For a few hours, everyone can bounce their cares away.
The Big Bounce America 2024 tour is coming Aug. 31-Sept. 1 and Sept. 6-8 to Skokie Sports Park in Skokie. The Big Bounce America is a giant inflatable touring event that consists of several massive inflatable attractions.
“It is so much fun. It is so different from any other experience you’re probably going to do all year along,” said Noa Visnich, touring operations manager of Big Bounce America. “No matter your age … you get to have a great time.”
Those attractions are the newly expanded 24,000 square-foot World’s Largest Bounce House, the foam party inflatable OctoBlast; the 900-square-foot-long obstacle course The Giant; the customized sports arena Sports Slam; and the space-themed wonderland Air Space.
“We have DJs, confetti, bubbles, a snow machine. We play games and give out prizes and so much more,” she said.
Online tickets are sold as timed, three-hour reservation slots, she said. Ticket holders get 45 minutes in the World’s Biggest Bounce House attraction with unlimited time in the other inflatable attractions.
The new OctoBlast is a giant purple octopus that shoots foam. The Sports Slam is a giant inflatable sports arena with volleyball nets, basketball hoops, dodgeballs and jousting sticks so you can knock your friends off podiums. The Air Space inflatable is space-themed and features a giant, five-lane slide and a 25-foot-tall inflatable alien at the center of three moon crater/ball pits.
The giant is a 900-foot-long obstacle course.
“You can skip the gym for the day because let me tell you, it’s a workout,” she said.
New this season are adults-only sessions for adults and kids ages 16 and older.
“The adults can come and be big kids themselves and listen to fun music and jump around without worrying about hitting any kids or hurting anyone,” she said.
There are separate jump sessions for toddlers, young children and older children.
People are speechless when they see the giant inflatable park, she said.
“It’s an event that parents love because they can come with their kids. It’s something that even if you have a 15-year-old and a seven-year-old they’re both going to enjoy,” she said.
The Big Bounce America is held weather permitting. Rental lockers cost $10 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Children ages 3 and under must be accompanied by a paying parent or guardian. Parents of older children do not need a ticket if they do not plan to jump.
Socks must be worn at all times in the inflatables. Grippy socks are sold for $5. Bring a towel for use after the foamy OctoBlast. Local food vendors will be onsite.
People should get their tickets quickly because the event always sells out, she said.
“When else throughout the year are you going to be able to go into the World’s Largest Bounce House,” she said. “There’s nothing else like it. You can go to the movies anytime. It’s something fun and different to do. Get outside, get some exercise and the whole family can enjoy the day.”
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Big Bounce America
When: Aug. 31-Sept. 8
Where: Skokie Sports Park, 3459 Oakton St., Skokie
Tickets: $22-$45
Information: thebigbounceamerica.com