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Original poster

Outside trampoline - is it too late in the year to buy one?

34 replies

Millybingbong · 19/08/2018 08:54

Kids are a bit older now so we have decided that they are safe enough (5 and 6 and a baby), so we are thinking of getting one now we are back from holidays.

Do you cover yours over winter? We are looking at one where the sides come down which help make it storm proof and also would lend it to being covered I guess.

Thanks

OP posts:
Peppermintdream · 19/08/2018 09:18

Sorry to put a downer on things, but trampolines can be extremely dangerous (paramedic friend sees so many bad accidents because of them) and I recommend you think twice before getting one.

Tumbleweed101 · 19/08/2018 09:26

My children use ours all year when the weather is suitable. I’ve never covered ours but it does need a clean after the winter months. We’ve had ours long enough that it’s settled into the ground so it doesn’t tend to try to blow away now.

Original poster
Millybingbong · 19/08/2018 09:42

thanks tumbleweed, how do you clean it? stiff brush and hot water or something more involved?

OP posts:

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wildewillow · 19/08/2018 10:06

I agree with peppermintdream that trampolines are very dangerous. I think 5 & 6 is far to young to be on a large one, and definitely never unsupervised!! As a radiographers I see so many broken bones in children from trampolines.
Most will have a warning on saying they are suitable for 6/7 and upwards. If you really want one have you considered getting a small individual one with a handle they can hold?

Backstabbath · 19/08/2018 10:42

Like any activity trampolining can be dangerous but they are also so much fun for kids.

Nice 12ft trampoline with a safety net and away you go.

Would I get one now.... yeah probably , still a couple of months use until the winter.

Go for it.

MintedLamb · 19/08/2018 11:12

We don't cover ours. I get the children to give it a wipe over now and then but it's never too major. Ours is used almost daily, regardless of the weather. They even tried bouncing in the snow (didn't work!)

MrsMozart · 19/08/2018 11:13

Definitely have a net on it.

parklives · 19/08/2018 11:29

I would have thought a trampoline in the winter would be used a lot.
Stops the kids getting muddy while getting lots of fresh air and exercise.
Get a proper net, lots of things are dangerous to children, bikes, scooters etc, but you have to weigh up the risk.
I think the fun and exercise they will have makes the risk worth it (with a net).

Original poster
Millybingbong · 19/08/2018 14:23

Yes I'll get a net for sure

Hmm I was nearly thinking to delay but these posts are making me think it would be good to just do it

OP posts:
Donthugmeimscared · 19/08/2018 14:25

We have a 7ft one with a net. Even my 13yr old still uses it.

Peppermintdream · 19/08/2018 16:28

But these posts are making me think it would be good to just do it

Hmm So you're not taking advice from a radiogapher either? That's your choice. For what its worth, nets only help to prevent some injuries. They are of no use to a child who has fallen awkwardly on a trampoline and damaged their neck or spinal chord. Also, what happens when your baby becomes a toddler and wants to join their siblings on the trampoline?
MinesABabyGuiness · 19/08/2018 20:28

My DD fractured her elbow bouncing on a trampoline in out back garden. That was with a safety net. I would never have one again.

I work closely with a group of radiologists who would agree.

whosafraidofabigduckfart · 19/08/2018 20:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LooksLikeImStuckHere · 19/08/2018 20:33

We use ours all year round and don’t cover but do clean it.

That said, I only bought a 6ft one (with nets but they really one stop them falling off the sides) which means the bounce height is pretty limited. I also never let more than one child bounce at a time. I was tempted by a bigger one but it’s too much of an eyesore and I’d be worried about safety.

NashvilleQueen · 19/08/2018 20:34

Honestly it’s a trampoline. Not fire eating classes. Yes if you have too many children on it, or allow stupid behaviour, or don’t have a net then accidents can occur. But the same can be said for almost any other outdoor activity. If you ever travel by train you will see them in virtually every garden. Perhaps the popularity of them is why a radiographer sees so many these days. I am sure in my day it was roller boots and bikes (I don’t even recall seeing a cycling helmet in the 70s/80s). Take proper care and you’ll be fine.

Oh and ref the toddler - if you feel they’re too young then you tell them they have to wait. You know, parenting.

NashvilleQueen · 19/08/2018 20:35

Radiologist.

LooksLikeImStuckHere · 19/08/2018 20:38

Nashville good point about prevalence. Maybe I will get the slightly bigger one after all. I’d really like one I can go one Grin

Jellycatspyjamas · 19/08/2018 21:04

We have a 6ft one and both kids love it - it’s netted and they’re supervised on it, it’s good for burning off energy and helps my DS with sensory issues.

Both DC have had head injuries in the past year - they both fell and banged their heads in the playroom in separate incidents. Maybe I should ban them from the playroom. My daughter fell from a climbing frame and needed a night in hospital - maybe I should stop taking them to the park? Or I could accept they are very active, healthy kids who are going to have accidents from time to time.

FudgeyCookie · 19/08/2018 21:26

Dd turns 6 next month, we bought an 8ft one with a net and put it up last week. She loves it, even just sitting on it with a couple of toys!

She does trampolining at our local leisure centre and knows the rules that apply there about behaviour on and around the trampoline also apply at home! If they aren't adhered too she doesn't get to go on it.

HairyToity · 19/08/2018 21:32

Cousins husband is a surgeon. He won't let his children have a trampoline, due to the type of fracture. Can't remember the name of fracture but not usually a clean break. I've never bought one.

HairyToity · 19/08/2018 21:35

My cousins children have climbing frames and bikes etc, it's just her husband has seen too many of this specific type of fracture from trampolines. He's not totally risk averse.

Original poster
Millybingbong · 20/08/2018 07:22

but why would I take advice on a subject I didn't ask about?

I asked about winter use and cleaning. I mentioned that i had considered the safety issues and decided to get one in the OP. I can use the mumsnet search function ya know...

OP posts:
DiabolicalMess · 20/08/2018 07:50

Well said OP!!!

Peppermintdream · 20/08/2018 10:32

OP

Fair enough, you didn't ask about the safety aspect of trampolines, so please accept my apologies for taking my time up to try and help prevent the possibility of your dc being injured by warning you about the very real dangers of using trampolines. How rude of me to butt in. Hmm

For what its worth, I initially posted because your mentioned you have a baby in your OP, and young children. As children under six shouldn't be on a trampoline I presumed you didn't know about the dangers.
Then, when you completely dismissed my post and another posters, who is a radiologist, you came across to me as irresponsible and more interested in how to clean a trampoline than you are about how dangerous they are someone who really doesn't realise the dangers, especially with having young dc's.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 20/08/2018 12:19

We didn't buy a trampoline because you should only have one bouncer on at a time. I thought this would cause arguments and wouldn't be helpful if DD had friends over etc as they'd be waiting around. We bought a climbing frame instead. Both children can play on it together (ages 9 and 3) and so can any friends that come over.