What to do with kids on a rainy day question brings Jump N' Joy owner into bouncy house biz

LACONIA — Until two weeks ago, Sunday Dearborn was working as an information technology manager for a local school district. With two young children at home, the job allowed her to be with her family during summers and vacations while utilizing her degree from Syracuse University. However, she didn't like the job and found a lack of things to do with her kids when she wasn't working.

So, to address both problems, she quit her job, rented a warehouse-like space and stuffed it full of inflated bouncy houses.

Jump N' Joy, located at 477 Province Road in Laconia, directly across the street from Laconia Ice Arena, opened its doors on February 18, just in time for her daughter's third birthday. As a first-time entrepreneur, Dearborn said the weeks leading up to opening day were stressful. Since then, "It's been great. I love seeing the kids happy and hearing the parents thank me."

Dearborn, who grew up in Laconia and lives in Belmont, said the experience of being a mother revealed to her an unfilled need in the region. "I have two kids, there's nothing to do around here," she said. While visiting family in Virginia, she came across several businesses that do what Jump N' Joy offers: an indoor facility where parents can come with their children, either individually or as a group, for some bouncing fun.

Jump 'N Joy is located in a 5,000-square-foot space with ceilings more than 16 feet high. Into that she has constructed a party and seating area, which looks out upon the large space containing five inflated "bouncy houses" – structures in which children and their parents can jump, climb and slide. She thinks it's the perfect place for children with a little too much energy on a cold or rainy day. "They're having fun and they don't know they're getting exercise."

They have so much fun, she said, that they sometimes cry when it's time to go. After a couple of hours spent bouncing, she said, "My kids definitely sleep better at night." Dearborn, like other parents, likes to kick off her shoes and let her inner child out to play by joining her kids in the fun.

Dearborn was careful to structure her business plan so that families of moderate means would find Jump 'N Joy affordable. Those attending "open bounce" sessions pay $10 for the first child and $8 for each additional sibling. Parties, which afford guests exclusive use of the place, start at $169 and top out at $329 for the full-service package.

Jump 'N Joy currently has morning and evening sessions of "open bounce" and typically the weekends fill up with parties. Dearborn plans to adjust her hours as the seasons and customer desires dictate and recommended checking www.jumpnjoynh.com or calling 527-8020 for up-to-date hours of operation.

CAPTION for BOUNCY HOUSE in AA:

Brady Dearborn flies down one of the inflated slides at Jump 'N Joy, a business that opened last month in Laconia. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)