JUMP CITY CHESHUNT UNDER 5s SESSION

This weekend we decided to try our first jump session. This has been something E has spoken about for a while since watching something on Youtube, but I was slightly concerned about her getting trampled on by the bigger children so we never took her. When I found out that Jump City in Chestnut do an under 5s session on the weekend I thought it would be a good way of giving it a try. The under 5s sessions take place every Saturday and Sunday morning 10am-11am and cost £9.95 per child and accompanying adult. Spectators are free so if you don't fancy giving it a go then you can just come along and watch. Please note that each child must have an accompanying adult participating. Hubby and I both decided to give it a go. 

The unit was easy to find with a sat nav (EN8 0NL) and there was a fair amount of parking directly outside. We arrived at around 9.45am and couldn't get parked directly outside, but got parked just around the corner. It is worth noting that there were signs up stating that parking would result in clamping, but I asked at the reception desk and they said we were fine to park there. I am not sure whether this was because it was a Sunday so it is always worth checking to avoid breaking any rules which could result in fines. 

It states online that it doesn't open until 10am, but when we arrived at 9.45am it was open and there was already a lot of people inside and getting ready to start the 10am session. You check in at the front desk where they ask for your name to confirm your booking (we booked online prior to the trip.) You are then given wristbands and also asked if you need to purchase their special jump socks. These are compulsory and cost £1 per pair. Once you are checked in you are sent to a room to the left of the check in desk where you can change into your jump socks and watch a safety video. 

There are plenty of lockers to store your valuables, shoes etc, whilst you bounce, these require a £1 coin. Upstairs there is a cafe and viewing area for those who aren't participating or if you fancy a bite to eat after your session. We didn't use the cafe, so I can’t comment on its offerings or prices, but it does provide a very nice view of the jump zone and I would imagine its great if you are visiting with older children who do not need direct supervision. You are allowed in the jump zone if you are not participating, but you have to stick to the walkways, which is what most people seemed to do. I think this a nice option as you feel more involved in the action and is great for parents with young babies to look after whilst their toddlers bounce! 

I was really impressed with the jump zone itself. I was just expecting a few trampolines, but the whole area was available to use if they wished to do so, this included a giant airbag jump, basket ball nets, a climbing wall, balancing beam and interactive boards. E’s favourite was the giant airbag jump, but she made sure so gave everything a go! They played Disney music throughout the session which added to the fun and seemed to be a big hit with a lot of the children, but the way they were singing along. I was really impressed with the number of staff manning the area and they were well spread out so that they had view of all areas making it all feel very safe and supervised. The hour was more than long enough and E had certainly run out of steam by the end of it as had we! I was also slightly smug about the calories I must have burnt! Defiantly calls for a guilt free glass of wine tonight!  

Jump City is situated right next to the Brookfield shopping centre so we tied it in with a trip to Costa for lunch and a nose around M&S which made for a nice Sunday morning/afternoon trip. 

My tips when visiting:

1. Pre book online (jumpcityuk.co.uk). It was pretty busy and there are limited spaces so book online to avoid disappointment. It also makes the check in process much quicker and easier as you can pre read and sign the waiver. 
2. Arrive early (their website advises 30 mins prior) so that you have time to change into your socks and store your belongings before the session starts. This way you are making the most of your hour slot and not wasting part of it getting ready. 
3. If you are planning on making repeat trips, then make sure you keep your jump socks as you can use these on future trips and it saves you spending money on socks each time you visit
4. Take change for the lockers. They cost £1 per locker and only accept £1 coins. They aren't very large, and we had to use 2 lockers in order to fit our bags, coats and shoes in so it is worth keeping that in mind.
5. You don't get your money back when opening your locker so be organised and make sure you have everything on you that you need as you will need to enter another £1 if you want to open and re-lock the locker. 
6. Pushchairs were being stored next to the stairs leading up to the cafe, but there wasn't a great deal of space so I would avoid bringing one if at all possible. There were quite a few parents with babies in their car seats which seem to work quite well as you could set them down safely on the floor whilst watching the participating children. 

What my 3 year old thought: 

Me: What was your favourite thing at Jump City today?

E: I jumped off the big wall! (She is very proud of this achievement!) 

Me: Would you like to go back?

E: Yes tomorrow! 

This is another 5/5 for me. Great fun, friendly and competent staff, very clean and safe. I know this will be top of Es list when she gets to pick what we do of a weekend and we wouldn't hesitate to bring her back!

All thoughts, opinions and photographs are my own. This is not a sponsored post. Prices, times etc are correct at the time of publishing this post and are subject to change.