Jumping has always been one of childhood’s purest joys, and toy makers have spent decades finding ways to capture that feeling.

Toys to encourage jumping have evolved over the years, from classics like the pogo stick to modern favorites like the Jungle Jumparoo. Explore the history of jumping toys through the centuries and the reasons they’ve persisted as a timeless source of fun, exercise, and imagination.

The Early Days of Jumping Fun

Long before there were dedicated jumping toys, children played basic jumping games like hopscotch, jump rope (then called skipping ropes), and leapfrog. 

Then, in the 1800s and 1900s, inventors started coming out with mechanical and spring-based jumping toys, like primitive pogo devices. This period also saw wooden stilts and “spring walkers,” vintage shoe toys with two large springs that let the wearers bounce along as they walked. 

The Rise of the Pogo Stick

In 1919, George Hansburg patented the pogo stick, and by the 1920s, the toy was already popular worldwide.

But what made the pogo stick so special?

The pogo stick had a lot going for it. While it was certainly new and exciting, it was also challenging. Using the pogo stick encouraged people to learn balance, coordination, and persistence. Pogo sticks are also quite portable, which made them easy for people to take with them and show off. 

Today, pogo sticks are still popular with kids and adults alike, including celebrities, like rapper Flavor Flav, who participated in a pogo stick challenge on television. Even Oscar-winner Emma Stone gave a tutorial on how to use a pogo stick.

In 2023, an American man named James Roumeliotis set the world record for the most consecutive jumps on a pogo stick at an incredible 115,170 jumps. It took him nearly 12 hours.   

The Evolution of Jumping Toys Through the Decades

Throughout the 20th century, jumping toys just kept evolving. 

1950s to 1970s

Starting in the 1950s, toys like bouncy horses or spring riders began appearing on playgrounds. Kids could sit on the spring rider, hold the handles, and bounce up and down.

The first backyard trampolines let kids bounce to new heights right from the comfort of their own backyards. 

Bounce houses through party rentals also became popular in this era. The first ones were basically inflatable mattresses kids could jump on, but by the '70s, they became the bounce houses we know today. 

1980s–1990s

In the 80s and 90s, jumping toy makers focused on safer designs and creative takes. One popular toy in this era was the space hopper, a large, inflatable ball with handles that kids could sit on and bounce.

Kids also played with ankle skip balls — a ball on a string attached to a loop — by putting the loop around their ankle and moving so the ball would spin. The trick was jumping with your other foot at the right time so it didn’t get caught in the string.

Mini trampolines were also popular in this era.  

2000s

In the 2000s, the focus shifted toward active, inclusive play and sensory development. While jumping toys were once mainly novelty items, they became valuable tools for children's motor and emotional development by this time.

Why Jumping Toys Have Stood the Test of Time

Children of all ages can and do enjoy jumping toys. Though the toys have evolved, the popularity of jumping toys has remained relatively constant. Why? Jumping toys offer instant fun and a release of all that extra energy kids have. 

And while they’re having fun with the toys, kids are also getting great developmental, mental, and social benefits from playing.  

Developmental Benefits

Jumping helps kids improve their balance, coordination, strength, and sensory regulation. Athletes even use jump rope training to improve their balance and coordination. 

Plus, movement and learning are closely connected. Kids stimulate their brains by jumping and moving around, which helps their brains develop.  

Mental and Emotional Benefits

Since jumping requires coordination and control, it helps kids build confidence and improve focus. Plus, they get joy through the movement.

Social Benefits

While there are many bouncing toys kids can use alone, they’re also ideal for group play. Kids can jump together, share their excitement, and learn to work as a team. 

The Jungle Jumparoo: A Modern Twist on a Classic Idea

The Jungle Jumparoo is the next evolution in jumping toys. It combines the best elements — safety, stability, and group play — of all jumping toys, like classic pogo sticks and trampolines.

The Jungle Jumparoo is also highly versatile. It’s suitable for toddlers or preteens and for both indoor and outdoor use. Parents, schools, and therapists also love that the Jungle Jumparoo promotes healthy, active fun. 

What’s Next for Jumping Toys?

Toys are constantly evolving, and jumping toys are no exception. Going forward, you can expect to see new toy designs focused on sustainability, inclusivity, and multi-age play.

For example, Jungle Jumparoo is always working on new developments to keep the toy as versatile and entertaining as possible. Adding the indoor imagination tent transforms the Jungle Jumparoo into a fort kids can use to time-travel, explore space, or go anywhere else their imaginations take them. And the turret sprinkler can help kids beat the summer heat and enjoy the benefits of jumping and water play.

There’s growing interest from both parents and children in screen-free, movement-based toys. Jumping toys fit the bill perfectly. They get kids off their devices and moving their bodies, which offers tons of health benefits. 

Plus, jumping toys will always have a place in childhood because movement never goes out of style. And between the classic toys and new jumping toy evolutions, kids have all the options they could want. 

From the Pogo Stick to the Jungle Jumparoo — A Legacy of Fun

Even though jumping toys have changed a lot over the years, one thing stays the same: kids love jumping. And why wouldn’t they? They get exercise while having fun. 

There’s never been a better time than now to rediscover the joy of jumping (and active fun) with toys like the Jungle Jumparoo. Get yours today to get the kids jumping for joy!