Skip to main content

Today's Family Magazine

Zero Gravity takes inflatables to new heights

Jun 27, 2017 01:07PM ● By Today's Family
By Kim McCloskey

The young cadet arrives and enters the space transporter. Seconds into the beaming process, they find themselves floating through a star field until they arrive at the space station. There, the cadet finds a mysterious maze, strange creatures, and a galactic worm hole. While navigating through planets, the cadet will find robots, aliens, meteors and even space cannons.

No, this is not a scene out of the new Star Wars movie.  But it may just be the next best thing.
“Zero Gravity is an interactive space station where kids can go to play in outer space,” says Amy Merk, owner of the Eastlake business, a mom, and a licensed social worker.  “It grew out of our inflatable business called Party Xtremes.  I took my love for kids and the success I had with Party Xtremes and turned it into Zero Gravity.”

Inflatable environments are just one star in a galaxy of activities children (cadets) and families can participate in at Zero Gravity.  There is a space station command center where cadets engage in laser battles to keep the space station safe, and a laser tag adventure called “Alien Invasion.”  There are also air blaster zones, video games, and obstacle courses.  Because engaging in intergalactic activities can work up a young cadet’s appetite, there is also the Cosmic Café.

With all of these options, Merk says one of the things kids love the most are the astronauts, the staff at Zero Gravity.

“We have the best staff and no one can even come close,” says Merk.  “Future staff members actually go through auditions where part of the audition is to be selected by kids.  All of our astronauts are child-tested and approved.”

But what makes Zero Gravity truly unique is Merk’s commitment to families and the time both she and her staff take in getting to know each person that walks through the space station door.  Name tags for everyone, staff safety meetings, and pricing specifically for families are just some of the ways she sees this commitment out.

“Parents can play for free,” says Merk.  “We do this to encourage them to play with their kids.  There is nothing better for a child than to race mom and dad through a worm hole.”
For Merk, there is no better thing in this world, than bringing people together out of this world.

“The best part about my job is I get to meet a lot of great people and have the privilege in many cases to become their friends.  In the process, I get to watch their kids grow up.  Tell me what can be better than that?”

Zero Gravity is located at 34675 Melinz Parkway in Eastlake.  Near Rts. 91 and 2.  For hours and more information visit them online at www.partyxtremes.com.