Scientists agree that the only reason adults have children is so they have a socially acceptable reason to visit amusement parks, eat at novelty pizza arcades, and see movies with Shreks in them. Put some fun in the oven with today's kid-friendly Groupon: for $8, you get three pop-in playtimes or family jump sessions at Pump It Up (an $18 value). Choose one of the following locations: Plymouth, Ham Lake, Burnsville, Eden Prairie, or Oakdale.

Pump It Up specializes in indoor, inflatable arenas for children. During three fun-filled pop-in visits, children can leap around gargantuan air-filled bounce houses, skip down air-filled slides, and slither like snakes covered in bacon grease through an air-filled obstacle course. Pump It Up’s giant indoor air arenas are climate-controlled and maintained according to rigorous guidelines enforced by a well-trained staff. Parents bounce for free during pop-in and family jump time, so childless adults who want to play will need to borrow a neighbor’s kid or win one by collecting soda tops.

From expert installation and anchoring to insurance coverage and rule enforcement, Pump It Up holds itself to strict safety standards. Since jumping is an exciting method for burning calories, a lively lark through Pump It Up’s inflatable fun houses will cause youthful energy to melt off faster than ice cubes thrown into a running DVD player.

Reviews

Pump It Up was mentioned as one of the best venues for children's birthday parties in Associated Content. It was also featured in Franchise Gator for leadership in safety practices. Reviewers are mixed on the staff at the Eden location, but praise the safe environment for children to play. Seven Citysearchers give it a three-star average:

• Whether your child is barely walking, or nearing the double digits, Pump It Up is the ultimate party destination. It's a parents [sic] favorite, too, because the staff members take care of everything for you. – Rachel M. Anderson, Associated Content