If you’ve ever stood at the front desk of a trampoline park, trying to plan a fun outing with friends or family but stuck on what to get the person who “has everything,” you’ve probably wondered: Do trampoline parks offer gift cards? As a trampoline park equipment supplier who’s worked with hundreds of indoor adventure parks across North America and Europe, that’s a question I hear at least a dozen times a week—from park owners figuring out how to grow their sales, from parents planning a child’s birthday, from groups of friends surprising each other for milestones, even from businesses looking for unique team-building gifts. The short answer is yes, but the details around how these gift cards work, what they include, and why they’re such a game-changer for both park operators and gift-givers are way more interesting than a simple “yes.” Let me break this down from the perspective of someone who’s spent 12 years designing, installing, and troubleshooting trampoline parks—so you get the real, no-fluff answer, not a generic marketing blurb. Trampoline Park
First, let’s talk about why trampoline park gift cards weren’t always a given. When I started in this industry in 2011, most parks were small, family-owned operations focused on selling walk-in tickets, birthday parties, and maybe a few branded t-shirts. Gift cards felt like an extra hassle—there was the cost of plastic or digital processing, the risk of fraud, the logistics of tracking balances, and small parks just didn’t have the manpower to handle it. That all changed around 2015, right as trampoline parks exploded in popularity. By 2018, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) reported that trampoline parks were one of the fastest-growing segments of the indoor entertainment industry, with annual visitor growth of 18%. As parks got bigger and added more attractions—foam pits, dodgeball courts, ninja warrior courses, arcade games—they realized gift cards weren’t just a nice add-on; they were a critical revenue driver.
Wait, let’s make that concrete. I worked with a small park in Columbus, Ohio, back in 2019 that only had a handful of trampolines and a basic party room. Before they launched gift cards, their peak seasons were winter (when people avoid being outside) and summer weekends. After adding a digital gift card program integrated with their POS system, they saw a 27% jump in annual sales in just 12 months, mostly from gift cards bought for birthdays, holidays, and corporate events. The kicker? A lot of people who buy gift cards end up spending extra when they redeem them—maybe they bring an extra friend, grab a soda or pizza from the on-site cafe, or upgrade their visit to a 2-hour open jump pass instead of a 1-hour one. That’s the “gift card bonus” that park owners love.
Now, let’s get to the specific details, because not all trampoline park gift cards are created equal. When we design equipment for parks, we always advise them to tailor their gift card offerings to their space, and that’s true for the cards themselves too. Most parks offer two main types: physical plastic cards and digital e-gift cards. Physical cards are great for people who want a tangible gift—perfect for kids who love handing something colorful to their friends at a birthday party, or grand parents who prefer a physical over a digital item. They usually come in pre-set amounts ($25, $50, $100) or custom amounts, and many parks let you add a custom message when you buy them. Digital e-gift cards are even more popular now, especially since the pandemic accelerated contactless and gifting. You can buy them in 5 minutes online, send them via email or text, and the recipient can redeem them instantly at the park or even use them to book a birthday party or ninja course time slot. I’ve seen e-gift cards make up 60% of a park’s gift card sales in the last two years, because they’re so convenient for people who live far from the park or just don’t have time to stop by.
But here’s something most people don’t know: some trampoline parks don’t just sell gift cards for open jump time. Many let you customize what’s on the card to match the recipient. For example, you can buy a gift card that only covers a foam pit session, or all-day access to the ninja warrior course, or a package that includes open jump time plus a slice of pizza and a drink from the snack bar. I worked with a park in Austin, Texas, a few years ago that did “birthday party gift cards” which could be used to book a whole private party for 10 people, or add on extra guests to an existing party. That’s a huge selling point for parents who don’t want to fuss with booking a party last minute.
Now, let’s address the small print, because that’s where a lot of confusion happens. Most trampoline park gift cards don’t expire, which is a big plus compared to some other retail gift cards. In fact, in the U.S., federal law and most state laws prohibit gift cards from expiring for at least 5 years, and many parks go above that to make their customers happy. There are also no hidden fees—no service fees, no inactivity fees, nothing that eats into the balance. I always tell park owners that if there’s one rule they should follow for gift cards, it’s no hidden fees. The last thing anyone wants is to buy a gift for their kid’s birthday, only for the recipient to find out half the balance is gone because of a fee.
Wait, but what about trampoline parks that don’t seem to offer gift cards? Is that possible? Occasionally, very small, local parks that operate on a tight budget might skip gift cards, but that’s less common now than it was 10 years ago. When we work with new park owners, one of the first pieces of advice we give is to invest in a simple POS system that integrates gift cards, because it’s one of the easiest ways to drive repeat business without a huge marketing budget. A few years back, I visited a tiny park in a rural town in Michigan that had been around for 5 years and only sold walk-in tickets. They were struggling to compete with a new 20,000-square-foot trampoline park that opened nearby, so we helped them set up a basic gift card program with digital options. Within 6 months, their sales were up 19%, and they were able to add a new mini ninja course with the extra revenue. That’s the kind of impact gift cards can have, even for small parks.
Another thing to consider: who buys these gift cards? It’s not just parents for their kids. A lot of corporate clients buy bulk gift cards for employee rewards—instead of a boring gift card to a coffee shop, a trampoline park gift card gives employees a fun way to unwind. High school and college students buy them for friends for graduation, prom, or just because. Even grandparents use them to treat their grandkids to a day of jumping around and having fun, instead of another toy that will break in a week. I’ve even seen couples buy them for each other for anniversary dates—many trampoline parks now have adult-only jump nights, so it’s a fun date idea that doesn’t involve sitting at a restaurant.
Let’s talk about recent changes, too. The pandemic shifted a lot of how trampoline parks operate, and gift cards were a lifeline for many parks that were forced to close temporarily. When parks shut down in 2020, a lot of customers bought gift cards to support their local parks, which gave the parks the cash flow they needed to stay afloat. Now, post-pandemic, gift card sales are still strong—IAAPA data from 2023 shows that gift cards make up 12% of total revenue for trampoline parks, which is higher than many other types of indoor entertainment like movie theaters or bowling alleys. That’s a huge number, and it’s why so many parks have doubled down on their gift card programs in the last few years.
But here’s the thing that I want to make clear: as an equipment supplier, we don’t just sell trampolines and ninja courses. We work closely with park owners to help them build their business, and gift cards are one of the most underutilized tools in their arsenal. If you’re a park owner reading this, and you haven’t added a gift card program yet, you’re leaving money on the table. If you’re a customer, next time you’re looking for a fun, unique gift, a trampoline park gift card is way more memorable than a generic gift card to a department store.
Wait, let’s make sure we’re answering the original question clearly, because that’s what brought you here. Do trampoline parks offer gift cards? The answer is a resounding yes, but the specifics vary depending on the park. Most mid-sized and large trampoline parks have both physical and digital gift cards, offer flexible denominations, no hidden fees, and can be used for open jump, special activities, or even birthday parties. Smaller local parks might have them, too, if they’ve invested in a POS system, and even if they don’t, many will let you buy a prepaid card for a specific amount to use at the park.
I’ve had customers reach out to me over the years asking about gift cards, and most of the time, they’re pleasantly surprised at how flexible and convenient they are. A few months ago, a dad from Chicago emailed me saying he wanted to buy a gift card for his 8-year-old’s birthday, but his kid loves the ninja course more than open jump, so he asked if the park could make a gift card specifically for that. The park adjusted their program to offer that, and the kid had a blast. That’s the kind of customization that makes gift cards so great.
If you’re thinking about buying a trampoline park gift card, here are a few quick tips: first, check the park’s website or call ahead to see what types of gift cards they offer—some parks only sell them in person, some only online. Second, make sure there are no hidden fees or expiration dates (most reputable parks won’t have these). Third, if you’re buying for a large group or a corporate event, ask about bulk pricing or custom gift card designs. And finally, don’t forget that when you redeem the gift card, you can usually add extra services like a party or food, so it’s more than just a ticket to jump.
At the end of the day, trampoline parks are all about fun, and gift cards make that fun more accessible. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute birthday gift, a team-building activity for work, or just a way to treat someone to a day of laughing and jumping, a trampoline park gift card is a solid choice. If you’re a park owner looking to set up or improve your gift card program, or if you’re looking to expand your park with new attractions that will keep your guests coming back (and buying more gift cards), feel free to reach out to connect for a conversation about your needs.
Adventure Play References:
- International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. (2023). Global Attractions Attendance Report.
- Trampoline Park Industry Association. (2022). Gift Card Impact Report for Indoor Entertainment Venues.
- U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2021). Gift Card Regulation and Consumer Rights.
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