Shell We Bounce opens its doors

When the weather is nice, the Cape Region's outdoor activities are limitless.

The problem for Julie and Jim Derrick of Rehoboth Beach is what to do when the weather's not nice. There are few indoor activity options for their two girls under the age of 5 that involve getting out of the house, and what options there are involve playing on a playground in a fast food restaurant.

“On rainy, cloudy days it really is limited on what we can do,” said Julie, who grew up in Dover but spent many of her summers in Rehoboth at a family house.

Looking to address this problem for themselves, the families who live in the area and the families who visit during the summer months, the Derricks have opened an inflatable bounce house center in Rehoboth Beach: Shell We Bounce.

Located in the old Gold's Gym location, 20699 Coastal Highway, the business opened its doors June 4.

The building is perfectly situated along the highway, said Julie, and besides new carpet, new paint and a new sign, very little work was necessary to get the building ready. She said of the 10,000-square-foot space with large locker rooms and space for private parties has basically been sitting empty since the gym closed.

Julie said the idea of a bounce house came to her last fall, but she was hesitant to pursue the business because she doesn't have a business background. But when the opportunity to lease the property came about, and with some words of encouragement from Jim, a Rehoboth Beach native whose family owns the Sea Shell Shops, she decided to go for it.

“We want to enrich the community for the kids,” she said. “We want this to be a place to play that's accessible and affordable for kids of all ages.”

Shell We Bounce features different inflatable bounce centers for kids 11 and under, such as a five-in-one with two bouncy areas, a basket, a wall and slide; a 65-foot obstacle course with a double-sided slide and wall climbing area; and a zoo-theme inflatable for kids 5 and under.

Two rooms are available for private rentals and birthday parties - the Maui Wowi private bounce house room and the Key Lime Room.

A seating area for parents with free wifi, said Julie, and healthy food options are available for the kids to snack on after they finish running around.

There will also be preteen and teen bounce times from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on specified nights throughout the summer.

Julie said she wants Shell We Bounce to be a place were kids can be kids and be engaged in a healthy activity during times when playing outside isn't an option.

“I want them to escape from their worries. I want this to be a laid-back atmosphere,” she said. “We need something like this here. They'll be getting exercise, and they won't even realize it.”

For more information on pricing, hours of operation, rules, rental availability, and up to date events visit the website at shellwebounce.com or call 302-727-5416.

Join Shell We Bounce's email list by contacting info@shellwebounce.com.