Overview
Pump It Up is a warehouse-sized inflatable arena — multiple giant bounce structures, obstacle courses, and slides under one climate-controlled roof. Sessions are scheduled and ticketed, not drop-in, which means the crowd is predictable and the floor is never a free-for-all. Bay Area locations include Oakland (2500 Embarcadero), Union City (2995 Whipple Rd), Santa Clara (2919 Mead Ave), Pleasanton, and Concord — each operates its own schedule, so check the specific location's calendar before assuming the same times carry across all sites.
How to Do It
Book tickets online before you go — weekend open play sessions sell out, and showing up without a reservation often means you're turned away. Print or download your waiver in advance (available on each location's page) and fill it out before arrival; one waiver can cover all children in your family under 17, and completing it at the door adds time you'd rather spend jumping. Parking is free at most locations, which are generally in business park or strip mall settings with ample lots. Arrive 10 minutes early to check in, get wristbands, and get socks sorted before the session clock starts.
Inside, most locations run multiple inflatable arenas in sequence — kids move from room to room rather than staying in one space the whole time. If you have a toddler, look for the Preschool Jump sessions (ages 0–6), which run Tuesday and Thursday mornings at many locations. These are smaller-group sessions designed for the under-five crowd, priced around $15–16 per child with parents free. Standard open jump runs $16–18 per child depending on session type, and parents always get in free. Specialty sessions like Glow Jump ($18) or Character Appearance Jump ($18) run on specific dates; these are worth checking if you have a kid who'll get more out of a theme.
Tips & Tricks
Socks are non-negotiable — the venue will not let kids on the inflatables without them, and they won't sell you a pair at the door at most locations. Bring extras, especially for toddlers who pull them off. Grippy socks are not required, just standard crew socks.
The Preschool Jump sessions are significantly calmer than standard open play. If your kids are under five, this is the session to book — smaller crowd, shorter lines for the slides, and the energy level is matched to little legs rather than older kids running full speed.
Punch cards are available at several locations: five paid sessions earns you a free one. If you're going to go more than a couple of times, ask about the punch card at check-in rather than discovering it after the fact.
Weekend morning sessions tend to fill faster than afternoon. If your kids are early risers anyway, the first session of the day means a fresh space and a crowd that hasn't been bouncing for hours already. Weekday morning sessions are the quietest of all.
The waiver requires a parent or guardian signature and covers the child for return visits at that location. Some locations keep the waiver on file digitally, which speeds up future check-ins considerably.
Planning
Standard open jump runs $16–18 per child; parents are always free. Preschool Jump (ages 0–6) is $15–16 per child. Glow Jump and specialty sessions are $18. Sessions are typically 90 minutes. Each location sets its own schedule — check the calendar at your specific location's page on pumpitupparty.com and book online. Socks are required; bring your own. No outside food at most locations, but most have a small snack area. Best for ages 1–8 year-round; this is the activity specifically for rainy season (October through April) when outdoor options get unreliable. Kids ages 2–5 get the most physical payoff from the inflatables relative to their size — for 6–8 year olds, the obstacle courses and slides are the main draw.