Bounce the City, the world’s largest collection of touring inflatables, is coming to Orland Square in Orland Park. Opening May 25, your family can bounce, jump, slide and dance through eight interactive inflatables that offer far more fun than your typical bouncy house.
Engage in friendly competition on the 600-foot-long The Giant inflatable obstacle course as you climb, weave and slide your way to the finish line. Then, enjoy the City Xscape, an inflatable arena filled with friendly alien, or take a wild ride on the Skyscraper Slide.
Not a competitive bouncer? No problem. Bounce the City also has chill, relaxed and social inflatables, like the Silent Disco Dome — an igloo-shaped dance club that hosts a silent disco with live DJs — and Instagrammable selfie stations. Plus, there’s food trucks and a relaxing patio for parents to hang out on while their little ones burn out their energy on the inflatables.
Ready to head to Orland Square and bounce the afternoon away? Here’s our best tips for making the most out of your Bounce the City experience.
This article was recently updated on May 13, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. The update included her adding 2024 event info and her own experience at Bounce the City. Questions? Please reach out to katina@chicagoparent.com.
Quick details about Bounce the City
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- When: Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 25 to June 9
- Address: Orland Square, 288 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park
- Cost: Tickets start at $24 for a 90-minute pass. Spectators do not require a ticket.
- Parking: Bounce the City attendees are able to park in the Orland Square parking lots.
Is Bounce the City Chicago worth it?
Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris, was invited to the Bounce the City at Woodfield Mall last summer. Here’s what she thought:
This was my first time ever attending an outdoor inflatables event. There are so many that come and go in Chicagoland, it’s hard to keep track! The videos and photos looked so cool, I had to see if Bounce the City lived up to the hype.
We arrived on a sunny summer day, finding the inflatables festival stretched across a quieter section of the mall’s parking lot. I was grateful for the workers who stopped traffic to help families cross safely. Of course, you couldn’t miss the massive inflatables as soon as you walked in.
I decided to join in the fun myself! We started small with a ball pit area where there were ball pits pools to jump into. From there, we checked out the other inflatables include a sports zone, a big slide and an obstacle course. Get ready for a real workout for the huge obstacle course — I was relieved when they had exits along the way for those who didn’t want to complete the entire course.
What I loved about this event on how it was for kids of all ages. I attend with three kids ranging from ages 5-12, and each found something that they loved. The older kids were thrilled by the big slide — I even took a ride myself and the drop from the top was exhilarating. The youngest had a blast in the Silent Disco area.
One suggestion I have is for adults to purchase a ticket as well. While parental supervision isn’t required for kids over three in the inflatables, it’s helpful to accompany preschoolers and younger children, especially since it can get crowded. Fortunately, it wasn’t too busy, even for a Sunday, so we didn’t feel overwhelmed by the other kids jumping around. Just be careful in the inflatables!
Tips attending Bounce the City with kids
- Prepare for all weather. Bounce the City is an outdoor, rain-or-shine event. Apply sunscreen and dress in layers so you can adjust your clothing to the weather. We all know how unpredictable Chicagoland forecasts can be in the spring!
- Stay cool and hydrated. Bouncing, jumping and sliding for nearly 2 hours can be tiring! Bring water to stay hydrated, and dress in layers so you can adjust your jumping outfit to stay cool during your session.
- Wear comfortable socks. No shoes are allowed in the inflatables, but neither are bare feet. Make sure all the jumpers in your group have a comfy pair of socks to wear — preferably ones with a bit of grip to avoid wipeouts on slippery surfaces.
- Parental supervision required. Children ages 3 and under must be accompanied by a paying parent or guardian on the inflatables. If parents of older children plan to watch, they do not require a ticket.
- Check out sessions for littles. Children of all ages can play together, but if your younger child may prefer jumping with smaller kids, there is a Junior Session available for kids ages 7 and under. Siblings and friends over the age of 7 will not be allowed to play during these sessions.
- Purchase tickets online. Save a few bucks by purchasing tickets online ahead of time; they will cost more if you wait to purchase them on site.
- Refill at water stations. Bring water to stay hydrated! There’s also a free, cold water station if you want to fill your bottles.
- Maximize your time. Get your money’s worth by showing up a few minutes before your session begins. Arriving late won’t prohibit you or your child from joining in on the fun, but your 1.5 hour session will not be extended. Showing up late to your session means you will miss out on valuable jumping time.
Things to do with kids near Orland Square
- Go shopping! While you’re at the mall, why not treat yourself to a bit of shopping? Some of the family-oriented stores at Orland Square include Lego, Journey Kidz and The Children’s Place.
- Keep playing! Still have some energy after that 90-minute session? Play at the mall’s free children’s play area that has a STEM theme.
- Grab a bite to eat. In the area, you find family-friendly restaurants like Cheesecake Factory, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse and Pita Pita Mediterranean Grill. Try vegan food at Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat.
- Explore some nature. If you’re not ready to go home just yet, visit Orland Park Nature Center. The area is small, making it perfect to squeeze in a short nature trip with kids.
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