Growing up, I was never a fan of exercise. I preferred cuddling up on the couch with a good book over going for a jog, but since becoming a parent, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of staying active. That’s why my family and I were beyond excited to visit Get Air Trampoline Park in Missoula, MT. It was a long-awaited day for us, and we couldn’t wait to burn some calories while having lots of fun.
The kids actually ran out of the car. We felt like it was the last scene in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” when they are running in slow-motion to Wally World and playing “Chariots of Fire”.
Arriving at the trampoline park, my kids were awestruck. They were thrilled to see the colorful area full of trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball courts, and slides. They jumped right in and basically disappeared.
My husband and I looked at one another. “Where did they go?”
When we finally found them (and this was a common occurrence), we spent a good hour jumping and playing together, laughing and giggling. The thrill of jumping around got our hearts racing, making it a great source of cardio. And I also wondered if I would survive the experience.
It had been awhile since I had jumped quite so high, put it that way. And I was curious about that weird feeling in my chest. It’s kind of like a HIIT workout – which by the way was exactly what I needed. Luckily I had my iWatch on where I could look at and monitor the exact beats per minute I was experiencing. 168 beats told me to slow down. 148 and I was like, “Okay I haven’t done this for awhile. You don’t get this from wogging.”
Coming Out of Hibernation
It’s no secret that Montana can have harsh weather conditions, especially during winters. This winter, mixed with all the bad news on the internet, felt apocalyptic. This is why we were glad that we finally had an indoor activity to engage in.
The facility in case you didn’t know, is quite spacious. As soon as you walk in there is a huge slide. And was like, “I want a tour of the whole place. Kids let’s go tour the facility.” That’s right, facility. Who uses that word? Am I getting older?
But it was nice to see the kids getting away from their screens.
“This place is amazing!” my son exclaimed, his eyes widening as he looked around at the rows of trampolines. My daughter was equally awestruck – “I can’t wait to do a flip!” she squealed.
I looked at all the warnings on the walls. Things like, “May cause paralysis if you don’t follow the rules.”
So I looked at her and said, “No flips. Maybe when you’re older. And even then, no more than one. Because that’s what the sign says. Basically.”
Good Staff
One thing that really stood out to us was the cleanliness and safety of the park. The staff were meticulous about enforcing the rules, and we could see them constantly patrolling the area to make sure everyone was staying safe. They told some older kids they couldn’t go into the bubble thing with the toddlers. I was happy they did that. That girl was way too big.
My husband and I felt at ease letting our kids roam around and have fun, knowing that the staff had everything under control. And after all the jumping and playing, we were grateful for the relaxation area where we could sit down and whatnot. But I’m not one of those parents who scrolls on my phone if I can help it.
Saying Goodbye
As we bounded and tumbled on the elastic surface of the Get Air Trampoline Park, the children were filled with a fervor of joy, their shrieks echoing throughout the space. We were all caught up in the moment, leaping and flipping with abandon.
But as the afternoon began to wane, and the time to depart drew near, we were suddenly struck by an unexpected force – the refusal of the children to leave. Their screams filled the air, their small bodies rigid with defiance, as we desperately attempted to coax them toward the exit. It was a scene of chaos and disorder, of flailing limbs and total rebellion.
I grabbed my little girl and carried her upside down toward the shoes. As crazy as it was, there was something sublime in this moment. The passion and enthusiasm of the children, their desire to cling to the joy of the experience, made it so we could not help but smile, even as we struggled to lift and carry them toward the door.
For in that single moment, we witnessed a glimpse of pure, unbridled happiness. It was a reminder that life is not simply a series of mundane duties and obligations, but an opportunity to revel in the simple pleasures of existence.
To us, it was just a trampoline park. To them it was something more that they would never forget.
Driving Home
“It’s so nice to have something to do indoors that’s active,” my husband remarked. “Especially during the winter months.” He said this casually, grabbing the wheel of our truck as we drove home.
We had gone to the other trampoline park in town, Flying Squirrel, a few times before, but we all agreed that Get Air was even better. We liked the layout more, and there were more options for different activities. Plus, the annual plan was a no-brainer – we can see ourselves visiting Get Air every day if we wanted to.
To quote my kids: “This is the coolest place ever!” As a parent, it was a relief to find a place that could keep them entertained and active for such a long time. We left Get Air with big smiles on our faces and happy exhaustion in our bodies. “When can we come back?” my daughter asked as we walked out the door. “Tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that.”
Piper Jones is currently a student at the University of Montana, where she is studying creative writing and honing her craft. When she’s not writing, Piper can often be found tinkering with her guitar and crafting songs. She believes it’s important that the kids see her doing what she loves. Piper Jones is an up-and-coming voice in the world of creative writing, and one to watch in the years to come.