Carrie Rengers

Are your kids already bored this summer? Here’s a new entertainment option.

If your kids are already complaining of boredom this summer, there’s a new entertainment option opening next week.

Sky Zone of Wichita is “an indoor trampoline amusement park,” as Ashley Youngdale put it.

The Minneapolis resident, her brother and a friend who is like another brother are partners in the venture, and they chose Wichita to open at least one Sky Zone because their home markets of Minneapolis and California are already saturated with the franchise.

Sky Zone of Wichita, a new indoor family entertainment venue, is opening July 10 at 3535 N. Rock Road.
Sky Zone of Wichita, a new indoor family entertainment venue, is opening July 10 at 3535 N. Rock Road. Jaime Green The Wichita Eagle

The Wichita Sky Zone will have a soft opening starting next Friday at 3535 N. Rock Road, in the same center as Sam’s Club.

“We cater to kids of all ages, really,” Youngdale said.

There will be a dedicated toddler area and other areas for older children.

Amusement options will vary throughout the space.

Youngdale said she and her partners needed a tall building to handle Sky Zone’s slides, which have a technology that mimics the feel of an indoor water slide.

Sky Zone of Wichita co-owner Ashley Youngdale demonstrates a slide that catapults the rider onto a giant cushion.
Sky Zone of Wichita co-owner Ashley Youngdale demonstrates a slide that catapults the rider onto a giant cushion. Jaime Green The Wichita Eagle

“They’re pretty amazing,” she said. “The kids love them.”

There will be an air court that’s dual purpose for basketball and soccer. It’s not a trampoline but is a bouncy platform on which kids can jump fairly high.

Sky Zone of Wichita is a new indoor family entertainment venue on the east side that has a variety of amusements for all ages of kids.
Sky Zone of Wichita is a new indoor family entertainment venue on the east side that has a variety of amusements for all ages of kids. Jaime Green The Wichita Eagle

Other options include a zip line, a swing and trapeze and virtual-reality games.

There also are boulder balls for kids to jump on like they’re on an obstacle course, and there’s jousting as well.

“Inflatable, so nobody gets hurt,” Youngdale said.

The almost 40,000-square-foot building also has a large dodgeball court.

Sky Zone of Wichita co-owner Ashley Youngdale next to a slide that catapults the rider onto a giant cushion.
Sky Zone of Wichita co-owner Ashley Youngdale next to a slide that catapults the rider onto a giant cushion. Jaime Green The Wichita Eagle

There is a concession area with meals and snacks such as pizza, chicken fingers, french fries, nachos and candy.

One thing that Youngdale thinks separates Sky Zone from other trampoline parks is how it caters to parents with a variety of seating areas and plug-ins so they can work from a perch where they also can still watch their children.

“We’ve been very thoughtful about parent seating options.”

Also, Sky Zone is especially well lit and doesn’t have any hidden spots where it’s easy for parents to lose sight of their children.

Sky Zone of Wichita has a variety of amusement options for kids of all ages to slide, kick, joust and have fun playing a variety of bouncy games.
Sky Zone of Wichita has a variety of amusement options for kids of all ages to slide, kick, joust and have fun playing a variety of bouncy games. Jaime Green The Wichita Eagle

Unlike some Sky Zones, Youngdale said, she and her partners have added a family and disability bathroom in an effort to be inclusive, which she said is important to them.

There are a variety of membership packages available, some of which currently are discounted with special opening prices on Sky Zone’s website.

Sky Zone of Wichita co-owner Ashley Youngdale demonstrates an interactive iWall.
Sky Zone of Wichita co-owner Ashley Youngdale demonstrates an interactive iWall. Jaime Green The Wichita Eagle

Sky Zone’s grand opening is July 31, and a soft opening begins July 10.

Youngdale and her partners also are working on Sky Zones in Rochester, Minn., and Lincoln, Neb.

A west Wichita Sky Zone is a possibility in the future, but for now, Youngdale said she and her partners are focusing on the Rock Road business first.

“We’re very excited to be in Wichita.”

CR
Carrie Rengers
The Wichita Eagle
Carrie Rengers has been a reporter for more than three decades, including more than 20 years at The Wichita Eagle. If you have a tip, please e-mail or tweet her or call 316-268-6340.
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