Pump It Up

Private gatherings at Pump It Up are the ideal way to celebrate. From kid’s parties to corporate team building, the name of the game is “fun.”

By: Carla Houdek
Date: 10/08/2008
Connecting with kids can be tough, especially at a time when video games are considered way cooler than conversation with mom and dad. Little ones with an unlimited source of energy need a place to unleash their enthusiasm and older kids need a good reason to put down the controller and get active.

There aren’t a whole lot of things for parents and kids to do together that involve physical activity. And whatever you do decide on, the bottom line is, it needs to be fun. That couldn’t be more important than on your child’s birthday or on another other milestone day when a celebration is definitely in order.
Bill Scullin and his wife Aimee just might have the answer we’ve all been looking for. It’s called Pump It Up—The Inflatable Party Zone and it’s a blast for the entire family.

Pump It Up was a new concept in this area when the first facility in Middleburg Heights opened in 2004. The Avon location was added in December of 2005, and since opening, both have become the hottest places for families to get physical.

Pump It Up is a massive indoor play arena featuring huge air-filled structures—some reaching as high as 18 feet. Anyone can climb, jump, side, race joust and bounce on them—there’s no age restriction.
“We really liked the idea that we could give families and friends a way to interact with each other while promoting physical activity,” explains Bill, who manages both facilities.

“Now that we have kids of our own, we realize how important it is to have a place for families to host fun, convenient and safe private parties,” adds Aimee.

Finding a large enough facility for the oversized inflatables was the first challenge. The Scullins chose their current location not only for the 7,300 square feet it offered, but also for convenience. “We’re right off of
I-90,” says Bill. “Our customers have easy access and few traffic hassles.” The couple transformed the interior of the facility into a playground aglow in primary colors. “I intentionally placed the colored tiles on the floor in a random pattern because I could see kids making a game out of walking only on a certain color,” says Aimee.
“We have taken a lot of care to make sure everything is just right.”

But parties are the name of the game at Pump It Up.

The “Classic Party,” which can accommodate groups of 25 or more, is comprised of 1 1/2 hours in the arena and a half-hour in the party room. Pizza and pop can be ordered from the facility and cake may be brought in. While your group plays and has fun, the Pump It Up staff does all the work. They serve the food, cut the cake, and handle all the clean up. They even provide the invitations and paper products. “The best part is that the party is completely private for each group,” explains Aimee. “There won’t be strangers at your party. It’s just family and friends having fun. Plus, the weather will obviously never be an issue.”

Pump It Up also offers the “Mini-Classic Party,” perfect for smaller groups of up to 14 friends. The party is available Monday through Thursday and consists of one-hour of inflatable time followed by a half-hour in the party room. The “Cozy Classic Party,” available on Fridays and Saturday and Sunday mornings, consists of a two-hour party for up to 15 children.

While birthday parties are a big part of the schedule, the Scullins say that all types of groups have found creative ways to use the facility. School groups, daycare centers, sports teams and church groups have all hosted fabulous events. Teen groups are welcome as long as a scheduling parent stays with the group. “This is even an ideal place for companies to hold team-building sessions for their employees. The equipment lends itself to all sorts of exercises,” invites Bill.

All the events are pre-scheduled, again to ensure privacy at each party.

Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. are designated for “Pop-In Playtime.” That’s when Pump It Up is open to the public. Reservations are not required and it gives mom or dad a chance to bring in younger kids for a shorter, more personal play experience. The cost is just $7 and it’s a great way to keep the kids moving during the winter months.

The Scullins have taken great care to ensure that Pump It Up is a safe place to play. Each group is provided with a clear explanation of the rules that includes a brief safety presentation. Attendants are in the arena at all times. “We want everyone to have a great time,” Bill assures, “but we definitely enforce the rules.”

Pump It Up is located at 1758 Moore Rd. in Avon, and at 7007 Engle Rd., Suite C in Middleburg Hts. Call 440-234-PUMP (7867) to reserve your party. Find the website at www.PumpItUpParty.com.

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