Plum Junior Bouncer review: our verdict on the eye-catching indoor toddler trampoline

Overall star rating: 4.5/5

Price: RRP £75 | Buy now from Amazon

Our verdict on the Plum Junior Bouncer

• Assembly: 3/5

• Safety: 5/5

• Ease of use: 5/5

• Design: 4/5

• Ease of cleaning: 4.5/5

• Value for money: 4.5/5

Easy to use, exceptionally safe and the ideal first trampoline for toddlers, the Plum Junior Bouncer is a great buy, which is why we're recommending it in our round-up of the best trampolines to buy right now.

With a comfortable grip handle to aid stability, soft side padding in the event of any falls and sturdy feet to keep the trampoline firmly in place while your little one is bouncing, this is a fun and safe toy that will entertain both toddlers and preschoolers.

While I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this indoor trampoline to other parents, its bright design won’t be to every family’s taste. It's also wide and doesn't fold for storage so won't suit your home if you're lacking in space.

What we like

• Easy for toddlers and preschoolers to get on and off independently

• Excellent grip handle for small hands

• Very stable on both carpet and hard floors

What we don't like

• Width makes the trampoline harder to use in small homes

• It doesn't fold for storage

• Bright design won't suit everyone

Key specs

Age: 18 months to 3 years | Maximum user weight: 25kg | Size: 81 x 81 x 85cm 

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How we tested the Plum Junior Bouncer

• Tested in a family home

• Tested for three months

• Used with a toddler

I tested the Plum Junior Bouncer out with my toddler who was 16 months old when testing began. The trampoline has been in use almost every day since then and now, at 19 months old, she enjoys it more than ever.

While used mostly in my living room, which has hard floors, I also tried the trampoline out on carpet as well as in the garden to see how it fared on grass. Even though it's not actually an outdoor trampoline, I was keen to see how sturdy the trampoline is on different surface types. 

To get an accurate picture of how well the Plum Junior Bouncer performs day to day, I looked at a number of different factors including assembly, safety, ease of use, design, ease of cleaning and value for money. For each of these criteria, I gave the trampoline a score out of five. 

Read next: The best toys for two-year-olds

How easy is the Plum Junior Bouncer to assemble?

It took my husband and I around 45 minutes to assemble the trampoline. Plum does say that two people are needed for assembly, so I was expecting the more lengthy set-up, however it took 15 minutes longer than they suggested.

The instructions generally weren’t very clear, especially when it came to the tie ribs which you need to put in place before you weave the elasticated cord round the frame. However, that was the only real area of confusion when it came to assembly.

Plum Junior Bouncer: how does it look?

In true Plum style, the Junior trampoline is bright and eye-catching. With a mix of green and purple fabrics, a white frame, and a purple grip and feet, it's lovely and bright for younger children. 

For adults, it may be a bit of an eyesore indoors. It’s not the colour I would have chosen had I had the option, but it’s the only one available for this trampoline. As such, additional colour choices would be preferable.

Read next: The best toys for three-year-olds

How safe and sturdy is the Plum Junior Bouncer?

As we've come to expect from Plum trampolines, which are very popular with parents on our forums, the Junior trampoline feels exceptionally sturdy. Four rubber feet keep the trampoline firmly in place when my toddler is bouncing indoors and the sides are covered with thick foam padding for extra safety. 

This is an indoor trampoline so there is some slight movement on uneven outdoor ground like grass. While I felt comfortable letting my toddler bounce away in the garden, parents should be aware that the trampoline isn't technically an outdoor toy.

I like the grip handle for my toddler to hold onto when bouncing. It's a handy feature for younger children to keep them stable at all times and the grip is comfortable in the hand. Her head sits just above the grip handle when she’s standing on the trampoline so the Junior Bouncer does feel a bit big for her, but I like the fact that it's a toy she can grow into.

The trampoline frame is low to the ground, so I felt safe letting my daughter get on and off by herself, although she sometimes gets her feet caught under the side material because she’s so small. 

One of the key design features of the Plum Junior Bouncer is that it has an elasticated cord instead of springs, which is better and safer for smaller children.

Read next: The best balance bikes as tested by kids

How does the Plum Junior Bouncer perform day to day? 

Day to day, this trampoline ticks a lot of boxes. Firstly, my now 19-month-old loves it! While it's not in use everyday, it's a toy she feels confident getting on and off by herself. 

She can't yet jump, but she likes to bounce up and down with her feet still on the trampoline. This was a fairly new skill for her when she started using the trampoline at 16 months so it was very exciting for us to see her start to master the art of bouncing.

The trampoline is designed for 18 months and beyond, so while she was initially under the recommended age range, I felt comfortable letting her play on it with proper supervision. We have the trampoline set up in the living room but also tried it outdoors during the summer months.

While it's wider than I thought it would be, which makes it tricky to move from room to room, I can easily store it in the corner of my living room, although I’m fortunate that we have the space to do this. It can also be stored in the garage when not in use.

If you have a small home and are lacking in storage space, the Plum Junior Bouncer likely won’t be the trampoline for you, especially as it doesn’t fold. 

How easy is the Plum Junior Bouncer to clean?

The Plum Junior Bouncer generally stays clean as I don't allow my daughter to take food and drink with her on the trampoline when she uses it. 

If it does get dirty, you can easily wipe it down with a damp cloth. The safety padding is also water-resistant for easy cleaning. 

Read next: The best ride-on toys for toddlers

Price and competition: is the Plum Junior Bouncer good value for money?

With a recommended retail price of £75, the Plum Junior Bouncer initially feels pricey, but it can usually be found online closer to £50, which is reasonable considering the longevity it offers. It’s also similar in price to other Plum junior trampolines, but more expensive than the likes of Chad Valley and ELC. 

While Plum recommends this trampoline for use up to age three, the maximum user weight is actually 25kg, so it could in theory last until your child is five years old depending on their weight.

Would I recommend this trampoline to other parents? Absolutely! But only if they have enough space to use and store it.

About the author

Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a one-year-old, she’s always keen to make playtime safe and fun for her daughter, so is fully invested in finding the best and most affordable baby products on the market.

With over seven years' experience as a full-time editor, five of which have been spent writing, commissioning and editing product reviews and round-ups, Laura has a keen eye for what parents love and likes nothing more than putting together honest reviews to make parents' lives that little bit easier. 

In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of product review videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel.

About Mumsnet Reviews

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