Big Bounce America returns to Long Island at Broadway Commons in Hicksville
Kids jump around inside the "World's Biggest Bounce House" at Big Bounce America inflatable festival at Broadway Commons in Hicksville on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Big Bounce America, billed as the "world's biggest touring inflatable theme park," is returning to Long Island for the first time in four years — and this time, it’s even bigger.
The outdoor reexperience brings four areas of blowup bounce attractions to the Broadway Commons shopping mall in Hicksville, with themes like sports and space, and a giant castle. The castle — an open-air structure with an internal courtyard, obstacles, thrones, basketball hoops and candy-inspired décor — was a mere 10,000 square feet when it was named the largest of its kind by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2018. Sid Class, the tour manager for Bounce America, says this year, the castle has undergone an expansion, adding an additional 6,000 square feet of play space with a ball pit and 20-foot slide. The castle's play area will also feature a live DJ spinning fun tunes from a booth where lights will flash and bubbles, foam and confetti will fly.
The new Sport Slam” arena will feature dodgeballs, soccer balls, basketball hoops and jousting sticks, while the outer space-themed bounce zone has a 20-foot high slide and a 900-foot long obstacle course.
The experience is for all ages, and attendees will need to wear socks without shoes when playing on the inflatables. Each ticket purchased allows three hours of access to all the attractions, including a timed 45-minute session inside the castle. Overall sessions are broken down by age: $40 for those aged 16 and older, $34 for ages 7 to 15 and $21 for ages 3 and younger, with guardian supervision.
Big Bounce America
WHEN | WHERE: 358 N. Broadway, Hicksville; thebigbounceamerica.com. Sept. 23-25 and Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Times are slotted per ticketed age group.
COST: 3 and younger $21; 15 and younger $34; 16 and older $40
Tents for parents looking to relax while their kids are tackling the inflatables will also be available, and a group of food trucks will be parked on-site. Food trucks to try include Little Miss Sunshine Lemonade Stand, Snow Angel (shaved ice), Bite Me (American fare), Cactus Wrap (Tex-Mex) and a truck selling funnel cakes and corn dogs. Picnic tables with umbrellas are available.
Class notes that adults are more than welcome to try out this springy soiree, “if people want to do a fun date night or something different on a Saturday night."
