Kristen and Mike Small like to see children bouncing off the walls - so long as it's in one of their inflatable jumping pens.
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Robert Gillespie, 6 (right), leaps onto an inflatable pillar inside the obstacle course, one of four jumpies at Jumpin' Party Zone USA in Columbia County.
Chris Thelen/Staff
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As the owners of Jumpin' Party Zone USA, the Smalls know that children running, sliding, bouncing and jumping mean business.
"They need something to get their energy out," Mrs. Small said. "I think this is going to do that."
Jumpin' Party Zone USA is an indoor collection of inflatable "jumpies," including a moonwalk, an obstacle course, a 16-foot slide and a sports challenge.
Traditionally, these jumpies have been individually rented for outdoor celebrations, but many people are hitting on the idea of bringing them indoors, making them available year-round and giving children the opportunity to play on four attractions as opposed to just one.
Tracey Attaway, the owner of Jumpin Beans Inflatables, has rented inflatable jumpies for five years, but she opened an indoor party center on Peach Orchard Road in May to keep her business profitable all year long.
"It's not just a summer thing," Ms. Attaway said.
Mrs. Small said she hit on the idea while living in California when she took her three children to a birthday party at a similar place.
"They loved it," she said. "I couldn't keep them off the equipment."
After they moved to Columbia County a year ago, the couple leapt on the opportunity to open their own inflatable party center.
The Smalls are leasing about 4,000 square feet of warehouse space near Columbia and Belair roads.
The four jumpies fill about 3,500 square feet, and the remaining 500 square feet is reserved as a party room for eating pizza, cake and ice cream and opening presents.
Mrs. Small said she plans to supplement her party business with evening child-care events.
Parents will be able to drop their children off for several hours while they go out for dinner, go shopping or see a movie.
"We want to give parents the opportunity to go out without the kids," Mrs. Small said.
The Smalls also are planning a New Year's Eve sleepover, during which children will be picked up in a Hummer limousine and allowed to jump and play all night while their parents celebrate the new year.
"Kids are going to look at that limo and go, 'That's cool,'" Mr. Small said.
Reach James Gallagher at (706) 823-3227 or james.gallagher@augustachronicle.com.
CHRIS THELEN/STAFFCAPTION]
