Kids bounce to exhaustion at Loyal Heights CC

Last Thursday afternoon, children had an alternative to rain-soaked playgrounds and swing sets. Bounce Fest, an indoor bouncing special event, was held at Loyal Heights Community Center.

Center coordinator Melissa Valenzuela said the purpose of Bounce Fest was to “get kids out of the house, get them running,” and as a bonus they “get to interact with the community.”

Three 15-foot-high bounce houses filled the center’s gymnasium. The inflated structures, designed respectively as a clown, a castle and a palm tree, each accommodated five kids at a time. Adults and teens were also invited into the bounce houses, but they choose to leave the jumping to the children.

Other bouncing activities were set up throughout the gym, including jump ropes and trampolines. Toddlers had their own, smaller bounce house with a slide entry for easy access. If the tots weren’t up for bouncing there was also a play structure and toys.

“I want to bounce!” exclaimed a young boy who tried to drag his mom into the gymnasium without paying the $2 entry fee.

The Bounce Fest had a steady line during the first hour at the entrance of the community center, and arriving children began bouncing up and down with excitement at the sight of the inflatable structures.

Last January the community center held Tot Extravaganza, which was mainly for younger children. With the addition of the three large bounce houses, lent by the Seattle Parks Department, they were able to provide bounce toys for all ages.

Britt Lord-Jacobsen, Acting Out-of-Class Assistant Coordinator, organized the community center’s first Bounce Fest with the help of 10 Ballard High School volunteers.

Community Center coordinator Valenzuela added that “our goal is to wear them out.” And they did. Lemonade, popcorn and cookies were provided for those who were bounced-out.

The next event at Loyal Heights Community Center will be the Pancake Breakfast on March 7 from 8 a.m. to noon. This is its largest fund raiser and last year $15,000 was raised for youth scholarships.
(Contributor Michelle Tanaka is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.)