Review: Happy Frog Indoor Play and Party Zone

Vallejo, California, has a new attraction for kids: a bounce house, play area called Happy Frog, located downtown at 415 Georgia St. They offer the usual selection of birthday party packages, and also an open jump time during the week, but on the other weekdays, Happy frog offers unlimited jumping for $5.00 per child from 10:30 to 6 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Thursday is Toddler Day from 10 to 2, then open jumping from 2 to 6. They are closed on Tuesdays. Happy Frog offers birthday party packages on weekends. The $5.00 price tag for the unlimited jumping is nice compared to per-hour charges at other similar venues.

The Happy Frog Bounce Structures

There are 6 different inflated bouncing structures inside of Happy Frog. I hesitate to call them bounce houses, because only a few of them really fit that description.

Two of the bouncers are open on the top, and contain an obstacle course of inflated pillars, and other objects. There are small hills to climb and slides. These bouncers are very cute inside, and some of the obstacles look like rainbows, and flowers.

In the back of the play area, there is a small bounce house shaped like a mushroom. It is labeled for use only for children under 5 years old. It's easier to climb in and out of than the bigger bounce structures. Because it's so small, however, it's better suited for toddlers. My four year old and her friend would have nothing to do with the mushroom bouncer.

In the opposite corner is a big inflated slide. A barrier separates the structure into two sides, one with a ladder for climbing up to the top, and the other side is the slide. It is big and steep, and a ton of fun. Kids land against the soft inflated railing. Because of the gentle, if high speed, landing, even my timid child enjoyed climbing and sliding over and over again.

If the big slide is just too much, there is a slightly smaller slide inside a neighboring bounce house. There is room inside this house both to jump and to slide. The slide is about half the size of the big one, so it may be fun for those who are just not brave enough to climb the larger version, or for smaller children. My 16 month old even enjoyed this slide, although the climb was tough for her, she was persistent.

Lastly, there is a fairly generic bounce house in the center and rear of the play area. Not much flashy stuff in that one, but lots of great space for some serious jumping time.

What Else Is Inside Happy Frog

In the very back of Happy Frog are the tables for birthday parties and other celebrations. There are also a handful of video games, and soda machines in the front.

Happy Frog is still very new to Vallejo. It's clear that it is still getting its finishing touches put in to place. There are areas inside where the painting is not quite completed. The soda machines are not actually stocked and working yet, although a sign announces that they will be soon. And the restrooms could use some freshening up. However, all of these issues are only things that may concern parents, the kids could care less when the bouncers are so much fun.

Socks are required to bounce in any of the structures. If you forget to bring your own, you can buy a pair from Happy Frog, but be warned that for some reason they only carry adult sized socks. Perhaps the child sizes are among the things that are coming soon. Food and drink are allowed in special areas, and are not allowed anywhere near the actual bounce structures.

Happy Frog is a wonderful addition to Downtown Vallejo. There are several small restaurants within a block of Happy Frog if you should want to add lunch to your plans.

Since Happy Frog is located in Downtown Vallejo, you have a couple of options for parking. Street parking is available on Georgia Street, right outside Happy Frog itself. If, like me, you don't care for street parking, a free parking lot is available about a block away on Marin Street. Additional parking is available in the rear of the Happy Frog facility on the corner of Sonoma Blvd and York St.