Review: Inflata Nation Manchester's Inflatable Theme Park

A few weeks ago we were invited to visit Inflata Nation, the inflatable theme park based in Manchester. We have meant to visit the site a few times as it sounds brilliant and something my two would really love, but have never got around to it. The school holidays was the perfect time to give it a try so myself, the kids and some friends went along to see if it was as good as I'd heard.

Pre-booking is definitely advisable before you visit Inflata Nation as it does get full, with the earlier slots being much quieter. Once you have booked you will be sent a form to fill out, I'd recommend printing this out, completing it and taking it with you as doing it on the day takes time that can be spent bouncing. Once you have checked in you will be given a wrist band each and then asked to wait in line to watch a safety briefing, which is pretty common sense, before you are allowed into the inflatable part. If you need to store your belongings there are lockers and there is also a cafe serving drinks and snacks if you are not taking part or need refreshments during or after your bounce.

When it was our turn the children pelted onto the inflatable within seconds, they were so excited. The park is site inside a huge warehouse and is filled with various different inflatable activities including a climbing wall, ball pit, slides, tunnels and a duelling ring. My friend took her two year old and there is a smaller section for the little ones, although to be fair it isn't very big and she wanted to be with the big kids most of the time.

You are given a one hour time slot and this was really well stuck to. There are staff on hand throughout the inflatables, keep an eye on any misbehaviour and offering a hand if needed to. The site was clean, although it is looking a bit worn in places, and despite it being full it didn't feel it at all.

As I mentioned before there is a cafe serving drinks and snacks, as well as free water for everyone, which I thought was a great touch as it wasn't long before we all needed a drink - bouncing is hard work! There is an upstairs area to the cafe where you can sit and watch everything going on in the park so if your children are old enough you can watch them without having to go on yourself.

The children had an absolute blast at Inflata Nation and it is definitely somewhere I'd recommend. They burnt off plenty of steam and really enjoyed every activity on offer, in particular the duelling ring. If an hour isn't quite enough you can add an extra hour for slightly less, and the site isn't just for kids as there were plenty of adults playing and I even saw a Hen party going in! You can visit the Inflata Nation website for more information.

Here are my tips for visiting:

- You need to wear socks, but not the type with grips. I'd also recommend long sleeves and trousers as you can get friction burns as you go down the slides and they hurt!
- There isn't a lot of parking so you may have to park on the street of the industrial estate, however you won't be far away from the site so it isn't a major problem.
- An early slot will be quieter than later on, so if you prefer it that way or have smaller children I'd recommend you book those.
- Arrive thirty minutes before you bounce so you can get everyone sorted, forms signed and things in lockers before your sessions starts.
- If you aren't up for a bounce yourself take advantage of the free wifi in the cafe whilst your children are entertained.


*We visited the site FOC in return for this review however all opinions are my own.