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Business & Tech

Kids of All Ages Will Flip Over New Eastside Business

Sky Mania, an indoor trampoline park in Totem Lake area, offers a fun place to get some exercise and burn off steam.

“THIS PLACE is cool.” That was the unsolicited greeting from a preschooler leaving Sky Mania, a new indoor trampoline park in the Totem Lake area.

It was a pretty good sign for the business, which has been open for less than a week. Upon entering, it was clear why a 4-year-old would be so impressed—or a 44-year-old, for that matter.

The huge warehouse space near the Northeast 116 Street interchange of Interstate 405 was converted in just seven weeks to become a trampoline mecca. Mats cover the trampolines’ springs and frames to join trampolines to each other, forming giant grids of jumping goodness. There is a trampoline “court” for dodgeball, a small court to allow daredevils to spring into a giant pit of foam blocks, and a main court, which is made up of 34 trampolines. The main and dodgeball court walls are made of trampolines, too, allowing jumpers to literally bounce off the walls.

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Sky Mania is a franchise of the national company Sky Zone, founded in 2002 in Las Vegas.

Surrounding the courts is a great deal of open and useful space. The Sky Mania team is quick to point out that they not only cater to the jumpers, but also to the parents who bring their kids to jump. They have added thoughtful touches throughout the place to make a parent’s wait—that is, parents who aren’t jumping, themselves—comfortable, if not productive.

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There is WiFi service throughout, several areas with tables and chairs, and a small parents’ lounge is under construction with a flat screen TV, complimentary coffee and comfortable seating. There are also two party rooms for birthdays, corporate events and other private parties.

“I’m so excited because we offer such a wide range of amenties,” said event manager Amanda Ardavany. “We have so much to offer I believe we’ll be able to accommodate all kinds of groups and give them a great experience.”

Birthday packages include everything from food and cake to jumping supervision, so parents can relax and enjoy the party. Staff will even take notes about who gave what gift if parents want that level of assistance.

Beyond the WiFi and the special events, jumping, of course, is what it’s all about. And jump is what Sky Mania customers come to do.

Jumpers of all ages can attend open jump times throughout the week. In addition, young families can enjoy “Toddler Time” on Thursdays (but expanding to Tuesdays in the New Year) from 10-11:30 for only five dollars per child (parents jump free). And teens have something to get excited about too.

Sky Mania takes place every Friday night from 9 to 11 p.m. for those aged 11-15. Sky Jam is on Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight. Both nights include 90 minutes of jumping, two slices of pizza, a bottle of water and two hours of socializing for a discounted prices of $15. Note, though, that there are extended holiday hours, so check for times online at http://seattle.skyzonesports.com/home.aspx.

While word is still getting out, customers who have stopped in so far have enjoyed the experience.

“We had one customer who told us ‘you are creating such joy here,’” said operations manager Abigail Akins. “I enjoy every day because we are providing an experience and memories for the parents and children to share.”

Trampoline jumping—as fun as it is—is not just a good time. It’s also great exercise. That’s why Sky Mania will be offering Sky Robics—an $8, one-hour, drop-in class focused on strength and aerobic exercise.

“We’ll start with a 15-minute warm up, then spend the remaining 45 minutes rotating through a variety of exercises like side-to-side jumps and pushups against our walls. Your arms shake so it really works you,” said Akins, who is a trained Sky Robics instructor. “Exercising on a trampoline is much easier on your joints, so that’s another benefit.”

And according to Sky Mania, exercising on a trampoline works you harder, too. “Running one mile of laps back and forth across our main court,” Akins said, “is like running three miles on solid ground."

For now, though, the folks at Sky Mania are enjoying the first few days of customers and look forward to more and more guests. Their goal is to get everyone, no matter their age, to have fun and come and out and jump. So, if you’re looking for something new, fun and fit to do this winter, check out one of Kirkland’s newest businesses. It may just be something you flip for.

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