The inflatables industry expands
into themes and year-round play

By Sue Price

It’s hard to keep a good business down — especially when it comes to inflatables. Super-bouncy, super-fun, super huge air-filled play “pillows” from moonwalks to giant slides and rock walls, have recently enjoyed a huge jump in popularity. Transformed by both technological advances and savvy entrepreneurs, the advances are making Atlanta kids jump for joy.

Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all details directly with the companies before planning your visit.

The Theme’s the Thing

A decade ago, if you wanted something really special for a birthday party, you could rent the traditional moonwalk. And it was good. But it was just the beginning.

"When our business started in 1994, it was basically the plain, square moonwalks with no theme,” says Jump and Slide owner Tom D’Anna. “But technology has advanced in the digital printing area and that has changed manufacturing dramatically in the past three or four years. It has transformed the industry.”

Once manufacturers were able to print designs and logos right onto the vinyl, creativity flourished. Suddenly, inflatables took on the images of popular characters. The next logical step was to create different shapes to fit the themes. Moonwalks morphed into castles and trains and even Spider-Man’s lair.

“The largest growth has been in the area of themes, and this has allowed for much fancier equipment. People can now match an inflatable to a total party theme. Many of the designs can fit a lot of different themes. For instance, we have an ocean-type one that fits in well with a ‘Finding Nemo’ party or a Sponge Bob bash,” says D’Anna.
The other big change is the birth of combination, add-ons and interactive equipment.

“The whole industry has gone from plain little ‘jumpers’ to huge carnival-type inflatables and now is evolving again to middle-sized units that are not just something to jump on,” says Richard London, owner of Jump For Fun, a nationwide rental service.

“Customers want something new and different, but it’s still got to fit into their backyard and it can’t be cost-prohibitive. So we’re seeing brand new combination units that have an obstacle course, a jumper and a climb and slide all in one compact unit for just a little more than the original moonwalk,” adds London.

Inflatables have become so popular that in the peak seasons – spring and fall – booking as far as a month in advance is recommended.

“The truth is, whatever you get – even if it is the traditional no-theme moonwalk – these parties are a home run in every case,” says D’Anna. “It’s unbelievable exercise. An inflatable keeps a group of 5-year-olds busy for hours. What other activity can claim that?”

Inflatable rental prices range from $125 to $400, depending on the size and model of equipment.

Year-Round Bouncing

Indoor Play Centers filled with inflatables are the other big change in the industry. Jump N Joe’s (now Monkey Joe's) and Pump It Up both opened centers this summer, allowing year-round play.

“This is the big, new thing in the inflatable industry right now. It’s an indoor playground, but not like anything you’ve ever seen. It’s one of a kind. The response has been tremendous. It’s been something that was so needed,” says Mel Silverman, co-owner of Jump N Joe’s (now Monkey Joe's).

Jump N Joe’s, a 14,000-square-foot center in Atlanta, offers 12 inflatables in an air-conditioned, indoor playground for drop-in play or birthday parties. Four party rooms, three indoor play areas, one outdoor play area, and an adult chill-out area equipped with TVs and computer stations, complete the center.

“We had a rental business for years, so this is just an expansion of that. We wanted to expand our services so it went year-round,” says Silverman. “Kids love coming here because of the selection. A child can come in here and climb inflatable rock walls, slide down huge slides, go through an obstacle course and just jump all day.”

Silverman and partner Joe Wilen worked with an architect to design the right size and shape building to showcase these wonderful giants. The super-sized equipment – the giant Fortress Unit, the Double Rock Cargo Climb with Double Slide, and an inflatable Incline Rock Wall – are offered outside.

At Jump N Joe’s free-play kids and party-kids share the same bouncing space. “We don’t separate it off for parties, because we found out very quickly that the kids don’t want it. That would limit the selection of inflatables to play on and the kids want access to all of it all the time,” says Silverman. Inflatables encourage kids to play hard and play together.

“They’re well-supervised, they’re not vegging out in front of TV or video games. It’s ideal,” he adds. Pump It Up, an independently owned franchise, recently opened centers in both Suwanee and Cumming.

“The major advantage of a play center is that weather is not a factor. Now you can have an inflatable party any time of year,” says Linda Cleary, co-owner of the Cumming location.

“The neat thing here is the private party aspect. Each private party room has four huge inflatables and it’s just your group on the equipment,” says Cleary. Response has been so great that most fall Saturdays are already booked. Cleary is considering an East Cobb location, too.

An active party is an ideal party, according to Cleary. Playful parents are often surprised that inflatables provide such a strenuous but fun workout.

“Another great thing is that it’s free play. Kids these days don’t get much of a chance to just play without being organized,” says Cleary. The play center also offers limited times for family drop-in play. It recently added a “Tuesday Tire ’Em Out Night” from 7-8:30 p.m. so dads can play too.

Safe Bouncing Tips

To keep home inflatable parties safe, Tom D’Anna of Jump and Slide offers these important tips:

• Follow the rules and capacity limits. Capacity limits vary with each unit, but are meant to be rules, not suggestions. D’Anna says if it says the capacity is six, it means six. “Always limit the number of bouncers at one time.”
• Have people of a similar age and size bouncing together. “You don’t want a
  4-year-old in there with a 16-year-old. Don’t put the little kids in with the big kids,” says D’Anna.
• Confirm with the chosen equipment provider where the device will be placed so proper installation can be accomplished.
• Make sure you have a guaranteed reservation and submit deposits if necessary. Confirm the delivery time with the provider the week of the party.

Indoor Inflatable Centers

Bounce N Bobs. 1936 Briarwood Court, Atlanta. 404-634-4964. www.bouncenbobs.com 

Cream Puff's Jumpy Place. Off Highway 316. 770-466-3437. www.jumpyplace.com

Fiesta Jumps. 233 Arnold Mill Rd, Woodstock. 770-384-8699. www.fiestajumps.net

Fun 4 Every 1. 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 770-277-5386. www.fun4every1inc.com

Jeronimo! 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell. 770-552-2772. www.jjumps.com

Jump Jamboree. 3502 Diversified Dr, Loganville. 678-333-8777.

Jumpin' Jamboree. 2534 Royal Place, Ste. E, Tucker. 678-294-4562.

Jump!Zone.
3215 Hill St, Duluth. 678-318-3544.
2317 Danbury Ln, Gainesville. 678-318-1958.
3981 Hwy 78, Loganville. 404-419-6235.
3080 Northfield Pl, Roswell. 404-419-6315.
www.jumpzoneparty.com

Kangaroo Kids. 1330 McDonough Pl, McDonough. 770-288-2707. www.B-A-kangarookid.com

Kanga Zoom. 4479 Atlanta Road, Smyrna.  770-384-0707. www.kangazoomparty.com

Kidz Jump 4 Joy. 2150 Paxton Dr, Lilburn. 770-979-9998. www.kidzjump4joy.com

Monkey Bizness. 4800 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta. 770-939-2499. www.monkeybiznessonline.com

Monkey Joe's Party and Play.

1019-B Collier Road, Atlanta. 404-351-1815

3190 Reps Miller Road, Norcross. 770-734-9774

700 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell. 678-381-0400

Medlock Corner's Shopping Center, 5805 State Bridge Road, Duluth. 770-497-8952

7442 Douglas Blvd., Douglasville. 770-577-6446

50 Barrett Pkwy., Marietta. 770-792-2244

www.monkeyjoes.com.

Parties on Air. 3400 River Green Ct, Ste 400, Duluth. 678-417-1445. www.PartiesOnAir.com

Pump It Up. 6110 Parkway North Dr., Cumming; 460 Brogan Rd., Suwanee. In Cumming, call 770-886-5151. In Suwanee, call 678-714-4504. www.pumpitupparty.com
 

Inflatable Rentals

A Tricky Business
770-425-2143. www.atrickybusiness.com

Action Packed Parties
770-466-3437. www.actionpackedparties.com

Astro Events Atlanta. 1-800-244-JUMP (5867). http://www.astrojump.com/neatlanta.htm

Atlanta Jump and Slide. 770-448-5515. www.jumpandslide.com

Atlanta Moonwalks and Party Rentals. 770-432-4555.

Better Moonwalks of Georgia. 770-844-9978. www.bettermoonwalks.com

Bouncin' Bills. 678-468-5642. www.bouncinbills.com

Clownin Around. 888-386-3861. www.clownin-around.com

Incredible Inflatables. 678-966-9760. www.incredibleinflatables.com

J&S Funtastic Entertainment. 770-973-2633. www.jsfuntastic.com

Jump Atlanta. 770-886-4141. www.jumpatlanta.com

Jump For Fun. 1-800-281-6792. www.jumpforfun.com

Jumping Jupiters. 770-323-0800. www.jumpingjupiters.com

Magic Man Entertainment. 770-926-1168 www.magicmanentertainment.com

Monkey Joe’s Party & Play. 770-446-3544. www.monkeyjoes.com

O’Brien Productions. 770-422-7200. www.obrienproductions.com

Party in a Box. 678-778-5494. www.partynbox.com

Pump It Up. Cumming: 770-886-5151. Suwanee: 678-714-4504. www.pumpitupparty.com

Way Cool Moonwalks. 404-643-7373. www.waycoolmoonwalks.com

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Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all details directly with the companies before planning your visit.