Toddler hours at Long Island indoor trampoline parks provide safe space to play
Little ones and their caregivers won't have to duck for cover when letting off steam at Long Island's indoor trampoline adventure parks when they visit during designated toddler hours.
A trip to Bounce! in Syosset is a weekly occurrence for Jacqueline Barsotti, of Melville, and her daughter, Stella. "She makes it her own," Barsotti says of the park's toddler hours, during which the venue is only open to children age 6 and younger. "It has made her a lot more independent."
Jacqueline Barsotti and her daughter, Stella, of Melville, enjoy the Toddler Town at Bounce in Syosset. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
Different types of toddler fun highlights are offered in each of these five parks, which have discounted admission during toddler time. All have staff members to help supervise.
Kids Flight time in Ronkonkoma
On Mondays through Fridays from 10 to 11 a.m. and Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m., Flight Adventure Park is open only to kids age 6 and younger and their caregivers. The time block is called Kids Flight. The park is space themed, and kids can jump on trampolines and fall into a foam pit.
Young children can go wherever they want during toddler hours. There are basketball hoops with floor-level trampolines beneath them and a toddler section of the park is available too. Multiple trampolines are lined up across the floor, so kids can jump from one to the next.
Cost: $15 per hour includes one toddler and one adult.
More info: 1850 Lakeland Ave., Ronkonkoma; 631-619-6000; flightadventurepark.com/Ronkonkoma
Toddler Time in Syosset
The toddler area at Bounce! in Syosset. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
Bounce! Family Entertainment Center is known for its obstacle courses and dodgeball arenas. Duck and cover as balls take flight during busy hours. But on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to noon, the park is open just for kids age 6 and under. It's designated Toddler Time, so the younger group can play with ease.
"It’s a lot less crowded, so young kids feel more comfortable running around without all the commotion," says Sydney Heihs, head of social media/marketing. Parents may feel more relaxed, too. There's a soft play section with slides and obstacles, plus a "toddler town" with a pretend kitchen and market, and a make-believe medical office. Kids can ride on a plush, slow carousel. There are furry animal scooters and Magna Tiles — large, flat tiles that stick together magnetically to form different shapes.
"During regular hours, sometimes toddlers stay away from the dodgeball area because the older ones are there," Heihs says. "But at Toddler Time, it’s more intimate." Young kids don’t think twice about playing their own simpler versions of dodge ball, jumping across countless rows of trampolines that sit right on the floor, or trying the taller slides.
Cost: $30 for one toddler and one adult.
More info: 330 Michael Dr., Syosset; 516-762-1300; bouncesyosset.com
Jumperoo in Lake Grove
Visit Urban Air Adventure Park in Lake Grove on Thursdays and Fridays, from 1 to 4 p.m. and you'll find a park reserved for kids age 5 and younger. "Little kids love it because the lights aren’t flashing, it’s not as dark, and there isn’t loud music," owner Keith Handler says.
Michael Berardini, of Centereach, plays at Urban Air Adventure Park in Lake Grove during the Jumperoo session for children under 6. Credit: Rick Kopstein
There’s a volcano slide known as "the climbing hill." Kids climb to the top of the inflatable volcano and slide down. There’s also a four-lane obstacle course. If you can’t make it across the obstacles, you fall into a giant ball pit. A tube playground is a three-level play area exclusively for littles. It includes slides, obstacles and punching bags. To top it off, there’s a big castle to play in, and Matchbox cars to zoom across the floor.
An attraction open during toddler time called Flash Pads is an interactive game consisting of 100 square tiles on the floor. The tiles are electronic and light up. "They’ll definitely sleep well afterward," Handler says of the players.
Cost: $14.99 per hour includes one toddler and one adult.
More info: 3147 Middle Country Rd., Lake Grove; 631-861-4125; urbanair.com/new-york-lake-grove
And in Dix Hills
Urban Air Adventure Park in Dix Hills is open exclusively for kids age 5 and younger, plus a caregiver, every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon, by reservation.
Jon Bihn says he noticed parents were looking for a quieter, less intimidating environment for their toddlers. Young children especially love the park’s Soft Play Zone. Little ones who are under 52 inches tall bop around the swings, slides and mini ball pit. "The big LEGO blocks are the kids’ favorite," Bihn says. "They go crazy building with them."
The park also features little-kid-friendly mini go-carts. "They’re electric and don’t have motors, so they’re easy to control," Bihn says. Last but not least, the park has trampolines galore. Parents jump along with their kids.
Cost: $19.95 includes one toddler and one adult.
More info: 683A Old Country Rd., Dix Hills; 631-213-3894; urbanair.com/new-york-dix-hills
Any time in Westbury
Eason Zhang, of East Meadow, at Empire Adventure Park at Samanea in Westbury. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Empire Adventure Park doesn’t offer toddler hours, but there are special areas designed for younger kids, age 1 to 5. Find a soft-play area with padded mats, a new jumping game where kids can see themselves leaping on a video screen and inflatables and a small slide. Little ones can jump on a small trampoline while facing a life-size screen of animated images ranging from fireworks to trees to piles of blocks. As a child jumps or moves, the image on the screen responds to it.
Cost: $15.99 includes one child and one parent for two hours.
More info: 1500 Old Country Rd., Unit 231, Westbury; 516-992-6778; empireadventurepark.com
