Trampoline dodgeball: A new way to play dodgeball for kids in Hamilton

Ah, dodgeball. It’s that one game no one can seem to resist—the thrill of lobbing a (mercifully soft) ball at your sibling or friend, feeling that rush as it zips through the air, and watching the target twist, duck, leap, or… well, get smacked square in the back.

Even the least sporty kids (and adults) love dodgeball. And now, thanks to Flying Squirrel’s trampoline dodgeball court in Hamilton, this beloved game just got a seriously fun upgrade: this is dodgeball with serious bounce. 

Encouraging my kids to throw things at each other feels like heresy. My kids probably hear me say “don’t throw that” as often as I hear them say “are we there yet?” on roadtrips. Yet dodgeball turns that parenting rule on its head. Here’s a game where they get permission—even encouragement—to aim for their sibling’s torso with a launched object. 

No broken lamps or TV screens. No time outs. No tears.

Trampoline dodgeball in Hamilton always turns into a full-on family game of fun. And we always leave the court laughing, sweaty and exhausted.

 

A fun twist on dodgeball for kids

My least favourite thing about dodgeball is losing. I’m only sort of joking. There’s something so frustrating about thinking you are making this amazing dodge move, only to realize you really only jumped an inch in the air (and there is no way the ball was going to miss). Kids can often feel this frustration 10-fold. And that’s why trampoline dodgeball is our friend. When we jump to avoid the ball in trampoline dodgeball, we actually get some air and have a chance at winning. And the kids get to practice some serious ninja moves too. My kids have become very adept at dodging even my most pointed throws. This really builds their confidence in themselves, and they get a lot of exercise while they’re at it. Here’s why we love this version of dodgeball:

• It’s basically two sports in one: Trampolining and dodgeball
• Jump throws are at least 50 percent more thrilling than regular ones (this is just science)
• We all get so much cardiovascular exercise without even realizing it, because we’re having way too much fun
• We get to enjoy all the other attractions at Flying Squirrel (like the parkour course and indoor rock climbing) when we’re done

 

The dodgeball court: Everything you need to know

When you think of dodgeball, you probably picture a spirited game in a stuffy elementary school gym—that’s where we all first got introduced to the game we’ve come to love. But I want you to picture something else entirely. Flying Squirrel’s dodgeball court is a completely unique experience. It’s got:

• Trampolines from wall-to-wall
• Four lanes so multiple groups play at the same time
• Bright neon lane dividers that are impossible to miss
• Trampolines UP the wall (yes, you can scale the wall like Spidey)
• Nets surrounding it on all sides so you won’t have to go searching through the trampoline park to find it. 
• Squishy balls that won’t hurt anyone but are still tons of fun to throw (and dodge!)

 

The most fun version of kids’ dodgeball

Now, if there’s one sure sign that a game is really grabbing your kids’ attention, it’s when they forget about their usual favourite games (in my kids’ case, it’s the arcade). At Flying Squirrel, the dodgeball court captures their full attention. They run, they jump, they launch themselves across the court, and it’s a whole new level of family connection. Nothing says bonding quite like playfully pelting each other with dodgeballs while flying through the air.

And as a parent, what’s better than watching your kids burn off boundless energy in a way that’s fun, active, and safe? There’s no nagging, no pushing them to move more—it’s effortless exercise disguised as pure play.

I’ve never been more pleased that my kids’ are throwing things at each other.

Does this sound like the type of dodgeball court your kids would like to visit? Or maybe you’re just tired of telling your kids to stop throwing their pillows, stuffed animals, and everything else not attached to the floor. Make sure to buy tickets for your next visit to Flying Squirrel in Hamilton today. They also throw pretty incredible birthday parties.