Family time is super important to us, and we're always taking our little one to trampoline parks for some quality bonding. Luckily, there are tons of options in our city, and each mall has its own unique charm.
We're always on the lookout for new spots to try out, and we love comparing the pros and cons with the ones we already know.
There are a lot of trampoline parks in Rostov, and each one has its own character.
This autumn, Jungles City finally opened its doors, and it was a total surprise – who would've thought a trampoline park would pop up in the spot where the cinema used to be? I guess kids' entertainment is more profitable than movies, huh?
We were immediately won over by the design – the place is bright and colorful, and they even have some sensory play areas that I've never seen anywhere else.
The on-site restaurant is a major plus, too – no more wondering where to grab lunch or dealing with a picky toddler's tantrums.
We've been here five times already, and we even braved the crowds for their New Year's morning event – more on that later.
Here are the main details:
Trampoline park name: Jungles City, Rostov-on-Don
Location: RIO Mall, prosperity Mikhail Nagibina, 17
Hours: 10 am to 10 pm daily (Tuesday is cleaning day, and they open at 11 am)
Price: The cost depends on the day of the week and the kid's age.
Monday to Friday: 1490 rubles
Weekends: 1890 rubles
Monday is the cheapest day, at 1290 rubles
We've still got a few years to go before we hit four, and the ticket price is a total steal at just 1090 rubles for unlimited access all day long.
Adults get in for free, no matter how many of them there are.
We like to time our visits for the first half of the week to avoid the crowds and all the noise.
There are some awesome deals available:
50% off for birthdays,
30% off for families with multiple kids,
50% off during happy hours (after 8pm),
and free admission for anyone under a year old.
I love that the workshops are included in the ticket price – there's a schedule to check out and plan your visit around.
We stumbled upon a letter-writing station for Santa, and it's usually a nighttime activity, but they've got some daytime fun too.
The animators in costume are a great touch.
My daughter's not exactly the most patient kid, but the idea of some extra creative playtime is a real winner.
One thing that really stands out is the park itself – it's bright and colorful, with plenty of flowers used in the interior design, but my eyes don't get tired like they often do at other locations.
There's plenty of space, but it doesn't feel empty.
The air conditioning works perfectly, which is a must when you're freezing most of the time.
It's spotlessly clean, with no annoying background music that can make your head spin. The atmosphere is really comfortable, and I find myself wanting to stay for a while.
The toilets are incredibly clean and smell amazing, with a low, comfortable sink.
The only downside is that you have to take off your shoes every time you go, and it's located at the other end of the park.
One of the things I love about this place is that they've got plenty of storage for your shoes – it's a real game-changer for families. There are lots of cubbyholes, a key-card storage area, and even a self-service cloakroom.
And if you've got a stroller, you can leave it right by the entrance.
The trampolines are one of the core zones in a place like this, and here they're split into two areas – with a controlled entrance to prevent younger kids from entering the older kids' zone.
There are four themed rooms for kids to learn professional skills: a store, a kitchen, a car service, and something else.
I love watching my daughter play with the big wooden fire truck – she can sit there for hours.
The kids' area has a play kitchen, swings, and a light-up constructor.
I really loved the maze – it's safe, with walls made of plastic and a mesh for extra security, and it's big enough for an adult to navigate. The upper level is massive, and you can actually crawl all the way around the park. There are some super intense sections with a transparent floor that'll mess with your head.
There are plenty of hills and tubes of varying heights, and a dry pool that's a blast to slide down. The rubber slides are super fun for kids of all ages.
I love the ball pit area where you can launch balls into the air and watch them float down. It's a unique feature that's not often found at other playgrounds.
The sand isn't sticky, which is a plus, but it's a new formula and it gives everything a weird green tint, which is a bummer because sometimes it leaves residue on my pants even after washing. It's also pretty cold, so I don't like sitting on it for long. The armrests and grab handles are a bit sparse, but I guess that's a minor complaint.
The real showstopper, though, is the sensory room. It's this dimly lit space with all these sensory games set up. There's a floor screen with all sorts of reaction and coordination games, and then there are three screens on the walls with things like coloring, a glowing canvas, and more. It's basically a party in there. They've got a ton of games and activities, including some winter and holiday-themed ones right now.
There's another type of sand there where you can already build stuff and it's lit up, which is awesome. Even adults want to touch and examine things, which is something we don't get to do often in this day and age.
You can also get an aqua-grim and hairstyles for an extra fee, but my daughter doesn't like that. There's a photographer on site who also charges extra, but he's not pushy, which is a plus.
One of the coolest perks is the free arcade games – we've got a few of each: basketball, mini basketball, and air hockey.
My daughter's a tomboy, but she loves anything sporty and the lush football/basketball pitch is one of our fave spots.
There's a climbing wall here, and it's way more serious than the others – they've got safety gear and a certified instructor. Not all kids are allowed to climb, though.
I'm a big fan of trampolines, but the one here is super slippery and the landing is way too smooth – you end up stuck. Not the best design choice.
The restaurant really lives up to its reputation – it's super relaxing and not at all like your average food court or fast food joint.
I love the comfy, cozy furniture and the luxurious wooden decor in the middle of the room. There are plenty of tables to choose from.
The kids' play area isn't intrusive at all.
I've seen them hosting birthday parties here, and it's clear they have special themed rooms, but even without those, it's a great spot for parents to gather.
The food is gorgeous and super tasty, and the customer service is top-notch, but the prices are a bit higher than average. The coffee is delicious.
My daughter is absolutely obsessed with the chicken wings, always asking for them and getting a little down when they're not on the menu. I have to deduct points for the greasy, overcooked bun on the chicken sandwich, though – it's a bit too much for me. But she's fallen in love with the olives.
We both love the pizza, with perfect dough, filling, and ratio.
Unfortunately, the rolls were a bit of a letdown – they were mediocre and we couldn't figure out what that weird, gloopy stuff on the bottom was, which totally ruined the flavor when it got stuck to the bottom of the plate. (It smelled and tasted like cheap, salty, fishy stuff from the market)
The standout feature and nice bonus is that you get a percentage of your money back on your account after every visit, and you can use it to buy popcorn, candy, or even get a discount on your ticket. It adds up quickly, and I hope they don't take it away.
Not only do you get cashback for entry, but also for orders in the restaurant.
As expected, the cashback didn't work during the New Year's holidays.
We had high expectations and a lot of anticipation for the New Year's celebration. Unfortunately, our expectations weren't entirely met.
We went to the New Year's program a few times and for the little ones in the mornings (from 11 am, lasting about 45 minutes)
We were surprised that not many families showed up, but the approach was individual and, apart from us, there were no kids at first, then some more came, but they were all shy and quickly ran away.
We managed to especially feel the atmosphere, even though it didn't last long, but the celebration was focused on my daughter.
I'm sorry that my little one only participated in a few contests, those 10 minutes were magical because everyone's attention was on us.
The Snow Maiden and Father Frost were very beautiful.
The gift was a letdown, we were expecting something bigger, something winter-themed, even if it wasn't sweet, given that we paid double the entrance fee: a questionable photo frame, stickers (you can get them without the New Year's tie-in at the souvenir shop) and a discount coupon for the next visit with a not-so-generous nominal value (it's more beneficial to spend the accumulated points from the app)
The place is good, competitive, and we'll definitely be coming back regularly. What's important is that the park doesn't duplicate others and has its own unique features that grab your attention. I'm glad we got to experience the overall atmosphere.