Go on an inflatable 'Adventure'

PERKINS TWP. — Nothing can deflate the anticipation and excitement felt by a pumped-up Rob Stein. For the past year or so, he's worked to create Adventure Play, labeled as Ohio's first and largest indoor inflatable park. The buildup culminated this past weekend when his Sandusky-area venue — 5500 Milan Road (U.S. 250) in a plaza beside Lowe's Home Improvement and Staples — debuted to the public. It's located in a former storefront once home to Michaels. "I felt like Sandusky had a need for this type of facility: for things to do for kids, especially during the wintertime, something to do indoors outside of the water parks," said Stein, who lives in the area with his family: his wife, Kimberly, and their three young children: Claire, Lucas and Victoria. The 2003 Sandusky High School graduate boasts many years of experience in the entertainment business, managing different water parks and other locally based tourism facilities. So, with his industry insights, he understood locals desired an entirely new year-round entertainment option. Enter Adventure Play, a standalone start-up, which essentially offers a self-contained inflatable city with 14 different attractions, or "neighborhoods," encompassed within. Through a main entrance, people — whether adults or children — can access various stations across a 13,000-square-foot facility, including: • A soft play structure in which people can zip down slides divided up in LED-lit lanes • A toddler section • A rock climbing wall • Obstacle courses with elements taken from and inspired by TV shows like "American Ninja Warrior" and "Wipeout;" This would include moving mechanical arms people must dodge and big balls people can jump across. • A DJ booth where people can party to music • Rooms to rent out for parties, such as birthdays, along with concessions Stein noted Adventure Play's amenities break ground in many categories, either being the first or biggest place to offer inflatable-related attractions. "This is not something where you'll come one time and be bored afterward," said Stein, noting Adventure Play sells different types of tickets, including membership passes. "People can come multiple times, every single day even, and have fun." People can visit adventureplayohio.com for more information, including for hours of operation, pricing and specials.