It’s that season of year again; time to get outside and spring into action (pun intended)! My children are very excited to play in the fresh air with their outdoor toys. Added to the mix this year is the Geospace Toys Jumperoo Deluxe Bungee Boing Jump and Squeak Pogo Stick, a beginner pogo stick made of foam with a bungee cord handle.
Pogo sticks are a classic toy for practicing balance and bouncing out some energy, but the traditional versions are a bit tough for the younger crowd to master. The Bungee Boing, with its foam footrest, bungee cord and soft handle makes a perfect beginner version of the popular toy.
The foam footrest is durable enough to be used outside, yet forgiving on those little feet as it provides a softer and wider landing platform. The handle is covered with soft foam that is also gentle on a child’s hands. The bungee cord connecting the footrest to the handle is very stretchy, allowing for children of all sizes (even adults up to 250 lbs) to use the Bungee Boing. When you are done playing, it is easy to store, taking up only a small space in your garage or playroom since the cord and handle can be wrapped around the footrest, which is approximately 12”x4.”
Our whole family was able to enjoy this toy. The packaging says the Bungee Boing is best for children ages 3+, but my (almost) 2 year-old-daughter was able to attempt using it and has gotten better with balancing and hopping during each try. We only let her bounce inside on the carpet or on outside grass, but I was comfortable letting her give it a try because of the soft materials and wide footrest.
My son, just about 5-years-old, became a pro instantly, and loves to jump around while practicing counting or having us time how long he can keep going. At the request of my son, I also tried out the Jumperoo and found it quite fun and simple to use; a great way to sneak in some exercise while playing with my kids! My husband, at 6’6,” was a bit too tall to really enjoy the toy but in a pinch was able to bounce.
While the Bungee Boing is a great toy for outside, we also found it was great inside as well. The footrest wipes down easily from outdoor use, keeping indoor floors/carpet from getting outside dirt. The construction and materials of the beginner pogo stick keep you from bouncing too high and are easy on the indoors since they are all on the softer side. This would be a great way to get out some energy on rainy or snowy days when you are stuck inside!
The only negative of this toy that I found was the built in squeaker. The foam footrest has an imbedded squeaker that makes a noise like a pet or baby toy, and I found it quite annoying. My son was honestly not a fan of it, either. Coming from an engineering background, I usually support the use of feedback mechanisms in toys. The Bungee Boing claims to have the squeaker for just that reason, to indicate to the child they are properly bouncing and to encourage them to keep going. However, we felt it was actually a distraction and annoyance.
I am always going to be a fan of toys that promote physical activity, develop motor skills and do not require batteries. The Jumperoo Bungee Boing is a great toy to have on hand for energetic kids and would make a great, unique gift. Once your children master the pogo concept, Geospace has an entire line of traditional pogo sticks to choose from so they can easily graduate to the next level.
Jumparoo Deluxe Bungee Boing Jump and Squeak Pogo Stick
Manufactured by GeospacePlay
Available at GeospacePlay (www.geospaceplay.com) and Amazon (www.amazon.com)
$17.99
- Appealed to the advertised age range: 4
- Instructions were easy to follow: 5
- My child played with this multiple times: 4
- Small pieces were a problem: No
- Messy: No
- Would travel well: Yes
- Durability: 3
- I would purchase this for my family: Yes
- I would purchase this as a gift: Yes
- Overall rating: 4
Ratings on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being highest.
Meet the Reviewer!
Christy Petrak is a systems engineer currently taking a leave of absence to raise her two children, Thomas (5) and Eliza (2). She enjoys spending time with her family, swimming and baking/decorating cupcakes.
