are some habits you can create that will do wonders for your kids as they turn into adults. One of those habits is daily reading. There is no better skill to not only give your child an edge in school and life, but also instill a sense of wonder about the world. If you are looking for books for you and your child to get into, here is a list of some of our favorites. Where The Wild Things Are This classic children's book by Maurice Sendak has been delighting kids for generations. We all know our little ones are wild things at heart, and they will appreciate all the wonderful characters they get to meet in this book. We all need to let our little monsters out every once in a while, but that doesn't mean that your family won't be there waiting when you get back. Owl Moon If you like midnight forest illustrations, then you will love this children's book by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr. Many bird watchers owe their hobby to the interest sparked by this book. Join this father/daughter duo in their search for the great and elusive horned owl. There is plenty of woodland adventure to be had along the way! The Giving Tree This Shel Silverstein classic teaches your kids moral lessons about giving while having fun along the way. Follow the story of a giving tree that sacrifices its life for a little boy who turned into a self centered adult. This book is often interpreted through environmental or religious lines, but everybody agrees that it excels with its poignant theme of the importance of generosity. Harold and the Purple Crown The power of a child's imagination should never be underestimated. You'll see just what a kid can do with a little imagination and a purple crown in this wonderful children's book by Crockett Johnson. Just make sure to monitor your kids' crayon access in the house afterward. The Frog and Toad What do frogs and toads have in common? A lot, it turns out! Follow the adventures of these two unlikely friends in this story collection by Arnold Lobel. This is a great story for showing kids how to overcome differences and maintain friendships. With great painted illustrations to lead you through the story, this is a must read to add to your list.   Hopefully at least one of these stories will prove new and interesting to you and your little ones. Reading is important to a child's development, so remember to schedule book time in! When you want to get out for a fun time with the kiddos, take them to our Lansdale trampoline park. We host kids' birthday parties and all kinds of other events. Give us a call for more information.   #### Ninja Courses Coming To Rebounderz Ninja Warrior Course Now that August has finally arrived, we are pleased to announce that our new Ninja Warrior inspired course is almost ready to unveil itself! We are super proud and know all our jumpers are going to love it. Not only is this going to be a full sized state of the art course, it is also going to be for kids and adults. So now everyone can join in on the fun! This awesome new attraction is going to have not one, but two courses for you to enjoy. One course will be for all the big kids out there-we are talking to you adults. You will actually be able to feel like you are on the television show! Running, jumping, and soaring over our elevated course will be the highlight of your day, if not your month. Also, we will incorporate a separate course so that the little ones won’t miss out on all the fun. This course will be available for kids seven and under. They will be able to experience the daring feats of the course made just for their tiny selves. This attraction is going to able to be utilized by all ages which will make for some of the most fun we have to offer. The course is going to consist of many exciting and daring obstacles; cargo nets, zip lines, ropes, and more. This course is sure to test your limits. Thinking about what actual Ninja Warriors can do is quite perplexing. However, if we break it down to the basics it would be very easy to prepare for our course. Grip, Balance, and Footwork Grip Abnormal and more difficult objects to grab hold of Balance Smaller surfaces to walk across and be exposed to Footwork To move fast and have more precise movements. If you practice these three things, you will be a master at our course in no time! These abilities will lead to your success when competing against our other ninjas. So we hope you are as excited as we are for this awesome new attraction we have at Rebounderz. We have put a lot of thought and effort into this course and we want you to enjoy it as much as we do. A release date is coming soon but keep practicing on those ninja skills, checking our website, and experiencing our other great attractions. Soon enough you can and will be a ninja with us! #### Ninja Obstacle Course Learning Benefits   You want your kids to have a great birthday. You want their friends to have a lot of fun, and you’d probably like their parents to be happy with the experience. But, you don’t want a house full of sugared-up, hyper kids with no focus or organized activities.   You may also want the activities planned for your child’s birthday to have some educational value. Of course, in order to sneak that in, any learning will have to be imperceptible to the kids. If they think you are trying to get them to learn something, you may end up with a mutiny on your hands. Our 200-foot long Ninja Warrior Course has something for every kid and every level of ability. And, believe it or not, it offers a learning experiences unlike anything else. Your kids and their friends will never expect a thing! Memory When children take on a new challenge, like an obstacle course, they naturally want to improve their performance. They want to get better and go faster. To accomplish those goals, they have to learn to remember what they did last time around, and understand what worked and what didn’t. Practicing these skills during play time help kids function better in the real world where they make, and need to learn from mistakes, every day. There are no crutches on the course. No lists, no written down sequence of steps to follow to ensure success, and no one standing over their shoulder to remember everything for them. They’ve got to learn on their own in order to get better. And, trust us, beating their friends in a race to the end is a great motivator. They’ll learn pretty darn quickly. Discipline and Decision Making Winning requires discipline. This is something that your grade school and middle school age kids will learn during their Rebounderz birthday. Kids younger than that are probably going to be more focused on just getting their motor skills working and completing individual obstacles. You know that the older your children get, the more competitive they become. They’ve got those motor-skills down. They know how to remember each step in the course so that they can improve, and their fine motor skills are pretty well formed. When competition becomes the focus of your child’s Ninja Warrior birthday party, they’ll be practicing their ability to self-discipline. And they’ll be doing it all on their own. How great is that? Decision making is a big part of self-discipline. Children learn to make choices like, “‘Do I want to win at all costs, or do I want to play fairly?’ and ‘What do I want more, to win or to get the first piece of birthday cake?’”   Coordination, Strength and Agility While your child is having the best birthday ever at Rebounderz, they’ll also be building bilateral coordination, practicing their motor-planning skills, learning how to process and manage a ton of sensory input, and strengthening their muscles! Each part of the course requires that kids engage a different set of muscles and a different set of skills. They may need to climb, walk, run, jump, balance, spin and swing. Each of these activities helps improve their coordination, strength and agility. Gross motor skills and visual perception are all improved through these activities. While we may not think about these things as a type of learning, they are. In fact, they are a very important types of learning, and they require practice and concentrated effort. An obstacle course, like our Ninja Warrior Course, encourages both practice and effort. Fine motor skills are also strengthened on an obstacle course. Gross motor play actually contributes a lot to fine motor skills. Grabbing and holding, taking thoughtful, deliberate steps and coordinating concurrent movements, all of which are required on our course, help to develop fine motor skills. Make it a Sensory Play Day The entire Rebounderz Trampoline Arena experience makes for one big day filled with sensory play. Whether you’ve got little ones or teenagers, they’ll have a fantastic time here. And the fact that they are learning new, important skills the whole time will just remain our little secret. We think Rebounderz in Grand Rapids is the perfect place for birthday parties. If you want to learn more, give us a call or come in and meet with one of our party planners. We’ll do all of the heavy lifting for your little one’s big day, so you can relax and enjoy the day with them. See you soon! #### Ninja Warrior Course at Rebounderz of Edison, NJ Be a Ninja, Try Our Obstacle Course! Obstacle courses are fun activities for people of any age. No matter if you’re seven or 70, everyone can find obstacles courses fun. Whether you are participating or just watching, obstacles courses offer a form of entertainment that is hard to beat. If you are living in Edison, NJ, your local Rebounderz has an exciting obstacle course for your to try out. In is blog, we will be discussing the benefits of an obstacles course and what you local Edison Rebounderz has to offer you and your family! About Our Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Our obstacle course is called a Ninja Warrior Course, after the popular television show, American Ninja Warrior. In the show, contestants compete to finish a physically challenging obstacle course. The contestant with the fastest time, wins! Our course has some similarities to the television show, but it is not nearly as difficult. For instance, our obstacle course doesn’t include a swimming pool or a 10-foot wall to climb over. Instead, our obstacle course features small obstacles that only offer slight challenges to our “contestants.” The Ranges of Difficulty What makes our obstacle courses special is that we have ranges of difficulty. This means that based on your skill level you can choose a course that is either more or less challenging. By giving our customers options, we can ensure that no one will try an obstacle course that is too hard for them. Obstacle courses that are diverse in difficulty give our customers more obstacles courses to try out to determine their agility level. At our local Edison Rebounderz, our obstacle course has a total of four lanes of difficulty. But what’s included in our obstacle course? What is Included in Our Course? Our obstacle courses are jam-packed with many different and fun activities. Specifically, our obstacles courses have quad steps, hanging doors, and a swing to cargo netting. But that’s not all! Some of our courses other feature include: Hanger with Pegs Slack LInes Warped Walls A Spider Wall What separates the New Jersey Rebounderz from other locations of our franchise is that we have the first ever spider wall built into our warrior course. So, if you would like to challenge yourself to try our spider wall — visit our trampoline park! Benefits The benefits of our ninja warrior course are obvious — fun, play, and exercise. It is nearly impossible to participate in our obstacle course and not get your heart pumping. Children need daily exercise, but sometimes, they don’t feel like they need to and would rather stay inside. At Rebounderz, we make staying active a fun experience. Instead of wanting to stay indoors and play video games or dolls, children can get excited to be active and try our obstacle course. Though it might not seem like a big deal, children that don’t get their needed daily exercise are at a greater risk for developing terrible conditions. For one, childhood obesity is a major epidemic in America, as children are not eating the right foods or staying active every day. Aside from obesity, children could develop slower cognitive and motor skills. Without activity, your child could grow unhealthy and sluggish. But, of course, not being active doesn’t guarantee these outcome, but it does increase your child’s risk of developing these problems. Our obstacle course allows your child to stay active in a fun way. Because we are able to make physical activity enjoyable, this would be considered a major benefit, however, there are other benefits too! For instance, our obstacle course can teach your children about competition and good sportsmanship. How? Obstacle courses only work if children use them fairly and share the space with each other. So, not only will your child have to learn patience when using the obstacle course, but they can learn how to share with other children. Obstacle courses are more fun when two competitors race through the course. This “racing” can also teach your child about friendly competition. Rates and Requirements for Participation Typically, our Edison Rebounderz is open Tuesday through Sunday (at varying times). However, on October 8th, our indoor trampoline park is opening its doors from 10 am to 8 pm. During this time, you can utilize our indoor trampoline arena, as well as our ninja warrior course. While our obstacle course can be fun for anyone, Rebounderz has some requirements for our contestants. You must wear athletic shoes in order to participate in our obstacle course, and must be at least 44 inches tall. Also, our obstacle course has a weight limit of 275 pounds. If you can make it within these parameters, you can participate in our ninja warrior course! Edison Rebounderz Come to our Edison, NJ Rebounderz today to experience our obstacle course. See your skill level and determine how fast you have get through our course! #### Ninja Warrior Course Coming to Rebounderz in West Michigan Ninja Warrior Course Coming to Rebounderz in West Michigan by Chris Bouma. As I reflect on my childhood and think about raising my two children, who doesn’t get excited by the thought on Ninja’s or Warriors? We all have a little of both in us, as children and even adults.  Over the last several years, Ninja Warrior has evolved into a cultural phenomenon with competitions, events, and television.  When the concept of adding a high end Ninja Warrior course into our Rebounderz offerings, we were pumped! Tune into our live construction feed of our Ninja Warrior Course below: The concept is simple, but the execution is complex.  We wanted the longest, highest, coolest, most challenging course possible for our customers.  It started in early 2016 when Rich VanDyke and myself traveled to Newport News, Virginia; and got to see the first course in the Rebounderz family open up to the public.  It was an instant hit as customers flocked to the location and the excitement was off the charts for this new attraction. Our Rebounderz friends in Rhonert Park, CA installed  their Ninja Warrior course in September of 2016 with some modifications, changes, and upgrades.  Again, customers young and old flocked to this new attraction.  Our challenge was to now take industry’s best design and make it bigger, better, and “badder”! Rich and I worked for 3 months with multiple sources and the Rebounderz Corporate engineers to come up with something ground breaking.  Our Ninja Warrior course will be over 200 feet and contain 3 different courses designed for the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced participants.  The course will feature dozens of obstacles; Michigan’s first Spider Wall, a multi-section elevated course, and the finish line is on top of a 10 foot warp wall.  All this will be highlighted with state of the art design and colors, LED lights, timer system, and horn/smoke effects. Apparatus can be moved and swapped out every month to keep the course fresh and new for those who wish to participate in leagues, time trials, or just like to visit often. (The course featured here is located in Rebounderz of Rohnert Park, CA) Our course has been built and is being shipped to our location for installation in early March.  We expect to be open for business with our Ninja Warrior course during the week of March 12th and we will have multiple features, events, contests, and media coverage to celebrate the addition of our Rebounderz Ninja Warrior course. Everyone at Rebounderz is excited and we can’t wait to see all the Ninja’s in West Michigan bring out the warrior in themselves. Rebounderz Grand Rapids, MI 7500 Cottonwood Dr. Jenison, MI 49428 616-455-5600 RebounderzGrandRapids.com Follow  us on Facebook to keep up to date on the build out of our Ninja Warrior Course. #### Ninja Warrior Course For Fun and Fitness! If you are working on getting fit to conquer the new, exciting Ninja Warrior Course at Rebounderz Rohnert Park, one word you may come across, again and again, is plyometrics. Unless you are already pretty hardcore into working out, this might sound like a foreign language. But, knowing what plyometrics are and incorporating them into your workout will benefit your overall fitness, strength, and agility, and they will all give you an edge on the Ninja Warriors Course. What is Plyometrics? The concept behind plyometrics is really quite simple. At the center of plyometrics, is full-body quick release actions. Any action, like jumping, that involves multiple muscle groups to work together is essentially plyometric. It may be tempting to think that jumping involves just your legs, but when you involve your back and arms, your jump will become more powerful and you will jump farther or higher. Some types of jumps that will help you develop your jumping power include rebounding jumps, cone jumps, and hurdle jumps, this according to breakingmuscle.com. Box Rebounding Jumps These are jumps you do up onto a box. One key element to a well-done rebound jump is to land on the top of the box with your knees bent and your feet together and close to the edge. When you land on the ground, you want to land again with your knees bent so you can pop right back up onto the box. One of the best things to do in this jump is to involve your arms. Move your arms in a circular motion to add to your momentum. Start these jumps at a low level at first, and then slowly move to higher and higher boxes. It’s important to do your calf and Achilles’ tendon stretches before you do these jumps so you don’t hurt yourself. Cone Jumps The name of these jumps gives away the game here. These jumps are done around and over a traffic cone. You can use pretty much anything as a substitute for the cone. The goal of these jumps is to jump as fast as you can in a side-to-side fashion. The more consistent and rhythmic you can jump, the better. You can start off with a low object and jump laterally over it. As soon as you hit the ground on one side, launch yourself back over it. A variation of this is to jump onto a low box and then off in the opposite direction and then back, eventually jumping all the way over it without stopping at the top of the box. Hurdle Jumps If you know what a hurdle is, you know that it is usually jumped in intervals with measured running steps between the hurdles, but for plyometrics, you are going to shake things up a bit. For plyometric hurdle jumps, you will place the hurdles close together and jump over them from a standing position. This is, obviously, an advanced jump, but you can find something to take the place of the hurdles until you achieve mastery of the movement, and then you can advance to hurdles. Plyometric hurdle jumps can be done frontward or sideways. You will jump over the hurdle, bounce once and launch yourself over the next hurdle. The kind of explosive power you’ll get from these jumps will come is very handy on a Ninja Warrior Course! How will jumps help me on the Ninja Warrior Course at Rebounderz Rohnert Park? Practicing plyometric jumps will significantly improve your Ninja Warrior Course performance, one way obstacle element they will improve your performance on is Quad jumps.. Every Ninja Warrior Course has quad jumps. Quad jumps are where you leap from one side of the obstacle course to the other, with varying degrees of distance between landing pads. Being able to spring from one pad to the next without having to stop will increase your chances of making it all the way through. The overall agility, strength, and conditioning improvements that you’ll experience from these jumps will really pay off in the Ninja Warrior Course. Get a baseline performance and keep coming back to test your progress at Rebounderz Rohnert Park Ninja Warrior, where you get full access for two hours for just one low price! #### Ninja Warrior Course Means Fun and Challenges! Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena in Rohnert Park now has a Ninja Warrior Course! After months of anticipation, we are so happy to share with the public our new Ninja Warrior Course. This multi-faceted obstacle course offers fun, physical and mental challenges. Gather your family and friends, and head to Rohnert Park for a great time. Friday to Sunday you can get an all-access pass for 90 minutes for just $22. You can also buy a pass for just the Ninja Warrior Course for $16 for 60 minutes Monday to Thursday and on the weekends, the Warrior Ninja Course only access is just $17 for 60 minutes. Test Your Strength Whether you are working toward conquering the Ninja Warrior Course itself or using it as a way to cross-train, we know that strength is a key component to training. Every track star needs to have upper body strength also in order to pump themselves across the finish line! The ropes and doors require great upper body strength to hold onto them. Of course, if you fall off, you’ll land on the soft landing pads below so you’ll still be having fun. The rope swing will also require strength to hold on to while you swing from one place to the other. Test Your Agility Agility is the ability to be quick and graceful. Balance and speed are key factors in agility and you’ll get to test and improve your agility on the Ninja Warrior Course at Rebounderz. The cargo net obstacles require strength and agility. When you hop, skip, or jump across the lilypads, you’ll be testing your agility. Don’t fall! The balance beam element will also challenge your agility, along with your balance. Level Up!! The Ninja Warrior Course has three lanes of increasing difficulty. As you practice and get better, you will be able to do more and more of the course! Do it all or perfect one lane at a time. There is something for everyone (everyone over 44 inches). Have Fun! Besides taking advantage of our all-access Ninja Warrior Course only passes, you can also plan a birthday party around the Ninja Warrior Course. For kids, teens, or adults, we offer Ninja Warrior Course birthday packages. We also offer corporate team-building events that are great for moral. The corporate event includes a professionally facilitated work session too. Rebounderz in Rohnert Park is a great place to come. We have visitors from all over Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties. You could even make a day of it from San Francisco! Join us for some bouncing good fun!   #### Ninja Warrior Course Obstacles Explained When you watch American Ninja Warrior on TV, you may be wondering what all the different obstacles are and where they came from. In fact, if you come into Rebounderz Rohnert Park, you probably want to know exactly what an obstacle is called in order to be able to articulate your experience with someone else. You don’t want to be go up to your friend or your child and say, “I messed up that one hanging thingy,” or, “I probably need to try that massive stair stepper bit.” Not only are those sentences difficult to understand what is being talked about, but they’re also just plain silly. Here at Rebounderz Rohnert Park, when you come try our ninja courses, we want you to know what you’re trying out and maybe a few techniques on how to get through various, unique obstacles. Salmon Ladder The salmon ladder is one of the toughest obstacles in American Ninja Warrior, because it uses solely upper body strength. (Who are we kidding, almost all of the obstacles use solely upper body strength). During the salmon ladder, you hold onto a bar and use momentum to jump the bar up rung by rung. The goal is to climb the ladder in this manner and can include anywhere from four to eight jumps in order to make it to the top. In order to even attempt this obstacle, really work on both bicep and tricep strength. Pole Grasper A rather difficult obstacle, especially if you’re on the shorter side, the pole grasper occurs in stage three of American Ninja Warrior. This is where several poles are set up a bit like fire escape poles and you have to hang on one, then transition to the next and so on. During the obstacle, the distance between the poles gets further and further, up to roughly five feet. There are a couple of techniques. Some ninjas do it a bit like a monkey where you have a foot and a hand on each pole at a time. For smaller individuals, you have to jump to make the farther distances. Cannonball Alley Cannonball alley has taken out many competitors in American Ninja Warrior to the point where many people weren’t sure how possible it actually was. This obstacle is made up of three balls that hang from wires. Each ball gets progressively bigger and the last one is about the size of a bowling ball. Competitors hang from each and have to maneuver from one to another without losing their grip and falling. The shape of the grips and the size increase makes it exceptionally difficult to maneuver this obstacle later in the course. These are just a few of the many, many obstacles that competitors of American Ninja Warrior have seen on the courses throughout the many seasons of the competition. If you’re not daunted by a challenge and you want to tackle the same type of training that competitors go through for the show, come by our ninja course at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park today!   #### Ninja Warrior Course Obstacles Explained Part 2 Whether you watch American Ninja Warrior on TV or you like to push yourself to do more difficult physical challenges, you probably love the idea of trying out some of the ninja course obstacles for yourself. Here at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park, we have a state-of-the-art ninja warrior course that anyone can try out! With a variety of obstacles and varying levels of difficulty, you can come see what you’re really made of. If you’re not an American Ninja Warrior afficianado, and maybe just an occasional watcher, you may not know all the different obstacles by heart. In fact, you may not even know their names. Previously on the blog we covered the salmon ladder, the pole grasper, and cannonball alley, but keep reading to learn a few more obstacles and ways you can tackle and train on them. Floating Walls The floating walls seen on American Ninja Warrior have caused tons of trouble for many competitors in the early stages of the competition. They are literally exactly what they sound like: four floating walls that competitors have to traverse. These walls face the starting point and are spaced a couple of feet apart. Individuals have to hang on the sides and work their way across. Really get your feet involved to find success on this obstacle. Vertical Limit One competitor, Joe Moravsky, claims that vertical limit is one of the hardest obstacles on the show and for good reason. Competitors must traverse a tiny, two inch ledge using just their grip strength. Pieces of the ledge are set apart so that you have to make reaches and sometimes jumps in order to finish. Rock climbing techniques and grip strength are absolutely essential in order to complete this difficult obstacle. Globe Grasps Another obstacle commonly found on the ninja course that requires similar strength to vertical limit and rock climbing techniques is the globe grasps. Competitors hang from these palm-sized balls much like you would the monkey bars, and make your way across. There is typically a change in vertical direction as well, making it that much harder. While this obstacle may seem deceptively easy, it takes a lot of upper body and grip strength to accomplish. Ring Toss While the name makes it sound like a carnival game, the ring toss is an exceptionally tricky obstacle. It’s necessary to have a wide arm span in order to find this a little bit easier. Competitors have to use two large rings to traverse a set of pegs that first go up and then down. Once again, the motion is a bit like the monkey bars, but you have to hang onto the large rings in order to finish the obstacle. Here at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park, whether you’re looking for a training opportunity or just want to have some fun, our ninja warrior course is something that should not be missed. Contact us today for more information, or come on by and give it a try for yourself! And as always, come to Rebounderz for maximum fun and maximum safety! #### Ninja Warrior Course Obstacles Explained Part 3 With so many unique obstacles on ninja courses, it’s hard to cover all the different variations of what you may see on the show American Ninja Warrior, and what you may experience when you come test out your own skills on the ninja warrior course at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park. When you come test yourself on the Rebounderz ninja course, we want you to know what you might encounter and how best to tackle each possible obstacle along the way! Previously on the blog, we’ve gone over general obstacles you might see and also some upper body obstacles that are incredibly difficult. Today, we’ve got a bunch of obstacles that involve the use of your legs and exceptional balance skills for you to check out! Warped Wall The warped wall is a common challenge that can be found on both American Ninja Warrior and at several Rebounderz locations. This wall is one that extends up and in a concave manner away from you. You have to get a good running start and use momentum to get you up the wall to where to can grasp the edge and pull yourself up. This is often a challenge because gravity is working hard against you. Not only does it make it hard to reach the top edge due to the concave nature of the wall, but once you get up to the edge, it’s all upper body strength to finish the obstacle. Running Steps This common obstacle often starts of each segment of American Ninja Warrior and can be found at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park! This obstacle is comprised of four angled panels that are decently sized. They are angled at just over a 45 degree angle and coated with a sand-like texture. The trick to this obstacle is to keep moving. It may be tempting to take your time, but if you keep moving, you won’t risk sliding off, which could very well happen due to the angle. In order to accomplish this obstacle, you have to be willing to make some rather large leaps in just one stride from basically a standing position. This obstacle looks easy, but it may take a bit of practice to truly master. Slack Ladder If you’ve ever tried slacklining, you’re a step ahead on the slack ladder. This obstacle is designed to look like a horizontal ladder, however, it’s not that easy to get across. Because the ladder is made of a webbing material and has extra give, it’s actually a very difficult balance challenge. Taking your time and utilizing your balance skills and stabilizer muscles in your legs is key to not being flung from this obstacle. There are a couple different techniques in order to get across. Individuals can attempt to put one foot on each side of the ladder and evenly slide each foot along. Another approach is to simply stride across the slates and hope you can make the large distances. The catch is that you can’t use your hands to touch the slack ladder or else it doesn’t count. Balance Bridge This is another obstacle that often seems overly simple. In fact, if you can do a balance beam, odds are you can conquer this balance bridge. The catch is that the balance bridge moves, where a balance beam does not. Many ninja warriors rush through this obstacle and are eliminated from the competition because they were overconfident. The balance bridge is made of two separate beams that tilt at angles forward and backward with your weight, a bit like a teeter totter. If you take your time through the obstacle, you’re more likely to have success than if you rush. Cargo Net The cargo net is an American Ninja Warrior staple that can be found on many different courses. Often, a competitor will have to use a mini trampoline to catapult onto the cargo net. This cargo net then hangs downward and you have to make your way under it in order to make it to the completion platform. One quick tip is to lead with your legs and let your upper body follow to get through the cargo net. Here at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park, we love to see kids and adults alike tackle the ninja warrior courses we have onsite. Come visit us and play to your heart’s content! Call today for more information, or come stop by and have some fun! #### Ninja Weapons Who doesn't love ninjas in this day and age? If the success of American Ninja Warrior is any indication, not many people! For those who don't know, American Ninja Warrior is a show where athletes compete on an obstacle course, performing great feats of strength to get through them. Here at Rebounderz, we actually have our very own Grand Rapids ninja warrior course available to try for all the budding ninjas out there. But before you start training, maybe you would like to learn a little bit more about what it means to be a ninja. Here, we go over some of the tools and weapons commonly used by ninjas. Shuriken This is probably one of the more famous weapons historically used by ninjas. Known colloquially in America as the "throwing star", the shuriken was actually commonly used by all warrior casts in Japan, not just ninjas. There are generally two types of shuriken, the plate type and stick type. The plate type is what people generally think of when they hear shuriken, and can be three pointed, four pointed, or eight pointed. The stick type looks like a sharp nail. It is harder to throw accurately, but also does more damage than a plate type shuriken. Ninja Sword Like their samurai counterparts, ninjas also carried swords. The kind of ninja swords that you will find today differ from samurai swords in that they are a bit shorter, and are straight instead of curved. However, these were made in the Edo period, after the heyday of the ninja. They are, however, the closest extant swords to what a ninja in the warring states period might have carried. Their shorter length was likely made for versatility, so it could be used in close quarters combat as well as in the open. Kurasigama This complex weapon is essentially a sickle attached to a chain attached to a weight. It was originally made from farm equipment, and indeed was used by the working rather than soldier class originally. Due to its versatility as a weapon and its ability to be concealed, it saw a lot of use by ninja clansmen. Generally, a ninja would swing the weighted end to either disarm an opponent or lock one of their limbs, then they would go in for the kill with the sickle. Most surviving kurasigamas from history were caste not by swordsmiths, but regular agricultural blacksmiths. Kunai Unlike the previous entries, the kunai has historically been used exclusively by the ninja. It is much like the stick type shuriken, except with a more blade like edge on one end and a metal ring on the other. This design allows the kunai to not only be used as a deadly throwing weapon, but also as a tool. For instance, rope could be put through the metal ring, so that the kunai could be thrown onto a ceiling or tree branch and used as a grapple. Kunai can also be wedged into walls to create footholds that allow ninja to climb up. Finally, the shape of kunai meant they could also be used as sharp daggers for extreme close quarters combat. Makibishi Makibishi are what we would call in America caltrops. They are just little spiky protrusions of metal that stick out every which way. The ninja would use them to escape from battle with whatever valuable information they had stolen. They would throw them on the ground, and the samurai giving chase would step on them. The sandals of the time were not made to withstand metal puncturing, and the samurai would be unable to give further chase. Makibishi were originally made out of the fruits of the water caltrop. These fruits are naturally hard and pointy, but when baked in the sun become hard enough to cut flesh. Tekko-Kagi They may look more suited to Wolverine, but the ninja were using metal claws as weapons long before the X-men came on the scene. However, like the kurasigama, the tekko-kagi are a reapplication of a farming tool. Originally used as a sickle to tear out weeds, tekko-kagi were easily re purposed into a brawling weapon. It would often be worn on both hands, which gave ninjas an edge when facing a samurai with a single sword. They could use one hand to defensively block a slash, while going in with their other hand for the kill. Tekken Like the tekko-kagi, tekken are a metal extension of the hand. In America, we call them brass knuckles. They are a metal bar that the hand fits through, so that metal protrusions stick out of the knuckles. They gained popularity with ninjas because they can be so easily concealed, are effective brawling weapons, and could even be used to stop a sword slice if absolutely necessary. Manriki-Gusari The manriki-gusari is much like the kurasigama in how it is put together. While the kurasigama is a sickle and a weight connected by a chain, the manriki-gusari is two metal weights connected by a chain. The length of chain in a manriki-gusari is considerably shorter than the kurasigama, however. Much like the kurasigama, it is easily concealable (more so, actually), and is used in combat in a similar way, with the weight being thrown either to injure to incapacitate a limb/weapon. Kakute A diabolical weapon, the kakute is reminiscent of the prank hand buzzer that sends a shock to an unsuspecting victim. However, unlike those joke gags, instead of a small current of electricity, kakute give you an inch of steel in your flesh. They are essentially just a ring with sharp metal spikes facing away from the palm. As such, they are almost impossible to spot as a weapon and easy to smuggle just about anywhere. In a fight, they are used to make blocks very painful and gouge into exposed flesh. Amigasa Common to monks, samurai, and ninja alike, the amigasa is a type of woven hat. If you're having trouble picturing it, just think of the character Raiden from Mortal Combat. He wears an Amigasa in the video game. While prevalent in many castes of Japan, the amigasa worked well as a tool for ninja because it could be used to smuggle weapons and information. It could also be used to cover ones face by keeping the head at a slightly downward angle.   Wow, ninjas sure do have a lot of equipment to keep track of! Luckily, modern ninjas only need their body, mind, and of course a ninja obstacle course to gain fame. Make sure to come by our Grand Rapids trampoline park with our very own ninja warrior course to test out your ninja skills. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about our location, hours, or attractions. #### Nutrition for Kids Recently, we took a look at the importance of fitness for children, especially with the reduction in physical activity most kids deal with today. In that post, we brought up how a strong foundation of exercise and nutrition at a young age can have a hugely positive impact on children as they grow up and can instill healthy habits as they move to adulthood. Today we’ll be taking a closer look at nutrition to help your kids live a life of wellness for years to come. When you’re looking for a way to get your kids active and exercising, come on over to Rebounderz Trampoline Park. We’re located right here in Lansdale and have many attractions that kids and adults both love. -Proteins Protein is one of the most important building blocks for childhood nutrition. It helps build muscles, promotes cell growth, boosts the body’s natural metabolism, strengthens immune systems, produces positive caloric energy, and helps to produce hemoglobin which improves oxygen circulation through the blood system. The amount of protein (and all nutrients) that is recommended changes depending on your child’s age, so we would advise taking a look at a chart that details recommended portion sizes as they grow up. Great sources of protein include seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans, peas, soy products like tofu, and unsalted nuts and seeds. That means no matter if you are vegetarian or a through and through carnivore, there are plenty of options to get protein in the whole family’s meal plan. This is especially helpful for kids who are picky eaters. It’s pretty easy to find some source of protein that your little one will enjoy, whether it’s chicken or snap peas. A delicious snack like one cup of edamame contains 17 grams of protein, for example. -Fruits Maybe the easiest part of nutrition to convince kids to eat, fruit is naturally sweet. That means it feels like a treat or dessert, though it is much lower in sugar than candy. The natural sugars in fruit help provide energy and the vitamins and nutrients help build overall health and immunity. Avoid fruit juice unless it is legitimately 100 percent juice, as many fruit juices are packed with added sugar, sodium, and artificial flavoring. Limit dried fruits as they can add a lot of extra calories. A quarter-cup of dried fruit counts as one cup-equivalent of fresh fruit, so a smaller portion is recommended. Stick with fresh fruit or canned fruit that is either light or packed in its own juice to minimize added sugar. -Vegetables On the other end from fruit, veggies have a much tougher road to winning kids over. Try a variety of different vegetables, whether they’re fresh, canned, frozen, or dried. Getting a good mix of them will give them a lot of different nutrients and flavors, making sure veggies don’t get the broad label of ‘yucky’ from your kid. Find different recipes for new ideas how to prepare the vegetables in case it’s an issue with texture or flavor to see what appeals to your child. When getting canned or frozen veggies, look for options that are lower in sodium. Who knows? Your little one might find vegetables that they really enjoy! -Grains This is where, along with vegetables, a lot of fiber will be coming from to improve digestive health. Whole grains like whole wheat bread, oatmeal, unbuttered popcorn, quinoa, and brown or wild rice are all delicious and great sources of fiber and healthy carbohydrates that provide energy. Lean more toward those options than refined grains like white bread, pasta, and white rice. -Dairy Fat-free or low-fat dairy products are great sources of the calcium needed for healthy bone growth. You can find milk, yogurt, cheese, or nutrient fortified soy milk that all fit the bill with minimal fat or added sugars. Steer clear of whole milk, half and half, and ice cream when possible to reduce fat and sugar intake. -What to Avoid As you’ve probably noticed from the sections above, it’s incredibly important to avoid foods with added sugars in them. This is especially true for refined sugars like those found in candy, cereal, and soda. Not only does refined sugar not carry any essential nutrients, rendering its calories “empty,” but it can also cause severe health issues like diabetes and dental cavities. You can find which products have added sugars pretty easily, as they will likely list it in the ingredients as sucrose or high fructose corn syrup. You’ll also want to limit saturated and trans fats like those that come from red meat, poultry, and full-fat dairy. Avoid foods that contain partially hydrogenated oil. While we wanted to give you a jumping off point for getting your kid started on a path to good nutrition, we advise you speak with your child’s doctor or licensed dietitian to ensure your little one’s specific nutritional needs are met. If you are looking for a fun way to add exercise to your child’s routine, call Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale. Exercise is always better when you’re having fun with it! #### Nutritional Tips for Kids and Parents Here at Rebounderz, we are all about providing kids a fun place to expend all their energy with our Sunrise trampoline park. But we know that for parents, having a great time with the kiddos is only half the battle. There's also that whole raising them into a responsible healthy adult thing. If you're anything like every other parent in existence, this probably gets overwhelming. To help you out, here are some nutritional tips to keep your kids healthy. Good Eating Habits Teach to eat holistically. Rather than just focus on certain foods to eat and avoid, make sure to impart why the food is good. For example, a child taught to eat minimally processed food on top of what foods are inherently healthy will likely make better dining decisions as an adult than one who was taught to eat their greens, but only eats processed vegetables. Practice what you preach. Kids learn by imitation much better than they learn things verbally. That means if you tell them to eat well, but don't yourself, you're more than likely imparting your eating habits than what you taught your child. Get the kids involved. Human beings learn best by doing, and that's just as true for children. Whether you're having them check the labels at the grocery store, whip up some batter, or read you recipe, they're not only learning valuable culinary skills and good eating habits, but they're taking a small step towards independence as well. Nix the clean plate rule. While many of us grew up with the clean plate rule, kids need to learn how to listen to their body when they're full. Forcing them to finish their plate daily, regardless of whether they want or need it, can instill food cravings and a lack of self control later in life. Meal Time Eat home as much as possible. Not only does this help you control what your child is eating, but it helps turn the great nutritious meals you make into a habit they will take into adulthood. Make meal time family time. Kids need social interaction, and they learn from it as well. It doesn't need to stop at nutrition by any means, and could either just be fun conversation or lending an ear for a problem they're experiencing. Snacking Find good tasting junk food alternatives. Instead of ice cream, try yogurt or a fresh fruit smoothie. Instead of chocolate chip cookies, a fruit and caramel dip or graham cracker. Instead of potato chips, try baked vegetable chips or nuts. Introduce variety. The more good tasting healthy options that your child is aware of, the less pull they'll feel to resort to more unhealthy junk foods. Hopefully these tips prove helpful. When your kids are too healthy, and have too much energy, they'll need a fun environment where they can expend it all. That's where we come in with our Sunrise, Fl trampoline park, with a ninja warrior course, kids birthday parties, and much more. Give us a call if you have any questions. #### October is National Bullying Prevention Month - How Rebounderz Helps Rebounderz and Bullying Bullying, unfortunately, is a very real part about growing up. The strong will often prey on the weak or innocent. Because this is a fact, many kids grow up feeling alone or ashamed. Bullying can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression in young children. The happiest childhood can easily be overcast by bullying and constant teasing. Really good moments can be poisoned by a mean-hearted joke, a rumor, or even physical bullying. Rebounderz takes bullying very seriously, and as it is National Bullying Prevention month, we would like to shed some light on the subject of bullying in America. Bullying Happens More Than Once Though bullying can have lasting effects in just one incident, bullying is rarely ever done once. Most times, bullies choose to tease other students two or three times a month. Though the bullying can range from small comments to severe physical torture, even once, it is never acceptable. Unfortunately, in America, bullying is very common. As much as 17 percent of students report being bullied two to three times a month and the bully is never punished. Over 3.2 million students in America are the victims of bullying each year, which means millions are struggling without any hope of being heard. Though Rebounderz is just an indoor trampoline park, we recognize that bullying is an issue in the United States. Because of this, we have a no-bullying policy in our park. We encourage cooperative play and jumping times. Anyone caught bullying could have their jumping right revoked, and if bad enough, asked to leave our trampoline arena. Consequences of Bullying The Victims: Victims of bullying can find that they are not as motivated to go to school, participate in their passions, and even hang out with friends. Isolation is, unfortunately, a primary symptom of bullying, as victims will feel insecure and outcasted. Because of this, victims can back themselves “into a corner” where they don’t feel comfortable to be themselves. Being constantly bullied can make victims want to skip school to avoid situations where they could be victimized. For instance, over 160,000 teens reportedly skip school every day to avoid being picked on by bullies. The Bully: Bullying is often a side effect of being bullied, ignored, or abused in some aspect outside life. Bullies tend to feel victimized in their lives themselves, which makes them feel like they need to bully others to regain control over their own dominance. Even the sweetest person could become a bully if they feel pressured to show dominance over someone else. Even though bullies can be rotten, there is generally always an explanation for their behavior. Regardless of why they bully, bullies tend to behave poorly to others to achieve something, either to make friends or to show power and control. However, when kids bully, it typically results in the opposite. Kids are less likely trust a bully to be their friend, which often leaves the bully to be in complete isolation for most of their school years. Bullies tend to bully to gain control or power, but this isn’t definite either. When kids bully, it shows that something is very seriously wrong, either in school life or home life. Bullying alerts others that something is fundamentally wrong in a child’s life, especially if they think physical and verbal abuse is the way to get what they want. Who Can You Reach Out To? By 14, 30 percent of boys and 40 percent of girls will talk to their peers about bullying. That means most kids will silently take being bullied and teased in silence. They can easily fill with hatred and loathing and have no outlet to relieve their frustration. In many cases, kids don’t want to snitch on others to tell a grown up that something is wrong. But, by staying silent, the issue is never resolved, which mean the bully is never punished. If your child is being bullied, they should absolutely tell their teacher or a grown-up. Bullying should never be tolerated in schools. But, unfortunately, even when bullying is happening every day, teachers are only able to intervene four percent of the time. That means the rest of bullying situations are never addressed. Why Are Kids Mean? Children are naturally mean, whether they mean to be or not. So, why are kids mean? Well, younger kids can be mean because they have not yet learned shame or how feelings and emotions work. However, older children between eight and 18 are mean because they are angsting about their lives. Puberty and adolescents, in general, are stressful times, which means bullying can be prevalent. Rebounderz Rohnert At Rebounderz, we have a no bullying rule. You can come enjoy our trampolines and other attractions, but bullying at our indoor trampoline park is never tolerated. Rebounderz is a place to have fun and enjoy being a kid. If you would like to have an afternoon filled with laughter and fun, visit your local Rohnert Rebounderz today! #### Our Ninja Warrior Course Can Inspire Imagination At one point in time you must have thought it would be cool to be a ninja. Whether you thought of it as a kid watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or when you were older, watching movies like Mortal Kombat or American Ninja. Ninjas are undoubtedly cool, that opinion doesn’t change from when you are child to when you’ve grown into an adult. Ninjas are stealthy, quick, and can handle themselves against dark and evil forces — why wouldn’t you want to pretend to be that! The best part of being a ninja is that you hone your skills, face your challenges, and triumph over them. At Rebounderz, we offer an attraction called the Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course. In the course, your kids can train like little ninjas and test their endurance. The Ninja Warrior course, is inspired by the television show, American Ninja Warrior. In the show male and female contestants compete and try to finish challenging obstacle courses. Whoever completes the course in the least amount of time, is crowned the winner. Though our contestants at Rebounderz don’t win money, they have the ability to compete against their peers and finish our obstacle course. At the Ninja Warrior course we provide kids the opportunity to test their skills, patience, and ability to overcome their challenges. The course is meant to encourage children to participate in physical activity. Though the course is fun for kids, it also can be considered an exercising tool. The course itself takes a lot of energy and a little bit of sweat to complete. Because of this, your little ones can simultaneously workout and have fun at the same time. While they are enjoying their time trying to complete the course, they also can be utilizing their imagination. At its core, the Ninja Warrior Course is designed to be fun, challenging, and encourage children to use their imagination. For example, they can imagine they are a young ninja warrior, training to defeat dark forces. Even if they aren't imagining themselves as ninjas-in-training, the obstacle course is provoking your kids to use their imaginations and creative skills, which is exceptionally healthy for them developmentally. Imagination is an important skill to develop because it involves the creation of new ideas. Though these ideas aren’t scientific, they are still valuable. When a child uses their mind to create new ideas and perceptions, they are using brain functioning which is helpful for brain development. By exercising their brain activity as children, later in life they will be able to formulate bigger, more effective ideas. By developing imaginative skills when they are younger, they will later be able to create useful ideas and implement them in their daily lives. If you would like to encourage your child to exercise, have fun, and use their imaginations, Rebounderz is perfect! Your child can not only play on our trampoline arena, but climb through our Ninja Warrior Course. If you would like to encourage your child to be imaginative and active, stop by your local Newport News, Rebounderz! See for yourself the benefits an indoor trampoline park can give you! #### Overcoming a Fear of Heights   Acrophobia, or the fear of heights, is a fear that affects about five percent of the population. Human nature makes most people have some level of anxiety when they think about falling off of something high. For others, the mere thought of being in a high up place can be paralyzing. However, acrophobia is a fear that can be conquered. We’ve compiled some helpful information for ways you can overcome a fear of heights. If you’d like to test this out in a safe environment, come into Rebounderz here in Lansdale. Our JumpXTREME Towers are an incredibly safe way to overcome your fear of heights in a super fun atmosphere. -Identify and Understand When dealing with a fear of heights, your first step should be identifying what triggers the fear. Is it the sight of being high up, or just the thought? Is there a level that you are comfortable with and a level that you aren’t? Once you get an idea of your limits, you’ll have a better shot at overcoming them. It’s also important to understand how you react to these situations; some people break out in a sweat, begin to shake uncontrollably, while others freeze in place. For some people, their fear is so extreme they have turned down job offers, simply because their office would be on a high level that they weren’t comfortable with. It’s recommended you sit down and write a list of any time you can remember that your fear stopped you from doing something you wanted to do. List how you reacted, how long it took you to calm down, and what made your fear come out. This will give you a good idea how your life has been affected by your fear. -Look at Statistics A phobia is defined as an ‘irrational’ fear of something most people don’t find threatening. If your fear of heights is relatively minor, you can probably assuage those worries with a look at the hard facts. Most of the things that cause acrophobia to trigger — tall buildings, airplanes, and roller coasters — are actually incredibly safe. They have been engineered to be as safe, sturdy, and secure as possible. The odds of being in a fatal plane crash are about one in 20 million. Compare that to the odds of getting struck by lightning (which is a cliche about how rare something can happen), which are estimated to be around one in one million. For some people, having these real numbers to look toward is enough to pacify their fears. -Relax The last thing anyone wants to hear when they are having a fear-based anxiety attack is to relax. That’s because relaxation can’t be an order; it has to come from within. Practicing deep breathing exercises and meditation while thinking about your fears can help you view them in a more practical and calm way. This is a practice that you can then carry with you when a fear does end up triggering. Just a reminder to yourself to do your breathing exercises will help center you and manage your response. Keeping a cool head when you’re scared is tough to do, but it is achievable with practice. -Reduce Caffeine Intake Caffeine is a notorious proponent of anxious feelings. It can make you feel jittery and cause your heart to race, which is definitely not what you want when you’re trying to remain calm. Cutting down on your caffeine intake will help your body be more prepared to handle those fearful moments. It takes less effort to calm down when your heart rate isn’t already running a mile a minute. That means it will be easier for you to confront your fear. -Start Off Slow When you try to overcome your fear, don’t immediately go to the furthest extreme possible. Instead of going right to the Skydeck at Willis Tower or skydiving out of a plane, start smaller and work your way up to larger challenges. Try looking over a second-floor balcony at first. Once you’re comfortable with that, go for a hike up a large hill and look back on the distance you’ve traveled. By accomplishing smaller goals along the way, your eventual goal of beating your phobia will feel far more achievable. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you need some extra motivation, try creating situations that will give you a push to confront your fear. You’re more likely to complete a task if you have made a commitment to do it. For example, if you’re at an amusement park and your friend wants you to go on a ride that you’re scared of, commit to it by saying you’ll do it to them. You won’t want to let your friend down, so you’re more likely to go through with it at that point. Of course, you should only do this if you are comfortable with taking that step. Don’t forget you can always use your relaxation techniques if the situation gets to be too much. Having a fear of heights is understandable, but it’s also something you can overcome. Practicing relaxation techniques, identifying what makes you scared, and working your way up to larger challenges are all ways you can get past acrophobia and enjoy new experiences in your life. At Rebounderz in Lansdale, you can start off small jumping in our trampoline park and work your way up to the JumpXTREME Tower to conquer your fear in a safe and fun environment. We hope to see you jumping around soon! #### Parkour and Ninja Warrior: One and the Same? Our partner Rebounderz trampoline park location in Edison took some time on their blog to talk about what exactly is parkour. Here at Rebounderz of Jacksonville we take parkour and our Ninja Warrior Course to a whole new level. Not only do we offer the chance to play and challenge yourself on our unique Ninja Warrior Course, but we also offer classes for both adults and kids in parkour. Because of this, we’re often asked if parkour and Ninja Warrior are essentially one and the same. That’s a bit of a difficult question to answer, but one very much worth exploring. Much like how a square is a type of rectangle, but a rectangle is not a square, parkour is a technique that is often used to tackle Ninja Warrior courses, but Ninja Warrior is not exclusively parkour. In fact, parkour is a movement technique that originated in France, while the idea of Ninja Warrior challenges actually started later on in Japan. However, the best competitors on American Ninja Warrior use many different techniques in order to complete the obstacles in front of them. So while parkour and Ninja Warrior are not one and the same, there are many instances where they cross over. One of the best examples of the use of parkour for any Ninja Warrior course is with the warped wall. This wall is shaped in a concave manner so that when you run at it to get to the top, you actually struggle because you hang from the lip without any supporting wall to plant your feet onto. The way to approach this type of Ninja Warrior obstacle is through parkour techniques where you use momentum to complete the movement. You can also see the use of parkour when you watch American Ninja Warrior and can see how the contestants use regular momentum to keep moving or how they may approach an obstacle differently. The UFO discs are a great example. The most common way to approach the obstacle is by hanging in a pull-up position and simply hanging on for dear life with your fingers. However, parkour is a technique for moving through things in different and fluid ways. The UFO discs often bring about unique ways of approaching it and adapting to it in order to move through them effectively. On the flip side, Ninja Warrior training has its own approaches in order to best succeed along with incorporating in parkour. One of the most beneficial areas to train in, so that you can best succeed at a Ninja Warrior course, is actually rock climbing. This helps to strengthen the whole body, but especially the core muscles and the upper body muscles. Here at Rebounderz of Jacksonville, we offer classes in both Ninja Warrior training and parkour for adults and for kids. Not only is this type of training fun and challenging, but it’s also completely unique. You learn many types of athletic styles and you get a great workout in the process. Sign up and come have fun with Rebounderz of Jacksonville! #### Party Games for Kids and Adults Though Rebounderz is mostly known as a destination for children to play and jump for an afternoon, our doors remain open to all that wish to jump with joy. We believe that age is just a number, and if you would like to participate in the fun with your kids, you are more than welcome. For kid’s birthday parties, Rebounderz is the number one spot to host at. In our past blogs we have discussed all the reasons why your kid’s birthday party is better suited at our indoor trampoline park. Our first reason is obvious – Rebounderz is way more entertaining. We have dozens of fun and exciting attractions for children to play on. Better yet, our facility is foam padded and protected from any dangers. With those two items on our checklist, Rebounderz is the perfect choice among other kids party venues. However, it doesn’t always have to be a kid’s birthday at Rebounderz. Part of the great and unifying fact all humans share is that we have a birthday to celebrate each year. This means parents too! For parents one more year may not mean that much. In fact, some might pretend that the whole aging process is not happening at all! But, birthdays aren’t something to deny or be afraid of. They are a mark of another year of life with the people you love. At Rebounderz, we believe a birthday should be celebrated and met with joy and love. Because of this, we welcome all families to celebrate their birthdays, parents and children together. The idea behind this is we wish for all families to have a bonding experience and enjoy our indoor trampoline park as much as possible. Since we want to bring families closer, especially during birthdays, we have compiled a list of fun games for kids and adults to play for their birthday celebrations. Unique Party Games When parents spend their birthdays with their children, everyone is likely to have a good time. One way to make the day even more special is by playing games together. It is often difficult to find great party games for adults, especially when it comes to trampolines. However, we have compiled a list of an assortment of games on a trampoline and our many other attractions that are fun and doable for any parent. Read our list and see if any would be perfect for your special day! Fun Obstacle Course Races At Rebounderz, you and your children can participate in fun obstacle course races. However, our ninja warrior course is not for the weak of heart. It is meant to be a challenge and push you to discover your talent for agility. This game is great to play with your kids because it is an activity they will probably beat you in. Children are naturally more agile and faster than most adults. However, the obstacles are exciting and will entertain both you and your children before and after your initial start. Better still, your children can swell with a sense of pride that they beat a “grown up” at a game. Launch Pad Most children love when their parents get involved in the games they enjoy. Some of these games are not as safe as others. But when you are at Rebounderz, you have the protection of a trampoline net to catch your fall and propel you back in the air, without being harmed. This is especially advantageous when kids want to play “launch pad.” In this game, a parent grabs their child and then gently lifts them into the air. Instead of catching them, the child then must balance themselves and land on the trampoline. The game is not only fun but completely safe. The only thing you are at risk of is overtiring by throwing your child repeatedly in the air. Leaping Lily-Pads Your children love you and want to spend time with you. There is no better way to spend time with your children than at a indoor trampoline park. At our trampoline arena, you and your child can play exciting games all afternoon. One game, that never gets old, is “leaping lily-pads.” In this game, you and your child minic a frog and a lily pad. You, the parent, kneel down on the trampoline, meanwhile your child uses the trampoline to jump over you. After they successfully jump over you, then they kneel down and you can jump over them. This motion happens repeatedly until you both move onto the next game. Cracking the Egg “Cracking the Egg” is one of the most popular games on a trampoline — and for good reason. This game is both fun and automatically insites laugher. The object of the game is simple; your child tucks into a ball and you jump around them in a circle. Because the weight between you and your child is so different, your bounces will be much stronger and propel your child faster and farther into the air. Cracking the Egg is thrilling because your child can get launched into the air, yet still land safely on the trampoline. What makes this game so fun is that it cannot not be played anywhere other than a trampoline. Only our trampoline arena will allow you to land unharmed and bounce back with a laugh. As Easy As 1-2-3 “As Easy As 1-2-3”, also known as “Simon Says”, is an exciting game to play on the trampoline with your kids. Luckily, the rules are simple: do what the ‘Simon’ tells you. The game is split into two roles; one jumper and one Simon. The jumper must count to three with each jump they do. After the third jump, the Simon has to call out an action like, “Knees!” or “Seat!” From the moment the Simon calls out a command, the jump must quickly situate themselves to land on the trampoline with their knees or bottom. The great part of the game is that it can be adapted and switched up. For example, the Simon can create new demands, such as belly or back. In both commands, the jumper would have to land on their belly or their back. This game is especially fun because it is fairly simple and won’t tire you quite as fast as the other games. Also, the Simon can come up wacky new commands that are sure to bring a smile to both of your faces. At Rebounderz, we strive to make sure that every child has the best childhood. We offer our facilities as a birthday party venue, for children to have the best time on their birthdays. However, we also believe that their greatest moments don’t always have to be on their birthday — it can be on their parent’s birthday! If you are reaching near your birth date and wish to make this birthday special for you and your kids, come to Rebounderz. Our attractions such as our trampoline arena and the ninja warrior course are waiting to be played with! Contact us today! #### Party Like You are a Kid Again at Rebounderz Just because you are technically a grownup, that doesn’t mean you always have to act like one. Who's to say what “acting like an adult” means anyway? Define it for yourself. You know that a trampoline arena with a basketball slam, arcade, Jump Xtreme tower, Ninja Warrior course and open jump arena is the perfect place for a kid’s party. But what about you? Whether you are turning 18 or 48, we think that Rebounderz in Grand Rapids is the perfect place for your birthday. Fun for Kids and Adults If you’ve got a mixed group of friends and family coming to your party, you’ll want to make sure that there are activities for kids that don’t require a ton of adult supervision. Our team has you covered there. We’ll supervise the foam pit and arcade while you are crushing it in the world’s most-fun, grownup dodgeball tournament.   You’ll also want to make sure that any kids in attendance have group activities galore. You don’t want them wandering around individually. That’s going to require too much work. We’ve got you covered there too. You can set up board games, coloring stations or even play a movie in one of our party rooms. Have some sullen tweens in attendance that are determined not to have fun? They’ll be happy to be sequestered in a party room with their phones, spending the day texting about their troubles. Your Own Private Playground Trampolines aren’t just for jumping. Play some of your favorite childhood games with the added excitement of the bounce! Have the men challenge the women to a game of Hot Potato, play a few rounds of Red Rover or incorporate the trampoline into a fun game of Simon Says. We promise the uncontrollable laughter that will result will be one of the best parts of your day. Theme Things Up Kids love theme parties. But, be honest, you do too! If you are planning a party for an adult in your life, think about their hobbies now, and from when they were kids. Plan a theme around that. Is the birthday boy a sports fanatic? Get matching jerseys for party-goes that memorialize the day. Plan a day full of competitions including basketball dunks, jumping dodgeball, trampoline challenges and top it all off with a bracketed, handicapped, Ninja Warrior tournament. Was your birthday girl a cheerleader or chess-club nerd in highschool? Those would both make great birthday themes! Or, better yet, maybe she is the sports fan in the family and a huge fan of the Ninja Warriors. What could be better? Perhaps the person being celebrated is crazy for donuts or has a fettish for the 50s. Is there a band they love, or a color that defines their style? Use attributes like these to make the party a compulsory costume event so your theme is created for you! Are yours the kinds of friends that are always roasting each other, throwing shade and taking pride in getting the last shot in? We’re not sure how to incorporate that into the party, but if you think of something let us know. We bet it’ll be hilarious! Are You Convinced? If you are still wondering if Rebounderz in Grand Rapids is the kind of place you’ll want to hold your birthday party, come by to see us. Our party planners are here to answer all of your questions, plus they’ll take care of all of the planning and day-of event management for you. And, don’t forget, if you have your party here, you won’t have a house full of people to clean up after. We guarantee your birthday will be the event of the year, and you shouldn’t be surprised if the next grown up party you are invited to is also here at the trampoline arena. Happy birthday! We look forward to seeing you soon. #### Perfect Kid’s Birthday Cakes to Match Your Rebounderz of Rohnert Park Party Room! When you opt to throw your kid’s birthday party at Rebounderz, you’re choosing the perfect place for fun, safety, and a stress-free experience. You simply pick a room, invite guests, and show up with a cake! That’s it! Your child will have a blast playing with an all access pass for 90 minutes on all the attractions before sitting down for pizza, cake, and gifts. But when your child does sit down for cake, you want them to be wowed with a delicious and fun surprise. Whether you opt to order a Cold Stone ice cream cake through us at Rebounderz or you bring your own from home, here are some ideas on what types of cakes could match your child’s birthday party theme at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park. Cities of Fashion Room City Skyline - If your child loves fashion or architecture, pick up a city skyline cake. Pick their favorite city, like London or Paris, that has a distinctive skyline. If you want to do something closer to home, perhaps opt for a local skyline, such as Santa Rosa or the Bay area. Barbie Cake - If you’ve never made a barbie cake for your daughter, here’s the chance! The cake makes up the bottom half of Barbie’s dress, and the best part is that you actually use a Barbie to complete this cake! Pick a fashion-forward dress design to go with the Cities of Fashion room. Sports Room Dodgeball - While you can always opt for a traditional sports cake, such as a football or a sheet cake with a soccer net, branch out a little bit! Opt for a dodgeball cake that has a target on it and use jawbreakers as dodgeballs that have gone splat against the target for a bit of fun. Beach Room Pineapple Cake - Yes, you could make a quick beach scene and cover a cake with seashells for a beach themed birthday party, but how much fun would it be to make an anamorphic pineapple cake for your child? This is an easy cake. Take a round cake and coat it with textured, yellow frosting. Add a face on the side and purchase a pineapple so you can use the top leaves right on the center of the cake. Mermaid cake - Another option is to make a mermaid cake. This cake takes a bit more experience with cake as you have to create scales of fondant to cover the cake. You then make a mermaid tail out of fondant for the side of the cake! There are many different variations of this cake, so take a look for your favorite. Pirate Jungle Room Snake - This cake utilizes two bundt cakes. Simply bake up a traditional cake in the bundt cake moulds and once they are cool, cut them each in half. You then pair them so they make a wave and ice to decorate this jungle critter. Race Car Room Race Track - You have a couple of options for the race car room. You could always make a race car cake! But even better would be to make a number cake for whatever age your child is turning and decorate it as if it’s a race track, Hot Wheels and all. Your child gains an extra gift by getting to bring home the Hot Wheels used on their cake too! Castle Room Party Pull-Apart Dragon - With so many fairytale cake ideas out there, it can be hard to choose. However, one of our favorites is a cupcake pull-apart dragon cake. You use the cupcakes to create the back and body of a sleeping dragon and then sculpt the head and other details to go around the main body. No knife necessary, as you just pull apart the cupcakes and pass them out. Unicorn - Unicorns are all the craze right now and you can do a simple and beautiful unicorn cake at home. Simply bake a two-layer, round cake and frost it white. Utilize rainbow colored frosting to create the main and use edible paint to add the eyes and mouth to the side. Opt for a ice cream cone on top for the unicorn horn! Come celebrate your child’s milestones with us here at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park. Schedule your private party online with us today!   #### Planning a Great Holiday Party As December has begun in earnest, many families are beginning to plan their holiday parties for the coming weeks. With this in mind, we’ve compiled some helpful tips to guide you in planning your holiday party. If you’re looking for a great place to hold your holiday party that will set it apart from the norm, come on into Rebounderz in Edison. With a large, wide-open trampoline park and a super fun Ninja Warrior course, we’ve got the set pieces to take your holiday party to the next level. Start Organizing Even when you are planning a pretty simple party, the more time you have to organize, the better. When you start earlier, it lets the excitement build and leaves fewer details in question at the last minute. It will also give everyone plenty of time to return RSVPs, letting you know if they will be attending. We recommend planning around six weeks ahead of when you’re going to have your party. Have a week to week list of tasks that need to be done to maximize your organization. Timing Is Important When planning your party, you should consider when it will take place. Plan it around the ages of the children that will be attending. While younger children will have nap times to work around, so you’ll want to plan a shorter get together, older kids will likely enjoy a party later in the day more. Include the Kids Keep in mind who the party is intended for. Involve the kids in the planning of the party to get them invested in it. Have a craft day where you make the decorations together. This will give them a sense of ownership in the party. It will also result in a much more creative and original party than one with decorations purchased at a store. Let them help with other decisions, like food and games to play, so everyone is on board with the party’s agenda. Guide them to fun holiday-themed food choices. If you plan on providing goodie bags, ask your kids what their friends would enjoy for party favors. Custom Cookies A really fun activity is a cookie decoration station. Bring around two cookies for every guest, along with different colors of icing, sprinkles, and other decorations. Have the kids design one cookie to give to a friend, and one for themselves. This gets everyone involved and is a really easy gift exchange style activity without much overhead required. It’s a project that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age. Game Time There are so many fun and exciting holiday-themed games you can line up for your party. From Pin the Tail on the Reindeer to a Gift Stacking game, there’s plenty to choose from, regardless of your budget going in. Ask your kids what some of their favorite games are and see if you can give them a holiday twist. For example, if your child really enjoys playing Simon Says, tweak it a bit with Santa Says, with the activities given as directions having a Santa slant. Location Is Everything Depending on the size of the party you’re planning, it may outgrow the bounds of your home. When that’s the case, you’ll need to find a location that has enough room for your party, while providing special activities that you don’t need to plan. This will also provide you with an environment you can plan your party around. Why not take a look at Rebounderz in Edison as your perfect party location? We’ve got an awesome trampoline park, a great Ninja Warrior course, and plenty of room to entertain your guests. Give us a call today to schedule your holiday party! #### Planning Your Event At Rebounderz Deciding when to host your kid’s birthday parties is just one part of the planning aspect. Of course, you should always try to get as close to their actual birth date as possible. But you also have to consider other factors, such as: Is it a school night? Is it a weekend? Are there any major holidays or conflicting events? Do you have a venue, and does it have availability? Not-so-coincidentally, that last question is arguably the most important. You see, deciding where your kids birthday party will be held is more than half the equation when it comes to creating a fun, memorable event for your child and their friends. If you’re in the process of planning your kid’s birthday parties in Sterling, there’s no better place you can turn than Rebounderz Extreme Fun Center and indoor trampoline parks. Our venue is accommodating, helpful, and most of all downright fun. We have a variety of kids birthday packages from which to choose, including a themed room party package, extreme party package, and ultimate party package. Each of our packages have their own unique, fun, and high-flying features. Let’s jump to it, shall we? Our Amenities Before we take a look at the several different birthday party packages, we need to first brag about ourselves just a little bit. At Rebounderz in Sterling, you can gain access to the most unique and fun party venue in town. Our extreme fun center features: Ninja Warrior Course: Has your child always dreamt of being a Ninja Warrior hero? Now they can! With several courses designed with special and unique obstacles, party guests and parents alike can test their mettle on one of our safe, challenging, and exciting courses. Jump Arena: Just looking for a place where your kids can jump around? Then our trampoline park is the perfect place. Our equipment and patented “Jumpers” are designed with superior engineering for maximum safety. Our arena is perfect for jumping around, playing games, and even housing air dodgeball games. Basketball Slam Courts: Our state-of-the art basketball slam courts are great for birthday parties, allowing the kids a fun and unique opportunity to play one of their favorite sports with an added twist. They can split into teams, have a dunk contest, and just have some plain old fun. Themed Room Party Package Celebrate with your child, family, and their closest friends with a simple, yet unique, party package. With this choice, you get access to a private party room and access to 70 minutes of jump time (with our required jump socks included) for up to 10 guests, all for just $250. That price also includes: Ninja Warrior Course access Two cheese pizzas One drink stand (choose lemonade or fruit punch) A dedicated party host or hostess All the paper products you need Additional add-ons for an extra charge are available, including additional jump time, drawstring bag, goody bags, and balloons Extreme Party Package Now, if the aforementioned package doesn’t have quite the pizzazz you’re looking for, then you can always upgrade it to the Extreme Party Package. For just $375, your party gets 70 minutes of jump time for 15 guests, access to the Ninja Warrior Course, plus: Three cheese pizzas One drink stand (choose lemonade or fruit punch) One drawstring bag for the birthday guest $1 in tokens per party guest A dedicated party host or hostess A private party room All paper products Ultimate Party Package OK, but what if you still need more out of your extreme fun center birthday party? Well, we’ve got you covered. The Ultimate Party Package includes: Jump time and socks for 20 guests Ninja Warrior Course access Private party room Four cheese pizzas One drink stand and two pitchers of soda A drawstring bag for the birthday boy or girl $1 in tokens per party guest A dedicated party host or hostess All paper products Seriously, what more could you ask for? This has all the makings of the best kids birthday party of all time. How can you book it? Keep on reading to find out. Contact Rebounderz of Sterling Today There, now your decision is made much, much easier. Your venue, Rebounderz of Sterling, offers everything you need to create the most talked-about birthday bash in years! All you need to do is select your package and book your date. It’s that simple! Contact our experienced kids birthday party staff today to learn more. We can’t wait to see the look on your child’s face when they hop into Rebounderz for a one-of-a-kind party of their own. #### Planning Your Kid’s Birthday: Themes Part 1 With every year your child grows older, there always come that one stressful day — their birthday. Obviously, your kid’s birthday is a day that you are happy about, however, the stress of planning their birthday party is enough to make anyone reluctant. Most of the issue when every birthday comes around is you cannot decide what the theme will be and where to have the party. Both decisions are extremely important and will determine the success of the party. Though you could look on pinterest and host the party at your house, both ideas normally tend to result into a disaster. Children can be rambunctious and cause untold chaos within your house. At the same time, almost nothing that appears on pinterest turns out the way it does in the picture. With this in mind, you might be in need of a little guidance and perhaps some suggestions about your kid’s birthday party venue and theme. Themes Obviously, party themes differ between boys and girls. Most boys will want a truck, dinosaur, or monster theme birthday party; while girls might want a princess theme. However, there are other party ideas you can choose from that can be appropriate for both girls and boys. This list can help narrow down your party theme choices for your kids, especially if you have multiple children born on the same day! Jungle Theme Planning a jungle-themed birthday party is very easy and can be enjoyed by all. The theme also will allow you to get creative with party props and special goody bags. Jungle theme will allow you to utilize all sorts of animal prints in streamers, masks, party games, and even the cake. Instead of planning a party that has been overdone — a princess or truck theme — you will be able to give your child (or children) a truly unique party. Disney Theme Part of the appeal with Disney Inc. is that their films can be enjoyed by both boys and girls. Multiple movies in the film feature multiple characters that range in personalities and genders. For example, newer Disney films such as Inside Out and Coco, are not targeting either boys or girls. The story is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, which makes them ideal party themes. Winnie the Pooh Theme Winnie the Pooh is one of the most beloved party themes because it can be used for both boys and girls. Not the mention that Winnie the Pooh has a lot of merchandise to use as party decor. By using a Winnie the Pooh theme, you can also use the different characters to involve in the party. For example, the party game “pin the tail on the donkey” can be replaced as “pin the tail on Eeyore.” Spongebob Squarepants Theme What kid doesn’t like Spongebob Squarepants? This is a great party theme because it is rare that you will find a kid that isn’t thrilled to be surrounded by characters from Bikini Bottom. When you implement a Spongebob theme, you can play around with the theme and the elements from the show. For instance, for the meal you can serve everyone “crabby patties” or hamburgers. You also could make the party extra fun and have a dress up party. This way, guests can dress like their favorite characters and reenact their favorite parts of the show. Superhero Theme It used to be that superheroes were more geared for young boys. Today, the DC and Marvel entertainment industries have expanded their universe to incorporate all genders. For example, some of their movies, such as the recent Spiderman: Homecoming, has enough humor and superhero flare that it can be enjoyed by all ages and genders. When you choose a theme such as Justice League or the Avengers, you are involving everyone, not just your children — adults can get involved too! We hope that our list of birthday party themes have helped and inspired you to make your child’s next birthday truly spectacular. Once you have finished choosing your theme, you might want to decide where to have the party. One excellent place to host your kid’s birthday party is at your local Rebounderz. At Rebounderz, you can let your kids and their guest play freely. Included in each of our sites are dozens of exciting attractions to choose from, such as our Ninja Warrior course to our trampolines; your whole party can enjoy each of our unique attractions! When you host your kid’s birthday party at Rebounderz, you also have the opportunity to rent out our official party room for your chosen theme. There, you will have both the privacy you want and access to our full indoor trampoline park and attractions. If you are interested in hosting your kid’s next birthday party at a fun and safe place, contact your local Rebounderz today! We have kind representatives that will be happy to help you book a date at our park! #### Planning Your Kid’s Birthday: Venues Part 2 Venues Venues for birthday parties are a little harder to figure out than themes. Part of the angst with every birthday is trying to decide the party venue. There are many places to choose to have a party, but few of them are ideal to host a large group of children. Many of the options you have are either too small, loud, or even dangerous. As we have stated in some of our previous blogs, hosting at your house is not a good idea. Though it is the most neutral and comfortable location, the aftermath of the party on your house might give you some pause. For example, children can break things and leave a mess in their wake. It might be better suited for you to take the party to a more public place. The issue with having your kid’s party at a public place is that it is rare to find one that both boys and girls will enjoy and will be age appropriate. For instance, you wouldn’t take a group of four-year-olds to a laser-tag place. For one, they might become scared in the dark. Second, they are too young to know and understand how to properly aim a laser gun. For party venues, you want to choose a safe, confined place, that will be able to handle a large group of children. The following blog is a list of the places not to have your kid’s birthday party. Chuck-E-Cheese’s Chuck-E-Cheese’s is the go-to place to take young kids; however, it is not always enjoyable for everyone. Chuck-E-Cheese’s is often loud, crowded, and doesn’t offer a great selection of cuisine. In most cases, you are better off bringing your own meal to the party, mainly because you can keep track of what your child is ingesting and make sure you stay on top of their allergies. Chuck-E-Cheese’s is both for boys and girls; however, the venue is not suited for parent enjoyment. Parents must endure screaming children, mediocre food, and quite literally nothing to do. Most of the games at Chuck-E-Cheese are only suited for children, and the obstacle courses are too small for adults. The Bowling Alley Hosting parties at bowling alleys has been so overdone that all of the enthusiasm has been taken out of the experience. More importantly, bowling at a bowling alley can be dangerous. Imagine it, your kid armed with a heavy bowling ball that they will be swinging around. It sounds like a disaster waiting to happen! Also, bowling alleys tend to be dark, crowded, and smelly. Obviously, this is not the ambiance you would want for your kid’s party. Bowling Alleys are gender neutral, but can be boring. The only people that truly enjoy bowling at a birthday party are kids closer to the ages of seven and nine and, of course, the parents. Putt-Putt Golf Much like a bowling alley, a putt-putt golf place has the potential to cause disaster. It is very rare a child will hold a golf club like they are supposed to. Most times, kids will try to swing it around and either hit themselves or the others around them. Golf also takes focus and control — both things children do not develop until much later. Going golfing for a birthday can be fun but only reaches its full potential on a “fun-scale” when the kids at the party are slightly older. Both boys and girls can enjoy golfing, but golfing isn’t as action packed and won’t leave a lasting impression on your kids. Ice Skating Rinks Ice skating rinks can be a great place to have a party because they are often big enough to host a large party. However, they don’t normally have an area solely devoted to a birthday party. Meaning, you will have to get to the rink early and snag a table big enough for your party. A plus side about hosting at an ice rink is that both boys and girls can participate. The downside is that not many kids learn how to ice skate well when they are younger. This means they will be more prone to icey spills, which will most likely result in a stream of tears. When you host a party at an ice rink, you have to prepare for at least five children falling and crying. One place that is perfect birthday parties is your local Apopka, Florida, Rebounderz! At our indoor trampoline park you and your guests can play freely throughout our park. Not only is our park enclosed so you can keep a watchful eye, but all of our attractions are padded and perfectly safe. If you choose to have your party at Rebounderz, you will have access to our official party room. In this designated room, you can set a table, store presents, and provide parents and kids with a quiet resting area. At Rebounderz, you also will have access to all of our attractions, from the Ninja Warrior course to our large trampoline arena. If you are interested in hosting at a party venue that is sure to make a lasting impression, contact your local Rebounderz today! #### Popular Activities To Do in Summer Summer Activities In the summer, trying to entertain your child can be one of the hardest things you will ever do. Children typically will have an unrelenting amount of energy. They also demand to be constantly entertained, which can pose a huge challenge to parents. Parents not only have to maintain a constant flow of entertainment, but have to be economically aware that they cannot spend frivolously on their children, too. Luckily, summer offers many different activities that don’t require a lot of money and are fun to participate in. Because the sun is out in the summertime, much of the fun activities associated with summer are outdoors. Because summer is such a marvelous time to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise, it is important that parents encourage their children to stay active during the summer months. Go Swimming Swimming in the summer is one of the most popular activities. For one, swimming is entertaining. You can spend hours in a pool swimming and splash around. Better still, you can play with pool toys, such as driving rings, pool noodles, and even a diving board. All of these objects can amplify the quality of pool play time and take up hours of a day. Best of all, if you own a pool, this form of entertainment is free! And, if you live in an apartment complex with a pool, you can utilize it for free as well. The only drawback of a pool is that, as a parent, you need to be constantly watching your children. Though swimming pools are safe, small children should always be supervised. If it is your pool they are swimming in, there will not be a lifeguard watching over your kids. Because of this, swimming pools require a lot of parental attention, which for some parents, can be a real deal breaker. Fly A Kite Flying a kite in the summer is always a great activity. Kites typically won’t cost a lot of money and can be used over and over again. Flying a kite can be a peaceful activity and give your children hours of free entertainment. Best of all, a kite does not require parental interference (that often). However, if your kids get the kite stuck in a tree, they might call you to help them. The only real dangers of flying a kite are becoming too distracted with it and running into a street or an object. If your children are planning to fly a kite, it is important to take them somewhere that is open and nowhere near power lines. Kites can transfer electricity, which means they can be dangerous for children. Because of this, it is important that you keep a watchful eye on your children and make sure they are using their kite safely. Go Camping Camping is the most popular summertime activity. For one, camping is mostly free and a great time for bonding. Second, camping can be a joyful experience, where you and your loved ones can take in the splendor of nature. Camping can be a fun, however, if you aren’t a seasoned camper, you will have to do a bit of planning, such as scheduling out meals, finding old equipment, and determining if you need to buy new equipment. Though camping is mostly free, you still might have some unexpected expenses paying for food and equipment. Not to mention that some national parks charge to stay at camping sites. Camping has the potential of being dangerous as well. For example, if you aren’t careful, your food supply could attract animals, such as bears, wolves, etc. Part of camping also requires you to be on your guard and maintain safe camping procedures, such as storing food, controlling your campfire, and staying away from dangerous situations. Water Balloon Fight Water balloon fights are a classic summertime activity. However, these types of games don’t last that long and tend to be messy. Water balloon fights naturally are fun and exciting. The only drawback of this form of activity is that the cleanup process it tedious. For example, after a water balloon fight, it is important that you clean up all the little water balloon pieces as soon as possible. Why? Well, the latex from the balloons will fasten to the concrete, which means the pieces will never come off of the ground. Also, the latex isn’t always good for the environment. For instance, the latex pieces can detach from the ground and pollute the environment. Because they are brightly colored, some animals might mistake the pieces for food, which could choke them. Go To The Beach The beach is a great economical choice for hot summer days. The beach can offer endless entertainment possibilities. The ocean can provide a cool oasis from the hot sun, while the warm sand can be a relaxing place to lounge and soak in the sunlight. Though beaches are a great summer location, they can be dangerous and annoying. For one, a beach is typically crowded with a lot of people. If you are planning to have a relaxing day at the beach, odds are you will be one of thousands attempting at it. Second, beaches are one of the main places items are stolen. If you and your family are enjoying the ocean, it is easy for a thief to take advantage and steal your phone and wallet. Beaches can also be dangerous because of the unpredictability of the ocean. Even if the beach is well looked after by a lifeguard, accidents can happen. In the ocean, there are many dangerous creatures, and unfortunately, if you get too close you could be mistaken for a meal or a predator. For example, stingrays and sharks can often be found close to the shore and come into contact with unsuspecting beach-goers. Rebounderz At Rebounderz, your children can play to their heart’s content. Our indoor trampoline park is filled with exciting attractions that are sure to entertain your children for hours. Best of all, our attractions are completely safe and are housed in a controlled area. So, you don’t have to have your head on a swivel waiting for something bad to happen. Rebounderz is here to provide your children with a safe, exciting, and entertaining activity for the summer! Contact us! #### Postpartum Rebounding: Risks and Benefits of Jumping Back on the Trampoline In a recent blog article from our sister location, they discussed the concerns of trampoline rebounding during pregnancy. Since that article was published, we have had some questions regarding the post-partum period and when women can return to their favorite indoor trampoline park after delivering their babies. Here, we will attempt to answer your questions regarding trampoline safety, but it is important to discuss all concerns with your obstetrician. Postpartum Rebounding In the postpartum period, your body needs time to recover and heal from delivering a baby. Whether you had a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section, your body has been through a great deal of changes during pregnancy and then again during the delivery. It is always wise to listen to your body and to follow the guidance of your physician. Waiting to Bounce There is conflicting research and recommendations when it comes to postpartum trampoline jumping recommendations. While some people recommend waiting months to attempt jumping again, others will encourage you to hop back on and bounce your way to pre-pregnancy weight. Trampoline jumping is an incredibly healthy way to slim down your waistline and help regulate hormones through physical activity. However, the large trampolines found at your local Rebounderz indoor trampoline arena are meant to be bouncy and provide a lot of lift that may not be supportive to a compromised pelvic floor. While you may be able to enjoy the bounce of a mini trampoline or even partake in a toddler-and-me trampoline aerobics class, we recommend you hold off on jumping back into the full Rebounderz experience for a few months after having a child. Pelvic floor stability After delivering your child, your doctor will put you on “pelvic rest,” which allows your body to recover from the changes it went through to birth a baby. As a natural part of childbirth, the tendons, ligaments, joints, and bones of a woman’s pelvis will stretch and separate to allow the passage of the baby through the birth canal. This causes a great deal of stress on the human skeleton, and is unfortunately not immediately resolved once the baby is out. Resuming high-impact activities such as running and jumping too quickly after childbirth can slow the healing process and even cause major permanent damage. Joining in On the Fun Although it may be frustrating to wait even longer to get back to the things you enjoy after having a child, such as trampoline rebounding at your favorite trampoline park, the good news is you can still have fun at Rebounderz indoor trampoline park! We offer a wide variety of postpartum friendly activities for you to enjoy alone or with your little ones including a Ninja Warrior obstacle course and an arcade. You can still bring our little ones to jump for fun and cheer them on as the bounce happily. Getting Back at It Once your obstetrician clears you, you can ease back into the trampoline fun at your local Rebounderz trampoline park! Trampoline rebounding is a great way to have fun and provides the calorie-burning physical activity that is important to regaining your pre-pregnancy figure and building the strength and endurance to chase around your soon-to-be toddler! At Rebounderz, we even offer fitness classes to help you get into the best shape of your life and set a great example for your kiddos. Jumping will help to strengthen your pelvic floor again, so carrying future pregnancies may even be all that more comfortable! When you are ready to hop back on the trampoline after bringing new life into the world, come on down to your local Rebounderz for a day of fun! In the meantime, relax and cherish your new baby and be proud of the hard work you put into creating life! #### Prepare for the Pros at Rebounderz Trampoline Park In just a few days, the world will watch as the opening ceremonies of the greatest sports competition kicks off two weeks of the best athletes in the world showcasing their skills and bringing medals and honor to their home countries. If you have dreams of one-day being a professional athlete in your sport, relentlessly chase that dream! Rebounderz Trampoline Park is here to support your dreams of going pro and can offer some great training for many professional sports. Here are just a few examples of sports that you can train for at a trampoline park. Gymnastics Another sport full of flips, twists, and precision air movement is gymnastics. Although trampolining may not help prepare for your gymnastics tumbling floor routine, the balance beam, or the bars, trampolining is a great way to allow gymnasts to practice jumps and flips on a more forgiving surface than the floor. Trampolining is also an excellent way to learn body awareness and practice the art of controlling every part of your body and where it will land. Trampolining also helps athletes become more comfortable with airtime, which comes in handy on the rings and un/parallel bars. Diving Diving is the sport most similar to trampolining, which makes trampolining and excellent cross-training workout for divers. There are significant differences, of course, such as the lack of water and that the diver is not jumping down into their landing area and must, instead, land upright. The trampoline is an excellent way to allow drivers to practice new flips and twists over and over again prior to bounding off of a diving board. The time saved staying on one surface as opposed to swimming to exit the pool, walking to the diving board, and climbing the stairs, allows divers to make three to four attempts on the same move on a trampoline as they would in the pool. Snowboarding Snowboarding and other boarded sports with aerial tricks can benefit from trampoline time. Similar to diving, these sports spend a lot of time in the air, but getting to the top of a half pipe from the bottom often takes more time than the run itself. Turning to a trampoline can provide the athlete with the opportunity to practice their routine more in less time. Many sports that involve a board, such as skateboarding, water skiing, and surfing, have created modified boards that can be used on a trampoline to help maximize training time. Most of the professional rating points for these athletes come from flips and landing them with precision, which a trampoline can help with. Trampolining! Okay, so that one was a little obvious! Not many people are aware that as of 2012, trampolining was added to the summer Olympics sports event roster! Trampolining is a sport that requires a lot of endurance and technical skill to precisely land jumps and perform in-air acrobatics that earns athletes rating points. The professional size trampoline is 10 feet by 17 feet, much larger than any backyard trampoline. To find large enough trampolines in an area that is safe enough to practice dramatic flips and twists, head to your nearest Rebounderz trampoline park. If you or your little ones have dreams of becoming a professional athlete, keep training, keep trying, and never stop dreaming. If you need more practice than you can get in the gym or in your specific sports training arena, come to Rebounderz Trampoline Park. Keeping in shape and practicing your flips, even in the offseason, is what will set you apart from your competitors. Rebounderz of Jacksonville has been supporting the dreams of future professional athletes since it opened its doors. Come check out our facility today! #### Preparing for Spring Break Spring Break is Here: Now What? When the kids go to school everyday, life can become routine. Getting up, going to school, coming home, eating, and then going to sleep, are a comfortable routine — one that you can get used to. When there is routine, you can plan ahead and make the day go by faster and complete efficiently. But, every so often a school break comes along to throw the whole routine off balance. If you are a working parent, you will know and understand the struggle of finding a suitable daycare to take your child while you are at work. Even if you are a stay-at-home parent, the idea of having your children home for all hours of the day can be stress-inducing. For one, when the kids are away, you can relax and complete your daily tasks with ease. However, when children are around, you have to keep a watchful eye on them at all times. Worse, bored children have a knack for running to their parents for entertainment. When you have your children with you 24 hours in the day, the ability to entertain them can be difficult. In this blog, we will give you ideas to entertain your child during the summer, whether you are a stay-at-home or a working parent. Our hope is that by reading our blog, we can inspire you to try new methods of entertainment and give your child a memorable experience. After all, they only get so many, might as well make them as joyful and fun as possible! Extended School Services Extended School Services or commonly known as E.S.S, is a great way to keep your children entertained throughout the day. Because the program is funded by the school, you will be able to have a safe place that your child is familiar with. E.S.S can also be a huge asset to you and your child because it still allows them to have fun with their friends and enjoy the outdoors, without the onset of boredom. Every day, the staff create a bulletin board of a list of activities they will encourage throughout the day. The bulletin will always include one creative activity indoors, such as painting, sketching, etc. However, there are always multiple outdoor activities like capture the flag, basketball, and dodgeball. And, to make the whole experience even more fun, every Friday there is a designated field trip for the entire program. Field trips include going to: • Theme parks • Public parks • Bowling Alley • County Fairs As you can see, these programs can be advantageous, as they allow children to enjoy the summer, without being home all day. A huge bonus to the program is that kids are encouraged to participate in the activities. This obviously helps them stay active and healthy throughout the summer. It is unfortunate, but most children, when allowed to stay home, will sit on the couch and do nothing for two-and-a-half months. Extended School Services, or any school-run summer program works hard to keep children active and productive. Not only are children allowed to stay active in the summer with fun, well planned out activities, but they are able to play with children their age. Much of childhood revolves around a child’s ability to play with others and learn how to effectively communicate. At a summer program of a several hundred children, your child has the opportunity to learn from others and meet new friends. Also, when children are put together, you can introduce them to important lessons. For example, the lessons of sharing, patience, and responsibility, can all be effectively taught throughout the summer through the encouragement of E.S.S staff or “Leaders.” Relatives You could always leave your children with their relatives, most likely their grandparents. The good news with leaving your child with a relative is that they are comfortable with that person, as they probably have engaged with them before. Leaving your child with your parent or in-law can be a good idea, however you risk your child not being able to stay active or healthy. Grandparents tend to spoil their grandchildren with sweets and toys. And, as they are most likely older, they are less likely to encourage rough-housing or extreme outdoor play. Now, there are exceptions; your family member could easily take your child to a park where they can get their daily exercise. And, perhaps the child’s summertime guardian is more health-conscious than they let on. But, these are what ifs that could be proven wrong or untrue. Ultimately, you want to make sure that your child is getting the exercise they need to maintain a healthy body weight and regulate their metabolisms. The what ifs of the situation can cloud your judgement. After all, a child’s fondest memories are often with their grandparents or a loved guardian. It is important that though your parents might spoil your child with things you don’t always allow, it is their way of connecting with your child. Sports Sports programs are a great way to keep your child engaged in the summer, as well as active. It is important to remember that most sports programs, such as training and conditioning will only last a few hours. And, because it is the summertime, most sports programs will go easier on the kids in order to prevent exhaustion or other sun-related issues. It is known that a sports program will not only keep your child exercising every day, but meet new friends and teammates. Sporting teams are a great way to build comradery in your child and teach them the value of teamwork. These lessons of course can be built on and used throughout their lives. It is important to remember that these programs don’t last very long, so you will either have to arrange someone to kick your child up, or you will have to go pick them up yourself. Whether you work from home or not, the idea of having your child learn new skills can be rewarding. Better still, you can rest easy knowing that they are being active and improving themselves. Camp Summer camp is a common trope in American life. Every summer, millions of children are sent to summer camps all over the country. At these camps, you can expose your children to different lessons and people. Best of all, summer camp programs range to almost anything, which means your child can go and explore a camp on a subject they appreciate. For example, if your child likes horses, they can go to a horse camp where they learn about the animal, its upkeep, and perhaps even riding. So, no matter their interests from animals, to sports, to even art camps, there is a camp for that! Art Projects Art projects are a great way to entertain your child for hours, relatively cheaply. Art projects can be an exciting way to encourage creative thought and exercise your child’s capacity of wonder. Art projects can be hectic when organized in your home, there are places were your child can freely express their creativity. For example, there are art centers and ceramic cafes that support the practice of art and provide brushes, pain, and even canvases. However, though this idea is ideal, art supplies can be expensive. Also, your children can get messy, so you have to assume that one pair of clothes will have paint all over them. Rebounderz If you are curious about another safe, fun place to take your children, you should come to your local Rebounderz! At our indoor trampoline park, your child can play for hours, surrounded by children their age. Better still, our park is protected by air filled rubber, so it is extremely safe. Better still, you can join your child in the fun. Interested? Contact us today! #### Prevent and Cure Boredom in Your Household July is National Anti-Boredom Month! While boredom may not be an affliction that requires immediate medical intervention, it is something that should be addressed as quickly as possible to avoid the negative effects — mischief, built-up energy, and complaining! But, in all seriousness, there are risks and benefits to boredom that should be recognized before you offer a treatment or the cure to members of your household. The Benefits of Boredom Occasional episodes of boredom in your child may be a positive thing. Their complaints of “I’m bored, there is nothing to do!” can be likened to your “I have nothing to wear!” The dissatisfaction in the current situation allows you to tap into your creativity and find a solution. Some child psychologists argue that boredom is important for allowing children to dwell in the quiet that allows them to hear themselves, free of the external distractions of normal entertainment. In the hustle and bustle of the busy world in which we live, oftentimes our own thoughts and creativity can get drowned out, which can actually be detrimental to your child’s development. So, for the occasional bout of boredom, let it go untreated and see what they come up with! The Potential Risks of Boredom When boredom becomes a concern is when it is long-lasting or is a result of feeling trapped or purposeless. As humans, we all seek a purpose and some clarity for why we are. Children who experience long bouts of boredom can experience negative effects on their self-worth and outlook on life. Summer break from school is a dangerous time where children seem to have nothing but time on their hands and creativity can only carry them so far for so long. When boredom progresses from a fleeting feeling of a lack of something to engage in and becomes a permanent state of helplessness and misdirection, boredom can lead to despondency. Prevent Boredom Over Summer Vacation First, do not fall into the trap of parental guilt and wear yourself out filling your children’s calendar with events and activities to prevent perpetual summer boredom. Remember that some downtime is healthy and your event schedule should allow for some downtime. This downtime can be filled with creative outlets such as reading, craft time, or even naps! However, each day over the summer break should have something planned, even if it is just conducting household chores or a family movie day. Try to include educational activities as well as physical activities to keep your children active and learning. Learn a new skill together, sign up for a class at your local rec center, or complete a big project (like building a tree house or inventing a game). Treating an Active Outbreak When your children begin marching around the house like summertime zombies, rolling on the floor and crying out “I’m bored,” don’t hesitate to tap into something active. This is an indication that their creative juices have been depleted and the mischief is about to begin. Find an outlet for their energy stores, in a fun and entertaining way. You can head to the local park, but if you have already gone several times this week or you are also experiencing inclement weather, we suggest you head into your local Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park for some healthy trampoline rebounding. You and your kids can jump to your heart’s delight and you won’t hear any complaints about boredom. They can use their creativity to entertain themselves on our arena-style trampolines and use their problem-solving skills and feats of athleticism during a game of trampoline dodgeball or to tackle our ninja warrior course! Cure your household’s boredom with a day at Rebounderz of Sacramento, and tell all your friends you have found the cure for summer’s boredom epidemic. Happy anti-boredom month from all of us here at Rebounderz! #### Reading Tips for Kids Here at Rebounderz, we are all about providing a fun and safe place for your kids to let loose and have a blast. That is why we run our Grand Rapids trampoline park with all of its fun attractions! But life isn't all about fun and games, and neither is raising children. There's a whole world that you have got to prepare them for, and no guide book in sight. One of the best things a parent can do for any child is instill in them a love of reading. To help you do that, here are some tips. Schedule Family Reading Time Habits require perseverance over time to create. By creating a reading habit early, you will make reading and learning easier for your child later on down the line. The best way to do this is with family reading time starting at the toddler stage. The earlier you start, the more naturally eager your child is likely to be to want to read (try getting a teenager to start reading from scratch!). That is the magic of getting started with regular reading practices early. Join the Local Library For most parents, going out and buying a new book or two every week isn't an option. Luckily, that's exactly what your local library is for! Double points if it is in walking/biking distance for your child. Not only will they have thousands of books at the edge of their fingertips, but well meaning librarians are always there to help with book choices, or spark interest in a new genre. Anything Goes The key to cementing a habit in children is to start where they are already interested. With reading, that means no medium goes untouched. Comic books, poetry, fiction, whatever it is your child naturally gravitates to, start there and feed the beast. Eventually, their child minds will hunger for something new, and they will expand their literary horizons. Ask Questions While your kids probably will not be going around joining book clubs, it is still important that they process the meaning of what they read. As a parent, one of the best ways to foster this is to ask your children questions about what they are reading. If you've never read it, a plot summary will do fine. But if you have read it, try to coax some real literary criticism by asking questions outside the scope of "what happened"? Questions like "what did you think of this scene?" or "how do these scenes relate to each other?" will coax your child to create their own thoughts and feelings about the piece in question. Reward Good Behavior In the end kids are just little people who don't know anything, and like all people their brains function on a pleasure/pain reward system. If you want to instill good behaviors in people, you reward those good behaviors. Of course, there is always our Grand Rapids trampoline park to act as a carrot for regular reading, getting chores done, and good grades. Set a Good Example Kids learn by watching their parents. If you want to instill good reading habits in them, practice good reading habits yourself. They will just naturally want to imitate you. As they grow older, this can turn into family reading time that you will be able to cherish into your old age.   Hopefully these tips prove helpful in teaching your little one to read. When you are looking for a place to let them cut loose, try our Grand Rapids trampoline park! We host kids birthday parties and tons of other fun events. Come by and see our exciting attractions today! #### Rebounderz - An All-Inclusive Place to Bounce Rebounderz supports kids with autism and provides a safe and therapeutic place to play!   Kids who are on the autism spectrum face social challenges and sensory concerns including light, sound, taste, and touch, but what about their physical activity, does it suffer as a result of these things? Kids on the spectrum find it overwhelming and intimidating to participate in group sports which a good deal of physical activity for youth comes from, so trampoline therapy may be just the thing for them!   It can be difficult for those with autism to engage socially in a large facility such as Rebounderz with the controlled chaos that sometimes ensues — kids are yelling and screaming and running and jumping around freely, but as you navigate the facility and prepare your child for the environment, it is a great physical activity and alternative for the pressure of group sports.   At Rebounderz Sunrise, many have discovered the benefits of trampoline therapy for their child with autism. Learn more about how our all-inclusive trampoline park is the perfect place to play! Trampoline Therapy For Kids With Autism   Physical activity is beneficial for all kids — they can burn off extra energy and stay healthy and fit — but for those on the autism spectrum, they can greatly benefit from improved coordination, better motor skills, muscle strength, posture, and stamina that comes from jumping at a trampoline park.   A trampoline park is an opportunity for them to ditch passive activities on their electronics that can not only be addictive but isolating, and get them moving and helping them cultivate healthy socialization. It also helps counteract weight issues and more muscle tone that kids on the spectrum often deal with. As they bounce and engage in trampoline therapy, they burn calories and develop muscle tone to stave off an unhealthy weight gain while improving balance and coordination.   A trampoline park provides individual play in a group setting.   Individual or parallel play is the type of play in which kids can engage in the same activity without much interaction, so you can bounce next to other kids and not influence one another’s behavior — this is the type of play that most on the spectrum enjoy. There are no complicated rules to learn or stress involved. Bouncing at a trampoline park benefits your child because they can get great physical activity while engaging with others in a non-threatening environment they can move about at their own pace.   Trampoline therapy provides behavior repetition.   When kids on the spectrum are able to repeat physical movements this is not only comforting but an important coping mechanism. Some common repetitive behaviors kids with autism engage in are hand flapping, finger snapping, and banging their heads as a way to stimulate themselves and stay in a calm state — these calming behaviors are often misunderstood, mocked, and taunted in public. Though most of these behaviors aren’t harmful, trampoline therapy can possibly replace these calming behaviors with repetitive stimulation such as bouncing.     Help cultivate body safety and awareness at our trampoline park.   Kids on the spectrum often lack the awareness and safety of their own bodies and trampoline therapy can help develop this awareness through the stimulating and repetitive action of jumping. Bouncing teaches muscle control and how to better center the body and steering it toward the right reflexes.   There are myriad of rebounding techniques including running in place, bouncing, and rocking that is repetitive enough to help your child adapt to these shifts and better center them and find additional help from supportive muscles. When they are challenged to maintain balance through tiny reorienting movements, this forces body awareness because they are focused on staying safe and upright.   It is also a great way for those with autism to better understand not only where their body is, but where others are in proximity. It is a great way to teach gravity, force, the laws of motion, mass, velocity, and buoyancy.    Why jump at Rebounderz Sunrise?   Rebounderz trampoline park in Sunrise is the perfect place to bring your child with autism for trampoline therapy in a sensory-friendly environment. If they have specific sensitivities, chat with us and we will come up with solutions for a better bouncing experience!   Connect with us and begin your exploration into trampoline therapy today!   Do you know someone who is on the autism spectrum? Gift them with tickets today!     #### Rebounderz Apopka Wins Two Macaroni Kid Awards! Rebounderz of Apopka won Macaroni Kid Gold Daisy Awards in two categories: Indoor Fun for Kids! Children's Birthday Party Location! #### Rebounderz Can Help You With Stress 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! #### Rebounderz Can Teach Your Child To Share Learning to Share at an Indoor Trampoline Park There is a saying, “sharing is caring.” This is largely true, as sharing with others is a valuable lesson that can help you throughout your life. Sharing with others is a form of selflessness that everyone must learn in their lives in order to build lasting relationships. Typically, you want to teach your children at a young age the importance of sharing and giving to others. Humankind is naturally selfish, which means that this lesson can be difficult to teach children. Especially, when you find out that the first words your child learns, aside from “mama” and dada”, is the word “mine.” As a species, we are naturally selfish, but in this blog, we will teach you five easy ways to teach your child to share with others. Trampoline Parks Teaching Children It sounds odd that an indoor trampoline park would be the perfect setting to teach your child to share, but it is true! At Rebounderz of Apopka, you can easily teach your child valuable skills that will follow them throughout their life. Tip 1: Start Teaching Them Young You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. When people are used to behaving a certain way, it can be difficult to break certain habits. For children, learning new things is second nature, which means that lessons can be interpreted quickly and stored into memory, faster. If you want to have a selfless child, you should start teaching them lessons of sharing very early on. One of the best ways to teach your child the lesson of sharing is by bouncing on a trampoline with them. You should do this by taking turns bouncing on the trampoline and by audibly saying, “my turn, your turn.” This will indicate to your child that one person goes after the other in order to enjoy the trampoline. Taking turns is the very first step to learning how to share. By showing your child how to pause from something to let someone else enjoy it, they will learn how to share their time and enjoyment. Tip 2: Be a Role Model Your child will learn directly from you. Young children idolize their parents and learn from them. If you are not an avid sharer, you should learn to do so for the sake of your child. You should be vigilant to audibly and visibly show your child that you share with others, just as you expect them to. Most children won’t do something unless they see their parent display that same behavior at least twice. Of course, if you are a naturally selfish person, even displaying moments of sharing won’t change your child’s behavior completely. It is important to be a role model for your child, always showing how they should act. Verbal cues, audible praises, and rewards are all great motivators to improve your child’s behavior and teach them valuable lessons. Tip 3: Give Reasons to Share Most of the time children won’t share because they are afraid of losing their privileges, such as food, candy, and play time. If you have multiple children, teaching your children the lesson of sharing can be difficult. For instance, older children will often prey on the smaller children by eating their food, stealing their toys, and teasing them. Because of these extra challenges, as a parent, it is your job to ensure that all of your children understand the meaning of sharing. Younger children may have a harder time trusting and sharing, while older children might have more difficulty learning to take turns and resist the urge to snatch items from their sibling’s hands. To teach your children to behave and learn new things, you should give them reasons to share. Motivators are great to encourage a certain behavior, especially in children. You can always state that if your children are good, you will take them to a fun and exciting location, such as your local trampoline park. However, if your children choose to be naughty, you can use Rebounderz as a way to train them. Tip 4: Using Alarms A great way to teach your child to share is by using timers and alarms to indicate when their turn is done. You should clearly show them that you are setting an alarm for a certain amount of time. You should also state that when the timer is over, they must give up their turn. You may get a few tears, but as a parent, you must remain strong. If you allow for a few more minutes, or don’t fully stick to your alarm system, your child won’t take it seriously. So, once the alarm is done, you should tell your child to give their turn to someone else. If you receive any pushback from your child, you will need to put them on a time out to demonstrate why their response was unacceptable. If you don’t make it clear that your timing system is serious, and involves benefits and consequences, neither you or your child will adhere to it, making it impossible to teach your child to share. Tip 5: Use Praise as a Motivator As stated, verbal and physical praise are great motivators for your child. Your children respond well to praise, especially because they want to please you. When you reward them with positive responses, they are more likely to continue that specific behavior. If they successfully take turns with another child, you need to make it abundantly clear that their behavior was correct. Rewards can take many forms. For one, you can use verbal rewards, such as telling your child how good they were. There are also physical rewards, such as hugs and kisses. You can also reward your child with special treats, such as candy, juice, and even play days. Your local trampoline park is a great reward for your child, especially if they have been extra good lately. They can jump and play knowing that they were allowed to because they were sharing with others. Motivators are the best way to encourage good behavior in children. Rebounderz of Apopka Visit your local indoor trampoline park today and see how our trampolines can provide opportunities to teach your child to share. Visit our park today and bounce the day away! #### Rebounderz in Jacksonville is a Great Place For Your Next Fundraiser Fundraising is tough whether you are raising money for your school or athletic team, or are a nonprofit trying to raise money to keep serving your constituents. That’s why when you throw your fundraising event at Rebounderz in Jacksonville, we’re here for support every step of the way. There is something for everyone We’ve got great activities. But we also have four party rooms that are perfect for setting up a special part of your event like a silent auction or information center. You could have a balloon artist, bake sale, or face painter set up in one of the rooms. Or use one of the rooms as an overflow space for guests who want to take a break from the excitement.   We’ve got a lot of fundraising ideas for you, and we’d love to do some brainstorming and help you come up with new ones. Come down, check out our arena, and let’s talk. Whatever you can dream up, we’ll do our best to make it happen. Here are a few of our fundraising ideas to get you on your way. Trampoline Jumpathon We’ve got more than 12,000 square feet of jumping space. Have your jumpers sign up in advance and get sponsors. If 20 people get 20 sponsors to donate $2.00 for every minute they jump, and they each jump for 20 minutes, that’s $16,000! Dodgeball Tournament There are a lot of ways to raise money with the tournament. Each team can pay an entry fee. You could set it up the same way you set up the jumpathon and have teams get sponsors in advance of the event.   Face Off Wall Race Set up a series of contests on the Face Off Wall. Have your supporters race each other for the privilege of making a donation! Winner donates $20. Loser donates $50. That should make for some pretty good contests. Silent Auction Use one of our four party rooms for a theme-based silent auction. It is a great way to raise a little extra money, and it gives people a little break from all of the excitement. Just a Great Place for Everyone Rebounderz in Jacksonville is a wonderful place for any kind of organization that is planning a fundraiser. We’re a family-friendly facility with more than 40,000 square feet of space that you’ll have at your disposal. All of our attractions are available to you. Our facility will be fully staffed for your event. Your event will be 100 percent customized for your organization. We’ll even throw in a photobooth and photographer! Who should consider holding their fundraiser here? Schools Nonprofits Church groups Booster clubs Boy/Girl Sounts If your group doesn’t fit one of these categories, don’t worry. We bet we’d still be a great choice. Give us a call to learn more. We’d love to help you meet your fundraising goals. #### Rebounderz is a Great Birthday Party Destination! When you have a birthday party to throw for your child, you want to make sure they have fun, all their friends have fun and the birthday boy or girl feels special. Having Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park host your child’s birthday party is a great way to cover all your bases! We offer several party packages and a separate package for sports team parties. In this week’s blog, we’ll take a closer look at the popular Rebounderz Party. Rebounderz Birthday Parties for Kids  Invite up to 15 guests for a two-hour party in a private room that includes 60 minutes of jump time. The party refreshments include 2 pizzas, water and all the plates and cups you need. Extra refreshment, both food, and drink can be ordered from our extras menu. Every child gets a pair of Rebounderz socks for jumping, a bottle of water and a video game card with $3.00 on it. The birthday boy or girls gets a Rebounderz t-shirt to remember the great time they had at their birthday party!! Keep them Moving on Indoor Trampolines! We have plenty of activities to keep your party-goers moving. The kids have access to our massive trampoline arenas and can play in our extensive indoor playground. The trampoline open jump area has over 75 eight-by-eight foot trampolines, all surrounded with safety foam to keep your little one bouncing back for more fun. Call Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline park today and reserve your party date! #### Rebounderz Makes Babysitting Easy   When you are a nanny, you want to provide kids with enough entertainment that will last an evening and tire them out for the night. Kids have a lot of energy and most times nannies cannot keep up. This is especially apparent during bedtime when they are wild and you just want them to go to sleep. What you need is an easy option to keep your kids entertained and safe while you are watching them. Luckily for you, Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks exist to help you out! At Rebounderz, we offer you many benefits for you to entertain the children for a long period of time. Entertaining At our trampoline parks, children have a large range of different trampolines to play on. They also have a selection of different attractions to choose from such as our ninja warrior course, foam pit, and JumpXTREME towers. As you can see, boredom doesn’t exist at Rebounderz! We are a perfect location to let kids run loose and have an entertaining day on our trampolines! Time Consuming Because Rebounderz offers our customers so many different options, it is easy to spend hours at our indoor trampoline parks. Because kids can spend so much time having fun at our parks, you, the caregiver, can relax and know the kids are having fun and entertained for most of your time with them. Better yet, while the kids are entertained with our attractions, you can go sit and do what you would like, such as listen to music, do your homework, or read a book. Safe Safety is our top priority here at Rebounderz. All our attractions are completely safe and are constructed with extra-foam padding. This way, you can rest easy knowing the kids are having a good time, safely. Enclosed Rebounderz is not only fun, but a very safe place for kids to play. Because the park is indoors, we are able to monitor who comes into the park and who doesn't. Because of this, kids can be kept completely safe while they are enjoying our park. This will save any nanny stress, because you won’t be constantly having your head on a swivel looking for danger. Inclusive At Rebounderz, everyone is invited to come play on our attractions — no matter your age. That means, you are always welcome to join the fun and jump with the kids you watch. This is a great opportunity for any nanny to have a bonding experience and an enjoyable job babysitting! At Rebounderz, we strive to make the lives of children more fun and exciting. With our many fun-filled attractions, we create an environment safe, protected, and more importantly, entertaining. We offer caregivers an opportunity to care for kids, while taking the stress out of child care. If you are a nanny and are wondering a fun activity to participate in with the children you care for, contact our indoor trampoline park today! #### Rebounderz Newport News Birthday Party Themes that Please We know that you have many options when it comes to choosing a kid’s party venue for their birthday. With so many options for hosting your kid’s birthday party, it can often be difficult to narrow down the list and pick just one location. But in Newport News, there is no better place to host your child’s party than at Rebounderz. Rebounderz combines active fun with controlled activities for a stress-free party for parents, and tons of fun for kids. In addition to having tons of jump time, you can schedule your kid’s birthday party to be held in one of our five private, themed rooms. Take your pick for a birthday bash your child will never forget. Rock n’ Roll If your child likes music, then don’t miss out on the Rock n’ Roll private event room at Rebounderz Newport News This room is full of fun, musical based decorations and allows for a theme that is sure to wow. Consider holding a sock hop themed party or 80s rock party, where all the kids can dress up and come jump at Rebounderz. Marvel This party room is regularly in high demand, and that probably isn’t a surprise to anyone. Any kid, girl or boy, is sure to love superheroes, and Marvel characters are a great addition to any party. Full of amazing Marvel art ranging from The Avengers to Spiderman, there is sure to be a superhero on the walls that everyone loves. Let the kids jump in the jump arena and then come back to the private room for pizza, cake, and presents. Send guests home with an action-packed goody bag full of Marvel toys and treats. Fashion Boutique For the girly girl in your life who wants to play at Rebounderz Newport News, but still loves everything pink, the Fashion Boutique party room is sure to please. Let the kids play to their heart’s content on all the attractions, and then come and spend time having pizza and cake in the Fashion Boutique room. Decorated with dresses and classy details, this room is sure to perk all the girls up and let them have fun with their imaginations. X-Box Room For the gamer in your life, there is no better party plan than an afternoon at Rebounderz Newport News with the X-Box Room. Not only do all the party goers get to play on all the trampolines, but they also get access to multiple X-Box stations in a private room to play after burning off energy. This room also has an X-Box Kinect to keep the fun rolling for hours. Arena Area Lastly, you can opt to have a private party near the jump arena itself. If your kid’s birthday party is all about Rebounderz all the time, this is a great place to be able to watch all the play and still have a space the guests can come back to. Here at Rebounderz Newport News, we love hosting kid’s birthday parties and are all set to help you plan the perfect day for your child. Contact us to book your child’s next birthday party today! #### Rebounderz of Newport News: The Versatile Playground for Everyone Whenever you consider an activity or adventure for your family, you probably come up a little short in terms of figuring out what to do. Whether it’s because your family can’t decide what they all want to do, because agreeing can often be a struggle, or you’ve done the same old thing over and over again, it’s probably time to make a change. You family may be accustomed to going to the movie theater, or hitting up the local recreation center, but we’re here to tell you that it’s time to make a change. Stop doing the same-old, same-old with your family and come down to Rebounderz of Newport News where we have a little something for everyone. Toddler Time For our littlest jumpers and their parents, we open up our facility during certain hours to let them play. This way, the little ones can play to their heart’s content without risking being jumped on by their older siblings. This time is great if you’re a parent looking to get out and meet other parents in the community, and it allows kids to experience something new and socialize. This is a nice, quiet playtime for little tykes that, as parent, you will always enjoy. Jump Arena No matter the day of the week, you can come by with the whole family to spend some time together. The memories that you make at Rebounderz won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Purchase some jump time for the family and hop into the jump arena together. Everyone will love playing, no matter the age. Challenge your kids to see who can jump the highest or do the most twists in one jump. The Rebounderz trampoline park jump area is designed as a single structure and bolted to the foundation for increased trampoline safety. Have some fun and burn some energy all in one with the Rebounderz jump arena. Ninja Warrior Course While you do have to be a bit bigger for the Ninja Warrior Course, it’s a great opportunity for both kids and parents to work through challenging obstacles. In order to try out the Ninja Warrior Course, you need to be at least 44 inches tall. However, parents, challenge you kids to see who can do the course the best and cheer them on for better and better times. If your child struggles through any section, coach them through how to do it and keep trying. The Ninja Warrior Courses found at Rebounderz locations are truly unique in their design, safety, and challenging ability for one and all. Jump n’ Jam Friday Night If you’ve ever tried to find a safe, yet fun activity for your teen that will please instead of providing you with a scowl and eyeroll at just the mention of the activity, turn to Rebounderz for just the solution. On Friday nights, Rebounderz of Newport News holds regular Jump n’ Jams for teens to enjoy. We bring in a live DJ, turn down the lights and have a trampoline park party. You will feel great knowing your teens are safe in a supervised environment, and they will love the fun activities and clue-like atmosphere with their friends. While parents can’t exactly join in and younger siblings aren’t recommended to tag along, your teens will truly love the Jump ‘n Jam experience. No matter the age and no matter the diversity of your family, Rebounderz of Newport News strives to be an inclusive environment for the whole family. Come try something new, like the Basketball Slam or a rousing game of Air Dodgeball. Your family with love Rebounderz trampoline parks so much, your kids will keep asking to come back again and again. For pricing information and programs visit our website or call our Newport News location for details! #### Rebounderz of Sunrise, FL Offers a Safe and Fun Place for South Florida Kids During Hurricane Irma Recovery! Sunrise, FL, September 12, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LOCAL TRAMPOLINE ARENA OPENS DOORS FOR KIDS WHILE PARENTS WORK ON RECOVERING FROM IRMA REBOUNDERZ PROVIDES A FUN AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR KIDS DURING RECOVERY ALONG WITH THEIR SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE COMMUNITY WITH NORMAL ADMISSION REDUCED TO $2.00 FOR 3-HOURS. Rebounderz of Sunrise is providing a safe place that children from South Florida can visit to take their mind off the aftermaths of Hurricane Irma. On Wednesday, September 13th, Rebounderz of Sunrise will be re-opening from their Hurricane closure with a special offer for the community allowing anyone to get their jump on for just $2.00 for a 3-hour time frame (normally priced at $22.00). The offer includes access to all attractions in the facility, including the Ninja Warrior Course! The Rebounderz of Sunrise owners felt that this was great opportunity to show that local businesses are out to help the community and jump start the economy after the effects of this storm. “We felt it was the right first step to do for the community. As we spent a rough day cleaning trees and fences in our backyard. It would have been great to send the kids somewhere for a few hours. We feel this will allow parents to be more productive in their cleaning efforts.” – Michael Vorbe, co-owner of Rebounderz Sunrise. There has been an immediate and overwhelming reaction from the community on the Rebounderz of Sunrise Facebook page (see link below) with numerous comments from local residents connecting with friends and family planning to bring their children and others thanking the team at Rebounderz for offering such a great discount during a struggling time for everyone. The Indoor Trampoline Arena plans to open the doors at 12:00 PM (Noon) this Wednesday, September 13th and remain open until 8:00 PM to allow as many families a chance to spend time working on clean-up, or spend time with their children in a way to bring back smiles and laughter. “We cannot forget in the midst of all of this (Hurricane damage), that the kids as well were under a lot stress over the last few days. Being stuck in their homes for a while, in cars traveling hundreds of miles, to turn around and travel hundreds of miles back. As parents, we feel it will be a good thing for them to channel all that energy into some good healthy fun and exercise, so they are ready to go back to school.” Added Sebastien Vorbe, co-owner of Rebounderz Sunrise. In a time when some of the darkest actions rise to the top, such as looting, price gouging, and other acts, Rebounderz of Sunrise is taking the opposite approach and sacrificing revenue for emotional relief for their community. Not every business can provide product and monetary donations, but with an Indoor Family Entertainment Center like Rebounderz of Sunrise, they can possibly offer something just as great. Rebounderz of Sunrise, Florida is a 32,000 square foot state-of-the-art Extreme Fun Center and Indoor Trampoline Arena. This location is the third Rebounderz location in the State of Florida and the first in South Florida. The location features a large, arena-style Combo Jumper with rebounding floors and angled rebounding side walls. Rebounderz patented Exoskeleton Jumper design ensures that over 12,000 square feet of high-flying, rebounding surface is stable and safer than any other trampoline park arena on the market. Additional attractions to be enjoyed at Rebounderz Sunrise range from the 5-Lane Air Pit, 4-Lane Basketball Slam, JumpXtreme Tower, Ninja Warrior Course with three difficulty levels, and for the youngest Jumpers, a dedicated kid’s play area called Weebounderz. When guests need to cool off from all the extreme trampoline fun, they can enjoy refreshments and delicious foods in the Café and play one of the numerous Arcade games in the facility. Rebounderz is also an amazing venue to host birthday parties for kids, teens, and even adults, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Graduation celebrations, High School Reunions, Corporate Team Building Events, Field Trips and Summer Camps, Team Building Events, Private Events (Private Facility Rentals are available), and more. # # # Rebounderz of Sunrise is located at 4545 N Pine Island Rd Sunrise, FL 33351 and we encourage the media to come out Wednesday for this special event for the community or contact us with questions If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Spot On Goals at 616-328-5007 or email at chris@spotongoals.com. You can also contact Rebounderz Sunrise co-owner Michael Vorbe at (786) 470-7784 for comments, questions or interviews. #### Rebounderz Sets the Safety Standard When you choose a place for your family to spend the afternoon, we know that you look for both fun and safety. In fact, you probably have many different places you can pick from in the Sterling area when it comes to spending time with your family. However, when you look at the different choices, you may face several questions and challenges. These can include looking for something the entire family can participate in, something fun, and something safe. Here at Rebounderz of Sterling, we set the bar for family safety. In fact, we’re the safest trampoline parks in the nation. We can claim this because of some of the following safety features you’ll find at each and every Rebounderz family entertainment center you visit. “Joshua” Lines and Trampoline Beds When you enter a Rebounderz with your family, you’ll probably notice that we look a bit different than most other trampoline parks. Our main jumper is completely enclosed, and our trampoline beds look a bit different. When you enter our jump arena, you’ll notice that almost all of the trampoline beds are square and that the edges of each bed have red lines around them. The beds are the smaller size in order to provide control while jumping. The smaller size still allows for fun, but it makes sure that no one jumps too high and injures themselves. In addition, all of our trampoline beds are double lined in case one of the layers fails. The faulty layer is promptly replaced for safety. The red lines are truly unique to Rebounderz. We call these “Joshua” lines after the individual who helped invent them. They are lines to help visualize the safe jumping space on a trampoline bed. You don’t want to close to the edge for you safety, and these help to prevent that. The Exoskeleton In addition to focusing on trampoline bed safety, our entire jump arena is patented for safety. The jump arena we fondly call the “Exoskeleton” has several patents, and for good reason. The structure is made into one solid piece of metal and then firmly bolted into the foundation of each building. The Exoskeleton’s cup design also keeps individuals safely in the middle of the arena. Referees Every location is staffed with trained individuals who monitor all of the equipment. These Referees help to make sure everyone abides by the roles when they’re in a Rebounderz facility. What a Referee says, goes. However, Referees are also present to help facilitate fun as well! Rules and Guidelines Before you step foot onto any of the trampolines, you’ll be informed of all the rules that the Referees enforce. These rules include no double bouncing, always land on two feet, and only single front flips, to name a few. These rules are for your safety, as well as the safety of everyone around you. So please abide by them. Grip Socks Lastly, every participant must wear a pair of Rebounderz grip socks. They serve two purposes. They help to avoid any slipping, and they also help to keep our facility sanitary and clean. Rebounderz of Sterling is the number one choice in the Sterling area for families to come and have fun in a safe environment. Come jump with us, or if you have any questions, just give us a call!   #### Rebounderz Special Needs Features - A Franchise in Review At Rebounderz of Sacramento, we are excited to be the newest Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park franchise location. The other Rebounderz locations have been posting informative articles about the fun that is to be had at our indoor trampoline parks, for years. Follow along In today’s post as we review some of the information they have shared about our sensory-friendly programs that help include all of our community’s children. Be sure to check out all of the other Rebounderz location’s posts while our archive is being built. Sensory-Friendly Nights At Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks, we are well aware that the excitement we provide can lead to a lot of noise and visual stimulus. To help include our sensory-sensitive friends, Rebounderz is proud to offer sensory-friendly nights. In the article “Sensory Friendly Night at Rebounderz,” the Grand Rapids, Michigan Rebounderz location details what sensory-friendly nights include and how each feature is important. This event was started by the Jacksonville location and was met with such success, the event spread Rebounderz-wide as a common sense way to meet our community's needs. All-Inclusive Place to Bounce Parents of kids with autism can sometimes find it difficult to find activities that are conducive to their child’s unique needs. In the article “Rebounderz: and All Inclusive Place to Bounce,” written by the staff at the Sunrise, Florida location, the author describes the special needs that children with autism may have. The article goes on to detail how Rebounderz is working to include children of all needs. All Abilities Welcome The Rebounderz franchise and its staff understand that children of all abilities need a fun place to play. In the article published by the Apopka, Florida location titled “Rebounderz Welcomes All Children With Disabilities,” details how some abilities require special modifications, while others do not, and how Rebounderz seeks to provide a place that makes everyone feel included. Together, we handiCAN. Spinal Muscular Atrophy In our post, “Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness: Jump for Strength,” we highlighted a very specific disorder and how visiting us at Rebounderz indoor trampoline park can help. This post details what SMA is and how children afflicted with the disease can still enjoy the excitement that Rebounderz has to offer. As we strive to be an all-inclusive family entertainment center, we are continually looking for ways to meet diverse needs. Rebounderz franchise is proud to be an all-inclusive indoor trampoline park franchise, making sure that all children of every age can enjoy our venues. Although we highlighted our special needs friends in today’s post, visit us online to see how we attempt to include everyone in our community. And, if you have any ideas or identify a community need we are not meeting, don’t hesitate to contact us — help make us better! To find out more information about our programs, visit us online or follow us on social media. We look forward to you jumping with us soon! #### Rebounderz Summer Camps are Worth Your Investment and Trust Summer Camps Are Worth Your Money and Trust In today’s world, there is no such thing as a sugar-coated message, or information that is received gently. No, today, we get hard-cut facts and harsh realities posted on every media outlet. Though burying our heads in the sand could drown out some of the negative news we are receiving about our world, it doesn’t stop it from happening. Our reality is that safety is not a guarantee. Due to this fact, parents are questioning whether they should enroll their children in summer camps. Fear, unfortunately, plays a huge roll in this mindset as parents question whether the summer camps in their area are capable of protecting their children. We are here to say, camps are worth every penny. And, our camp works to keep your children safe. Questions to Ask Separating from your child can cause anxiety. No matter how old your child is, leaving them in the care of someone else can be nerve-racking. Summer camps are created to provide parents some free time in the summer, not anxiety. The idea behind summer camps is to keep children active and allow parents to go to work while their children play. Much of childhood is surrounded by the experiences of summer camps. Fear should not restrict your child from having these experiences. However, caution is never a bad thing. So, if you would like to send your child to a summer camp, the best thing you can do is complete a little research. Learn more about the camp you would like to send your child to and make sure you ask all the appropriate questions. In this blog, we will discuss some of the questions you should ask any summer camp you are considering. Hopefully, with our list of questions, we can give you peace of mind and allow you to send your child to a summer camp. Is the Camp Licensed or Exempt? An important question to ask before allowing your child to go to a summer camp is whether the camp is licensed or not. In the state of Florida, it is mandated that a camp (any camp) have federal licensing. In order to become licensed the camp must submit an official Recreational Camp Application to the Florida Department of Health. They also must pay workers up to $8.25 per hour and fully screen them for any criminal charges. Approved organizations may conduct FBI checks on their employees through the Volunteer & Employee Criminal History system which cost around $36 for each employee. Camps must also offer 30 minutes of break time after 4 hours of work (or playtime). To be considered as an official child care organization, a camp must also present the state with a clean, up-to-code facility. After all of these things are completed, and the state grants the camp licensing, only then can a camp care for children. What is the Staff-to-Child-Ratio? The ACA requires that ratios between staff and campers follows a strict 1:5 rule (based on age). This means that there must be one staff member for every five campers between the ages four and five. However, if the campers are older, such as ages six to eight, there can be one staff member for every six campers, and so on. Are the Staff Trained in CPR and First Aid You should also ask if your camp has employees that are all CPR and First Aid certified. Though accidents aren’t common, they can happen. Because of this, it is best to make sure you put your little one’s safety in capable hands. You also may want to ask how old the staff are. For example, the ACA makes sure that 80 percent of camp employees are over the age of 18. Due to this standard, you will be leaving your child in an adult’s hands rather than a teenager’s. It can be argued that summer camps are actually safer and better for your child than regular babysitting. After all, babysitters can sometimes be younger than 18 and are not CPR certified or have any formal first aid training. What Defense Systems Do You Have in Place You can ask if the summer camp has any safety or defense systems or protocols in place. For example, you can ask if the summer camp has any natural disaster safety process to help protect children. If the fire alarm goes off suddenly, how will the staff collect and escort the campers out of the building safely? Asking these pertinent questions will mean the difference between sending your child to a camp that is unprepared to care for your child, and one that knows proper safety protocol. Rebounderz At Rebounderz, we offer summer camps and summer field trips to children in the Apopka, FL area. We hold safety at the top of our priority list. Simultaneously, we value each of our campers and strive to give them the best time possible. Summer camps are more than keeping your child busy during the summer, they are about giving your child the opportunity to meet new friends and experience new things. According to a recent statistic published by the ACA, 93 percent of children said they befriended other children that were different from them. Perhaps, summer camps aren’t just for experiences, but also to help children understand others. If you are looking for a dependable summer camp for your child, feel free to contact us and ask us questions about our summer camp. Contact us today. #### Rebounderz Sunrise Spot on WSVN 7 News Extreme Family Fun for the whole family! WSVN 7 News Miami Fox Sports reporter Donovan Campbell enjoyed some extreme fun at Rebounderz Sunrise. Watch the spot below: Click here to return to the Rebounderz Sunrise website. #### Rebounderz Trampoline Safety Rules At Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Parks, we strive to be the only place you consider for fun family entertainment. Although fun is our mission, safety is our primary concern. Afterall, how can you let loose and have a good time if you have to be worried about you or your loved ones getting injured. We aren't just safety conscious; we don't simply list safety on a list of goals. We live and breathe safety and exercise it through actions. Here are some of the primary ways Rebounderz ensures maximum safety to its jumpers. As with any physical activity, there will always be risks. Before you may proceed, we list all of the risks and discuss with you how to mitigate these risks. You are required to sign a waiver that releases liability from the arena in the event that you disregard our warnings and safety steps. However, if you follow our rules, we can almost guarantee an incident-free adventure! Safety Brief Prior to being allowed in the jump arena, all jumpers are required to listen to a safety brief. This is required for all jumpers, regardless of it's your first time or your 500th time jumping. This is to reinforce the safety rules and answer any questions. If you are new to jumping, there may be dangers you didn't even consider prior to stepping into the arena. All of the safety rules are also posted around the facility for continued reference and constant reminders to be safe! Roving Safety Enforcers In addition to all of the other safety steps, we don't rely on every Jumper to remember all the rules. We know that once you start bouncing around and having fun, your mind will be focused on how high your bounce was and giggling with your friends. To help, all Rebounderz family entertainment centers are staffed with roving safety enforces. Think of them as bouncing referees or jumping lifeguards. They will help make sure everyone is safely having fun. Gripper Socks Prior to entering the arena, we will issue a pair of rubber grip safety socks. These are great for many reasons. The primary we require them is they prevent slips on the trampoline. This makes your jumping experience more enjoyable for you, by allowing you to land your jumps and launch back up. It also helps reduce the static friction from shocking you because the socks don't allow your feet to rub on the trampoline surface. Our socks also offer minimal ankle support which helps reduce landing injuries or strains on the rebound. One of the other major reasons we require our grip socks is to maintain good hygiene. Our socks are clean and their use is limited to within the facility. We know that your feet are not the only part of you that will touch the trampoline. They ensure that you aren't landing in anyone's foot sweat or that whatever someone's foot has come in contact with isn't transferring to the jumping surface. An added bonus is that they help to keep our trampolines from smelling like feet! Wall Angles and Double Beds Most injuries on backyard trampolines result from a jumper falling off the trampoline, hitting the edge of the trampoline, or falling through an old trampoline. To help prevent these injuries, all of our walls are angled and padded. If a jumper does bounce out of control or fall, these interventions help prevent injuries. Our trampolines are maintained indoors and are inspected regularly, which helps reduce breakdown and limits someone falling through. However, trampolines are still material and there is always the potential of breakage. To eliminate injuries if a trampoline material breaks through, all of our trampolines are double bedded, meaning beneath each trampoline is a secondary trampoline to break the bounce of the jumper, not their leg! Joshua Lines Everyone who has jumped on a trampoline knows that the middle is the "sweet spot" for jumping. It is the part that is furthest away from the springs on the edges, making it the most giving and elastic. The edges of trampolines are generally avoided because they are less bouncy, and tend to have harmful edges. At Rebounderz, because of the way our trampolines are constructed, the entire trampoline is the "sweet spot!" Of course, there are still areas that are less than ideal for jumping, which is covered with squishy pads and outlined with red lines, that we call "Joshua Lines." All jumpers are encouraged to try not to jump in the marked areas during the safety brief, when all the markings are discussed in depth. Engineered Corners When two trampolines are secured together, it naturally leaves spaces between. These spaces are potential for a jumper to fall through. Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park trampolines are specially engineered to not have spaces where 4 corners meet and overlap. This ensures that there is nowhere for someone or part of someone to fall between. Regular Inspections All Rebounderz trampolines are inspected on a routine schedule by the facility's trampoline maintenance team. In addition, Rebounderz corporate franchise sends its own inspectors to conduct routine inspections. If a trampoline or its parts are discovered to be unsafe, it is immediately fixed on site. Roving safety monitors continually assess the trampolines for safety during jumping hours. Safety Trampolines Exoskeleton Jumper is much more than single trampoline joined together by chains and tie-downs. It is a patented single trampoline that uses the suspension to provide a unified trampoline area for a much safer jumping experience. Our Exoskeleton Jumper trampolines are exclusive to Rebounderz, which allows us to boast the highest safety ratings throughout the indoor trampoline park industry. Your fun is important to us, as is your safety. We offer the best safety interventions in the industry. Our goal is to have you return over and over and to accomplish that, we need to be sure you walk out of our family entertainment center feeling better and happier than you did when you arrived! Come tour our Trampoline Park and let us show you all the safety features we offer. #### Rebounderz Welcomes All Children with Disabilities Disabilities Shouldn’t Limit Your Children Though disabilities can easily keep you and your child from certain experiences, that does not mean that you have to be excluded from every fun event. At Rebounderz, we believe that everyone should have fun and enjoy a trampoline. We understand the mental and physical benefits of rebounding, which is why we offer our indoor trampoline park to all. So, no matter the disability, you are welcomed at our park and are invited to come play on our exciting attractions. One of the greatest parts of our trampoline parks is that we offer many different attractions, such as our trampoline arena, our Ninja Warrior obstacle course, and our Xtreme Towers. No matter what hinders you, our attractions can be adapted to give your child an enjoyable experience. In this blog, we will discuss some of the different types of child disabilities and how Rebounderz can accommodate them. Also, if your child’s disability is not listed below, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t welcome. Everyone is invited to partake in an afternoon of bouncing and fun. Down Syndrome Down Syndrome (DS) is one of the most common child disabilities. Each year, roughly 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome. This disorder derives from a chromosomal mistake in which an extra copy of chromosome 21 is made.This slight chromosomal difference causes mental, physical, and emotional changes in people with down syndrome. Some of the physical issues associated with DS is congenital heart defects. Roughly 50 percent of all babies born with DS are born with a heart defect. Children with DS also are 50 percent more likely to develop eye and ear issues. Because of these physical defects, children with down syndrome can often feel excluded — not at a trampoline park! When it comes to trampolines, everyone can participate. Of course, if your child has eye or ear impairments, watching them closely is important, especially if they are trampolining alongside someone else. Part of the way we can control our bounces is by being able to sense if others are near us; if your child cannot audibly or visually see someone bounding too closely to them, they could collide with someone else. That is why it is important to watch your child and even join them on a trampoline if you would like. Together, you can enjoy the fun of a trampoline! Autism It is said that for every 45 births, one child is born with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Though the CDC claims that the number of autistic children is actually one-in-68, Autism Speaks claims that this is an underestimation of the true amount of children struggling with the disorder. Autism is a disorder that affects a child’s ability to perform social, verbal, and behavioral skills. Autism is a spectral disorder, so there is a range for how challenging these skills are to obtain. Trampolines are beneficial for children with autism because they allow them to practice motor and sensory skills. 20 to 30 percent of children with Autism eventually develop Epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the body by enabling unpredictable seizure episodes. These episodes can be dangerous, as the person who has the seizure won’t be able to control their body. Because of this, child and adults with epilepsy are often kept from participating in many activities. For adults, epilepsy will never allow them to drive a car; for children, epilepsy can keep them from learning, making friends, and other social interactions. At Rebounderz, our indoor trampoline park can help your child develop important social skills that they may need a little practice at. For one, trampolines require more communication that you would think. For example, at a trampoline park, you will need to let others know where you are jumping and what tricks you are about to do. For a child who struggles with communication skills, a trampoline park is an excellent place to enhance those skills. Cerebral Palsy Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that is caused by brain damage or abnormal development in the brain. When a child has CP, they will either have an impairment or a complete loss of motor function. This means that children, as well as adults with CP, will have trouble the muscle control, muscle coordination, and balance. Bouncing on a trampoline doesn’t require full control of all your muscles groups. The great part of a trampoline is that anyone can use one. For example, if your child has cerebral palsy, but would still like to join in on the rebounding fun, you can easily bring them up with you on the trampoline. Instead of bouncing using their leg muscles, you and your child can play a game of “Crack the Egg.” In this game, you simply drop your child on the trampoline and gravity naturally bounces them. So, this way, your child can still experience the joy of bouncing, despite their disorder. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder that affects over 11 percent of school-age children. Though ADHD is a neurological disorder, it has not been known to cause any deficiencies in mental or physical performance. However, the disorder can be challenging and can cause family stress. Because the disorder can initiate problems at home and at school, some students can be enrolled in specialized classes for ADHD. The disorder ultimately makes it difficult to focus attention and control energy. At Rebounderz, your child will be able to run, jump, and play with others to their heart’s content. ADHD can make it difficult for some children to communicate with others and control their actions. At a trampoline park, your child will be able to use the skills of communication and control better and more effectively than anywhere else. If you are interested in letting your child expend some of their energy at a playground, Rebounderz is a one-of-a-kind location to do so! Rebounderz At Rebounderz, we value inclusion. We want every child to experience the joy of an inflatable park and play on our attractions. Part of childhood requires playtime and fun, and it is our belief, that no child should be denied that right because of a disability. Bring your child to your local Apopka Rebounderz today! #### Rebounderz: How are Trampolines Made?   Your kids ask you a lot of difficult questions. Some, harder to answer than others. For example, the feared “birds and bees” question. Every parent anticipates the day that their children ask, “How are babies made?” You know the answer, but you don’t want to tell them! However, your kids can also ask you more difficult questions — questions that you can’t answer because you don’t know. On the slight chance they ask you how trampolines are made, this blog can help you!   So, how are trampolines made? Trampolines are made with four basic components: springs, tubing, safety pads, and canvas fabric.  All of these parts come together in six easy steps.   Step 1: The first step primarily concerns building and bending the tubing to resemble the frame. The tubing is taken to a bending jig in the factory and bent to the prescribed shape. Trampolines come in all shapes and sizes, so the purpose of the trampoline determines how much tubing is needed and how it will be shaped.   Step 2: After bending is complete, the steel is moved to a hole punching machine where holes are put into the sides for the springs. Step 3: In step three, a welder places sockets into the steel to ensure that the U-shaped legs can fit the estimated size of the frame. Once the tubing has been treated, the four pieces are then connected. When connected, all four of the parts create a circular design. Most trampolines come in the designated circular shape, however at some bigger trampoline venues, the shape can become massive and rectangular.   Step 4: The jumping mat or canvas cover of the trampoline is often woven together at a separate factory. Shipments of the fabric are then delivered to the trampoline factory for cutting. Once the canvas is cut, industrial sewing machines edge the fabric and reinforce the material with web strapping to ensure stability. D- rings, tie-down metal rings, are also sewn onto the fabric to hold the canvas to the trampoline frame.   Step 5: Foam padding is then attached to the frame. Foam padding is a safety protocol implemented by most trampoline manufacturers. Due the the frame’s exposed steel tubing causing safety hazards, most trampolines come installed with protective foam coverings. These pads are made with vinyl covers and leather ties called pie straps. The straps are then sewn to the foam coverings to ensure they don’t slide or fall off the trampoline while jumping.   Step 6: Despite all the other parts needing additional manufacturing features, the springs in fact do not need any other processes. All they need is to be ordered in the proper size and amount. After they are ordered they can be packaged with the other parts and shipped off to their purchaser. We hope this blog has been helpful, as well as educational. So on the slight chance your children ask you about trampolines, you don’t have to hesitate for a correct answer. While they are on the topic of trampolines, you should also visit your local indoor trampoline park. See trampolines at work at your local Rebounderz! Contact us!   #### Rebounderz: The Safest Trampoline Park Environment When it comes to trampoline parks, you may have heard some bad rumors going around when it comes to safety standards. And while there are some trampoline parks in the industry that are lax about rules and safety standards, Rebounderz is not one of them. In fact, Rebounderz prides itself on being the safest trampoline parks in the family entertainment industry, because you and your family’s safety is non-negotiable. You can have extreme fun and still remain safe when you visit any of our trampoline parks. Today, Rebounderz of Edison wants to go over what helps Rebounderz stand out from the rest so that you can rest assured that you’ve made the right choice for your family fun outing. Trampoline Beds The trampoline beds at Rebounderz aren’t like the trampoline beds that you will find at other trampoline parks. We use a couple of additional precautions in order to protect all of our customers. Most of our trampoline beds are square to just slightly rectangular. This smaller trampoline bed size helps to control the bounce and height that can be achieved on our trampolines. A smaller bed size simply means more control. In addition, all of our trampolines are double lined for safety. Any trampolines that are damaged are promptly replaced, but you can always rest assured that there is a redundancy for your safety. “Joshua” Lines Unique to all Rebounderz facilities is a feature called “Joshua” Lines. These red lines added to the trampoline beds help individuals to visualize the safe jumping space on a trampoline. Many problems occur when individuals jump far too close to the edge of a trampoline bed where the springs are attached. “Joshua” Lines help you to stay clear of this area and maintain a safe jumping space. Arena Design Not only do we work hard to make sure that we have superior trampoline beds, but the way in which they are laid out helps to protect all the individuals having fun in our arena. The arena is meant to help keep people inside of it and prevent any falls towards the outside. The design is much like a bowl and you can even bounce off the sides when you’re having fun. The “Exoskeleton” Our patented “Exoskeleton” technology for our trampoline arenas helps to maintain the structure and integrity of our main jump arena. This structure is made of many pieces, but when finished and fully installed, it’s one completely welded together structure. In addition, the “Exoskeleton” is bolted into the facility’s foundation for additional security. You won’t find anything quite like it at any other trampoline park. Referees Much like a pool has a lifeguard, here at Rebounderz, we have Referees on duty to help enforce rules, supervise activities, and encourage all different types of play. All Referee decisions are final and all rules need to be followed for everyone’s safety. With this in mind, Referees are there to help in anyway they can, so feel free to ask them questions or just hit them up for a little chat! Grip Socks At Rebounderz, every jumper wears grip socks on the trampolines. This is for two specific reasons. The first is that these reusable grip socks help protect individuals from slipping when on the trampolines. In addition to having a safety purpose, they also help to keep our facilities hygienic for all to enjoy. Grip socks are reusable and only have to be purchased once as long as you remember to bring in your pair when you visit! Safety Briefing Before using any of the Rebounderz equipment or jumping on a single trampoline, every individual has to go through a short safety briefing on what is allowed and what is not allowed here at Rebounderz. Our rules exist for your safety, so please respect them. They include, but are not limited to, the following: Always land on two feet. Never reach out to catch yourself. Roll instead. Single flips only. No double bouncing to get extra height. Be respectful and careful of others. Listen to the Referees. Here are Rebounderz of Edison, we pride ourselves on  providing you with both a safe and fun trampoline park environment. There’s a reason that our motto is, “Extreme Fun, Maximum Safety.” We live by this saying and want you to have a great time here at Rebounderz. Call us with any questions you may have!   #### Reward Your Child at an Indoor Trampoline Park Rewarding Your Child with a Trampoline Day Everyone can remember being treated to something as a child; it was that one special treat you received for behaving well. For example, if you got a good report card or got high marks from a teacher or a caregiver, your parents may have given you a treat for good behavior. In many instances, you were either given a delicious dessert, a later bedtime, or a fun outing. You then, out of instinct, associated good manners and behaviors with positive and uplifting things, making it far more likely that you would repeat your actions in the future. In this blog, we will discuss some positive encouragements you can give your child so they learn good habits and behaviors. We hope this blog will be helpful, especially if it will inspire you to come up with new ways to treat your children for their good behavior. Common Rewards As stated, there are many common rewards parents will give their children. However, the reward does change depending on how significant the good behavior was. For instance, having good marks on your report cards would elicit a far larger reward than other smaller positive actions, such as brushing your teeth and combing your hair as a child. Though these are good behavioral actions, they aren’t demanding of a reward. And, some rewards are expected in a child’s everyday life, but taken away if they are acting poorly. This typically is the case for desserts or everyday benefits children get from their parents. Desserts Desserts are often used as a way to control childhood behaviors. For example, after dinner, most children will expect to get some type of treat, such as a piece of candy, chocolate, or ice cream. However, this positive reinforcement can be taken away from children when they misbehave. If your child is acting out, claiming that a benefit can be taken away will teach them not to repeat that specific behavior. After all, no one likes to have something of theirs taken away. Children will always strive to do good deeds if they know they will get a present or a treat from the action. Any task you want them to do, say, cleaning their room, can be encouraged by a treat. Later Bedtimes Children are natural rebels. They want to stay up late and eat things they shouldn’t. Sometimes, if they have behaved well, you can let them stay up late and either watch TV or play with their toys. Either way, they are staying up past their bedtime and getting a thrill from the small bit of freedom. Though children don’t have to maintain a strict bedtime their whole lives, consistency is important. When children have routine in their lives, they are able to feel a sense of stability. When their bedtime is non-restrictive and unscheduled, this could lead to problems down the road. For instance, if your child has an irregular bedtime, or their reward for good behavior is staying up late, they can assume that sleep is not that important. Because of this, your child can wake up the next morning feeling tired, cranky, and confused. Many times, when a child is tired, they won’t behave well or even listen to requests or commands. This, of course, doesn’t mean that your child regularly misbehaves. It simply means that they are tired and are easily irritated by things. As children, they don’t know how to release their frustration or even understand it; that is typically why tantrums will happen. Negative Effects of These Benefits Though sweet treats and late bedtimes are, in a child’s mind, great benefits -- they aren’t exactly healthy for your child. For example, if your child repeatedly gets treats, such as candy and ice cream, when they are good, they can foster an unhealthy attachment to these things when they are older. Experiences, such as family outings, are a much more sustainable and healthy way to encourage your child to continue good behavior. For one, this benefit will allow them to appreciate activities and moments much more, rather than receiving quick satisfaction from something sugar-based. Just as sugary treats can cause long-term problems, late bedtimes can be a problem as well. If you reward your child with a late bedtime, they will not only wake up tired but create a negative relationship with their bedtime. In fact, by treating your child with a later bedtime, you may make it more difficult to get your child to sleep every night. Unfortunately, they can relate good behavior with sleep. This, of course, will make it much harder to get them to sleep if they believe they have been good and deserve to go to sleep late. Any parent will tell you that a child who doesn’t want to go to bed can be a big problem. After all, if your child doesn’t want to sleep, you won’t be able to get a wink. Children will stay up, make noise, and even shake you awake. It is best if to foster a good relationship with sleep and your child’s behavior, but making later bedtimes a reward is not always best. Experiences and Physical Activities If you would like to treat your child to a healthy reward, presenting them with fun, physical activities is best. When you treat your child with an experience, they are much more likely to value them and treasure them in positive ways. Also, by positively connecting rewards with physical activity, your child is much more likely to foster a good relationship with physical exercise when they grow up. Putting a value on experiences rather than material or fast-satisfaction treats is much healthier for your child and will make them value other important things. However, though outings are valuable experiences, some parents struggle with finding places to take their children. Rebounderz Rebounderz is a safe, local indoor trampoline park that allows your child to bounce for hours. If you would like to treat your children with an experience they are likely never to forget, contact us today. #### Right or Left Brain? Rebounderz Makes You Use Both! As a child we often use our imagination. We pretend we are someone else, or that we are doing something else; often, something exciting or adventurous. At the same time in our lives, we are also trying to think, learn, and understand the world around us. As a child, the ability and freedom to dream and use intuition provides for stable development and a healthy brain. At Rebounderz we believe in the power of imagination, as well as the ability to problem solve. It is often brought up in psychology, that the human brain in comprised of two separate sections: the left and right brain. At our outdoor trampoline park, our trampolines, obstacle courses, and our other attractions all help develop your child’s brain to use both sides of their brain! These “sides” of the brain are called hemispheres.The left and right hemisphere differ from each other in everyday functions they perform. For example, the left brain or left hemisphere is responsible for thought control such as logic and analytic thought. This side of the brain is also responsible for interpreting language, science, and math. The left brain controls the right side of the body, which includes the right hand. If you are a right handed writer, you use your left brain more than you would think. In comparison, the right brain is in control of the left side of the body. This hemisphere is responsible for more artistic and creative thought. The right side of the brain is primarily used in imaginative states, intuition, creativity, and music awareness. The right hemisphere is also used for identify 3-D forms and holistic thoughts. The theory of this right brain-left brain distinction originated in the Nobel Prize winning work of Roger W. Sperry. While studying the effects of epilepsy in 1981, Sperry had found that by cutting into the corpus callosum (the connected bridge between the two hemispheres) seizures would be eliminated or reduced. With this finding, more studies were conducted on the functions of the corpus callosum, especially as more people were found with symptoms of poorly connected left and right brain hemispheres. Sperry, found that people suffering with split brain that was focused on one side of the brain were unable to do certain tasks such as interpret language or name objects. It was then that Sperry concluded that the dominance of either part of the brain must be part of the reason. He found later, that patients that were right brain dominant had more difficulty with interpreting language; that is how Sperry made his finding that the left hemisphere is responsible for language. Surprisingly enough however, your mind doesn’t work consistently switching from one hemisphere to the other. In fact, the left and right brains are very similar and often can occur simultaneously. For example, when you listen to a song on the radio, you are using both the right brain to interpret the language of the song, and the left brain to identify the melody. Though are many instances that the left and right brain can work copacetically, in many instances there is a clear distinction, especially faced with a certain task. Using your brain to actively dream and problem solve is extremely healthy for the brain, as it is benefited from use. At Rebounderz, we strive to provide children with a playground of sorts, that allows their minds to develop. If you live in the Apopka area, you might want to think about stopping by! Your child will be able to submerge themselves in a playground to let their imaginations run wild; simultaneously, they will be able to use their problem solving skills to maneuver through our obstacle courses. At Rebounderz, we are proud to serve our community, and even more proud of the role we play in your child’s mental development. Visit us online today! #### Rohnert Park Birthday Party Rooms that are Sure to Please When you plan a birthday party for your child, you want to make sure that they have a magical day. It can often feel impossible to plan the best possible birthday party and you probably get stressed out just thinking about it. As a parent, you should be able to give your kid a great birthday party and not have to worry about all the hassle that comes with it. Here at Rebounderz in Rohnert Park, we make planning the perfect birthday party for your child easy. And we can guarantee that they’ll have a fantastic time. When you book a birthday party with Rebounderz, you can opt to do a Picnic Table Party or a party in a Private Room. Each private room gives you the opportunity to set up a unique party experience in a secluded space. In addition, this is a quiet place to do pizza, cake, and gifts, and it allows kids to help calm down after 90 minutes of all access trampoline play. Choose from one of the following private room themes that are sure to please. Cities of Fashion Room Our Cities of Fashion Room combines main features from a variety of fashion forward cities, including Paris and Hollywood. Whether your child loves fashion or they love architecture, this room is a great choice. Sports Room The Sports Room is perfect for the sports aficionado in your life. From baseball to football and hockey, no matter what your child’s favorite local team is, they’re sure find their favorite on the walls. Bring in a cake to match your birthday child’s favorite sport or team, and let them play to their heart’s content in the indoor trampoline park. Beach Room Our Beach Room is perfect for any child of any age. Bring in some inflatable beach balls and let the kids enjoy play time on the trampolines. Follow up a Beach Bash with a goodie bag stuffed with sunglasses, chapstick, and other goodies you might take to the beach! Pirate Jungle Room For the pirate in all of us, pick the Pirate Jungle Room for your tike’s big day. Bring in an IPod and speakers and play some Pirates of the Caribbean music while the kids chow down. Don’t forget to get all the kids eye patches and chocolate gold treasure for their enjoyment! Race Car Room When you child loves race cars more than anything else, you can give them the party they want but still know they will get exercise and play time here at Rebounderz Rohnert Park with the Race Car Party Room. With walls decked out with race cars, simply bring a themed cake and you’re good to go! Castle Room Party For a smaller party for your favorite princess or prince, opt for the Castle Room Party. This room is adorned with Aurora and Prince Philip, as well as a beautiful castle and happy dragon to help create a fairytale party for your child. For your kid’s next birthday party, turn to Rebounderz for a stress-free day full of fun! Book your birthday party today! #### Safe And Fun Activities for Teens When you have a teenager, it can be a challenge to find things for them to do that they too want to do. One of the problems is that they want to decide for themselves what they want to do and that the things they choose can instill some fear in a parent. Where will they be and with whom? Will they be supervised? Is something appropriate going to be going on? Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park in Rohnert is here to help ease your fears. We offer a safe and fun place that teens love, where they are safe and will have fun. Why Teens Love Rebounderz Space. Teens love space. We offer different activities and the kids can wander with their pack of friends from area to area, finding the activity that matches their energy level and interests. They can choose from the trampolines, of course, but there are other options too. We also have the JumpXtreme Tower, Ninja Warrior Courses, an arcade, Air Dodgeball, afterschool Dodgeball, and Air X exercise classes. As much as teens love hanging out with their peers and having fun activities like Air Dodgeball, they love food and their phones and devices too, perhaps more. We have wifi and a snack bar where they can order pizza or sodas. Special Night for Teens Every other month we hold a Teen Night Frenzy / Live DJ night for teens. This night, for teens from 13 to 17 offers them a safe place to gather and have fun. The price includes three hours of jump time, two slices of pizza  and one fountain drink. Let your teens have a safe, but fun time at Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park in Rohnert. We serve the North Bay area, including Sonoma, Marin, and San Francisco Counties. #### Safe, Active Fun for Teens! If you have teenagers living at home, then you know how busy they are. Between school, social activities, clubs, and part-time jobs, it seems like your teenager is always on the go. But how much exercise are they getting during all this activity? For a lot of teenagers, the answer is: not much. In fact, CBS News reported in 2016 that 9 in 10 teenagers aren’t getting enough exercise. So how is it that they are so busy, but still aren’t getting the recommended one hour a day of activity? Does getting enough exercise really matter when they are this young? And what can you do to help them get more activity? Why Aren’t Teens Getting More Activity? The truth is, it’s not always their fault. A lot of teens are scheduled to the max but it’s often with activities that don’t actually involve a lot of activity. It might be homework, studying, playing video games with their friends, or a part-time job on a computer or sitting at a desk. Most teens are driving where they need to go, either because they have a driver’s license or mom and dad are willing to take them there. Even teens who participate in some sports aren’t getting enough activity; they might be spending more time on the bench than actually working up a sweat. The Impact of Not Getting Enough Exercise All of this lack of exercise is taking its toll on teenagers in the United States. It’s estimated by the Centers for Disease Control that 1 in 5 children under the age of 19 in the United States is obese. That’s triple what it was in the 1970’s. Expanding waistlines are tied to a host of other health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and more. Chances are good that obese teens will be an obese adult, setting them up for a lifetime of struggling with their weight. So what’s a parent to do? A lot, actually! Encouraging them to get exercise now can help them throughout their lives. Establishing healthy habits at an early age can help teens maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout their adult years. If you’d like to help your teen get in more exercise, it’s important to help them find a safe, fun activity that’s going to get them moving. This is where Rebounderz can help! How Our Trampoline Park Can Help We have two great programs that your teens can participate in so they can get in more exercise while reducing stress and having a ton of fun! Exercises Classes These classes are great for both teens and their parents to join in! Our instructor-led classes use the trampolines to help you burn away the calories while still having a great time. You can burn up to 1,000 calories in a single class! Friday Night Frenzy (aka Jump-n-Jam!) Teens can join us on Friday nights to dance and jump to a live DJ! They’ll get to participate in our dance contests and win prizes, too. It’s so much fun they won’t know they are exercising, so it’s perfect for teens who resist participating in physical activity. There are no age restrictions, either, so younger siblings are free to join in the fun, too! If you’d like to help your teen get more exercise during the week, bring them into Rebounderz for one of our special events or just to burn off some energy after school with their friends. We’re located on Pine Island Road in Sunrise, so we’re easy to get to for a visit. Come in and see how much fun you and your teen can have while getting in your recommended daily hour of exercise! #### Safety Tips at Trampoline Parks One of the most popular options for your kid’s party, or simply a way to burn off some excess energy for a few hours is the indoor trampoline park. It’s not surprising that this industry has been exploding over the last few years, considering that the pairing of a bouncy trampoline and a kid exploding with energy is a natural combination. However, like any other activity, there are risks. According to a study performed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were nearly 105,000 injuries related to the use of a trampoline in 2014. 22 trampoline-related deaths occurred between 2000-2009. The main reasons injuries took place were: People slamming into each other while jumping Landing incorrectly after a jump or while attempting a flip or another trick Jumping or falling off the trampoline onto the ground, floor, or another hard surface Landing on the trampoline frame or springs So does all of this data mean that trampolines are a menace to public health, and for the safety of your children, you should never allow them to bounce? No, not at all. For example, 60,000 people are injured every year while skiing and snowboarding and 41.5 people die yearly on average. Nobody is seriously suggesting that skiing is too dangerous for kids, it just means that there’s an inherent risk to the activity, but when proper safety precautions are taken, skiing can be an activity that parents don’t need to worry about. The same logic applies to bouncing on a trampoline. You can take your kids to a trampoline park, and by following a few commonsense safety tips, thy will have a good time and be free from injury. Ideally, there should only be one person using a trampoline at a time. However, we know that some trampoline parks offer rows of trampolines that kids can bounce between. Take a moment and make sure nobody is making their way towards the trampoline your child is using. When the coast is clear, they can jump to their heart’s content. A fast query on your favorite search engine will pull up lots of videos showing people doing amazing trampoline tricks and gymnastics. They make it look so easy, anybody can do it, right? Nope. Most of those people have had intensive training, and they know one inescapable fact. A flip that goes wrong can lead to back and neck injuries, paralysis, and even death. Don’t let your kids try doing flips or tricks. Before your kids get on the trampoline and go nuts, make sure you eyeball the sides. Specifically, you want to look to make sure the shock-absorbing pad is completely covering the springs, metal hooks, and frames. Landing on uncovered metal can cause serious injuries, and be seriously painful. We’ve seen it before where a parent is supposed to be watching the kids, but they’re focused on the smartphone or chatting away with someone else. Kids need adult supervision, and by “kids”, we mean children that are 6 years old or younger. Coordination and balance are the name of the game when using a trampoline, and younger kids don’t have that mastered. Watch them like their life depends on it. It just might. #### Safety Tips for Our Indoor Trampoline Park 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! #### School Rewards: Plan Them Now Are you a teacher or administrator in charge of rewarding students throughout the year? It can often be difficult to figure out how to best motivate students and keep their behavior up to par. Receiving good grades and the threat of detention isn’t typically enough for most kids to remain motivated throughout a full semester. They often need something more to look forward to in order to maintain good behavior and fulfill their academic obligations. So as the new school year begins, what do you do to motivate students? Here are a few ideas so you can plan appropriate rewards and use optimal motivational tools throughout the new school year. Plan a Field Trip It can often be hard to recognize students who do well in school. They often fly under the radar and do a good job because they have the self discipline to do so. Students who do a mediocre job often struggle to find a reason to push a little harder and do just a little better if they don’t have to. It’s hard to reward the good kids and motivate students to do better. But you can do just that with a little help from Rebounderz trampoline parks. One of the best ways to motivate students is to provide them with some incentive. Plan a school outing for your students at the end of the semester. Let them know now what they have to do to earn it, and any students who fail to meet the criteria don’t get to go. Whether it’s having a detention free semester or having all As and Bs, there are many ways to define success that earns this fabulous field trip reward. Provide Instant Rewards In addition to planning semester rewards, it’s important for younger students to earn rewards quickly. If they don’t see the reward in conjunction to what they did well, it’s not as effective in improving behaviors and grades. Prompt rewards, such as stickers or small toys, can make a big difference for some children. This lets them feel validated and helps them know that they’re being recognized for positive behavior. Set Long-Term Goals Even younger children can work towards long-term goals. Short-term goals are great, but long-term goals help children of all ages learn consistency in both behavior and academic performance. Perhaps teachers opt for small rewards in the classroom, like stickers or extra recess, but as a school, providing semester or even year long rewards can really help to set a positive tone for the year. Field trips and other fun rewards, such as classroom parties or free time, can motivate children to stick to difficult long-term goals that can be set in the classroom. Whether you want to improve behavior, academic performance, homework turn-in rates, or reading outside of school, rewards are the best way to go about it. Give Students a Say When you plan rewards and set goals, get the students involved. The more they like the reward, the more likely they're going to work towards earning it. Give kids a fair say in their reward options. In the same respect, let them help you set the goals. You can give them an idea of what you’re looking for. For example, say that you can only earn the reward if you don’t get detention and reach a certain academic standard. Let them help define this standard in order let them feel like they have a say in what they strive for personally. And Parents Too When it comes to rewards, you better bet that many parents want a say in how their children are rewarded. Not all parents will be on board with a food-based reward or want their kids seeing a movie. While there isn’t anything necessarily wrong with either option, there are other options that parents will probably find more appealing, such as going to a trampoline park for active play. Let the parent population take a vote on the parents’ personal favorite choices to reward their kids before setting your plans in stone. You have the ability to motivate kids and bring the best out in them with a little help from a rewards system. Consider adding field trips to Rebounderz into your school’s rewards program and you’re sure to see new levels of success. Call us today for more information! #### Seminole Magazine Featured Article: Looking for a unique kids birthday party? Try Rebounderz URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/seminole-magazine-featured-article-looking-for-a-unique-kids-birthday-party-try-rebounderz/ #### Sensory Friendly Night at Rebounderz At Rebounderz Grand Rapids, we understand the struggles of finding quality entertainment that kids with autism can enjoy. Sensory sensitivity limits the activities available and can contribute to social isolation. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to have fun in a safe environment that they feel comfortable in. We also know that during normal operating hours, Rebounderz can be an overwhelming place for those with special needs, especially sensory sensitivity. What, with all the kids bouncing, music booming, and the lights and sounds from the arcade, our indoor trampoline park can be a lot to take in. Sensory Friendly Night At Rebounderz, we take great pride in offering a great experience to all community members, from the very young to the centurion child (100+), from those looking to lose weight, reduce stress, burn extra energy to those who have a mental or physical handicap, everyone deserves to experience the joy and health benefits that trampoline rebounding can offer. This is why we offer special jump times and programs for each of our groups of visitors. To encourage those with autism or other sensory sensitivity needs, we are proud to offer sensory-friendly nights to allow our special need friends to come to enjoy our trampoline park! Modifications for our sensory friendly night include: No overhead music playing Fewer distractions — arcade games and lit posters will be turned off Free admission for a parent/caretaker/therapist Each child will have their own jump square Rate includes 2 hours of jump time and Ninja course passes Raising Awareness We understand that there are not many family entertainment centers are friendly for patrons who have sensory sensitivity, with all the neon flashing lights and continuous attention-catching sounds. At Rebounderz, we hope to set the example and raise awareness for the need of kid-friendly activity centers to meet the fun and safety needs of all children. We partner with community agencies to offer the best activities for our community members with special needs. If you are the parent, caretaker, or therapist for children who have sensory sensitivity needs, join us for our sensory friendly jump night (https://www.rebounderz.com/location/grand-rapids/sensory-friendly-night/) and let your kids be kids! Contact us(https://www.rebounderz.com/location/grand-rapids/contact-us/) for more information and to secure your spot today! #### September is National Childhood Obesity Month National Childhood Obesity Month Obesity in America is a problem, and it doesn’t seem to be going away. Though the United States is a champion for innovation, technology, and other astounding breakthroughs, it seems we fall short when it comes to general health. Obesity, specifically childhood obesity, is a major problem that our culture has yet to find solutions for. There have been minor improvements, of course, as menus at some fast food restaurants now have to post calorie counts. And, of course, schools now demand that children play for at least 60 minutes in mandated physical education classes. But, even with these improvements, childhood obesity is still a big problem in the U.S. So, what can we do about? The change comes with the parents.     Staying Active As a parent, a lot of responsibility falls to you. Though it may seem like added weight to start worrying about what your child is eating, their health is up to you. You need to monitor what your child is eating and how active they are staying throughout their day. Inactivity is a leading reason why children become obese. Though school require 60 minutes of physical education, that does not necessarily mean that your child is participating in the activity. Instead, they would be simply going through the motions, slowly walking, and even ditching the class. It is important as a parent to make sure your child is staying active. School sports or club sports are great way to ensure that your child is working out outside of school mandated programs. Sports not only will keep your child active and healthy, but build important team and leadership skills they will use for the rest of their life.   Underlying Issues If your child shows no enthusiasm for working out, playing sports, or even their own physical education classes, perhaps it is important to talk to them. Every child doesn’t need to be a track star or a football captain, but physical activity is important for every child. Typically, when people are depressed or repressing feelings of anger or sadness, they will refuse to work out (which is ironic because working out is great for stress). Obesity is directly linked to depression and bullying among children. If there is an underlying issue, it is important, as a parent, to offer support to your child. Changing the Thought Process Much of the issue with childhood obesity is that children don’t have the right thought process when it comes to working out; they see it as a negative, rather than a positive activity. Exercise is hard. It physically demands that you push yourself. But, after working out comes great reward. Not only will you be healthy but your muscles can grow bigger and stronger. Many times, the reason children are obese is because they think negatively of working out. This thought process can come from their own perception or perhaps an adaptation of their parents’ relationship to working out. For instance, if you, as a parent, are overweight, this can cause your child to form a negative connection between exercise and their lives. Because they view working out as a chore, they are less likely to partake in it, which will mean they will gain weight. Rebounderz of Rohnert Park One of the best ways to ensure that your child doesn’t gain unnecessary weight is by keeping them active early on. By encouraging them to form a healthy way of life, they are less likely to view working out as a negative. Instead of giving in to laziness, they will be able to learn how exercise can help them grow healthy and strong. At Rebounderz, we understand the importance of exercise. We encourage every child to bounce at our indoor trampoline park and experience how wonderful staying active can be. Many times, if a child has grown to under-appreciate physical activity, perhaps it is because they have not experienced it in a fun way. At Rebounderz, we offer a fun-filled experiences for people of all ages. You can come to our indoor trampoline park and bounce away on our trampoline park or play trampoline dodgeball. The best way to change a child’s mind about exercise is to make it fun! Visit your local Rohnert Park Rebounderz today. #### Skills Learned from American Ninja Warrior The sensational American Ninja Warrior show kicked off a public fascination with difficult feats of physical strength and ability. The challenges that contestants face are not easy and often extremely taxing, as they make their way through the various levels. While it’s fun to watch, trying a ninja course can be a whole different story. The thing is, though, that ninja courses can teach you so much more than just physical feats. You will gain strength from training and practicing, but the additional benefits you get from practicing your own version of American Ninja Warrior are substantial. Consider the following skills that you’ll gain from practicing with ninja courses, like the ones at Rebounderz of Newport News, and keep training for even greater gains. Balance Many different challenges on a ninja course require the participant to have excellent balance, and maintain that balance at speed. Balance is a learned skill. While having a good inner ear can help, it’s not the only way to improve your balance. Practice truly can make all the difference, and working on uneven surfaces, such as trampolines, can also help. With a variety of challenges to test your balance at Rebounderz of Newport News, give it a try. Coordination Much like balance, coordination is actually a learned skill. It’s learned through regular practice. Ninja courses require you to use your whole body in unique ways, and in order to do so, you have to have some level of coordination. Coordination can mean anything from eye-hand coordination to full-body coordination. For Ninja Warrior Courses, you need to have full-body coordination. This involves practicing how your arms and legs move independently in relation to your body. Practicing going at slow speeds can help to train your body how it needs to work together. Agility Agility, akin to nimbleness, is the ability to move quickly through obstacles. This is also something that is trained through practice. You have to both strengthen muscles and work to improve how your body moves when it’s told to. Repetition is the key to improved agility, and  ninja courses can help you work on specific areas of improvement. Patience When you are learning how to do ninja courses and many of the different obstacles that you may face, it’s important to be patient with yourself. It can take a lot of time to master a specific obstacle. In addition to having patience with yourself, it’s important to learn when to be patient moving through an obstacle. Certain obstacles require very precise timing, and knowing how to be patient and wait for the right moment can be key. Fortitude By definition, fortitude is mental resiliency to tough tasks. It’s important to work towards improved fortitude when training for ninja courses, because many of the obstacles can be exceptionally physically taxing and draining. Having the mental fortitude to power through pain and other tough situations on a Ninja Warrior Course will help you in all aspects of life. Turn to Rebounderz of Newport News for ninja course practice and play! Call us with any questions or come by and try out the course for yourself! #### Skills that Active Play Teaches Kids Active play, which includes anything that gets your child doing something, is important for the healthy growth and development of children. It helps them develop, physically, with strong bones and muscles. Active play also helps to develop children mentally by providing a way to explore themselves and their role in the world around them. In this article, we will discuss the ways that active play helps to develop skills that will be useful for the duration of your child’s life. When these skills are developed at a young age, it helps to produce healthier children and more successful adults. Critical Thinking and Logic Active play helps a child to think outside the box to explore whatever it is that they are playing with and how it functions in the world around them. As is the case with navigating an obstacle, putting something together, or making something work the child must explore the activity and make several attempts before getting it right. If something, like an obstacle course, requires a specific sequence and one task is dependent on the previous one, it helps the child realize that they must perform step sequentially and they will have to think through what they are doing before they do it, rather than mindlessly perform tasks. This helps throughout life, to help the child be more logical and to relate information to solve complex problems. Cooperation and Teamwork Active play with other children, especially in the form of team games, helps a child to develop the skills of coordination and teamwork. To be successful in team games or as a part of a group, team members must work together toward a common goal and be respectful of each other. Children will learn very quickly that if they are not contributing positively, whether not at all or being a negative member, they will be picked last or left without a voice. Being a part of a group or team helps to develop camaraderie and a sense of belonging that encourages teamwork. These skills are useful throughout life in relationships, school, and in jobs as an adult. Self-Esteem Through active play, children discover what they are capable of. Proving to themselves that they are stronger or smarter than they thought helps to build a positive self-image. Positive feedback from parents, peers, teachers, or coaches helps to encourage children to try again, even if they fail. This helps children develop a positive outlook on life and creates a positive self-image. Self-esteem is a very valuable skill in life that will help steer them away from trouble and down a path of success. Active play has many benefits for children of all ages. Those who do not engage in active play often have a hard time learning new skills and coping with challenges. Active play can include anything that requires the child to “do,” including hands-on creativity, role-playing, or exercise. Help your child grow and develop in a healthy way by encouraging active play everyday! If you are looking for a great way to get your child moving, check out Rebounderz Trampoline Park today! #### So Your Child Wants a Space-Themed Birthday Party Space, the final frontier.  It’s no surprise that so many people are truly fascinated with space, kids included.  It’s one of the few unexplored areas that we know of and our knowledge of space and the beyond is constantly evolving.  As kids ourselves, we probably looked up at the stars and thought about how neat it would be to be an astronaut or become an astronomer so we could study the stars for our entire life.  So you probably shouldn’t be surprised when your child asks you for the perfect space-themed birthday party in Newport News.   When your child approaches you about a space-themed birthday party, you may not be quite sure what to do.  How do you create an awesome space-themed kid’s birthday party here on planet Earth?  In the Newport News area, this is actually a pretty simple task; trust Rebounderz of Newport News to help make it an unforgettable experience. Outside of hiring a plane to take a group of kids up and then doing complicated maneuvers, the closest you can get to experiencing weightlessness is on a trampoline.  Recreate the moonwalk when you book an arena party.  You will get exclusive use of one of our arenas where the kids can bounce around, pretending they’re Neil Armstrong or Buzz Aldrin, the first men on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.  According to Harris Schmitt, the last person to have walked on the moon in recent history, he describes the experience of walking on the moon to Astrobiology Magazine: “Sometimes people just want a description of what it was like - the black sky, the brilliantly illuminated slopes of the mountains, the bright sun, and then our Earth as a big blue marble handing over one of the mountains.  The physical feeling of walking on the moon is like walking on a giant trampoline, to some degree.”         An Arena Party at Rebounderz of Newport News allows your child and their friends to bounce all over a large trampoline space, just like the moonwalkers would have bounced all over the moon.  In addition to allowing the kids to play on the trampolines, you can provide a variety of things for the party that will play upon the space theme.   For your kid’s birthday party cake, you can tackle the solar system yourself or turn to a local baker.  Create a multi-part cake that includes all of the eight known planets for the kids to consume.  You could also consider making cupcakes with all the different planets on them and kids can pick their favorites. At the end of the party, kids love to get party favors, and what better way to keep them thinking about space then space-themed party favors?  Put together a little goodie bag that includes a variety of fun, space-themed items.  Perhaps include lollipops in the shape of rockets and astronauts.  Consider adding in candies in rocket containers.  Some stores will sell space-themed paddle balls for the kids to play with.  And don’t forget some Earth or moon cookies that are sure to please. If you want to let your kid’s birthday party continue at home, consider a movie night.  With so many space-themed movies to choose from, your child is sure to find one they love.  Perhaps offer up Wall-E, the original Star Wars, or E.T. for the kid’s to enjoy with popcorn before heading home for the night. When you need help figuring out the perfect kid’s birthday party for your growing child, turn to Rebounderz of Newport News.  Rebounderz makes throwing a birthday party easy, and when your child is fascinated by space, let them have the chance to feel what walking on the moon might be like for when they become an astronaut some day!  Contact Rebounderz of Newport News today for more information about our birthday party offerings.    #### Socialization Tips for Kids Raising kids is hard, and there is no sure-fire rule book for parents to follow. Problems are just part of being human, but it can be scary when your child has trouble developing at the same rate as their peers. However, most of the time this is not something to worry about, and your child is either just developing at a different rate, or they require a different approach than the current one. One problem that often scares parents is when a child has trouble learning socialization skills. Here at Rebounderz, our Apopka trampoline park is a great place for kids to socialize in a fun, regulated environment. If you're looking for other ways to improve your child's socialization, here are some helpful tips. Know What's Normal Sometimes parents have trouble relating to kids because, well, kids and adults are different. Yes, we were all kids once, but we tend to forget that they're essentially blank slates when it comes to our expectations. For instance, toddlers will very seldomly actually play together in a group, but will rather do what is known as "parallel play", where they're in the same area, playing with similar toys, but with very little interaction other than the occasional mimicry behavior. Once they get older, associative play becomes much more common, but during the transition they have no concept of social rules, so more supervision is necessary (to avoid conflict, and of course teach good conflict resolution habits). One Step at a Time When dealing with the transition of baby to toddler, and toddler to child, it's best to take baby steps. Don't expect your child to make any changes over night, or over a week, or even over a year. At a young age, what you want to do is expose them to social situations, not necessarily have them interact. Kids learn by mimicking, so this is an important step before being thrown into real social situations. If your child is older, you should still be careful about how they're exposed to social situations. If they're having trouble with friends, maybe move play dates to your house where they will feel more comfortable, or let them sit in to an adult party to get a little more observation in on how social interactions should work. Teach By Example As we mentioned before, one of the best ways to correct anti social behaviors is to teach by example. Kids learn how to interact with the world through mimicry, and there is no one they're likely to mimic more than their own parents. When dealing with problems during child interaction, somebody taking a toy for example, show the child how to deal with it; go over the child with the toy and politely ask for it back. If the child acquiesces, then you've provided a great example of how to deal with peers. If they don't, then you can use authority, and the children still have an example of how to approach social problems, and how to elevate them to the proper authority when their effort fails. Know Your Child's Needs Not only are kids vastly different in their learning processes than adults, but they're also different from each other. When trying to help your kid socialize, it's important to know what makes them different from their peers. Luckily, as a parent, you likely have much better access to that information than most. The key is to play to your child's strengths until they gain the confidence to work on other skills.   Hopefully these socialization tips help make your parenting job just a little bit easier. If you'd like to turn it into a big event, check out our Apopka trampoline park, and all the fun activities we host. Give us a call for more information. #### Socialization Tips For Kids Socialization is an extremely important, yet often overlooked part of raising a healthy, functioning adult. While we tend to think of social interaction as something we inherently know how to do, the reality is that how we interact with others is a learned behavior. Socialization skills are absorbed by children starting at a very early age, so it is important to get a head start on socializing your child. Here at Rebounderz, our Lansdale trampoline park offers the perfect socialization opportunity where kids can have fun and play. But for everyday socialization, here are some tips to help your child learn how to interact with others. Teach by Playing Interacting with new people in unknown ways is scary for kids. To help them get over that fear, it is important to incorporate lots of play into their socialization. Not only will fun and games distract from any awkwardness at being around new people, but it helps kids build focus and attention as well. Ask a Teacher Chances are your child has a few teachers who would know just the playmate for your child. They work with hundreds of kids every day, so they will be able to pick out the problem areas for your child, and match them with a child who complements them. This is a great way to build up a group for regular play dates. Build on Their Interests A great way to build your child's confidence in social settings is to build on their interests. The more comfortable they are with a game, hobby, or activity, the more willing to share it with others they will be. Let your child try out a wide variety of activities, from mental to physical, and from tough to fun. Whatever they have a proclivity for, build on it to boost their confidence. Depending on the activity, they may just make a friend organically on the way! Don't Overdo It Forcing socialization can have negative impacts. While sometimes a child needs to learn that the world doesn't revolve around them, and may need to sit through certain important events, regularly forcing them into social interaction that stresses them out can stunt their social growth and give them negative associations to certain social settings. Embrace Parallel Play For the younger kids out there, play looks very different than it does for the older kids. That's because younger kids engage in what is called "parallel play". In parallel play, kids play next to each other, but not necessarily together. They will often watch and be aware of what the other is doing, but each child will be doing their own thing.   Hopefully these tips help you with socializing your child. If you would like to make a big day of it, bring them on by our Lansdale trampoline park. We have all kinds of attractions your child will love playing on, and we also host kids' birthday parties! Please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about our location, rules, or activities. #### Spending Money on Experiences Not Materials We think Madonna said it best when she claimed, “We are living in a material world.” Much of how we, as humans, determine success is by the wealth we accumulate and the materials we can purchase with those riches. If you think solely on the ideal of materials being “success” you will rarely ever find joy. After all, materials are just objects. They may give you momentary bliss, but that will soon fade. Companionship and experience is the driving force of humanity and what pushes us to do and become better. Materials will not give you satisfaction for very long, and the amount of materials needed to give you joy will only increase over time. The amount you accumulate will never be enough, but happy memories filled with fun and love; those can last you a lifetime. When you fall into the habit of depending on wealth and material goods, you often will find yourself wanting, never really reaching your maximum state of happiness. It is said by Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University, that part of the reason why material goods cannot sustain human happiness is because of our ability for adaptation. Humans adapt — that is what we are good at. We see something, we analyze it, use it, and grow away from it. The same is no different in regard to material things. We become used to something, so therefore it loses its ability to excite us. In children, it is important that you instill in them the ability to see the difference between momentary happiness versus long-term happiness. Children will learn from their parents almost everything they will use when they grow up. If a child is raised in a home that values material wealth higher than emotional love, the child will pass on that mind set. It is important for you as a parent to teach your children the value of relationships and experiences. One way in which to instill in your children the importance of experience is to regularly plan excursions that do not involve their toys. Children can often become mesmerized by their shiny toys, and lose sight of nature and those around them. As their parent, you should encourage them to look beyond a screen and create new and lasting memories with them. Some assume that “experience” is a rough translation for adventure. When you go on an adventure, that tends to mean that you must leave your home. In fact, this is not true. You can have an adventure or an experience right in your home! Building experiences with your child could be as simple as baking cookies, making forts, or playing games. When you spend quality time with your child, you are reminding them that they are loved. From these tender moments of mutual love, they learn that these experiences are far more superior than any material gift could give. If you are, however, interested in forming a lasting memory with your child, outside your house, you may want to choose a playground. Though most public parks and even some food chains have playgrounds, it is rare that these play areas are suited for parents to join in on the fun. When you bring your child to Rebounderz, we offer you a play area where you both can utilize our trampolines and our other attractions. Together, you and your child can play, bounce, and climb through our attractions. While having a memorable day full of play and fun, you will be simultaneously proving to your child that experiences triumph over materials. Come by your local Sterling, VA, indoor trampoline park today and see how you could create a lasting memory with your child! #### Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness : Jump for Strength August is spinal muscular atrophy awareness month. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare, debilitating, genetic disease that robs children or adults of their ability to control the muscles in the shoulders, hips, and back. As you can imagine, the progressive loss of core muscle control takes away the ability to sit, stand, walk, or jump. The symptoms of this terrible disease vary based on the type of the disease the individual suffers from. Here, we will highlight some of the facts about this disease to help bring awareness. Inherited Atrophy SMA is a progressive, degenerative disease that causes a loss of specialized motor neurons in the brainstem. This leads to the weakening or wasting (atrophy) of voluntary muscles that support the trunk of the body. Each type is characterized by the severity of the symptoms and the age of onset. SMA Type 0 is the most severe form and affects fetuses in utero. This usually results in decreased fetal movement and respiratory failure. SMA Type 1 , also known as Werdnig Hoffman disease, is the most common form of SMA, and affects infants with an onset before six months. If the disease is restricted to the muscles of the hips, back, and shoulders, the baby will never be able to sit unsupported, crawl, or walk. In more severe cases, it will interfere with the baby’s ability to breathe or swallow food. SMA Type 2 affects children between the ages of six months and one year. These babies may learn how to sit independently and might crawl or take their first steps, but are generally not able to sustain these activities because of the atrophy of underdeveloped muscles. SMA Type 3 , also known as Kugelberg-Welander syndrome, has a childhood onset. These children learn to walk, but progressively have more difficulty supporting their own body weight. SMA Type 4 is diagnosed after ten years of age and has a much slower progression. In fact, with therapies, patients can remain able to walk until around 60 years. Finding a Cure Currently, there is no known cure for SMA. However, treatments are being tested and a cure is still being investigated. The more awareness that is brought to this disease means the potential for more funding for a cure. For those who suffer from this debilitating disease, basic functions such as walking may be increasingly difficult over their lifetime. One thing that can help slow the progression of the disease is to remain as physically active as possible. At Rebounderz of Sacramento, we believe that fun physical activity should be enjoyed by people of all health statuses to help promote healthy body functions and reduce stress. We also believe that children of all abilities should be able to enjoy the fun and entertainment that we provide. If your child has been affected by SMA, contact us to see how we can accommodate your needs to provide your child with the opportunity to enjoy trampoline rebounding. Unfortunately, we cannot allow wheelchairs onto the trampoline surface, but we do find ways to cater to our guests with special needs. Contact us for more information today. #### Sports Safety Tips Is your kid interested in sports? They are a great tool for growth, for everything from building physical endurance, mental acuity, to socialization. If you haven't considered exposing your kids to sports, it may be worth thinking about. However, there is also the other side of the coin; you want to make absolutely sure your kids are safe and in good hands. Here at Rebounderz, we have safety personnel present at all times at our Apopka trampoline park. That doesn't mean you can't take extra steps to ensure their safety, though. To that end, here are some sports safety tips for parents with young children. Pre-Participation Physical Exam The pre-participation physical exam (PPE) is a checklist to ensure your child doesn't have any health issues that may cause them harm from the physical stresses common in sports. It should be performed by a licensed professional. Some organizations require this, but not all. If you think your child may have health problems that could cause them injury while playing sports, it's best to play safe and see a doctor first. Warm Up Usually this is something the coach will take care of, but you can also instill the importance of warm ups before serious physical exertion to your child. Make sure they know that a five to ten minute warmup will help them prevent injuries, pulled muscles, and other types of pain. Once you've made it a habit, it's likely something they'll carry long into adulthood. Hydrate Another important lesson to instill in your children is that they must stay hydrated when they exercise. Not only should they have a full water bottle before ever leaving for a game or practice, but also make sure that they know the signs of dehydration. It's also good to pre-hydrate before exercise, and it never hurts to talk to the coach to make sure they're getting regular water breaks. Proper Equipment There's a reason that most sports equipment is standardized, and it's not just because it might give competitors an edge. Not only should you make sure your child has all the appropriate gear for their sports, but it's important to make sure that gear fits their size. This minimizes any chance of injury. Know Signs of Injury Likely, your kid's coach will be well versed with this type of thing, but it's important for you, and even your child, to be aware of when an injury is too serious to play on. Concussions are a great example of something that can possibly be overlooked, to the detriment of health. Here is a quick overview of what to look for to see if your child is concussed. When in doubt about a child's injury, it's better to play it safe and sit them out. Schedule Rests Overuse injury is extremely common in organized sports, so it's something you need to protect your kids from. As with most items on this list, chances are your coach is aware of this, but it never hurts to be proactive. Before enrolling your kid in a sport, make sure that regular rest breaks are scheduled.   In the vast majority of cases, the social, physical, and mental benefits of enrolling your child in sports will be a huge net benefit. It's in our nature as parents to worry, but as long as we're taking steps to prevent injury we shouldn't beat ourselves up about it too much. Here at Rebounderz, we offer basketball and dodgeball activities at our Apopka trampoline park. Rebounderz safety personnel will be watching over everyone, so you can rest assured that your kids are in good hands. If you have any questions about our trampoline park or activities, please give us a call today for more information. #### Sports That Train on Trampolines Trampolines are considered one of the most effective training apparatuses around, with NASA reporting that it is 68 percent more effective than jogging. It’s not just astronauts that are training on trampolines, though. Many athletes from a wide range of sports utilize trampolines in their training to great effect. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the sports that benefit the most from trampoline training along with why it is so beneficial for them. If you’re looking for a great place to start your trampoline training, come to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Sunrise. -Basketball It’s probably not that surprising to hear that a sport that involves as much jumping as basketball benefits greatly from trampoline training. Players have found that it has greatly improved their vertical leap while being more low-impact than comparable exercises taking place on solid ground. Trampolining also improves agility and balance, which are two invaluable skills needed to be a successful basketball player. At Rebounderz, our SlamBall court sees a lot of prospective basketball players take their game up a notch with exciting, high-flying dunks. -Gymnastics No matter which event a gymnast specializes in, they see results from adding trampolining to their regimen. Learning how to bounce, spin, twist, and flip are all easier and safer when done on a trampoline. Jumping also strengthens core muscles that are vital to performing their acrobatic feats. A trampoline provides a safe area to get used to the flux and torque of a gymnastic routine while maintaining their bearings. They also see the added benefit of increasing their vertical leap, which is of particular importance for the floor exercise and uneven bars. -Extreme Sports Snowboarders, skiers, and skateboarders all love training on trampolines. Thanks to the safe area it provides for their training, they’re able to push themselves harder and go for bigger tricks without the danger hard ground presents. Many will take their board or skis onto the trampoline so they actually have the physical object with them as they train. Skateboarders remove the trucks and wheels and train with the board on its own, which is incredibly helpful since most skateboarding tricks heavily involve the board moving in some way. When you combine the safety and verticality of a trampoline with the soft landing area of a foam pit (just like we have a Rebounderz), they’re able to try things that would never be possible on solid ground. This is great for removing the anxiety and fear that can come with extreme sports, making for a more confident and boundary-pushing competitor. -Professional Wrestling Whether you see it as a sport or an elaborate dance, it’s not hard to be amazed by the incredible acrobatic performances they put on in front of massive crowds. Due to the danger many of the moves present, many pro wrestlers will take their training to a trampoline. This gives them a safe place to practice moves and learn how to do the high-flying attacks that wow the crowds in a controlled environment. Similar to the other sports we have discussed, pro wrestlers also benefit from a low-impact workout that strengthens their legs and core without putting their joints and muscles under undue strain and stress. While we only shined a light on four sports, the fact of the matter is trampolining is a low-impact, high-yield workout that athletes of all disciplines and experience levels can benefit from a great deal. If you’re looking to improve your vertical leap, strengthen your core muscles, or you just want a safe place to have some fun, look no further than Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Sunrise. We hope to see you soon! #### Sports You Can Practice on Trampolines Trampolines have been used for many different reasons. Originally they were used as a tool for sports. But in later years they were re-purposed as an exercising tool and later a recreational toy. Today, trampolines are even available to the public in large indoor trampoline parks, such as Rebounderz. The elasticity of the fabric allows for maximum bounce, which provides certain sports a great way to practice their tricks and performances. In this blog, we will go over some activities that include the use of a trampoline in competitions. Trampolining This is pretty self-explanatory in that a trampoline would obviously be used for trampolining. Every year, the World Trampoline and Tumbling Championship is hosted by a new country in order to showcase the sport of trampolining. In this event, teams or individuals perform intricate tricks on a trampoline, being judged on landing, traveling, height, and time of flight. Though seemingly easy, trampoline acrobats must work years to perfect their trampolining technique. Diving Diving and competitive trampolining use very similar movements, so it would make sense that both use trampolines to practice flips and tricks. Trampolines are beneficial to divers because they allow them to catch maximum air in order to perform rapid, consecutive flips. Also, trampolines that are engineered for competitive jumping, allow divers enough air to simulate the height of a diving board. Gymnastics There are many times that trampolines are utilized in gymnastics. Trampolines can be used to practice for floor routines and are a mandatory tool used in the event of the vault. When gymnasts perform at the vault, they are given only a few feet (25 meters) for a running start. At the end of the runway is a springboard that gymnasts use to propel themselves high into the air to perform a trick. In the beginning stages of learning vault, gymnasts will often use trampolines to help boost their estimated level of air. Parkour Parkour, though not an official sport, has become a competitive event around the world. In its definition, Parkour is an “activity of sport of moving rapidly through an area, typically in an urban environment.” Parkour is a combination of running, jumping, flipping, and martial arts techniques, all performed in an urban setting. At first a fad, this sport is now celebrated around the world and it featured in many different competitions. Parkour is often judged on the speed in which the competitor can complete the course, or how stylishly they finish the course. Today, parkour professionals have been seen in movies and television shows, such as American Ninja Warrior. Though most parkour tricks are performed with natural momentum from running and jumping, some tricks can be practiced with the use of a large or small trampoline. Cheerleading Cheerleading often uses trampolines for practice tricks and flips. In many cases, tumbling is used during performances and competitions. Because of this, young cheerleaders often train on long trampoline runways in order to perfect flips and back-hand springs. Only once cheerleaders feel they are prepared enough, will they move their tumbling abilities to the main performance floor. However, without the use of trampolines as a way to train cheerleaders, many would not be able to develop their acrobatic skills. Slam Dunking Sometimes at basketball games, trampolines are utilized in half-time competitions. These competitions can range in a manner of separate competitions, however the most popular is the slam-dunk. Often times, participants are hand-picked from the audience at basketball game to fill in the time between the first and second half of the game. Participants are changed with dribbling the basketball down the court, jumping on a trampoline, and trying to dunk the basketball in the hoop. The key of the competition is who can dunk the ball, and who can do it the most stylishly. When this competition is performed, often the whole crowd gets involved, cheering on the participants. Slam dunking, in fact, is so popular, a sport called Slamball was created that incorporates basketball rules with a full trampoline court. Whether you are a talented acrobat or just a participant in an audience, trampolines are a useful tool. They allow you to get the maximum air to perform flips and tricks that you wouldn’t be able to do otherwise. If you are interested in performing some slam dunk or creating new flipping tricks, come down to your local Apopka Rebounderz! Visit us online today! #### Start Your Year Off Right With Rebounderz Start Your New Year Off Right The New Year is coming shortly, and this can be exciting for many people. A new year means new possibilities, new beginnings, and hope for the next year. The meaning behind New Year’s can mean different things to different people. For some, it can mean that a new year is beginning and can bring newer, positive changes. For a child, a new year means another year of life, growing older, and learning new things. No matter how you view a new year, it is a good idea to end one year and start off a new one the right way. And, what is the right way? You want to start out your new year with fun and excitement. It is important that every new year starts positive and fun, because it sets the tone for the rest of the year. 2018 saw many challenges, but that doesn’t mean that the negative feelings of the past year need to follow you into the next. Participating in a fun activity is just what you need to start this new year right and remember all the important things in your life. In this blog, we will be discussing some of the activities you can participate in to start your year off right. We hope, by reading this blog, you can get inspired by our list and begin this year with a sense of enthusiasm and excitement. Go Bowling Bowling is always a fun experience, especially for families. Whether you roll with bumpers or not, the game can be fun for all. Bowling can not only teach your children accuracy, but also how to take turns and engage in friendly competition. When you take your child to a bowling alley, they will be able to experience the fun of family events. Even better, bowling is extremely affordable, especially if you are looking for recreation for the whole family. Go to the Movie Theater Movie theaters are ideal because they can give you a quiet, dark place to get lost in a film. We suggest watching a heart-warming film or a comedy, however, as you want to maintain your positivity. Watching a horror movie or even a sad drama won’t make you feel quite as good when it is over. Movie theaters can be a great place to get distracted from your day-to-day life and offer you something to be reflective on. For instance, if you like the film, you can think back on what you saw whenever you would like. Also, when you watch a movie with your family, it is an experience you all can share with each other. Go to the Park The park is a great place to go if you would like to take your child to play. Sometimes, starting your year off right is by doing something familiar or going somewhere you have been before. There is comfort in going to a familiar place, such as your local park. We do suggest, however, that if you and your children are headed to the park this January, you should bundle up. Winters in New Jersey can get cold! Go Indoor Camping It is much too cold right now to adventure off into nature. But, just because it is cold doesn’t mean you still can’t camp when you would like. Indoor camping is a fantastic way to start off your new year, in the comfort of your own home. So, what is indoor camping? Indoor camping is when you convert your living room into your own campgrounds. Instead of pitching your tent up in the woods, you can do so right in the comfort of your living room. Not only is it warm in your home, but you can still access all of your essential snacks and games. The best part about indoor camping is that it is a special occasion and can be extremely fun. Best of all, you don’t have to make large expenses — except for the s’more ingredients, of course. Indoor Trampoline Parks Indoor trampoline parks are a great place to bring your kids to celebrate the new year. Not only will they be able to bounce their way into a new year, but they can spend their final moments of 2018 with you. Indoor trampoline parks offer a fun and exciting place for children to explore. Though 2018 might be drawing to a close, an indoor trampoline park might be the perfect way to end the year and start 2019. Rebounderz of Edison Rebounderz of Edison is here for your use. We have plenty of different attractions for your family to utilize at any time of the year. But, as 2018 draws to a close, ending it on “the right note” might be very much appreciated, especially if this year has been challenging for your family. If you are interested in bouncing your way into the new year, visit your local Edison Rebounderz today. #### Stay (Mentally) Healthy With Rebounderz The first week in October kicks off Mental Health Awareness Week, and while adults have many resources to help sort through their feelings and emotional health, teenagers may not know how to communicate or have the language to identify what they are experiencing, which makes mental health awareness even more crucial for this age group.     At Rebounderz of Sunrise, we want to create an atmosphere of fun and wellness — and we all know how advantageous jumping in our trampoline park is for our mental wellbeing! Physical activity naturally boosts endorphin and serotonin levels to help combat the blues. To learn more about mental health in teens, examine the topic with us below! Tackling Mental Health With Your Teen   Having a teenager is complicated enough — their hormones are changing — so these constant fluctuations make them more moody than that of the previous decade. So, how do you determine when their mental health is being impacted, or if it is just their hormones?   A day-in-the-life of a teenager can come with a host of short-tempers as they’re trying to cope with gaining independence, yet still being a child under your care, oh and there is also the drama. Teenagers are beginning to separate themselves from the family and explore relationships outside of it. As they experience all of the phases of broken hearts, embarrassment, and failure — unseemingly small events to you could feel like their world is coming crashing down. In all of this, they are trying to make sense of the world around them, while dealing with their hormones, and putting words to their feelings. Sound exhausting? Just recall your own teenage years.     So, where do you separate a normal teenage experience from teenage mental health issues?   As a parent or caregiver, you know your child the best so if you notice their emotional state becoming one that is laden with chronic anxiety or depression lasting more than a few days, you may want to consider getting in touch with a mental health professional. Additional factors to consider include:   Decreased enjoyment with family and friends An “out of nowhere” decline in their academic performance Missing school or showing resistance to attending Dramatic changes in their eating, sleeping, and energy levels Frequent and lasting mood swings, crying often and extreme aggression Substance abuse A decline in personal hygiene Overly suspicious of others Seeing and hearing things others do not   If you notice any of these signs, talk with your teen! They have big feelings and sometimes they just need to be validated, and if you do think they have a mental health issue, approach it calmly and with empathy. Acknowledge your child’s feelings and let them know you are on their team. Other talking points include:   Bringing up the issue in a calm manner Make sure you are talking and then listening Do not interrupt your child Steer clear of threats, yelling, whining, and sarcasm Deal with the present and avoid commenting on the past If things do become heated, pause for a break, and continue when both parties are calm   Teen Mental Health in Numbers   Struggling with mental health issues occurs in teens and can be difficult for them to deal with because they may not even know what depression or anxiety are — they just feel it. Below are surprising facts and statistics about mental health in teens.   One in five children ages 13 through 18, have or will experience a severe mental illness. Of all teens ages 13 through 18 years in age, 20 percent will live with a mental health condition. 50 percent of lifetime cases of mental illness are diagnosed by 14 and 75 percent by the age of 24. 37 percent of teens 14 and older, drop out of high school. 70 percent of teens in the juvenile justice system have a mental illness. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in ages 10 through 24. 90 percent of those cases of youth who died had a mental issue How Parents and Caregivers Can Help Prevent Teen Mental Health Issues As noted above, there is a high rate of teen depression that goes beyond the normal teenage experience. As a parent, you may not know how to navigate this topic or feel helpless in the whole matter, but there are things you can do to help your teen cope with these big emotions.   Let your teen know you are there, supporting and caring for them.   Although your teen may not acknowledge it, they want you around. Continue to ask open-ended questions and support their growing autonomy.   Teach and model healthy communication skills.   Communication is not an inert skill, it is one you have to continually learn from and develop. Help cultivate strong communication early in life by working through issues together.   Encourage healthy peer relationships.   Teens need the support of a family, but unhealthy or absent relationships with their peers may increase depression. When teens have a strong social connection, this is more protective against them developing mental health issues.   Encourage your teen to find something they love.   When teens have a purpose or something to excel in, this gives meaning to their lives and can help prevent mental health issues.   Help them get active!   Physical activity is a great way to get blood and oxygen to the brain while boosting neural signals that ward off mental health issues! Get a group of their friends together and get active while having fun at Rebounderz.   For more information on our hours or special events, call our office today!       #### Staying Active In the Summer Every year, around the month of June, a phenomenon occurs; every child in the country leaves their school to go on summer break. Summer break is meant to be a time for recreation, a break from study. Unfortunately, for some kids, summer can be an excuse to sit around and watch cartoons for three months. This recreational habit might be appropriate for a few days, but after a week, the lack of mobility might be worrisome for parents. At Rebounderz Trampoline Parks, we want to give every child the opportunity to have a fantastic summer and stay active at the same time. That is why we created Rebounderz Summer Camps! In the summer, we at Rebounderz host a fun-filled summer camp for children ages two years old and above. Included in this summer-long camp, children will have full access to a variety of our games and activities. Campers will be able to jump to their heart’s content on our indoor trampolines and play games on our basketball and dodgeball courts. Included in their summer experience, campers will also have access to our giant foam pit. By joining our camp, your child will be able to have the care-free summer he/she deserves—staying active and enjoying the summer months! Our summer camps not only host a range of activities for your child, but we begin our camp at times convenient for parents. Our sessions range from late-morning to early-evening. Times: • 10:00–12:00pm • 12:00–2:00pm • 2:00–4:00pm However, scheduling can be difficult to determine, especially if you are a parent of more than one child. Times can overlap, but you don’t have to give up your child’s summer just because of scheduling. At Rebounderz, we are extremely flexible! We can work around your schedule to ensure that your child can participate. So, not to worry! To request a different time schedule, all you have to do is message Rebounderz and we can design a specialized session. On top of our flexibility for session times, we at Rebounderz are also flexible with the length of our sessions. Depending on how long your child would like to jump for, we can change their session to either one-hour or two-hour intervals. This means no wasted money or time! Pay for the time your child uses, nothing more or less! Included in signing up for our summer camps, campers will receive a pair of reusable grip socks. These socks will help with their jumping capabilities and prevent rubber burns on their feet. At Rebounderz, we believe in safety first. All camps are well supervised, and games are always regulated to be fair and safe. A summer can’t be fun if someone is hurt, that is why we always have one chaperone present at all times. If you are interested in a fun, safe, and well-organized summer camp for your child, Rebounderz is perfect for you! Our summer camps are affordable, as well as flexible to your time schedule. We believe that every child should enjoy their summer and stay active. Visit online to find out more! #### Staying Fit With Trampoline Exercises When we were kids, staying fit was frequently easy. You could run around outside with your friends, ride your bike for hours, the possibilities were endless. As adults, it’s a good bit tougher for two reasons. First, we have more responsibilities and less time. Second, we often think of exercise as a grimly serious undertaking. It doesn’t have to be, and one of the best ways to do that is with exercise at a trampoline place. More people than ever are opting to exercise while bouncing, and it’s easy to see why. You’re able to lose weight, strengthen muscles and joints, improving the lymphatic system and balance, and ward off depression. Trampoline workouts don’t feel like a workout because they’re fun! As a result, more people stick to exercising on a trampoline instead of giving up. So how, exactly, do you exercise on a trampoline? Glad you asked… First, start simple and imitate the motions of jumping without actually lifting off the surface of the trampoline. Once you get comfortable, increase the intensity until you’re comfortable jumping. Then, push yourself to jump a little higher gradually. On its own, jumping is a terrific workout for your core and many parts of the lower body. By simply doing that, you’ll work up a sweat. Next, try doing a mid-air twist. While you’re jumping, rotate your core from side to side. When you twist your core during a jump, your lats and abdominal muscles are getting an excellent workout. Running is excellent cardiovascular exercise, but not all of us are into it. Try running in place while you’re on a full-size trampoline or a rebounder. If you start to get a little bored, try either alternating between running and jumping or adding knee slaps. Jumping jacks on their own tend to be good exercise, but the impact with the ground can be tough on your joints. Instead, try doing them on a trampoline, but keep in mind that you may want to only use a full-size trampoline for this exercise instead of a rebounder. That’s because you can get some serious air, and if you slip, a rebounder doesn’t give you the space to just bounce harmlessly. However, if you only have access to a rebounder, a great workout is side to side hopping. Instead of bouncing on a single spot, you’ll jump from left to right. In one variation, you actually jump off one side, jump back onto the rebounder, then hop off the other side. This workout is more intense and much faster paced. Looking to give your upper body a solid workout? While you’re running in place or jumping, also use some low-weight dumbbells simultaneously. A quick search on your favorite search engine will show you a number of different exercises you can do. If you’re at an indoor trampoline park exercising, one essential routine is the seat drop. It’s simple, you just jump up, but instead of landing on your feet, stretch your legs out and land on your seat. Then, on the rebound bounce, land on your feet and jump again. You’ll just alternate between seated and standing positions. This routine will help to increase your balance and also boost your endurance. #### Strange Holidays Celebrated Around the World 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. #### Summer Birthday Party Ideas for Your Kids Summertime is the time of year where all parents are searching the deepest depths of their brains, Pinterest, and parenting magazines for any ideas on how to keep their kids entertained. While a few months off of school offers the opportunity for families to bond, travel, and explore the out of doors, it is also a time when kids get bored. That is where the competition begins! During the school year, a weekend birthday party at your house that features a cake and ice cream and maybe a sleepover is perfectly acceptable. However, during summer vacation, that’s a typical Tuesday and you have to step it up for a birthday party celebration. So, we have compiled a list of fun kid’s birthday party ideas that are sure to delight, even at the end of summer (cool parenting tip: all of these ideas double as a back-to-school party or just a family weekend together!). Science-Themed Birthday Party Science-themed birthday parties are gaining in popularity over the last few years and kids love them! Perhaps it is the fact that their natural curiosities are stimulated or maybe it is the cool experiments that result in delicious party treats! For a large party, you can contact a professional science party company to host it for you, or for a smaller crowd or to save some money, you can look up some fun kid-friendly science experiments that you can lead the kids in. Decorate the party as a science lab and the guest of honor can play mad scientist to their heart’s content. Camp-out or Lock-in You’ve probably done both at some point in your child’s life, but anything that is centered around your child instantly becomes a little more special! You can camp out at their favorite camping spot, in your backyard, or if weather dictates, you can even build a giant fort in your living room to house your family and their closest friends. Spend the day doing your child’s favorite adventure activities with their friends — hiking, insect scavenger hunt, swimming, or fishing — and spend the night making delicious treats and telling ghost stories! For a lock-in birthday party, contact your kid’s favorite local activity site and ask if they host lock-ins. A lot more places than you think do. You can let your child invite all of their friends and let them explore the activities of their choice for the night! Rebounderz Trampoline Park If your child has a lot of energy and a ton of friends, hosting a party at your house or taking a bunch of children to the mountains for the weekend may not be your idea of a good time. If that is the case, a trampoline park birthday party is a major hit with kids of all ages! These birthday parties include hours of entertainment and physical activity that allow all the kids to go home completely exhausted, which will make you the neighborhood hero! Additionally, if you host your birthday party at Rebounderz Trampoline Park, you get a party planner and a host who does everything for you! From setup and decorating, to keeping the party flowing, and then cleanup, you won’t have to worry about a thing! If you have been so caught up in finding day-to-day activities for your kids over summer break that planning an end of summer birthday party seems impossible, contact us at Rebounderz of Grand Rapids. We provide a day full of fun for your guest star and we take care of everything (except the cake and gifts!). Your birthday party includes access to the trampoline arena, arcade, and many more activities. Party rates available for your guests. Call us today to book your party date! #### Summer Camp Outings in Lansdale, PA ACTIVE KIDS OUTINGS FOR SUMMER CAMPS NEAR LANSDALE, PA Day Camps are great for kids and parents alike- campers get to stay stimulated and active all day long, while parents can relax knowing that their children are making the most of their summer vacation. Although camp programs might differ, one common activity never fails to get campers excited: the field trip, outing, or day trip. When camp directors and counselors look for activities that are ideal for their campers, they typically look for a few key features: Fun: An outing should be fun. It should have something for everyone, and it should be exciting! The good news is that there is a ton to do at our indoor trampoline arena, and it’s all fun. From trampoline basketball to our arcade, we’ve got campers of all ages covered. Active: It’s highly important that children stay active during the day. At Rebounderz, we believe that exercise can be fun and exhilarating. Our air conditioned facilities have top safety ratings, as well as full-time observation by trained refs! Affordable: Budgets being what they are, a summer camp outing near Lansdale, PA should be as affordable as possible while still being special. We offer special deals for summer camps that want to give their campers the best possible outing. At Rebounderz, we love to work with summer camps. We offer full two-hour time slots to camps, rotating activities including a lot more than just jumping, and at just $11 per camper these deals are a great deal. If you’re a summer camp director or counselor, make sure to give us a call today in order to reserve a date and time for your campers! #### Summer Camp Outings in Sterling, VA ACTIVE KIDS OUTINGS FOR SUMMER CAMPS NEAR STERLING, VA Day Camps are great for kids and parents alike- campers get to stay stimulated and active all day long, while parents can relax knowing that their children are making the most of their summer vacation. Although camp programs might differ, one common activity never fails to get campers excited: the field trip, outing, or day trip. When camp directors and counselors look for activities that are ideal for their campers, they typically look for a few key features: Fun: An outing should be fun. It should have something for everyone, and it should be exciting! The good news is that there is a ton to do at our indoor trampoline arena, and it’s all fun. From trampoline basketball to our arcade, we’ve got campers of all ages covered. Active: It’s highly important that children stay active during the day. At Rebounderz, we believe that exercise can be fun and exhilarating. Our air conditioned facilities have top safety ratings, as well as full-time observation by trained refs! Affordable: Budgets being what they are, a summer camp outing near Sterling, VA should be as affordable as possible while still being special. We offer special deals for summer camps that want to give their campers the best possible outing. At Rebounderz, we love to work with summer camps. We offer full two-hour time slots to camps, rotating activities including a lot more than just jumping, and at just $13 per camper these deals are a great deal. If you’re a summer camp director or counselor, make sure to give us a call today in order to reserve a date and time for your campers! #### Summer Day Camp at Rebounderz Summer vacation is a time for kids to take a break from a rigorous academic schedule and enjoy being a kid. This helps to absorb all the information they have learned over the school year and allow their brains to relax enough to prepare for the upcoming school year. However, as working parents and children who live in a generation of digital entertainment, summer vacation also means a time where kids tend to get bored and engage in a lot of sedentary activities that aren't necessarily healthy. Help keep your kids active this summer by sending them to a Rebounderz summer day camp! Here are just some of the reasons we think you and your child will benefit from our summer day camp program. A healthy outlet for all that energy! Kids seem to have an unlimited resource of energy, and when it is not used in constructive ways, it can lead to restlessness and mischief. Kids are naturally curious and must remain active to grow and develop. A summer of finding things to do around the house can lead to more docile activities that contribute to childhood obesity and can leave you dealing with a child who can’t seem to behave. An hour of trampoline rebounding offers the energy usage of running a 10k! Jumping around at a trampoline park helps kids develop strong muscles, balance, and coordination, in addition to exhausting them. And, a tired child is a well-behaved child! New experiences and friends. Most summer day camps are the same: days full of arts and crafts, snacks, and activities to keep the kids entertained, not unlike a normal daycare. At Rebounderz, our kids enjoy a variety of active games and activities to keep them stimulated both physically and mentally. Additionally, your kids are sure to meet new friends from all over the community who attend different schools, daycares, and after-school programs during the rest of the year. Good clean fun, no matter the weather! For some summer day camps, the weather has a dramatic impact on how much your kid will do and how long they will be engaged. At Rebounderz indoor trampoline park, we don’t get weathered out. Your kids can participate in a variety of active activities, regardless of the weather. Rebounderz takes pride in the cleanliness of our facilities and the practices that we have in place to help keep it that way. And, you won't have to worry about your kid getting poison ivy at our indoor trampoline park. Superior Safety We understand the struggles of being a working parent and worrying about the welfare of your child while you are away. We know that safety is a top priority for any parent, and it is our top priority too — even above fun if you can believe that! Our trampolines are patented and built for safety and durability. We conduct thorough inspections regularly and have policies that help keep the facility clean for jumpers. If you are looking for some honest good fun for your child’s summer day camp, consider enrolling them in Rebounderz Summer Day Camp program at the Grand Rapids location! We are willing to bet it's the funniest and healthiest summer day camp option in the Jenison area! Contact us to enroll your kiddo today! #### Sun Sentinel Article: Indoor trampoline park franchise bounces into Sunrise! Click Here to view the Article #### Superhero Birthday Parties: All the Rage? With the release of Wonder Woman this summer and many Marvel movies in the pipeline for the coming months, it’s no wonder that kids are still crying out for superhero birthday parties. There was once a time when a superhero party wasn’t the go-to party theme for kids and even when the boys wanted one, the girls weren’t asking for them too. But that’s completely changed. Superhero kid’s parties are all the rage and for good reason. With the founding of DC Comics in 1934 and Marvel comics in 1939, a whole new genre of entertainment and imagination would become a dominating medium in less than 100 years. While comics themselves are nothing new, comic books and graphic novels took on a whole new life with these American industry leaders. But how does that translate to kid’s party themes and the infamous superhero party? The big thing to remember is why comic books and their characters are so memorable and so important to many people. The number one thing is that the challenges many superheros often face are actually relatable. Many of these issues are ones that are moral or have to do with balancing life. These are common issues, even for children. In addition to having similar challenges (minus the crazy supervillains), superheroes are often individuals who can be looked up to and admired. Kids often need these types of figures in their lives, and can find them in the form of a comic or graphic novel. These figures help provide guidance for many ethical and complicated situations kids may find themselves in. So much so, that they’re even beneficial for adults. With this relatability and need for a guiding figure, it’s no huge surprise that superhero parties are often asked for. Even female and ethnically diverse superheroes have grown in popularity and prominence. So when you child asks for a superhero party, don’t even hesitate; say, “Of course.” And, to make things even easier, host your child’s birthday party at Rebounderz of Apopka. Consider some of these popular superhero themes that your child is sure to love. X-Men In the year 2000, the first X-Men movie from Marvel was released. This is one of the first Blockbuster comic movies to do well and kick off the Marvel/DC big screen revolution. The X-Men franchise now contains a total of 10 movies and encompasses a wide swath of characters. From Jean Grey to Storm and Professor X to the Beast, there is a wide variety of characters to choose from that help teach kids it’s okay to be different. On top of the general X-Men theme, Wolverine himself is exceptionally popular and could be a theme all on its own. However, it’s important to keep in mind that while Wolverine is rather mild in the first movie, the most recent depictions of him are not particularly child friendly. Wonder Woman This summer Wonder Woman broke box office expectations and inspired women everywhere. In a beautiful movie, Gal Gadot inspired women to be strong and independent and gave young girls an incredible role model to look up to. Your daughter deserves a great superhero birthday party too, if that’s what they want, and what better choice than Wonder Woman? Batman The Dark Knight has inspired many generations to tread the line of what’s right and wrong. Batman is great for kids because due to his popularity, a lot of kid friendly comics, cartoons, and movies have been released. In fact, consider throwing your child a Batman Lego Movie themed party in order to keep the superhero party kid friendly, but still exactly what your child wants. Let Batman inspire your child and know that he’s a complex enough character to grow with your child. Spiderman Peter Parker speaks to the nerd in all of us. With the creation of Spiderman by Stan Lee, many kids connected with this intelligent, ethically good, and exceptionally unique outsider. Spiderman is the perfect example for kids to follow and a great superhero to base a kid’s party on. His righteousness shines no matter what, and Peter Parker is the perfect example for kids who want to do good in the world. In fact, you’ve probably heard the famous line from Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Sounds like a great life motto to us. The Avengers Much like X-Men, The Avengers provide many options to choose from and many characters to look up to. Whether your child loves Captain America or Iron Man, Scarlet Witch or Black Panther, there are many admirable and interesting superheroes to choose from. Or don’t choose and just do The Avengers as a whole so that everyone can maintain their favorites and be excited to debate the pros and cons of all the heroes of Earth. Deadpool Alright, let’s get real; Deadpool is not a kid-friendly superhero. In fact, he’s an incredible anti-hero who is hilarious and cheeky character that is worth looking into. However, let’s save Deadpool for adults who are still a kid at heart and will always love their favorite superheroes, even when they refuse to be just that as Deadpool often does. Here at Rebounderz of Apopka, your child’s birthday party is extremely important to us and if you want to give your child the best superhero birthday party with the fun found at Rebounderz, then we’ll help you do just that! Contact us today to learn more about pricing and to book your party.   #### Superheroes Reign Supreme With the rise of Wonder Woman and Marvel movie after Marvel movie cashing in at the box office, it’s no surprise that even kids have gotten on the superhero bandwagon. While superheroes have been around for decades, they were mostly geared towards teens and sometimes older. Young kids were not the typical target audience, even though they are all about Ironman and Superman today. And that’s probably a good thing. Superheroes are a great example of good versus evil where the superhero is often faced with a difficult moral dilemma along the way. Spiderman is a great example of this and how in order to do good, he struggles with his own identity. With so many options available for your kids to look up to, it can often be hard to choose just the right theme for your kid’s birthday party. Luckily, you don’t have to choose. At Rebounderz of Sunrise, the premier family entertainment center in the Miami area, we can make your child’s day special and full of superhero allurement. All you have to do is give us a call to book our superhero party room. When you book a kid’s birthday party with Rebounderz, you receive a private party room, jump time, pizza, and plenty of other perks that will keep the kids occupied for hours. And the kids will love the massive superhero posters all over the private room. In fact, we bet they’ll be begging to take a picture in front of their favorites! It’s unlikely that the superhero craze will slow down at all in the future, and honestly that’s probably a good thing. With so many reasons for kids to be looking up to figures like Batman, Captain America, and Ms. Marvel, to name just a few, we’re happy to continue to encourage a child’s love of superheroes. Here are few reasons that we truly love this craze and why you should foster an interest in superheroes in your children. Right Vs. Wrong As we briefly mentioned above, superheroes tend to help show kids the difference between right and wrong (except Deadpool, he’s always the exception). Not only do they show kids the two different sides of a situation, but they often discuss the areas of grey that can come up too. Right and wrong isn’t always black and white, and superheroes can help kids to navigate this issue. Personal Responsibility Personal responsibility is often hard to teach kids. Superheroes help to show that we all have a greater responsibility to those around us. Often dilemmas that superheroes face involve making more selfish choices or making choices that are beneficial for others. This is exceptionally important in an ever more intricately connected world. It’s important to remember kids are the future of tomorrow and helping them to learn about their greater responsibilities is important. Compassion Compassion, and empathy, are extremely hard to teach children. More often than not, the best way to teach children about these traits is to show them through actions. Superheroes often have to show compassion to others, even the villains, and are the perfect example of how to act when others need help. If you struggle to teach your kids compassion, try Spiderman or Gamora for great examples of superheroes that show compassion and kindness towards their foes. Inner Strength While hard work can gain you physical strength, finding inner strength and acceptance is often harder. Superheroes show kids that there are many ways to be a hero and just because you may be different, or have different strength, you’re still important. Superheroes can really help kids struggling with identity and fitting in because more often than not, superheroes are the oddballs. Sense of Adventure Some kids struggle to find their playful, outgoing self that is inside of them somewhere. Superheroes can help ignite a sense of adventure and encourage kids to be themselves. Just like superheroes are constantly discovering more about themselves and the world around them, this can help kids to look beyond themselves in order to see more of the world. Here at Rebounderz of Sunrise, we want to help kids find their sense of adventure by bouncing, jumping, and flying with their imagination. For the perfect kid’s superhero birthday party, turn to Rebounderz of Sunrise and book our superhero party room today!   #### Support Your School With Our Indoor Trampoline Park Where Bouncing and Charity Meet Bouncing and charity might seem very far apart from each other. How could bouncing on a trampoline make a difference? Well, Rebounderz Apopka has established an official night where institutions, such as schools and charities, can raise money for their cause. In this blog, we will discuss how this night can help your local schools and institutions grow and create a fundraiser everyone is sure to remember! Fundraising Made Easy On Spirit Night, Rebounderz opens its doors and sells tickets for an extremely low price.. Because of this, charities and schools can purchase tickets to set up a low-cost, enjoyable, fundraiser. Our Spirit Night is as easy as inviting the community to come support your organization. But, how does it work? First Step: Print Out The Flyer First, in order to run a proper fundraiser, you need people to know about it. When you sign up for Spirit Night with Rebounderz, we will offer you customized flyers with your school or organization’s information on it. We will send the flyer to you in a PDF file and then you can print it out and distribute it throughout your community. By doing so, you will not only have a well-organized flyer to entice people to attend your fundraiser, but you will have a way to spread the word and get more people to join you for your fundraiser. Second Step: Invite Rick O’Shay To Your School Once the word is out that you are having a fundraiser, people will want to join in the fun. But, of course, there will be those few people that will be hesitate at first. That is why Rebounderz will send our official mascot, Rick O’Shay to make a special appearance at your elementary school. So, while kids depart the school in the afternoon, Rick can wave to them and invite them to your fundraiser for you! And, if Rick isn’t enough to coax your community through our doors, Rebounderz also can help organize contests for your guests. After all, the more fun involved in your fundraiser, the more people will want to join in. Contests can be anything from costume contests, best trampoline tricks, to even a dodgeball tournament. Gift card purchases do not count towards the sales total at the end of the night. Third Step: Make a School Announcement Though Rebounderz can provide many features for your fundraiser, there are a few things that your school or organization must do to boost your guests’ excitement about the fundraiser. For instance, it is highly recommended that students are given a flyer to take home in folders. It is also wise to send the official flyer in an email to school staff and in the school’s newsletter. The school should also use the intercom at the school to make an all-school announcement about the fundraiser and when it will be. Ultimately, the more you remind your guests about the fundraiser, the more excited they will be to attend. This can also influence others who are not so keen on the idea of going to the fundraiser. One great way to influence people to go to Spirit Night is to publish a social media post on our official Rebounderz Facebook page. There, you and your community can ‘like’ and ‘share’ the information about your fundraiser to a larger audience of people than just your school or nearby community. Fourth Step: Get Helpers Because your fundraiser will have so many people in attendance, Rebounderz will need your help! Though we have a staff of our own, we will be sorely outnumbered the afternoon of your fundraiser. This means that we require at least three extra helpers to assist us with organizing your fundraiser. We will need specific help greeting your guests as they come through our doors, arranging the gear station, and helping out around the lounge areas. Your volunteers will also need to assist with facilitating any of the contests that you would like to complete during your fundraiser. Fifth Step: Have Fun It is important to have fun at your fundraiser. In just one evening you will be able to offer fun and excitement to your school or organization, as well as raise money from ticket sales for your cause. While at your local Rebounderz, you and your guests have full access of all of our attractions, such as our dodge ball arena, our foam pits, and of course, our trampolines. Learn more about our Spirit Night and visit your local Rebounderz today. #### Tactical Laser Tag Essentials Laser tag is a fun game for kids of all ages to play. Not only does it challenge your critical thinking and reaction skills, but it also takes quite a bit of physical effort to really perform well. While you could just pick up a laser tag gun and hit the course, a little tactile preparation will help you win the battle and make you a formidable opponent. Join us in today's post as we discuss some of the tactical essentials to winning a round of laser tag. Rally the troops. Many times, laser tag games are played with teams made up of random players who all just happen to be ready to play at the same time. Teams will consist of players ranging in age, experience, and skill level. This is all part of the fun. However, like all good teams, to have a shot at winning, players must all be on the same page. Exercise leadership and rally your teammates before the round begins. Make sure everyone understands how to use their weapon and who is on the team -- avoid friendly fire! Here, you can identify players strengths and weaknesses. Conduct pre-battle checks. Before the round begins, check your equipment. Make sure it is working and the vest is securely fastened to you. Make sure your hair isn’t obstructing your view and your shoes are tied. Check to make sure there is nothing that will fall off you while you play and take off any jackets that will only make you hotter during play. And, right before you enter the laser tag arena, check your ego at the door. Competition and winning are fun, but it is just a game! Have fun with it. Keep a low profile. Laser tag is all about moving and hunting your opponents. Not only is it no fun to find a hiding place and hunker down, but some people would consider it cheating. Head into battle with a solid movement plan that includes tactical movements that keep you from being hit. Move in fast, short bursts from one safe spot to the next, and when you can crawl to keep a low profile. Staying low will prevent you from being easily seen. Cover your buddy. Before the round begins, your team should break off into pairs. Players should move in buddy teams so that they can cover each other during movement and create 360-degree defense when you are still. You and your partner should watch as each other moves and lay suppressive fire to prevent the player who is moving from being hit by an opponent. When you cover each other’s movements, you can move quicker and safer. Make it rain. The fun part about laser tag is it isn’t real ammunition and reloading your weapon doesn’t take long. Since this is the case, there is no reason to conserve ammunition, so don’t! Maintain a steady round of firing that is sure to hit any player within range of your weapon. Harness the power of your weapon and make it rain laser rounds the entire game. Fire all your rounds, quickly reload and do it again. Your opponents will be hard pressed to charge you if you are continually firing. This is also tactically proficient in ensuring that even if your opponent does get a hit on you, you can return the favor. Become an expert shot. The key to winning laser tag is shooting with precision and accuracy. If you have never fired a weapon before, that's okay, laser tag guns are extremely forgiving. But, with a little practice and remembering a few marksmanship basics, you can wield your laser tag gun like a true battle-hardened warrior. Unfortunately, when you play laser tag, you will be playing with a laser tag gun that cannot be calibrated or adjusted to you. You'll just pick up a gun and go. This is where the application of Kentucky windage will come into play. The principal is fairly simple, since you cannot adjust the weapon, you'll have to adjust your shot instead. Focus on a target and fire, notice where the shot hits. When you have identified where the shots are being fired, you can then adjust your aim to counter it. For instance, if you shoot dead center at your target and all of your hits are up and to the left, you can adjust your aim down and to the right to hit dead center. Laser tag is an enjoyable game for small kids as well as grown adults. If you are looking to challenge your friends to a round of laser tag, head to your local family entertainment center like Rebounderz! For more information about our laser tag game, visit us online or stop by today! #### Take the Ninja Warrior Course Challenge American Ninja Warrior is a spin-off of a show that originally aired in Japan. It debuted in the United States in 2009 and this year will mark it's ninth season. Between five and six million viewers tune in each week to watch contestants try to complete obstacles courses that include jumping, swinging, climbing, and other punishing physical challenges. In the history of the show in the United States, only two contestants have accomplished "Total Victory." You've seen it on television, now it's time to try it for yourself! Rebounderz in Sunrise offers a Nina Warrior Course where you can try out many of the same obstacles that you've seen contestants tackle on the television show. Even better, we've made the course great for both kids and adults! That means the whole family can take a turn on the course and see how they compare to their favorite Ninja Warrior contestants. Here are some of the great obstacles you'll find on our course: Quad Steps The quad steps are large platform set at an angle. Some Ninja Warriors choose to do them as quickly as possible while others take the slow-and-steady route. We're not sure there is a right way to get them done, but you can come see which one works better for you! Hanging Doors This one is pretty much what it sounds like! This obstacle involves navigating through a series of hanging doors. They are hard to hold onto and difficult to move around, so you'll be depending a lot on your arm strength. Don't worry if you can't make it...we'll have something soft underneath to catch you! Swing to Cargo Netting This is where so many people end up in the water on the show! In this challenge, you'll need to swing from a rope and onto a cargo net. The transition from the rope to the cargo net is tough and requires incredible arm strength. Hanger with Pegs It starts with a flat surface with holes drilled into it. You have two pegs, one in each hand, and the only way to get across is to move over the surface by inserting the pegs into the holes. If you've ever seen someone accomplish this obstacle, you'll know how truly impressive it is! Slack Line The slack looks simple, but you might change your mind after a fall or two. You'll move over a suspended length of webbing. The biggest skill you'll need to accomplish this obstacle is an incredible sense of balance. It's been the downfall of many Nina Warriors! Warped Walls The dreaded warped wall! It's usually the last obstacle that Ninja Warriors have to face, which is almost cruel considering how much energy you need to successfully get up it. The warped wall is a steeply inclined wall that you need to run up, grab the edge, and pull yourself up onto the top. Think you can do it? And More! You never know what awesome new Ninja Warrior obstacle you'll find on our course at Rebounderz! Because we're big fans of the show, we're always watching and looking for new obstacles that we can integrate into our Sunrise course and see if our customers can outdo the contestants on the show! Come Try Our Ninja Warrior Course Today You can bring the entire family to try our Ninja Warrior Course! It's great for birthday parties or for a family bonding session. We have obstacles that are suitable for all ages, so each member of the family can give it a try. We're open seven days a week and late on Fridays and Saturdays, so come see us soon!   #### Take the Ninja Warrior Course Challenge! With American Ninja Warrior well into the 9th season of the show, it’s no wonder that the obstacle-based reality TV show has become a hit sensation. While it’s a blast to watch competitors try many difficult obstacles on TV, including fan-submitted obstacles this season, the fun really starts when you start challenging yourself to a real life Ninja Warrior course. From the salmon ladder to the warped wall, there are tons of fun obstacles to see and try from American Ninja Warrior. But the only way you can prepare, and the only way you can know if you’re up to the challenge is if you take on the Ninja Warrior course challenge yourself! And the only place to do that is at Rebounderz trampoline parks! What do you need in order to take the Ninja Warrior challenge? Strength One of the most important aspects in order to successfully complete a Ninja Warrior course is to have strength. Strength training is a key component for any competitor, and it’s not just the ability to lift heavy weights or do a few pull-ups; it’s the ability for sustained strength. Muscular endurance is just as important to the Ninja Warrior course as strength is. The best way to train for muscular strength and endurance is through weight training and repetition. Increased weight and increased reps will help build the strength and the ability to maintain the strength through a Ninja Warrior course. Tenacity While a Ninja Warrior course is exceptionally physical, it’s also a stressful mental game as well. You need to have tenacity in order to persevere  through difficult obstacles and muscle pain that will happen. Having the mental tenacity to keep trying and push through a difficult task can make the difference between success and failure on a Ninja Warrior course. Trust us; we know. Agility You may have the urge to take an obstacles slowly on a Ninja Warrior course in order to complete a task accurately. However, this may work against you. Sometimes it’s better to simply power through and use your exceptional agility skills to make it through an obstacle successfully. Practice many soccer moves in order to improve your bursts of strength to get through obstacles like the quad steps that start most regional courses. Repetition Training for anything takes plenty of practice and repetition in order train your body to appropriately respond to unique situations. By the time you’re ready to conquer a Ninja Warrior course, your body will know exactly what to do for each obstacle. Practice them slow and practice them fast. Isolate the movements and strengthen any muscles that are weak. This will lead to Ninja Warrior success! Creativity This may sound a bit silly for a very physical activity, but the truth is that in order to be successful on a Ninja Warrior course, you need to be creative. This means that you need to be willing to try new and unique ways of getting through the different obstacles and how you use your body. Creativity can help you out of some tricky situations, especially as your body wears out during the course. Versatility While many American Ninja Warriors are rock climbers or have unique skill sets that make them better at some obstacles than others, it’s exceptionally important to have a versatile background and skill set to prepare you for a Ninja Warrior course. This will allow you to have the strength, agility, and skill to achieve any obstacle placed in front of you. At Rebounderz of Sunrise, we challenge anyone to try out our unique Ninja Warrior course! Not only is it challenging, but it’s a ton of extreme fun. Come by our trampoline park location today and check it out for yourself!   #### Taking Your Kids to Rebounderz on Mother’s Day What is the Best Gift For Mother’s Day? Mother’s Day lands on Sunday the 13th of May. For many in the United States, this day is to commemorate the work of mothers and the accomplishments they have seen through. Because it is an official day to show your love and appreciation for the special woman in your life that has done so much — many offer gifts or treats to their special someone. Much like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day has become extremely commercial, where mothers are showered with gifts, such as flowers, chocolates, and jewelry. However, though these gifts are nice and appreciated by mothers all over the country, is this what they truly want? For some mothers, motherhood and child care is a constant job. And, one that you cannot let up for a second. Mothers can feel a lot of pressure because society forces this idea of maternal perfection on them. In truth, the perfect mother doesn’t exist — neither a perfect father. There are only people that do their absolute best to ensure their child grows up healthy and happy. This job isn’t easy and requires constant attention. Children will always need a guiding figure in their lives, but not many realize the toll that type of responsibility takes. Surprisingly, one of the best gifts you can give your significant other for Mother’s Day is a day off. What does this mean? Well, for the day of Mother’s Day, your mom, your spouse, or your significant other get a day to themselves, away from the noise of childcare. Yes, the best gift you can give them is a day of peace and quiet. So, in order to ensure this magical day, you may want to do some planning. Coordinate The Day If you want to give the mom in your life a day they are not likely to forget, you will want the day to be planned out. That means you will have to plan to make them meals, schedule appointments, and give them time to themselves. Breakfast Breakfast in bed is a very common Mother’s Day treat. Most spouses and children will wake up early and make a complete breakfast for their mother figure. However, it is important to remember when planning this breakfast to clean up everything once you are done. If the mom has to clean up her own breakfast, it defeats the purpose of the treat. So, make sure that you and your little helpers clean every inch of the kitchen if you plan to make mom a breakfast surprise. Second, you may not want to coordinate a breakfast in bed. When parents eat in bed, this typically means that something will fall or spill. Especially if rowdy children want to join in on the bed breakfast. It is always best to plan the breakfast at an actual table where the items can be safely and cleanly eaten. Free Time You will want to give the honorary mother a moment of free time. This means this is a three-hour block of time that you do not plan for. This means that your spouse or mother can do whatever she wants to do with her day. The best part of this surprise is that it allows the mother to do what she wants to do with her time. So, if she wants to read a book, paint, watch a movie, or even take a nap, the day is hers completely. Mothers don’t typically get a break in their day. Children a demanding and require undivided attention, however, giving your special lady time to have her space will be a time she won’t forget. Scheduled Luxury Item Mother’s Day is a great day to pamper the woman in your life. It is a time where you can schedule out a time to give them a luxurious experience they don’t normally get. For some, a spa day is what is recommended, as spas offer an array of services that relaxing and peaceful. At a spa, a mother will be able to choose what type of services she wants, from a massage to a seaweed wrap. Regardless of the services she decides to choose, each spa session will offer her a moment to relax and rejuvenate her body. Dinner For dinner, it is best to get a babysitter for the children and treat your spouse to a special dinner. However, this doesn’t mean that it has to be a five-star restaurant. A “special dinner” can be anything that she would consider memorable. That means a special dinner could be something like her favorite burger joint, a seafood restaurant, etc. Just make sure that whatever you eat for dinner it is an intimate dinner between the two of you. Afterall, while a mother is busy with her children, she will rarely have time for anything else — which unfortunately will include her spouse from time to time. Rebounderz in Apopka, Florida While you have planned for the day and it is successfully executed, you will need to entertain the children for a few hours while Mom is away enjoying her free time and spa day. So, what is the best option to entertain your kids? Well, you will want to choose a location that you know will be fun and entertaining for hours. Rebounderz, indoor trampoline park is a perfect example of how a trampoline park can be both useful and fun at the same time. If you would like to give your children a fun experience, gain bonding time, and give your spouse a break on Mother’s Day, Rebounderz is the place to go. Visit your local Apopka Rebounderz today. #### Team Building Events with Bounce At Rebounderz Indoor Trampolines, we offer a truly special experience. One, that will be talked about at every single work-related event for years to home. To Whom It May Concern: What Do We Offer? At Rebounderz, we offer to any business the chance to rent out our trampoline park for their use. This is the perfect way to amp up your team-building events and create a great bond amongst your workers. When you rent a Rebounderz park, you are given the chance to pick and choose which tracks to use. For example, for corporate team building events, a company can rent out the entire park after kid hours are over. This allows your team full use of the park and all of our amenities. To an Employee: Why Is It Special? At Rebounderz, we believe that fun doesn’t stop at a certain age. Fun is constant, and stays with you long after your childhood. The thrill of bouncing on a trampoline is transcendent, and can be felt at any age. When you bounce on a trampoline, small traces of dopamine are released into the brain, creating a happy, light-hearted feeling. At Rebounderz, we offer this feeling to all—not just children. If you are worried about hurting yourself on the trampolines, we can assure you that you can bounce at any pace you would like. There have been studies that show that trampoline exercise is extremely healthy for you. Even those who have injuries or sensitivities use trampolines to gain strength and balance in their bodies. Studies have shown that trampolines actually help build up core strength in weaker bodies and improve overall athleticism. Trampolines are a win-win, you can workout and spend quality time with your co-workers. When we work nine to five jobs, we learn that we spend most of our days with our co-workers. Going on work-related outings is a great way to learn about the people we interact with the most—especially when trampolines are involved! To an Employer: Why Would This Be Worth the Effort? Nothing is more important than the efficiency of your workforce, so why not invest in creating the best environment you can? The well being of your employees is what makes your company special, makes it work. Any result that your company achieves would not be completed without the diligent work of your staff. By putting in extra effort to ensure the best team bonding experiences, your employees will benefit. They will not only become closer, but they will have an appreciation for their employer and company. In a way, a sense of pride will grow. They will be proud to work for a company that values them, their work, and their free time. The impact of the outing will result in the continued success and improvement of your employees’ work and attitudes toward their work. Your workplace will become a more friendly place, which customers will sense. When employees enjoy their job and peers, it shows in the quality of their work. By improving the quality of work, this will affect your customers and how they conduct business with your workers. It is commonly thought that customers buy your product because they need to. No, they don’t; they buy the energy your company gives them. If a customer clues in that a workplace is healthy and thriving, their own minds gravitate towards that positive energy and those feelings, making a purchase more likely to occur. By putting in the effort to create a long-lasting experience of fun for your employees, the whole company eventually benefits.   If you are at all interested in renting out our trampoline parks for your corporate team building events, visit Rebounderz online today. We can help make your team bonding experience one that no one in the office is likely to forget. #### Team Building with Rebounderz Anyone who has worked in an office environment or in the corporate world knows how hard it can be to build a cohesive team that functions like a well-oiled machine. With the many different ways to communicate with teammates and the isolation that often happens, even in an office setting, it’s important to work towards building a strong team with activities outside of the office. Let’s say that you’re in charge of figuring out how to bring your team from mediocre to superior with the help of some type of team building event. There are many types of team building events to choose from. You could opt for a zipline course or even a leadership lunch. But these tend to have many drawbacks that really don’t inspire team bonding. Enter Rebounderz of Jacksonville What better place to create camaraderie and improve team building than a fun environment like a trampoline park. Here at Rebounderz of Jacksonville, we’re able to tailor your team building event to fit your needs. We can provide open play time, for adults to let out their inner kid, or we can structure activities in order to accomplish certain goals. We’re big fans of using dodgeball as part of our team building activities. How great would it be to let different departments take each other on in an intense, high-stakes game of dodgeball for bragging rights? These kinds of activities help to build the bonds between team members. You also get a sense of the current team structure and how people may act different in a work versus casual environment. Perhaps someone who is shy, you come to find out, is a great leader when faced with a dodgeball challenge. And for those individuals who have a hard time bonding with the group, this is the perfect, relaxed atmosphere. The other benefit of doing team building exercises at Rebounderz of Jacksonville is that it creates a stress-free, non-judgemental environment for employees to open up and express themselves. The fun that can be had at Rebounderz truly lasts and spills over into the workplace. You better believe that the person who knocks the manager out of the dodgeball game will be bragging for weeks. But the laughs will last even longer. Lastly, it’s worthwhile to plan your team building during work hours. This way you can easily get everyone involved and give your employees a type of reward for all the hard work they do everyday. In a lot of ways, playing at a trampoline park is a form of de-stressing that many individuals need when it comes to a work environment. Let coworkers get to know each other better during this relaxing time and hopefully, the bonds will stay for long after. Let Rebounderz of Jacksonville make your team bonding experience fun, memorable, and easy. Contact our event planning team today to get a quote and to learn more about what we can do to meet your specific needs! Call now.   #### Teen Fun and Fitness As parents, you probably worry about your kids a lot. That’s completely normal, but it becomes even harder to be part of your child’s life and monitor their activities as your child quickly becomes a teen. If you think back to when you were a teen, you probably remember how hard it was to find fun things to do that your parents would be okay with. Here at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park, we understand the challenges of not just raising teenages but of being a teenager. That’s why we have a program specifically for the teenagers of Rohnert Park, that as a parent, you’ll be pleased your teen wants to attend. Welcome to Teen Night Frenzy Anytime between the hours of 6 to 11 pm on Friday nights, Rebounderz of Rohnert Park opens up for up to three hours of jump time for teens. Starting at 8 pm, there will even be a live DJ providing the beats throughout the entire facility. Admission for teens includes three hours of jump time plus a dinner of two slices of pizza and a fountain drink. Jump, dance, and groove to the music for hours with your friends. Teen Night Frenzy is a very special program that we hold here at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park. Along with the amazing live DJ we bring in each Friday night, we also turn down the lights and turn on the awesome club-style lighting we have just for the occasion. Teens can get the same atmosphere of a club without being at a club with all the risks that could be associated with them. You can trust that your teen is in a monitored and healthy environment where they can still have fun expressing themselves. One of the best parts about Teen Night Frenzy each Friday with Rebounderz is the fact that our indoor trampoline park provides teens the ability to be active in a very fun way. If you’ve ever struggled to get your teen away from video games or to simply go outside to enjoy some exercise and activities, then Teen Night Frenzy is going to be your favorite things as a parent. No teen can resist playing dodgeball in the jump arena or simply jumping to the tunes. In fact, just ten minutes of rebounding trampoline action is as productive as running for 30 minutes for your teen’s health, but you don’t have to tell them that! Trust Your Teens with Rebounderz When you let your teen join in on the fun for Teen Night Frenzy, you’re trusting them to a healthy and safe environment. You don’t have to worry about them, as there is continual supervision on all the equipment like normal and plenty of adults around to keep a general eye out. Your teen can have fun and feel a sense of independence and freedom without having to worry about what they’re up to or where they are. Let them have fun with their friends at Rebounderz of Rohnert Park. Come have fun at Teen Night Frenzy every Friday with Rebounderz! Call our details for further information and details now. #### Ten Tips for a Healthy Summer We recently took a look at some of the ways that you can help your kid stay active this summer, but their health and wellbeing goes beyond that alone. Today, we’re going to discuss ten tips to help your child have a healthy summer this year. If you’re looking for a safe and fun place for your kids to beat the heat this summer, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Rohnert Park! 1. Breakfast There’s a reason breakfast has been called the most important meal of the day. When we wake up, our body is depleted of fuel. In order to get the energy we need to make the most out of the day ahead, it’s vital to have a good breakfast filled with vitamins and nutrients. Give your kid a breakfast of nutritional foods like oatmeal, fresh fruit, almonds, scrambled eggs, and milk. These foods all go a long way toward strengthening bones and muscles while promoting brain growth and development. All this is to say, don’t skip breakfast! 2. Fruits and Vegetables Nutrition doesn’t start and stop with breakfast. On the contrary, everything we eat has an effect on our bodies, some in ways you might not know. It is recommended for each primary meal you eat (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), that at least half of your plate be covered with fruits and/or vegetables. This ensures a steady intake of vitamins and nutrients that your kids need to grow up big and strong. See which fruits and veggies your child enjoys most and find ways to include them in each meal. 3. Hydration Dehydration is something that can affect everyone, regardless of what season it is. With that said, the risk of dehydration increases in the summertime, because we’re often spending more time outside in the heat running around. Hydration is important to prevent heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, exhaustion, nausea, just to name a few. 4. Sunscreen With most people getting outside to enjoy the beautiful summer weather, they’re under the sun much more than during the rest of the year. This makes sunscreen an indispensable asset to our health. Dermatologists using sunscreen that is at least SPF 30, it is able to block up to 97 percent of the sun’s harmful UVB rays. While higher SPF sunscreens can block a bit more of those rays, there is no way to block 100 percent of them. Sunscreen should be applied every two to three hours, but you should do it more often when you’re in or around water. Just because you’re swimming doesn’t mean you’re protected from the sun. 5. Sunglasses While you might be aware of the dangers the sun presents to your skin, you might not know how it can damage your eyes as well. Just like sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UVB rays, wearing a pair of sunglasses can protect your eyes from 99 percent of UV rays, which can damage your eyes a great deal. 6. Rest Without school causing kids to wake up early, many kids take advantage of this and stay up extra late during the summer. However, with how much summer activity is done outside in the heat, rest becomes incredibly important to avoid heat exhaustion. When playing outside, kids should make sure they take some breaks in the shade to get out of the sun. It’s recommended for kids to get at least eight-ten hours of sleep every night to recuperate from the days activities and grow well. 7. Oral Hygiene When you think of treats to eat in the summer, you likely think of ice cream, shakes, and other sugary confections. This makes taking care of your teeth especially important in the summer. Ensure your child is sticking to recommended brushing and flossing habits to keep their teeth in good shape through the summer. Make sure you schedule a visit with the dentist every six months to prevent major dental issues which can hit kids especially hard when they’re developing. 8. Physical Activity As noted in our previous blog, staying active through the summer is incredibly important for kids to develop properly. Help your little one avoid sliding into a sedentary lifestyle by encouraging them to have a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity a day. Whether it’s riding bikes, swimming, or just playing sports with friends, there’s plenty of fun ways to be active through the summer. 9. Safety Gear When your child is playing around and getting that physical activity time in, it’s vital that they wear the proper safety gear for the activity. Helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, shin guards, and closed-toe shoes are all hugely helpful to keep kids safe when they’re playing around. Without them, they risk an injury that could bring their summer fun to a halt quickly. 10. R.I.C.E. In the event your child does get hurt, they should know how to treat it while waiting for a parent to get home. Teach them about the R.I.C.E. method, which is as follows: Rest - Important to the recovery of any type of injury. Ice and Compression - This helps with swelling and pain issues. Elevation - The injured body part should be elevated to help the healing process begin. There are many ways you can help your child stay healthy this summer, but we hope this list can act as a good resource for you. If you want to help your child find the fun in physical activity, bring them to Rebounderz here in Rohnert Park. Whether they want to jump around on the trampolines or they want to test their skills on the Ninja Warrior course, we know they’ll have a blast while they beat the heat. We hope to see you here soon! #### The 5 Best Summer Blockbuster Party Themes of 2017 When you plan a party for a tween, it can be the hardest thing in the world to figure out what theme to choose and how to pick an activity that they’re sure to love. Here at Rebounderz of Apopka, we make it easy to plan a party that your child, tween, or even teen is sure to love. With private rooms for feasting and presents, and plenty of jump time to satisfy even the most energetic of youngsters, your kid’s party is sure to be a hit. On top of opting for a Rebounderz of Apopka party, why not add a summer Blockbuster party theme that will have all party-goers talking about how cool the birthday party was for weeks to come. Try some of these 2017 summer Blockbuster hits on for size. Even opt to finish the party up at home, enjoying the movie that evening! Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Released early in the summer, this is the fifth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean saga. With a star-studded cast that continues to have Johnny Depp at the helm, young and old are sure to enjoy this movie. For your Rebounderz of Apopka party, host the party in the Beach Luau room and bring a music streaming device to play the classic theme song written by Hans Zimmer. For goodies, opt for chocolate gold coins, eye patches, and fake swords for hours of fun. Wonder Woman Wonder Woman has become the smash hit of the summer that could have been a complete dud. For your strong birthday girl, host a kid’s party in the Diva Boutique room or as a picnic table party. Include all the Wonder Woman paper products and plenty of goodies to-go that match the theme. Ask all the party goers to dress in red, blue, or gold for even more fun! Spider-Man: Homecoming We know there have been a lot of Spiderman movies, but they continue to remain popular. The most recent installment includes Homecoming, starring Tom Holland. Let your child dress up as Spiderman for their party and pack the goody bags with all things Spiderman, including some fun silly string. Consider bringing facepaint and hooking all the kids up with Spiderman facepaint, if you’re up to the challenge, as a parting gift. War for the Planet of the Apes This movie franchise just keeps getting better and better, and the latest installment is sure to be a complete hit. Set up your kid’s party in the Special Ops room and have a blast with this theme. Get a cake to match and include mini Nerf guns in all the kids’ goody bags. Bring fun masks for the kids to wear from the movie and set one at each of their place settings at the start of the party! When you’re planning your kid’s party, make it the best possible birthday. You only need to do two things. First, book with Rebounderz of Apopka, and second, theme it after a summer Blockbuster. Give us a call today to get started!   #### The 5 Things That Make the Holiday Season 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! #### The Benefits of Childhood Socialization If your child is homeschooled, you probably already know how important it is to let your child be involved with various groups and activities with other children of a similar age. Homeschooling can be beneficial for some children, but it can also be very isolating. Belonging to sports groups, clubs, or attending regular community activities can help children make friends and engage with those around them. In fact, childhood socialization as a whole is exceptionally important and enriching for children. That’s why, here at Rebounderz of Apopka, we provide a unique program, called Home School Fridays. Twice a month, we open up our trampoline park to the local homeschool network so kids can play and bond, and parents can get to know one another. But along with amazing play, kids also benefit in the following ways. Language Younger and older children alike can benefit from regular socialization and interaction. This can help to improve language skills and vocabulary simply by using it. Isolation and interaction with the same people can actually reduce an individual’s ability to articulate ideas and recall specific words. You may also have noticed that children are notorious for mimicking the way adults and other children speak, whether with words or even accents. This is thought to be an empathetic mechanism in order to help fit in with and relate to the person they are speaking with. Either way, interacting with other individuals is sure to help a child’s language skills. Sharing If a child does not have the opportunity to socialize with a wide variety of individuals, then this can heavily impact their ability to share and work in groups. Their mindset becomes more focused on the individual, and they never truly learn the skills it takes to share and work in a community. Socializing your children helps to expand on their community skills and ability to interact with others in a reasonable and acceptable way. These are critical skills for future success. Emotional Intelligence It’s hard to be a sensitive individual who has emotional intelligence if you haven’t been around people from enough different backgrounds and situations in order to empathize with others. Poor emotional intelligence can cause problems forming bonds, and can make it a struggle to be sensitive to other people’s needs. By socializing regularly, this can help to improve a child or adolescent's emotional intelligence. Identity Personal identity can be tricky for children who are homeschooled. Identity is often built through group interaction and comparison. Being exposed to other beliefs and diversity can help an individual to further define their own identity and figure out where they fit in the big picture. Socialization is key for making bonds and relationships that further define a child’s identity as well. When it comes to helping children learn and grow, socialization is key in so many ways. When a child is homeschooled, it can be difficult to provide key components of socialization unless they are involved in regular clubs or activities. Rebounderz of Apopka helps to provide a necessary social environment for homeschooled children with Home School Fridays. Come by, hang out, and have fun in this safe environment! #### The Benefits of Having a Late Birthday 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. #### The Benefits of Video Games (Really!!!) When you think about throwing a birthday party for your child, you probably think about getting them outside or opting for an activity that gets them away from a TV. We don’t blame you; we’d do the same thing. However, as much as we may fight with our kids over screen time and sitting on the couch playing video games, as parents, we may be picking the wrong fight. In fact, let your kids play video games to their heart’s content because when you look at various factors associated with video games, you actually find some rather astounding benefits. If your child loves video games, then we know the perfect place to host a kid’s birthday party just for them. Come to Rebounderz of Sterling, and enjoy our Xbox room for your child’s party! And if you’re not yet convinced this is a great idea, then here are six unique benefits to playing video games that will have you joining the fun with your child. Improved Reaction Time There’s a reason that more and more young individuals with backgrounds in video games are being pulled into the military or encouraged to become surgeons. That’s because kids who play videos games have improved reaction times over those who don’t. That means that they make better drone pilots, better laproscopic surgeons, and better engineers. Playing video games forces your brain to think quickly and react just as quickly, making it easy to manage these high stress situations well. Improved Problem Solving Skills Along with improved reaction times, video games also help kids to improve their problem solving skills. Playing first-person shooter games and other puzzle games help kids to think in three dimensions and work out various problems they may encounter. This can also help improve overall awareness and observation skills. These skills can come in handy for a variety of careers, including engineer, computer programing, and design. Improved Eye-Hand Coordination You might be surprised to hear that playing video games can actually improve a child’s eye-hand coordination, but it’s true. Even though kids aren’t actually outside tossing around a baseball, they are creating the neural pathways that enhance eye-hand coordination. This is because your limbs are actively doing something different and having to react. Video games are also thought to inspire kids to actually take up many of the sports they play in games. If a kid loves playing FIFA, odds are they love playing soccer in general too. Improved Attention Span It was actually discovered that video games can help improve a child’s attention span during a study using video games in conjunction with dyslexia. What researchers found is that a reduced attention span is one component that makes dyslexia so difficult for children to cope with. Playing video games actually helped to improve their attention spans due to the heavy action and constantly changing environments. These changes require intense focus in order to be able to follow the game without the reading challenges. Improved Cognitive Function As parents, this is one you will love to hear. As we age, our cognitive function can decrease. However, a study that looked at older individuals who gamed found that just 10 hours of video game play that included problem solving, puzzles, and other cognitive challenges had long-lasting effects on an individual’s ability to mentally function. These “brain games” can have effects that last up to several years. It is also worth mentioning that video games can greatly reduce stress for kids and adults alike, which also provides a variety of mental and physical benefits. Improved Leadership Skills Letting your children play video games may actually give them a leg up in their careers as well. While work and video games don’t often go hand in hand, it’s thought that video games help to prepare children develop specific leadership skills. Many games require team strategy or have rewards for meeting certain leadership goals. This fosters these things and encourages children to use their leadership skills to not just succeed in the games, but also in life. With so many benefits from playing video games, why wouldn’t you let your child have their birthday party in the X-Box room at Rebounderz of Sterling. They get the best of both world with active trampoline fun and plenty of time to game away. Book your kid’s birthday party with Rebounderz today! #### The Best Basketball Slam Games Everyone who has ever played, watched, or even heard about basketball has that one hoop dream. Everyone wants to be able to dunk. When you’re watching LeBron James do it night in, and night out on ESPN, it’s hard not to want to replicate that. But not everyone can lay the claim of being one of the greatest basketball players of all time — not to mention not everyone here in Grand Rapids, Michigan can boast a height of 6-foot-8. But don’t give up on your dreams just yet! There is still hope for those who have yet to achieve these great heights. It’s called Basketball Slam, and it’s available for fun-loving, jump-happy basketball enthusiasts who fancy a new way to fly. At Rebounderz, which houses the most extreme trampoline parks in Grand Rapids, we have a full-court Basketball Slam court available for you and your friends to bounce around and shoot some hoops in a way you never knew could be possible. You can compete head-to-head or side-by-side within a variety of different Basketball Slam games, and the bouncy trampolines at our park will help you soar like never before. Our Basketball Slam parks give you all the fun of playing basketball on your own backyard trampoline but with a few added benefits. First of all, you and your squad will have plenty of room to roam at the Rebounderz trampoline parks. Next, our courts and hoops are fully adjustable to fit your height, we have added safety measures and padded rims for comfort, and easy-to-handle soft basketballs for easy grip and palm-action. Ready to bring your squad in for a challenge? First, let’s check out a few safety tips and features, and then we’ll dive right into a few fun and challenging games so that you and your crew can finally decide who is king of the air court. Basketball Slam Safety First of all, you should be fully aware that our innovative basketball slam courts feature four lanes (each with its own hoop), with our custom designed face-to-face layout. Our courts are lined with our superior padding, and the rims themselves also have their own padding for maximum dunkability and comfort with minimal risk to your hands. However, you need to be sure that you take some proper safety precautions of your own in order to help us provide you with a safe and dunk-filled adventure. Here are a few safety tips you should always follow at our indoor trampoline parks: Follow the instructions of our Rebounderz Referees at all times. Always wear your Rebounderz Jump Socks - NO BARE FEET ARE ALLOWED. Sign you liability waiver (if under 18, make sure you have your parent or legal guardian fill out your waiver). Wear safe, comfortable clothing (avoid things like jeans, metal buttons, chains, baggy jackets and hoodies, etc.) If you’re playing Basketball Slam, you may also need additional safety equipment such as helmets or elbow pads. Check with your friendly neighborhood Rebounderz Referee to learn more. Game No. 1: Original SlamBall Remember flipping to SpikeTV on some random weekend and seeing a crazy form of basketball featuring trampolines and teams of four jumping around and performing crazy tricks and dunks? That was the original, somewhat professional, sport of SlamBall. While it featured some fairly rough play, it also featured a whole lot of high-flying fun that you can do your best to replicate on your trampolines at Rebounderz - without all of the collisions and takedowns, of course. Here’s how it works: Create your teams. It works best with either two or four players on each squad. The object, of course is to score the most points. Scoring is achieved just like in regular basketball, although in this game shooting a field goal is worth two points and making a slam dunk is worth three points. Play either two, five-minute halves or two, 10-minute halves, depending on the court availability and your group’s preference. Work with your team to set up sweet dunks, block the opponent’s attempt, and have a safe, fun time! Game No. 2: Bounce-Horse We all remember playing a casual game of H-O-R-S-E on the playground, right? Well, think of this as just your normal, everyday game of horse, only with a high-flying twist. This game is a fun, all-inclusive way to experience the basketball slam courts without having to go all-out with a game of SlamBall. Here, you are simply trying to make the best shot possible, and do it in a way that your fellow ballers won’t be able to replicate. Here’s how it works: While the other players clear a path, one player starts on the trampoline and makes a shot in the most creative way possible. The next player enters the arena and attempts to duplicate the shot. If they miss, they get their first letter. Add additional players to the mix for an added challenge. If they make the original shot, they must then add their own personal twist to the end. Then, the next players will attempt to replicate the original, the twist, and so on until there is only one baller left standing. Game No. 3: Dunk Contest! How could you go wrong with a classic, run-of-the mill dunk contest? It’s a simple, fun, and competitive game that everyone can participate in at the indoor trampoline park. It’s best if you can employ the services of an objective judge (not your mom; she’ll always just vote for yours). Then, you and your buddies can take turns trying to replicate and improve upon the dunks made by NBA stars on a daily basis. The person who gets the highest score from the judge wins! Get To Jumping! Indoor trampoline parks are great, innovative, and fun ways to promote exercise, team building, and a whole lot more. Maybe you want you or your kids to have their next birthday party at Rebounderz. Maybe you’ve just always wanted to hit a clean slam dunk. The possibilities at Rebounderz in Grand Rapids are truly endless! Get your jump time now and have some high-flying fun! #### The Best Gender-Neutral Birthday Party Gift Ideas If your child has ever been invited to a kid’s birthday party, you’re the one who has probably anguished over what gift to purchase for your child to bring. With so many different options and so many different preferences, it can feel almost impossible to find a nice, affordable gift for a child. On top of that, many trends are leaning towards genderless toys for kids so that toys and types of play don’t have to be for just for boys or just for girls. Don’t worry; the next time you see an invitation in the mail, or your child brings one home from school, you’ll be prepared with this go-to list of great kid’s birthday gifts that defy gender. Legos You can never go wrong with Legos. Whether you opt for a specific build kid or just a bunch so that the child’s imagination can run wild, Legos are a win for any birthday party gift. Legos do have a history of being gender-biased towards boys, but with so many different sets available these days, there’s something for everyone. If you really want to stick to a gender neutral option, pick from the Classic sets or the Creator sets. Double check that the Lego set you choose is age appropriate for the birthday child and you’ll be good to go! The New Barbie Okay, we know that Barbie isn’t exactly gender neutral, but with many of the changes the brand has made recently, they’re becoming a better choice all the time. Both their male and female doll lines now have varying body types, hair colors, and ethnicities so you can find a doll that any child can relate to. Even the Ken line now has three body types, six ethnicities, and a wide variety of hairstyles, including a man-bun. Take your pick dolls that are now sure to please. Big Bag of Science Science isn’t just for boys. In fact, science doesn’t have a gender at all. There are many unique STEM kits available that are both fun and affordable to give as a birthday gift. The Big Bag of Science is the perfect gift for any child six years and up. This includes experiments to make slime, water tornados, jelly marbles, and super-soaking geysers. Start off a kid’s investigative potential early with these types of kits. Play-Doh You may remember playing with Play-Doh as a kid, and to this day, it’s still a great, gender-neutral gift. It’s a hands on project that lets a kid’s imagination explore. You can choose from any number of kits to best fit a child’s personality and interests. But honestly, just lots of different colored Play-Doh will probably do the trick. Craft Kits It doesn’t matter if it’s a girl’s fairy tale party or a boy’s sports themed party, craft kits are some of the best gender-neutral gifts you can give any child. From making spirals to sand jars or candles, there are many different craft kits to choose from. Not to mention they’re perfect for a rainy day stuck in doors too! Coloring Books Along the same vein as craft kits, coloring books and art supplies are sure to please any of your child’s friends, whether they’re a boy or girl. Pick cool animal or design coloring books over princesses and superheros, and don’t forget to include some markers, coloring pencils, or crayons so they can get started right away. Card Games Remember playing Uno, Go Fish, or Spoons when you were younger? Perhaps you still play these fantastic card games with your kids. Either way, they make excellent presents for any child. Just remember to check the recommended age range for each game before you purchase it. Play Tents This might fall on the bit more extravagant side, but there are really cool personal teepees and tents now available that make perfect reading nooks. Pick a gender neutral color and it will be the perfect addition to any child’s room. They’ll use it all the time and cherish it for years. Nerf Who says that Nerf toys have to be for boys? While the packaging tends to lean towards boys, if you’re headed to a superhero party for a girl, you better bet that a Nerf toy would be a perfect gift. Along with the new Nerf toy, load the birthday kid up with plenty of darts too! Consider bringing several small Nerf guns already loaded for all the kids to start playing right away! Stomp Rocket Space and astronauts aren’t just themes for boys. In fact, they can be perfect for girls too! If you’re looking for the perfect gender-neutral gift that involves some sort of space theme or activity, then you’ll definitely want to pick up a Stomp Rocket. Kids will have hours of fun with this air powered foam rocket. Easy Bake Oven You’re probably going to jump straight to the idea that Easy Bake Ovens are only for girls, but hear us out. This toy was once solely pink and white, but has gotten an overhaul in recent years to become gender neutral. The sleek black exterior is perfect for any kid who loves sweets, which means it’s perfect for any kid. Trust us. Puzzles Being a parent, you know the sheer luxury it is to have peace and quiet at home. With so many toys that need batteries or make tons of noise these days, it’s hard to just let it be quiet. Puzzles are the perfect present for kids of all ages, no matter the gender. Take your pick from age appropriate options and know that your fellow parent with thank you. While presents are great, it’s important to have a place to host an epic kid’s birthday party too! As your child’s birthday comes around, get ready with only the most exciting kid’s venue in Jacksonville. When you need something fun for everyone, opt for a Rebounderz birthday party at our Jacksonville location. And don’t forget the presents! Call today for more information. #### The Best Superhero Themes for Your Child’s Birthday Party Planning your child’s birthday party can be a struggle, especially when you find yourself short on time. But as a parent, it’s important to provide your child with a fun celebration they can enjoy. And these days, it’s not exceptionally hard to find a fun theme for your child, whether girl or boy. With the continual rise of superheroes and all the excitement surrounding them, you can always opt for a superhero party surrounding your child’s favorite hero! There are so many to choose from, it’s not hard to pick a winner, but for your kid’s birthday party at Rebounderz of Newport News, here are a few to consider. Spiderman It doesn’t matter if you’re a girl or boy, who doesn’t like Spiderman? Between nerdy Peter Parker and ethically minded Spiderman, you get the complete package when it comes to a child’s ideal role model. For a Spiderman party, don’t forget to send kids home with some silly string for a great time where they can pretend to be Spiderman at home. Wonder Woman With the recent release of the DC Comics Blockbuster hit Wonder Woman, she’s all the rage. But not only is she simply popular due to the movie, she’s an excellent role model for young women of all ages. A Wonder Woman party at Rebounderz of Newport News can include tiaras to match Diana’s and even wristbands to help inspire the imagination. The Hulk The Hulk is an exceptionally underrated superhero that is loosely based on the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This very green superhero has phenomenal strength, but struggles to control the personality that comes out when he transforms from Bruce Banner to The Hulk. Many kids relate to the simplistic struggles that The Hulk faces, and as a parent, some days you may feel like you’re raising your own little Hulk. Face paint and “Hulk hands” could be fun for a Hulk themed party at Rebounderz. Batman and Batgirl While Batman tends to be everyone’s favorite superhero, Batgirl is admirable right alongside him. The duo fight crime and protect their city doing whatever it takes. While the Christian Bale version of Batman may not be the best for kids, Lego Batman is an excellent theme for any party. You can even send guests home with mini Lego sets as party favors, and everyone is sure to end the afternoon with smiles. Iron Man Iron Man is a fascinating character to consider as an adult, and he sometimes even brings about feelings of dislike and frustration. But to a kid, Iron Man is the ultimate superhero who uses advanced technology to take on the bad guys. An Iron Man themed party at Rebounderz could be a ton of fun. Bring paper masks for the kids to wear and Avengers-themed party favors for later. Captain America Captain America is on the completely other end of the spectrum from Iron Man, and always strives to do right and protect people no matter the cost. For a patriotic child who loves superheros and the armed services, Captain America is sure to be their favorite. Choose a red, white, and blue color scheme, and include face painting or masks for all the party goers. You can even find little Captain America shield keychains for party favors. The X-Men There is so much to love about the X-Men Universe and it’s quite easy to see how kids would love them. The X-Men teach kids that it’s okay to be different, and that there is value in having unique skills. Not to mention there are both strong men and women characters that every child could relate to. Whether a child loves Storm, or perhaps is a Professor X fan, you’re never going to go wrong with an X-Men themed birthday party. You could also even do a Wolverine themed party, as he is a favorite to many. Spend the afternoon at Rebounderz and head home to watch the original X-Men movie that was released in the year 2000 for an awesome day. Rebounderz if your kid’s birthday party headquarters, and no matter how your child wants to theme their party, there are plenty of ways to follow the superhero theme and have a great time jumping at Rebounderz of Newport News. Book your child’s birthday party today!   #### The Candy Market and Your Children’s Health 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. #### The Cluttered History Of Dodgeball Everyone knows the game of dodgeball Whether it’s because they played it in gym class growing up, or they saw the famed Hollywood movie of the same name, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have some sort of fond (or perhaps painful) memories of the game. But where did it come from? The origin story behind the sport of dodgeball is more sordid and complex than that of your run-of-the-mill sport. In fact, historians and regular old Internet bloggers alike have yet to discover the true origins of dodgeball, though there are plenty of available resources which have led to general speculation and tall tales. So, if you’re looking for the one true history of dodgeball, you’re unlikely to find it here. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t still dive into the somewhat cluttered and sordid evolution of the game we all know and love. Let’s take a look. Brutal Beginnings The most common tale traces the game’s beginnings back to Africa more than two centuries ago. There, it is said, dodgeball was less of a game than a brutal training method in which competitors would hurtle rocks at one another in an attempt to, erm, eliminate them. As they used rocks instead of the softer, more bounceable balls we use nowadays, the elimination method was a little more brutal than just getting pegged and standing on the sideline. The tale goes that Dr. James H. Carlisle witnessed this display and saw the opportunity to turn this training routine into a game, and he did just that when he returned to Europe. Carlisle and some peers, including Phillip Ferguson of Yale, ultimately brought it to America and a battle between St. Mary’s College and Yale. Ferguson is thought of as the “father” of dodgeball in some aspects, as it was him who thought of the concept of dividing competitors into teams within a set arena. Soon after, in 1905, the first rules were drawn up and the game soon took on a life of its own. Growing The Game Eventually, and no one is quite sure how, dodgeball became the sport we know today. Essentially, the game is played between two teams of players who are split evenly across the court or battleground. Each team has its own designated “side,” and crossing over to the other side is one way to get eliminated from play. Other ways include: Getting hit by a ball thrown by an opponent An opponent catches one of your throws Cheating (throwing at an opponent’s head, picking up a ball from the opposition’s zone, etc.) Most people got their first taste of the sport while in middle school gym class. The balls were of course soft, sometimes Nerf-style or even kickballs, though in recent years it has been the subject of scrutiny because of its fast-paced and sometimes dangerous nature. Parents have advocated for the game’s removal from schools in many states, and thus avid players have had to discover new outlets to play this once-revered game. A True Underdog Story Of course, dodgeball got a whole lot of positive press in 2004 when a movie starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller was released titled “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.” The movie told the tale of a ragtag group of gym members who entered a competitive dodgeball tournament with the hopes of winning the prize money and saving their failing gym. The movie ultimately revived interest in the sport and opened up the world’s eyes to a new form of extreme competition. Competitive Dodgeball Despite the black eye on the game imposed on the battle between parents and schools, the game has grown into real life international competitive phenomenon. There are several competitive organizations who play dodgeball professionally, or at least recreationally, on a regular basis. The World Dodgeball Federation hosted the first ever World Dodgeball Championships in 2012, and it is now an annual event (Canada is the current world champ, in case you were wondering). A New Twist In recent years, players have discovered a new, high-octane version of the game known as “Air Dodgeball.” Air dodgeball takes the same basic rules of the game and throws in the added twist of playing on a trampoline. At Rebounderz trampoline parks in Apopka, just north of Orlando, you too can discover this unique way to play one of your favorite childhood games. Our trampoline arenas transform into the perfect battleground for groups of friends, team outings, birthday parties, and more to dodge, dip, duck, dive, and dodge as they bounce off the walls — literally. Dodgeball is a game of skill and precision which can help promote fitness, balance, and coordination for people of all ages. It’s not that brutal game that it was once said to be; instead, it’s a fun and interactive game that can be uplifting, promote weight loss, improve reflexes, and do a whole lot more. Come on in to the Rebounderz trampoline park in Apopka to experience this game for yourself in a whole new light. #### The Dangers of Summer How Could Summer Harm You? When you think of summer, you might imagine sunny days and fun times. Though you may think of summer as being a joyous time, there are drawbacks too. Some people even claim that summer can be dangerous if you are not careful. Dangers exist during the summer that do not occur in other seasons, such as heatstroke and other heat-related injuries. In Florida, temperatures can become hot and humid in the summer, which can have negative effects on small children and the elderly. In this blog, we will discuss the different dangers that occur during the summer and how you can act to prevent them. Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is a condition that occurs when the weather is exceedingly hot. Some of the symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating and rapid pulse. These symptoms are directly related to your body overheating. People who are undergoing heat exhaustion will experience fatigue, cramps, nausea, headaches, and low blood pressure when standing. If the symptoms are not addressed, heatstroke can occur. Heatstroke Heatstroke is a condition caused by the body rapidly overheating. Typically, this condition occurs when a subject is exposed to high temperatures for a long period of time. If a person’s body temperature rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, it could mean the onset of a more serious form of heatstroke. The symptoms of heatstroke include, but are not limited to: Altered Mental State Nausea and Vomiting Racing Heart Beat If you or someone you know is currently battling heatstroke, you must call for medical attention immediately. When it comes to heatstroke, if the body reaches a certain temperature, the result could be fatal. Because of this, it is exceedingly important to monitor how long you stay in the sun and how much sunlight exposure you are receiving. Of course, a little sun won’t harm you. But, it is important that if temperatures rise too high that you try to limit the amount of time you, and your loved ones, are outside. Heatstroke is very dangerous for young children and adult over 65. The elderly are the most affected demographic group of this condition, as nervous systems tend to deteriorate over time. Because of this, the elderly aren’t able to keep their bodies from overheating. Because of the risk of overheating during hot summer days, sometimes it is best to stay indoors, rather than risk a serious heat-related condition. Hiking Hiking is a great idea when the weather warms up. The only issue with hiking in the summer is that temperatures can be unpredictable and rise to be higher than expected. Hiking, in this way, can be dangerous if you are traveling alone or in an area you don’t know. For example, if you are hiking on an unfamiliar trail and suddenly start having heatstroke-related symptoms, you may be miles from nearby help. Because engaging in strenuous activity during the summer months can be dangerous, it is best to hike either in the morning or the late evening. And, it is also important to always bring a hiking buddy along with you when you hike. Together, you will both be able to keep each other safe. Snake Attacks When hiking, or outside in general, it is possible that you will run into an animal of some kind. In the summer, animals, such as snakes, like to lounge and soak in the sunlight. Because they are cold-blooded animals, they use the sunlight to warm their bodies to maintain movement. If you, or your loved ones, are outside, you may have the unfortunate pleasure of running into a snake — worse, you may even run into a poisonous one. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 7,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year. Of those several thousands of people, only five die a year. Though the likelihood of dying from a snake bite is very rare, a poisonous snake bite can be excruciatingly painful. So, if you are planning to go outside, it is best to go so during the cooler times of the day and somewhere you know there will not be snakes. Shark Attacks If you’re thinking that going to the water for summer activities will be safer than land, you would be wrong. Although swimming in the ocean can protect against serious conditions like heatstroke, other dangers lurk in the water as well. For example, there were over 80 unprovoked shark attacks in 2017. Florida, alone, made up one-third of the unprovoked shark attacks, as more than 30 people were sent to the hospital for a shark bite. Sharks will often not attack unless provoked and enjoy swimming in warmer water. For surfers, shark attacks are more common, as surfers wading in the water takes on a resemblance to a shark’s favorite meal, a seal. However, sharks have been known to attack people closer to the shore as well. In 2017, a three-year-old was bitten by a shark and was immediately sent to the hospital. The attack was not fatal, however, it does prove the dangers of the ocean during the summer months. Rebounderz At Rebounderz, we guarantee your loved ones are safe from any harm. In our indoor trampoline park, your little one can rebound the whole afternoon, safe from snakes, sharks, and overheating in the hot sun. In our air-conditioned, controlled environment, your child can have fun, while still enjoying exercise. Bring your child to Rebounderz, and let them experience our Ninja Warrior obstacle course, trampoline arena, and so much more! #### The History of Kid’s Party Games Part 1 The Origins Of Play When it comes to birthday parties in the United States, they tend to go very similarly; there is a birthday girl or boy, guests, a party, some games, and a cake. This type of annual celebration has been around for centuries and still carries over to the generations of today. In ancient history, birthday celebrations were directly linked to practices in paganism. Because of this, many people did not celebrate their birthdays until much later in history. However, during the 1700s birthdays were recognized, which later picked up popularity in the 1800s. During the late 1800s, children were given more opportunity to play and eventually developed games to play at these celebrations. In this blog, we will discuss some of the past birthday party games, how they came to be, and how they have adapted to modern-day. Pin the Tail on the Donkey In 1887, a craze swept the United States, called “Donkey Party.” This, of course, later came to be known as the game, “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” The original game was created in the East North Central region of the U.S, specifically in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is thought that the game originated from central American farm life; country children would often think of new and fun games to entertain themselves with. Because the game is centered around a donkey, it is thought that the game must have begun on a farm. The game was played much like it still is now, with one player who is blindfolded and spun around. Once they are spun at least three times, they much attach a pin to the picture of the donkey. The closest player to the actual tail is the winner. This game is both fun, quick, and exciting for most children. Because of its appeal to all — not just children — the game spread from Milwaukee to New York and Washington DC later that year. What makes this game so shareable, is that it requires no formal translation. The joy of the game can be translated to any language or culture. Because of this, the game has managed to stay relevant at millions of birthday parties. Duck, Duck, Goose! “Duck, Duck, Goose” is a beloved child’s game that has withstood the test of time. Whether you remember playing it, or your children remember playing it, this game has been around for generations — and for good reason! Not only is the game fun, but it allows children to exercise. Part of the intrigue of the game is the suspense of wondering who will be the ‘goose’ in the sequence. Children like to gravitate towards this game strictly because of the suspense. It is not entirely known when the game was invented, however, it had been trailed back to Swedish roots. The earliest written reference to the game is mentioned in 1919 in a children’s book. Though it would appear to be invented this early, the game had been well known for decades, so this is not an accurate origin date. Evidence shows that the game has long been a child’s game, as it has a wide range of imitate it all over the work. For example, “Duck, Duck, Goose” has been adapted by many different cultures such as in America, where the version is called “Duck, Duck, Grey Goose.” Also, in Afrikaans, games such as “Vroteier”, has a shared resemblance with the game, which clue historians that perhaps the game isn’t originated in Sweden at all. No matter where the game started the principle of the game is the same. A group of people sit in a circle. One person taps their heads saying “Duck” or “Goose”. Once a “Goose” has been chosen, that selected player much chance the person who chose them around the circle. If the chosen Goose tags their selector, they win and are able to sit back down. Red Rover The game of “Red Rover” may seem like a harmless children’s game, but the whole activity can use a bit of strategy. It is believed that this game is a way to teach children both teamwork and strategic warfare. The game is comprised of two separate teams, all linked together by their arms. Each team must strategically figure out how to break through the other teams link. The first team to break, will mean a victory for the other team. Much of the game is about determining the other team's weakest link in the chain. Because of this, it is important for the leader to know and understand who that weak player is and how to avoid to many losses before the game is officially over. The game typically begins with the saying, “Red rover, red Rover, send (insert name of player) right over,” and then the called out player must detach from their team and run towards the other team’s link. If they cannot break the link they join the opposite team, which only makes their link stronger. This game has been said to have started in the 19th century in United Kingdom. Many have thought that they game was a way to educate children about warfare and the use of strategy to break the solidarity of the enemy. From the United Kingdom, the game eventually spread to America, Australia, and other parts of the world. For example, in Russia, the game is called “Ali Baba”, while in Hungary it is called “Send a King, a soldier.” Though today’s version of this game isn’t used for military purposes, it is an important game to teach children. When a child knows how to play Red Rover, they have a better understanding of teamwork and leadership. However, the game can just as easily be mindless and fun. Many believe, because the game has such strong ties to learning and history, the game has managed to survive for centuries. Musical Chairs The origin of “Musical Chairs” is unknown, however it has been played for centuries in many different countries. It is not entirely known where or how the game began, but the fun has last many years. Even today, the game of Musical Chairs is seen in elementary schools and pop culture. Movies have often referenced the game in period pieces, such as Amadeus and Evita. Musical Chairs, though it started as a game is often used as a metaphor for a power struggle, in which the outcome is unknown. The object of Musical Chairs is that a group of chairs are placed in a circle, facing out. A song is played as the game's participants walk around the circle. Once the music stops, each player must find an empty. Anyone without a chair, is then eliminated. This game goes on until only one chair is left between two players. Though the origin of the game is unknown, the original name of the game was “Trip to Jerusalem.” Rebounderz At Rebounderz, we are happy to encourage games and playtime. We believe, that playing together makes children both healthy, physically and mentally. By playing with other children, leadership and teamwork skills can be improved and honed. Part of our business is encouraging children to play and learn from others just like them. If your child wants a fun playground to play in, our indoor trampoline park is the perfect place. At our park, they will be surrounded by children their age, where they can play freely all afternoon. We will continue this blog series, so stay tuned! #### The History Of Birthdays It may be hard to believe, but celebrating birthdays hasn’t been around forever. The origins of birthday parties come as a surprise to many people. Let’s take a look at where they started and why many of the common elements of birthday celebrations came into use. The first mentions of a birthday came from Ancient Egypt, where large celebrations were put on for the Pharaoh. These celebrations were coronation dates, symbolic of the Pharaoh’s birth as a ‘god.’ The first of these is said to have taken place somewhere around the year 3,000 B.C.E. The first recorded instance of this can be found in the Hebrew Bible, which describes such a celebration for the Egyptian Pharaoh. Like many things, this Egyptian tradition came into use by Ancient Greeks. They similarly celebrated their gods as a form of tribute. To do this, they offered moon-shaped cakes to the lunar goddess Artemis. As a way to recreate the Moon’s radiance and Artemis’ beauty, the Greeks added lit candles to make the cakes look as if they were glowing. This became a tradition carried on to this day. Despite playing host to the most widely celebrated birthday in the world, Christmas, early in the Christian church’s history, birthdays were considered Pagan rituals. In their first few hundred years of existence, they believed birthday celebrations to be evil and would not allow them. This changed around the fourth century when the birth of Jesus began to be celebrated. It is said they began to celebrate in the hopes of bringing in people that already observed the Roman holiday of Saturnalia. In medieval times, nobility began to celebrate their actual birthdays, while the peasants celebrated their ‘Saint’s Day,’ which was the saint they were named after. Most research points to Rome as the first society to begin celebrating birthdays for non-religious figures. However, they did this only for the men, as women did not have birthday celebrations until the 12th century. The Romans were also the first to have public holidays dedicated to the more famous citizens’ birthdays, as instituted by the government. Roman celebrations also brought forth the practice of generous presents being given. Many of the common traits of a modern birthday party stem from Germany in the late 18th century. At this point, birthday celebrations had become much more widely accepted. For example, in China, a child’s first birthday was a specific event to be honored. But it came in Germany, where the creation of Kinderfeste (kids events) became the clearest precursor to current day birthday parties. It was here that a child’s birthday would be celebrated with abirthday cake and candles denoting how old they were, with an extra candle to symbolize the year ahead. This was also where the practice of blowing out the candles to make a wish began. Due to the high costs of ingredients needed to make a delicious, sugary sweet cake, the affluent were the only ones to be in a position to celebrate birthdays like this. However, this changed with the explosion of the Industrial Revolution. At that point, ingredients became far more obtainable and affordable. With the introduction of the conveyer belt into bakeries, this allowed the bakers to offer pre-made cakes at prices that were more reasonable for parents that weren’t as well off to afford, bringing birthdays to the widest market they ever had up to that point. Many cultures and religions place larger importance on specific birthdays than others. Japan celebrates Coming of Age Day, the second Monday in January, as a way to congratulate and encourage everyone that turned 20 in the past year, as it is symbolic for their entry into adulthood. Jewish boys and girls have a mitzvah (bar and bat, respectively) on either their 12th or 13th birthday, depending on which discipline of Judaism they follow. Many Hispanic countries, along with Brazil, celebrate Quinceañeras, which is the celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday as the transition between childhood and young adulthood. In the future, we will take a closer look at the way different cultures celebrate birthdays. Who knows? It might give you some ideas for what you’d like to do for your next birthday party. But if you’re still not sure, why not give Rebounderz in Lansdale a call. We’d love to have you celebrate your special day with us! #### The Importance of Exercise for Kids Exercise is important for people of all ages, however, healthy habits are instilled at a young age and active children have a leg up on their peers, that is likely to continue into adulthood. A shift in our education system to requiring children to sit still for hours on end, the urbanization of land that restricts exploration, and a life of entertainment and education provided by screens has led to sedentary lifestyles becoming the norm, at a younger age. One-third of American children are overweight or obese and less than 25 percent of children get the recommended 60 minutes of exercise daily. This is a nationwide problem and the solution begins at each child’s home! Here are some of the top reasons why exercise is so important for kids. Physical Benefits of Exercise for Kids Healthy Growth and Development Exercise promotes all of your bodily systems to work which helps improve the health and development of every organ. In children specifically, those who exercise have healthier, stronger bones, muscles, and immune systems! This means that their body is able to function optimally while avoiding illness and injury, allowing them to develop as they should. Stronger Hearts It is never too early to start helping your body prevent heart disease. A healthy young heart will more effectively feed oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body which helps with growth and development as well as cognitive enrichment. Less Likely to Become Overweight Being overweight or obese is not a concern of vanity, but a concern of health and overall well-being. Excess weight puts tremendous stress on the skeletal muscular system, so if a child is obese, they will not develop properly and will have life-long issues. Vital organs that have a cushion of fat do not work as effectively, and as we know children’s organs are still developing — early obesity puts children down a very dark path, health-wise. When children learn healthy weight management techniques as children, they are more likely to carry them on into adulthood. Reduce Disease In addition to helping build a healthy body and immune system, regular exercise helps ward off chronic diseases that aren’t caused by microbes, such as diabetes. Most people think of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes, and heart disease as adult conditions, however, these chronic diseases are becoming prevalent in younger ages due directly to poor diet and lack of regular exercise. Positive Effects of Exercise in the Child’s Brain Smarter That’s right, regular exercise can make your child smarter! Exercise helps to transport oxygen-rich blood to the brain which helps with focus and memory development. Exercise also helps to settle and focus a busy mind by releasing energy, which helps children to absorb information. When we move and exercise, our neurotransmitters fire at faster speeds, which helps children retain the information they have learned and connect it to other relevant information. Hormone Regulation Regular moderate exercise helps feed your endocrine system the fuel that it needs to operate correctly. This includes regulating hormones that are responsible for energy, mood, sleep, growth, and puberty. Prevent hormones from getting out of whack with some regular exercise! Mental Health Benefits of Exercise Improved Mood and Outlook on Life Studies show that exercise releases hormones in the brain that contribute to a more positive mood, which when instilled in young children, can help promote a more positive outlook in life in general. Research also indicates that exercise at any age helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression which can also help to an improved mood. Self-Esteem and Confidence Children who engage in regular physical exercise are able to see what they are capable of and see progress as they hone their skills, which helps build self-esteem and confidence. Participating in team sports also helps children develop healthy social skills, leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, and empathy — all of which are skills that are useful throughout life. The importance of living an active life and starting healthy habits young cannot be understated. When kids learn to enjoy exercise through play at a young age, they are likely to view exercise as fun rather than a chore they have to complete, which helps them be successful and form healthy, long-term habits. For a fun exercise opportunity, take your youngsters to a trampoline park for hours of healthy rebounding. For a trampoline park near Jenison, check out Rebounderz of Grand Rapids! #### The Importance of Patience With Children Being Patient With a Child Patience is almost like a scarce commodity; it can be difficult to receive it and difficult to keep it. Patience requires us to step back from ourselves and try to understand others and their points of view. As a parent, patience is necessary to ensure that you and your child have effective communication at all times. In this blog, we are going to discuss the importance of patience and good communication in a parent-child relationship. Hopefully, by reading this blog, you can be more confident in how you handle situations and discuss issues with your child. Patience is about understanding others. Patience requires parents to detach themselves from their needs. This means that if your child is crying, whining, or even screaming, it is important that you detach yourself from your own needs. Your needs in this situation would be to have your child stop crying, calm down, and to stop making a scene. However, just because you want your child to behave, doesn’t mean that that will happen. Typically, if a child is acting out, they believe that making an auditory or even physical reaction (hitting, kicking, or throwing things) is the way to get your attention. Of course, a temper tantrum is never the right way to communicate with each other, so if your child begins to make a scene, it is important that you refuse the situation immediately. The first way to address a temper tantrum is to understand why your child is upset. For the most part, especially with young children, the reason can be simple and easily identified. For instance, most children will be upset that they are not getting something they want or even attention. Once you understand why your child is upset, rather than purely addressing the situation by how it affects you as a parent, the faster you will be able to address the situation. Patience requires you to communicate without fear. When a child gets upset, a parent can easily panic and look around in fear. When a child is having a tantrum, bystanders can easily get annoyed and pass judgmental looks. It is important that you disregard what others think about you. Trust that you are a good parent by addressing your own situation, rather than reflecting on what others think about your parenting skills. By letting go of who you are perceived, you are better able to address why your child is upset. Being patient with your child is about being able to communicate with them without being fearful about what others think. Telling your child to stop embarrassing you, can only make them grow up with emotions of shame or guilt whenever they openly express their feelings. This can lead to issues in their lives regarding their ability to be open with others, to express themselves, and even how they communicate with you in the future. After all, no one wants to feel like an embarrassment to their parents! Patience allows your child to learn valuable lessons. When you become a parent, your only goal is to raise and nurture a good child. You do this, in the hopes that one day they will grow up to be a great person. However, no one great became that way by being rotten, spoiled, mean, and selfish. As a parent, it is important that you adjust your child’s mindset and attitude before they believe that acting naughtily is the best way to succeed in life. Being patient and addressing their tantrums is the best way to ensure that your child learns valuable lessons in life. At Rebounderz, we have seen time and time again, how children can get upset when playtime is over. Children want to play longer and don’t want the fun to end. Being upset when the fun is over is natural and completely normal. However, when a child gets upset, panic can set in for a parent. Tears and wails can make parents upset and punish their children. Instead of being forceful with your child, a dose of patience might be what they need. So, instead of shouting at them to stop crying, perhaps using the opportunity to provide them with a lesson is important. Instead of simply communicating that the fun is over, maybe stating that the fun is over, but it doesn’t mean that it is over forever. Get on their level and show that you are speaking to them fairly. If your child is crying, it may be good to meet them at their height level. By standing over them with disapproving words and looks, they can get the impression that you are overbearing and depriving them of something they deserve. By kneeling on their level, you are subconsciously letting them know that you can talk to them “on the same level.” Though you may not be equals, as one person is responsible of the other, talking to them equally and fairly may give them the impression that you aren’t taking something (playtime) away just to be cruel. Letting your child cry can be healthy for them. Sometimes, letting your child cry can be the best thing for them. For example, you may remember a time when you were so upset and mentally exhausted that you just wanted to cry, children are no exception. Though they may not have the maturity to understand quite why they are so upset, crying is the best way to mentally and emotionally sort through their scramble of emotions. Though listening to them shriek and wail isn’t the best sound, allowing them to cry out what they are feeling can be healthy. Allowing your child to cry openly and without punishment, can also teach them that crying isn’t something to be ashamed of. Crying can be an emotional release in many ways. It is important, however, to make sure to remove your child from the thing they are crying about and have them sulk in a private place. For many parents, this can be considered a “timeout.” A timeout can be set in your child’s room or in their car seat. It is important to be present for when they are crying and keep a close watch. Once they have stopped crying you can come in and give them a calm and reasonable chat about why they were upset and why they were removed from the situation. Rebounderz of Apopka, FL At Rebounderz, we offer a fun and safe place for your child to enjoy. Parenting is difficult, but with perseverance, and most importantly, patience, you can teach your child valuable lessons to improve their character. Rebounderz offers parents a unique opportunity to teach valuable lessons and to handle them when a tantrum ensues. Visit Rebounderz today to enjoy a day of bouncing! #### The Importance of Play A child’s ability to freely play is crucial to their development. When children are allowed to play it allows for optimal development in cognitive, physical, and emotional development. Though some may claim that play can be frivolous, to a child that time of freedom and creativity pays off in the long run. It has actually been agreed by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights, that every child has the right to leisure and recreation. This recreation, of course, means that every child has the right to play, imagine, and use their creativity. In this blog we will discuss specifically how the role of play helps a child develop their full mental and physical potential. Cognitive It has been proven that play has a direct correlation to a child’s brain development. When children are allowed to use their imagination, they can place themselves in creative situations. During play, children create unique circumstances and create solutions or alternative problem solving skills. With their ability to see the world around them and adapt that reality to a fun-filled play time, they are more likely to grow into cognitively mature people. Also, with a child’s ability to play, they are more likely to hone their problem solving skills with other children. When children play, their imagination creates stories with a beginning and generally, a conflict. By being allowed to play, children can not only identify problems, but solve them as well. Physical According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity in the United States has hit a record high–almost 40 percent! In fact, it has been reported one of five children ages from six to 11 are considered obese. Most of the reason for this sudden spike in childhood obesity is the reduction of outside play. With less amount of time for outside play, children stay cooped up in school or home, not allowing proper blood circulation. As a result of less active play interaction, children in America have grown to be overweight, and in most cases obese. One way to combat this sudden spike of inactivity in children is to promote play. By allowing children more time to play outside with their imaginations, there is a good chance childhood obesity could be eradicated. Emotional When children are allowed to play, they are more likely to be emotionally healthy. When they are allowed to run, jump, and climb, children have proper circulatory blood flow to their brain and heart. Because of the blood flow to their brain, their mental functioning is heightened. When we expend energy, traces of dopamine are released into our brain; children are no exception. When a child is able to play, dopamine is released into their brains, giving them a feeling of joy or contentment. When a child is happy, the feeling is contagious. Most children don’t play by themselves, often inviting friends or family to join them. When kids play with each other, they are building interactive experiences. Children, especially only children, need this interaction to grow with proper emotional and interactive skills for their later-on growth. When playing together, children from all backgrounds can learn problem solving and sharing skills, not to mention collaborative skills. When children play and imagine together, the result also leads to further communication abilities. Play is very valuable to child, as well as an adult. When you are able to play with your child, you are forming a stronger bond with them than ever before. By sharing in their creativity, they create a greater attachment and trust with their fellow parent-playmate. By encouraging active, creative play you are ensuring that your child will grow into a fully developed person, with strong communicative and cooperative skills. It is important to know of places near you that also advocate for childhood play and imagination. Your local Rebounderz is fully equipped with trampolines, obstacle courses, and a foam pit. All of these items are perfect for a fun-filled day of play that will inspire your child’s creativity. Bring your child to an indoor trampoline park in your area, and see how their imaginations can run wild! Keep your little ones mentally and physically healthy this winter. Contact us your local Rebounderz today! #### The Importance of Staying Active as a Family The United States leads the nation in obesity rates and early mortality, directly linked to obesity-related diseases. Unfortunately, the rates of obesity are not exclusive to the adult population, and more than 40 percent of American children are overweight. When children are overweight, it causes a long chain of life-long effects, including unhealthy habits, continued weight gain, early onset chronic disease, and premature death. Keeping healthy is a family affair, and it is important to stay active as a family. Here, we will discuss a few benefits to engaging in physical activity together and how you can make that possible. A Family That Exercises Together Maintains Their Weight Together Helps establish healthy habits. The goal of all parents is to have children that eventually grow into adults and move on to their own lives. Everyone knows that, despite the best parenting, children will grow to be their own people. This is what makes individuals unique and is something that should be celebrated. However, parents influence their children in every aspect of their lives and help develop their habits — good or bad. As a parent, you are managing several different aspects of your child’s development simultaneously. While it may seem daunting to ensure that your child is eating well, getting enough sleep, getting the right vaccinations, being intellectually stimulated enough, exploring their individuality, being challenged academically, getting the support and encouragement they need, being properly disciplined, brushing their teeth, learning manner, colors, shapes, letters, and numbers; it can seem impossible to keep up with it all. When you value physical activity in your own life, it makes it easier to set the example and engage in active play as though it were second nature, not another task on your to-do list. The habits that children establish when they are young often carry over to when they are young adults and even after they have left your direct care. Help your children value physical activity throughout their life by making it part of their routine as youngsters. Sets a good example. There are things that, as parents, we tell our children to do because “I said so.” While this may be necessary for some things, children follow examples much more readily than directions. Children are constantly learning by observing the environment around them. When they are told they should do something, but do not see others doing it, they are less likely to participate. When you set the example by engaging in physical activity with them, they learn that that is what normal is. Promotes family bonding. Doing anything together helps to increase quality time and promotes family bonding. However, physical activity, specifically, is great for encouraging family bonding because it reduces stress hormones (cortisol) and increases happy hormones (endorphins) that help make your family members feel even better about being together and makes the activity a much more positive experience! Family-friendly physical activity should be things that are fun and engaging for all of the members of the family. Playing basketball in your driveway is probably a better idea than heading to the local track to run some laps together! At Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park in Grand Rapids, we know how important family time is and how important physical activity is. That’s why we combine the two and provide a fun place for families to come and be physically active together! Kids of all ages will enjoy jumping in our huge indoor trampoline arena, and there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. Play trampoline dodgeball or basketball or give our Ninja Warrior course a try! Check out our family specials and schedule some quality, active family bonding today! #### The Increasing Toy Market Could Damage Your Child’s Health 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! #### The Indoor Luau Your Child Won’t Forget If you have a child who was born during the summer, the odds are that they love the beach and warm weather. But planning a kid’s party during the summer can often be challenging. Between warm weather and unpredictable rainstorms, you have a recipe for disaster. Not to mention that your child has already had the beach party and the pool party, and even the backyard slip n’ slide party to boot. It’s gotten old, and it’s gotten old fast. You’re looking for a new way to throw your child a birthday party they won’t forget with a beach theme to win over their heart. Look no further than Rebounderz of Apopka for a kid’s luau party your child won’t soon forget. When you opt to book your kid’s birthday party with Rebounderz of Apopka, you can opt to host the party in our private luau room. This room is decorated in a variety of beach-themed accessories and trimmings in order to help bring the outdoors inside. However, this won’t be just any luau. While you will be able to do pizza, cake, and presents in your private luau room, there is so much more to do at a Rebounderz luau. When your guests show up, greet them with leis and sunglasses. Let them drop off their presents in the private room and grab some jump socks before you let them all go wild in the jump arena. The best part about any birthday party at Rebounderz is the open jump time that is included in the package. All the attractions are available for all party-goers to play on for 60-90 minutes. This play time is active and tons of fun. The best part is that it’s something completely different. Instead of playing in a pool or at the beach, they get to bounce around the jump arena, dive into the foam pit, and slam dunk at the basketball slam. You never have to contend with the temperamental summer weather. There is no risk of heat exhaustion from being in the sun. After jump time is over, retire to the private luau room and chow down on pizza and cake. Pick a cake that matches the theme. Perhaps an ice cream cake made to look like a beach, or if your child loves Moana, stick with the Disney theme. Once all the kids’ tummies are full, take some time to slow down and have a fun hula lesson in the room. Let the kids learn how to do a basic hula dance that they’ll remember for quite some time. Let them imitate their favorite characters, from Moana and Maui to Lilo and Stitch. Once the party is through, it’s time to send happy, tired kids home with a bunch of goodies. Opt for pineapple candies, beach buckets, or bubbles, among many other luau party favor ideas. Here at Rebounderz, you can have your kid’s party that they are not soon to forget without the weather getting in the way of all the fun. Book your child’s birthday party at Rebounderz Apopka today!   #### The Low-Down on Air Dodgeball Think back to your favorite activity in gym class. No, not the one with the giant, colorful parachute. We’re talking, of course, about dodgeball. Dodgeball is an intensely competitive game of skill, elusiveness, and a little bit of luck. And while it used to be played routinely in schools across the country, it’s becoming less and less of a staple among youngsters due to a variety of different factors. However, that doesn’t mean the game has gone away completely. In fact, in many ways it’s growing even bigger and better than ever before. Indoor trampoline parks have become the ideal arena for exciting, high-flying dodgeball games the likes of which the game’s founding fathers never could have envisioned. At Rebounderz in Grand Rapids, our facility features a state-of-the art battleground that is perfect for a brand new twist on the game known as “Air Dodgeball.” The basic rules of the game are very similar, though you’ll obviously add a lot more bounce to your dodging, ducking, dipping, and diving. In this blog, we’ll be giving you a rundown about all things Air Dodgeball, from the rules to the safety precautions to the growth of the game itself. We’ll also leave you with a few tips and tactics that you can use the next time you head to a Rebounderz trampoline park nearest you. Let’s dive (and dodge, and dip, and duck) right in, shall we? Basic Dodgeball Rules For starters, let’s take a glance at some of the very basic rules when it comes to dodgeball, whether you’re playing on the ground or in the air. Of course, you will start with two distinct teams, though the amount of people on each team will vary based upon your particular group. It could be as little as two-on-two, or it could be full on mayhem with 10-vs-10. The choice is yours, and the more people you have the funner the game tends to be. Much like with all team sports, sportsmanship and honor are heavily encouraged. As are communication, fitness, strategy, and of course teamwork. In order to win the game, your team has to have the last man standing, so to speak. That means you have eliminated all of the opposing team’s players by either pegging them with the ball or catching their throw attempts. Here are a few more rules and guidelines to keep in mind: Usually, three to five balls will be placed in the middle of the arena. The game starts with a whistle and a full sprint to retrieve the balls for your team. The teams are separated by a “neutral zone,” a line which divides the court in half. Players are not permitted to cross the neutral zone to retrieve balls or attack the opposing team. They can, however, perform what’s known as a “sacrifice fly,” in which they leap from their side to the other side in order to perform an attack. As long as their ball hits the opposing player before they land, the player who was struck will be out. However, once the sacrificing player lands on the other side of the neutral zone, they too will be out. A player is considered “out” if they are hit by a ball thrown by the opposing team, given that ball is not caught before it hits the ground. If a ball is caught by the opposing team, one of that team’s players is permitted to re-enter the arena if they have previously been knocked out. For safety and sportsmanship purposes, headshots are generally discouraged and may result in a disqualification. You are allowed to block another ball with a ball in your hands, given that you don’t drop that ball or get hit anywhere on your body by that ball. There should be some sort of a “shot clock” imposed to discourage players from holding onto a ball for longer than 10 seconds. Kicking the dodgeball is not allowed. When playing at one of our many Rebounderz trampoline parks, such as our Grand Rapids location, bouncing off the walls is thoroughly encouraged! And the most important rule of all: you must have fun while playing dodgeball. When it comes to safety, you should be attentive and aware of your surroundings at all times. Furthermore, as dodgeball is a high-speed, high flying game that can be played at trampoline parks, you must be sure you fill out and sign your liability waiver before you step foot on the trampolines. You can learn more about the general safety precautions we take at Rebounderz here. The Growth Of Air Dodgeball Air Dodgeball, otherwise known as dodgeball played at indoor trampoline parks, has revolutionized and revitalized the sport of dodgeball itself. By adding that extra extreme element of jumping on a trampoline, Air Dodgeball has breathed new life into the game and made it that much more enjoyable. In fact, Air Dodgeball courts are popping up at indoor trampoline parks all across the country, making for the perfect fun-filled activity for team bonding, birthday parties, or just simple day outings with family or a group of friends. There is even an international league known as the Ultimate Dodgeball Championship, which takes place at indoor trampoline parks and brings together the best and most competitive players from across the globe. Dodgeball Tips and Tricks Now that you’re fully aware of the game, how it’s played, and where you can play, it’s time to hit the playbook and study up. By learning a few new strategies, tips, and tricks, you can ensure that you’ll become the most feared dodgeballer in Grand Rapids. Here are a few pointers to help you beef up your game: Don’t Force It: One of the worst things you can do is attempt to force a ball and have it caught. If you don’t appear to have any clear shots, and you have viable ammo on your side, just throw the ball away at a wall or the ground where it can’t be caught. The worst thing you can do is lob one up. Spread Out: Utilize your team’s chemistry by spreading out and attacking from different angles and different spots on the court. That will make your attacks much more difficult to dodge, as the opposition won’t be able to keep track of all of your teammates at once. Aim Low: Lower shots are typically harder to catch or dodge than those aimed at chest-level. Once you identify your target, aim at their shins to minimize your chances of getting put out by a catch. Unified Attacks: Coordinate with your teammate to deploy your balls at the same time. This will wreak havoc on the opposing team’s ability to keep track of all the attacks coming from different angles. Keep Your Head On A Swivel: This is the last, and possibly the biggest tip. When you’re not attacking, you need to be wary of these same strategies being used against you. Remember, catches are usually what tend to win the game. So keep your head on a swivel at all times, and remember to use your hands and/or body to make a catch that could save the game for your team. Indoor trampoline parks are the perfect battlegrounds for high-stakes dodgeball games. So, grab your group of friends, divide into teams, head for your local Rebounderz in Grand Rapids, and let the games begin. #### The Many Benefits of Active Play With the rise of tablets and other easy-to-hold technologies, kids are no longer going outside to play. In fact, as a parent, it’s often hard to reduce screen time and get your kids moving. While this might be the reality, it’s time to start thinking about ways to get your kids active and playing. Active play is a critical component of childhood and can provide many benefits as a child grows. When they sit on the couch watching the TV or playing on your phone all the time, they don’t receive these critical benefits. You want your child to grow up happy and healthy, but they can’t do that if they don’t get active play on a regular basis. Rebounderz trampoline parks help to get kids active, helping them in a wide variety of areas. Learn how active play can benefit your child as you keep reading. Promotes Life Skills Active play helps to promote a wide variety of life skills. While this type of play does help the brain develop, it also helps kids develop their coordination and motor function. This allows them to be in control of their bodies as they grow. In addition, active play involves a social component to it that can help children learn how to interact with one another in a positive way. According to the British Toy and Hobby Association, “Playful children are happier, better adjusted, more cooperative, and more popular with their peers than those who play less. Children play longer when a wide variety of toys [are] available. Playful children are more physically active, creative, humorous, imaginative, emotionally expressive, curious, and communicative.” Develops the Imagination Allowing and even encouraging kids to participate in active play helps kids to develop their imaginations. Whether it is getting outside and chasing butterflies, or building complex structures with legos, these types of activities can help kids to imagine new worlds and new ways to doing things. This is important to help them later in life, as imagination and creativity are key for problem solving and being flexible in your environment. Improves Emotional Intelligence Engaging in active play can help to improve emotional intelligence. There are a couple of ways this can happen. The first is that active play gets kids engaging with one another. By practicing social skills at a young age, children can learn how to appropriately interact with one another and respond to one another. They will be able to pick up social cues much easier and act on them in an appropriate manner. Childhood is a lot about learning through mistakes, and active play helps to accelerate this process. In addition, active play helps to release emotions and other built-up feelings in a more positive way for many children. This can help them learn how to be more cognizant of their own emotions in the process. Develops Cognitive Learning When children are physically active, they’re helping their brain develop. Movement and motion help to develop neural pathways that will help children in school, and in life as they get older. They are able to better react to challenges and solve problems because of these developed pathways. Children who engage in active play have been shown to do better in school, because they have more developed pathways and are better able to focus. Provides Lifelong Health Skills Along with all the benefits listed above, it’s important to remember that active play is exceptionally important in developing a child’s lifelong physical health skills. Active play can improve everything from heart health to bone density, making your child healthier and putting them at a lower risk for health problems down the line. In addition, active play is a huge component of reducing childhood obesity and maintaining a healthy weight through their lives. Improves Social Skills, Self-Esteem, and Confidence Children who engage in active play on a regular basis find that they have heightened social skills, and improved self-esteem and confidence. Active play gets kids involved with peers and helps to teach them how to interact at a young age. Play also helps with impulse control, which will help improve a wide variety of behaviors. Give your children the active play they need when you visit Rebounderz of Sterling. Come bounce and play to your heart’s desire at our indoor trampoline parks. Contact us with any questions you may have. #### The Many Physical Benefits of Joining the Rebounderz Revolution Let’s face it; kids and adults don’t get nearly enough exercise these days for the sedentary lives that many of us lead. With childhood obesity on the rise and joint injuries happening younger and younger, there is a lot to be said about the amount and quality of exercise that many of us get. We understand, it’s hard to get started or that it’s hard to find time, but there is no longer a need for excuses. When you opt to join in the rebounding fun at Rebounderz trampoline park in Apopka, you’re setting your whole family up for fitness success. What is rebounding? Rebounding originally started in the 1970s, with the first patents of small trampolines. The actual definition of rebounding or a rebounder is someone who participates in “elastically leveraged, low-impact exercise.” This form of exercise quickly became popular because it was able to provide extreme benefits with minimal impact on the joints and body as a whole. In fact, NASA uses rebounding in zero-gravity in order to help astronauts maintain bone mass and physical wellness while in space.   So, what are the many physical benefits of playing at a Rebounderz trampoline park? Cardiovascular Intensity Exercise of any sort can help to improve your overall cardiovascular and heart health. However, the intensity of working out on trampolines helps to bring your cardiovascular health to a new level. In a fun environment, you’re able to get your heart pumping and your blood flowing for improved circulation and oxygenation. Easier on Your Joints While cardiovascular activities typically come with the caveat of being hard on your joints, you’re in luck. Playing at a trampoline park is much easier on your joints than other activities such as running, crossfit, or traditional team sports. You can get in all the muscle working benefits without having your knees or back scream at you later from high impacts. Improved Lymphatic Function While this may seem like a rather odd benefit, it’s very true. The motion in rebounding allows your body to easier move lymphatic fluids out of areas where they traditionally collect, causing improved drainage. This also has the ability to help increase your immune system since it is better able to circulate lymphatic fluids just from a little bounding on some trampolines. Twice as Effective as Running We mentioned how helpful playing on trampolines can be for your cardiovascular health, but do you know how beneficial they really are? If you spend 15 minutes running, you may burn roughly 171 calories. When you spend that much time actively jumping the the trampoline, you’re going to double the amount of calories you burn. Rebounding is genuinely twice as effective as running when it comes to health benefits. Whole Body Exercise There are some activities out there that truly do give your whole body a run for its money, such as swimming, but other activities simply won’t. Biking may be good for cardiovascular exercise, but you won’t get the same whole body benefits. Rebounding truly provides whole body benefits because you do use your whole body. It’s exceptionally helpful for your leg and core strength, but don’t forget, your whole body gets moving when you jump. Improved Balance There are a variety of activities and exercises that can help strengthen stabilizing muscles and improve balance, but there aren’t many activities that can actually help to improve balance from your ear. Rebounding at trampoline parks helps to improve your balance through the constant motion and jostling your inner ear receives. The jumping motion helps to stimulate the vestibule found in your inner ear, which is a main component in your ability to balance well. Rebounding is Fun! The number one reason to get involved in rebounding and go play at trampoline parks isn’t just for the above benefits, but simply because it’s fun. Rebounding is something that the whole family can participate in and benefit from. It’s a great way to bond and get exercise together in a positive environment. Help your family and help yourself find improved health with the benefits of rebounding and the fun found at trampoline parks. Make Rebounderz of Apopka your go-to family entertainment center for health and happiness. Come and jump with us today! #### The Most Diverse Rebounderz….Ever Rebounderz has become synonymous with trampoline parks nationwide. And it’s pretty easy to see how that would happen. With a versatile offering of attractions and the safest trampoline park design in the family entertainment industry, it’s no wonder so many people love the Rebounderz brand for their families. It all started with our trampoline park jump arena. Our Rebounderz CEO was looking for ways to make sure that Rebounderz could maintain safety first and foremost, while still providing a fun environment. This led to the Jumper Exoskeleton which has several patents to its name. This unique design means that the entire jump arena is built and installed as one piece. This piece is also securely bolted into the foundation of every facility. The jump arena is a safe place to bounce to your heart’s content. But, while Rebounderz may have started with just a jump arena, there is so much more to now choose from, and Rebounderz of Jacksonville has it all and so much more. When it comes to jumping, Rebounderz of Jacksonville has the jump arena and many of the other attractions you know and love, including: Foam Pit, Basketball Slam, and Air Dodgeball. These are all enjoyable activities that use trampolines as the main feature. Our Jacksonville Rebounderz is also one of only a select few Rebounderz locations to have an incredible ninja warrior course. The varying level lanes allow you to challenge yourself, or your friends and family to the obstacles that the American Ninja Warriors tackle on the show. You’ll need speed, strength, and stamina to conquer this course. Our ninja warrior course is exceptionally unique, but we have even more activities to diversify your visit and please every member in your family. Because Rebounderz of Jacksonville has the most attractions of any Rebounderz, you will spend hours of laughter and fun here with your family. Outside of our traditional trampoline based activities, we also have some other amazing attractions. Do you love laser tag? We know we sure do! Here at Rebounderz of Jacksonville, we have a unique laser tag experience that you are sure to love. Take on your family, or just enter the laser tag game with the goal of being number one! After all your jump time and a game of laser tag, you might want to cool down with our extensive arcade that has state-of-the-art games for  hours of fun. If that’s not enough, then head over to our laser maze. Work your way through the laser and don’t let yourself get touched. You’ll feel just like a super-spy about to take on an incredibly difficult heist. Lastly, don’t leave without making a leap of faith and feeling that adrenaline rush as you attempt to jump at height and catch one of several apparatuses. Let Rebounderz of Jacksonville truly make your family time remarkable. With the most diverse set of attractions of any trampoline park, you can’t go wrong. Contact us today with any questions or just stop by and come play! #### The Muscles You Work Out When Trampolining Jumping on a trampoline is, without a doubt, one of the best exercises you can do. That’s because, instead of engaging just one or two muscle groups, it puts your whole body in motion. A favorite exercise for everyone from astronauts to athletes, it makes sense why they would get so much out of a little jumping time. We’re going to detail which muscles are worked out when jumping on a trampoline, why they are involved, and the benefits that come with each. When you want to see what all the fuss is about, come on down to Rebounderz in Lansdale. We’ll put a spring in your step! -Abdominal Muscles Through the process of jumping up and down on a trampoline, you’re required to tense your muscles up in preparation of the jump, then you relax them as you soar through the air. This act engages your abdominal muscles without you even thinking about it. Thanks to the way it consistently works the abs, while staying low-impact, many believe it is a more effective way to exercise them than crunches or sit-ups. Building strength in your core can do everything from improving your posture to helping you lift heavier things with less trouble. -Lower Body When NASA conducted a study regarding the effects of jumping on a trampoline, they found that jumping for just 10 minutes was 68 percent more effective at exercising the cardiovascular system than 30 minutes of running or jogging. From that point, they included trampolining into their astronaut training protocol. Due to the loss of bone tissue that comes with spending extended periods of time in space, astronauts found success when they jumped on a trampoline. The low-impact nature of the process allowed them to rebuild what had been lost at a faster rate while maintaining a level of safety high-impact running could not provide. Naturally, your legs are consistently working when on a trampoline. Whether it’s controlling your jump and the power behind it or they’re just working to maintain your balance, they’re highly engaged. That means even small movements are able to strengthen your leg muscles as you jump up and down. It does wonders for your gluteus maximus, as well. -Back Muscles Working in conjunction with your abdominal muscles, your back muscles, especially those near your spine, are a part of strengthening your core. With every bounce you make, your back muscles contract to maintain your balance and the power of your jump. This consistent process improves your overall balance, as well as strengthens your shoulder blade area. Having strong back muscles can help avoid back pain issues as you grow older as well, so it’s always a good idea to start early! -Upper Body Though you may not realize it, your arms are surprisingly integral to jumping on a trampoline. As you swing them in time with your jumps, you’re actually engaging those muscles more than you would think. Not only do your arms help you keep your balance as you’re jumping, they can help you prepare for a jump in the coiling and explosion process. -Cardiac Muscle It’s easy to forget, but your heart is a muscle, too! Though it is a low-impact exercise for most of your body, trampolining is high-intensity for your cardiovascular system. With all of your muscles engaged in jumping, your heart works hard to pump blood and oxygen to them. When you regularly work out your cardiovascular muscles, you can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attacks and blood clots. -Other Hidden Benefits While they may not be directly connected to muscles, there are some other big health benefits to be found with trampolining. Not only is it an incredibly effective workout when you want to burn some calories, it can also help kickstart your body’s natural metabolism, thanks to the endorphins you’re working up. Trampolining has benefits you can’t even see, but they improve your life immensely. We know exercise can feel like a chore sometimes, but jumping on a trampoline is always fun! Come to Rebounderz in Lansdale and we’re sure that you’ll get a workout that won’t just be effective, it’ll also be exciting and different from your bog standard fitness routine. Take advantage of the benefits you can get out of trampoline while you have some family fun with the kids. We hope to see you soon! #### The Negative Effects of a Sedentary Childhood Over the last few decades, electronics such as computers, television, and tablets have taken over as the main source of entertainment, including for children as young as toddlers! While these sources of entertainment are usually geared toward learning and brain stimulation, and parents love them because they help keep children quietly entertained and in one location, which reduces the amount of energy spent closely watching their activities; these forms of entertainment take away from alternative, more active, forms of activity that are critical to children’s growth and development. The effects of a sedentary childhood can be devastating. Here, we will discuss some of the negative effects of a sedentary childhood. Obesity Nearly 40 percent of American children are overweight or obese, which has nearly tripled since the 1970s and current trends predict the rates to continue to rise. While this can be attributed to a diet high in sugar and processed foods, it also has a lot to do with a shift in our culture from the days when children would be called home for dinner from a long day playing and exploring outside with their friends, to one ruled by screen time. Physical activity is also more limited in public schools and left more to extracurricular activities that not all children have the opportunity to participate in. The problem with childhood obesity is that it causes a multitude of health concerns such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and a host of bone and joint problems. Additionally, childhood obesity has a high likelihood of transferring over to become adult obesity, and unhealthy behaviors lead to a long list of medical concerns. Poor Social Skills A sedentary lifestyle, regardless of what activity is used to pass the time, leaves a child much less engaged and interactive than those children who live active lifestyles. Sedentary lifestyles for children and adults alike means less interaction with other people. In childhood, socialization is critical to developing normal social habits and developmental learning. When a child spends their childhood in a sedentary state, their social interactions are limited. This has the tendency to lead to an awkward adulthood, and even anxiety when faced with the “real world.” Poor social skills put a person at a disposition to not be as successful as their social peers and may lead to a lack of close personal relationships. Health Problems Regardless of weight, a sedentary lifestyle leads to a wide range of health problems including circulation disorders, early arthritis, muscle atrophy, asthma and other pulmonary disorders, cardiovascular disease, and bone and joint disorders caused by a lack of use. Cancer risks are increased by more than 32 percent in people of all ages who have a sedentary lifestyle, which is more concerning when the trends begin young because it is unlikely to change. Mental health concerns are increased in those who live sedentary lifestyles, and especially so in children, because of the lack of stimulation in the brain. Overall, the negative health risks are dramatically increased in sedentary children as opposed to their active counterparts. Lack of Creativity Children who live a sedentary lifestyle are usually engaged by screen electronics. These forms of entertainment often do the thinking for the child and limit their own natural creativity. While you may associate creativity as the ability to color within the lines of a coloring book and not find much value in it, creativity is expressed in a multitude of ways in children that are important to the healthy growth and development of the brain. For instance, playing house, dress up, writing stories, coloring or craft time, and completing puzzles all help children to tap into the reasoning and problem-solving areas of the brain. Without active stimulation, children will lack these skills in adulthood in addition to the creative abilities to do simple tasks such as create meals, decorate their apartment, or even come up with Christmas gift ideas. So, what can you do to help prevent your children from living a sedentary lifestyle? Let them play! Restrict screen time and encourage your children to play like kids. Perhaps this means shooing them into the backyard or into a playroom where they can express their creativity through hands-on, active playtime. Take your children outside, to the park, the lake, or for a walk around the neighborhood. Ensure they get the recommended amount of physical activity daily and weekly. Enroll your children in extracurricular activities, whether it is a cinema club or karate, getting them out of the house and actively engaged with others will keep them active. One of the best things you can do to help keep your kids active is to set the example and live an active lifestyle yourself! Additionally, this also has great health benefits for you! For a healthy, active outlet, you and your children can come to jump around at Rebounderz indoor trampoline park in Sacramento! Just one hour of trampoline jumping is the physical equivalent to running a half marathon, but much more fun! Stop by our Sacramento location today! #### The Perfect Fairy Tale Party There are many reasons that fairy tales are the perfect stories for children. While some may be a bit scary in their original form, they’re great options for kids to learn and explore. That’s why we thought it’d be a great idea to have a fairy tale party room at Rebounderz of Sunrise. With so many different types of kids looking to have a great birthday party, we understand that they need have a wide variety of themes to choose from. Not all kids are going to be into sports or superheros. If girl wants to have her party in the fairy tale room, that’s great! If your daughter loves Marvel, that’s also great! The point is that any child has the ability to pick the themed room at Rebounderz of Sunrise that fits them the best. Fairy tales are excellent for children to both learn and connect, along with the fact that they can be just fun. Before we get into some of the great party details you can include in your child’s fairy tale birthday party, consider these reasons that your child should have fairy tales in their lives: Fairy Tales Encourage the Imagination: While you may think of reading a fairy tale to a child as just reading them a story, the reality is that it’s another way for kid’s to see their own world and explore the bounds of reality. It helps to expand their imagination and encourages them to explore new possibilities. In fact, you may even find yourself exploring new possibilities as you reread old favorite tales. Fairy Tales Teach Right and Wrong: When you boil down a fairy tale to its main basic elements, it’s typically just some form of fight between right and wrong, good and evil. And for part of a fairy tale, good almost always wins unless the story was written by the Grimms Brothers. Fairy tales don’t directly tell kids what is right and wrong, but teaches them how to infer what is right and wrong through specific story structures. Fairy Tales Teach Emotions: Kids don’t have an innate understanding of emotions and the world around them. They have to be taught these, and because fairy tales often center around children or young people, they’re a great avenue to do just that. Fairy tales help teach children how to identify their own emotions by relating to the characters in the story. Fairy Tales Are Just Plain Fun: Whether or not a child recognizes that they’re learning right and wrong or that their imagination is growing, the one thing you can be sure of is that they are having fun. And they probably aren’t going to be the only ones to enjoy the story, you probably will too! For your child’s fairy tale party at Rebounderz in the Miami area, there are many different things you can do to help make the day truly magical. The kids will obviously have a great time playing on all the attractions available at our family entertainment facility, but you can add to the magic with a few of the following ideas: Princess or Prince Garb: For your a fairy tale kid’s birthday party, you have to set the scene. One of the best things you can do is provide costumes or props that kids can dawn when they get to the party. Pick adorable tutus for girls and some neat felt gold epaulets for the boys. And of course, you need crowns for everyone. The best thing too is that kids can jump on the trampolines with these costumes and they could be great party favors. Fairy Tale Photo Booth: Our fairy tale room at Rebounderz of Sunrise is the perfect place to set up a mini photo booth. With Cinderella’s carriage as part of the setting, you can bring in some fun props and let the kids pose with them. Use a Fujifilm Instax and the kids will get to take home polaroids of themselves and their friends. The Perfect Sweet Treat: When it comes to a Rebounderz party, the only food you will have to worry about is the cake. For a fairy tale party consider cupcakes decorated as forest mushrooms, a castle, or perhaps even a gingerbread house to shake things up! Enchanted Party Favors: When it comes time to go home from an enchanting afternoon at Rebounderz, you’ll want to send kids home with something fun. A couple options include a fairy tale coloring book and art supplies, or perhaps some fairy wands are the perfect fit. Get creative and use your own imagination to inspire your choices. You don’t have to stress yourself out to provide your child with an amazing fairy tale birthday party! Just turn to Rebounderz of Sunrise and we’ll help make some birthday wishes come true. Call us today to book your child’s party!   #### The Science of Jumping on a Trampoline Jumping. It’s something we all learn at a pretty early age. From jumping rope to leaping with reckless abandon into a big puddle, even just a few seconds off the ground is exhilarating no matter what your age. But when you give your natural jump just a little bit of a spring, defying gravity can come easy. That’s where a trampoline comes in. But how does it all work? We’re going to take a look at the science in play when you’re at play and what puts that extra bounce in your bounding. When you want to experience this physics phenomenon yourself, visit Rebounderz right here in Edison; the premiere trampoline park in New Jersey. As shown by the sweat and sore muscles that come about after jumping on the trampoline, it’s no surprise how effective it is as an aerobic exercise. It has also been shown to improve cardiovascular health and coordination thanks to its engagement with the whole body. Regular trampoline use can even increase your body’s metabolism and by extension, its ability to burn calories efficiently. NASA has actually found jumping on a trampoline for 10 minutes has a more positive effect on your health and fitness than running for half an hour. It’s so effective, astronauts actually use it in their training before they go into space! Let’s face it, jumping is more fun than running, too. So then, what makes a trampoline bouncy? Short answer: You. Long answer: Multiple different types of energy transfer, including gravitational potential energy, elastic energy, and kinetic energy. When you are standing still, you have potential energy. This is the same for the trampoline. Essentially, potential energy is energy that has been stored and is waiting to be unleashed. For the human body, much of our potential energy is represented by the food we eat, because that is what our body will convert into actual energy when we exert ourselves. For a trampoline, it stores its potential energy in its springs. When you use your potential energy to jump, the trampoline uses its potential energy in its springs to push back against you. That all comes down to Newton’s Third Law of Motion; for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When your body exerts its energy against the trampoline with the force of its legs pushing off the mat, the mat absorbs this action and then responds by sending that energy right back in the opposite direction with its elastic energy. That equal and opposite reaction is what pushes you up into the air. You may not realize it, but your body has elastic energy too. Sure, you may not be made of rubber or springs, but the muscles inside your body act in much the same way. You build up elastic energy in your legs when you crouch down to jump, and it’s released when you jump up. Scientists even describe the act of preparing for a jump as coiling your tendons like springs. Your elastic energy acts against the trampolines elastic energy, which it has more of than you, resulting in a much larger reaction. Kinetic energy is the energy of anything in motion, from you and your dog all the way down to the atoms in the air. Your kinetic energy is determined based on a combination of your weight and how fast you’re moving. This energy is then applied directly to the potential energy of what you are acting against, and its own kinetic energy helps determine what its reaction is. That’s why something immobile like the ground doesn’t have the same reaction when you jump on it as something that absorbs (and therefore moves) like a trampoline. As you jump, you generate more kinetic and elastic energy, while exerting potential. This is why you can keep jumping higher despite not physically putting as much energy into it. You’re essentially riding the wave of the initial reaction while putting enough energy back in to continue the cycle. The science of energy can get pretty amazing when you consider all of the forces acting and reacting to each other every second of every day. Our favorite part is how fun it is! If you’re looking for an opportunity to test your potential, elastic, and kinetic energy, why not give Rebounderz a call today? Located in Edison, we’ve got the best trampoline park you could want when you want to experiment with the bounds of physics. Jumping is just more fun on a trampoline. #### The Secret Origin of the Trampoline At Rebounderz, it’s pretty clear that we love trampolines. We started digging around for the lesser known history about its invention, and we’re really excited to share it with you. When you’re done reading this, come on over to our trampoline park in Edison and jump around on this marvelous invention. The year is 1930. The travelling circus has arrived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a wide-eyed 16-year-old boy watches in amazement at the acrobatic feats put on by the trapeze artists high above him. This young boy was George Nissen, and he had an idea. As he watched them dismount at the end of their routines, he took particular interest in the safety nets that they dropped onto from their swinging bars with a bounce. His time as a gymnast and swimmer got him thinking about what a performer could do if they continue bouncing and what types of tricks that might allow. From there, Nissen began work on his first attempt, simply called a ‘bouncing rig.’ Built in his parents’ garage, this first device was made up only of a canvas sheet strapped to a rectangular steel frame. It wasn’t until 1934, with the assistance of his gymnastics coach at the University of Iowa, Larry Griswold, that the trampoline really started to take a more familiar shape. They recognized the device needed to provide more of a bounce than it was giving in order for tricks to really take form. From there, they connected the canvas to the frame with inner tubes from tires. When those proved to be bouncy but easily broken, the change was made to coil springs. While he was a member of Iowa’s diving team, Nissen formed “The Three Leonardos.” No, they weren’t big fans of the leader of the Ninja Turtles about 50 years too early. They were a ‘rebound tumbling’ act that performed in Mexico in 1937! It was while he was in Mexico that Nissen learned the Spanish word for diving board — el trampolín. It wasn’t long after that he added an ‘e’ to the end and registered ‘trampoline’ as a trademark for his invention. The trio went on to perform at school assemblies back in the United States. After their performances, they invited the children to try jumping on the trampoline, and it went over like gangbusters. 1942 rolled around and brought with it the formation of the Griswold-Nissen Trampoline & Tumbling Company and commercially available trampolines. Griswold, however, left the company shortly after its formation to focus on his own budding acrobatic career, under the name “The Diving Fool.” Many people found new use for the trampoline — from the circus performers that inspired it and the children that proved its concept to the military using it to train American pilots and navigators during World War II. Nissen continued to improve his design, replacing the canvas that had been a fixture from the first attempt, with nylon webbing that had been developed for parachute straps. Trampolines continued to be used in training, by both the American and Soviet space programs to get their astronauts used to changes in gravity and provide a full-body exercise in a more efficient manner. The trampoline’s gymnastics origin was fully realized at the first Trampoline World Championships, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1964. Trampolining finally became an official Olympic event at the Sydney Summer Olympics in 2000. As WW2 raged on, Nissen decided to put his brother in charge of the company, as he joined the fight as a member of the Navy in 1943. After completing his service as a navigator on a destroyer, he joined St. Mary’s Pre-Flight Center, near Oakland, CA. He was pleased to learn upon his arrival that they already were using his invention. While Nissen began to face competition from other companies producing their own trampolines, he continued to promote his invention in many demonstrations. At one such performance in Kansas City, he encountered a Dutch aerial acrobat by the name of Annie De Vries. She joined his act, and they were married in 1951. One of the most amazing demonstrations Nissen put on took place in the middle of Central Park in New York. It was here that he rented a kangaroo to perform the demonstration with him. Yes, a real kangaroo. He found out that if he put the kangaroo at one end of the trampoline, he could jump on the other side and make the animal bounce as well. As the 50’s continued, Nissen traveled around the world to demonstrate his invention, even going so far as to donate a trampoline to the Soviet Union. We’re not sure if it’s fate or irony that Russia would eventually win the first Olympic Gold awarded for trampolining in 2000. When the 1950’s drew to a close, trampoline jump centers began to spring up across the US, making Nissen a multi-millionaire. However, due to widespread and consistent abuse of the Trampoline trademark, he allowed it to lapse early in the 1960’s. George Nissen never lost his love for his original invention, going so far as to perform an acrobatic routine high atop a pyramid with a flattened top in Egypt. He was 63 years old when he did that. Though Nissen passed in 2010, his invention lives on in backyards, gymnasiums, and trampoline parks worldwide. We hope you’ve enjoyed this profile of a man that only sought to elevate people to previously unreachable heights. If you want to pay tribute to George Nissen, call Rebounderz in Edison today! We want to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. #### The Technology of Rebounderz Technology-Driven Safety for Innovatively Unique Fun At Rebounderz, our mission is to create unique extreme fun, provide new stimulating activities for everyone, and to boldly go where no one has gone before with our innovative trampoline arenas, but our first priority is always safety. When you take your child to a Rebounderz arena, we want you to feel secure in the knowledge that you are in the safest environment possible, made possible by groundbreaking, patented indoor trampoline arena technology. Before Rebounderz, trampoline arenas were made up of multiple trampolines tied together to create the illusion of a single structure. Over time, jumping shifted individual trampolines making the jumping platform unstable— and ultimately unsafe. Rebounderz patented technology eliminated this problem for good. We use the Exoskeleton, one single solid structure fastened to the foundation of the building, to frame our trampoline beds. The Exoskeleton is specifically engineered so motion from one trampoline bed doesn’t transfer to the surrounding trampoline beds. It is even routinely checked. “Standard” Safety Measures Aren’t Good Enough for Us We didn’t stop there, though. Since innovation allowed us to transform the industry with a safer frame, we dedicated ourselves to constant innovation in every piece of equipment and technology that we use. No industry standard was deemed “good enough.” We wanted to go above and beyond “standard” to excellent safety. After all, an injury is never fun, no matter how old you are. We replaced the standard two-inch foam covers on frames and springs of the trampolines with significantly thicker foam, so jumpers can’t feel it. Even the thinnest foam used is at least 3 inches thick, but it averages much more–up to 17 inches thick in potentially risky areas! We doubled the minimum distance between floor and bed suggested by the International Association of Trampoline Parks. We created a redundant barrier system for trampolines, so that not only are trampoline beds doubled up for extra protection in case of an accident, but also walls. We even recalculated the angles of the jump walls to make them safer and minimize ankle injuries. Every day, we encourage our employees to think up new ways to make our one-of-a-kind technology safer and safer. So if you are worried about your child’s safety at Rebounderz, we understand, but we assure you that worry isn’t needed. We are want to keep your children just as safe as you do— and we work daily towards creating even better technology to do it. PS: Our technology isn’t the only way we’ve revolutionized safety. Check out how our staff policies and training, in addition to our physics knowledge, has helped us make Rebounderz trampoline arenas as safe as possible. Also, we’ve explained why our trampoline beds are smaller than at some other parks! (Hint: it’s for your safety too.) #### The Ultimate Power Rangers Birthday Party Power Rangers and trampoline jumping just seem to go together. Don’t you think? If your child is a big fan of the rangers, we think a themed birthday party at Rebounderz Apopka will turn out to be one of their happiest and most memorable days. If you are super crafty, there’s no end to the do-it-yourself Power Ranger ideas you can find. But for those of you who are looking for a one-and-done solution, there are a lot of options for everything from invitations to cake toppers. We’ve put together some of the theme ideas we’ve seen. We hope to see you and your little Power Ranger at Rebounderz in Apopka soon. As always, we are here to help plan your big day. Give us a call! The Birthday Boy or Girl No matter how old your Power Rangers fan is turning, we bet they’d love to be their favorite Ranger for their big day. You’ll want to make sure that any costume or mask doesn’t impede their ability to safely jump on the trampoline. Other than that, the sky’s the limit. We’ve seen birthday girls and boys in shiny Power Ranger Tshirts. There are cute matching leggings and skirts for the girls. And for the boys, a power ranger jumpsuit is a great option. The Invitations If you are feeling really creative, you can design and print out power ranger movie-ticket themed invitations. They’re sure to be a big hit. But if you are less crafty than that, you’re sure to find a good assortment of power ranger invitations, stickers and stationery at your local craft store. We’ve seen a few invitations that double as power ranger masks. Those are always a big hit.  The Party Decor Thanks to the popularity of the new power rangers movie, you’ll find no shortage of power rangers plates, napkins, bowls and table cloths. You can get a lot more creative than that with your decorations though. For the table, themed pop-up table toppers are a great addition. Consider an inflatable power ranger airwalker to oversee the festivities. Spread an assortment of power rangers ninja power stars on the table to keep little hands occupied and engaged. Save the disk shooters for the goody bag to make sure disks don’t get lost and the little ninjas don’t take things too far. To set the scene, we don’t think you can do better than an inflatable power ranger airwalker to oversee the festivities. If you are throwing a party for particularly young Rangers fans, or if there are little brothers and sisters that need to be entertained, a Power Rangers themed coloring book is the perfect activity. You’ll also find no shortage of themed cake and cupcake toppers. If you are going all out, we’ve noticed that local bakeries are doing some pretty amazing things with Power Ranger themed desserts. We’ve even seen Power Ranger cake pops showing up at some parties! Power Ranger Goody Bags Here’s where you can really get creative. Really, there is so much Power Ranger stuff to choose from, you might have trouble deciding. We’ve seen mini light-up Power Ranger swords, temporary tattoos that are sure to please no matter which Ranger is the favorite, and themed pencils that’ll be a hit at school the next Monday. Power Ranger themed bracelets, stickers, and sunglasses are really popular as well. One of our favorites are the mini-toy figurines, available in a variety of action poses. The kids love them! We hope you like our Power Ranger party ideas. Please give us a call here at Rebounderz Apopka. We’re here to help make sure your trampoline party is a huge success, whatever theme you choose. We look forward to seeing you soon!   #### Throw a Theme Party at Rebounderz in Apopka What’s better than a trampoline party? A trampoline party with an awesome theme! We’ve put together some ideas for you here complete with goody bag items and dessert options. We love this stuff. If you’ve got other theme ideas, give us a call. Our party planners can help ensure your theme party is a huge hit! Jump! Theme everything around the Rebounderz venue. Start with a “Jump into the fun” invitation and bring the theme through everywhere including a cake that looks like a trampoline and goodie bags that include anything from jars of jelly beans or tubes of gumballs with “magic jumping beans” labels to jump ropes. Spring-loaded miniature jumping frogs and bunnies are always a big hit. Big Top! A circus themed party fits in great with the fun atmosphere at Rebounderz Apopka. Choose a cake in the shape of a circus big-top or decorated with circus animals and high-wire walkers. Fill goody bags with goofy clown noses, squirting flowers, circus animal lollipops, and big polka dotted bow ties. For an easy add-on that’s always a big hit, include animal crackers in traditional Barnum's circus boxes. Bring some big-top table toppers and napkins and you’re all set. Ahoy There Mateys Everyone likes a good pirate-themed party. Thanks to pirate popularity, this is one party you’ll have no trouble pulling off. You’re sure to find everything from inflatable pirate accessories to pirate tablecloths and treasure-chest themed goodie boxes at your local party store. Trampolining with a pirate eye patch can be a little dangerous, so put those in the goody bag to hand out at the end of the party. Up Up and Away! Airplanes or hot air balloons are a great theme for your Rebounderz birthday boy or girl. They’ll be spending a lot of time with their heads in the clouds, bouncing to their hearts content. When the time comes to eat, open presents and share goodie bags. What could be better than airplane-shaped gummy candies, whizzing mini airplanes and up-and-away themed bags? Or if hot air balloons are more your speed, a hot air balloon-shaped cake will be a big hit. Fill those goody bags with hot air balloon charms and squeeze toys. Finally, decorate the table using balloon nets and big helium-filled balloons, and you’ll have a party to remember. Whatever theme you choose for your Rebounderz party, we’re sure it’ll be a big hit. Here are a few more tips to help your big day go as smoothly as possible. Waivers. Paperwork is never fun, especially at a party. So be sure to collect waivers from all of your jumpers before the festivities begin. If you can, collect them all before the big day. That’ll relieve a lot of pressure. Don’t forget about non-bouncers. If you’ve got parents or older siblings who are staying to help supervise, set up and clean up, be sure you’ve got snacks and beverages available for them while everyone else is jumping. Bounce first. Schedule your big day so that all of the bouncing is done before food and cake are served. Do we really need to explain this one? Little tummies can be sensitive. Let’s try to keep the food on the inside. We hope this little list is helpful! We look forward at seeing you at Rebounderz in Apopka on your big day. #### Throw The Greatest Ninja Warrior Themed Birthday Party Rebounderz in Jacksonville is the best place around to throw your child the most memorable birthday party ever. We’ve got the largest Ninja Warrior course in Florida, a trampoline arena, laser tag, mini bowling, and a tons of other activities. That’s not enough to throw the perfect Ninja Warrior party. You need a little more to make it the real deal. You don’t have to break the bank though. You can make the most of your Ninja Warrior theme without spending an arm and a leg. Here are some tips for making your little one’s special day a treasured family memory. Ninja Warrior Invitations Start out right with invitations that summon those who are brave enough to come and brave the Ninja Warrior challenge. Do-it-yourself invitations, printed on your home printer, are a great and inexpensive place to start. There are dozens of templates available for free download online, and if you’re willing to spend just a little, there are hundreds available for a very small fee. If you are super creative, you can even customize them. If do-it-yourself isn’t something you are up for, you’ll find a lot of on-theme invitations available at your local party store. Ninja Warrior parties are the latest and greatest thing, so everyone’s got a great supply to choose from. Ninja Warrior Prizes One of our favorite ideas is baking sugar cookies and using colored icing to paint them with a Ninja Warrior theme and message. If you poke a hole in your cookies before you bake them, you can run a string through them and if the kids don’t gobble them up right away, they can wear their prize around their neck. Ninja Warrior Cupcakes You’ll find tons of cake toppers to match your theme, but we love the idea of cupcakes. Ninja Warrior cupcake holders are fantastic. Or you can use the same strategy you took with the cookies, and decorate your cupcakes with your theme using colored icing. Ninja Warrior Table Decor From table runners to warrior-shaped cups with straws that the kids can take home with them, we’ve seen it all. Ninja stickers are a huge hit with younger kids. Let’s not lie, the older kids kind of like them too. Ninja temporary tattoos, wrist bands, and mini-ninja figures are all fun. Display them on the table, and let the kids take them all home. Less clean up for you! Ninja Warrior Headbands The kids will love these. Just cut pieces of felt into long strips and decorate them with each child’s name. They can wear them while running the Rebounderz course, and they’ll feel like real ninjas. Ninja Legos We love Ninja Legos. And kids love them too. You can build a whole theme around Ninja Legos. Use a Lego set to decorate the table and give them away as party favors. The simple design of Ninja Legos makes decorating your cake or cupcakes a breeze. We’ve even seen creative lego ninjas carved out of watermelons! Whatever kind of Ninja Warrior theme you choose, you can’t find a better place to hold your party than Rebounderz in Jacksonville. Give us a call, and stop by to check out our Ninja Warrior course, laser tag, trampoline arena and other activities. We’re absolutely certain that your little ninjas will love it! We look forward to seeing you soon. #### Throwing A Kid’s Party Without Losing Your Mind These days, planning and hosting a kid’s birthday party can be intensely difficult. Parents are involved in a bizarre birthday arms race with their peers, and sometime the pressure can seem real to live up to the insane standards of other parents. You can feel like you need to be a professional photographer, provide snacks that are delicious, nutritious, gluten/nut/dairy free and home made, and make decorations and crafts by hand that can be posted on Pinterest. That’s the bad news, but here’s the good news. As so often happens with trends, we’re starting to see a backlash towards party overcompensation. More parents are opting for a party that’s simple, fun, and age-appropriate, and you can do the same. Keep reading, and we’ll share a few tips to help make your child’s next party magical without being maniacal. Creating the guest list can be tricky. Etiquette often states that, for grade-school level kids, invite their entire class. However, with class sizes growing, it can be wildly unrealistic to throw a party for 25-30 kids. Cut down on expenses by keeping the guest list to 10 or less. As your kids get older, they will tell you who they want to invite. It can be a bit of a tricky situation if you have a date in mind for the party, but you discover another parent is planning for the same date. Nobody wants to put the kids in a position where they have to choose which party to attend. Instead, reach out to the other parent and see what their plans are. Throwing a joint party for two kids is an excellent way to increase the fun while decreasing the budget. If they’re not interested, you can always pick another date for your child’s party. It doesn’t matter when your child’s party is, what matters is that it’s fun. When you’re throwing a party for younger kids, 5 years old or younger, it’s likely that they’ll be a little too small to be dropped off for the party. Since the parents of the kids will likely be hanging around, make sure you’ve got enough food and drink for everybody. We’re not saying you need to lay out an adults-only buffet. Parents can handle eating pizza bagels and drinking fruit punch. As long as there’s enough to make everyone feel welcome, you’re in good shape. What if you’re in a financial position where the expense of goodie bags is too much, or your child has so many toys that you don’t want guests arriving with gifts? Easy, set up a party that’s based around an activity or craft. The kids can create an art project of some kind, and their goodie to take home is the finished project. Some parents might feel a little strange arriving empty-handed. For them, suggest they make a donation to a library or a charity in your child’s name. They say that no man (or woman) is an island. If you need help with planning, reach out to friends or family. During the party itself, if you’ll need a hand with wrangling the kids or setting up snacks, ask for assistance ahead of time. Most people are delighted to pitch in, particularly because they know they might need your help for the same thing. #### Throwing A Kid’s Party Without Losing Your Mind-Part 2 When it comes to kid’s birthday parties, there are really two kinds of parents. The first are those who are willing to spend vast amounts of money or spend huge amounts of time in order to create a party that’s so grand it will echo through the ages. Most of us are the second kind. We want our kids to have a good party, but we remember getting some cake and playing pin the tail on the donkey, and we didn’t turn out psychologically scarred. There’s one thing that parents can sometimes lose sight of when it comes to party planning. It’s not about you. In a way, it’s not even about your child being the center of attention or getting a bunch of presents. Instead, it’s about a group of friends coming together to celebrate their friendship. Yesterday, we shared some tips to make the party planning process a little easier, and today, we’d like to share a few more. Start off by talking to your child about what kind of party they want. Depending on the age of your child, this process might involve a little...flexibility on your part. A toddler might just tell you they want a chocolate cake. An older child might insist that everything needs to be pink. That’s okay, just take whatever details they give you and run with it. What if a number of extended family members want to come, and you’re worried about it becoming an impromptu family reunion? Keep the guest list down to a manageable number, and with very young kids, smaller is always better. For family, consider setting up a completely separate family gathering. What if your child was invited to someone else’s party earlier, but the kids aren’t terribly close? We know, figuring out the guest list can be a little thorny. Remember, honoring the social contract isn’t worth it if it makes your child uncomfortable. Instead, reach out to the other child’s parents and suggest a playdate. Either one-on-one time will rekindle the friendship, or everyone will agree that they’re not too close. Back in the day, the common wisdom was that everyone in your child’s class should be invited to a party. But with class sizes expanding, that’s no longer realistic. Don’t send invitations to school.  Instead, find out who your child wants to invite, and send invitations via the mail or by email. That way, you can keep the size manageable and make sure there are no hurt feelings from anyone who isn’t invited. For toddlers and preschoolers, always keep it simple. Water play, colorful balls, bubbles, giant cartons, and simple games are good approaches to take. They won’t appreciate or even care about an elaborate setup, so don’t waste your time. When it comes to older kids, don’t feel like you’re forced to shell out an enormous amount of money to create a great party. Most kids, whatever the age, like making things. You can have them help to make party hats, bake cupcakes together, or creating personalized picture frames that can hold a group shot of everybody that attended. #### Throwing A Kid’s Party Without Losing Your Mind-Part 3 Perspective can be a funny thing sometimes, especially the differences between adults and children. An adult might be planning their kid’s birthday and start thinking, “I remember the Hendersons throwing that amazing party last year with the bouncy castles, the rodeo clown, and the catered BBQ. If I don’t do that for my child, everyone will know I’m a failure.” A child, on the other hand, is probably thinking, “I hope the cake is good again this year.” If there’s one thing that’s true, regardless of age, gender, or country of origin, it’s that human beings like to make things more difficult than they need to be. You child’s party doesn’t need to have the same level of complexity as a military operation. During the last few days, we’ve shared some tips to help make things run a little smoother. Keep reading for the third part of our series on throwing a good party without losing your mind. You know how busy family life can be, and how quickly your calendar can fill up. That’s true for most other families, and that’s why when you’re looking at a date for the party, you want to plan well in advance. We recommend picking a date that’s between three weeks to a month out from when you send the invitations. If you schedule too soon, you run the risk that your guests will have already made plans. But if you schedule too far out, there’s a risk that your party gets forgotten about. Keeping track of RSVP’s is easier than ever. Do a quick search online and you’ll find a number of sites you can use to handle every aspect of the invitation. You can send the invitations out digitally, track who is and isn’t coming, and see if your invitation has been read. Also, you can include maps and driving directions, and have a convenient forum where people can ask questions. Best of all, you can check it on your smartphone whenever you want. Regardless of whether you’re having the party at home or at a venue, easy setup and clean up should be the name of the game. Put all of the party gear in a plastic bin or in the same location, so that on the day of the festivities, you’re not looking everywhere for your stuff. Fill up goodie bags ahead of time. You can keep things convenient and environmentally responsible by ordering biodegradable party supplies. Food is one of the most important (and fun!) aspects of a party. You’ll want to make sure all of your guests have plenty to eat and drink. But diversity is the spice of life, and that’s why it’s a good move to offer a few different dining options. Nuts, fruit, vegetables, crackers, hummus, and popcorn are all excellent snacking options. Speaking of food, more kids than ever have some form of dietary restriction. Kids with nut allergies, dairy intolerance, and gluten issues are commonplace, and nobody wants to go to a party where they can’t eat anything. On your invitations, ask guests to let you know about any food restrictions, then plan out the menu accordingly. #### Throwing the Perfect Emoji Movie Party Some summers, Disney is on the forefront of everyone’s mind with their next summer blockbuster. Earlier this year it was Moana, which is a fantastic movie, but the one that people are now talking about is actually by Sony and Columbia Pictures. Just recently released, kids are swarming to The Emoji Movie! As an adult, you’re probably wonder how a company could make a feature length movie about emojis that we use on our phones and online every day. The answer is surprisingly simple. The movie follows Gene, a “meh” emoji, who has so many more emotions to express than just “meh.” So with this in mind, how do you throw your child the best kid’s birthday party ever seen based on The Emoji Movie? Let us here at Rebounderz of Sterling show you how to make this happen with minimal hassle. Room Choice The first thing you will want to do is call us up here at Rebounderz of Sterling and talk with one of our event coordinators in order to book your child’s birthday party. You’ll have several private rooms to choose from, but for an Emoji Movie-themed party, you’ll probably want to pick our polka dot room. It’s a happy and neutral room that just screams smiley faces. This makes it easy to set the mood and get your point across. Decorations Decorations can really make the theme pop. Find banners with emojis or smiley faces to put up on the walls. Perhaps the local party store also has an Emoji Movie tablecloth. That’s something you don’t want to forget to pick up. In addition to these things, see if you can find some awesome emoji masks, or make them yourself, in order to place at each child’s seat for them to wear during the party! Dodgeball For the main event, let the kids wear their masks and challenge each other to a rousing game of dodgeball. In order to keep this movie themed, set the stage for the kiddos. Break them up into two teams and tell them that one team is the firewall and the other team is Gene and his friends. They’ll immediately get this reference and have a blast. You can also encourage them to play a capture the flag version of dodgeball as well; that way, the emoji team really does have to get past the firewall. Cake You can’t have a kid’s birthday party without a cake, and here at Rebounderz of Sterling, that’s one of the few things you will have to supply. We supply the pizza and beverages, plus any add-ons you would like, but it’s important to remember the cake or cupcakes. For The Emoji Movie, cupcakes could be the perfect choice. Have the baker decorate the cupcakes in all different emojis and kids can pick their favorites. Or opt for one big cake with the main character Gene on it. You can also get creative and go for craft cookies that are shaped like a smartphone with different emojis on the screens. The options are literally endless. Gift Bags No kid likes to leave a birthday party without a little goodie bag. And as a parent, it can actually be a lot of fun putting together party favors. Whether you just want to do a few small things or your find a cool gift for kids, you’ll be more appreciated when you send kids home with sugar. For The Emoji Movie party theme, you could go a couple of ways with gift bags. You could opt for different candies, ones that fit the movie, like mini cellphones with candy or smiley face suckers. Or you can pack a goodie bag full of fun, smiley face toys, such as stickers, stress balls, and keychains. “After Party” While kids don’t need an “after party,” there are a few things you can do to make your child’s day just that much better. Invite just one or two friends home from the party and head over to the theaters for a showing of The Emoji Movie. Also, consider having a sleepover with these friends too so that the fun just never ends. Here at Rebounderz of Sterling, we’re always on the latest trends and work hard to make your child’s birthday as special as they are. Contact us today to book your event at our Sterling location! #### Throwing the Ultimate Trampoline Birthday Party Back in the old days, planning a kid’s birthday party was easy. You’d invite everyone, have a couple of party games, load the kids up with a blast of sugar from the cake, and that’s that. But for kids today, that kind of birthday bash would be a disappointment. For parents, though, we’re stuck in a tricky spot. On the one hand, we might feel like we need to compete with other families throwing wildly elaborate shindigs. On the other hand, you don’t want to have to take out a home loan to afford the party. So what should you do? While we might be a touch biased, we think there’s one obvious solution to throwing a party that will be memorable for your children, and that’s booking a trampoline birthday party! What’s better than that! The kids get to go nuts, the adults get to relax, and there’s virtually no clean-up after it’s over. Read on, and we’ll give you a few tips to help make the planning a piece of cake. The vast majority of trampoline parks require that a waiver is signed for everyone that jumps, and no kid wants to be the one left out because their parents didn’t sign one. When you send out invitations, waivers can frequently be filled out online. It can be lots of fun to take photos mid-bounce, but who wants to risk their precious smartphone? A great way to catch these unique moments is to have an instant camera on hand. Encourage the kids to take photos of each other, and pictures can come home to show their parents. At most trampoline birthday parties, the food arrives after everyone finishes jumping. We’re sure you can understand why! But for some non-jumpers, they might get a little peckish while they’re waiting. Having a few snacks on hand are always a good idea. Along similar lines, remember that bouncing burns lots of calories, so make sure you either have plenty of water, or guests know where a water fountain is located. At parties like this, sometimes it can be confusing remembering which guest brought what gift. Keep a notepad of sticky notes on hand. As guests arrive, you can quickly note all of the gifts. That way all gifts can be easily identified, and writing thank-you notes later gets a bit simpler. Many trampoline parks sell, along with food and drinks, different souvenirs. The most common kinds are water bottles and grippy socks, which help keep kids from sliding on the trampolines. It might be more convenient to give each guest a pair of socks and a water bottle filled with cold water. Both items will be useful, and they’ll act as mementos of a fun day. If you have a big family, lots of friends, and money is no object, you can consider renting out the entire facility for a private event. Most places can handle private parties, and having the entire place to yourself is extremely cool. Ultimately, there are lots of directions you can go if you decide to throw a trampoline birthday party. Just remember to schedule it well in advance, and you can create an event to remember. #### Tiny Tot Playtime and the Benefits of Socialization Here at Rebounderz of Lansdale, we work hard to make sure there are a variety of activities and programs for all of our guests. This even includes the littlest jumpers age five and under. Each week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for two hours, we close off the Jumper and the foam pit for your tiny tykes. Bring in your child for Toddler Time with Rebounderz of Lansdale for the best in playtime and socialization activities just for this age group. So come, stay, and play for the following benefits. Specialized Playtime The number one reason that you and your child should head to Toddler Time at our Rebounderz trampoline park in Lansdale is for this specialized playtime. Not often do little tykes get the opportunity to get on the “big kid” play apparatuses in a controlled environment in order to play, discover, and explore. This specialized playtime will help your child’s motor skills develop and help them learn about new experiences in a controlled way. This allows you the opportunity to help your child build confidence in their skills and in their world. Safety By having a designated playtime for tots, we’re helping to improve the safety of the Rebounderz experience. Safety is always of the utmost importance to each and every individual that works at Rebounderz. Because playing at a trampoline park is so active, it could be easy for a small child to get injured when on the main equipment with everyone else. This is not an ideal situation for everyone. Providing independent time where tots can be the “big kids” on the trampolines makes sure that they aren’t run over, knocked down, or injured in any way due to the sheer size difference. Toddler Time is always parent and Referee monitored as well to make sure that the kids are playing in a safe manner the entire time. Socialization for Them While child care may not be your go-to option for your little one, day cares and other social activities play a key role in a child’s social development. Playtime with other kids of the same age helps kids to develop social skills like communication and sharing. This helps them to develop these critical group skills early on instead of waiting until primary school in order to dedicate time towards their social skills. This is key in mental development as well, including speech and nonverbal communication. Adult Conversation for You If you’re a stay at home parent and spend most of your waking time with your children, it can often be difficult to find productive adult conversation that doesn’t make you feel so alone. In the United Kingdom, a survey found that one of the leading contributors to loneliness among adults was having a child. When you come to Rebounderz twice a week with your tot, you’ll still have to keep a general eye on your child, but you’ll also get the chance to chat and mingle with other parents who have children of the same age. Not only does your child get socialization time, but so do you. If you’re looking for something fun and unique so your tot can have fun and socialize, bring them to Toddler Time at Rebounderz of Lansdale. Come have fun at your local trampoline park any time with your family!   #### Tips For a Beginner’s Trampoline Workout There’s a lot you can do at an indoor trampoline park. Sure, most people think of it as a place to take the kids and let them go bonkers for a few hours. Maybe you’ll even reminisce a little about the days of childhood when you’d climb onto a backyard trampoline and bounce for hours. But for more and more people, trampoline parks are a place to cut loose and get an intense cardiovascular workout. The good news is, bouncing on a trampoline is still as much fun as an adult as it was when you were a kid. The better news is that you can still have all that fun, along with excellent cardio training, improving your balance, and boost your cardiovascular endurance. If you’re ready to get started, read on, and we’ll share a few easy steps to start your trampoline workout. First thing you’ll do is easy, and that’s simply bounce. Bouncing is great for you, and it can help to tone up your glutes, quads, and calves. When you’re on the trampoline, put your legs at approximately shoulder width and keep your legs slightly bent. Lightly bounce by keeping your feet planted, but make sure not to lock your knees. Get a good rhythm going, then let yourself leave go up in the air, 4 to 6 inches. Do this for a few minutes, and when your heart rate is elevated, you’re ready to move on. Now that you’ve gotten warmed up, it’s time for you to move onto prancing. You’re better off doing this exercise on a trampoline, because your heart rate will go up, but the flexibility of the trampoline is easier on your joints, feet, and leg muscles. As you’re bouncing, switch to prancing by alternating bringing your knees up slightly, only 6-10 inches. Try to keep your toes pointed downwards. After a few minutes of prancing, transition over to doing a light jog. While you can stick with this as long as you want, an ideal workout is about 20 minutes of jogging. To factor in some upper body exercise, add in some light weights. Next, you’re going to begin extreme jumping. All you’ll do is jump higher, and either bring your knees to chest level or your feet up to the height of your seat. If you want to ease into this exercise, use a stability bar if one is available. By now, you’ve managed to burn more calories in 10 minutes of this exercise than you would have in a 20 minute jog. That’s because the higher you bounce, the harder your muscles have to work to keep you oriented when you’re coming down. By now, you can either cool down and reverse the order of the workout, or you can finish with trampoline squats. Stand still with your feet together, then jump into a squat and finish by returning to the starting pose. Your back should be lengthened and your knees bent far enough so that the thighs are parallel to the ground. Do this for 25 repetitions, and you’ll eventually strengthen your core in a big way. #### Tips for a Fit Kid   Rebounderz is proud to be part of a healthy lifestyle for people of all ages. While we have a variety of customers, young people are at the heart of our business; we love providing them with a safe place to gather and to be physically active. The Struggle is Real In the last 30 years, childhood obesity in America has mushroomed. According to the CDC, the number of obese children has gone from 7 percent in 1980 to almost 18 percent in 2012. As a result of obesity, children can face a number of serious medical issues, from Type 2 Diabetes to clinical depression. Fitness is a Lifestyle Both children who need to lose weight and those who don’t need to, can learn that fitness is not something you do periodically to reach a goal, but instead that it needs to be a lifestyle. Rebounderz offers programs for all ages so that we can play a role in a healthy lifestyle. To learn some tips to help your family embrace a healthy, fit lifestyle, keep reading! The Right Fuel Eating a healthy diet is as essential as moving in your fitness equation since what you are looking for is a healthy ratio of calories taken in and energy expended. For kids who need to lose weight, watching what the eat has to be something they take ownership of. Forcing a child to eat what they don’t want to or restricting their food extremely can backfire and cause unhealthy eating habits. When a person takes ownership of their food intake it is much more likely to stick with them as opposed to something that they are compelled to eat. An Electronic Diet Few and far between is the person who doesn’t need to just put down the electronics these days. Parents answer emails, pay bills and read the news all on devices. Kids text and snapchat their friends and check their homework assignments and everyone is busy catching Pokemon! Ok Pokemon is great for exercise but the rest of those activities are usually done sitting down. Set limits on afterschool TV / electronics too. Turning off all electronic 90 minutes before bed is recommended to help kids sleep too. Move Daily School-aged kids need to get outside to run around before school, a sort of at home recess. So, turn off the breakfast time TV and send them outside as soon as they are done with breakfast. Kids will get to burn off energy so they’ll concentrate at school better and sleep better when they are tired from being active. Rebounderz Rohnert Park is proud to be a part of kids healthy lives. We have kids come to Rohnert Park from across Marin, Sonoma and Napa Counties, from Santa Rosa to Napa. Make Moving Fun It’s not every kid who will jump at the chance to pick up jogging or voluntarily attend a fitness class. For those kids, making exercise fun is the key to improving their fitness. Finding calorie burning, energy expending activities that are fun can be hard. Some kids want to learn to sail, others to play dodge ball. At Rebounderz Rohnert Park, we have a huge space filled with a variety of activities. Bring your kids and see which ones he or she gravitates to. When you find that one, you know you can depend on it to get your kid moving in the direction of fitness.   Show it Off! Show your kids you are proud of them being active by posting pictures of them being active with the hashtag #FitKid! It’s a worldwide trend and you can add to it with your own images and activities! Come to Rebounderz and jump, and play your way to fitness! Explore our site to see what activities would get your kids excited and come and play with them! #### Tips for a Stress Free Kid's Birthday Party   At Rebounderz in Rohnert Park, we know how stressful it can be to plan and throw a birthday party for kids. Too many times parents end up so stressed out, they aren’t able to enjoy this special day. Kids notice when their parents are anxious, and often, it will make them feel the same. Parties are supposed to be fun! That’s why we’re going to run down some recommendations for throwing a stress free and fun birthday party that both you and your child can enjoy. Making it feel special When it’s your birthday, it’s hard not to feel like it’s pretty special. Especially when you’re young, adding a year to your age is a very momentous occasion. But if you throw elaborate parties every single year, the stress of wanting to top the previous year is hard to avoid. Try smaller events, like a day out at the zoo or the movies or a sleepover with a friend or two. Smaller get-togethers are much easier to organize, and it makes a big blowout birthday party every couple of years really feel exciting. Keep it manageable Decide early on how many guests your child will be able to invite. A great trick that many parents use is to allow one guest per year of the child’s age. While class-wide parties become common once kids reach school age, that can be unruly and difficult to organize. This can be avoided by giving out invitations after school and helping your child understand how important it is to be discreet about who they invite. Nobody wants hurt feelings! RSVPs If you are going to be having a party with a larger number of guests, RSVPs can take out a lot of the guesswork that comes with planning a gathering. Though they are incredibly helpful in letting you know what to expect, it’s entirely possible that an RSVP will get lost in the shuffle. It’s recommended to plan on a few extra guests past who respond to the invitation with extra food or seats just in case. RSVPs are there to reduce the stress that comes with party planning, not add more. Simplification where possible While printed invitations are nice, they can become a hassle to design, make, and distribute, especially when you don’t enjoy making things like that. Nowadays, paper-free invitations through email or social media are much easier to make and have built-in functionality to track who will be able to make it. Decorations can be great, but they shouldn’t break the bank considering most items will only be for a one-time use. A few balloons and some streamers with color matching plates and napkins do the trick to make a fun and festive atmosphere for your party. Set expectations It’s incredibly important for you to clearly convey what’s going to be offered at the party. If it’s going to be a full pizza party with ice cream and cake, you obviously don’t want all the guests to have just eaten a big dinner. Likewise, if it’s going to be smaller with some snacks and cake, letting the other parents know will help ensure the kids have eaten beforehand. Rethink goodie bags Goodie bags and party favors are definitely generous, but their value is lost as soon as the party ends. If you want to retain the spirit of generosity goodie bags carry, try having a group crafting activity. This will send them home with something they actually made, which has far more sentimental value than a plastic noisemaker or paper hat. Taking a group photo is also great, as it’s easily shared and can be kept for years to come. Be sure you get the email addresses for all the guests’ parents so you can pass along this keepsake after the party has ended. Managing your stress is key to throwing a party that is enjoyable for everyone involved. Keep it simple, manage expectations, and think outside the box to overcome party anxiety. And, if you’re looking for the perfect place to have your child’s birthday party, check out Rebounderz in Rohnert Park! With tons of activities, a safe indoor trampoline park, and a ninja warrior course designed with kids in mind, we know we’ll elevate your kid’s birthday party to the next level. #### Tips For Building Confidence In Kids If you're like just about every other parent, your end goal is to create the best possible life for your child. However, as there is no actual rule book for raising children, people often employ varying tactics to achieve this goal to different degrees of success. There's no surefire way to raise kids a certain way, but there are some things you can do to build their confidence so they feel ready to take on adulthood when the time comes. Here at Rebounderz, we're big on building up confidence and socialization through fun activities at our Apopka trampoline park. Here are some other tips for building confidence in kids. Earned Praise and Rewards Praise and rewards are a double edged sword. They are essentially an incentive tool, which means you have to be careful what you're incentivizing. The key to using praise and rewards correctly is save them for when they are genuinely earned. It may seem like a net gain in the moment, giving in when a kid is throwing a tantrum, but in the end all you're doing is incentivizing tantrum throwing. Make sure that the tools you're giving your kids will help them, rather than harm them, later in life by incentivizing the right traits. Teach them WHEN to be confident, on top of HOW to be confident. Let Them Take Risks We live in a world of cause and effect, and let's face it, most adults still seem to struggle with this concept. Instilling an understanding of how things are interrelated is extremely important not just for confidence building, but for success as well. Unfortunately, human beings don't learn well by being told something, but rather by doing it. The lesson a child gets from a parent telling them "Too much sugar will make you sick", is very different than the lesson a child gets from being told that, on top of eating too much sugar and getting sick. A parent's job is not to eliminate risk, but to mitigate it. Let your child make mistakes (within reason, of course), and be there to pick them up when they fall. Give Them Responsibilities Any parent can tell you that children love mimicking adults. It's a big part of how they grow up. Kill two birds with one stone by giving them responsibilities around the house to keep up with. This will not only give you a much needed break from chores, but will also build up a sense of confidence and work ethic in your child. It's important to keep the chores within the range of what your child can comfortably handle, and to be aware when other factors might exacerbate stress, or else these responsibilities can backfire and promote negative feelings of self worth. Unconditional Love While your rewards should be conditional, your love should be boundless. It's important for a child to know that whatever happens, their parents will still love them. Without that knowledge, the risk of failure can be crippling. The world is scary enough even with someone in your corner, so make sure to let your kids know you'll always be there for them! Incorporate Failure Failure is not something to be shunned; it is, in fact, an integral part of success. The earlier this is instilled in childhood, the more willing your kid will be to learn about the world. Rather than punish a child for failure, see if it can't be used as a learning opportunity. Did they forget to make up their bed this morning? Ask them why. Maybe they're having trouble sleeping, and need to move bedtime up. Maybe they don't understand the importance of keeping their bed made. Maybe they just forgot. Whatever the reason, engage their critical thinking skills so they can learn how to regulate their behavior. Join in Team Activities Socialization is a huge part of building confidence in kids. Coordinated activities are the perfect type of socialization to not only build confidence in kids, but also the interpersonal awareness to use that confidence in conjunction with others towards a common goal.   Hopefully these tips help you engage better with your child. If you're looking to build confidence through fun team activities, Rebounderz has them in spades here at our Apopka trampoline park. Give us a call for more information about our attractions and activities. We look forward to hearing from you! #### Tips For Buying a Home Trampoline As an indoor trampoline park, we completely understand the wide appeal of trampolines. There’s something thrilling about getting a good bounce on, and feeling that moment at the apex of your jump, where maybe gravity won’t pull you back down, and this time you’ll just go flying off into the clouds. Not only that, but bouncing is an amazing workout, both more fun and more effective than jogging. Like we said, we get it. That’s why we have longtime returning customers, and some of them opt to continue the fun by buying their own trampoline and setting it up at home. But there are a few features that matter, and they’re ones you likely didn’t consider when you bounced on a trampoline as a kid. To help you make the right purchase for your family and yourself, read on for some helpful tips for buying a trampoline. One of the first things to consider is the weight limit of the trampoline. Are you buying something small for a toddler or a more durable tramp that can handle a bunch of rambunctious teenagers? Every trampoline made will have the weight limit listed prominently by the manufacturer, and it's critically important to consider the weight before you buy. Next, you’ll want to consider whether or not your trampoline is going to have an enclosure attached. Most enclosures are a tightly woven mesh, and they’re designed to keep people from flying off the edge if a bounce sends them in the wrong direction. Are enclosures necessary? Well, that’s up to you. We will tell you that, out of 100,000 children aged 4 or under, about 70 of those kids will be injured on the trampoline. For kids aged from 5-14, there are approximately 160 injuries per 100,000 kids. If you’re a parent, you likely know that kids aged 5 and under don’t usually have a great command of balance, and can often fall down while just standing. As a result, stability bars can be a smart move. While they will limit the amount of jumping that can be done, they’re a great way for smaller kids to begin mastering balance while staying safe. One of the most common problems people run into with trampolines is the dual issue of where it will go and how much space it will take up. Most people underestimate how much space their trampoline will occupy. Before making a purchase, get the precise measurements and measure it out at the place where you’re putting it. We shouldn’t have to tell you this, but never, never put a trampoline on a hard surface like concrete. Always place it on grass. Falling off a trampoline into the grass could hurt, but falling onto concrete will absolutely hurt. Along similar lines, safety is a big deal when it comes t a trampoline, and today’s models often have excellent features. Sturdy padding on the springs prevents painful pinches from occurring, a durable frame prevents a collapse, no-gap enclosures keeps jumpers from falling through a hole they didn’t notice, and rust resistant springs help the trampoline last longer and stay stronger. #### Tips for Getting through the Ninja Warrior Course When you watch American Ninja Warrior, you may find yourself in awe of the competitors that put themselves to the test each week. Don’t worry, we’re in awe too. However, if you love the thrill, you can try out a Ninja Warrior course for yourself in Sunrise, FL. As the premier trampoline park in the Miami area, Rebounderz of Sunrise provides a variety of attractions, including a unique and ever fun Ninja Warrior course to test your own skills on. However, before you jump on the course, keep the following tips in mind and you’re sure to do better than you would have if you just went for it. Visualize the Course For any sport, one of the best things you can do is visualize what you’re going to do before you do it. If you’re a springboard diver, you visualize and practice the motions of the dive. If you’re a football player, you’re going to visualize passes and catches as well as the different plays that you will be running in order to improve your accuracy. Attempting a Ninja Warrior course is no different. Inspect the course that you will be tackling and visualize yourself on each obstacle. Are there obstacles that “trip” you up and your initial plan doesn’t seem viable? Are their obstacles that you could tackle differently? Visualize the whole course to help you plan out your route. Practice Obstacles Independently While it may seem like a great idea to just go for it and power through the course obstacles that are hard for you, those are the ones you’re going to want to practice over and over again. Practicing specific obstacles independently can help you improve your movements through them and help you to make it through the course easier than if you just take your time on the obstacles that you’re already good at. Shake It Out The goal of any Ninja Warrior course is to get through it as quickly as possible without falling. While that sounds easy, it’s important to actually take a moment when you are able. Between each obstacle is a green platform that you can stand on. Take a second to stretch out your hands, shake out your arms, and let your body relax before tackling the next obstacle. Your body will thank you for this kindness and it will also be able to last longer even if you just take a moment to breathe. Use Your Whole Body You may find that some obstacles in a Ninja Warrior course use mostly upper body strength or use mostly your legs. This may seem like the case, however, no matter which obstacle you’re taking on you’ll want to get your whole body involved. This will increase your chances of success greatly. The Ninja Warrior course at Rebounderz of Sunrise is not only fun, but also challenging. With these tips, you’ll be a step ahead in being able to complete the obstacles you’re presented with. And if you’re just looking for a great day with the family, stop on by the trampoline park and bounce to your heart’s content. Call us today for more information about our attractions! #### Tips For Helping Your Child Focus Here at Rebounderz, we know the importance of giving kids a place to run around, expend energy, play, and have fun. That's why we offer so many fun activities at our Lansdale trampoline park. But we also know the importance of instilling focus in children. Parents are busy, and don't always have time to think about how to instill traits like focus in their children. To help, here are some tips for instilling focus in your kids. Give Them Appropriate Time for Tasks As adults, we often forget that every human being needs to learn something before they know it. We have ideas in our heads about how long something "should" take to learn, but the reality is that everybody learns in their own way at their own pace. Keep that in mind when trying to teach your kids new ideas or tasks that they've never done before, even if it gets frustrating. Don't Make Them Multitask It's unfortunate that so much of the adult world relies on multitasking, because research shows clearly that it greatly diminishes both concentration and performance. When teaching your child something new, let them put all of their mental faculties into learning it, rather than piling it onto a list of things to do/learn. Set Aside Time Off Screen You may have heard about all the studies going on about the effects of all this media on our brains. There is just too much going on in these mediums to stay focused on one thing, and they're a huge distraction to have around when trying to focus on other things. A family ban on media and cell phones during dinner, chores, and other allotted times can get your children used to thinking without those distractions. Make Focusing a Habit Chores, a todo list, any regular activity that requires your kids to focus on a daily basis is going to better their ability to pay attention. The trick is to not overload them, because if they are too stressed then focus will never give them the reward that is essential to building habits. Take Time to Rest This one is just as important for adults as it is for teaching kids to focus, although kids do require more rest. Generally, adults require a break from concentration every 45 minutes or so before it starts to wane. For kids, you want to take a break every 15-20 minutes. Let them get up, walk around, maybe have a snack. Not only will this rejuvenate them for the task at hand, but if they are learning something it will improve their retention.   Hopefully some of these tips prove helpful. If you would like to reward your child for their focus, consider taking them out for a fun day at our Lansdale trampoline park. We also host kid's birthday parties for their special day. If you have any questions about our hours, policies, or attractions, feel free to give one of our representatives a call. They will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. #### Tips For Helping Your Kid Master Dodgeball Here at Rebounderz, we love dodgeball. That is why we have our own in the air dodgeball course at our Lansdale trampoline park. While there is no better place to practice the sport, and have fun doing it, your kid still needs to know what to aim for if they are ever going to become a dodgeball champion! To help them on that journey, we thought we would list some expert dodgeball tips here. Throwing Your throw will benefit greatly from a one hand grip (you can't throw as well with two hands). For the kiddos who may have trouble doing this yet, try using the seams and logos on the ball for a better hold. When you throw, aim for the bottom half of a person. They will have to reach further to catch the ball, which decreases their chances. This way you can minimize the outs you get from having your balls caught. Throw from the halfway point, as this minimizes the distance the ball will have to travel, increasing your chances of making a hit. Don't throw by yourself. When you coordinate your attacks as a team, the recipient of your throws will not be able to catch more than one ball at once, and will get an out. Catching While you want to catch as many balls as possible, it's better not to go for those risky ones. Especially if you are winning, a failed catch can get you an out when you least expect it. Keep your feet planted and crouch low for a catch. Your team will likely be throwing at your legs, so this way there's no extra movement than moving your hands within their reach. Position Don't group up with your teammates, spread out across the course evenly. Otherwise you create a larger target, and it's harder to catch when everybody is crowded together. Don't stay in the line of sight of your teammates. If you were to dodge a ball thrown at you while blocking their view, they wouldn't be able to see it coming. Always face the opposition; you can't catch or dodge a ball if you don't see it coming. Objective Target your most skilled opponents first. If you can take them out in the beginning of the game, it's pretty much in the bag. Unless you're on the verge of losing, choose your throws carefully. Every throw may be an opportunity to get the other team out, but it is also an opportunity for them to catch your throw and get you out. All other things being equal, it is the judicious team that wins. Hopefully these tips help your little one on their path to dodgeball mastery! If they want to practice their game and have a fun night out all at the same time, take them by our Lansdale trampoline park. They can enjoy our dodgeball park and our many other attractions. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about our attractions. One of our team members will be happy to provide any answers you need. #### Tips for Helping Your Kids Eat Healthy As parents, keeping our kids healthy is a priority. One of the best ways to do that is through exercise, and you can’t do much better than bouncing around in a trampoline place. But the fact is, we’re in the middle of an obesity epidemic that affects kids and adults alike, and regular exercise won’t completely do the trick. Sure, regular movement and cardio is excellent for building muscle and dropping the pounds. But eating healthy is the key. It’s tough enough to eat healthily, but things can get even more difficult when you’re meal planning for kids. Along with that, the majority of our junk food consumption happens when we snack. Don’t get us wrong, there’s a place for sweets and chips, but those should be consumed in extreme moderation. Keep reading, and we’ll share a few tips to help your kids, and you, eat healthier. First, keep junk food out of the house. If it’s not there, it won’t be a temptation for anyone in the family. While snacks are a normal part of the day’s food consumption, try setting a good example for your kids and snack healthy yourself. As far as treats are concerned, save them for special occasions. Not only will fewer sweets be better for your body, you’ll appreciate them more by having them less. Protein is a great dietary staple, because it will help your child feel fuller faster, and for a longer period of time. If you’re okay with eating meats, deli meats and cooked chicken tenders can be a good choice, along with hard boiled eggs. If you’re leaning more vegetarian, nuts and nut butters are bursting with protein, as are noodles. Beans are another great choice, and a bean burrito with salsa and a little cheese will do the trick. Remember a while ago when people were encouraged to cut carbs out completely and eat meats? It turns out that carbs can be okay, particularly if you focus on whole-grain foods. Making a sandwich with whole-grain bread, or a wrap using a whole-grain tortilla can be satisfying. For breakfast, try whole grain and high fiber cereals for a tasty and filling meal. Fruits and vegetables are the name of the game. For younger kids, their variety of bright colors can make them appealing for snacks and main meals. Pineapples, watermelons, mangoes, avocados, red and green peppers are all a good option, along with the traditional standbys of apples, bananas, and grapes. A yogurt dip for fruit is yummy and nutritious, as is peanut butter on celery, bananas, or apples. Don’t feel like breakfast foods need to be stuck in the AM. Using them as afternoon snacks can keep things spontaneous and interesting. A little dried cereal mixed up with nuts and fruits is healthy and filling. You can also microwave oatmeal with a little low-fat milk, then mix it with some unsweetened applesauce and a pinch of cinnamon. Ultimately, eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult or unpleasant. All you need to do is replace bad habits with good habits, and the process can be simpler and less expensive. Come back tomorrow, and we’ll share a few more tips with you! #### Tips for Summer Fun with Your Kids from the Rebounderz Team   We’d love it if you spent every summer day with your kids here at the Rebounderz Trampoline Arena in Sunrise, but we know that expectation isn’t very realistic. We’ll be very happy seeing you just two or three times a week. What to Do You know that, sometimes, your children are going to have to stay home with you. After they’ve spent the school year having almost every minute of their day planned for them, this free time can be a little tough on them, and on you. They want you to entertain them. You want them to entertain themselves. And, sometimes, you entertain each other. The latter is our favorite kind of time. For those times when you just can’t make it down to see us, here are our ideas for some fun, summer-time activities. Bug Hunts You’d be surprised how many different kinds of bugs there are in your backyard. If you live in an area prone to snakes or gators, this might not be the best activity. But if you’ve got a safe, fenced-in space, a bug safari can be great fun. Send your kids out with jars, nets, hats, and notebooks. They can catch and catalog all kinds of critters. When they’re done, you can spend some time with them looking up the names of their prey and learning about the role they play in your garden’s ecosystem. If you get there in time, you can facilitate their safe release. Chalk Art A tried-and-true standby, we still love chalk art. As a matter of fact, we sometimes have a hard time not joining in. There’s something about drawing all over the sidewalk or driveway that makes us feel, well, naughty. It feels like you are getting away with something. Thank goodness for chalk! Backyard Campout Have a backyard campout! Your kids can spend the afternoon planning their evening, setting up a tent, and gathering all of their supplies, like flashlights, snacks, pillows and walkie talkies. You’ll just have to do a run-through before the campers head out to make sure they’ve actually got everything they need. Make sure you’ve got one of those walkie talkies too! Have your kids leave their electronics in the house for their campout. Let them tell each other ghost stories and spend time stargazing. Dance Party We love a good dance party! This week, you can have an 80s dance party, and next week, it can be all about the 50’s. Kids love Elvis! Just turn on the music and they’re off and dancing. Maybe if you host the neighborhood kids in a dance party, your neighbors will return the favor. You could even end up with a day all to yourself. We know you love your kids. Wanting a day to yourself does not make you a bad parent. Trust us. Paper Airplanes Do you remember making paper airplanes when you were a kid? We do! We remember spending hours with the other neighborhood children trying to get the design just right, depending on whether we were trying to achieve speed or distance. We’d tweak each design just a little bit to see what happened. An added bonus is that your kids will be learning scientific principles, and they won’t even know it. Board Games This is another thing we remember from long summer days. Games of Monopoly would last for hours and get ultra-competitive. At the end of the day, play a family game of Yahtzee. That’s fun for everyone, and it helps the little ones learn some math skills. Read a Book Kids who don’t read for enjoyment are missing out on a special experience. Encourage your child to read by starting with short stories or graphic novels. Better yet, read with them. Let them read a page, and then read a page to them. You’ll be surprised how much fun you have. Have a great summer. We’ll see you here at Rebounderz in Sunrise tomorrow! Or maybe the day after that. #### Tips for Teaching Your Child Responsibility As you raise a child, there are many things you need to teach them to ensure they are well-adjusted and successful through their life. One of the most important traits to teach a child is a sense of responsibility. Without responsibility, there is a sense of entitlement where they expect the world will do everything for them. Responsible people take proactive action to get things done quickly and properly, which is a great quality to have no matter how old someone is. With that said, we have gathered some tips to help you teach your child responsibility. One responsibility children can benefit from is taking control over their health and fitness. Bring them to Rebounderz in Lansdale to show them how fun physical activity can be! -Start Teaching Them Young If you try to teach a teenager responsibility when they haven’t had those expectations previously, you’re much more likely to get push-back on what you ask them to do. At that point, entitlement has already started to set in, and they’re much less likely to follow through on chores or other responsibilities. Instead, start teaching your child about responsibility when they’re young — around toddler age — so they have an understanding of what is expected of them early in their life. Small activities such as putting away toys when they’re done playing is a perfect level of responsibility to start off with. -Invite Them To Help We know housework is probably not your favorite thing to do, but you can make it fun while teaching your child about responsibility. Make it a team activity and let your child help out, even if that makes it take a bit longer to complete. If you’re handwashing dishes, have your kiddo dry them off and put them away. This is a great opportunity to teach your little one about taking ownership of their area, which will give them pride when they take care of it. Having them help with a chore that has multiple steps will also teach them about breaking tasks into pieces to make them more manageable. -Get On Their Level As you’re teaching your child anything, especially responsibility, it’s important to do it at their skill level. If you throw them into an activity that is too intense for them, it will cause them to lock up and avoid responsibility in the future. Show them how to finish simple tasks that they would need to know how to do. For instance, if your kid wants a snack, show them where the fruit is and how to clean it off. This will allow them to do this sort of thing on their own in the future. When you start off small and show them how to do things, it gives them a greater sense of self-sufficiency and makes them more likely to take on more responsibility as they get older. -Set a Good Example Kids learn a lot about how to act from watching their parents. When you show them how to take responsibility through your own actions, they understand that is just a normal part of life. However, just because you’re setting an example doesn’t mean they should just be a bystander watching what you do. Make it an inclusive activity, saying something like, “Now that dinner is done, we put our dishes in the sink.” Have the rest of the family participate as well to show everyone has things they are responsible for. The more you do this, the easier it is for a habit to take hold. -Give Them Praise Children enjoy helping out, because it gives them a chance to feel involved with “grown-up stuff”. You can make this an even more positive experience by praising them for taking responsibility for specific actions. For instance, saying “I’m very proud of you for putting away your toys!” gives them appropriate and specific praise tied to something they’ve accomplished. This will foster a sense of ownership over their actions and an understanding of the value of a job well done. -Manage Your Expectations When you are teaching your child about responsibility, it is important to keep your expectations in check. When they’re just learning about how to do something, the quality of the work might not be at a high level. They might make their bed and it’s a little uneven, but that’s ok. Avoid criticizing them and instead show your gratitude for them trying. The next time you make your bed, invite your child to watch so they can learn your tricks to make it easier. -Avoid Rewards While rewarding good behavior is certainly ok in moderation, when you initially start teaching them about responsibility it is better to make completing something a reward in its own right. A rewards system can make them expect to be rewarded anytime they do something that is expected of them. This makes it more about what they get out of doing something instead of taking responsibility because it’s the right thing to do. Reserve rewards for activities that go above and beyond what is typically expected of them. -Make it Structured Kids get the most out of situations with structure and order, because it prevents things from from getting out of control. Setting up a morning and afternoon routine will give them a checklist of things they need to take care of every day. For example, a routine where they need to brush their teeth, eat breakfast, and get ready for school will give them a structure for their responsibilities. Whether you want to give it a specific order to make it easier or allow them to choose when they complete tasks, having them listed out can help give them direction. When you teach them about structure and routine, you can carry that over to their homework and other responsibilities they’ll take on as they get older. -Teach Them Consequences Every responsibility carries with it a consequence if it is not completed. Helping your child understand this will teach them exactly why they are doing specific things. Explain to your child that if they don’t brush their teeth when they’re supposed to, they’ll get a cavity. Another example is that the trash will overflow and stink if it isn’t taken out regularly. Teach them that even if there aren’t consequences in that direct way, there will be consequences in the form of being unable to do something they want to. Responsibilities need to come first before we can have fun. When you show them there are rules and what happens if they ignore their responsibilities, they will be more likely to follow through without too much pushing. This lesson carries more power when you avoid doing things for your child that they should be doing on their own. It not only shows them the consequences of not doing what is expected of them, it prevents them from feeling like they’re entitled to someone taking care of it for them. Responsibility is one of the most valued and important traits a person can have, no matter how old they are. When you teach your child early about why it is important to take responsibility, they will grow up with a stronger work ethic and a pride in a job well done. For a great way to teach your child about being responsible for their health, bring them to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Lansdale! It’s a fun way to stay healthy. #### Tips On Incentivizing Children Through Rewards There is no rule book for raising children, and we all want our little ones to grow up into healthy, responsible adults. One of the best ways to do that is by understanding and applying incentives. Incentives are a useful tool for motivating adults, and are even more powerful to impressionable minds, but also require a little more nuance. Since we here at Rebounderz provide one of the ultimate incentives for kids, our Edison trampoline park, we would like to provide some tips on incentivizing children with rewards. Reward Types Despite some common misconceptions, rewards and bribes are two separate things. A reward works within a system of merit value, a bribe does not (outside of the merit of having money, authority, or power). Rewards can generally be divided into two types: tangible and intangible. Here are some examples of each: Tangible Rewards are material items or allowances that can be quantified, be they toys, privileges (video game time, for example), sweets, or whatever else. Intangible Rewards are any rewards that can't be quantified, such as acknowledgement and respect from an authority figure (in this case, the parent). To best incentivize your children, use both tangible and intangible rewards. However, in regards to intangible rewards, it's important that the acknowledgement or complement be sincere, as even at a young age children can tell the difference between an actual compliment and a forced one. Give Your Child A Say Socially, at least in practice, we tend to treat children like children until they're 18, when they magically become a responsible adult. In reality, becoming an adult is a gradual, step by step process. If children aren't exposed to responsibility, and consequences regarding that responsibility, then they can have a hard time transitioning into adulthood when traditional authority structures regulating behavior are taken away. With small children, responsibilities should obviously be small, but that doesn't mean they should be avoided. In fact, they can also double as a reward (children idolize grown ups, and often want to emulate them). In practice, this can be as simple as letting your child choose what's for dinner one night a week, provided they complete all their homework assignments. Explain Your Reasoning This is often a tough one for parents. There's a point in every parents life where the frustration becomes too much, and "because I said so" is all we can muster up. That's perfectly normal, and an absolute necessity in small doses. However, as caretaker's of our children's growth, relying on authority too often can stunt critical thinking skills or create behavioral problems. Adults are responsible for themselves, not their authorities. So when training children to become adults, it's important to be able to explain to the best of your ability WHY it's important to do what you ask. If this seems like an impossible task, don't worry, it is. Even as adults, many of us don't know why we do what we do. That's okay, as even making the attempt can communicate to your child the importance of the task you're asking. Implement Consequences Using rewards as incentives means nothing if they're not taken away when requirements aren't met. As parents, our job is to prepare children for a world that does not pull punches in regards to negative consequences. Get started early by not giving in to the puppy dog eyes, whining, or tantrums. Otherwise, the incentive is being used FOR the puppy dog eyes, whining, and tantrums, and nobody wants that!   Here at Rebounderz, we love providing a fun, action filled environment for your kids to enjoy. Our Edison trampoline park is full of fun activities that can build on your children's social skills as well as provide a good outlet for excess energy. Give us a call today to find out more! #### Tips to Make the Most of Your Parent's Night Out Marriage is hard work. It takes effort to maintain and build the bond between two people. Life can seem to take up all your time: extra work on the weekend, kids soccer games, and teachers conferences. It takes concerted, conscious effort to keep your partnership at the center of the family, which is where it belongs. Many couples find that scheduling a date night is a beneficial habit that they look forward to, and is a rewarding way to strengthen the marriage bond. To learn some tips for a successful date night with your husband or wife, keep reading. Keep the Kids Happy For date nights to be successful, the kids need to be on board. Parking them at boring Aunty Margaret's is probably not going to win you any points with the kids, or Aunt Margaret. Instead, drop them off at Rebounderz Rohnert Park! Our Parents’ Night Out drop off times are from 6pm  to 10pm. You can go and have a nice dinner or catch a movie in that time. Join Forces When parents cooperate and help each other out, Parent’s Night Out can become Parents Night In and even Parent Morning Sleep In! Find another couple with kids of similar ages and offer to take all the kids one weekend, and they can take them another weekend. We host a Parent’s Night Out on a bi-weekly basis. You and the other couple can trade weekends and bring the kids to Rebounderz for the evening’s entertainment. The kids will have a great time, and we wager they’ll be begging you to plan another date night! Establish the Rules For a date night to be successful, both people need to get what they need out of it, and you, as a couple, need time and space to be alone together. It’s a good idea to set up some basic rules so that neither partner feels slighted or that they are only catering to the other’s needs. Here are some ideas for guidelines for a successful date night: Agree to not talk about the kids after a certain time. If there are pressing kid issues, be sure to get them out of the way early one and move on. Put your phones away. To engage in some quality face time, you need to be off your devices. Agree that one person can be contacted if it’s something about the kids, but otherwise, put it down and leave it down. Do something fun. Doing an activity together can help you bond. It can be something as simple as a board game or as special taking a dance lesson together.  Better yet, sign up for dance lessons, or a bowling league so you have a regular activity to look forward to and can make new friends too. Try a new restaurant that you would not, or could not take the kids too. Avoid your regular kid-friendly sports and so somewhere fancy, exotic and that makes you feel like dressing up. Or, if it casual really is more your couple style, try a kind of food that you have not eaten before. In either case, the point is to share a new experience with your partner. Agree ahead of time if you want to get out of the house or not and you must be in agreement! Maybe cooking a romantic dinner together, something that doesn’t involve chicken nuggets or mac and cheese, might be just the thing you need. Or maybe you need to put some distance between you and the house. If you can swing the whole night, get a hotel room and order room service. Date Nights can help you keep the bond that is the center of the family. Rebounderz Rohnert Park is happy to help by offering our Parents Night Out. #### Toddler Trampoline Safety Tips Who loves bouncy springy trampolines more than a toddler? Well, it’s hard to say because kids of all ages love them, but older kids are much better equipped to jump on them safely. We have discussed in previous blogs how trampoline jumping is a great developmental activity for kids of all ages, including tots. For toddlers, jumping on a trampoline can help develop their young brains as well as their muscles, coordination, and confidence. When you bring your toddler to your local indoor trampoline park, there are a few extra things to consider to help keep them safe. At Rebounderz Grand Rapids, we offer Toddler Time jump hours to give toddlers the time they need to bounce around with their adults without the worry of the big kids hopping around. Join us in today’s post as we discuss some other toddler trampoline safety tips. Always supervise the toddlers. It is recommended that all children are supervised when using a trampoline. Whether the trampoline being used is a mini-indoor trampoline with a grip bar, a backyard trampoline (with or without safety side nets), or at an indoor trampoline park, supervision is important for kids of any age. However, toddlers should be watched especially close because they have not yet developed total body control, a protective sense of fear, or the logical thought processing to help them mitigate risks. Additionally, their larger heads and soft bones make them prone to injury. Supervising tots will ensure that you can intervene on unsafe acts, offer some teaching moments, and be there to help right away if a fall or injury does happen. Limit the number of jumpers. It is always a good idea to limit the number of jumpers on any trampoline. However, when there are tiny tots on board, it is a better idea to limit the number of jumpers even further. Be mindful of the ages and abilities of jumpers on the trampoline as well. If there are a gaggle of toddlers, they can hop around in safer large groups than if there are big kids mixed in, who are capable of jumping higher and landing harder. Refrain from using backyard trampolines. Backyard trampolines are among the most unsafe home activity equipment. Every year, more than 100,000 emergency department visits by young children are the direct result of injury from a backyard trampoline. If you do have a trampoline at home, the small, single person trampolines that are only about a foot from the ground. If you do have a backyard trampoline, create steps to children can safely climb onto the trampoline surface and invest in the protective pads to cover the springs and the protective netting that goes around the trampoline. The safest option, for children of any age, is local indoor trampoline parks. At Rebounderz in Jenison, we use the Exoskeleton Jumper trampoline arena that prevents jumpers from being exposed to springs or trampoline joints. At Rebounderz indoor trampoline park in Grand Rapids, we provide a safe area for our young visitors to safely jump, away from the big kids. We also offer toddler time, where our trampoline park is limited to children six years and younger only. Stop by our Jenison location with your munchkins for a jumping good time! #### Toddler Tuesdays When it comes to finding fun, enriching activities for kids, it can often be hard. Some activities require endless focus. Others don’t help stimulate the mind enough. Even more activities can simply be unaffordable, and not age appropriate. But that doesn’t have to be the case when you live near a Rebounderz trampoline park. Along with being the perfect place for kids to play and for even teens to enjoy themselves, many Rebounderz locations provide a safe and fun environment for toddlers too! Rebounderz of Apopka is one location that provides a unique a positive program exclusively for toddlers. Toddler Tuesdays is a time set aside specifically for children ages two to six, to come and play in a safe and monitored environment. Parents can bring their children in and let them play in the jump arena or foam pit without the bigger kids. There are many benefits to Toddler Tuesdays for both kids and parents. Keep reading for those benefits. Trampolines Help Build Muscle Strength For kids who have struggled to gain muscle strength, or simply aren’t as active as you would like, trampoline time can be a great way to build muscle strength. The resistance and compression help to add that little extra for muscles to really get a workout. In addition, trampolines are an “unstable” surface. What this means is that in order to stand on a trampoline, the body has to engage underused stabilizer muscles in the hips and legs. This can help to strengthen them and improve overall body tone and function. In fact, all ages can benefit from time on a trampoline for this very reason. Toddler Tuesdays Provide Social Time Little kids are sponges, and in order to continually learn and develop, they need to be exposed to new experiences on a regular basis. This includes interacting with children and adults of all ages. Social time is exceptionally important, as young children develop their speaking skills and overall interaction abilities. Toddler Tuesdays are a safe time to bring together a wide variety of young children in Apopka in order to practice these important speaking and interaction skills in a fun environment. In addition to being social time for young children, Toddler Tuesdays are a great time for stay-at-home parents to get together with other adults and have normal conversations. We understand that a parent can only take some much child talk before they want to pull their hair out from lack of adult interaction. Toddler Tuesdays aren’t just about the kids, but about the parents too. Your kids get to play and you get to socialize with other parents in the area. Unique Play Outside of Home or Daycare The best part for kids who come to Toddler Tuesdays is that it’s truly unique play away from a home or daycare environment. The Rebounderz trampoline parks focus on safety and innovative play solutions in order to keep kids active. They won’t experience anything else quite like Rebounderz anywhere else. So take the time to come enjoy Toddler Tuesdays with your child at Rebounderz of Apopka. Call us with any questions or check out our website for more details. #### Top 10 Fun Spots and Kids Activities in Orlando (That Aren’t Disney or Universal) Every parent knows that Orlando is a great place for family vacations. This bustling city has plenty of fun things to do for both kids and adults.  Many parents are inspired to bring their kids for vacation with attractions like Disney World and Universal Studios. Yet, Orlando has a lot more to offer in terms of activities that families can enjoy.  Read this guide for ideas on family-friendly spot and kids activities in Orlando, Florida.  Where to find fun activities for kids in Orlando  When the family is all packed up and ready to venture to Orlando, it’s time to dig into some fun activities that will keep everyone entertained and having fun.  If your goal is to remain in Orlando for the duration of your trip, then it’s essential you find some activities that will stimulate your kids. Here are some helpful ideas to consider before your trip to get a better understanding of Orlando and the various activities:  Do online research before leaving (you’re doing great already) Ask your kids what they’re interested in doing  Ask family and friends if they have any recommendations  Pick up trusty brochures from your hotel or lodging  Think outside the box for different activities that are offered  Luckily, with this guide to the top fun spots and kids activities in Orlando, you’re all set! This is a comprehensive list of one-stop shops for the best activities that are kid-approved.     Best fun spots and activities for kids in Orlando  Rebounderz  Children of all ages will enjoy the indoor family facility Rebounderz. The facility offers a full-service cafe, fitness classes, and a parents lounge with free wifi so that parents can enjoy themselves while their kids enjoy the multiple activities! It’s the ideal place for kids to burn off some energy in a safe, trusting environment.  Rebounderz in Orlando is an excellent place for families looking for fun, engaging activities their children will never forget.  Activities Themed climbing walls  Ninja warrior course​​ Gauntlet space climb 5-level indoor playground  Jump extreme tower  Virtual reality  Arcade  Trampoline activities  Dodgeball  Summer camps  Foam pits  Cafe with wifi  Pricing  Pricing for Rebounderz is affordable, with four package options for families to consider. The Sergeant package is $20 for one hour with access to most attractions. The Major Ricks package is $23 for 90 minutes including all activities with a bonus selection. Five Star General package can be purchased at $26 for two hours with all activities plus three extra choices. The last option is the best value at $29 for unlimited time, with unlimited activities and coupon cards.  Get to Rebounderz today!   Orlando Science Center  An educational and engaging day out at the Orlando Science Center is a great family experience. For more than 60 years, the Orlando Science Center has been a hands-on, award-winning science museum that attracts visitors from around the world.  Definitely for the curious mind, the center offers camp, school, and preschool programs in addition to its award-winning STEM discovery center.  Activities Science Fiction, Science Future  Food Heroes  KidsTown  NatureWorks Kinetic zone  The Hive Fusion: A STEAM gallery  DinoDigs Our Planet  Tiny Green Home  Flight lab  Dr. Dare’s Lab  Observatory  Pricing  General admission begins at $21 for adults, $19 for students and $15 for youth ages 2-11, and free for children under 2. If you’re looking to visit with multiple families, private museum experiences begin at $200. If you think you may become a regular, an OSC membership ranges from $65 to $165, depending on your needs.    SEA Life Orlando Aquarium  Are your children ready to explore the underwater world in a fun, educational way? Discover the 360-degree ocean tunnel at Sealife Orlando Aquarium in Florida! In addition to learning about the diverse aquatic life of Florida, kids can also interact with 9 interactive zones spread across the aquarium.  Activities Talks and feedings Behind the scene tours  360-degree tunnel  Virtual reality experience  Jelly Wall  Indian Ocean  Coastal rockpool  Pricing Pricing begins at $33.99 per adult with VIP photo downloads included. If you plan to visit more than one fun attraction during your visit to Orlando, the aquarium offers plenty of deals that include other attractions around the city.     Museum of Illusions  For kids and families, a day at the Museum of Illusions is a great way to get lost in a wild world! The interactive exhibits for kids of all ages can let their imagination run wild with fun, creative ways to test their perception of reality. Plus, there are always new exhibits at the museum so you can go more than once!  Activities Over 50+ interactive exhibits  Cafe  Pricing  For general admission to the museum, the ticket price begins at $24.99 for ages 3+. If you wish to purchase a ticket that includes other Orlando attractions, we recommend visiting the website to explore the options listed.    Tree Trek Adventure Park If your family loves adventure don’t think twice about visiting Tree Trek Adventure Park in Orlando. This Tree Park has been a family favorite for kiddos looking for a fun adventure high up in the tops of trees within a beautiful forest.  However, if you're afraid of heights, other activities are offered safely on the ground for all ages.  Activities Giant 435’ zip line  97 amazing aerial challenges  2 separate kids courses with 21 fun challenges  Pricing  To gain access to the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure for 12+ it is $56.95+ tax, for a junior ticket, ages 9-11 it is $44.95+tax, and for kids 6-8 it is $34.95. If your family is looking for fun nighttime activities, Tree Trek Adventure Park also offers night climbs for kids 9+ for $48.95.    Kennedy Space Center Ready to take off? The Kennedy Space Center is an excellent immersive, educational experience for kids of all ages. The space center has exhibits that are sure to impress even the parents in the group.  If you’re thinking about visiting, we highly recommend looking at their calendar of events! The space center has lots of fun activities and events for the young and young-at-heart to join.   Activities U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame  Rocket Garden  Astronaut Encounters  Heroes and Legends exhibit  Bus Tour  Moon Tree garden  Pricing  For daily admissions ages 12+ it is $57, and for kiddos 3-11 it is $47. If your family is interested in a multi-day admission pass, you can pay $82 for 12+ and $67 for ages 3-11.    Gatorland  For kids interested in seeing the animals Florida is known for, Gatorland is the place to go! Gatorland is home to alligators and crocodiles, wild cats, birds, snakes, critters, and tortoises. Gatorland's Screamin Gator Zipline is a family favorite. It takes you over the park!  Activities Screamin Gator zipline Adventure hour tour  Stompin Gator off-road adventure  Shows  Gator gauntlet  Gator night shine  Allie’s Barnyard petting and feeding  Pricing  Ages 13 and up can enjoy Gatorland for $32.99 for a day, and kids 3-12 pay $22.99. You can save $3 off a single day adult ticket and childrens ticket when you purchase online!    ICON Park  Known for its famous ride, ‘The Wheel,’ ICON Park is an entertainment complex inclusive of restaurants, bars, boutique shops, and amusement park rides for all age–some of which are already on this list! This park is a popular attraction for families visiting Florida and can get busy during the peak tourist season.  Activities The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando Star Flyer Pearl Express Train  Madame Tussauds Wax Museum  7D Motion Theater SEA Life Aquarium  Museum of Illusions Pricing  Admission to ICON Park is broken up into multiple ticket packages starting at $27.99. We recommend checking out their website for a complete list of all packages offered.  Orlando Watersports Complex On those hot summer Orlando days, families flock to the Orlando Watersports Complex. With a fun, challenging Aquapark, kids enjoy an engaging challenge under the sun. Parents can sit back and relax at the dockside grill while their kids burn off some energy! The complex also offers wakeboarding challenges, boat rides, lessons, and summer camps. Of course, for days that are too hot, rainy, or when there’s a cold front, an indoor option like Rebounderz will be a better bet.   Activities Wakeboarding  Waterboarding Waterskiing Kneeboarding  Wakesurfing  Aqua Park Tubing  Lessons Summer camps  Dockside camp  Beach area  Pro shop  Pricing There are various options for the Orlando Watersport Complex starting at $26 per person. We recommend taking a look on their website to see all the options and day passes offered.    Orlando Repertory Theater  With the goal to enlighten, enrich, and entertain, the Orlando Repertory Theatre is a great experience for kids on a rainy day who are interested in the arts. The Theatre puts on engaging plays for kids of all ages who enjoy live action! For a more active group, make sure to supplement this day with a trip to Rebounderz before or after a show to burn off some energy!  Activities Theatre shows  Field trips  Youth academy  Pricing  Tickets for each show are charged on a per person basis, and range between $15-$30 depending on where one wishes to sit in the theatre. Purchase online to save time, and be sure to show up early!  Best fun activity spot for kids in Orlando?  Are you looking for the best fun activity spot for kids in Orlando that is not Universal Studios or Disney? We may be biased, but families that are seeking unique, engaging, and affordable fun for families of all ages need to visit Rebounderz!  Challenge your skills and challenge your friends to fun games and funky activities, all in a safe, clean environment!  Want to learn more? See for yourself how fun Rebounderz is here. #### Top 4 Things to Do with Your Kids in Sunrise Do you ever get tired of doing the same old things as a family, eating at the same old restaurants, going to the same old movie theaters and playing the same old games? Well, get ready to be bored no more! Of course we think Rebounderz Trampoline Arena is the best place to go out and play with your kids, but there are a ton of other things to do as a family in Southern Florida. You could make a day of it! Start off here, then pick two or three other things from the list. You and your kids will have a great time. They’ll probably be asleep in the car before you even get home. You’ll be pretty tuckered out too. But you sure will have had a great time getting that way. Okay, here we go! #1 Rebounderz We're not just bragging here. We really believe it. Where else can you find a trampoline arena, Ninja Warrior Course, Arcade, Basketball Slam, and the brand new Air Pit? Nowhere, that’s where. So start your extravaganza of fun right here! #2 The Young At Art Museum Head out to the Young At Art Museum for your next stop. You’ll need an activity that’s a little lower-key after all of the jumping, throwing and slamming. You’ll find interactive exhibits and activities all designed to engage your child’s imagination. Your imagination is sure to get a little jolt too. Don’t miss The Cave and its multimedia art, history and musical experience. Your child can curate their own exhibit using the interactive tools. It is great fun! #3 Flamingo Gardens You and your children will have a great time exploring this wildlife sanctuary and botanical garden. There are more than 250 birds, representing 45 species, and some of the largest trees in the world. They’ve got alligators, otters, peacocks, and panthers. What’s not to love? #4  Museum of Discovery and Science You can’t go wrong here. There’s something for everyone with the new EcoDiscovery Center, the IMAX 3D theater, and interactive exhibits. It’ll be tough but we think you can get it all in on a Saturday. If not, take a long weekend and make it a two-day blow-out of fun! We’ve got a little added bonus for you too. Here are two favorite spots for fun family dining in and around Sunrise. You probably can’t squeeze both of these in on the same day, but put them on your list of things to do with the kids on those long, hot summer days. Don’t worry, they’re both air conditioned. #1 The Rainforest Cafe Where else can you eat a volcano and dine with rainforest creatures? The Rainforest Cafe is designed for kids. They’ll love it. And you’ll never get tired of watching them have fun! #2 Jaxon’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant This one is a bit of a drive, but it’s well worth it. This is the kind of ice cream parlour you remember from your childhood. There’s something for everyone, with 50 flavors of ice cream, food choices ranging from 10 different types of hotdogs to deli sandwiches, salads and tons of appetizers. We hope you’ll enjoy all of these activities. And, don’t forget to start here! Our mission is to create a unique, extreme-fun experience for you and your family. Our activity center is unique in South Florida. You’ll have a different, and amazing experience every time you visit. And, don’t forget to book your child’s next birthday party, or a private party for you and your friends. Who says adults can’t party like they are kids again? Sometimes we think adults have more fun than the kids, but we’ll keep that just between us. See you soon! #### Training a To-be Olympian Every parent agrees that their own child has the ability to become whatever they wish to be. Every parent has probably wondered if their child has the ability to be the next American Olympic star. Turns out, making an Olympic athlete is a lot more challenging than you would think. There is no recipe that creates success, and a lot of the selection process is a combination of training, natural talent, and luck. Although there is no defined rule book or guide to becoming an Olympian, there is however, a general series of steps to reach a point of success. Genetic Inheritance With the 2018 Winter Olympics a little less than two weeks away, it is easy to fall into the competitive spirit. When thinking about if your child could be an Olympian, the best thing you can do is introduce them to a large range of sports. Children will be able to find out what they are good at or whether sports is not their favorite activity. You will often be able to tell if your child has a natural inclination for a sport, if you yourself played the sport when you were young. Much of the advantages in sports comes from genetic inheritance such as height, weight, and coordination. For example, a tall family will likely have children that are good at volleyball and basketball; whereas shorter families will have children better at sports such as gymnastics and wrestling. Picking a Sport It is important when your child finds a sport they enjoy that you don’t pressure them too much to become serious about the sport. When children feel pressured by their parents, they are less likely to enjoy the sport — this often means they will quit prematurely. Your child will often pick a sport they enjoy, and it’s your job as a parent to encourage their wishes. It is difficult to raise an athlete because you never want to add too much pressure onto your child. Even if you aren’t happy with their choice of sport or how long the road to the Olympics will be, you must support them. It’s also a good idea not to include sports too much into their home life. Children who train constantly can be overwhelmed and need to feel grounded at home. As a parent, you should make sure that your child is socializing and doing everyday activities regularly. Training It is best to start training your child when they are young, anywhere from two to five-years-old. Though this may seem young, a statistic reported that Olympians need to train anywhere from eight to nine years before they have full mastery of their sport. Because of this almost 10-year training period, the earlier they find their sport, the better. Olympians dedicate thousands of hours to their sport from the time they start training, to the end of their competitive career. As children, athletes spend 250 hours a year. As young teens, young athletes will spend almost 600 hours dedicated to their sport. The older they develop into their teens, competitors will devote themselves entirely to their sport, spending 1100 hours a year training. Not only is training mandatory, but friendly competition with fellow American athletes is a must. In a statistic published, very few people actually become Olympic athletes. In fact, only 1 in 30,000 basketball and tennis competitors make it to the Olympics. Sacrifice With all the time spent training, there are sacrifices that have to be made. Because so many hours are devoted to training, it is rare that athletes get to go and play at school or hang out with their friends. Many athletes have to be homeschooled, as their schedules won’t allow them to both train and attend regular school hours. Training, paying for a coach, uniforms, equipment, and travel all add up, which can be devastating for a family. It is averaged that a competitive gymnast with training for five years can account for $120,000 dollars in expenses. Two-time gold winner Simone Biles, has had financial difficulty in her family due to her dreams. In fact, in 2012 her mother had to file for bankruptcy due to crushing expenses. Though the sacrifices are great, families continue to cheer on their athletes to one day reach the Olympics. The games are an incredible event that brings all nations together to compete. In many ways it is an honor to represent your country and perform the sport you love and train for. That is why, when asked about their financial difficulty, the Biles Family don’t regret any decisions. Rebounderz At Rebounderz, we encourage all children to enjoy sports and strive to be the best that they can be. At our indoor trampoline park, we give aspiring gymnasts a trampoline arena to utilize and a trampoline basketball court for young basketball stars to practice their moves. Your local Rebounderz is a great place to take your kids and expose them to the incredible world of sport. Who knows, maybe they will find a sport they really enjoy and dream of being an Olympic athlete! It is important for our business to help inspire children to enjoy sports, so if you believe that your child could benefit from a day of sports and motivation, bring them by your Apopka, Florida, Rebounderz! Contact our park staff today! #### Training Like A Ninja Warrior   One of the most fascinating TV shows on today is without a doubt American Ninja Warrior. With its roots stemming back to the original Japanese show Sasuke, the show is centered around an intense obstacle course competition. The level of athletic prowess on display is really something to behold and you’re sure to see something you didn’t think was possible. To prepare for the event, competitors work incredibly hard to get ready for the treacherous obstacles they have to tackle if they want to climb to the top of Mount Midoriyama and achieve “Total Victory”, a feat few have accomplished. Whether you want to begin training for the next round of tryouts, or you just want to see how you stack up against the greats, we’ve gathered some helpful training tips to make you a Ninja Warrior master. Test your might on the Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course here at Rebounderz in Sunrise! -Stay Lean There have been many competitors that have tried their hand at tackling the course’s many difficult obstacles, but one thing has become surprisingly clear over the years; it’s better to be lean and acrobatic than large and muscular. Due to the requirements of many of the obstacles, there is a large emphasis placed on carrying your body weight. When muscle-bound competitors have run the course, the extra body weight they carry makes it much more difficult for them to overcome the trials in front of them, as it takes more energy to execute every move for them. When you look at the most successful Ninja Warrior competitors, almost all of them are lithe acrobats and gymnasts, who still carry a lot of strength, but have less body weight to contend with. If you want to become an elite Ninja Warrior, avoid excessive weight training in favor of flexibility, core strength, and cardio. A great deal of the challenge involved in the course comes down to endurance, so cardio is absolutely vital if you want to get through every obstacle. Flexibility is important due to acrobatic feats like the Jumping Spider, which requires a competitor to hold themselves up between two separate walls above the water, moving their arms and legs to cross the gap. This is also where core strength comes into play, as you have to demonstrate incredible control over your body to get through, and it all leads right into your core. -Grip Like A Vice The most common end to a promising run through the Ninja Warrior course is when someone loses their grip, and they drop down into the water below. Having great grip strength will save you in tough situations, especially with obstacles like the Salmon Ladder or Floating Chains. A great way to hone your grip is by doing pull-ups with varied types of grip. By switching up the way you are holding onto the pull-up bar, you are strengthening the muscles in your hands and forearms to help give you a stronger grip. Pull-ups will also get you used to carrying your body weight, which will come in handy in many of the obstacles. As you get stronger, extend the length of time you hold yourself up in a pull-up. Try holding yourself up for extended periods with your arms in different positions of extension to get ready for the variety of ways you’ll need to carry your weight. -Fleet Of Foot While much of the focus in the American Ninja Warrior competition is placed on the obstacles, it is still a race at its core. That means you need to place just as much importance on fast footwork as you do grip strength. When you’re quick and controlled on your feet, you’re far more prepared to take on some incredibly tough trials, like the first obstacle of the course, the Quad Steps. The course will also have you running on rolling logs or jumping across large, bouncy balls, so deft footwork is key to success. Improve your footwork with an agility ladder exercise where you quickly step in and out of the holes in between the ladder rungs. -Find Your Explosiveness Many obstacles require an explosion of power to complete. One of particular interest is the cargo net, which you have to launch yourself off a trampoline in order to grab onto. When you have honed your explosiveness, you’re able to leap across the gap and grab onto the cargo net at a much higher level, which makes it easier to climb over. You’re also going to need that skill to take on the dreaded Warped Wall that marks the end of the first stage. You can train this with box jumps, squat jumps (both with and without weights in your hands), and lunge jumps. Another great way to get stronger explosive power is training on a trampoline, as it works all of your muscles together for a single goal. At Rebounderz Trampoline Park, you can hone your verticality on our trampolines and then immediately test it out on the Ninja Warrior course. It’s like one-stop shopping! -Build Your Flexibility As we spoke about earlier, flexibility is key to success in Ninja Warrior. In order to strengthen your flexibility, you first need to ensure your muscle integrity is built up with exercises like foam rolling. Deep tissue massage has also shown great results, as it loosens up the muscles and allows them to move more freely. From there, start doing more dynamic flexibility exercises like leg swings and arm swings. Yoga and gymnastics have both proven to be incredibly effective, though in order for them to work properly, they need to be a consistent part of your workout (not just once a week or once every two weeks). Muscles need to be consistently stretched in order to gain flexibility, or you won’t see the results you desire. -Get Balanced The last thing you want to happen as you’re precariously perched on a small platform is to lose your balance. Even if you’ve worked hard on everything else we’ve discussed, without a strong sense of balance, you’ll be done in before you know it. You can work on your balance with single leg squats, single leg yoga poses (like Eagle Pose or Half Moon Pose), and work up to balance beams and slacklines. The best part is you can work on your balance anywhere you are. Whether it’s doing a tightrope walk along a thin curb or jumping from rock to rock, you improve your balance the whole way. However, it’s important to note that balance isn’t only about body control. If you have certain issues with your eyes, ears, and joints, it can make it difficult to balance. Check in with your physician to ensure your equilibrium is in good shape. No matter if you are trying to qualify for the next season of American Ninja Warrior, or you just want to train like it, these six steps are the best things to focus on for success. Build up your explosiveness, work on your flexibility and cardio, strengthen your balance and grip, and hone your footwork to see your best results. Come on over to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Sunrise to start training and see how you measure up to the Ninja Warrior greats. We hope to see you soon! #### Training Tips To Become a Ninja Warrior At Rebounderz, we’re not just about trampoline fun for the entire family. Over the last several years, the Ninja Warrior television series have been wildly popular, and we’re a place that’s designed for training for the Ninja Warrior course. So what’s the show all about? It began in Japan, and contestants were required to navigate through a series of hideously difficult obstacle courses. Only a handful of contestants were ever able to beat all of the courses. The show was a massive hit worldwide. It came to America, and American Ninja Warrior has featured athletes, parkour enthusiasts, schoolteachers, police officers, and a host of others all competing to beat the course and walk away with a grand prize of $500,000. Maybe that’s your dream. If so, you’ll need to train, and train seriously to make it happen. Keep reading, and we’ll share a few training tips with you. If this helps you win someday, all we ask for is a shoutout. You know why you don’t see too many big people on the course? To make it through efficiently, you need to be fast and light on your feet. Getting lean is the name of the game, and there are a few ways to do that. Before breakfast, a 20-30 minute aerobic workout will get your blood pumping and energy up. During the day, spend as much time as possible moving around on your feet. Later on in the day, weight training or a high-intensity interval workout followed up by a cold shower will keep your metabolism going. If you want to survive and thrive on the course, a strong grip is an absolute necessity. But how do you strengthen it? Start with lots of assisted pull-ups or regular pull-ups, but do lots of different kinds of grips. Try walking while holding a bucket filled with water or a heavy rock. Throw a strong towel around a bar and hang from the towel. Basically, you want to practice with as many different kinds of grips as you can. One of the most fun ways to do that is through rock climbing. Many of the courses begin with what’s known as the quad step. That’s where you need to bound from side to side at different angles. Some of the obstacles featuring this are giant logs that need to be sprinted across and huge rubber balls that contestants bounce across. To destroy this obstacle, you’ll want to have fast feet. Agility ladders, which are ladders you can step in and out of, are a great exercise and used by football players and tennis players. Find a hill with a mild incline and run down it as fast as possible. If you’re at the gym, turn the treadmill up to its highest speed and try to stay on as long as possible. You can also use the step bench and work on explosive alternating step-ups. It’s not easy getting into the kind of shape that allows you to survive the course, but nobody ever said it would be. Join us tomorrow for more tips, and remember that you can’t win if you don’t try. #### Trampoline Attire Guide When preparing for a fun day at an indoor trampoline park, you want to make sure you are prepared. By wearing the right attire you can make sure you optimize the amount of fun you can have. Nothing is worse than showing up for a fun day and being sorely underdressed. The following is a guide for all who are planning to visit a trampoline park and need to know what is best to wear.   Tight T- Shirts Tight t-shirts are a necessity when visiting a trampoline park. You never want to wear anything strapless because the motion of bouncing could force your top downward. The last thing you want all day is to tug on your clothing, especially when you are supposed to be having fun. By wearing a form-fitting t-shirt, you can ensure that you can flip, fall, and bounce as high as you want, without worrying about your top.   No Skirts Skirts or dresses are a big ‘no-no’ when it comes to a day of bouncing on a trampoline. Make sure when you are visiting the park that you wear something that can cover more skin. Nothing is worse than having to sit out from the fun because of poor clothing choices.   No Shorts Though the dress or skirt problem could be solved with shorts, shorts are not acceptable either. Despite what you might think, shorts are not appropriate for a day at the trampoline park because they bare too much skin. Though shorts allow for more mobility, tiny shorts show too much skin. By showing more skin, this will make you more susceptible to trampoline or plastic burns while playing.   Ditch the Socks It may sound a little gross, but when it comes to trampolining, ditch your socks. Socks will keep you from getting proper traction on the trampolines or the plastic from our other attractions. We clean our park everyday, so you don’t have to worry about the cleanliness of our trampolines. We promise, you will have a much better time without your socks.   Yoga Pants are Finally Acceptable Ladies, yoga pants are finally acceptable attire! Though yoga pants have quickly become popular in our culture, most often they are not acceptable to wear on a date, to work, or for an interview. However, for bouncing on a trampoline, they are the perfect attire. Because they are made with elastic, yoga pants perfectly stretch for your free mobility. Also, because they are tight around your waist, you will never have to worry about them slipping or falling off.   Wear Slip Ons When you go to an indoor trampoline park, it is better to not wear tennis shoes and socks mainly because you will most likely have to find a place to awkwardly take them off and on again. At Rebounderz, we don’t allow anyone to wear shoes on our equipment. So, in order to save you time, you might want to wear slip-on shoes that are easily put on and off. Also, slip-on shoes take a lot less room so you can easily store them in our cubby or locker systems.   Don’t Bring a Big Purse When you go to a trampoline park, the less you bring the better. When you tote a huge purse, you limit your mobility as well as the storage space in your provided locker or cubby. Plus, having a big purse only draws attention to thieves, as they may wonder about all the the contents of your bag. By bringing as few items as possible inside a Rebounderz, you will be able to fully utilize your storage space and your day of fun.   Take Off Your Jewelry When getting ready to embark on your day of bounce, it is always wise to take off all your jewelry. Necklaces can get accidently tied up in our equipment, which makes them  safety hazards. At Rebounderz, we want you to have a special day full of fun and safety. Because necklaces pose a hazard, that is why we ask that you don’t bring them, or at least put them away before entering the park. Also, any bracelets, earrings, and rings should be taken off as well. Nothing will ruin your day like losing your favorite piece of jewelry. It is better to keep it safe and off, than on and eventually lost.   Tie Up Your Hair Ladies, before getting on our trampolines, please tie up your hair. Though bouncing with your hair free is fun, it can also be dangerous. You never know when your hair can get stepped on or possibly tangled up into something. Keep on the safe side and tie your lovely locks up! Pants If you happen not to own yoga pants, cargo pants are also a good choice. As we have previously stated, shorts are a bad idea to wear to a trampoline park due to plastic and trampoline burn. However, certain pants are off-limits as well. For example, tight pants, such as jeans, are a definitely not a good plan. Jeans tend to tighten up with every wash and weaken at their seams. If you bounce with too much power and mobility, you run the risk of splitting your pants. Nothing could ruin your day more than the embarrassment of ripping your pants and cutting your fun short.   We hope this attire guide has helped you plan an outfit accordingly. At Rebounderz, we are always concerned about your safety and, of course, optimizing your level of fun. By reading and learning from our guide, we hope we have educated you about proper trampoline attire. Once you have found the right outfit, come on down to your local Rebounderz! #### Trampoline Bed Size & Safety Concerns Why Smaller Trampoline Beds Are Actually Better Lately, we’ve been hearing some complaints about the size of the trampoline beds and the rules against sharing. We get it. It seems like it would be much more fun to share a trampoline with friends, right? The reality, however, is that this isn’t as much fun as it sounds. That’s why we wanted to explain to you why our 8 x 8 foot trampoline beds are actually better. You see, the small size of the trampolines ensures that only one jumper can use each bed at a time, while still letting you jump close by friends or family members. Even though you may be separated by springs, you can still talk, laugh, and jump around together. We know that kids like to follow each other through the arena, especially little ones. The smaller beds keeps them a safe distance apart, yet close enough together to still have fun. You may not be able to jump comfortably on the same jump bed, but you are able to share the arena better. So why is it so important to keep people from sharing trampolines? It eliminates double bouncing. Avoiding Double Bouncing to Keep You Safer Don’t be fooled by the term. Double bouncing isn’t some fun way to jump really high or some trick where you bounce twice really fast. Double bouncing happens when two people bounce at the exact same time on the same trampoline bed. Essentially, the GMAX force of one person’s landing eliminates the cushioning effect of the trampoline, causing you to hit the surface hard. It feels like you have hit a wall or solid floor rather than a bouncy surface. As you can imagine, coming down hard like that hurts. In fact, double bouncing is the number one way people get injured on trampolines. When we were designing the patented structure for our trampoline arena, we wanted to do everything possible to avoid these dangerous injuries. That’s why the square eight-foot size was chosen. You can still do tricks in your space and jump easily between beds, but you are less likely to share. Without double-bouncing, ankle injuries on trampolines are almost entirely eliminated, which we think is vital for a safe park. That’s why our referees are so strict about the “one bouncer per bed” rule. It’s not to be killjoys. It’s because we don’t want to see you get hurt. Next time you are jumping at Rebounderz, enjoy having a small trampoline bed all to yourself, and just remember that we’re looking out for your safety. Interested in learning more about safety at Rebounderz? Read our recent blogs on the technology and procedures designed to keep your family injury-free! #### Trampoline Birthday Party Game Ideas Is your child’s birthday party right around the corner? Hip, hip, and hooray! It’s an exciting time, especially for the youngster, but also for the parents. That’s because you’ll want to create an event that your child will remember and cherish for many years to come. How can you do that? Well, hosing your kids’ birthday party at Rebounderz indoor trampoline park in Grand Rapids is a great start. Our extreme fun centers are the ideal birthday party utopia, harboring not only wall-to-wall trampoline action, but also arcades, Ninja Warrior Courses, and a whole lot more. We have a couple of different kids birthday parties packages from which to choose to help make your youngsters’ fun-filled dreams come true. Those party packages include: Major Rick O’Shay Party Package: This 2 ½ hour party features a themed party room and dedicated Rebounderz party host for the duration of your event, as well as all-access trampoline park entrance and socks for 15 high-flying jumpers, food and drinks, arcade game cards, and even a specialized birthday t-shirt for the birthday girl or boy. Unrivaled Air Party Package: This package also includes 2 ½ hours of Rebounderz action, but here your price includes unlimited jump access for up to 20 kids, four large pizzas, 20 arcade game cards, and more. Rebounderz also offers a number of party add-ons to help make your day as special as possible. So, now that you know where you’ll be heading for the kids’ birthday party, it’s time to help them figure out the types of games they can play in a world full of trampolines. Let’s jump right in. Crack The Egg This is of course an all-time trampoline classic. The kids will likely already know how this one goes, but just in case they don’t let’s do a brief run-through. It would be a great kick-start to the party to begin with the birthday boy or girl starting in the middle with their arms wrapped around their knees tightly. The other party-goers will then bounce around and try to “crack” the egg, otherwise known as jumping like mad until the person in the middle has to release their grip. It’s a load of fun! Rock, Paper, Scissors When the ground is transformed into trampolines, this game becomes a little more interesting. Instead of using hands to determine the three throws -- rock, paper, or scissors -- participants use their whole bodies to form their weapon of choice. Choose rock by landing on your hands and knees, paper by flopping flat on the trampoline, and scissors by landing as a seat drop. Ninja Warrior Race Only at Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks can you offer your child an opportunity to become a Ninja Warrior legend! Our innovative, extreme Ninja Warrior Course is 200 feet long and has dozens of obstacles, including the famed warp wall! Have the kids race through the course, which you will have exclusive access to during your party, and see who emerges as the one true warrior. Air Dodgeball Since you’ll have the run of the place for almost two full hours, your kids will have exclusive access to an extreme game of air dodgeball! Have them split into teams and get the high-flying fun started with a game that will be sure to create memories and bonding friendships. Heck, even the adults can get in on this action if they want; just remember, safety first! Basketball Slam Kids birthday parties at Rebounderz have more than one advantage. Adding to our state-of-the-art features at our facility are the face-to-face basketball slam courts, which make for bonkers basketball bonanzas and a whole lot of fun. Get your kids on the court and see who can have the best dunk. Contact Rebounderz of Grand Rapids today to book your kids birthday party and become the coolest parent on the block! #### Trampoline Fitness Classes: The Workout Of The Future Remember the olden days of exercise? Where it was just walking or running on a treadmill, maybe lifting a few dumbbells, and finishing up with a steam in the sauna. Sure, that’s been an effective way to get into shape for a long, long time. But it’s also so...BORING! Exercise doesn’t necessarily need to be all work and no play, adding no extra excitement to your already full work day. In recent years, there have been newer, more exciting forms of exercise popping up all across the country; from things like dance classes to hot yoga and a whole lot more, there is now no shortage of ways to improve your fitness in a fun and challenging atmosphere. And now, you can go ahead and add trampoline fitness classes to that ever-growing list. That’s right, your favorite backyard plaything from your childhood can now be transformed into a new and thrilling way to burn calories, improve cardio, and have a downright great time. Indoor trampoline parks across the country are starting to take notice and get in on the ground floor of this trend, and there’s nowhere better in Grand Rapids than Rebounderz to take part in these thrilling trampoline fitness classes. So, let’s jump on in (get it?) and learn more about the history and benefits of trampoline fitness classes. But before that, let’s take a look at what our Grand Rapids Rebounderz has to offer when it comes to exercise classes. Rebounding at Rebounderz Our indoor trampoline parks offer state-of-the art trampoline arenas that are great for birthday parties, group outings, and yes even exercise. Here, we encourage you to jump towards your fitness goals, and our environment allows you to have a whole lot of fun while doing it. Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, working out on a trampoline is commonly known as “rebounding,” which is why it’s only fitting that Rebounderz trampoline parks offer this as one of our core programs. At Rebounderz in Grand Rapids, we have rebounding classes every Monday and Thursday, from 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Costs are $7 per class, and they are available to anyone in Grand Rapids looking for a challenging, efficient cardiovascular workout. We also have a punch card system which allows you to purchase 10 of these classes for a discounted price of $50. Need to bring the kids with you? Well, they will certainly thank you. And you can allow them to play and jump around while you exercise with $4 off for an hour of jump time for the little ones. Come on in to Rebounderz in Grand Rapids to learn more about our trampoline fitness classes today. History Of Rebounding The origins of rebounding, which refers to the act of jumping or moving on a miniature trampoline as a form of exercise, are difficult to pin down. While it is widely known and accepted that George Nissen invented the modern trampoline in 1936, and the first small trampoline was created two years later by Ed Russell, it’s difficult to track down the actual origins of rebounding. Many people tend to cite the study performed by NASA in 1980, which claimed that jumping on a trampoline can increase cardiovascular health at a rate that is greater than jogging. Their study, according to some, claims that 10 minutes of bouncing on a trampoline is a more efficient cardio workout than 30 minutes of a slow jog would be. While some scientists have refuted these claims to varying levels of degree, rebounding is still widely accepted as a reliable and effective means of cardio exercise. And with good reason! Benefits of Rebounding Trampoline fitness classes, or rebounding, has been known to produce significant results. Its intensity level is not all that high, which means people of all ages, shapes, and sizes can participate and have a great time while doing it. Among the many benefits of rebounding are: Balance: Rebounding is said to improve balance, particularly in elderly participants, because of its reliance on stimulating the brain and “middle ear.” Strength: With increased blood flow, you can experience more energy and oxygen to your muscles, which can lead to not only added strength but also greater muscle tone. Flexibility: Rebounding is considered to be a low-impact form of exercise, and because it utilizes several different muscle groups it can help promote flexibility as well as create less stress on the joints. Conditioning: Believe it or not, there is some pretty high-level science behind this benefit. Because it is, at its core, an aerobic exercise, rebounding can help with heart strength and function. However, participants may also experience strengthened and more oxygenated cells because of the gravity and levels of pressure experienced while jumping. How neat! Rebounding is fun for people of all ages. Rebounding at your local Rebounderz? Well, that’s just a match made in heaven! Contact us today to learn more and sign up for your first class today. #### Trampoline Jumping for Family Fitness Trampoline jumping is great for kids and adults. It is a wonderful thing to do with your children. You’ll be getting fit and teaching them the importance of staying active. They won’t even realize they’re learning a lesson. They’ll be too busy laughing, jumping and enjoying the quality time with you! Health Benefits for Your Kids Trampoline jumping provides a lot of physical and emotional health benefits that you might not be aware of. Anything that takes practice and requires new skills helps children learn the value of persistence. Trampolining definitely fits that criteria. All of the twisting, bending and jumping isn’t just fun, it’s healthy! For young children, trampoline jumping is a great way to develop motor skills, balance, and flexibility. Jump Your Way To a Fitter You People at almost any fitness level can use a trampoline workout to get into better shape. As with any exercise routine, before you decide to make jumping your path to better health, it is a good idea to check with your doctor and make sure you don’t have any underlying conditions that could impede your activity. What makes trampoline jumping such a great choice for getting in shape? We’ll tell you. Depending on your fitness level you can burn more than 150 calories an hour jumping on a trampoline. The more vigorous the bouncing, the more calories you burn. If your goal is to lose weight while getting in shape, you really can’t do much better than that. Think about it this way. If you cut out one sugary drink each day, which may contain 300 or more calories, and do a half hour of trampolining, your net calorie reduction for the day could be 450 calories. That’s amazing! Trampoline jumping is low impact. If you’ve entered that stage of life, as so many of us have, where your joints are starting to ache and the idea of any exercise that jolts and jostles your knees, back or hips is just too much to face, try the trampoline. The natural give-and-take between the base and your joints reduces impact and makes exercise more comfortable. Plus, we think it’s just more fun than just about anything else. Jumping also helps build strong bones. The older we get, the more important maintaining and building bone density becomes. The repetitive motion is what does the trick. It provides the right amount of low-impact stress to strengthen those old—or young—bones. It is good for your heart. Cardiovascular disease kills almost 800,000 people in the United States every year. That’s one out of every three deaths. That makes it pretty darn clear that maintaining your cardiovascular health throughout your life just makes good sense. Jumping on a trampoline is a great workout for getting your heart beating. Even NASA agrees that it beats running. Generally, we all feel better after a good workout. Exercise increases endorphins, known as the happy hormones. The way we look at it, combining a good workout with the fun and laughter that are sure to accompany your time at Rebounders in Apopka, makes a good trampoline workout a no brainer. We hope to see you here jumping your way to better health soon! #### Trampoline Jumping For Your Heart’s Health Jumping is a classic fun pastime, whether skipping rope, hopscotching or trampoline rebounding, jumping has been enjoyed as a fun activity for generations. Kids from two to 82 love to jump for fun and for joy, but there are more benefits to the basic hop than putting a smile on your face. Jumping can keep your heart happy and healthy! Here are just a few ways that jumping on a trampoline can help your heart. Prevent and Treat Heart Disease The leading cause of death in the United States has been Heart Disease. This deadly disease has staked its claim at the top of the charts for years since modern medicine has allowed us to overcome contagious disease and even combat cancers. Heart disease continues to claim the lives of over 600,000 Americans each year and is responsible for nearly a quarter of all American deaths. According to the American Heart Association, some ways to protect your heart and reduce your chances of heart diseases include eating a diet low in salt, processed sugar, fat, and cholesterol; avoid excessive alcohol; not smoking; exercise regularly, and reduce stress. Although jumping can do nothing about your diet or any substances you may put into your body, it can help with the last two, pretty easily! Jumping on a trampoline is an intense cardiovascular workout and allows you to work out three times harder than alternative cardio activities. Ten minutes on a trampoline is like running for 30 minutes! Since trampoline rebounding is as enjoyable as it is hard, it also helps reduce cortisol — the stress hormone — levels in your body while increasing endorphins — the happy hormone. Your heart is an incredible, resilient machine that pumps all the blood in your body through your body in about a minute! All the while, your heart is also supplying its own, separate circulatory system to provide oxygen-rich blood to its own muscles. All this is incredible, but what is even more amazing is that your heart has the ability to create new blood vessels in your heart and body! This is not to suggest that trampoline jumping is the equivalent to a do-it-yourself bypass surgery, but that regular cardiovascular exercise can help create new blood vessels to help reduce complications of damaged vessels. Build Cardiovascular Endurance Building cardiovascular endurance helps prevent a multitude of health problems, including hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is caused by a multitude of things but is ultimately an increase in pressure in your vascular system. Your heart and your blood vessels should continually contract and relax to push the blood throughout your body. However, when the blood meets resistance, it must be forced through vessels and the vessels never get a chance to fully relax— this is hypertension. Hypertension can cause a heart attack or stroke, which can both result in death. Cardiac hypertrophy is the thickening of the heart muscle. This may not sound like a bad thing, after all, thick heart muscles mean strong, right? It’s not that simple. Your heart is the hardest working muscle in your (and by far the most important one!), when it continually has to work hard to pump blood, it toughens and gets thick. This means it not only loses its flexibility, but it also loses space for blood to fill. By engaging in regular, intense cardiovascular exercise, your heart has to work hard for short spurts of time. During this time, it is becoming more efficient at working while at rest. Jumping can actually help slow your resting your heart rate, which means your heart isn’t working so hard. Prevent and Treat Obesity The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2016 nearly 40 percent of American adults and 18 percent of American children were obese; meaning they had a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 percent body fat. These staggering numbers do not include those who fall into the “overweight” category with a BMI between 25 and 29 percent. Obesity is directly related to heart disease, stroke (America’s number five killer), Type 2 Diabetes, and some cancers (America’s number two killer). Ways to prevent or correct overweight and obesity is healthy eating and regular exercise. Here again, trampoline rebounding does little to correct what is consumed but has a direct — and significant — impact on cardiovascular (fat-burning) exercise. Regular jumping can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight and combat obesity! At Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park of Jacksonville, Florida, we take heart health as serious as we do fun and trampoline safety. Regardless of your age, hop on over to our Extreme Fun Center and work on your cardiovascular health by having fun with us! #### Trampoline Jumping is Healthy Fun Jumping on a trampoline is a ton of fun, so it is usually considered child's play, but trampolines are definitely not just for children. The health benefits of jumping on a trampoline make them ideal for people of all ages and health statuses. An indoor trampoline park is a perfect venue to jump to your heart's content, and health, along with your children. Low impact cardio The continual jumping and bouncing on a trampoline gets your heart rate up and increases your respiratory rate. Jumping is an excellent cardio-respiratory workout. The flexible surface of a trampoline gives underneath your body weight, making it much lower impact than activities, such as running. That is great news for your joints and results in much fewer injuries than alternate cardio exercises. The calories burned while trampoline jumping is comparable to that of jogging, but it’s much more enjoyable! Balance and Coordination The flexible surface of trampolines makes them difficult to stand on. The first time many people hop onto a trampoline, they may have difficulty keeping themselves upright. Bouncing makes it easier, but it is still easy to topple over. With practice, jumping on a trampoline can dramatically improve your balance and coordination. At indoor trampoline parks, there are arenas full of trampolines to bounce to and from. To further improve coordination, most trampoline parks offer games, such as dodgeball or basketball. The simultaneous jumping and throwing help improve overall coordination. For the aging, trampolines offer a way to build muscles strength and balance. Remaining upright and jumping on a flexible surface helps to develop agility and strength that helps prevent falls. Jumping also helps to improve bone density and increase flexibility that can help reduce chronic pain. Fun It is a well-known fact that when people are having fun, they are less likely to watch the clock or feel like they are working out. Jumping on a trampoline is a source of great cardio exercise and a full body workout while offering distracting fun. When you are having fun, you are more likely to workout longer, which burns more calories. It is recommended to participate in 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise daily, and trampoline jumping is a fun way to accomplish that task. Endorphin Release Smiling, laughing, and having a good time increases your endorphin level, which makes you feel happier longer. Positive moods can increase energy levels and overall health. Endorphin release reduces stress levels and can make you feel more relaxed. The release of endorphins also helps to alter your perception of pain and can provide a sense of euphoria, like a natural morphine. Lymphatic System Improvement Your lymphatic system runs throughout your body, similar to your circulatory system; however, unlike your circulatory system, your lymphatic system doesn't have a pump to aid in its circulation. Your lymphatic system is basically the dumping grounds for your body, responsible for filtering out the toxins in your body. You can imagine the consequences of this system not having regular circulation. When you do activities, such as jumping on a trampoline, it provides circulation of lymph tissue, which allows the toxins to be excreted by your body. This essentially helps to detoxify your body and promotes white blood cell production, which helps you stay healthy. Stimulating the lymphatic system is also proven to help prevent cancer. Jump to your health! Digestive Health The contraction of abdominal muscles while jumping, along with increased circulation, helps your digestive tract. Improved internal circulation helps to get your digestive tract moving food along, while the continual jumping helps dislodge any sludge hanging out. Regular exercise helps promote the growth of good bacteria in your gut responsible for breaking down your food. It is important to understand that it is not recommended to trampoline jump within two hours after eating to prevent your food from coming back up and avoid abdominal cramps. Reducing Varicose Veins and Improving Cellulite Jumping is one of the best ways to promote full-body circulation. Forcing the blood to pump throughout your body helps reduce unsightly varicose veins in your extremities. As we mentioned earlier, trampoline jumping also provides lymphatic circulation. Cellulite is caused by the buildup of lymph fluid in your tissues, which appears lumpy. The vibrations caused by jumping helps to push lymphatic fluids out of tissues, which does reduce the appearance of cellulite, but actually fixes it. Trampoline jumping is not just a fun source of entertainment for children; it is an excellent way to improve your health. Even your aging parents can benefit from regular jumping. Gather the entire family and head to a trampoline park today for some healthy family fun. At Rebounderz of Jacksonville, we offer a place for everyone to jump, including your tiny kiddos. Stop in and get jumping with us today! #### Trampoline Park Birthday Parties: Bouncing into Your Kid’s Memory Best Day of the Year Children look forward to their birthday parties all year. It isn’t just the gifts and cake, because let’s be honest, what is your most memorable birthday cake? Kids get excited about their birthday because it is their special day! The one day a year that they are king for the day. For that single day, the world really does revolve around them. It doesn’t matter where they place in the chain of siblings, social status, or popularity rankings at school. The birthday party is the focal point of this special day, as it is the formal time reserved to acknowledge and celebrate the honored guest. Especially in the school age years, the birthday party is something that kids think about far in advance and the anticipation builds up. As the significant day nears, they share their excitement and anticipation with all their friends. Kids don’t always remember who was there or what flavor ice cream accompanied their cake, but they remember the event. As nice of a gesture and sentimental it may be to have a dinner of the birthday boy’s choice with cake and presents at home with family, this doesn’t stand out in their memories as they age. As children, we will tell the stranger at the grocery store about our birthday party and reflect with our friends about it.Think of it this way: dinner and a movie is a nice date, but it doesn’t stand out as a special day in our memories of dating our significant other. With the expectation of excellence hanging above the parent’s heads, how do you plan a party that will be enjoyed by all the guests and be a lasting memory for your child? The easiest and funnest solution is to host the party at an indoor trampoline park! Making a Lasting Impression Every child knows someone with a trampoline; maybe YOUR kid is the neighborhood “kid with the trampoline” that seems to attract other neighborhood kids. The kids jump to exhaustion and return home where they ramble on about this flip and that twirl and how high so-and-so bounced. Now, imagine an entire arena scaped with trampolines ripe for bouncing and you are the guest star! What an amazing experience for a child to recall when reflecting on birthdays. “Remember that time we hopped as far as a football field and bounced up and almost touched the ceiling? That was the Best Birthday EVER!” Win-Win Hosting your kid’s birthday party at your local indoor trampoline park is a win-win for you and your child. Hosting at a trampoline park means all their friends and family can come along and enjoy themselves, saving your house from the flood of visitors. Party packages include decorations, food, cake, and clean-up, checking off your party to-do list quickly. Your child gets to feel like a star and can jump to exhaustion so he falls fast asleep upon returning home from his big day. A big event at an exciting place will provide quality material for birthday party reflection stories and establish wonderful memories for your child. #### Trampoline Park Date Night! Okay hear us out. When it comes to finding creative ideas for a date night, sometimes you can run a bit low. You’ve done the paint and wine night. You’ve gone to more movies than you can count, and you’ve definitely burnt out on the dinner double dates. But while you’ve done all of these things, you still feel obligated to get out of the house together. And let’s face it, having a babysitter and time away from the kids is rare. So what do you do for your next Friday night date night? Hit up Rebounderz of Jacksonville! Rad Nights are Friday evenings at our Jacksonville trampoline park that turn down the lights, crank up the music, and let individuals of all ages just have fun. Here are four reasons why you need to try out Rad Night for your next date night, because trust us, it’s going to be great. #1 Get Goofy The number one reason you should make Rebounderz of Jacksonville your next date night destination is that playing at a trampoline park gives you both the chance to get goofy. This means that you get to stay young at heart together and even laugh when the other one falls down. It’s great to just let loose and play sometimes and that’s exactly what Rebounderz of Jacksonville provides. Challenge each other to a front flip contest or just bounce around and relax without your kids. It’s totally worth it! #2 Stay Active Do you ever feel bad when you go to a date night at the theater and after sitting at a desk all day, you just sit at the theater for even longer? For a couple that plans on being the cute old couple who sits and watches the sunset from the front porch, you need to be active. Rebounderz gives you the perfect, active date night. Not only will you get to play, but you’ll get to burn some calories in the process. The couple that is active together, stays together. #3 Clean Fun There is nothing worse than going on a double date with that couple who just happens to laugh at all the terrible raunchy jokes. And while there is something to be said for having an intimate date night in without the kids around, having G-rated fun together can be a complete stress relief. This gives you the perfect evening to talk, laugh, play, and just relax with no expectations or demands. #4 One-of-a-Kind Rebounderz of Jacksonville is truly a one-of-a-kind experience, and that’s great, because we’ve all had the same handful of dates over and over again. Coming up with new ideas can be tough, but with Rebounderz, a fun time is easy. You won’t find anything quite like it and you will be able to say definitively how much fun and how memorable your date night at Rebounderz was, because we’re truly one-of-a-kind. Let Rebounderz of Jacksonville be your next date night destination. Hire a babysitter and come have some fun, because Rebounderz isn’t just for kids! Contact us today with any questions or just pop on by. Come get your jump on! #### Trampoline Park Fun for the Whole Family Have you ever had a day where you just can’t figure out what to do with your family? One child wants to go to the movies, another wants to go play at the pool. The cycle is never ending; you can’t seem to please every member of the family. But you don’t have to keep struggling with this cycle. There are options available that can please every member of the family, young and old alike. The best place to come for fun for the whole family is Rebounderz of Jacksonville. Our trampoline park is so much more than just trampolines for teens to play on! We promise that you’ll find something for everyone! Grown and Jumping Any parent knows that more often than not, you end up doing the activity the kids want to do and you won’t always have a good time. The extent of your enjoyment is that you get to see your kids happy, and hopefully not bickering. But you don’t have to sacrifice your happiness for your kids. At Rebounderz trampoline parks, you can get in on the fun with your kids! Get a pass, and get jumping. You can play in the arena with your kids, or even challenge them to laser tag. Everyone will be smiles and giggles the whole afternoon. Teens and Tweens We all know how difficult teenagers can be. Nothing can make them happy, but Rebounderz of Jacksonville has a little bit for everyone. Whether your teen likes to be active and take on the Ninja Warrior Course, or they just want to hit up the arcade while everyone else goes and jumps, you can rest assured they’ll have an enjoyable afternoon too. In fact, let them bring some friends and you’ll have them begging to come to Rebounderz again soon. Kiddos When it comes to family entertainment, if the kids are happy, the whole family unit is typically happy. However, here at Rebounderz of Jacksonville, we want everyone to be able to have fun. Kids of all ages can come play at our Rebounderz trampoline park and have a blast. Let your kids get involved with a game of dodgeball in the Jump Arena, or challenge them at the Basketball Slam. Our hoops are adjustable for a wide range of heights to make it a fair competition. Our Ninja Warrior Course isn’t just for teens ready to take on the challenge; with varying levels based on lane, younger kids can give it a try to and see how they stack up to the competition. Tiny Tykes Here at Rebounderz of Jacksonville, we don’t forget our littlest jumpers. We have an area of the facility dedicated exclusively for them. In the Weebounderz area, we have adorable, inflatable play apparatuses for the tykes to climb and bounce all over. This way they are safely away from the big kids and have their own, perfectly-sized play space. Here at Rebounderz of Jacksonville, we want to make sure the whole family can have fun when you visit. You’re sure to find something for everyone and end the day in smiles. Contact us with any questions you may have! #### Trampoline Parks Apopka: Bring Your Halloween Character to Life! Halloween is More Fun With Bounce in Your Step Trampoline parks are a great place to jump and play with your kids. For one, it is a safe place for you and your child to jump wildly into the air! Not very many places allow you to run, jump, flip, and somersault all over the place. But at Rebounderz, that is what our space is for! Here, you can get your healthy dose of aerobics and fun in one place! Anticipation of Halloween Tomorrow is Halloween, which means just two things. One, your child probably has an amazing costume that they have been dying to wear. So much so, that they probably could not help their curiosity and decided to wear it multiple times before Halloween night. Second, it also means that your kids, as well as any neighborhood children, are going to be undergoing a sugar-high from all of their holiday treats. So, what is the best way to address both of these aspects of the holiday? Rebounderz of Apopka, Florida! Make Halloween Costumes More Fun At Rebounderz, your little one can let their imagination run wild! Here, we encourage creative and imaginative thought, which is why our indoor trampoline park is ideal during Halloween. During Halloween, you and yous kids dress up like characters and pretend to be them. At Rebounderz, we only amplify this imagination by providing trampolines, foam pits, and obstacle courses. Let your child’s imagination be free and use the inspiration of their costumes. Which Costumes You Can Enhance These are some of the Halloween costumes that Rebounderz can help make more realistic for your child. Astronauts: At Rebounderz, our trampoline arena can make your child feel like a real-life astronaut! The way the trampoline can feel under their feet can make them pretend like they are walking on the moon. Zombies: Our foam pit is perfect for the little zombie in your life. In our pit, they can jump in and crawl their way out of it like they are coming out of their grave. Spooky! Basketball Superstars: Our Basketball Slam court is designed to make your little one feel six feet tall. On our trampoline basketball court, your kids can jump, dodge, and slam like a basketball pro! Soldiers: In our obstacle course, your child can pretend they are a special operative or a soldier. Your child can dodge the components of our obstacle course like a trained professional. Ninjas: Dressing for a ninja for Halloween can be fun! Especially in our obstacle course and on our trampoline area. Dressed as a ninja, your child can pretend they are going through our obstacle course with expert precision. And, on our trampoline arena, they can jump extreme heights and practice their special ninja moves. Superheroes: Every good Halloween season needs a superhero! If your little one is dressed as a superhero, Rebounderz can help them imagine their powers. At our trampoline arena, your child can experience what is like to “super jump” and go through our obstacle course with “super speed.” Our trampoline arena can make your child feel like they are their costume character. This is just one simple way Rebounderz is able to encourage childhood imagination. After all, Halloween is about being able to pretend and imagine yourself as something else! Helping With the Sugar Rush As stated, the second definite outcome of Halloween is the number of children who will be hopped up on sugar. To help with this sugar overload, Rebounderz offers many different attractions to help wear out your kid. No parent wants to stay up all night because their kid can’t sleep. Instead, bring your child to Rebounderz where they can jump and play for hours. Here, they can get all their energy out so they will be tired enough to get a good night’s rest. Rebounderz of Apopka, FL At Rebounderz, we can help you, the parent, get through Halloween. More importantly, however, Rebounderz offer you and your child a great way to celebrate the holiday. Instead of staying home and eating more candy than you need to, bring your child to Rebounderz. Together, you both can enjoy jumping and playing on trampolines in order to pretend and burn your candy calories! Join us at Rebounderz today! #### Trampoline Parks are Ideal for Birthday Parties for Kids of Any Age From tiny tots to ripe grannies, a birthday party at a trampoline park is sure to be a hit! Kids of all ages can't help but have fun in an arena full of bouncy floors. If you thought trampoline parks were just for school-age children, you have been missing out! Here are just a few reasons why trampoline park birthday parties are great for any age. Games As with any other source of entertainment, there are a wide variety of games to play while jumping to and fro. For the preschool age, games such as duck-duck-goose and Crack the Egg can easily keep them entertained and giggling uncontrollably for hours! For the tweens and teens, showing off skills on the super bounce or during jump basketball are popular. For children of all ages, as well as adults of all ranges, dodgeball is a classic. Engage guests in an exciting round of trampoline dodgeball and everyone will be talking about your party for the next year! Party It's true, most trampoline parks cater to kid's birthday parties, which is due mostly to the fact that this is the most typical group of people throwing parties that need help with hosting. This should not limit other age ranges! Perhaps your best friend is turning 41 and won't want a superhero themed party in a room with pizza and presents and balloons, but you and all your friends can enjoy some pizza and beverages between jumps! Interactive Birthday parties at trampoline parks are much more entertaining and interactive than a backyard barbeque, which is important as at any age! Most people invite guests to their birthday parties because they want to spend time with people they like and a birthday is a day that you get to choose what you do. If you find a trampoline park that also has other attractions like laser tag, an arcade, or an obstacle course, it can provide additional ways to interact with your party guests and explode. Clean up It doesn't matter if you are the mother of a first grader or a grandfather who's turning 70, nobody wants to deal with the hassle of cleaning up the mess after a birthday party! The great thing about hosting your party at a trampoline park is birthday party packages include cleanup! You and your guests can come, have fun, and head home without the stress of cleaning up after everyone or disrupting your home. And that's one of the best gifts in life. Every birthday party has the same things: guests, balloons, food, cake, and presents. Instead of having the same old party as everyone else, host yours at an indoor trampoline park! Whether your guests will be hordes of middle schoolers or PTA moms, trampoline parks are a jumping blast for children of all ages! Have you ever seen someone frowning while jumping on a trampoline? At Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena in Grand Rapids, our birthday parties include a personal party host to set up your party and keep it moving. We include food, drinks, and cake, as well as the cleanup! Call and book your birthday party today! #### Trampoline Parties for Kids Important Birthdays For Kids For a kid, every birthday is a big, and important birthday. After all, it is a day that makes them the center of attention. Not only will they get birthday wishes from their friends and family, but they will be able to get special treats and presents on their birthday. To a kid, their birthday is a really special time where they can enjoy getting older with their school friends and family. Best of all, they get to receive a slice of cake, perhaps a scoop of ice cream, and get to open their birthday presents. Birthdays are closely tied with the holidays; kids enjoy presents, candy, and parties. But, kids specifically enjoy good parties. If your child has a less than fun birthday party, they will not only remember it for the rest of their lives, but they will blame you for the experience. But don’t feel too much pressure, throwing a successful kid’s birthday party isn’t as challenging as you would think. At Rebounderz, we make parties simple and fun. With our birthday packages, we can provide your party with not only a trampoline park, but food, and drinks. No matter if your child is eight or 18, a trampoline park party is fun for everyone — no matter the age! In this blog, we will go over the important birthdays in your child’s life and how you can make these days special for them. Their First Birthday Your child’s first birthday is very important. For one, it is the day that they turn a year old. Although they might not remember this birthday, pictures and videos will make the party forever memorable. Even though your child won’t remember their first birthday, they will remember the footage of the special day. A one-year-old also won’t be able to use a trampoline — but the rest of the family can. If you would like to celebrate your families smallest member, yet still have a fun family outing, Rebounderz is an excellent place for the whole family to enjoy. Their Fifth Birthday Your child’s fourth, fifth, and sixth birthdays are all important because they are the years that they build memories of their childhood. During this time, your children will be learning and remembering at a very fast rate. Because of this, you want to make sure that their birthday is very special. After all, you want your child to build happy memories of their childhood and how much fun they had at their birthday party. Their Eighth Birthday When your child is eight they are just the right age to bring to Rebounderz. At Rebounderz, they can jump, run, play, and have fun at our indoor trampoline park. Here, they can enjoy all of our attractions, such as the obstacle course, and our trampoline dodgeball court. Eight-year-olds are also easy to entertain, which makes Rebounderz the perfect place to have your party. And, because eight-year-olds have such a keen sense of memory, it is important to make this birthday memorable. Their Tenth Birthday The “Big 1-0” is a special time for a kid. For one, they are getting older and have finally made it to double digits. Being 10 has its perks, one of them being that they can use their local Rebounderz for their birthday party. Our indoor trampoline park enables 10-year-olds to freely play with their friends and enjoy their youth. With the Rebounderz birthday package, your child and their friends can have one to two hours of unabridged jumping time. Not only that, but upgraded birthday packages include five-dollar arcade passes. If you are looking to make your child’s birthday spectacular, Rebounderz has got you covered. Rebounderz of Apopka, FL At Rebounderz of Apopka, you can celebrate any birthday. Our indoor trampoline park makes it easy to enjoy your birthday with attractions and other special features. If you purchase our birthday package, your party could enjoy hours of bouncing, pizza, a soft drink, and a secluded area just for your party. With our party package, you don’t have to worry about your party’s entertainment, food, drinks, or location. Instead, all you have to do is visit your local Rebounderz and have one of our birthday hosts or hostess’ handle it from there. Rebounderz makes birthday simple and fun. Contact us today for more information. #### Trampoline Party Packages At Rebounderz! Time to Party If you want to party like there is no tomorrow, Rebounderz has what you need. Whether you are celebrating a kid’s birthday party, a graduation, or even a coming-of-age celebration, Rebounderz is able to accommodate any party size at our trampoline park. Our event team works hard to make sure that our hosted parties are fun, well-decorated, and of course, well coordinated. If you have an important event coming up, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of restaurant reservations, and house parties, perhaps considering a Rebounderz party would be better for you. After all, our indoor trampoline park is built for people of all ages and physical capabilities, no matter how old you are, there is always something fun to enjoy at Rebounderz. Food Included! For one, food can always be a hair-pulling decision to make because not all kids like the same foods. There are also allergies to consider and certain food needs that some restaurants are simply unable to accommodate. Typically, kid’s birthday parties feature some sort of pizza dish as the main entre. Pizza is a dependable food to give to kids because few kids don’t like pizza and by purchasing a style like pepperoni, you don’t have to worry about picky eaters. And, if your party still has dietary restrictions, pizza can easily be adapted to fit those needs. Included in all our party packages are pizza and soda deals. That’s right! Rebounderz not only will provide your party a trampoline park, but we also offer food and drinks! Party Packages We Offer When planning a party, you have to think of every aspect: food, setting, entertainment, and event seating arrangements! All of these things should be figured out before the day of the party. Coordinating these factors can be exhausting, especially if you have a large group of children to look after. Luckily, Rebounderz offers three distinct packages that include food, drinks, trampoline time, jumping passes, arcade playing cards, and even themed private rooms! So, don’t stress about your upcoming party, simply call our Rebounderz event team and decide which party package you want! The Rebounderz Party Package The Rebounderz Party Package is based on parties with at least 10 jumpers. Included in this package is one hour of jumping time in our trampoline arena and an exclusive 30-minute Jump Pass for every 10 guests. The package also provides your party with an official party host or hostess who will help you coordinate seating, manage guests, and help set down desserts and presents. Each party package comes with two hours in your own private party room. Each party room can be specified to one of our five different party themes: Rock ‘n Roll, Beach Luau, Special Ops, Diva Boutique, and Extreme Sports. It is important if you would like your room decorated in any of these themes, to call Rebounderz ahead of time. Our party event team will be able to decorate your party before you or your guests arrive. At each party, regardless of the theme or package, our park will provide colorful paper goods and official Rebounderz jump socks. For the guest of honor, he or she will receive their very own free Rebounderz t-shirt. The Rebounderz Plus Party Package In our Rebounderz Plus Party Package, you can get many of the same features in our regular package, with a few added items. In our second package, we offer our arena to 15 jumpers. We also give each jumper their own arcade player cards and 15-30 minute Jump Passes. These passes will allow them to jump around anywhere in our arena and gain special access during your party. During this party, your guests may work up an appetite. Because they may have some rumbling bellies, Rebounderz offers your guests three large pizzas and three pitchers of soda. Included in this party package is use of your own party room for a two-hour period and a one-hour period of official jumping time. If you need any assistance this party package also offers you some help from one of our staff. They will act as the host/hostess of your party and help you coordinate playtimes, meals, and anything else you will need during your party. The Ultimate Party Package Our Ultimate Party Package is exciting because it offers the most features for a very large jumping party. In this package, 20 jumpers are allowed on our trampoline arena at the same time. In this package, you will also receive 20 $5 arcade player cards. You also will receive 20 different 20-30-minute Jump Passes. What sets this package apart from the others is that your party will receive four large pizzas, four pitchers of soda, 1 platter or tray of either fruit, veggies, or nachos, and one balloon bouquet. Your party will get an additional 30 minutes to your one-hour jump time as well. The 30 minutes jump time will be reserved after cake and presents. If you have a large party, you want to make sure you rent out a space that will be able to accommodate your guests. Very rarely will there be a restaurant that will be able to handle a party of your size. Food orders will take a long time to receive, not to mention your overall bill will be expensive. Also, other places won’t give you the amount of breathable room as Rebounderz does. Parks and your home will either be too open or too small for comfort, which is why applying for the Ultimate Party Package is a better choice if you have a large party. Added Features When you sign up for one of our parties, Rebounderz will send out an exclusive e-vite invitation to all of your guests. So, don’t struggle with sending your guests physical invites, we have you covered! If you are interested in adding any balloons to your party, Rebounderz can sell you balloons for $1 each. And, if you have any dietary restrictions for your party, Rebounderz would be happy to add on gluten-free pizza options to your reservation order (for an added fee). Along with ordering a different style of pizza, you can also order a variety of trays, platters, and dessert options. For instance, Rebounderz can also offer your party ice cream and toppings to go along with your cake. Rebounderz If you are interested in making your kid’s birthday party or graduation something special to remember, a Rebounderz party is the perfect way to do it! Our parties are safe, entertaining, and cover all the essential pieces that make an enjoyable celebration. For each reservation at Rebounderz, there is a mandatory $100.00 deposit required at the time of booking. While you are in our facility the only outside food permitted is cake, so please don’t bring outside food into our park. When you arrive on the day of your party, your host or hostess will escort you to your official party room. There, your host will greet all your guests and give a few minutes to complete a birthday shout out. After that, your party will be directed to our play arena where they will be able to play for an hour. Once the hour is up, your hostess will round up your guests and bring them back to the private party room for cake and presents. #### Trampoline Safety 101 Rebounderz is, by far, the safest trampoline parks in the nation. Each location, including that in Newport News, has special equipment that provides a great starting point for safety. In addition to having state-of-the-art equipment, all Rebounderz locations have set rules in place that help to keep each and every individual visiting safe. When you follow our trampoline park rules, you help to keep our facilities safe and fun for everyone. In order to help you do just that, we’re going to cover a few of the rules you will need to follow whenever you visit a Rebounderz trampoline park. Listen The most important thing you will want to do when you play on any of the attractions is to listen to the Referees on duty. Referees are present to make sure that all individuals adhere to the rules as directed in order to protect all participants. A Referee’s decision is always final, and you must listen to their directions. Always... There are several rules that you should always follow in order to create a safe and fun environment. Land on Two Feet Always land on two feet. It may be fun to bounce all over the place, but it’s important for your own personal safety to land on both feet, whether you’re about to bounce again or are about to step out of the arena. Also, if you’ve doing flips, or bouncing off the side walls, you need to land with two feet as well. Watch Out for Others It’s your responsibility to be aware of the people around you, especially if they are smaller. Keep an eye out around you, and don’t go barrelling around the arena. Use caution and keep an eye out. Never… Along with there being rules you should always follow, there are several actions you should never do in order to keep Rebounderz safe and fun for everyone. Fall With Your Arms It’s important that when you fall, you do a maneuver called a tuck and roll. This is when, instead of reaching out with your arms, you tuck them to your body and roll so that you fall on the trampoline on your back. This way you can easily bounce back to your feet without out the risk of injury to your wrists or arms. Do More Than One Flip Never do more than one flip. It’s great and quite enjoyable if you want to do flips, but never do more than one at a time. In addition, you must always land on two feet, so make sure you jump at your level. Double Bounce We’re sure you’ve done it on someone’s backyard trampoline, however, double bouncing is incredibly dangerous. This practice of bouncing close to another person to help them gain additional height makes it exceptionally difficult to control a bounce and adds additional, unnecessary risk. Here at Rebounderz of Newport News, safety always comes first. When you come and visit make sure to follow the rules and have fun at the same time. We look forward to seeing you when you come to visit our Rebounderz location! #### Trampoline Safety is Job One At Rebounderz in Apopka your safety is our number one priority. All of our trampolines employ the latest, cutting-edge safety technology to ensure you and your children have a great experience. Our safety protocols include the use of Rebounderz Grip Socks. No one may jump with bare feet. Every trampoline bed is double layered, and our corners do not overlap so there are no gaps where someone could potentially be injured. Our jump area is clearly marked so jumpers know where they can safely jump. Home Trampoline Safety If you’ve had such a good time at Rebounderz that you want to have a trampoline at home, there are important safety precautions you must take to ensure that your children are  as safe as possible. Home trampolines are inherently dangerous and there is no guarantee that your child won’t be seriously injured. Given that, our number one recommendation is that you do all of your trampolining at Rebounderz. It is more fun to trampoline with a lot of friends anyway. And you probably don’t have an arcade or foam pit at home either! If you just can’t resist the lure of a home trampoline, here are a few tips for a safer at-home trampoline experience. You can find more tips from the Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Educate yourself and your children. Visit Rebounderz or a local trampoline club to get instruction on proper jumping and how to spot potential dangers. Teach your children to get on and off the trampoline safely. Never allow children to bounce off a home trampoline. No unsupervised trampoline jumping, ever. There are a lot of safe activities your children can participate in outside. If you can’t be there to supervise, choose one of those activities for them to participate in instead. Every pediatrician will tell you that if you have a trampoline at home, no child should be allowed to use it without adult supervision. Even if your child is a budding gymnast with visions of the Olympics, please supervise their trampoline time. Put an age limit on your jumpers. We recommend that home trampolines only be used by children over the age of six because their coordination isn’t sufficiently developed to control their jumping at home. They can jump safely at Rebounderz thanks to our advanced trampoline technology and outstanding safety features. Place your trampoline on a soft, resilient surface such as your yard’s lawn. Never put a trampoline on a hard surface like concrete. Ensure that your trampoline is secured to the ground. Inspect padding, nets, springs and other elements of your trampoline regularly. Protect against common injuries. Require children to wear socks with a bottom that provide traction. You can find them at most sporting goods stores. Home jumpers should also wear protective gear similar to what they would wear while skateboarding including helmets, elbow pads and wrist guards. Know before you buy. Don’t buy the least expensive trampoline. If you can’t afford one with top-rated safety features, don’t buy at all. Must-have safety features include: Anti-slip surfaces. Durable nets or enclosures - these should be subject to their own safety inspection. Features that prevent the accidental entrapment of body parts from fingers and feet to heads. The lack of ANY sharp edges or protrusions. A stable base that will not tip or tilt with multiple, active jumpers. Now that you know what it takes to make a home trampoline as safe as possible, you may want to reconsider and just come down to Rebounderz in Apopka for all of your trampolining fun. We hope to see you soon! #### Trampoline Safety Tips for Seniors Who says you can’t enjoy trampolining well into your golden years? If anyone ever does, tell them they are misinformed! Trampoline rebounding offers more than a few benefits for silver sneaker members including great cardiovascular exercise, bone support (and even growth), and a sense of joy that can't be found anywhere else! Of course, like any age group, there are a few safety concerns that seniors should follow when enjoying a trampoline. Here, we will discuss a few trampoline safety tips specifically for the aging generation of jumpers. 1. Know your limits. No one knows your body or your physical limits better than yourself! The pure joy that trampolining can provide may distract you from any physical ailments you may have. It is important to be aware of anything that may be of concern while bouncing, such as a history of orthopedic injury, heart problems, or blood pressure issues. While exercise can help with all of these concerns, trampoline rebounding is not one of the safest. 2. Be mindful of the youngsters. Indoor trampoline parks are full of kids of all ages, from two to over one hundred years old! The younger kids tend to jump with reckless abandon, without a care to who is around them. As you jump, considerately, be sure not to crush the kids who get in your landing path. Politely squeal to alert them of your presence and remind them to share the space. If they give you sass, remind them to respect your elders, or that you are bigger and can bounce higher should they challenge you! 3. Wear grip socks. Not only are the grip socks that are provided at trampoline parks fashionable to make you appear hip to the hop, but they also help protect you from the illnesses and stickiness that the young kids who are sharing the trampoline may leave behind! The grip socks also help you prevent slipping which allows you to land perfectly and catch more air on the rebound! The grip sock provided by Rebounderz help to reduce static electricity that commonly afflicts trampoline jumpers. 4. Watch your landing. Everyone who jumps on a trampoline should always be mindful of their landing. Indoor trampoline parks offer safer landings than backdoor trampolines. Especially the Exoskeleton Jumper at Rebounderz, which eliminates gaps, exposed springs, and metal bars in the trampoline arena. Although trampolines are springy, small joints are at risk if you don’t land correctly. Most importantly, with all the kids jumping all over the place, when you nail your backflip, you don’t want to land on top of one of them! Jumping on a trampoline offers a variety of benefits to the senior population, the most important of which, is fun! By following these tips and the safety rules dictated by your local indoor trampoline park, trampolining can be safe enough to enjoy for many years to come. For all of your trampoline enjoyment, come check out the trampolines at Rebounderz of Lansdale today! #### Trampoline Safety Tips from Rebounderz Trampoline jumping is a fun pastime. In the early 1990s, personal trampolines became popular and most children had access to one in their own backyard or neighborhood. Annually in the United States, emergency rooms treat more than 200 thousand trampoline-related injuries, most of which are musculoskeletal. Although they are popularly believed to be unsafe, over the entire decade leading up to trampoline jumping making its debut in the Olympics, there were only 11 trampoline-related fatalities. To keep trampoline jumping a fun activity, we have assembled a list of trampoline safety tips. Restrict Access Personal backyard trampolines are popular, you'll likely find at least one in each neighborhood. However, children should not have unlimited access. Trampoline time should always be supervised for safety. When backyard trampolines were first sold, they included a metal rung ladder for an entry point. However, in 1999, the attached ladder was outlawed because children who were far too small to climb onto the trampoline otherwise were able to gain unassisted access to the trampoline and, even without jumping, fall off at heights sometimes twice their own. A general rule of thumb is if a child has to be lifted onto the trampoline, they are likely too small to be using it safely. One Jumper at a Time Most trampoline injuries occur when the jumper lands too close to the edge of the trampoline, or worse, beyond the edge. Having more than one jumper on the trampoline significantly reduces the available landing space for each jumper. Each jumper that is added to the mix makes everyone jump just a little closer to the edge. Allowing only one jumper at a time will allow them to jump safely in the middle of the trampoline, with plenty of room for error. When multiple jumpers are bouncing it also increases the likelihood of a collision. Whether one jumps into the other or lands on another, injuries are generally more dramatic when they involve more than one person. A trampoline depends on the bounce and elasticity of the jumping surface to launch the jumper into the air and then safely catch them as they rebound. When multiple jumpers are bouncing, if they become out of sync and a jumper lands right after one has taken off, it is the landing jumper who will absorb the rebound shock of the other jumper and it causes a halt in the jump. This can lead to injury when the jumper was prepared to rebound and instead falls. Prevent Falling It is a natural part of bouncing that you may not nail the landing every time. The danger in this is when the landing occurs over the edge of the trampoline. Always make sure to have the spring guard in place to prevent jumpers from landing on or in between springs. You can invest in a safety net to go on the trampoline to help keep jumpers "in bounds." If at all possible, it is a good idea to make a soft landing all the way around the trampoline. Inspect Trampoline Regularly Trampolines require regular inspection to ensure that it has not been compromised and is in peak condition. If there are tears or micro holes in the jumping surface, it should be repaired or replaced immediately. Because the jumping surface relies on elasticity, any small insult to the material can escalate with each bounce and have devastating consequences should anyone land on it. Also be sure to thoroughly inspect the springs. The should be tight and difficult to manually bend. If there is rust present, it is an indication of corrosion on the metal and should be replaced. Inspect the spring cover to make sure it is still providing the protection from the springs it is intended to. Regular inspections will afford you the opportunity to correct any deficiencies before they cause harm to a jumper. If you live in an area with extreme sun or frequent precipitation, it is a good idea to keep it covered with a tarp to prevent weather damage from occurring. Choose a Trampoline Park Instead The safest alternative to a backyard trampoline is an indoor trampoline arena. Indoor trampoline parks are able to keep their trampolines in a temperature controlled environment which reduces weather damage. Trampoline parks have safety monitors and trampoline repair technicians to ensure the jumpers and equipment are kept safe. Going to a professional facility reduces your liability and the need to inspect a trampoline. Not to mention the space it saves in your yard and the peace of mind you'll have knowing your children can only jump when you take them! Kids of all ages have been jumping for joy on trampolines for decades. When the trampoline is cared for and jumpers exercise safety at all times, it can be a safe and enjoyable activity. Follow these tips to help keep your little ones safe and bouncing for a lifetime. And if you want to take your kids to an indoor trampoline park, make Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena your first choice! Safety isn't just our motto, it's our business. #### Trampoline Skills as a Job Skill   Okay, you’re probably wondering how trampoline skills could ever be something you would want to put on your resume, but the truth is that there are actually some jobs out there where having some sweet moves on a trampoline could land you the job of your dreams. In fact, you’d probably be surprised by how many people actually use trampolines to help them train, become stronger, and work towards their professional goals. So when you visit Rebounderz of Edison, it may be for fun. But who knows, perhaps your love of trampoline parks can lead to future professional endeavors! Keep reading to learn about what jobs actually use trampoline skills as a professional requirement. Gymnast This may seem like a no-brainer, but many gymnasts utilize trampolines to train for competition. Trampolines are especially important for when a gymnast is learning a new beam or floor trick that requires a little extra bounce to accomplish safely. Most gymnasts don’t compete on trampoline, however, the event was brought back to the Summer Olympics in 2000 at the Sydney games. So if you’re really good on a trampoline, there’s a possibility of getting a Gold metal out there for just that. Cirque du Soleil Cirque du Soleil has many different shows that have helped to revolutionize the trampoline and bring acrobatics to the theater. If you’re great at tumbling and love performing, this could be for you. With many different shows traveling all over the world, the brand is always looking for talented individuals ready to take risks and perform at the same time. A theater degree and a passion to learn more about acrobatics with a trampoline is a great place to start in order to join Cirque du Soleil. Stunt Person Ever wonder how that crazy stunt in the movies was made when the main character falls out of the building or one where they magically seem to be able to jump higher than you think they should be able to? Odds are there was a trampoline of some sort involved in the scene and quite possibly a stunt person. Shows are in constant need of stunt doubles for stars who know how to take falls and tackle just about anything put in front of them. Being strong and having a great background in martial arts is one place to start to work your way into stunts in Hollywood. Professional Athlete While we mentioned gymnasts above, athletes of all sorts use trampolines to train for their specific area. Anyone from skiers to runners can use trampolines to help train tricks and improve agility. In addition, athletes such as professional springboard or platform divers and skateboarders will use trampolines regularly during training. Any professional athlete who isn’t using an trampoline occasionally for training is missing out on some huge benefits. Here at Rebounderz trampoline parks, we’re just the place to start your love for trampolines in a fun and safe environment. Let your kids play, and hop right in to join them, because you never know if trampoline skills will come in handy on their resume in the future. Learn more about Rebounderz of Edison by giving us a call today!   #### Trampolines: A History Trampolines are a remarkable invention because they use both gravity and joy and combine them together. By jumping on a trampoline, two things happen; your full body is utilized in balance and your brain releases dopamine in your brain. This dopamine triggers senses in your brain and gives you a sort of exhilaration. So the saying “jump for joy,” is applicable to such contraptions as trampolines. But how did they come to be? Who made the idea of creating such a simple object? Together we will go through a full history of Trampolines and run down their family all the way to your local Rebounderz. The Origin The first trampoline was created in 1934 by two men named, George Nissen and Larry Griswold. Both men were scholars and athletes at the University of Iowa. They had noticed that trapeze artists had designed a sort of net to catch them after a trick. What interested Nissen and Griswold was the bounce that was created when the performers hit the mat. Immediately Nissen and Griswold began to design their own net, one that would be thicker, stronger, and create a much more prominent bouncing effect. The men fashioned their own invention, one with stretched canvas, springs, and an iron bar to hold it all together. This is how the trampoline was born. The Name Both Nissan and Griswold were talented gymnasts and saw the potential that could be utilized. Nissen, an accomplished diver at the University of Iowa as well, used the trampoline as a training device. This is how the trampoline got its name. Nissen named it ‘Trampoline’ after the Spanish word trampolin which means ‘diving board.’ Sports Though Nissen and Griswold used their trampoline for their individual gymnast training, they new that the invention could be used to do so much more. Both men then took their trampoline and introduced it to the athletic department. Gymnasts, Divers, and Freestyle Skiers all found a way to use the trampoline and have it benefit their sport. From the University of Iowa, the trampoline soon spread to every major university that had an athletic department. The War After all major universities began using trampoline, the United States government also decided that trampolines could be effective in more than one way. The American military used Nissen and Griswold’s trampoline to train airmen during World War II. The invention proved effective in helping the US Navy Flight School train troops to improve their balance and spacial orientation. Space It did not take long for the world to see the value in trampolines. NASA soon developed the trampoline as a tool to train astronauts. The trampoline was used to help train astronauts with retention and balance. Of course, astronauts never made it to space until the 1960s, but the trampoline played a crucial role in helping astronauts prepare their bodies.   Trampoline Parks After the functional uses of trampolines had been discovered, Nissen and Griswold wondered if trampolines could be used for recreational uses. In the early 1960s, indoor trampoline parks first starting popping up across the United States. It could not be denied that bouncing on a trampoline was fun, so businesses began to invest in creating large-scale parks with public trampolines. Home Trampolines As customers grew to enjoy the thrill of the trampoline parks, they soon began to install large trampolines in their backyard. On these trampolines, families could jump together in privacy, without having to share with the general public like at trampoline parks. The first personal trampolines were very large, big enough that most had to be installed in backyards. However, people that lived in smaller homes or apartments wanted to have the same experience of jumping on a trampoline, but in the comfort of their home. Because of this, the smaller indoor trampoline was born. Workout Trampolines The smaller model trampoline soon developed into an exercise tool for people wanting a full body workout, without the hassle of going to the gym. Due to the fact that trampolines are fun and release dopamine when you jump, the struggle of working out is lessened. The personal trampoline created a workout that was both fun and surprisingly effective. Studies have shown that trampolines give benefits in both balance and muscular strength. They also help the lymphatic system and provides health benefits in the heart and lungs. Competitive Trampolines Trampolines transformed yet again, changing from a training tool to a competitive tool. In 1964, London hosted their first ever competition for trampolining. In that year, a Louisiana PE coach became the first ever US Trampoline Coach. He later went on to train many American champions, including his own daughter, Leigh Hennessy. Years later she was awarded by the Guinness Book of World Records for winning the most trampoline championships. The Olympics Since 2000, competitive trampolining has been an official Olympic sport. The sport is currently split in three main divisions: double mini-trampoline, synchronized trampoline, and tumbling. Every country is allowed to have two representatives, one man and one woman. In the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Canadian gymnast, Rosannagh Maclennan won the gold for Women’s Trampoline. Trampolines have had a long, winding history. It seems as they though they have touched monumental moments in American history, and helped shape how we view recreational time together. Trampolines can be used to be both a tool and toy. However, we at Rebounderz prefer them as toys! Partake in the wonderful history of trampolines and join us for a bounce at your local Florida Rebounderz! #### Trampolining: An Overview If you grew up in the 21st century, chances are you have enjoyed jumping on a trampoline. It has become a common recreational activity all over the world. But did you know that it is also a major sport? Yes, it turns out all those double jumps and radical (and probably a little too dangerous) tricks could have gotten you into the big leagues! Actually, trampolining is prestigious enough to be included in the Olympics. Here, we would like to go over a little bit about how trampolining came to be, and what the sport entails. Where It Started The trampoline actually started as an assisting tool for tumblers and divers, being co-invented by George Nissen, a tumbler himself. He then marketed the device as an entertainment tool, where it quickly took off in education programs and entertainment centers. It was this wave of popularity that pushed trampolining from a recreational activity into a respectable sport. Unfortunately, in competitive trampolining, injuries and lawsuits have drawn the sport away from many community uses, and it is now practiced almost exclusively in gyms with certified trainers. How it Works The way competitive trampolining works can be broken down into two basic parts: the move and the landing. First, let's go over the landing. There are four acceptable landing positions in trampolining: Feet, Seat, Front, and Back. Every trampolining routine has to start and end from the feet position. Each contestant is given 10 "contacts" (landings) on the trampoline per routine, as well as one "out bounce", which is just a straight jump used to help stick a landing. Moves have to be done using one of the following three techniques: Tuck, Pike, and Straight. The tuck position clasps the knees to the chest with ones hands. The pike position has the hands touching feet with arms and legs spread straight. The straight position is just like it sounds, with the body straightened rigidly, toes and legs pointed out, and arms by the sides. Moves can be further modified with twists and somersaults to create dazzling displays of acrobatics. Competitions: When judging a contestant in a competition, many different factors are taken into account. FIG Shorthand, one of the common rubrics for grading a competitor's score, is a series of digits representing different aspects of the routine that are ranked numerically and alphabetically. The first digit represents the number of quarter rotations, the second the number of half twists, and the third is represented by a symbol signifying how the contestant landed. "/" refers to the straight position, "<" to the pike position, and "o" to the tucked position. There are many different kinds of trampoline competitions, including the individual trampoline event, synchronized trampoline, power tumbling and more. Though new, the sport has taken off and continues to gain traction.   You don't have to be a professional to enjoy a trampoline, though. Why not enjoy doing tricks at your own pace with friends instead? If that piques your interest, check out our trampoline park in Grand Rapids. We've got top of the line trampoline equipment available at an affordable price. Our referees are trained to ensure that everyone has a fun and safe experience. Give us a call to find out more. #### Treating Your Anxiety With a Trampoline Park Anxiety in America and Your Natural Treatment Options 18.1 percent of the American population suffers from some sort of anxiety disorder. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, all ranging in severity. But, despite the prevalence of anxiety disorders in the US, only 36.9 percent receive treatment for their disorders. Treatment can come in two forms: natural and medicinal. People with anxiety disorders can choose whether they would like to address their anxiety with natural remedies, such as physical and mental stimuli, or with medications. In this blog, we will talk about some natural remedies to ease your anxiety and how you can combat some of your anxious thoughts in healthy ways. Anxiety Treatment Options Anxiety can range from small thoughts to large, distracting impulses. As stated, anxiety has a spectrum of different disorders. For instance, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that involves compulsive thoughts that cause anxiety. This form of anxiety can be treated with medication; however, natural remedies have also proven effective, such as physical exercise, crafting, and small distracting exercises. Fear is at the base of most anxiety disorders and can cause people to make poor decisions. People with anxiety disorders are much more likely to develop addictive habits in order to cope with their anxiety. For instance, people with anxiety are much more likely to develop an addiction to nicotine than non-anxious people. In fact, 44.3 percent of all cigarettes are consumed by individuals with mental illnesses or even substance abuse disorders. Of course, this genre of treatment may help momentarily, but can have serious consequences down the road and even make your anxiety worse. The best way to treat your anxiety is to either speak with a professional counselor or find remedies to improve your mood in a healthy way. Having Goals For the goal-driven person, using goals to improve your anxiety can be a big help. For instance, if you are struggling with something that makes you anxious, setting goals for yourself to change your behavior is a great tactic. For instance, if you start to feel anxiety, you should take note about what is causing the anxiety and what ways you can reduce the anxiety. If you enjoy working your way to a goal, you can come up with ways to change your behavior to limit the amount of anxiety you are feeling. Also, if you are a goal-driven person, you will want to document your progress and relapses. Anxiety is a mental disorder, which means so much of your daily life can affect the severity of your anxiety on any given day. For example, if something traumatic is happening in your life, or you are feeling down, your anxiety might be affected. It is always a good idea to document your life and the level of your anxiety on a scale of one to 10. In your documentation, you should include the following information: Your Diet How Long You’re Sleeping at Night Your Exercise Schedule Your Work Schedule Your Social Schedule You may think that all of this information is not relevant, but the opposite is true! Your diet, the amount you exercise, as well as your work and social schedules all play a huge role in your mental well being. If you are too far stretched at work, mapping out your workload can be a great way to manage your energy and time. Also, how you feel about yourself physically goes miles in terms of your mental health. If you feel healthy, your brain too will most likely improve. Of course, the combination of these things won’t cure your anxiety, but it will dramatically reduce your stress. Doing Things You Enjoy Fulfilling your life is good for you, whether you have anxiety or not. Doing things you enjoy will lift your spirits and make you feel better about yourself. In many cases, people with anxiety choose to express themselves through artistic means. The use of art or writing can be an excellent, therapeutic way to relieve some of your anxiety symptoms. For example, if you enjoy art, picking up a paintbrush can be a great way to relieve some of your stress. When you paint, you have control over the design and colors of the painting. People with anxiety can often feel that they have no control over their thoughts and feelings. However, creative pathways allow people with anxiety to become masters of their own work, which can provide them with a sense of security. Even if you aren’t a formal artist, creating something can have therapeutic effects. After all, you aren’t painting or sketching for a gallery; you are going it to express yourself and what you are feeling. Having this sort of outlet can be monumentally helpful for people with mental disorders, like anxiety. Aromatherapy Aromatherapy has been proven to have a calming effect on people with anxiety. Whether you have had a stressful day or you are frustrated with something in your life, the smell of something soothing can relax your brain. Aromatherapy typically will use plants and herbs to create aromas that make people feel calm and relaxed. Although, this does not always mean that they will help. Aromas are an associative therapy, which means that if you associate the smell with a calming sensation, your brain will relax. But, there are other smells that you can associate with a calming sensation. For example, if you remember a certain smell when you were a child, the reintroduction to that smell can help keep your relaxed. Aromatherapy doesn’t work for everyone, but it has been shown to help many people with anxiety. If you have a sensitive nose, you may want to choose a lightly scented candle or a humidifier scent to have in your home. This will provide your home with a soft, relaxing smell that won’t over-stimulate your nose. And, because most the anxiety you feel is likely to occur in your home, having these aromas around your living space can be advantageous. Bouncing on a Trampoline Physical activity is the best way to improve your mental state. Your brain is a complex network of synapsis and hormones. When you exercise, endorphins and hormones are released into your brain. If you struggle with your anxiety, being active is the best way to give your brain and body a boost of positive energy. Bouncing on a trampoline has been proven to help release the neurotrasnmitter, dopamine. Dopamine is the hormone associated with contentment and happiness. When you jump on a trampoline, the point at which you are highest in the air is when dopamine is released in your brain. Rebounderz of Newport News Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks are always available for you to use. We have trampolines that you can jump on to give your brain a much-needed dopamine boost. Coping with anxiety can be difficult, but luckily, there are many different things to do that can help manage your anxiety. If you or your child are struggling with anxiety, stop by your local Newport News Rebounderz. Stay tuned for the second part of our blog series, as we discuss child anxiety and how Rebounderz can help! #### Trending Birthday Party Activities As 2019 begins, the holiday season may be ending, but the birthday party planning season never ends! As one of the nation’s top kids birthday party venues, Rebounderz knows a thing or two about birthday party planning, and how to throw one unforgettable party for your guest of honor. Join us in today’s post as we discuss some of the hottest trending birthday party activities for kids. Make and Take Party Favors “Make and take” project party favors have always been casually around, but are making big trends recently as parents attempt to come up with fun party activities as well as neat party favors that won’t get tossed as soon as the guest gets home. We support this trend because it not only cuts costs by being a two-for-one but it also encourages kids to exercise their active creativity and play together in a productive fashion. The project can be as simple as painting a themed wood cutout or as elaborate as a personalized t-shirt. Whatever your project or favor, it will keep the kids at the party actively engaged and then they get to take their creations home with them! Build-Your-Own Snack Station Build-your-own snack stations are another trend that has casually been around since the beginning of celebrations. This may be a hot trending kids birthday party idea because it helps reduce food waste, ensures each kid will like their treat and allows children with allergies to avoid what they cannot have without missing out. You can set up a frozen yogurt bar with all the toppings, or serve plain cupcakes and let each kid decorate their own. This also helps free you from the burden of perfecting your icing art technique. Family Entertainment Center Parties Family entertainment centers like Rebounderz indoor trampoline parks have always catered to party planners. However, in the last few years, kids birthday party trends have leaned toward hosting at a local family entertainment center. We think this may be because parents have finally caught on to the benefits! When you host your kid’s birthday party at Rebounderz, our staff will set up the party, host it, and then clean up. This means all that you have to do is reserve the date, send the invitations, and bring the cake — yes, it really IS that easy! And, the kids go home exhausted, giving their parents the relaxation they deserve so much! A tired child is a well-behaved child. At Rebounderz of Sacramento, we are excited to be the newest indoor trampoline park and family entertainment center in the area. Our facility is packed with fun and exciting things for children of all ages to engage in. Contact us online or by phone to reserve your kid’s birthday party date today! And, if you feel up to it, you can try all three of these fun birthday party trends. #### Trending Themes for Kids Birthday Parties in 2018 Is your kid’s birthday party coming up soon and you have no idea what to do for it? You could throw the same birthday party that all your kid’s friends had — since you know they’ll love it. But, you know your child deserves a unique party just for them! Here are some of the top trending birthday party themes for 2018. Luau Although luaus have always been a fun party theme idea, this year young girls have been requesting luaus. While they may love the colorful hibiscus flowers and flower leis, it is more likely the Moana-inspired appeal. The latest Disney movie is taking over the birthday party circuit. Let your little one be the star of the party with a luau in their honor, Moana decor optional. Superhero Party Superhero parties have been popular for decades, for boys and girls alike! There are so many options for this theme, including theming the entire party around your little one’s favorite superhero or hosting a costume party so the kids can come dressed as their favorite superhero or create their own. Whichever you choose will help guide party decorations and the cake. Spa Party For your little princess, treat her and her friends to a spa party. Allow the girly-girl in your life to get a manicure/pedicure, her hair done, and a refreshing mask. If you have enough willing, helpful adults to be the spa employees, you can set up a spa for the kids to be catered to in, complete with cucumber water. If not, you can always set out the supplies and let the girls do each other's nails and hair. There are many homemade face mask recipes that can help lower your costs while you pamper the little ones. Trampoline Park Party Over the last decade, each year, trampoline park birthday parties become more popular. This is because guests of all ages can attend and have fun jumping to their heart’s content. Trampoline parks like Rebounderz will take care of all the setup, hosting, and clean-up for you so that you can enjoy the party with your guests and will even provide a themed party room complete with food and drinks. You just bring the cake and the guests! The Art Station Party Activity center parties are great for elementary school age children who love getting hands on. Create a few stations where the kids can create something fun to take home or give as a gift to your little one, such as a painting, dream-catcher, or friendship bracelets. Another art party idea is to create art on a large scale! Hang a sheet as a canvas and let the kids go nuts throwing paint at it or use squirt guns and spray bottles to shoot the color onto the “canvas.” Emoji Party Becoming popular in the last few years, emoji parties are still topping the charts of trending kid’s birthday party themes. To kids, emojis are used more to communicate than actual words are, so it stands to reason that it would be a popular theme. Fortunately for you, there is no shortage of emoji decorations and you can decorate cupcakes with any emoji you like! The key to picking the right theme for your kid’s birthday party is by including your child in the decision process. If your kiddo has a specific theme in mind, remind them what the theme will be regularly to prevent them from seeing a good idea and changing their mind! Have fun and be creative when planning birthday party decor, and let your kiddo help. If you want someone else to handle it, call us at Rebounderz Trampoline Park, where we take care of the planning and coordinating for your trampoline park birthday party! #### Unique Kids Birthday Party Places In Orlando Ah, Orlando. “The City Beautiful,” is what they call it. It’s also garnered quite the reputation as the “Theme Park Capital of the World.” However, Orlando has a whole lot more to offer than high-priced theme parks and congested attractions. While many people tend to choose the big-name parks for their kids’ birthday parties, we’d like to let you know that there are a whole lot of unique kid’s party options that are lesser-known and are still just as fun. In this blog, we’ll be pointing out a few of the unique kids’ birthday party places in Orlando that will have your child begging to return each and every year. Who knows, maybe one of these places will allow you to sprout a new family tradition. Let’s jump in. Blue Spring State Park There’s no better place to explore our great state’s natural beauty than at Blue Spring State park. Located just over 30 miles north of Orlando, this 2,600 acre state park features the largest natural spring on the St. Johns River. If you go during the right time of the year, typically around the summer, you can even enjoy the 73-degree waters of that spring with swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and more. Blue Spring State Park is perfect for a weekend getaway or even a day trip for your kid’s birthday party, with ample cabins and lodging, picnic areas with covered pavilions, playgrounds, and a whole lot more. But why else is this beautiful stretch of land, water, and trees special? Well, it happens to be a designated manatee refuge, housing hundreds of manatees throughout the year and particularly during the season that runs from mid-November through March. While the spring is closed during these months, you can still stop by and behold the majestic manatees as they swim about right here in our own backyard. Your kid might just have a new obsession after having their party at Orlando’s manatee manor. Central Florida Zoo Speaking of fun animal attractions, the Central Florida Zoo sits right near the coast of Lake Monroe and offers the perfect unique adventure opportunity for your next kids’ party. The zoo offers several different birthday party packages, which include zoo admission for guests plus access to the Tropical Splash Ground (weather permitting). Your kids party will also feature a train and carousel ride through the zoo, access to an indoor party room, a party host or hostess to aid with serving cake (provided by your party), animal-themed decorations, and of course access to all of the zoo’s great exhibits. Orlando Science Center For the kids who are a little more into science and education, the Orlando Science Center offers a unique opportunity to host a kid’s party surrounded by fun and learning. The Science Center also has their own unique birthday party packages, which include admission plus parking, themes such as Party Animals, Exploration Space, or Fantastic Jurassic, and a whole lot more. Get a guided tour through the center and give the birthday honoree an opportunity to have a blast while learning about the wonders of science. Rebounderz Trampoline Park We’ve saved the best kid’s birthday party venue for last. If you’re looking for a more extreme, unique, and indoor activity that not only provides a lot of fun but also helps promote fitness, then look no further than Apopka’s own Rebounderz extreme fun center. Located less than 15 miles north of “The City Beautiful,” Rebounderz is proud to serve as Orlando’s premier trampoline park. Our kid’s party packages include full access to our fun centers, a private themed party room, pizzas, soda, a host/hostess, and a whole lot more. Experience the high-flying thrill of the most unique birthday party idea around. Our facility houses wall-to-wall trampoline jumpers, an air dodgeball arena, basketball slam courts, a thrilling detached foam pit, and even an arcade. We certainly throw the best kid’s party in Apopka, Orlando, or anywhere throughout the great Sunshine State — we guarantee it! Our patented jumpers have changed the game when it comes to trampoline parks. Just come on in and find out for yourself! If you’re looking for a unique kid’s birthday party idea that will have your child and their guests jumping for joy — literally — then contact Rebounderz Apopka to learn how to book your jump time today. #### Use Our Trampoline Park to Face Your Fears How a Trampoline Can Help Face Fears Facing your fears can be difficult. Fear, in many ways, keeps us safe and protected. Our ancestors used fear as a way to survive and stay away from plants, animals, and other nomads that could hurt them. But, as we have developed, the human race has adapted and changed what we fear. True, there are some things we are still afraid of, such as poisonous plants, animals, and other hostile humans. But, we also have developed some other, more irrational fears. For instance, humankind has developed phobias about certain things around them. Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder that affects more than 19 million people. A phobia can develop from a fear that is allowed to get worse over a course of six months. A phobia specifically comes from a fear or lack of understanding of something. A fear of heights is a very common phobia. In this blog, we will discuss the phobia of heights and what is the best way to combat your fears. Fear is About Survival Having a fear of heights is completely understandable and natural. Our ancestors used this fear to keep them from jumping off of high places like cliffs or mountains. This fear essentially kept them alive and allowed them to carry on their genes to the next generation. Survival is rooted in our basic instincts. Because of this, we maintain certain fears to resist certain consequences. A person that has a phobia of heights, or acrophobia, typically will have it because they fear falling and hurting themselves. The idea of slipping and falling can be enough to make them have an anxiety attack. However, not all situations should elicit a sense of fear. A person who has acrophobia will have an irrational fear of heights that can be initiated when fear isn’t warranted. In many instances of phobia, the person affected will go out of their way to avoid certain situations that they believe they will be too high up off the ground. An example of this would be using an elevator. People with acrophobia will typically avoid an elevator at all costs, even if it is the only way to get to where they need to be. Regardless of their own need, fear will trump any other emotion or thought. How To Face Your Fears It is okay to be afraid of certain things. After all, fear keeps you cautious and safe. But, phobias are when a fear can become out of control. If your fear keeps you from living a normal life, that is typically a sign that your fear has taken too much control over your thoughts and actions. Fear is particularly hard to defeat because you are arguing with your own conscious. Ultimately, if you would like to face a fear, you have to release any negative thoughts about what you are afraid of. For instance, if you are afraid of heights, you won’t want to jump off of anything high up. You are typically fearful of falling because you either dislike the feeling of falling or the consequences if you land wrong back on the ground. Because you are so terrified of the consequences, you will convince yourself that jumping is the last thing you want to do. But, in order to face your fears, you have to trust yourself and the action. This simply means that you have to accept the consequences you fear. Once you do, your fear has no power over your actions anymore. Rebounderz of Newport News At Rebounderz of Newport News, we have an attraction perfect for facing acrophobia. Our JumpXTREME is the perfect platform for facing your fears. The tower itself is raised 14 feet in the air and will give you the best chance to face your fears in a controlled and safe environment. Visit our indoor trampoline park today. #### Waiver Policy Update Attention Rebounderz Edison guests, due to annual updates to our waiver policy, if you filled out a waiver prior to February, 27th, 2017, you must fill out a new waiver before participating in our attractions.  You may fill out your waiver online or in-store. Participants under the age of 18 must have a waiver filled out by their parent or legal gaurdian. Click here to fill out the waiver. #### Want to Jump Higher? People jump for all different reasons. They jump because they're surprised, excited, angry, or trapped on one side of a rain-filled gutter. While pretty much all of your muscles contribute at least a little to a jump, some muscles play bigger roles than others. If you want to jump higher, all you have to do is train the muscles that play the biggest roles in jumps, and they'll help you get those extra inches off of the ground. In our last blog, we introduced the motions and muscles that do most of the work every time you jump. In today's blog, we want to go a bit more in-depth and discuss exercises you can do to strengthen key jumping muscles. Hip Flexors All jumps start here. When you move your thigh toward your stomach, that's called hip flexion. That means when you crouch down before jumping, you're flexing your hip joints. When you start to straighten back up and surge toward the sky, you're using your hip flexor muscles. They are small muscles, but they're key when it comes to explosive motions like jumping or sprinting. How to strengthen your hip flexors: Lie down on your back. Keeping your legs straight, raise and lower them one at a time with control. Make sure your lower back stays pressed against the floor and keep your abs tight. Doing so will ensure that your hip flexors do the work without arching your spine. Calves You've got two big muscles on each of your calves. One is in front and the other is in back. The gastrocnemius is on the back of your leg, and it creates the typical calf shape we are used to seeing. The soleus is on the front of your leg. When you leave the ground, pushing off with your toes, both muscles work as a team to give your feet the best pushing force. How to strengthen your calves: You can do heel raises while standing, but if you're training to jump, we recommend jump roping or doing tuck jumps. These two exercises will increase your strength while training your muscles to deliver the explosive force you need to jump. Hamstrings If you've ever pulled a hamstring, you know just how powerful these muscles are ... and how important they are to pretty much any motion of your legs. Hamstrings are on the backs of your thighs and they balance out the powerful quadriceps muscles on the fronts of your thighs. They activate when your thigh moves backward or your knee bends and your heel moves toward your butt. All three parts of the hamstrings activate when you jump, especially during the explosive phase. How to strengthen your hamstrings: You can do squats to strengthen your hamstrings, but if you want to target them even more, lunges are a great option. Quadriceps These large muscles on the front of your thighs do a lot of work every time you jump. Once your legs are bent and you start to launch into the air, the quads are pulling a majority of your weight. The stronger and more adjusted to explosive motion they become, the higher you will be able to jump. We wanted to be sure to mention that you need to train your muscles to be explosive - just strength isn't enough. How to strengthen your quadriceps: Squats are very effective for strengthening your quads. You can incorporate jumps into your squat routines to get that explosive training in, too! Some people jump for a living. While we can't all be that lucky, you have options! Turn to Rebounderz's trampoline parks in Sterling for some jumping practice and fun today! #### Want to Jump Higher? Part 1 Most people don't understand how impressive the ability to jump really is. The ability to propel yourself up off the surface of the planet is actually really great. Sure, we can't stay up in the air too long, but the fact that we can fight the gravity of a massive planet is no small thing. At Rebounderz, we help kids and adults remember how wonderful jumping can be with our extensive trampoline park. However, we notice that some people can jump higher than others. It's like they know secrets about jumping. As it happens, we know some secrets about jumping ourselves. In today's blog, we're going to share a few things you can do to get those few extra inches of air. Visualize Your Jump We want to start here because it's a great way to jump higher without doing any exercises. A lot of what our bodies do depends on our minds, and that means the first thing you have to do is get your brain in the right place. It might seem silly, but it actually works. If you need to make the best jump of your life, close your eyes first. Imagine your muscles getting stronger and bigger. Mentally make yourself feel lighter and more springy. It just takes a minute. Once you've got your mind right, launch yourself into the air. This method has been proven to give jumpers up to five more inches of height in their jumps. It's amazing to feel the proof of the phrase "mind over matter"! Cultivate Flexibility The more movement your joints have, the more force you can get out of them.  You don't have to work as hard to get your limbs to really reach for new heights. If you're serious about jumping higher, stretch three times a week with a special focus on your hamstrings, glutes, and hip flexors. Not only will you prevent injuries by stretching, you'll give the body better access to efficient motion. Bulk Up Your Fast-Twitch Muscle Fibers Do you participate in any activities that require your muscles to react very quickly? If not, your fast-twitch muscles aren't getting stronger, and you won't be able to get the explosive force you need for a great jump. We all have fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles, and if you love activities that require endurance, your slow-twitch muscles are doing all the work. On the other hand, if you participate in activities like sprinting, you're developing your fast-twitch muscles. Sprinters actually have the highest percentage of fast-twitch muscles compared to all athletes, so sprinting exercises are a great way to improve your jumps. Ready to bring your best jumping game to Rebounderz? Check out our Ninja Warrior courses or just have fun with your friends on our trampoline Basketball Slam. Our safe trampoline partks have been designed to give people the most fun experience whether they are young children or adults. When you visit our Sterling location, you'll enjoy the best we have to offer. Contact us to learn more! Read Part 2 #### Want to Jump Higher? Part 2 Have you ever wondered how high you could jump if you worked at it? At Rebounderz, we help people realize just how high they can go. However, as we said in our last blog, some people can jump higher than others. Their muscles are just more used to that explosive motion. How do they do it? In our last blog, we shared a few tips for making your jumps higher than ever. As it turns out, flexibility, fast-twitch muscles, and a bit of visualization can take you to new heights. However, that isn't all. In today's blog, we have a few more secrets of high jumpers to share with you. Read on to learn more! Swing Your Arms This happens naturally when we jump - we wrench our arms up or forward, depending on which direction we want to jump. Time it right, and you can get 15 percent more lift. Timing is something you can practice at practically any time. You don't need special equipment or a lot of time. Just practice consistently enough, and you'll build up great muscle memory. As a result, you won't even have to think about the timing when you do jump. Strengthen Your Tibialis Anterior Every muscle group in your body has a counter-balancing group. You can only be as strong as the muscles that oppose each other, and this is a very important concept to bring to your calves. Many times, people will do dozens of heel raises and strengthen the muscle on the back of their calves while failing to strengthen the muscle on the front. That is why people get shin splints so easily. You will jump better when you have strong tibialis anteriors, the muscles along your shins. You can strengthen them by walking around on your heels without letting your toes touch the ground. Keep going until you feel a burn, and you'll know you're doing it right. Keep Your Abdomen Strong Your abdomen is the bridge between your upper body and your legs, and the more force it can take, the better your jumps will be. Now, we're not telling you to do a bunch of crunches. They strengthen your rectus abs, and you will get better jumps with a strong transverse abdominal wall. These muscles play an integral role in any power move you make, and you can strengthen them by sucking your stomach in like you're going to stick it to your spine. Hold for 20 seconds. Do four reps a few times a week, and you'll notice a significant difference. The team at Rebounderz is proud to offer Sterling world-class trampoline parks that help people have fun while getting exercise. You can visit our facilities for a birthday party or team-building experience, or just to give the kids a fun way to use some energy. We offer a wide variety of programs as well as attractions that are sure to please anyone. Check out the great experiences we have to offer in Sterling and contact us to learn more! #### Ways to Save Money for Kids Birthday Parties 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! #### What Are the Benefits of a Team Building Day With Your Coworkers? What's your reaction when a team building day is announced at work? It seems like for most people, there are two basic reactions. People either quickly check their paid time off balance and decide whether or not it's worth it to skip a day at work, or they blandly resign themselves to whatever activity is planned because at least they'll get a day away from their desks. There aren't a lot of people who actually look forward to spending an afternoon or a full day with their co-workers. Well, unless they are planning a day at our Edison trampoline park. We host corporate and team building events for businesses in Edison and the surrounding areas. And when people come to a team building event at our facility, they actually enjoy it! Those team building events are actually good for you, too. It's not just an excuse to get out of the office. Forbes.com actually called it "the most important investment you'll make" in your company, due to the huge return on your investment. Discover some of the best benefits of team building with your coworkers below. Team Building Can Improve... Morale Maybe it isn't realistic to expect your team to be excited about getting up early and coming to work each day, but you want them to be enthusiastic about the work they are doing once they get there. A team building activity can help motivate them and build more enthusiasm in the team. Creativity If you work in a creative industry, you know how hard it is to be creative day after day, especially when you are in the same rut. Breaking your team out of their routine and shaking things up with some team building activities can help unlock some new creative ideas. This is important for every job role, even if they aren't inherently creative because it can help unlock new product, service, and marketing ideas as well as help with problem-solving. Problem-Solving Many team building activities require teammates to work together to solve a problem. This is more than just a time-killer; it can show team members how they can work together to solve problems in the office, too. They'll carry those new skills they learned during their team building exercises back into the office, where they can help them overcome issues that previously felt impossible. Office Relationships Offices are funny places; you have a lot of personalities in one small space, and sometimes they just don't mix. But when you get people out of the office and getting to know each other on a personal level, instead of just at a meeting table, they might start to like each other as people and not just coworkers. Even coworkers who previously had trouble getting along might realize that, actually, they have a lot in common! Productivity It's a proven fact that small breaks can help make you more productive. Many productivity experts recommend five or ten-minute breaks throughout the day. It's the same thing for team building exercises. Think of them as your short breaks for the rest of the year! Getting your team out of the office once in a while will make them more efficient when they get back to work. Efficiency Productivity and efficiency go hand in hand! Team members can find new, faster, and cheaper ways to work together to get their projects done. That means you are spending less on getting the same amount of work, thanks to all this new efficiency. That can really be a boost to your bottom line! Communication Team building activities require you to communicate with your teammates. Communicating out of the office makes it easier for coworkers to communicate in the office, too. It can help people overcome roadblocks in their communication styles and work together much more easily. Leadership Skills Leaders can emerge and find their voice during team building activities. Natural leaders during team building are likely your natural leaders in the office, giving you a chance to see their leadership style and decide if it's something you'd like to foster in the workplace, too. It can also teach those leaders a lot of skills about how to get people to listen and work together. Respect for Teammates It's hard not to respect someone that just worked their hardest on a team-building activity. When coworkers spend time together outside of the office, it's easier for them to develop respect for each other as people. That will carry over into their work relationship, too. Office Culture The fun you had on team building day can carry over into the rest of the year. An improvement in your office culture can help with employee retention, morale, and so much more. The improvements you see in your office will be more than worth the price of your team building day! We Can Help With Your Next Corporate Event Whether you are celebrating a successful quarter or need to bring your team in for some bonding time, our Edison trampoline park is here for you! We offer customized corporate event packages so you get the time you need with your team as well as access to all of our facilities. We can even help with the food and drinks! Get in touch with our team by giving us a call or contacting us through our website. A member of our team will get back to you with the information that you need to plan the perfect team-building event. We're looking forward to seeing you and your team soon! #### What are Trampolines Made of? When you bounce on a trampoline it is difficult to think of anything else. You are caught in the joy of bouncing in the air. But have you ever wondered what trampolines are made of? What specific pieces give trampolines that amazing bounce you love? The Components Trampolines are made with four basic components: • Springs • Tubing • Safety Pads • Canvas Fabric   Springs The springs are what gives the trampoline bounce, not the canvas surface. Despite what many people think, the springs are responsible for the exertion you feel when you are launched into the air. However, five factors determine the strength of the spring. • Material • Galvanization • Size • Number • Shape Material: The material of the spring directly affects the power behind the springs. Almost all trampolines are constructed with metal. There are some backyard trampolines that use elastic bands to provide spring. However, elastic bands do not keep tension and thus, lose bounce potential over time. Galvanization: Galvanization is when the spring is covered with a protective coat of zinc layering.. Zinc is much more resistant to corrosion than metals, like steel. By coating the springs with zinc, manufacturers can ensure that the spring will be sustainable for a longer period of time. Size: The size of the springs matter to the buoyancy of the trampoline. The longer the spring, the more force can be applied to optimize the height of a bounce. Number: The number of springs directly affects the comfort and performance of a trampoline. The more springs, the easy weight can be distributed and the more force can be applied. Shape: Tapered springs are primarily used when constructing a trampoline. These springs are more expensive than other springs, but the quality of the spring is significant. Tapered springs provide the jumper with more lateral stability. Tubing Tubing is used to make the frame and legs of the trampoline. The size of tubing can range depending on the model of the trampoline. As you have seen, there is a large range of trampolines sizes, from personal fitness trampolines to large indoor trampolines. Depending on the purpose of the trampoline, the tubing will be cut in different sizes. Although, the tubing sizes can vary, all pieces are galvanized. As explained above, galvanization of the steel tubing protects the metal from rusting or deterioration. Safety Pads The safety pads do exactly what the name implies: padding for jumping safety. These pads are placed over the springs, as well as the frame. They are constructed with vinyl covers and filled with plush foam. Depending on the manufacturer and the purpose of the trampoline, the foam can have different densities. For example, at indoor trampoline parks, the maximum amount of foam is used to ensure child safety when playing the trampolines. These pads are set in place to ensure the safety of the jumper, as falling is typical on the trampoline. Due to the trampoline frame being exposed steel, the pads are used as safety protocol for most trampoline manufacturers to ensure jumpers don’t severely harm themselves. Canvas Fabric The canvas fabric covers the top of the trampoline. This covering, sometimes called a “jumping mat” is made of woven fibers. Thousands of polyethylene or nylon fibers are knit together to form a flat sheet of canvas. This canvas is then attached to the frame. The main purpose of a jumping mat is to give the jumper something to land on. Jumping mats are also a tool to spread out the bounce surface area from the underlying springs. Now that you know about what a trampoline is made out of, it is time to see it for yourself! Come and visit your local Apopka Rebounderz today! Catch some air and see how this amazing trampoline system works. #### What Causes a Fear of Heights? Dizziness? Butterflies in your stomach? A distrust and aversion? These are exceptionally common problems for many people when it comes to heights. In fact, some people have more than just an aversion to heights, to the point where they start panicking even when standing on a chair. This fear of heights is known as acrophobia. There’s a wide range of reactions that people can have when faced with heights. Most people would simply rather avoid them but do okay when placed on a rock wall or at the top of a ten meter diving well. However, there is a whole other group that simply cannot manage them. That’s okay! So what actually causes a fear of heights, and what can you do to help yourself overcome the discomfort that can happen when faced with them? When children, and even infants, are exposed to any form of height, scientists have found that even brave children will show caution. This suggests that there is something innate in humans that dissuades us from wanting to be around heights. In all likelihood, humans’ preference to avoid heights is probably an evolutionary advantage to help improve an individual’s odds at survival. However, a true phobia of even low heights may not be something programed into an individual at birth. While no one knows exactly what causes acrophobia, there is some thought that it involves a traumatic fall or a learned fear for an individual that induces true panic. Heights could be difficult for individuals due to a variety of factors. The way that we perceive the world isn’t necessarily geared towards heights. Our bodies provide information to us about where we are compared to other objects through the following: Eyes Inner Ear Hearing Touch Smell All of these senses help us to understand where we are in relation to other objects and people. If any of these ways of gathering information are hindered, our sense of location can be thrown off. This may lead to a feeling of uneasiness or disturbance that dissuades an individual from participating in heights-related activities. Addressing spatial orientation is key to conquering a fear of heights. Take on Your Fear If you’ve ever been to Rebounderz trampoline park in Newport News, you’ve probably seen the JumpXtreme Tower. This 14-foot high platform sits high above an air cushion, and it’s specifically designed for individuals to take a leap of faith. But even at 14 feet, this can be too much for some people. So what do you do about it? There are a couple of things you can do to work towards managing a fear of heights. Embrace the Discomfort There are two main functioning parts of your brain that provide you with your ability to think: the cerebellum and the cerebrum. The cerebellum drives your fight or flight instincts. It’s the reactionary part of your brain that is meant to help you survive. The cerebrum is the thinking or logical part of your brain. When you are confronted with heights, your cerebellum wants to take over and encourages you to run away from the problem that is causing your fear. This can be an uncomfortable feeling, but if you embrace the discomfort and allow your brain to work back to the cerebrum, you have the potential to talk yourself into feeling okay. Take Baby Steps Once you’ve been able to work your logical, thinking brain into a point where you realize that, when you’re confronted with a height, you will logically be okay, then you can start taking baby steps towards conquering your fear of heights. Start with small tasks at heights that have make you a bit uncomfortable. Only you know what this height may be at? Eventually, you can work up to jumping off the JumpXtreme Tower with confidence. Check in with Your Senses While you’re working through conquering baby steps, utilize your senses that we talked about above in order to help your mind cope with where you are in relation to things, like the ground. Use your eyes to evaluate where you are. Use your sense of touch to help provide a grounding feeling. Use your senses of smell and hearing to help you figure out what else is around you. Go through all the senses to help you think through the problem you are faced with. Here at Rebounderz Newport News, we’re all about play and helping individuals become their better selves! Come tackle your fear of heights with the JumpXtreme Tower today! #### What Happened When I Jumped on a Trampoline Every Day for a Month My best friend is one of those fad diets, fad workout out girls, always attempting the latest trend in starving herself and doing some absurd cleanse or something. She's been on this whole "30-day" thing for months! One month it was doing squats every day and adding some arbitrary amount every so often. I'll be honest, I wasn't listening because I knew she wouldn't make it to day eight before she was on to the next one. She was always trying to get me to commit to doing it with her and I have always successfully resisted. The other night, we went on a double date to an indoor trampoline park and it was a blast. The dates were lame and I won't be calling mine back, but I almost bought my own trampoline on the way home! As we were jumping, my bestie says "I read somewhere that 10 minutes of jumping on a trampoline is equivalent to 30 minutes of running on the treadmill.” That was a workout I could get behind. Later, as we are leaving the trampoline park, I see that they have monthly membership passes and a lightbulb went off. I talked her into jumping every day for a month to see what happens! And I did it, all 31 days! Here’s what happened: The second day was rough; I didn't realize what a workout trampoline jumping was! On the double date, I didn't pay attention to the time and we jumped for over two hours, and let's just say, it felt like I had done a month's worth of squats in those two hours! That second night, we only jumped for about a half hour before rewarding ourselves with ice cream at the snack bar. It must have loosened up stiff muscles because the third night I felt great. By the end of the first week, our hour at the trampoline park was the highlight of my day. I started going right from work and on Thursday I went on my lunch break. All that jumping got my endorphins pumping and I felt on top of the world afterward. I had so much energy and felt more positive. By the end of the second week, I wasn't losing my breath as quick and I felt less like a smoking office worker in my mid-30s and more like a 20 something Olympic athlete. Okay, so maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but I was feeling great. As a side effect I wasn’t expecting, my skin was looking better, and I read it was because of the increased blood flow and all the water I was drinking. By the end of week three, I was hopping to and fro about the trampoline park, keeping up with the kids. I was showing THEM how to do flips! I was noticing less cellulite in my thighs and I could see some faint outline of muscles in my legs! It was then, I decided to stop rewarding my efforts with ice cream and start eating healthier. It was about this time that I realized I was much more regular, in the digestive department. At the end of week four, I was jumping ferociously knowing that my month was nearly up. My bestie had moved on to daily jump roping in her loft instead, so I was solo at the indoor trampoline park. I felt more awake during the day and I didn't need coffee. I slept much better at night too. I weighed in and was upset to see I had only lost 4 pounds, but I was fitting comfortably in my skinny jeans for the first time since, well, ever, so I wasn’t too upset. I decided to continue with my monthly trampoline park membership. I don't go every day now, and I try to make it more social by inviting friends, but I am thankful for that terrible double date and my best friend's trend following that drove me to try this. If you are looking for a fun way to get your heart beating faster and get in the recommended daily cardio activity, I highly recommend working in some trampoline jumping! #### What Happens When You Jump? Most of us begin life just trying to support the weight of our own heads. With a lot of work, we progress to crawling, then walking, then running. Jumping usually comes along at some point, and it not only helps us get over puddles, it can be tons of fun. However, though jumping is awesome and plenty of people do it all the time, most of us don't understand just what our body has to do to propel itself up off the ground. Keep in mind that when you jump, you disobey gravity, pushing yourself away from the planet creating the force that keeps you from floating into space. A jump may seem like nothing to you, but it's a lot to your body. In today's blog, we're going to explore just what has to happen in your body in order to get you up in the air! Hip Extension This action is the same action that happens when you stand up from sitting in a seat. It occurs at the beginning of your jump, before your feet even leave the ground!  Nobody keeps their legs completely straight and jumps straight up. You have to fold yourself a little at the knees and hips first. As you straighten into a jump, you are going through hip extension. The muscles involved here are all in your upper legs and gluteal area and include the gluteus maximus, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, adductor magnus, and the long head of the biceps femoris. Knee Extension We all bend our knees in preparation to jump, and once we're ready to take off, we have to straighten our legs at the knees. This straightening motion is called knee extension. It happens almost at the same time as hip extension. However, there is only one muscle involved in knee extension: the quadriceps femoris, casually known as your "quads." This huge muscle is made up of smaller separate muscles called the rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis. These muscles work together not just to straighten your knee, but to help you push off teh ground. Ankle Plantarflexion Ankle plantarflexion is a fancy way of saying "pointing your toes." Your toes are the last part of your body to leave the planet surface, and your lower leg makes sure they contribute to your flight. The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are the big muscles on your calves, and they help the foot really push off the ground, giving you that last little bit of lift. Shoulder Flexion and Abduction Most of us use our arms to help with jumps. Wrenching your arms up can give you a few more inches of flight, and that means the muscles in your shoulders usually clench tight and help you swing your arms, two motions called flexion and abduction. If you don't understand why jumping is fun, you haven't ever visited Rebounderz. We give your hard-working muscles a little help with our fantastic array of trampolines, allowing you to catch more air than ever before. Perfect for anything from team builders to kid's birthday parties, Sterling's Rebounderz is here to serve! Contact us today! #### What Is Parkour? With the newest addition of the four-lane ninja warrior course to Rebounderz of Edison, you may have been wondering a bit about where ninja warrior activities originated from. We previously went over the history of the show American Ninja Warrior, and how the idea of the ninja warrior competition got started, but why does anyone do movements like what you will see on TV anyway? One of the continued inspirations behind ninja warrior courses is the practice of parkour. Alright, you’re probably wondering how a Japanese competition show and a French style of movement could possibly have anything in common. Ironically, both have their roots in military styles of combat training. Obstacle courses or environments led to the development of both styles of movement and physical activity. These techniques now heavily influence one another, but that wasn’t always the case. Parkour is a style of movement that was created by a small handful of individuals in France during the 1980s. The style’s “founding father,” Raymond Belle, was a Frenchman who aimed to help people see their surroundings differently. By seeing your surroundings differently, you trained in order to be able to move through these surroundings. Most parkour is done in urban environments, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. The goal is to challenge yourself to envision the environment and how you could move through it, whether that’s going under, over, on, across, or through the obstacles that the environment provides. It is both a mental and physical challenge to create these new patterns of fluid movement in areas that may not be ideal for the challenge. While parkour is more of a philosophy and style of movement with no strongly defined “moves,” there are some specific moves that you may already do when you’re at Rebounderz of Edison that are typically associated with parkour. Vaulting over an object smoothly is a traditional parkour move. An example of this move may include vaulting over a low wall where you plant your hands on the wall and smoothly swing your legs around to the side. Or consider trying this move on the different height pommels that you have to get over on one lane of the ninja warrior course. Running up a wall and catching the edge of the top in order to pull yourself up is also a move you will traditionally see in many depictions of parkour. You can find this at the very end of some of our ninja warrior course lanes where you will be presented with a very steep ramp that turns into a wall which you have to get up in order to complete the course. You might also see individuals jump onto small and narrow obstacles where it is exceptionally important to maintain balance. There are so many opportunities to test yourself doing exactly that on the Rebounderz of Edison ninja warrior course, that you’ll forget you’re doing a parkour move. Now that you know a little bit more about parkour, come try out some of the challenging movements at the new four-lane ninja warrior course at Rebounderz of Edison! Call us for more information today! #### What Were Kid's Birthday Parties Like in the Past? If you've been to a few kid's birthday parties, then you generally know what they are like. Cake, some games, and a few presents are pretty much the standard when it comes to today's birthdays. But that wasn't always the case! Birthday parties looked a lot different back in history. You might be surprised to learn just how we started celebrating birthdays and what those celebrations used to be like. You Might Not Have Had a Birthday a Thousand Years Ago! People didn't always celebrate their birthday. In fact, the kid's birthday party that we know and love today is a relatively new invention. But there are records of birthday parties happening all the way back in the time of the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. They weren't celebrating their own birthdays, though. They celebrated the birthdays of their gods and goddesses, usually with festivals and parties each year. It wasn't until the rise of the Roman empire that regular humans started to mark the day of their birth with a party, but at first, it was only the men of the household who did so. Women and kids didn't celebrate their birthdays until much, much later. By the medieval ages, though, children were celebrating their birthdays. They might have put on their better clothing and had a special meal with family and friends, perhaps even receiving a few gifts if they were from a wealthier family. Birthdays really took off in the Victorian era, which was from about the 1830's to the start of the 20th Century. During this time, wealthy families threw extravagant birthdays for their children, complete with a ball, cake, and lots of gifts. These big birthday parties were exclusive to wealthy families only, though, because they had to be arranged by a mother and all of the household staff and cost a small fortune. It was a symbol of the family's wealth and importance, though, and less about the happiness of the child! Birthdays started to look more like what we know today after the Victorian era. By the 1920's, birthday parties were much smaller due in large part to the Great Depression. Families had to cut back out of necessity but sometimes could enjoy the treat of attending a movie with their friends for their birthday. But after World War II, birthday parties became almost exactly what we know today. They involved lots of cake, presents, and a group of children about the same age all celebrating the birthday boy or girl. Mothers were expected to arrange the parties, decorate, and bake the cake, but as more of them went back to work in the later decades, they outsourced a lot of this work to professionals like Rebounderz! Where Did These Birthday Traditions Come From? The Cake Romans celebrated men's birthdays with a cake that had honey and cheese in it. The Germans used a nut and fruit cake to celebrate birthdays in the 1800's, and the trend quickly moved across Europe. The traditional two-layer, frosted birthday cake appeared at birthday parties starting in the 1840's when more people had ovens in their homes. Those birthday candles on your cake can be traced all the way back to the ancient Greeks, though, when they would use candles to celebrate the birthdays of the gods and goddesses. The Song It's not a birthday until you hear "Happy Birthday to You" sung! It's called the most recognized song in the English language, and it's been around for at least 100 years. The story goes that two schoolteacher sisters made up the song for their students to sing, but never copyrighted the lyrics or the music until a company copyrighted it in 1935. But there have been numerous lawsuits over the years as to the copyright of the song and who actually owns the rights. Don't worry, though; it's generally agreed that as long as it's your friends and family singing it to you, you aren't in violation of any copyright laws (and you aren't likely to be sued for singing it whenever you like, either). The Presents Presents have long been a part of birthdays, clear back when the ancient Egyptians and Greeks brought presents and tributes to their gods and goddesses on their birthdays. In the Victorian era, it was a tradition for adults to bring gifts to the child being celebrated, but it was also a tradition that the child would give gifts to their household staff. Today, it's tradition to bring a gift to the birthday boy or girl unless otherwise directed on the invitation. Today We're Making Birthday Parties Better Than Ever Would you enjoy having a big Victorian ball thrown in your honor for your birthday? Or eating honey and cheese cake with the Romans? Or attending a movie during the Depression? These kid's birthday parties might be an educational experience, but having your birthday party at Rebounderz is going to be a lot more fun. We take the stress out of planning a party by doing it all for you! We'll make sure you have the cake, the food, and the fun. You just need to bring the birthday boy or girl and invite the guests! Today's birthday parties are more fun than ever thanks in part to our indoor trampoline park. Head over to our website to learn more about our birthday party packages and find the one that's right for your next big event! Get in touch with our team and we'll book your birthday party and make sure that everything is ready for you and your guests to have the best birthday party in history! #### What’s Up With Dunking The Ball? A History of Basketball The Basketball Slam at Rebounderz Trampoline Arena in Lansdale is a far cry from traditional basketball. We think it’s the most fun you can have with a basketball, although we’re sure a great debate could be had on that subject. It hasn’t been that long in the history of basketball that players have taken flight and slam dunked the ball. Which, by the way, you can do at Rebounderz even if you’re the shortest one on your team. Our Basketball Slam got us thinking, and we wanted to know more about what led up to this point in the evolution of basketball. We did our research and found out some interesting facts. We hope you enjoy reading about them. More importantly, we hope you’ll come visit us and give your skills a try. If you read our story about the history of trampolines, you know that its origin is disputed by historians. Unlike trampolines though, there is quite a bit of agreement about where the modern sport of basketball started. Before we get to modern-day basketball and how it evolved into the Basketball Slam, let’s take a look at the early, early days of ball sports. Old World Ball Games Many cultures have a history of playing ball games that may have eventually inspired our modern day game. Some scholars say that the Olmec people in Mexico played a game similar to basketball about 500 years ago. Historians agree however, that their games were less about fun and entertainment, and more about celebrating dominance over their foes after defeating them in battle. We won’t get into the gory details here, but the game was not always pleasant. It definitely wasn’t anything like the friendly pickup games of basketball you’ll find people playing in parks all over the world today. The Original Game of Basketball Dr. James Naismith, credited with inventing the first version of modern day basketball, didn’t start out there. The first game he developed, as a way to provide distraction and entertainment for students, was a game called “duck-on-a-rock” where students would throw rocks at a wooden duck in an attempt to knock it off the larger rock it was sitting on. We’re not sure how that evolved into basketball, but the historians all agree that it did, so we’ll continue. Originally, baskets were only 10 feet high and had bottoms. Every time a basket was made, someone had to retrieve the ball, usually by poking a stick through the bottom of the basket to pop the ball out. This had to make for a pretty slow game that was clearly nothing like the fast-paced, physical games of today. A soccer ball was used for the earliest games. And, it is said that the first basket ever made, and the first score ever recorded, was thanks to William Chase during the first game. It was also at that first game that the phrase, basketball was coined. The early form of the game had 13 rules. Looking at them, you can clearly see how far the game has come. The rules included: No contact with your opponent. This was a true non-contact sport. No striking the ball with your fist. This would be ruled a foul. Three fouls in a row resulted in a point for the other team. There was no bouncing of the ball. It could only be thrown or batted away with both hands. Our favorite is that if the ball was teetering on the edge of the basket and the opposing team batted it away, a goal was awarded to the team that took the shot. You can learn more about the rules of the original game of basketball. Modern Day Basketball Competitive basketball came into its own in 1898 with the formation of the first professional basketball league. Pay ranged from $1.25 to $2.50 per game. That’s a far cry from today’s NBA superstars! College basketball began in 1901 when a handful of colleges began sponsoring teams. Yale became the first national champions that year with a record of 10 and four. And in the second collegiate season, Minnesota took home the prize for the world’s first undefeated basketball team. So, what about the slam dunk, the move that gives our Basketball Slam game it’s name? Bob Kurland, an Olympic Gold Medalist, regularly dunked the ball in the early 1950s. He was seven feet tall! But back then, it was considered perfectly okay to run into a dunking player mid-air and try to literally “take them out”. A lot of serious injuries resulted and few players attempted dunking. While it became a standard move in the NBA by the 1970s, dunking was banned in the NCAA for nine years when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the first superstar to regularly dunk the ball. He dominated so thoroughly that officials decided dunking gave teams an unfair advantage. Today, there are a lot of different types of slam dunks including: The Double Pump The Tomahawk The Windmill The Under the leg The Elbow hang The The Alley-oop You can try all of them at Rebounderz! Trampolines and Basketball We can’t know for sure, but it seems that the use of trampolines in basketball originated with the Harlem Globetrotters, whose halftime entertainment includes trick shots, some of which include jumping off a trampoline. The Globetrotters played their first game in 1927, and they were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. The team became known for its trick plays and antics, winning 101 of their 117 first games. They’ve played in more than 115 countries. Their heyday was in the 1970s. There was even a cartoon show based on them. You may have even seen them on The Tonight Show, as special guests on American Ninja Warrior, on Sesame Street, or on ESPN in one of their popular TV Specials. You can still find them touring the world to this day. They remain popular with fans in the US and abroad. We hope you enjoyed learning about the history of basketball. Stop by Rebounderz in Lansdale soon to try your skill with our Basketball Slam. See you soon!   #### What’s Up With Trampolines - A History Of Jumping We know that trampolining is great fun, which explains why your kids are always asking you to bring them back to Rebounderz in Lansdale. In previous articles we’ve talked about the benefits of trampolining such as physical fitness, motor skill and balance improvement, and social skill development. We began to wonder, where the heck did trampolines come from, and why did they take so long to catch on? After doing a little research, we realized that the history of the trampoline is really interesting and we wanted to share it with you. So, here it is, the history of trampolines brought to you by the team at Rebounderz in Lansdale. Enjoy! The First Trampolines While there is no hard and fast proof, many scholars agree that the first “bouncing device” to resemble the modern-day trampoline was used in ancient Egypt and China. Hieroglyphs depicting people jumping on what looks like a small trampoline-like device have been found by archaeologists. It is unknown what the devices were used for. Some historians have speculated that they were used by people at large sporting or civic events who wanted to get a better view. We find that pretty amusing. Just picture it. Doesn’t the image of a bunch of people jumping up and down to see over the heads of the crowd make you smile? The first trampolining games are attributed to the Inuits in Alaska who used walrus skins to bounce on and to throw people into the air for fun. You can still find blanket tosses, the modern-day equivalent of the walrus-skin toss, at celebrations and festivals throughout Alaska. Pablo Fanque, a famous 19th century british circus owner and equestrian performer referred to a trampoline performance in promotional posters for his Circus Royal. The Modern Day Trampoline The history of the modern-day trampoline, like the ones you’ll find at Rebounderz in Lansdale, is still the subject of debate among historians. While no one is sure which one of the historical recollections is true, they are all pretty interesting. Circus folklore attributes the first modern trampoline to a circus performer named Du Trampolin. They say that he was the first to replace rope landing nets used by trapeze artists with trampolines that gave them both a landing pad and a jumping-off place for performances. Everyone, other than a few circus-history diehards, believes that this story is either untrue or exaggerated. But we like the idea of the trampoline originating at the circus. It seems rather appropriate. Confirmed Trampoline History The first trampoline that resembles those used by modern Olympic gymnasts was invented at the University of Iowa around 1936. Gymnast and diver George Nissen, and gymnastics team member Larry Griswold, are credited with its invention. Apparently, they got the idea from watching trapeze artists at a circus, so maybe those stories of Du Trampolin aren’t so aprophical after all! They took the name trampoline from the Spanish word for diving board, trampolín. The Griswold and Nissen Trampoline and Tumbling company began manufacturing trampolines in 1942. Their first product was called a rebound tumbler. Are you starting to see a connection here? We added the Z, but clearly Rebounderz Trampoline Arenas are based on a little bit of history too! The rebounder tumblers were used recreationally, just like the trampolines at Rebounderz. There was even a game called Spaceball where a jumper threw a ball, attempting to hit a target on the other side. Who knows, maybe that was the origin of the dodgeball games people play on trampolines today. We like to think it could be. Trampolines and Competitive Sport Competitive trampolining was introduced to the Olympic Games in 2000 thanks in great part to Jeff Hennessy, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette coach who advocated for the sport. He eventually became a coach for the United States trampoline team. Modern gymnasts achieve heights of 33 feet! You won’t reach those heights at Rebounderz, but it will feel like you have! Trampoline Parks The early 1960s ushered in the era of trampoline parks with the first jump centers. The first parks were outdoors. The outdoor parks turned out to be a little too dangerous though, which is why it took so long for the modern-day trampoline arena to show up on the scene. Today, there are an estimated 100 indoor trampoline parks all over the world. That number has grown from just 25-40 parks in 2011. We think that’s great. Rebounderz in Lansdale is the best place to have a modern-day trampoline experience. Our trampolines employ the latest safety technology. All of our jumpers are well-supervised. And we’ve got modern-day versions of Spaceball, including basketball dunking and dodgeball. Bring the family by soon for your trampoline arena experience. We’re sure that once you do, you’ll be hooked just like we are. See you soon!   #### Where Can You Use Foam Cubes? The Modern Marvel: The Foam Pit In any fun zone, gymnastics stadium, or even indoor trampoline park you have probably seem a foam pit. The idea of a foam pit is simple; you run, you jump, and you land in safely in the foam. Yes, that’s it. Despite the simplicity of the attraction, it is one of the most timeless features of any kids park. Most of the reason why foam pits are so popular is that they are safe for children. Decades ago, ball pits were extremely popular for child’s play. However, the plastic balls were too small and caused a choking hazard for children. To combat this problem, owners of playgrounds and attraction parks developed large foam squares. These squares were large, soft, and impossible to swallow. In a way, they actually improved the ball pit, because foam allows for a softer landing and more mobility. Foam pits are functional and fun, allowing kids to enjoy their imaginative freedom, while also staying safe. Foam Pits for Gymnastics In a gymnastic stadium, foam pits are often utilized because they offer gymnasts a soft landing after a trick. In gymnastics, training takes years and tricks often are hard to land perfectly. If tricks aren’t completed perfectly, team members could be seriously injured. For this reason, foam pits are used to give athletes a safe place to land while doing the trick. So, typically these types of pits are strictly used for training purposes, and not play. Although, in junior gymnastics, a few minutes of playtime in the foam pits is allowed. When gymnasts graduate to a higher of level tricks, they will not use the foam pits as much. By using the foam pits too often, the athletes won’t learn how to properly land within their program. Foam Pits for Fun Zones Foam pits have been known to show up in fun zones at food chains, such as McDonald’s, Chick-fil-a, Chuck-E-Cheese’s, and Burger King. At these kids playgrounds, balls pits and foam pits are typically an added feature. In the last decade however, ball pits have become less popular. Foam pits are an excellent attraction for children because they can play and pretend “sink” into the foam. With a feature like a foam pit, a child’s imagination is able to run free. Foam Pits of Indoor Trampoline Parks At indoor trampoline parks, foam pits are almost always available. Because foam pits are cushioned and fun to play with, they typically are used for landing after trampoline tricks. And, while they aren’t used for landing purposes, they are also used for general play, such as a “cube fight.” In this game, the cube foam cubes are thrown around like a snowball fight. Because the pieces are all made with soft, polyurethane foam, no one can get hurt and the fun can last an afternoon! Rebounderz, Newport News, VA At Rebounderz, our indoor trampoline park is equipped with full-sized foam pit. In this attraction, you are your loved one can jump, “swim”, and throw the cubes to your heart’s content. And, when you are through with our foam pit, feel free to utilize our other attractions, such as the Xtreme Towers, our trampoline area, and our ninja warrior obstacle course. If you are interested in a fun afternoon, come on down to your local Newport News Rebounderz. #### Where Did Birthday Cakes and Candles Come From? Everyone has gathered around the table. The lights are dimmed but candles illuminate the scene. Singing rings out and the person at the center of it all begins to blush. It’s birthday cake time! But you may be asking yourself, where did this tradition start? Were candles always a part of the celebration? We’re going to be diving into the history of birthday cakes and candles today. If you’re looking for a fun place to have your kid’s birthday party, check out Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Edison! -History of Birthday Cakes Would you believe birthday cakes have been around since the Middle Ages? It’s true! The first birthday cake is thought to have been made in Germany, where they would celebrate a child’s birthday. This celebration was known as Kinderfest, though you shouldn’t imagine this as a cake like we have today. When they first started, cakes were much more coarse and bread-like. They eventually evolved into a sweeter version closer to what we’re familiar with and took on the name of Geburtstagstorte. It wasn’t until the 17th century that birthday cakes started to be decorated.They were made with elaborate designs and details with icing, layers, and decorations like flowers. This made cakes more expensive to make and relegated them to the wealthy upper class that could afford them. That changed with the 18th century when food and baking utensils became more accessible and affordable. That brought the price of cakes down, and the number of cakes produced increased as a result. With more people able to afford birthday cakes, the tradition spread to many more families and households than ever before. -History of Birthday Candles There are a few theories about where birthday candles came from, so it’s difficult to pin down their exact origin. One such theory ties it to Ancient Greece. Round cakes would be made in honor of the goddess Artemis, who was the goddess of the moon. Lit candles decorated the cake as a representation of the moon’s glow, while the smoke from the candles carried their prayers and wishes to the Gods who lived in the sky above them. Others connect candles to the birthplace of the birthday cake, Germany. It is believed that they placed a candle on the cake to symbolize “the light of life.” A typical modern western birthday party is now celebrated with cake, candles, and a traditional birthday song. Most often, the candles are used to represent what age the person being celebrated is turning. The candles are then blown out by the birthday boy or girl, while they make a silent wish to themselves. Just like all good wishes, it won’t come true if you tell anyone about it! From its origin as a coarse bread to today’s elaborate designs and decorations, birthday cakes have been with us for a long time. Bakers are constantly experimenting with new recipes, techniques, and flavors to create something unique or refine a classic. So whether you like red velvet with cream cheese frosting or you’re a fan of the classic yellow cake with chocolate frosting, you’re sure to find a delicious centerpiece for your special day. When you’re looking for the perfect place to have your child’s birthday party, come to Rebounderz! No matter what age you are, we have plenty of awesome activities for you, your friends, and family to engage in. Jump around in our safe trampoline park, take a leap of faith off the 14-foot tall JumpXTREME Tower, spring into the foam pit, test your might on the Ninja Warrior course, or dunk like an All-Star on the SlamBall court. Whatever you love to do, you can do it here. We hope to see you soon! #### Where did Dodgeball Start? A Brief History Lesson The origins of modern day dodgeball remain a topic of debate. But wherever it originated, we’re sure glad someone thought it up. We think dodgeball, particularly dodgeball on a trampoline at Rebounderz in Lansdale, is one of the best games around. It’s not only great physical activity, but it is a lot of fun. It is a rare thing when someone doesn’t end up doubled over in laughter, or laughing so hard they have to call a timeout. If you haven’t tried it, you should come by soon. You’ll be hooked! What’s the Real Story of Dodgeball? That’s a very good question. The answer is, it depends who you ask. Here are some theories that have a lot of support from the historical and archaeological communities. Dodgeball Originated in Africa There is a lot of evidence that a game similar to dodgeball was played in Africa more than 200 years ago. It wasn’t a fun, or even entertaining game. As a matter of fact, it was played with rocks instead of rubber balls, and was used to develop the strength and endurance of warriors. They would literally throw rocks at each other with the intention of incapacitating them. Some scholars think it went even further than that, and that it was a game played to the death. Yikes! Other scholars believe the game originated in Asia, Greece, or Mesoamerica as early as 500 BC. Dodgeball Around the World Dodgeball is played today with many variations to the rules, including the shape and size of the court and the number of balls used. Thankfully, rubber balls and other non-lethal projectiles are used exclusively. No more rocks. You’ll find variations played in China where a sack of sand stands in for the rubber ball. Dodgeball Is Taken Very Seriously The World Dodgeball Organization claims to be the official governing body for dodgeball. The organization holds worldwide tournaments. Their next big event is the World Cup in New York City scheduled for 2018. There is a National Dodgeball League (NDL) that take the game very seriously. They oversee the annual Dodgeball World Championship, and are the keepers of the official rules and regulations. In these official leagues, teams consist of six players and there are strict rules about making substitutions. Official NDL Match Types There are three types of dodgeball games officially recognized by the NDL The Elimination Game: All opponents on one side are eliminated. The Timed Game: Whoever has the most players remaining when time is called wins. The Scored Game: Points are awarded for the number of players remaining at the end of each round. Dodgeball For Fun That’s enough of the facts and figures. Instead of reading about dodgeball, why don’t you come out to Rebounderz in Lansdale and try it out for yourself? You’ll love our In The Air Dodgeball Game! It’s an extreme version of dodgeball that delivers extreme fun. You’ll be ducking, dipping, diving and bouncing off the walls. Literally, off the walls! They’re covered with trampolines too! Come by soon. We look forward to seeing you!   #### Where Should You Have Your Child’s Birthday Party? Every parent loves celebrating their child’s birthday, but often are at a loss when it comes to party planning. You want to do something that will make your child happy, the guests happy, and hopefully not cause too much stress. This is where Rebounderz indoor trampoline arena comes in—we can help you plan a party that is sure to please! Wondering what the benefits of a trampoline party are? We’re glad you asked—read on to find out! Get Out of the House! If you have ever had a big kid’s birthday party at your house you know the struggles. Kids running every which way, spilling soda on the carpet, throwing toys, and coming dangerously close to precious breakable heirlooms. If you have a smaller house, there is no room for them to run, play, and get out all of that energy, and you will have to find ways to entertain them (and contain them). You are limited to the space constraints of your house, and if you have active kids and friends, this can be stressful. Plus, there is a lot of prep work involved in having a group of kids over to your home, and the cleanup afterwards can be exhausting! When you choose to have your party at Rebounderz, we provide a spacious location where kids have room to explore, and get out all of that energy! You don’t have to prep the space at all—everything is ready when you show up. Best of all, we handle all of the cleanup! After the party is over, leave the hard work to us! Planning You could spend hours trying to think of the best party games, decorations, and how to keep a group of kids happy. Or, you could choose Rebounderz and leave the party planning to us! We have Party Coordinators who will make sure that all of the details are taken care of, and we can work with you to handle any special requests. With work, school, and kid’s activities, planning a party can seem like a daunting task, so let us lighten your load. You will know that you are choosing a safe location that kids will love, where the activities, food, and fun are all accounted for! Weather You have planned the perfect birthday party at a local park where the kids can run and play, when the day of the party dark skies threaten your perfect vision. An outdoor party is dependent on the weather, and the weather doesn’t always cooperate. A party at an indoor trampoline park always has perfect weather, and you don’t need to worry about rain, wind, or it getting dark too early. The weather is just another factor that you don’t have to worry about when you choose Rebounderz! Food After the location of a birthday party, figuring out what you’re going to feed ravenous children is the next hurdle. You could spend hours cooking, you could hope that your delivery food will be there on time, or you can have your party at Rebounderz and enjoy delicious pizza exactly when you need it. We make the food part of the party easy, and what kid doesn’t love pizza? Additional add-ons you can choose include lemonade, chicken nuggets, chicken wings, soda and tea, so you are sure to find the perfect food to complement your child’s party! We provide water bottles with each of our party packages, so you can be sure your guests will stay well hydrated as they are bouncing and jumping! Dealing with food planning can be a pain, but Rebounderz food options makes it easy! Cake What’s a birthday party without a cake? You are able to bring in your own cake to Rebounderz, so you can scratch-bake a culinary marvel or choose a local bakery favorite—it’s up to you! Many parents love to make or buy a cake that matches the theme of the party, or their little one's favorite characters or sports. With our great location, clean-up taken care of, and food provided, the cake can be a fun outlet for creativity, something that you might not be able to spend time on if you were having the party at your house. Feel free to bring ice cream to complement your cake! Dedicated Host/Hostess Need more food? Another water bottle? We have you covered. Your party package at Rebounderz comes with a dedicated host/hostess who will ensure your experience with us is great. You can sit back and relax, catch up with other parents and friends, and watch your children happily bouncing while we do the hard work! When you book with us, we want to take the stress out of party planning and hosting, and having a dedicated helper is just one way we make the day easier for you. Decorations We provide all the paper products you need, including plates, napkins, cutlery, and cups, and a tablecloth to decorate your party tables. You can also add-on additional balloons, and if you have ever tried transporting a large amount of balloons in your car, you know how valuable having them at the party location is! We have both latex and happy birthday mylar balloons to make your party space more special! As an extra perk, your special birthday child will get a t-shirt to take home and remind them of their great party! We even provide printable birthday invitations that will get your guests excited, and save you another trip to the store! Save Money Birthday parties can get expensive, once you pay for a location, food, a cake, and decorations. We make birthdays affordable, with our all-inclusive packages that include a great venue, food, drinks, paper products, and, most importantly, FUN! Choose Rebounderz to have a great birthday that is also easy on the wallet! Happy Guests When you invite a bunch of kids to a party, you want them to leave happy. Rebounderz will put a smile on any child’s face, and jumping is a great way to release stress, boost your mood, and make you happy! Instead of wondering how you will keep kids happy for the entire duration of your party, we provide a space where everyone can have fun. Whether your guests are perfecting their front flips, chasing each other, or playing dodgeball, the time will fly by and everyone will stay engaged and active. Keeping guests happy is a relief for parents, and make the party great! Special Birthday Child When planning your child’s birthday party, you want to do something special, out of the ordinary, and that they will have fond memories of. Going to Rebounderz trampoline arena is the perfect way to make your child’s birthday something that they eagerly look forward to and have a blast at! Create great birthday memories when you choose a fun party at Rebounderz! So what are you waiting for? If your special birthday child has a birthday coming up, you should leave the planning, food, location, and fun to Rebounderz! All you need to do is show up, and we will give your child a birthday to remember! #### Which Muscles Are Worked Out On A Trampoline? By now, you’ve likely heard how great working out on a trampoline is. However, what you may not know is which muscles are actually being exercised and improved through trampoline workouts. With that in mind, we have gathered together the muscles that see the most improvement from trampoline exercise. After you’re done reading and you’re ready to get your muscles moving, come to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Sunrise for a fun workout you’ll love. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s check those muscles out. -Abdominal Muscles The act of jumping up and down activates your core muscles more than you might initially think. That’s because as you coil your body up, ready to explode for a jump, you are contracting and releasing your abdominal muscles. With every jump, you flex and release those muscles, which results in your abs becoming more toned and defined. Reports have shown that rebounding on a trampoline provides a more efficient and effective abdominal workout that doesn’t cause your body the same amount of strain or impact as sit-ups or crunches. -Lower Body More obvious may be the benefits your lower body muscles see. Jumping naturally involves your legs, thighs, and glutes. That means the consistent jumping motion involved in trampolining results in your lower body muscles becoming stronger and more toned with every leap you take. The low-impact nature of trampolining makes it a more desirable workout, as there is less strain and pressure placed on your knees and ankles, which cannot be said about running. If you’re looking to see even greater results, you can add ankle weights or hold small dumbbells to provide extra resistance and build your muscles further. -Heart It’s easy to forget, but your heart actually is a muscle. When you work out, you strengthen your cardiovascular system, which helps pump blood through your body. Thanks to the cardio exercise provided by trampolining, you can strengthen your heart in a way that is fun and has less impact than jogging. Rebounding on a trampoline can also reduce blood pooling in your veins, which can cause chronic edema. When your body can properly pump blood through your veins, your immune system will also see a benefit, as you will be better equipped to fight off infections. -Lymphatic System Though it is not technically a muscle, your lymphatic system is vital to your health. That’s because your lymphatic system contains a network of tissues and organs that work together to keep your body clear of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials. Unlike your cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system requires your body to act as a pump in order to operate. Therefore, the full body exercise of trampolining is a great way to improve your lymphatic system, as it requires our conscious movement. Rebounding on a trampoline can cause your lymphatic valves to open and close simultaneously, which can increase lymph flow by as much as 15 times its normal rate. -Other Benefits When you jump on a trampoline, you achieve a state of weightlessness that benefits every muscle and cell in your body. That is because it allows your body to engage its ability to detoxify everything from your brain to your kidneys with the lymphatic fluid that is carried by your blood flow. That fluid is carried to the cells and body tissue to remove harmful toxins that have built up over time. Rebounding also stimulates your thyroid gland, allowing it to clean itself and the entire lymphatic system of stored fat. That results in a reduction in cellulite build up. Trampolining also increases the mitochondrial count in each of your cells due to the extra demand of energy the exercise calls for. Jumping on a trampoline also strengthens your skeletal system and increases your bone mass. That is because of the increased G-force your bones experience while rebounding strengthens them without the danger of shin splints or fractures, thanks to the low-impact nature of trampolining. That means that trampolining strengthens your bone density as a form of prevention against bone conditions such as osteoporosis. This has made trampolining an incredibly useful exercise for astronauts preparing for the loss of bone mass that comes from extended time spent in a zero-gravity environment. This also makes rebounding incredibly helpful for seniors, as it provides them a safe, low-impact workout that helps build their bone density while strengthening and lengthening muscles, which improves their flexibility. Your muscles aren’t the only part of your body that see incredible benefits from trampoline exercise. When you include trampolining in your workout routine, you’ll see overall improvement for your whole body. If you’re looking for the perfect place to get your trampolining in, come to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Sunrise. Whether you’re jumping on our trampoline or you’re testing your skills on the Ninja Warrior course, we know you’ll get a workout that really works. We hope to see you here soon! #### Who Invented Socks For Indoor Trampoline Parks Socks: The World’s Greatest Invention Long before the invention of any modern-day style of clothing, the sock made its debut appearance. That’s right, long before shorts, shirts, and even your favorite tank top, the sock reigned supreme to all other wearable items. It isn’t exactly known when the sock was invented, or even who invented it. All we do know is that it is an invention that revolutionized clothing and has been a valuable asset to humankind for many years. In this blog, we will discuss the full history of socks and their contribution to humanity. We will also discuss how socks have evolved into multiple products and how they help make bouncing on a trampoline so much more enjoyable. The History of Socks Though no one knows when socks were invented, we can pinpoint when they were first referenced. For instance, in 8th century BC, Greek poet Hesiod wore piloi, which are said to be the easiest model of socks. These socks were made from matted animal fur and the main object of the socks was to protect his feet from rocks and dirt. Romans However, not too long after Hesiod was seen sporting piloi, the Romans soon had their own version of sock. Their socks were made from strips of leather and woven fabric and pulled over the foot. These were called “udones.” Socks were more of a way to keep your feet clear of infection for many years, however as humanity developed, socks were created to signify way more than just a consciousness of cleanliness and health. The Middle Ages During the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, socks became more of a fashion statement rather than for health and wellness. In the 16th century, the knitting machine made tightly woven hose possible for the masses. This revolutionized the sock and made long hose, or ‘stockings’ a widely accepted fashion statement. These types of hose were more accessible for both high-born and low-born people as the machine could produce more items in a short amount of time. However, though the machine allowed more stockings to be made, it also led to a hierarchy of stockings as well. For instance, before the knitting machine, lower-class families wore stockings made of heavier materials, such as wool. The higher classes had their stockings crafted with soft materials, such as silk. Stockings also quickly became a method to differentiate countries and houses. For instance, Spanish gentlemen used to embroider their stockings with their personalized emblems. The 1920s The sock didn’t get a major innovation until the 1920s and 30s. The invention of nylon in 1938 changed socks, as they were manufactured to featured elastic bands and stretchy materials. Argyle patterns were wildly popular in this time period, which inspired an entire generation of socks to feature this unmistakable pattern. Modern Socks Today, socks are made out of many different types of materials. Socks have also developed to feature a variety of patterns — seemingly with no limit. In fact, there are actual stores that sell exclusively just socks. Rebounderz of Apopka At Rebounderz, we have socks of our own! We have incredible grip socks that can help you bounce on our trampoline with way more traction. By using our socks, you can keep your feet from slipping on our rubber attractions and keep the rubber from “burning” your feet. If you are interested in using our grip socks and rebounding for an afternoon, visit your local Apopka Rebounderz today! #### Why are Trampolines Bouncy? Physics Can Explain! Have you ever been on a trampoline? Have you ever felt your feet hit its fabric and get lifted into the air? It is quite the experience! But have you ever wondered what makes a trampoline bounce? No ordinary fabric could launch a person several feet in the air with one bounce. So, what makes a trampoline bounce? If you have not been on a trampoline, you have at least seen one. A person simply has to jump on the trampolines surface. However, there is some science to it. The science is called the trampoline effect, and it follows a law of physics. Most people believe that it is the fabric that launches you into the air, but actually, it is the system of springs attached to the fabric. When you jump on a trampoline, your weight forces the springs to coil downwards. This kinetic energy of jumping is applied to the springs, forcing the trampoline downward. As a result of the springs having pressure, or kinetic energy exerted on it, Hooke’s Law is applied. Robert Hooke was a 17th-century physicist who studied the actions and reactions of elastic properties. In his law, he states that “the force needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance scales linearly with respect to that distance.” What Hooke means is that depending on the force you exert on a spring, you will receive the same distance or length of pushback returned. Essentially saying that the harder you jump on a trampoline, the higher you will bounce due to the springs reacting to your applied force. This law has many similarities to Newton’s third law which states, “with every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” However, Hooke’s Law is concerned with the responses of elastic objects, and theory is contingent on the stiffness of the spring. If the spring is stiff, or more solid, you won’t have very much pushback. Though Hooke’s theory is correct and is used in many different fields of science and engineering, the principle has stipulations. Hooke’s theory only works on elastic bodies such as trampolines, rubber products, and latex. For the most part, only elastic objects can exert the same amount of energy back once energy has been transferred to it. However, there are small exceptions to this rule. For example, some solid objects will also return applied force, but only in small amounts. If too much force is applied to a solid object, it will physically break or “change.” Hooke’s theory also has a limit of how much energy can be applied to an elastic body. In the example of a trampoline; you can bounce, but if you bounce too hard with too much weight, you could potentially break the springs. In physics, this principle states that “no material can be compressed....or stretched beyond a maximum size.” Springs are not exempt from this physical rule. That is why when you're bouncing on a trampoline, it is possible to receive a maximum height from a bounce that cannot be matched or improved. Despite what you may think, there is science all around us. Physics is in everything we see and feel. This is no different for an object as simple as a trampoline. Your one simple bounce on a trampoline actually has multiple forces acting on it, and kinetic energies being transferred and returned. If you want to see for yourself the physics behind a trampoline, stop by your local Rebounderz in Apopka, Florida! We have an entire indoor trampoline park waiting for you to test out our trampolines and witness physics for yourself! Visit us today! #### Why Core Strength is Important We recently took a look at how to do a front flip, backflip, and Barani flip. In those entries, we discussed how important core strength is to properly pull off these tricks. Beyond doing awesome stunts on a trampoline, why is core strength important to you? We’re going to take a closer look at the benefits of improving your core strength today. Not only will it help you perform tricks easier, but it will also improve your performance in day-to-day tasks. After you’ve built up your core, come to Rebounderz Trampoline Park in Sunrise to test your might! -Everyday Activities You would be surprised how many things you do every day are engaging your core muscles. Everything from bending over to put on your shoes or turning to look at something behind you to things as simple as sitting in a chair or standing up straight are all affected by your core. You may not even realize their impact on these tasks until they become difficult or painful to do. Even the most basic parts of daily living — such as showering and getting dressed — engage your core. -Work Activities The first thing that might jump to your mind is a long list of jobs with heavy lifting, twisting, and standing for long periods of time. While those all definitely rely on your core muscles, there are less obvious work tasks — such as sitting at your desk for hours at a time — engage your core as well. Though they don’t seem as intensive, making phone calls, typing, using a computer, and other similar work can all make your back muscles sore and stiff. This is especially true for people that don’t have good posture and don’t take enough breaks. -Healthy Back Four out of five Americans deal with often-debilitating back pain. Such pain may be prevented by exercising those core muscles, making them more resilient and stronger. When someone is dealing with back pain, a doctor will often prescribe a regimen of core exercises to help relieve it, along with medication, physical therapy, chiropractic alignment, or other treatments. You can help avoid back issues by strengthening those core muscles before pain becomes an issue. -Sports and Other Hobbies Pretty much every sport involves your core muscles. Golfing, tennis, biking, trampolining, running, swimming, baseball, basketball, kayaking, and many other athletic endeavors all require a strong core. Even hobbies like fishing or building models rely on abdominal and back muscles since they require you to stand or sit for long periods of time. Not only will strong core muscles help you avoid pain issues, it will also improve your flexibility, which can make you more effective at whatever sport you participate in. -Work Around the House No matter if it is basic house cleaning, gardening, or doing some much-needed repairs, it will all be easier and less taxing on you when your core muscles are strong. With how much you’re bending, lifting, twisting, carrying, reaching high above you, or hammering, your core is being engaged in every task you take on to clean or improve your home. Even activities like vacuuming, mopping, and dusting actively engage, or otherwise pass through your core muscles. -Balance and Stability With all of your movement requiring your core muscles’ engagement, it stands to reason that the stronger they are, the better your balance will be. That means you’ll be more stable when moving, allowing for quick changes in direction no matter what type of terrain you’re on. It will also mean that you can stand in one spot without losing your balance. When you think of it that way, core exercises make it less likely you’ll fall down. -Strong Posture When your core muscles are weak, you’re more prone to slouching. Not only does good posture make you look thinner and more confident, it will also reduce the strain and stress placed on your spine. You’ll also be able to breathe deeper, which will improve your circulation and provide much-needed oxygen throughout your body. When you have good posture, you’ll also be able to reap the full benefits of all of your exercise. With the impact that your core muscles have on every move you make, it’s clear why strengthening them should be a priority for everyone. In the near future, we’ll take a look at some of the best exercises you can do to keep your core strong. One of the best activities you can do to strengthen your core is trampolining, as it engages your entire body. To start on your path to a stronger core, come to Rebounderz Trampoline Park here in Sunrise. Whether you’re taking a leap of faith off our impressive 14-foot tall JumpXTREME Tower or you’re testing your strength on the Ninja Warrior course, you’re sure to get a workout to remember. We hope you jump in soon! #### Why Fitness is Important for Kids With childhood obesity on the rise, it is more and more important for kids to be physically active. Physical activity doesn’t have to be in a gym or in physical education class at school, though. Running around at recess, playing sports, and riding bikes are all wonderful forms of physical activity that help kids stay healthy. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at why fitness is so important for children. One of the most fun ways you can make sure your kids are getting active is right here at Rebounderz Trampoline Park. Whether they’re running through our exciting Ninja Warrior course or they’re jumping on our safe trampolines, they’re exercising while they have fun. Without further ado, let’s jump into the importance of fitness for kids. -Benefits at a Glance While everyone, regardless of their age, benefits from regularly exercising, kids stand to benefit even more. As their bodies are growing, it’s important that they stay active to get these benefits: Stronger muscles and bones Less likely to become overweight Decrease risk of developing type 2 diabetes Lower blood pressure and cholesterol Overall positive outlook thanks to improved blood flow releasing endorphins and oxygen Not only will a child receive those benefits, they will also sleep better after burning off excess energy. That means they’ll be more alert and attentive in school, ready to learn. They’ll also be better equipped to handle both physical and emotional challenges, whether it’s running to catch their bus or studying for a big test the next day. Kids need a lot of sleep to develop properly, so physical activity will ensure they’re ready for bed. -Three Forms of Fitness Regardless of if it’s on the playground or in the gym, you can distill fitness down to three separate forms. These forms can combine in different types of activity, but for the most part, you can break them down like this: Endurance (running around playing tag) Strength (climbing monkey bars) Flexibility (gymnastics) It’s a good idea to encourage your children to try a variety of physical activities so they can work on all three forms of fitness. This will help them be well rounded in their health and activity. Let’s take a deeper look at each of the three forms, shall we? -Endurance This form is developed when kids get regular aerobic and cardiovascular exercise. When engaging in aerobic activity, heart rate increases and you’re breathing harder. When this is done on a regular basis, it strengthens the heart, improves blood flow, and makes it easier for the body to receive the oxygen and nutrients it needs to be healthy and strong. Aerobic exercise is fun for everyone, no matter what your age is. Some examples of endurance-boosting aerobic activity include: Basketball Riding a bike Ice or inline skating Soccer Swimming Tennis Taking a walk, run, or jog -Strength When we talk about kids improving their strength, we’re not implying they need to become muscle-bound after lifting weights. Rather, they can do this with some simple exercises. Boosting their strength will ensure they build healthy muscles, joints, and bones. This training also helps to strengthen the ligaments and tendons that provide support for muscles and bones, while also improving bone density. Some strength-building activities include: Push-ups Pull-ups Crunches Climbing on monkey bars or a rock wall Doing a handstand Wrestling -Flexibility Placing an importance on flexibility won’t just help kids be more active, it will also help them avoid injuring themselves while they play. Muscles have a natural elasticity that is necessary to move. When your child learns proper stretching techniques, they’re able to move through their full range of motion without trouble. Stretching before and after physical activity will help their muscles adjust to what will be asked of them to avoid strains or pulled muscles. Some helpful and easy stretches include: Child’s pose Cat-Cow pose (strengthens abdominals and stretches spine) Overhead arm stretch Wide arms stretch Knee lunges Butterfly stretch (strengthens inner thigh flexibility) Crossover toe touch (strengthens legs and spine flexibility) -Tips for Getting Kids Active As of 2015, nearly one in five school-aged children and young people (from six to 19 years of age) had obesity. It’s clear to see that as an epidemic, but it’s something that parents can help their children avoid. With a connection to the internet in everyone’s pocket and a constant barrage of different media to consume, kids have fallen into an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. A few ways to help your kids be more active include: Set time limits for watching TV, playing video games, and accessing social media. Watching a screen should not replace sleeping and exercise. For children ages two to five, limit screen time to an hour a day or less. Avoid screen time, other than a video-chat with the grandparents, for kids under 18 months of age. Only allow your child to engage in high-quality, educational content. Watch it with them so you know the content of what they’re watching or playing. Keep computers, TVs, and video games out of children’s rooms and turn off screens while the family eats. -How Much Physical Activity is Enough? When parents are told they need to ensure their kids are getting enough physical activity, it can feel like a nebulous concept. How much is enough? How much would be too much? Luckily, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education put together some helpful guidelines for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age kids. Infants: No specific time requirements. Encourage physical activity to strengthen the development of motor skills. Toddlers: Recommended minimum daily activity- Hour and a half. Break it up between 30 minutes of planned physical activity and 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity (play time). Preschoolers: Recommended minimum daily activity- Two hours. 60 minutes of planned physical activity and 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity (play time). School-age: Recommended minimum daily activity- One hour or more. Break this up into 15-minute activities to work around their new school schedule. Helping your child stay fit will have long-lasting effects as they grow up. Their bones, joints, and muscles will be strong and avoid injury thanks to their improved flexibility. They’ll be less likely to get tired after short activities with their boosted endurance. Your child will also sleep better after working out excess energy. If you’re looking for someplace fun for your kid to be physically active, bring them to Rebounderz here in Sunrise. They can spring into our foam pit or test their basketball skills on the SlamBall court. No matter what they choose, you can be sure they’re getting the physical activity they need to grow up big and strong. We hope you jump in soon! #### Why Imagination is Important At Rebounderz, we encourage the use of imagination. It is our belief, that when we allow children to imagine and day-dream, we are strengthening their minds for what they could be in the future. It is actually proven that when children are allowed to imagine, they are exercising locations in their brain, strengthening their ability to think holistically and use their intuition. When anyone, including your children, uses their imagination, they are using the right side of their brain, also known as the right hemisphere.This side of the brain is responsible for artistic and imaginative thoughts, as well as rhythm. In comparison, the left brain is responsible for thinking logically, and is more concerned with interpreting reality. Surprisingly enough, when analyzing the brain, imagination and conceptualizing reality looks very different in the brain. It has been found that not only are reality and imagination active in two different hemispheres of the brain, but they are interpreted differently as well. In the case of rational thinking, visual information flows upwards from the brain’s occipital lobe to the parietal lobe. The parietal lobe is associated with processing sensory information and aiding in physical navigation. The parietal lobe is also responsible for passing along information to the brain such as taste, temperature, and touch. When assessing the workings of imaginative thought, the information is sent a different way through the brain. In the case of imaginative thoughts, information is sent the opposite way, from the parietal lobe to the occipital lobe. The occipital lobe is responsible for assigning meaning and remembering visual perceptions. It is extremely important for determining color, distance, and identifying stimuli, such as faces and your everyday surroundings. This spatial awareness is also called spatial reasoning and visual memory. When children exercise their imaginative thought, they are strengthening these skills for when they get older. By encouraging the use of imaginative thought, children’s abilities for memory and adept motor skills can only be improved. In a developing brain, such as a child’s, it is important to have a full understanding of both logic and imagination. However, as children age, they are more likely to lose an aptitude for imaginative thought. This is no fault of their own, as society has placed new importance on learning more realistic thoughts. For example, in today’s learning institutions, there is pattern in which students are taught to the test. They are not able to widen their learning, as instructors are more concerned with their score on a singular test. Because of this, children’s thoughts become regimented and confined to learn only the knowledge that can give them a higher score, instead of using knowledge as a tool to improve their lives. More so, institutions are confining learning to include only factual, mathematical, and linear thinking as the only form of education. The failure in this style of learning, is that children do not get to fully utilize the other side of their brain, the artistic and holistic, right hemisphere. Because of this, children are at a disadvantage due to the fact that they are not strengthening both sides of their brain. More importantly, children who are more right-side inclined, are more likely to struggle with left-brain realistic thought. More and more, respect for the arts is dwindling, as schools suffer federal cut backs to liberal arts. Due to this fact, the importance of encouraging imagination is at an all time high. By bringing your child to your local Apopka Rebounderz they will be able to use their imagination freely. As they bounce in our indoor trampoline park, they can imagine they are an astronaut, a superhero, or something else entirely! When you encourage your child to play, explore, and day-dream, you are allowing them to use and strengthen their brains to the fullest. Though with imagination they won’t be able to solve a math problem; by using their ability for imagination and creativity they can think of circumstances from a different viewpoint than most. After years of strict academics, they can lose touch with their creativity; however, with an encouraging parent behind them, they will be able to use their imagination to benefit them in the long-run. Bring your child to Rebounderz and give them the best start in life by allowing them to have a strong brain, on both sides! Visit us online today! #### Why Kids Look Forward to the Holidays Why Children Love the Holidays Directly after your Thanksgiving meal, there is a change in the air. Perhaps it is all in your mind, or maybe, there is something actually different ruminating around your home? Once the Thanksgiving turkey has been eaten, the winter holiday season can officially begin! With this, a new sense of holiday cheer can be initiated and children can bounce around with excitement. But why? What is so special about the holiday season? In this blog, we will discuss what is so special about the holiday season, specifically for children. By reading our blog, hopefully, you can recall the cheer, excitement, and joy you once felt during the holiday season. Now, it is your kid’s turn to feel those emotions of holiday spirit! What’s in the air? Snow! There is something dazzling about snow. Its white purity can make even the most rugged of terrains look peaceful and calm. But snow does a lot more for us than just improve our surroundings aesthetic value, there is a lot more! For instance, the snow can bring on plenty of fun activities for children. Whether your kids want to skate at an ice rink or sled down a mountainside, the snow can provide plenty of fun activities for all ages. In fact, during the winter parents and children can come together and learn new lessons and partake in new activities. Skiing and snowboarding are both past times that parents can share with their families. As a child, the holiday season can offer opportunities to learn new things and participate in fun outdoor activities. Holiday Treats As a child, perhaps you can recall the anticipation you felt waiting for holiday treats. Whether it was your grandmother, aunt, uncle, mother, or father, someone in your family probably created a traditional holiday treat. For example, some families make gingerbread cookies, or fudge, or even unique pies. No matter what your family’s traditions are, there is typically a treat we all look forward to during the holiday season. Because of the anticipation of a few sweet treats, children will often look forward to the season with great excitement. Holiday Decorations Decorating your house for the holidays can be a tender moment for families. Together, you all can come together and decorate your home to celebrate the season. For children, decorating can be fun because it means they can all unpack interesting decorations and spread them throughout the house. As a child, the bright colors of ornaments, lights, and garlands can be enough to excite their holiday spirit. As a parent, you can enjoy watching your kids enjoy decorating and preparing for the holidays. No matter what holiday celebration your family participates in, decorations can be utilized. Because of this, no matter your religious beliefs, you and your family can enjoy family traditions. Presents Children love the holidays because it means they will receive presents. I mean, who could blame them? Free gifts with requirements to give gifts back — sounds like a good time! But really, the holidays are a wonderful time because children can earn toys that they have been anticipating for months. Parents can also experience the joy of seeing the look on their child’s face as they are overcome with excitement and happiness. But, getting gifts is not the only thing to be excited about! For some children, just the ability to unwrap a present is exciting. For instance, they can anticipate what lies underneath their tree. Trying to determine what their presents are and unveiling them later is all part of the wonderful experience of the holidays. Rebounderz of Edison, NJ Though children may look forward to the holidays with great anticipation for sweet treats, snow sports, and presents, there are other things they can look forward too — like family time at Rebounderz! Though the holidays have a way of bringing family members together, Rebounderz welcomes families of all sizes to enjoy our trampoline park year round. Presents can be great, but a child can really appreciate the holidays when their family is happy and together to enjoy the season. No matter what season, you and your family are always welcomed at Rebounderz. Visit our trampoline park today and spend the day jumping! #### Why Laser Tag is the Best for Your Kid's Birthday Party Your kid attends dozens of birthday parties a year. Each family wants to win at parenting and throw the biggest and the best party of the year. Really, it comes down to making your kid's birthday party one that they will remember throughout all the others, at least until next year! Kids are simple; they don't care about hor 'd oeuvres or what the gift wrap looked like. All they care about is having fun with (and one-upping) their friends. Make it a special day by incorporating their favorite games into their party. Laser tag is a great option for your kid's birthday party for many reasons, and hosting their party at a laser tag arena will leave you as their birthday party hero! Active Entertainment Laser tag is a great way to get your child and their friends to avoid screens as entertainment for a few hours and run around instead. Laser tag is a very engaging game, requiring competitors to run around for the duration of the game. If you play at an indoor laser tag playground, there may be obstacles to navigate, allowing for climbing and other navigation techniques that burn up energy. Not only does laser tag provide an activity that parallels exercise that is necessary for a healthy lifestyle, it will wear your little ones out, making it a peaceful evening at home afterward! Developmental Benefits Children need to be stimulated and challenged to develop well. If your child doesn't already know how to play laser tag, it will give them the opportunity to learn new skills. Laser tag offers the opportunity to use their critical thinking skills and test their reaction skills. Reloading the weapons and being surrounded by the opposing team also helps develop problem solving skills. Teamwork is a critical element to the development of your child, and engaging in team activities helps to practice this skill. Team sports offer a competitive way to teach your child confidence (and if they lose, humility). Out of the House   The best part about hosting your kid's birthday party at a laser tag venue is it won’t be at your house! That eliminates the need for pre and post party clean-up for you. Hosting at a laser tag arena also reduces the amount of entertaining you are responsible for. Set the date, book the venue, and let the guests be entertained by the facility. Most indoor laser tag event centers offer kid's birthday party package deals that include party set-up, hosting, and clean-up, so that you can enjoy a game of laser tag with your children and party guests.   At Rebounders Xtreme Fun Center of Jacksonville, we take care of all your kid’s birthday party needs and have an amazing multi-room, multi-level laser tag arena. Our laser tag battlefield features iCombat tactical weaponry and special effects, bringing our combat zone to life! Also try out our challenging laser maze! Both attractions are included with our Ultimate Party birthday party package. Call to reserve your date today! #### Why Role-Playing is Healthy For Children “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” -Albert Einstein Role-Playing Is Healthy For Children Einstein was one of the greatest minds of all time and he understood the importance of childhood imagination. When children are allowed to imagine, their minds are more open to what is around them and what they do not understand. As a parent, it is important to encourage your child’s imagination. When children aren’t able to imagine the possible and impossible things in life, they are restricted to only what they know. In a way, raw facts and knowledge becomes like a cage to them. With imagination, children can enjoy the wonders of all things and carry that ability to imagine with them when they grow up. In this blog, we will discuss why imagination and role-playing are so important to a child. At Rebounderz of Newport News, we encourage imagination above all. At our trampoline park, your little one can imagine themselves as anything they would like. Imagination Is Healthy For Brain Activity Imagination is great for your child, not just to excite their creativity, but to strengthen brain activity. When children are allowed to imagine, they are exercising their brain in different ways. For example, if you were to examine the brain activity of a child, real-world events and information flow in the brain upwards in the brain from the occipital to the parietal lobe. However, when a child imagines and exercises their creativity, information is their brain flows downward, from the parietal to the occipital lobe. Role-Playing Encourages Cooperation When children role-play, they are able to imagine themselves as something or somewhere else. Better still, role-playing encourages your child to not only imagine to themselves, but imagine with others as well. Playing with other children can teach your child to share their imaginary worlds and encourage others to “see” as they do. This skill is not only powerful, but can be applied in the adult world as well. Being able to share ideas and encourage others to participate in your imagination is an extremely useful skill, especially for adults. As a parent, you can teach your child the best ways to role-play with others and share their creativity. Sharing Their Creative Stories It is rare that if a child is imagining something, that they will keep it to themselves. This means they will most likely tell you all about the imaginary friend they have or even the superpower they believe they have. A child is able to view their own world and imagine it as a wonderous, magical place. Being able to share this way of thinking is important because it allows them to express themselves with others. Self-expression is not only healthy, but important for any child to develop their sense of self-worth. Confidence Building Role-playing is an important part of childhood because it enables kids to imagine themselves as other things, generally important and powerful people or things. For instance, many children won’t imagine themselves as the loser of a game or an ordinary person. Instead, they will imagine themselves as a superhero or a skilled athlete. Imagination and role-play allows children to imagine themselves as successful and important people. This, obviously, can do a lot for their self-esteem. Better still, if your child has aspirations to be something, imagination can be a fantastic motivator. For instance, if a child wishes to be an astronaut, imagining that they are one can be the motivation they need to train, study, and become anything they want in life. See Other Points of View Role-playing can be a valuable tool to teach children to think of others and experience things from another’s point of view. For instance, when a child is pretending to be something, they are able to imagine themselves in that person or things perspective. This ability to imagine something from a different perspective is a useful way to teach your child alternate viewpoints. By being able to understand others and how they think, they can get a better understanding of the world around them. For example, if your child is pretending to be, say, a puppy, they can pretend that they want a treat in order to do tricks. Later, when they aren’t imagining themselves as a dog, they might recall the perspective of being an animal and focus their compassion to your home’s pet. This example isn’t guaranteed, as role-playing doesn’t always mean that children will learn to be compassionate beings by just by pretending a few times, however, it does teach them to think from another’s perspective and think outside of themselves. Rebounderz of Newport News Encourages Imagination At Rebounderz, your child can imagine themselves as the fastest ninja, the strongest hero, or the most experienced spy; there are no limits to what your child could imagine themselves here. If you would like to help your child use their creativity, our indoor trampoline park can help. With our trampoline arena, obstacle courses, and our dodgeball courts, your child will have the perfect setting to let their imagination run free! Visit your local Newport News Rebounderz today! #### Why Routines Are Important to Healthy Development The Positive Aspects of Routines Your child’s life is full of new things. Every day, they learn new skills that can improve their lives. However, the one skill that is the most beneficial to them is often the one that they don’t notice. Adhering to routines is a necessary skill for children to develop in order to build a foundation for their eating, sleeping, playing, and exercising patterns. Yet, despite the importance of routines and how necessary they are, children are sometimes determined to disrupt their routines at all costs. In this blog, we will discuss some of the routines that your child might have. By adopting these routines you can ensure that your child will be well adjusted. And, if your child already has these routines, we will offer some tricks to make your child adhere to their routines. Eating Routines Eating routines are very important for children, especially kids younger than 10. Eating routines help stabilize their digestive system and ensure that their metabolism is functioning properly. This will help your children in the long run, as they will be able to eat, digest, and burn off their food quickly. Eating routines can be more than just eating at a regular time, three times a day. There are other routines, such as ensuring that there is one vegetable on their plate at all times. Of course, even if a vegetable is on your child’s plate, they may overlook it completely and not eat it. No matter what, it is important to keep up with routines, especially when it comes to good. Digestive health is paramount to a growing body, which makes food fuel for your child’s success. Food has been linked to boosts in energy, mood, and cognition, which is why routines of balanced and regular meals are so important. Sleeping Routines Sleeping routines are vital to the mood of a child. Children with irregular sleeping patterns are often tired and moody. Why? Well, if you have ever been near a toddler that hasn’t had a nap — you will know the difference between a rested and non-rested child. Ultimately, it is up to the parents of a child to regulate sleeping patterns, such as making sure the child is tucked in at a certain hour at night. Many parents will choose to put their child to sleep anywhere from 7 pm to 9 pm. This is perfect times to ensure that your child is well rested when they wake up the next morning. Sleeping routines also involve napping patterns as well. Napping is very important for a child. If they are tired during the day, a nap is a way to replenish their energy and mood. Without a nap, you might have a child acting like an emotional ticking time bomb. Naps are so important, yet some kids refuse to take a them, which means there will most likely be tears before any snoozing will take place. As a parent, you must remain strong and understand that just because your child is crying does not mean that you are hurting them. Sleep is so important to a child and not allowing your child to get their needed rest will have consequences on their mood, as well as their health. Playing Routines Your child needs to learn how to stop play. Using playing routines to show your child that play sometimes needs to end. This is good for them, as they will learn how to stop playing with their toys without having a meltdown. Many times, you will see children have temper tantrums if they are being told to stop playing. This is because they aren’t used to the idea that playtime needs to end. Building up routines to start and stop playtimes will help them understand and take the change easier. This will obviously help you, the parent, as you won’t have to worry about your child erupting into tears every time you need to leave a playground. Exercise Routines Children need exercise to regulate their metabolism, burn calories, and strengthen their muscles. Even though children are (for the most part) active, more children are less likely to exercise for the needed 60 minutes a day. That’s right, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your child should be exercising for at least 60 minutes a day. If they are not, they may not be utilizing their bodies as much as they should be. One excellent way to ensure that your children are getting the workout they need is by reserving time in their day for running, jumping, and climbing. Rebounderz of Newport News At Rebounderz, your child can exercise and play to their heart’s content. Here, they will be able to get their play and exercise routines completed, while also having fun. As a parent, it is rare that you will be able to find one location where your child is able to stay healthy and enjoy the activity at the same time. Visit our Newport News location today! #### Why Trampolines are the Best Form of Exercise Working out often is never fun. Many times you have to drive to an overcrowded gym only to use overused equipment. Not to mention the unbearable stench and cleanliness of the gym. No wonder so many people avoid working out! Fun has been taken out of daily exercise. However, there is one form of exercise that has not lost it’s spring. Trampolining is one form of exercise that, although not incredibly popular, has incredible benefits that are not commonly utilized. In fact, there are exactly five different benefits that come when you exercise with a trampoline. 1. Plyometrics Plyometrics is a form of exercise that is commonly known as “jump training.” In this form of exertion muscles produce maximum force in very short intervals of time, therefore increasing strength and speed. Specifically, this form of training is used by athletes to build explosive power to use in competition. Trampolines are known as a form of Plyometrics, but has less effect on joints than other versions of the training. Due to its low-impact on sensitive joints like knees and ankles, trampolines are actually preferred for people with joint pain or surgery rehabilitation. 2. Rebounding It has been confirmed that rebounding exercises, such as trampolines, have more influence on the human cardiovascular system than running. The Journal of Applied Physiology states, “…for similar levels of heart rate and oxygen consumption, the magnitude of the biomechanical stimuli is greater with jumping on a trampoline than with running, a finding that might help identify acceleration parameters needed for the design of remedial procedures to avert deconditioning in persons exposed to weightlessness. “ -NASA The practice of rebounding on trampolines has actually been adopted by NASA as a way to maintain astronauts’ bone density while in space. So, in a sense, when jumping on a trampoline you are getting a better workout than you ever would be on a treadmill 3. Equilibrium When on a trampoline, you are using more muscles than you think you are. Once you are lifted into the air, your body is making a silent calculation to once again land on your feet. This extra muscle movement ties in with the energy you are already exerting by jumping in the first place. Due to your body exerting energy both for balance and exercise, your motor skills become faster and stronger. Not only that, but your ability to determine and maintain bodily balance is increasingly improved 4. Lymphatic Flow The Lymphatic System is part of your body’s circulatory system and is absolutely essential to the maintenance and strength of your immune system. The Lymphatic System itself is comprised of organs and tissues that filter out toxins and waste that is housed within your body. When on a Trampoline, our bodies use complete conscious movement which the lymphatic system thrives on. When our heart rate and oxygen intake is accelerated, the lymphatic valves open and close simultaneously, which allows the lymphatic system to flush out negative toxins much more quickly. Due to this fact, when you Trampoline you are actually triggering your own immune system to become that much stronger. 5. Enjoyment The American Psychological Association rallies behind the common theory of “The Exercise Effect.” After recent studies saw positive changes among test subjects, psychologists began to link physical activity with mood and mental health. Today, Psychologists often use exercise as a treatment for some mental health issues. Commenting that by using body movement we accelerate blood flow to the brain, thus allowing healthy brain functioning to occur. Trampoline not only help the immune system but the complete circulatory system. When we rebound or ‘jump’ we allow our bodies total motor movement that thus raises the heart rate and increased the flow of blood. Trampoline and exercise in general is a great antidote for mental illness and poor moods. Trampoline is also fun, which is probably its greatest benefit to a subject. Bouncing is, for the most part, enjoyable and increases the levels of dopamine and serotonin within your brain. As you can see there are many benefits to Trampolines. Especially exercising with one. Who knew something as innocent as bouncing around would have so many health benefits! If any of these benefits interest you, visit Rebounderz Trampoline Parks online. #### Winter Birthday Party Ideas for Kids When you plan your kid’s birthday party, ideally it is out of doors, where the children can laugh and play and run to their heart’s content. However, in the winter time, it is much harder to send the children outside for the day. When you are planning a winter birthday party, you have to weigh the options of allowing the children to run amuck in your home or thinking of another creative birthday party idea. We have assembled this list of some fun, winter birthday party ideas to help make your planning easier and keep your house clean. Roller Skating Roller skating parties are the classic go-to indoor birthday party. If you are a millenial, chances are you had a birthday party (or two) at a skating rink. Upcycle this classic idea for your kids and host your kid’s birthday party at the local roller skating rink. Roller skating rinks are common birthday party sites and often offer birthday party packages and discounts for party guests. Many facilities also have additional amenities, such as snack bars and arcades, to keep the fun going between skating sessions. A great benefit to a skating birthday party is everyone stays active, has fun and goes home worn out. Trampoline Park Trampoline parks are a growing hot spot for kids’ birthday parties all year round. Trampoline parks, such as Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone, offer party rooms and packages for kids’ birthday parties. At Rebounderz, they offer themed birthday party packages and supply a party host, who will take care of the planning, setup, and breakdown of the party. Plan a stress free party and allow the trampoline park do the hard work so you can jump with your kids. The best part is, everyone will go home happy and exhausted. Pool Party Don’t discount this classic summer time birthday party idea just because of the cold winter air! Host a pool party at the local, indoor swimming pool or a hot springs, if you are lucky enough to live near one. Many people don’t think to take their children swimming in the winter, so when they are invited to a winter pool party, they will be as excited as if it were a hot summer day. Be sure to let the pool staff know there is a party so they can accommodate with the appropriate number of lifeguards. The benefits to a winter pool party is you don’t have to remember sunscreen or worry about the ice cream melting! Laser Tag Nothing says, “let’s celebrate,” like friendly competition. Laser tag gets all the guests involved in a team setting, running around letting their inner child out. Laser tag is a great way to get you engaged in physical activity and stay warm during the winter. Laser tag centers are usually used to hosting kids’ birthday parties and often have party rooms to relax and enjoy downtime with guests between battles. Many laser tag places are part of larger family fun centers that offer other activities, such as an arcade, batting cages, and go-carts. Ice Skating Ice skating is an alternative to the classic roller skating birthday party. Ice skating may invite a few extra injuries if participants are novices, but in a group setting, it can be a fun way to celebrate a winter birthday. Just like a roller skating party, guests can have fun skating around with each other, while enjoying a classic winter sport. Ice skating rinks are often home to other amenities, such as snack bars and party rooms where guests can wind down after a good skating session. Bowling Bowling is a great activity for any age birthday party. Bowling alleys typically have food, arcades, and other activities in addition to bowling. Bowling is a sport that is easily modified by the weight of the ball, gutter bumpers, and ball ramps to accommodate all age ranges and skill levels. Bowling alleys are common birthday party venues and often offer birthday party packages and food specials. Costume Party If you do decide to host a party at your house, keeping the children entertained inside may be difficult. Combine indoor party ideas to make a fun party to remember. We recommend a costume party! You can suggest a theme — maybe the birthday kid’s favorite movie — and invite guests to create unique costumes; offer rewards for the best costume. Plan several fun activities and games to prevent the children from getting restless. Just because you cannot plan a grand barbeque or water park birthday party, it doesn’t mean that your winter baby should have a sub par birthday party. There are plenty of ways to provide fun and entertainment for your kid’s birthday party without subjecting your house to dozens of trampling feet and icing covered hands. If a trampoline park sounds like a fun solution to you, call us at Rebounderz Extreme Fun Zone in Grand Rapids. Contact us to book your date now. #### Your Kid’s Birthday Party Checklist Party Checklist You kid’s birthday party is a big deal. After all, it is celebrating another year of their life and their childhood. Your child only has one birthday a year, which is why it is important to make that day as special as possible. However, just because you want the day to be special doesn’t mean you have to go to unbelievable lengths to achieve a spectacular birthday celebration. Most parents believe that, to make a birthday special, they need to hire entertainers and shower their home with intricate decorations. However, it is false to assume that decadent birthday decor will make the birthday any more special. Throwing money at your kids birthday will not make them love you any more or any less than they already do. If your child values your effort and love, fancy decor won’t even enter their mind or affect how they view their birthday party. It is natural for you to want them to have the best time; however, you don’t have to break the bank in order to do so. In this blog, we will give you our specialized list in order to make your child’s birthday party the best one yet!   Mouthwatering Food There is a reason why we put food at the top of our list: it’s crucial. Having food at your kid’s party is extremely important and can make, or break, the success of your party. Children like to play, which only speeds up their metabolism. Most kids like to eat, but some can be picky. If your child is a picky eater, or they have classmates who are picky, you want to choose food options that are known crowd pleasers. Pizza is, by far, a phenomenal choice of food. Not only is pizza delicious, but it can be affordable if you have coupons or buy from an inexpensive place. However, when it comes to the food at your party, it is important not to sacrifice flavor or a price tag. When you purchase cheaply, you will often get a product that doesn’t taste great. When it comes to your kid’s party, it is okay to splurge a little on the menu. After all, the pizza isn’t just for the kids, it is also for all the parents. So, don’t feel bad about ordering separate pies for both your little ones and the parents. This way, you can treat both the kids and their chaperones! Delicious Party Cake Let’s be honest, the cake at a party is the most anticipated treat of the whole day. If you have a truly magnificent cake, you will have won as a parent. Not only is cake a delicious treat to share, but it is also an iconic piece of any celebration. As a kid, blowing out your candles and making a wish is the best part of the whole day. Not only that, but it is the moment everyone remembers years later in pictures. If you have a less than desirable cake, you could severely ruin the moment. A birthday cake should be both delicious and beautifully decorated. If you do not put a little effort into the aesthetic and flavor of the cake, you will regret it. That being said, if you are on a budget, there is no shame in making the cake yourself. Purchase a plain white sheet cake at your local bakery and decorate it yourself. The night before the party, you can make decorating the birthday cake a fun activity for you and your child to participate in. Kid’s Party Games Entertaining your guests, as well as your child, can be a chore. Children don’t have long attention spans and getting them away from a television screen can be a bit of a challenge. The best course of action when it comes to planning party games is — don’t. Rely on your venue to provide the party games for your guests. Planning games takes time and money, and, honestly, patience very few people have. Choose a venue that you know can provide quality entertainment for the duration of the party. That way, you can rest easy knowing that the party will be a success and you didn’t lose any hair in the process. Birthday Party Venues The venue is important, maybe as important as — dare we say it — the food. The venue is important not just for the entertainment value, but also the safety of your party. Having a venue that is safe, protective, yet still has plenty to occupy party guests is hard to find. Luckily, businesses, such as Rebounderz, exist for the sole purpose to entertain children. Better still, Rebounderz is able to cater to the needs of your birthday party by offering an exclusive birthday room. Rebounderz If you are interested in making your kid’s next birthday truly spectacular, visit your local Rebounderz today! #### Your Kid’s Birthday Party: Jump On It Planning your child’s birthday party can be stressful. If you host it in your home and you aren’t Martha Stewart, the panic can quickly set in… I have to clean the house first, must impress the guests. Then the decorations! How many chairs will I need? Should I make the food or have it catered? I’ll tell everyone it’s a potluck! Ugh, what if someone has food allergies? What will get broken? If it’s nice out, we will just do it in the backyard. Gotta make sure the dog waste is picked up and the lawn is mowed. Then the cleanup, oh the cleanup. Where will I find all the time!? Planning a celebration for your child should not provoke anxieties. Children count down the months, weeks, days to their birthdays and measure birthday parties on a fun-scale. Party event centers can offer a stress-free, mess-free alternative to hosting a party in your own home. Indoor playgrounds and trampoline parks are fun for kids of all ages! These complexes are gaining popularity, so how can you ensure you find the right one that will ensure your party is a hit? What to Look For: #1 Safety is key! The best birthday party can take a terrible turn when a guest is injured, prematurely ending the festivities. Especially in indoor trampoline parks, it is critically important to find a place that evaluates safety and fun on the same level of importance. Safety must not just be listed on the website as something the facility practices, but should be incorporated into every aspect of their facility. Look at the safety policy and how safety is implemented. If you are able to, physically check out the facility when you book the party. #2 The Help Who is responsible for the planning, organizing, decorating, set-up, event transition, and clean-up? Some places offer the space without the help for you to do with as you wish. This provides a solution for keeping the mess out of your home, but doesn’t offer the same stress free planning as somewhere that offers assistance. Look for a place that offers personnel to at least decorate and clean-up. Some places will also provide party planners, and assistants to help during the party, although I haven’t found a place yet that offers child wrangling as part of the deal! #3 Activities Take a good look at what is included in party packages and compare it to what is offered, in general. Some indoor trampoline parks may have several features offered such as open jump areas, laser tag, and an obstacle course, but only offer the main attraction as included to party guest. These places may require an additional charge for party guests to enjoy the other amenities, this can make for some irritated party-goers (or their parents) when to enjoy the full array of fun, they must pay extra. If you plan a party at a facility designed for a specific activity, make sure it has activities for those who cannot participate. For instance, if you book at a trampoline park, look for alternate activities for those who cannot jump, such as arcades, laser tag, or bowling. #4 Food (and beverages) Some party hosting centers do not include food in the party-package, if this is the case and you are okay with it, make sure the pricing is fair for what is (or isn’t) included. Most event centers that include food in their party packages include the standard pizza and soda, look for places that offer a wider variety of options to please ALL of your party guests! #5 Gifts/ Prizes You can host a birthday party almost anywhere you’d like, the place you host it at doesn’t even need to know you’ve invited all your friends and family to share in your child’s special day. Any place can be the location for an “okay” birthday party. But, “okay” doesn’t get chatted about at school the next day or relayed to every family member who couldn’t make it in excited rambling. To beat mediocre, look for a place that includes a way to make the guest of honor feel special and celebrated! Let’s be honest, when you are planning your kid’s birthday party, the fun calculator and the “gimmies” rank closely in level of importance. Look for a place that offers take-home gifts or prizes, at a minimum, for the birthday boy or girl, and ideally, for all of the guests. Be it coupons for future visits or prizes earned by turning in arcade game tickets, guests will have a permanent reminder of your child’s amazing birthday party. Indoor trampoline parks can be a great alternative to hosting your child’s birthday party in your home. It can reduce the hassle and clean-up required, as well as provide lifelong memories for the special kid in your life. ### Pages #### About You might be an artist who would like to introduce yourself and your work here or maybe you’re a business with a mission to describe. #### Air & Foam Pits URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/air-foam-pits/ #### Air Pit URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/air-foam-pits/ #### Arcade URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/arcade/ #### Arcade URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/arcade/ #### Arcade URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/arcade/ #### Arcade URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/arcade/ #### Arcade URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/arcade/ #### Attractions URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/attractions/ #### Basketball Slam URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/basketball-slam/ #### Basketball Slam URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/basketball-slam/ #### Basketball Slam URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/basketball-slam/ #### Basketball Slam URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/basketball-slam/ #### Basketball Slam URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/basketball-slam/ #### Beer, Wine, & Seltzers! URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/beer-wine-seltzers/ #### Birthday Parties URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/birthday-parties/ #### Birthday Parties URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/parties/ #### Birthday Parties URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/parties/ #### Birthday Parties URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/parties/ #### Birthday Parties URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/parties/ #### Birthday Parties At Rebounderz URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/birthday-parties-at-rebounderz/ #### Black Light Mini Golf URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/black-light-miniature-golf/ #### Black Light Mini Golf URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/black-light-miniature-golf/ #### Black Light Mini Golf URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/black-light-miniature-golf/ #### Blog URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/blog/ #### Cafe URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/cafe/ #### Cafe URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/cafe/ #### Cafe URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/cafe/ #### Cafe URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/cafe/ #### Cafe URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/cafe/ #### Canopy Climb URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/canopy-climb/ #### Colorful Themed Climbing Walls URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/rock-wall/ #### Colorful Themed Climbing Walls URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/colorful-themed-climbing-walls/ #### Colorful Themed Climbing Walls URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/colorful-themed-climbing-walls/ #### Colorful Themed Climbing Walls URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/colorful-themed-climbing-walls/ #### Contact URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/contact/ #### Contact This is a page with some basic contact information, such as an address and phone number. You might also try a plugin to add a contact form. #### Contact URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/contact/ #### Contact URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/contact/ #### Contact This is a page with some basic contact information, such as an address and phone number. You might also try a plugin to add a contact form. #### Corona Virus and Rebounderz URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/corona-virus-and-rebounderz/ #### Employment URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/employment/ #### Employment URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/employment/ #### Employment URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/employment/ #### Employment URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/employment/ #### Employment URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/employment/ #### Foam Pit URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/air-pit-and-foam-pit/ #### Foam Pit URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/air-pit-and-foam-pit/ #### Foam Pit URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/air-pit-and-foam-pit/ #### Franchising URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/franchising/ #### Friday Jump n' Jam at Rebounderz Orlando URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/friday-jump-jam/ #### Friday Jump n' Jam at Rebounderz Rohnert Park URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/friday-jump-jam/ #### Fundraisers URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/fundraisers/ #### Fundraisers URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/fundraisers/ #### Fundraisers URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/fundraisers/ #### Fundraisers URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/fundraisers/ #### Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/gallery/ #### Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/gallery/ #### Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/gallery/ #### Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/gallery/ #### Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/gallery/ #### Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/parties/gallery/ #### Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/parties/gallery/ #### Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/parties/gallery/ #### Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/parties/gallery/ #### Gauntlet Space Climb URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/gauntlet-space-climb/ #### Gauntlet Space Climb URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/gauntlet-space-climb/ #### Gauntlet Space Climb URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/gauntlet-space-climb/ #### Glow Night at Rebounderz Orlando URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/rebounderz-glow-nights/ #### Glow Night at Rebounderz Sacramento 2 Hours ALL ACCESS | ALL NEW 40+ Game Arcade Card | 500 Point Arcade Game Card Included | Pixel Interactive Game Floor (New!) Friday & Saturday: 6PM to 10PM *tickets begin at 5:45 PM* Price: $25   Due to limited availability, please purchase glow tickets in advance. Rebounderz liability waiver required. Rebounderz reserves the right to remove and ban patrons or guests whom may be acting inappropriately or in a manner that affects the safety and experience of others also inside of the building. It is recommended guests under the age of 16 are accompanied by an adult during their visit on Friday and Saturday Nights.  #### Golf Simulator Suites URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/golf-simulator-suites/ #### Grand Rapids URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/ #### Group Events URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/group-events/ #### Group Events URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/group-events/ #### Group Events URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/group-events/ #### Group Events URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/group-events/ #### Group Events URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/group-events/ #### Home URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/ #### Homeschool Days at Rebounderz Orlando URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/homeschool-days/ #### Human Foosball URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/human-foosball/ #### Indoor Playground URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/indoor-playgrounds/ #### Indoor Playground URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/indoor-playgrounds/ #### Indoor Playground URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/indoor-playgrounds/ #### Indoor Playground URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/indoor-playground/ #### Indoor Playground URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/indoor-playgrounds/ #### Indoor Trampoline Arenas URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/indoor-trampoline-arenas/ #### Jump XTreme URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/jump-xtreme/ #### Jump Xtreme Tower URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/jump-xtreme-tower/ #### Jump Xtreme Tower URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/jump-xtreme-tower/ #### Jump Xtreme Tower URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/jump-xtreme-tower/ #### Jump Xtreme Tower URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/jump-xtreme-tower/ #### Kangaroo Pillow URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/kangaroo-pillow/ #### Kangaroo Pillow URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/kangaroo-pillow/ #### Laser Tag URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/laser-tag/ #### Laser Tag URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/laser-tag/ #### Locations URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/ #### Membership URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/membership/ #### Miniature Escape Room URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/miniature-escape-room/ #### Miniature Escape Room URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/miniature-escape-room/ #### Miniature Escape Room URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/miniature-escape-room/ #### Miniature Escape Rooms URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/miniature-escape-room/ #### Mission Statement URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/mission-statement/ #### Munchkin and Me at Rebounderz Orlando URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/munchkin-and-me/ #### Munchkin and Me at Rebounderz Rohnert Park URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/munchkin-and-me/ #### Munchkin and Me at Rebounderz Sacramento URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/munchkin-and-me/ #### Ninja Warrior Course URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/ninja-warrior-course/ #### Ninja Warrior Course URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/ninja-warrior-course/ #### Ninja Warrior Course URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/ninja-warrior-course/ #### Ninja Warrior Course URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/ninja-warrior-course/ #### Ninja Warrior Course URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/ninja-warrior-course/ #### Orlando URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/ #### Orlando - Day Camp At Rebounderz URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/rebounderz-day-camp/ #### Parents' Lounge URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/parents-lounge/ #### Parents' Night Out URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/parents-night-out/ #### Parents' Night Out at Rebounderz Grand Rapids URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/parents-night-out/ #### Parents' Night Out at Rebounderz Orlando URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/parents-night-out/ #### Parents' Night Out at Rebounderz Sacramento URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/parents-night-out/ #### Pixel Game Floor URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/pixel-interactive-game-floor/ #### Pixel Interactive Game Floor URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/pixel-game-floor/ #### Pixel Interactive Game Floor URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/pixel-game-floor/ #### Pricing URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/pricing/ #### Privacy Policy Last Updated: May 17, 2024    These Terms of Service and our privacy policy (together the “Terms”) govern all use of https://www.rebounderz.com/ , P.O. Box 29502 PMB 31661 Las Vegas, Nevada 89126-9502 United States of America and that site’s services (together the “Site” or “Services”). The Site is owned by Rebounderz. The owners and contributors to the Site will be referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our” in these Terms. By using the Site or its Services, and/or by clicking anywhere on this Site to agree to these Terms, you are deemed to be a “user” for purposes of the Terms. You and every other user (“you” or “User” as applicable) are bound by these Terms. You and each user also agree to the Terms by using the Services. If any User does not agree to the Terms or the Privacy Policy, such User may not access the Site or use the Services. In these Terms, the word “Site” includes the site referenced above, its owner(s), contributors, suppliers, licensors, and other related parties. Please read the following information carefully to understand our practices regarding your use of the Site. The Company may change the Terms at any time. The Company may inform you of the changes to the Terms using the available means of communication. The Company recommends that you check the Site frequently to see the actual version of the Terms and their previous versions. If you represent a legal entity, you certify that you are entitled by such a legal entity to conclude the Terms as the legal entity you represent.   1. PRIVACY POLICY   Our Privacy Policy is available on a separate page. Our Privacy Policy explains to you how we process information about you. You shall understand that through your use of the Site you acknowledge the processing of this information shall be undertaken in accordance with the Privacy Policy.   2. YOUR ACCOUNT   When using the Site, you shall be responsible for ensuring the confidentiality of your account, passwords and other credentials and for secure access to your device. You shall not assign your account to anyone. The Company is not responsible for unauthorized access to your account that results from misappropriation or theft of your account. The Company may refuse or cancel service, terminate your account, and remove or edit content. The Company does not knowingly collect personal data from persons under the age of 16 (sixteen). If you are under 16 (sixteen) years old, you may not use the Site and may not enter into the Terms under any circumstances.   3. SERVICES   The Site allows you to use Services available on the Site. You shall not use the services for the illegal aims. We may, at our sole discretion, set fees for using the Site for you. All prices are published separately on relevant pages on the Site. We may, at our sole discretion, at any time change any fees. We may use certified payment systems which also may have their commissions. Such commissions may be implied on you when you choose a particular payment system. Detailed information about commissions of such payment systems may be found on their websites.   4. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES   The Site may include links to other sites, applications, and platforms (hereinafter the “Linked Sites”). The Company does not control the Linked Sites, and shall not be responsible for the content and other materials of the Linked Sites. The Company makes these links available to you for providing the functionality or services on the Site. The Site may include or offer third party products or services. The Site may also have other users or members who interact with each other, through the Site, elsewhere online, or in person. These third-party products and any linked sites have separate and independent terms of service and privacy policies. We have no control or responsibility for the content and activities of these linked sites, sellers, and third parties in general, regardless of whether you first were introduced or interacted with such businesses, services, products, and people through the Site, and therefore you agree that we are not liable for any of them. We do, however, welcome any feedback about these sites, sellers, other users or members, and third parties. Analytics We may use third-party Service Providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service. Google Analytics Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. We use the data collected to track and monitor the use of your service.  Data we collect from this tool include the following: Source/Medium: How visitors access your site Demographics: Analyzing the age, gender, and experience of your target audience  Bounce Rate: Analyzing how many users return to your website Behavior: What your visitors do on your website. We use this to help you optimize content on your website. Pageviews: How many users visit your site in a given date. Sessions: How long your users visit your site   This data is shared with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network. You can opt-out of having made your activity on the Service available to Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on prevents Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js, and dc.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about visits activity. For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en   Google Search Console We use Google Search Console to monitor how your website performs on search results through search traffic and clicks.  Reports we gather from your site using Google Search Console: Your website’s impression and clicks How often your site appears in Google Search Google Search Console also receives alerts when Google encounters indexing, spam or other issues on your site Fix indexing problems and request re-indexing of new or updated content Google Tag Manager Google Tag Manager improves the accuracy of our data system, giving clients high-quality reports and a better sense of their online customers/audience. The tags we set up on your website include:  When someone downloads a file from your website such as a PDF form When a form is submitted When someone clicks on your Homepage, blog posts or service pages Go here to learn more about Google Tag Manager. Google My Business We use Google My Business to manage hep you manage your online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. By verifying and editing your business information, you can both help your customers and you tell them about your business. Go here to learn more about Google My Business.  Oribi Oribi reports the unique count of each action a user does on your site. For example if the same visitor clicked on “Subscribe to our newsletter”, 5 times last week, Oribi will display it as one time. This is used to provide a clear summary of converting visitors.  Oribi also does the following: Analyze and optimize your call to actions and top pages: Which buttons visitors click the most, on which pages they perform best and where you lose visitors on their way to convert. You’ll get a summary of events, insights, and trends instead of the usual endless complicated data. Helps you track your marketing channels: Know how visitors coming from Facebook or Google Adwords Learn more about Oribi here.    Behavioral Remarketing Rebounderz uses remarketing services to help you advertise your product or service. We and our third-party vendors use cookies to inform, optimize and serve ads based on past visits to your website.  Google AdWords Google AdWords remarketing service is provided by Google Inc.You can opt-out of Google Analytics for Display Advertising and customize the Google Display Network ads by visiting the Google Ads Settings page: http://www.google.com/settings/ads How we Market your service/product using AdWords: We create ads with keywords that your potential customers are likely to use when searching for products or services like yours We help you target specific devices  We help track your site’s performance such as the number of users that view and click your ad.  Google also recommends installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on – https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout – for your web browser. Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on provides visitors with the ability to prevent their data from being collected and used by Google Analytics.For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page: https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en   Facebook remarketing service is provided by Facebook Inc.You can learn more about interest-based advertising from Facebook by visiting  this page: https://www.facebook.com/help/164968693837950 How we Market your service/product using Facebook: We show your ads across Facebook Website traffic: We help you set up specific audiences with filters based on the pages you have visited.  To opt-out from Facebook’s interest-based ads follow these instructions from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/568137493302217 Facebook adheres to the Self-Regulatory Principles for Online Behavioral Advertising established by the Digital Advertising Alliance. You can also opt-out from Facebook and other participating companies through the Digital Advertising Alliance in the USA http://www.aboutads.info/choices/, the Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada in Canada http://youradchoices.ca/ or the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance in Europe http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/, or opt-out using your mobile device settings. For more information on the privacy practices of Facebook, please visit Facebook’s Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation YouTube Remarketing and Ads Help businesses get real-time insights about views, increased social media sharing, and various audience targeting options.  How we Market your service/product using YouTube Ads: Help you create brand awareness and engagement to your target audience Posting brand videos showcasing your business and your core values Learn their privacy policies here.  AdRoll  AdRoll is provided by AdRoll Group. Their services include custom remarketing and ads. How we Market your service/product using AdRoll: Retargeting: Using AdRoll, we place your product in front of potential customers across the web, social media or across multiple devices.Personal data is collected when you visit the site using tracking technologies such as third party cookies and non-cookie technologies. Personal data includes IP addresses and website activities. You can decline to have your personal data collected via third party tracking technologies by navigating to the settings feature in your browser and declining all third party cookies or declining third party cookies from specific sites, or, for mobile, limiting ad tracking or resetting the advertiser identifier via the privacy settings on their mobile device; You can opt out here or for European visitors, here. AdRoll also addresses the privacy rights of California consumers through The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) law. This law extends specific notice, disclosure, and opt-out rights to California consumers for personal information. This includes information that a business collects, discloses for a business purpose, and/or sells to a third party, as well as specific access to this information, and a right to request deletion of the personal information held by a business. See AdRoll’s privacy notice for California residents Learn more about them here. See their Privacy Policy here.     5. PROHIBITED USES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY   The Company grants you a non-transferable, non-exclusive, revocable license to access and use the Site from one device in accordance with the Terms. You shall not use the Site for unlawful or prohibited purposes. You may not use the Site in a way that may disable, damage, or interfere in the Site. All content present on the Site includes text, code, graphics, logos, images, compilation, software used on the Site (hereinafter and herein before the “Content”). The Content is the property of the Company or its contractors and protected by intellectual property laws that protect such rights. You agree to use all copyright and other proprietary notices or restrictions contained in the Content and you are prohibited from changing the Content. You may not publish, transmit, modify, reverse engineer, participate in the transfer, or create and sell derivative works, or in any way use any of the Content. Your enjoyment of the Site shall not entitle you to make any illegal and disallowed use of the Content, and in particular you shall not change proprietary rights or notices in the Content. You shall use the Content only for your personal and non-commercial use. The Company does not grant you any license to the intellectual property of the Company. This site and some delivery modes of our product are built on the WordPress platform. For information about intellectual property rights, including General Public License (“GPL”) terms under which the WordPress software is licensed, see here http://wordpress.org/about/gpl The Site grants User a revocable, non-transferable, and non-exclusive license to use the Site solely in connection with the Site and the Services, under these Terms. Copyright in all content and works of authorship included in the Site are the property of the Site or its licensors. Apart from links which lead to the Site, accurately attributed social media references, and de minimus text excerpts with links returning to the Site, no text, images, video or audio recording, or any other content from the Site shall be copied without explicit and detailed, written permission from the Site’s owner. Users shall not sublicense or otherwise transfer any rights or access to the Site or related Services to any other person. The names and logos used by the Site, and all other trademarks, service marks, and trade names used in connection with the Services are owned by the Site or its licensors and may not be used by User without written consent of the rights owners. Use of the Site does not in itself give any user any license, consent, or permission, unless and then only to the extent granted explicitly in these Terms. All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved by the Site.   User Prohibited from Illegal Uses User shall not use, and shall not allow any person to use, the Site or Services in any way that violates a federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance, or for any disruptive, tortious, or illegal purposes, including but not limited to harassment, slander, defamation, data theft or inappropriate dissemination, or improper surveillance of any person.   6. THE COMPANY MATERIALS   By posting, uploading, inputting, providing or submitting your Content you are granting the Company to use your Content in connection with the operation of Company’s business including, but not limited to, the rights to transmit, publicly display, distribute, publicly perform, copy, reproduce, and translate your Content; and to publish your name in connection with your Content. No compensation shall be paid with regard to the use of your Content. The Company shall have no obligation to publish or enjoy any Content you may send us and may remove your Content at any time. By posting, uploading, inputting, providing or submitting your Content you warrant and represent that you own all the rights to your Content.   7. DISCLAIMER OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES   The information available via the Site may include typographical errors or inaccuracies. The Company shall not be liable for these inaccuracies and errors. The Company makes no representations about the availability, accuracy, reliability, suitability, and timeliness of the Content contained on and services available on the Site. To the maximum extent allowed by the applicable law, all such Content and services are provided on the “as is” basis. The Company disclaims all warranties and conditions regarding this Content and services, including warranties and provisions of merchantability, fitness for a certain purpose. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall the Company be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive damages including, but not limited to, damages for loss of enjoyment, data or profits, in connection with the enjoyment or execution of the Site in the context of the inability or delay enjoying the Site or its services, or for any Content of the Site, or otherwise arising out of the enjoyment of the Site, based on contract and non-contract liability or other reason. If the exclusion or limitation of liability for damages, whether consequential or incidental, are prohibited in a particular case, the exclusion or limitation of liability shall not apply to you.   Liability is Limited THE SITE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS (REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT SUCH LOSS MAY OCCUR) OR EXPOSURE TO ANY THIRD PARTY CLAIMS BY REASON OF ANY ACT OR OMISSION. THE SITE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY ACT OR OMISSION OF ANY THIRD PARTY INVOLVED WITH THE SERVICES, SITE OFFERS, OR ANY ACT BY SITE USERS. THE SITE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM ANY SERVICE PROVIDED BY, OR PRODUCT OR DEVICE MANUFACTURED BY, THIRD PARTIES. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY DAMAGES THAT USER MAY SUFFER FOR ANY REASON, THE ENTIRE LIABILITY OF THE SITE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SITE OR SERVICES, AND ANY PARTY’S EXCLUSIVE REMEDY, SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT, IF ANY, ACTUALLY PAID BY USER TO THE SITE OWNER DURING THE 12 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE EVENT THAT USER CLAIMS CAUSED THE DAMAGES. The Site shall not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of any loss, disclosure, or third party use of information, regardless of whether such disclosure or use is with or without User’s knowledge or consent. The Site shall have no liability for any damages related to: User’s actions or failures to act, the acts or omissions of any third party, including but not limited to any telecommunications service provider, or events or causes beyond the Site’s reasonable control. The Site has no obligations whatever, and shall have no liability to any third party who is not a User bound by these Terms. Limitations, exclusions, and disclaimers in these Terms shall apply to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, even if any remedy fails its essential purpose.   8. INDEMNIFICATION   You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, its managers, directors, employees, agents, and third parties, for any costs, losses, expenses (including attorneys’ fees), liabilities regarding or arising out of your enjoyment of or inability to enjoy the Site or its services and Company’s services and products, your violation of the Terms or your violation of any rights of third parties, or your violation of the applicable law. The may assume the exclusive defense and you shall cooperate with the Company in asserting any available defenses. If your activity or any activity on your behalf creates potential or actual liability for us, or for any of our users, partners, or contributors, you agree to indemnify and hold us and any such user, partner, contributor, or any agent harmless from and against all claims, costs of defense and judgment, liabilities, legal fees, damages, losses, and other expenses in relation to any claims or actions arising out of or relating to your use of the Site, or any breach by you of these Terms of Use.   9. TERMINATION AND ACCESS RESTRICTION   The Company may terminate your access and account to the Site and its related services or any part at any time, without notice, in case of your violation of the Terms.   10. MISCELLANEOUS   The governing law of the Terms shall be the substantive laws of the country where the Company is set up, except the conflict of laws rules. You shall not use the Site in jurisdictions that do not give effect to all provisions of the Terms. No joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship shall be implied between you and the Company as a result of the Terms or use of the Site. Nothing in the Terms shall be a derogation of the Company’s right to comply with governmental, court, police, and law enforcement requests or requirements regarding your enjoyment of the Site. If any part of the Terms is determined to be void or unenforceable in accordance with applicable law then the void or unenforceable clauses will be deemed superseded by a valid and enforceable clauses shall be similar to the original version of the Terms and other parts and sections of the Terms shall be applicable to you and the Company. The Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding the enjoyment of the Site and the Terms supersede all prior or communications and offers, whether electronic, oral or written, between you and the Company. The Company and its affiliates shall not be liable for any failure or delay to fulfill its obligations where the failure or delay results from any cause beyond the Company’s reasonable control, including technical failures, natural disasters, blockages, embargoes, riots, acts, regulations, legislation, or orders of government, terrorist acts, war, or any other force outside of Company’s control. In case of controversies, demands, claims, disputes, or causes of action between the Company and you relating to the Site or other related issues, or the Terms, you and the Company agree to attempt to resolve such controversies, demands, claims, disputes, or causes of action by good faith negotiation, and in case of failure of such negotiation, exclusively through the courts of the country where the Company is set up.   USER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT: User will use the Services only as provided in these Terms; User is at least 18 years old and has all right, authority, and capacity to agree to these Terms; User will provide accurate, complete, and current information to the Site and its owner(s); User will notify the Site and its owner(s) regarding any material change to information User provides, either by updating and correcting the information, or by alerting the Site and its owner(s) via the functions of the Site or the email address provided below.   PRIVACY Any information that you provide to the Site is subject to the Site’s Privacy Policy, which governs our collection and use of User information. User understands that through his or her use of the Site and its Services, User consents to the collection and use (as set forth in the Privacy Policy) of the information, including the transfer of this information to the United States and/or other countries for storage, processing and use by the Site. The Site may make certain communications to some or all Users, such as service announcements and administrative messages. These communications are considered part of the Services and a User’s account with the Site, Users are not able to opt out of all of them. No mobile information will be sold or shared with third parties for promotional or marketing purposes.    USERNAMES, PASSWORDS, AND PROFILES If prompted, Users must provide a valid email address to the Site, at which email address the User can receive messages. User must also update the Site if that email address changes. The Site reserves the right to terminate any User account and/or User access to the Site if a valid email is requested but is not provided by the User. If the Site prompts or allows a User to create a username or profile, Users agree not to pick a username or provide any profile information that would impersonate someone else or that is likely to cause confusion with any other person or entity. The Site reserves the right to cancel a User account or to change a username or profile data at any time. Similarly, if the Site allows comments or user input, or prompts or allows a User to create an avatar or upload a picture, User agrees not to use any image that impersonates some other person or entity, or that is otherwise likely to cause confusion. You are responsible for protecting your username and password for the Site, and you agree not to disclose it to any third party. We recommend that you use a password that is more than eight characters long. You are responsible for all activity on your account, whether you authorized it. You agree to inform us of unauthorized use of your account. You acknowledge that if you wish to protect your interactions with the Site, it is your responsibility to use a secure encrypted connection, virtual private network, or other appropriate measures. The Site’s own security measures are reasonable in terms of their level of protection, but are not helpful if the interactions of you or any other User with the Site are not secure or private.   DISPUTES We are based in Las Vegas, NV and you are contracting to use our Site. These Terms and all matters arising from your use of the Site are governed by and will be construed according to the laws of Las Vegas, NV, without regard to any choice of laws rules of any jurisdiction. The federal courts and state courts that have geographical jurisdiction over disputes arising at our office location in Las Vegas, NV will be the only permissible venues for any and all disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms or the Site and Service. GENERAL These Terms, including the incorporated Privacy Policy, supersede all oral or written communications and understandings between User and the Site. Any cause of action User may have relating to the Site or the Services must be commenced within one (1) year after the claim or cause of action arises. Both parties waive the right to a jury trial in any dispute relating to the Terms, the Site, or the Services. If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any aspect of the Terms to be unenforceable, the Terms shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, to give effect to the intent of the Terms, and the remainder of the Terms shall continue in full force and effect. User may not assign his or her rights or delegate his or her responsibilities under these Terms or otherwise relating to the Site or its Services. There shall be no third party beneficiaries under these Terms, except for the Site’s affiliates, suppliers, and licensors, or as required by law. Use of the Site and its Services is unauthorized in any jurisdiction that does not give effect to all provisions of these Terms, including without limitation this paragraph. The failure of the Site to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.   11. Complaints   We are committed to resolve any complaints about our collection or use of your personal data. If you would like to make a complaint regarding these Terms or our practices in relation to your personal data. We will reply to your complaint as soon as we can and in any event, within 30 days. We hope to resolve any complaint brought to our attention, however if you feel that your complaint has not been adequately resolved, you reserve the right to contact your local data protection supervisory authority 12. Contact Information   We welcome your comments or questions about these Terms. E-Mail: info@rebounderz.com | Tel: (833)832-1255 | Mail: P.O. Box 29502 PMB 31661 Las Vegas, Nevada 89126-9502 United States of America #### Programs URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/programs/ #### Programs Rebounderz Day Camp Rebounderz GLOW Nights Munchkin and Me Parents’ Night Out #### Programs Summer Camp Parents’ Night Out Munchkin N’ Me Rebounderz GLOW! Home School Days #### Programs New Rebounderz Memberships! Rebounderz Day Camp Munchkin and Me Events Calendar Parents’ Night Out Rebounderz Glow Night #### Programs New Rebounderz Memberships! Rebounderz Day Camp Munchkin and Me Events Calendar Parents’ Night Out #### Rebounderz Day Camp URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/rebounderz-day-camp/ #### Rohnert Park URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/ #### Rohnert Park - Holiday Camp! URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/rebounderz-day-camp/ #### Rohnert Park Santa Workshop URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/santa-work-shop/ #### Ropeland URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/ropeland/ #### Sacramento URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/ #### Sacramento - Holiday Camp! URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/rebounderz-day-camp/ #### Safety URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/safety/ #### Sensory Friendly Days at Rebounderz Orlando URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/sensory-friendly-days/ #### Spin Zone Bumber Cars URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/spin-zone-bumber-cars/ #### Stairway To Heaven At Rebounderz URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/stairway-to-heaven-at-rebounderz/ #### Summer Camps & Group Programs URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/rebounderz-day-camp/ #### Thank You URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/thank-you/ #### Thank You URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/contact/thank-you/ #### Thank You URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/contact/thank-you/ #### Thank You URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/contact/thank-you/ #### Thank You URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/contact/thank-you/ #### Thank You URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/employment/thank-you/ #### Thank You URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/employment/thank-you/ #### Thank You URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/employment/thank-you/ #### Thank You URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/employment/thank-you/ #### The Voice Karaoke Booth URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/the-voice-karaoke-booth/ #### The Voice Karaoke Booth URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/the-voice-karaoke-booth/ #### Themed Climbing Walls URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/themed-climbing-walls/ #### Trampoline Arenas URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/trampoline-arenas/ #### Trampoline Arenas URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/trampoline-arenas/ #### Trampoline Arenas URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/trampoline-arenas/ #### Trampoline Arenas URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/trampoline-arenas/ #### Verse Immersive - Augmented Reality Verse Immersive is the only holographic theater of its kind and now available EXCLUSIVELY at Rebounderz Sacramento! Everyone knows about clunky, confusing, and difficult 'virtual reality' but Verse Immersive isn't that - we use Augmented Reality glasses to bring 3D characters and stories to life, immersing you and your companions into interactive tales that unfold all around - all while you can see the real world around you. Experience Verse Immersive at Rebounderz, today! ✅ Great for: Families, date nights, solo adventurers, and anyone with a sense of curiosity!‍ ⏳ Duration: Guests generally spend about 30 minutes in the experiences. 👦 Age Limit: Everyone 7+ is welcome to join! Children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult. ⬇️ Check out the FAQ tab below for more info ⬇️ #### Video Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/video-gallery/ #### Video Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/video-gallery/ #### Video Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/video-gallery/ #### Video Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/video-gallery/ #### Video Gallery URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/video-gallery/ #### Virtual Reality URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/virtual-reality/ #### Virtual Reality URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/virtual-reality/ #### Virtual Reality URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/virtual-reality/ #### Wifi & Parents' Lounge URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/wifi-parents-lounge/ #### Wifi & Parents' Lounge URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/wifi-parents-lounge/ #### Wifi & Parents' Lounge URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/wifi-parents-lounge/ #### Wifi & Parents' Lounge URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/wifi-parents-lounge/ #### Wifi & Parents' Lounge URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/wifi-parents-lounge/ #### Xtreme Dodgeball URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/xtreme-dodgeball/ #### Xtreme Dodgeball URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/orlando/xtreme-dodgeball/ #### Xtreme Dodgeball URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/grand-rapids/xtreme-dodgeball/ #### Xtreme Dodgeball URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/sacramento/xtreme-dodgeball/ #### Xtreme Dodgeball URL: https://www.rebounderz.com/city/rohnert-park/xtreme-dodgeball/