LAYTON — A giant fun house here is pumping life into local residents' playtime.
For the past couple of months, Pump It Up "The Inflatable Party Zone" has given customers the chance to bounce, tumble, joust, box and more in the indoor playground.
"The kids just have a blast," said Roline Artist, owner of the Layton Pump It Up. "It's just so fun for them because they can jump and slide and just kind of scream. It's fun to watch them having fun. There's really no, I mean aside from the safety rules, there really are not a lot of restrictions. . . . They can just let loose."
And they do let loose, inside the 12,500-square-foot business building at 421 N. Marshall Way that houses seven larger-than-life inflatable playground stations inside two separate play arenas, or rooms.
From a giant blown-up coliseum that serves as a bounce house or jousting pit, to a chaotic obstacle course where people can race against their friends, the inflatable stations offer several different activities.
Artist said that the two huge blue inflatable slides are the most popular for girl players who like to roll down it or go with their legs crossed.
"The girls are just very creative," she said. "They can take something and do different things down it each time."
The boy players, on the other hand, usually like the "Chaos" station. Artist's sons, Beau, 11, and Chad, 8, said the inflatable obstacle course is fun. They also like fighting with the giant padded purple boxing gloves or the jousting sticks.
Beau said he also likes the slide.
"My favorite is when the slides are perfectly waxed because you go off the (end of the) slide," he said.
Every Tuesday and Thursday the playground is open for public play time for youngsters ages 2-6 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For $5, the children can play 45 minutes in one arena and 45 minutes in the other.
Artist said this summer she plans on adding an open play time for children ages 7-12 and possibly another one for families.
Although the playland is open a couple of times each week to local residents during public play time, a major part of Pump It Up's business includes private parties. From team parties to family reunions to birthday parties, the zone hosts all kinds.
People can choose from a couple of Pump it Up party packages that include play time in the two arenas and time in one of the two party rooms — which are equipped with an inflatable birthday throne. People can order pizza through Papa John's or bring in their own cold food and cakes for the party.
Amanda Holje of Layton brought her 3-year-old son, Alex, to Pump It Up during a recent public playtime.
"He loves the big slide and the bouncy thing in the other room," Holje said. "We are always looking for things to do. It's awesome that this is just 2 miles away."
Holje said she liked Pump It Up so much that she was probably going to bring Alex there once a week.
"This is a good place," she said. "He's having so much fun. I think we'll try to come back."
She also appreciated the cleanliness of the zone.
"A ton of the places I take him (Alex) are kind of gross," she said. "So I am really impressed that it is so clean."
Tiffany Smith of Layton brings her 3-year-old son, Anderson, to Pump It Up at least once a week.
"He just loves it," she said. "I bring the neighbor kids, too. I tell everyone because it's so fun. It's a great place."
But the playground isn't only for children.
In March, Smith came to Pump It Up for her adult friend's surprise birthday party and said it was a blast.
"It was hilarious," she said. "She (the birthday guest) was so surprised."
Smith said she wondered how the adults would react to the blow-up toys. but they ended up diving right in.
"We were timing each other on the obstacle course. It got all competitive with the guys and it was hilarious," she said.
Artist has also hosted a teenage party at the inflatable zone.
"Teenagers, actually, they frighten me a little bit because their energy is so unrestrained," she said.
But there is no age limit for those who play. Once someone is 34 inches tall and 2 years old, they can go on all the blow-up toys. Children under the age of 2 are welcome at Pump It Up, but they can't play on the inflatables.
After coming to the play place, customers must watch a short safety video and take off their shoes and coats before jumping into the action. They must also wear socks.
Also, each player, or their parents, must sign a waiver before participating in the activities. During the public play times, parents must stay at Pump It Up with their children. But unless it's a scheduled adult party, adults play for free.
During a private party, however, parents can leave their children while the Pump It Up employees treat them to a good time.
Katie Dickson held her daughter, McKay's, birthday party at the inflatable zone in April.
"She came here to a party with a neighbor one time and so I kept asking her where she wanted her party and she said here," Dickson said. "She loves it."
McKay said she likes the big slide and when her mom plays with her.
"If I go by myself then I will be alone," she said.
There are 124 Pump It Up party zones across the United States. The company was founded by Brenda Dronkers, and the first zone opened in Pleasanton, Calif., in November 1999.
Artist first went to a Pump It Up when she lived in California.
"I remember the very first time I ever went to a party there and I was just very impressed," she said. "I just thought, 'This is a great concept.' "
About four years ago, Artist moved to Logan, Utah, and about two years ago she decided to bring the Pump It Up experience to Davis County. The Layton franchise opened Feb. 25, 2006.
Artist said she loves children and loves to be able to give them a fun place to play. And although she has to drive an hour to work, she said she enjoys her new business.
"I just love it because it's like being at a party all day long," she said. "It's a fun business. . . . People come here and they're happy it's a happy place."
E-mail: nclemens@desnews.com