Monkey Joe's West Des Moines, Davenport

Each of the Monkey Joe's bounce houses and fun parks located in 17 states draws its inspiration from its eponymous mascot. Legend has it that the furry purple monkey discovered bouncing by accidentally falling out of a coconut tree, and he decided then and there to spread the fun with inflatable bounce houses and obstacles, slides, and jungle gyms.

Kids aged 12 and younger can split their time among the inflatable play center, and toddlers aged 3 and younger seek binky-laden treasure chests in special play areas. With an eye toward sanitation, the staffers oversee regular wipe-downs with Swisher Hygiene formulas. They also host parties, where video monitoring and identity bracelets keep track of guests to ensure safety.