Trampoline courts send kids Sky High

By Alena Murguia
Monday, February 20, 2012

Long Chicago winters mean that by March, my kids are bouncing off the walls. To maintain my sanity, we went looking for a spot where they could bounce safely.

At Sky High Sports in Naperville, we discovered five separate trampoline "courts," including spots for kids under 7, foam pits and even trampoline dodge ball.

Customers (of any age) buy hourly jump times, which can be done in advance via the website. If you simply walk in, you risk a long wait time, as Sky High limits the number of kids and adults in the gym. You are issued a timed wristband. Patrons must either jump barefoot or in tightly laced gym shoes.

My sons headed straight for the open gym court, where they bounced from trampoline to trampoline and even off the side walls, flipping around joyfully. Next they discovered the foam pits, where kids take turns getting a flying (or even flipping) start for safe dives. My 7-year-old spent almost the entire hour perfecting his leaps. Meanwhile, my older two headed to trampoline dodge ball, declaring the ramped-up gym game well worth the wait in line.

The noise level and crowds were a bit overwhelming since we were there on a school holiday, but my sons came out happily exhausted.

This article appeared in the March 2012 edition of Chicago Parent.