We all watched the Olympics, right? Ready to do your best Simone Biles impersonation? The new Sky Zone indoor trampoline park in Mountlake Terrace has all the space for jumping and somersaulting, though maybe not quite a Yurchenko double pike. “It’s good to have kids be able to do some things that aren’t related to being on an iPad,” says Sky Zone regional vice president Craig Camberg. “Just get out, break a sweat, and have fun.” The facility opened July 28, with a grand opening celebration slated for August 30.
Where it all began and why Mountlake
Sky Zone began in Las Vegas nearly 20 years ago and has expanded to more than 250 locations nationwide. Other Sky Zone locations in the Puget Sound are in Tukwila, Tacoma, Olympia, and Silverdale. Mountlake Terrace was chosen for the newest Sky Zone because it’s a logical spot: it has a good base of school-aged families, enough separation from the nearest Sky Zone in Tukwila, and a new Light Rail stop within walking distance, opening at the end of August.
What’s inside
There’s so much to do in the 32,300-square-foot space. Here’s what you’ll find:
- An entire field of trampolines.
- A zipline so high you land on an air cushion at the end. Next to the zipline, zoom down a drop slide on a plastic sheet, face first. These two attractions are the biggest thrills.
- A ninja course made of inflatables suspended on ropes. It’s harder than it sounds, climbing from one shaky island to the next.
- Boulder balls. Kids with incredible Spidey moves ran up a giant boulder, then flipped into the foam pit below.
- King of the Hill, where you walk out on planks and use air tubes to try and knock your opponent down.
- A two-sided interactive iWall. On one side you can choose from a variety of games, from skiing to soccer, and on the other side you compete on stationary bikes.
- Two sports courts, one for basketball and one for dodgeball. Both of them are on a springy surface that’s fun to run on and extra bouncy.
More features for the whole family
Sky Zone’s target demographic is 6-12 years old, though there’s no age restriction. Some attractions have weight restrictions, generally between 40 and 200 pounds. A soft play area for toddlers will be installed in time for the grand opening. When you need a break, a snack bar serves up pizza, chicken fingers and nachos. No outside food or drink is allowed, though water bottles are fine. There are drinking fountains by the restrooms.
For parents, there are long counters with outlets so you can plug in and work. The best sightlines are from the elevated seating area. Compared to the Sky Zone in Tukwila, Mountlake Terrace is smaller but has way more attractions. This, according to my 9-year-old, who went to a birthday party at the Tukwila location. (Tukwila used to be called DEFY until the company merged with Sky Zone in 2017.)
Party on!
Speaking of birthday parties, Sky Zone is made for birthdays. Mountlake Terrace has seven party rooms, and the staff handles all the setup, clean up, and hosting. If you’ve ever thrown a birthday party in your house, you know it’s worth every penny to throw a birthday party not in your house.
What to expect: From start to finish
When you walk in, you’re greeted with a QR code and a long, long waiver. And no wonder: one of the first things I saw was a kid’s face buried in a bloody paper towel. The trampoline park isn’t a place for the faint of heart. My competitive child ran straight into the dodgeball court, yelling, “This is so much fun!” My wallflower followed and was immediately reamed in the head.
At the check-in counter, the staff makes sure you signed the waiver and then takes your payment. Standard 90-minute passes start at $27.99, while all-day jump passes start at $41.99. Socks are an additional $4. A Sky Zone membership, which starts at $27.99 a month, will get you more bang for your buck if you live nearby.
While getting ready to jump, I looked around for a place to sit down and put on grippy socks. There was no seating, so most people plopped down on the ground or on the steps. Cubbies are available for storing belongings, and I wished there were lockers where I could stash my phone and keys.
Hard-working, young staff
Sky Zone hired more than 100 employees for the Mountlake Terrace location, most of them in their late teens, including some high schoolers. “They’re bright kids,” Camberg says. “A lot of them, it’s their first or second job. We want to make sure they have a good experience.”
I was impressed by how seriously these young staff members took their jobs. One gently asked my kid to stop running around an air cushion as a matter of safety because kids could flip onto it at any time. Another escorted a crying little girl to her caregiver. As a parent, I loved that these teens are learning good life skills.
The bottom line
Parents in Seattle love to say, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” That’s not me. I love having options on wet, cold, and scorching hot days. At 8:30, the morning of Sky Zone’s soft opening, a queue wrapped around the building. Judging from the crowd, I think I’m in good company.
Know before you go:
- Sky Zone Mountlake Terrace: 24000 Van Ry Blvd Mountlake Terrace
- Getting there: Sky Zone Mountlake Terrace is just off I-5, at exit 178. It’s also a 10-minute walk from the new Mountlake Terrace Light Rail station, set to open Aug. 30.
- Parking: Free garage parking under the Sky Zone building. On weekends, you can also use the bank’s parking lot.
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m Sunday to Thursday. Open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
- Cost: Standard 90-minute passes start at $27.99. All-Day jump passes start at $41.99. Basic memberships start at $27.99 per month, and elite memberships start at $31.99 per month.
- Grand opening: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m , Friday, Aug. 30. Free jumps for the first 100 guests, live DJ, ribbon cutting ceremony, giveaways and games.
