Pump it Up Jr. - Open Playtime and Birthday Parties for Toddlers

Although Pump It Up Jr. in Plano, Texas, usually means birthday parties, a couple of days a week it opens up for non-birthday play. For a small fee per child, Pump It Up Jr. hosts an open playtime where kids can run, bounce, slide and play on inflatable structures sized perfectly for the under six age group.

My daughter loved sliding down the tall slide, climbing into the tunnel and falling all over the inflatable play structures. Usually slow to warm up to a new environment, she jumped right in laughing and jumping. At the end of the hour and a half playtime, I literally had to peel her out of the car she was navigating around the open floor.

Be prepared to get down and play with your kids. My husband and I took turn chasing our daughter up and down the slide and played mini soccer games with the balls on the floor. By the end of playtime, we both had quite a workout. Strong deodorant is definitely recommended!

Pump It Up Jr. also means birthday parties for the parents who do not want to clean up after 16 toddlers. Schedule an hour of playtime and a half an hour in the decorated party room for cake and pizza. Pump It Up Jr. also provides invitations, plates, napkins and forks without the omnipresent characters found at other party places. The party room has two small tables, perfect for the small people and big tables so the adults and older siblings do not feel like they are at parent conferences at their children's schools. Pump It Up Jr. also has add-ons such as goodie bags so the birthday kid's parents can relax, for an additional cost of course.

For the birthday child, a giant, throne-like chair sits at one end of the room so all the guests can sing Happy Birthday and watch while the birthday boy or girl opens presents. The seat of honor is a hit with the toddlers who want to climb all over it.

Pros: The kids love it. The staff performs all of the cleanup. It is great, physical bonding time with the kids.

Cons: The price. Pump It Up Jr. runs a little steep. The birthday parties are stacked on top of each other. When the first birthday party moves from the play area to the party room, the next party begins. It feels a little rushed.

Socks are required for play, both for kids and adults. All kids attending birthday parties must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

Consult Pump It Up Jr.'s website from open playtimes and all prices including birthday parties.