Flip Out Southampton — Local services in Eastleigh

Visited on a Monday morning. Firstly this flipout is ridiculous over priced.I highly recommend you drive 25mins to portsmouth, bigger place, cleaner fantastic staff and cheaper. This place is a dump! Portsmouth is amazing, this place is disgusting. Twice the price of the same session in portsmouth and half the size. Toilet were dirty and unflushed ( only 10 customers there how hard is it to check and clean toilets). Dirty walls, peeling paint, sticky doors. I arrived with my 4yrs and my parents. He is jumping im a spectator (I have an injured knee). The cafe viewing area is shut off, the seats on the balcony are shut off from the soft play. my only option is to sit on the floor in the walkway of the arena. I was approached straight away to be told I must have socks. I said i wasn't boucing. I then helped my 4yr off a trampoline. The manager then approached me saying I needed to buy sock. I said I'm not bouncing I'm simply helping my 4yr off. The staff then watched and followed us all session. There was 10 customer in the whole arena. They were not caring for anyone else's safety as they were obsessed with me not having socks. I noted at least one other child parent and two other adult carers who where not even wearing grip socks let along flip.out ones (I had grip socks on just not flip out one.....but I wasn't bouncing) they were on the equipment. My 4yr then got stuck at the top of the soft play, terrified and crying my partner couldn't get her down and the staff didn't care and didnt help. The top level opening to the soft play was locked off (this has to be a breaking safety rules when its 4 levels high) . I went on to get my child for her safety and mental health. The manager then followed me in, demended me out of the area and escorted me out the atrna. Leaving my child crying at the top of the soft play. Everyone could still hear her crying as i was being walked out. They then demanded I play £16 because I had used the equipment. The staff are obsessed with money but not actually the safety of anyone. They pretend itsy safety but others were there without socks! I will never be going back. Talking to another mum there who had dropped her child at a birthday party there recently, the child didn't have flipout socks with him. Rather then supply a pair and either call the mum to pay or charge the party they made her boy sit alone and not enter the arena. They then called the mum and demand they pick him up as he didn't have socks and he needed to leave. Who treats...

Shambles, arrived to have a day out with my partner and son (4) who has additional needs. Now im not sure about everyones child but ours likes us to be together when we go to places. Looked amazing when we first got in to then be told we are not allowed to bounce on the trampolines together, understandable if it was busy but there was 1 other child using the whole facility. My son does not understand that we can't bounce with him, we tried to explain to the staff we wouldnt be wreckless and understand that we aren't allowed to bounce up really high due to possibly injuring him which is fair enough but to not be able to even hold his hands and bounce a little bit is ridiculous. What is the point in offering a carers ticket if you cannot care for the person you've paid full price for? Only one adult allowed in the inflatable part, after turning the socks inside out they then tell us only one can go in - again - understandable if it was busy, but the 1 other child in the building was in the softplay area. Surely we can be trusted to keep our own child safe? We understand rules are rules but then to have a member of staff constantly watching us like hawks just made us feel uncomfortable for the duration. Paid for 3 hour session & socks to push out 1 hour to try and atleast justify the hour drive and cost of the session. We then thought we would go and get a drink and some food to see the cafe was closed? No warning when we came in that this was the case.

Went back down for another bounce to then have someone else on duty who said we can bounce but you can't take your feet off the trampoline, as you can imagine it was an interesting way of bouncing 😅 When I asked if they were always this strict or is it a case of booking onto one of the SEND sessions to have a little bit of leeway with bouncing etc we were told you don't have to bounce on the trampoline to go into the other part you can just climb over the wall. Not much use for a 4 year old. Feel sorry for the staff as they were really nice and I'm sure they're often put in this position. More than likely a great place for neurotypical children or children that can just go off without being supervised / wanting their parents company but if you have a child that likes to bounce with you / hold your hands or who needs extra...

This is a place that kids enjoy regardless of how adults see it. This is my adult view of this place...

The easy bit - trampolines are great fun. The arena is generally well managed and supervised by staff. There is a lot of variety for every kind of bouncer and more adventurous wannabe gymnast. Adults and kids will both enjoy this place if bouncing is your thing.

As one of the children I had booked in was under 12 I HAD to stay to supervise. However, I was charged £2.50 to fulfill a policy that I was not benefiting from. I should not be charged unless I am willingly attending. Nor should I be charged just to watch.

That fee can be exchanged for a hot or cold drink in the cafe though, so as long as you want a latte or something, you're all good!

I'm not sure why ONLY FlipOut branded socks are acceptable. Why can't socks from other reputable suppliers or trampoline parks work just as well? (Oh wait, extra £££).

No longer can you use a pound coin or token in the lockers - you must pay by card to use a locker for £2. Not refundable as far as I could see either. More £££ to provide an average experience.

One more thing. As if this germ, bacteria share fest wasn't bad enough (don't forget the kids still enjoy this for what it is), a male staff member came out of a toilet cubicle today and didn't wash his hands! Normally a cubicle equals a sit down (he was in there a while). Not washing hands after that, or even a wee is disgusting and pupetuates the spread of illness and germs.

In the cafe the food and drink are ok, although a little pricy. I'm not so sure about the general hygiene of the place. It's probably just a visual assumption on my part though and I'm being picky.

The slightly comfy looking sofa seats are not comfortable at all. I think the cafe area in general could do with a refresh, especially given the extra charges now made for lockers and parents who are forced to stay.

I might just be a bit grumpy though, as I was made to stay, had to buy extra socks, staff can't be bothered to wash their hands after using the toilet and I had an unconfirmed seat.

Go for it, I'm sure your visit will be...