Sensory-Friendly: Big Air Trampoline Park

I’m flying! We all have that dream and Big Air in Myrtle Beach gets us about as close as possible! Not only is this thrill available for able-bodied persons but, once a month, Big Air also welcomes people with autism to come and jump their cares away!

A Sensory-Friendly Jump Experience

Big Air offers sensory-friendly jump times designed to create a calmer experience for autistic guests and families. During these sessions, the music is turned down, flashing lights are reduced or turned off, and family members, including parents, are encouraged to join in the fun.

Big Air is part of the Autism Travel Club network, and staff are trained to support guests with special needs while closely monitoring each station for safety. Autism Travel Club members can currently receive one hour of jump time for $13 per person by showing the ATC app at check-in.

I was very impressed with the variety of equipment they had! As soon as your kids enter, they are going to be drawn right to the pits of soft foam blocks. It only takes a minute to realize that there are numerous ways to tumble, fall or even throw yourself into the tempting, harmless pits! Just inside the door, kids can test their balance by walking across a beam over a pit of foam blocks. Or if they want a real challenge from the days of Robin Hood, they can go into combat with a friend and try to knock each other off. The next obstacle is a wall to jump up on. But not from a hard floor. Here you can catapult yourself from the trampoline up to the top of the padded wall. While I was there a brave soul was practicing flips and spins with ease. Next stop is the climbing wall. No harnesses required here because half the fun is falling off the wall into the pits of foam blocks. I’ve tried real rock climbing and this holds a lot more appeal! Similar to the climbing wall you can also let your fears dissolve as you zip-line across a pit and fall right in.

Do you have a basketball fan in your family? How about being able to jump up to the basket and dunk the ball right in? Forget wooden floors, here we have trampolines! The basketball section can be used for competitive play or just shooting hoops. If your child really needs to jump and needs visual stimulation, there is an amazing video game/trampoline combination that will occupy them for hours!

As a mom, one thing that concerns me about a trampoline park is safety. I was delighted to see that every hard surface was covered in padding and it’s very unlikely that your child will get caught in springs or fall off. These ingenious trampolines are basically modified floors and provide plenty of opportunity for running, jumping, spinning and any other sensory movement your child can create! If they prefer something to test their balance the ninja course will do just that in a safe but challenging way.

If you are bringing along children under six they have their own play spot which is also big enough for parents to tag along. This multi-story structure is completely enclosed in netting and offers slides, maze-like tunnels, swings, and climbing structures.

If you anticipate this might be all a bit much for your child, there is a quiet sitting space for decompressing. There is also a snack bar for when they need to refuel and go back to jumping! 

Big Air offers sensory-friendly hours with reduced sound and lighting for guests who may benefit from a calmer environment. Autism Travel Club members can currently receive one hour of jump time for $13 when they check in and show the ATC app. Check Autism Travel Club or contact Big Air Myrtle Beach for current sensory-friendly hours and availability. Big Air also hosts birthday parties, so keep that in mind if you're planning a special event.