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Original poster

Trampoline or not trampoline?

28 replies

Thatisme · 18/03/2019 14:20

Hello there, first time here so forgive me if I am not posting under the correct category (I am going to have to learn how to navigate this site). My DH and I were considering buying a trampoline for our 2 kids (aged 8 and 11) to give them some sort of entertainment that is active and non-screen related. They are really looking forward to getting one but the more I research which one to buy the more I am put off by the horror stories of broken bones and trips to A&E. I am aware that there will be safety guidelines they'll have to follow but kids will be kids and soon enough they will be summersaulting and jumping on it together instead of taking turns. I am really in two minds about this now. I don't want to put them in bubblewrap and stop them from having fun (accidents can happen anywhere) but I don't want to take unnecessary risks. What are people views on this? If you own a trampoline what's your experience with it? Thank you for your time. Smile

OP posts:
DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 18/03/2019 14:23

I got one with a surrounding net enclosure for our 4yo last summer. It's massive and DH and I can fit/jump on it too.
Just get one. They'll learn to take turns when one of them lands on the other one. Grin

Traccs · 18/03/2019 14:23

We had one for many years when DC were young and they had endless hours of fun on it. We had a safety net and plenty of rules but I still think it was just luck that no-one got hurt.
They didn't just use it to jump on though, they would sit around with a group of friends playing games or on their own with a football. It was used all year round, great fun in the snow Hmm.

Persimmonn · 18/03/2019 14:30

Ours broke last summer after 8 years of jumping. Luckily it was the end of the summer holidays. It’s the best outdoor fun thing you can buy for kids (along with a swingball). They learn to take turns and jump safely even if they’re all on, thankfully we never had an accident in 8 years. We previously had a 10ft one so we’re getting a 12ft one this time, I just need to see which one is the best quality, as there’s so much variety. You need to base what you buy on the legs; they need to be stable with double support for the trampoline to last a good few years.

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Palominoo · 18/03/2019 14:34

Only if you can sink it in the ground or you can place it where bouncing kids are not infringing on next doors privacy.

My ex bought his kids a massive one and it meant his children when bouncing could see over the high fence into next door.

BollocksToBrexit · 18/03/2019 14:35

We bought one for DS 2 years ago for his 4th birthday. It's the best thing we've ever bought him. He's on it for hours and hours. In the summer he just lies on it with cat, soaking up the sun.

bestbeforedateexpired · 18/03/2019 14:35

Do you have a large garden? Please consider your neighbours before going ahead. Next door installed a gym sized one in their small back garden right next to our fence. Whilst the children clearly had lots of fun it was very intrusive for us as the trampoline was very high and we endured hours of bouncing from very early in the morning to late at night. I felt my privacy and enjoyment of my garden was ruined.

PETRONELLAS · 18/03/2019 14:38

Get one they’re fab. The H&S issues are usually from two different weighted people jumping at the same time.

BlueMerchant · 18/03/2019 14:41

My kids love their trampoline however when they have friends round and they are all playing I find it very stressful having to watch and make sure no one is crawling under the trampoline whilst others are jumping about to get their neck broken or checking our dog isn't underneath.
I honestly get sick of having to remind them to be careful when they are having fun and excitable.

Rockbird · 18/03/2019 14:50

My 4yo got a broken leg on a friend's trampoline, a week after we bought one! We never used it again!

Palominoo · 18/03/2019 14:50

bestbeforedateexpired

I agree with you. I sunbathe topless or in the nude and I have been careful where ever I have lived to have high fences or walls.

When my ex bought a trampoline wfor hi a children I pointed out one his neighbours might object he just laughed.

I lived nearby and was friendly with one of his neighbours a young couple with a baby and she told me that she had stopped going out in her garden because of the older children next door on the trampoline looking in as they bounced accompanied by loud shrieking.

I told my ex and he did nothing.

Toddlerteaplease · 18/03/2019 14:51

I work on a paediatric orthopaedic ward, trampoline injuries are out bread and butter. One of my colleagues spent £1000 on a special 'safe' trampoline from Australia for her kids....

RoseMartha · 18/03/2019 14:53

Had ours about five years. Kids use it loads in better weather. Has netting. Biggest injury so far are couple of bruises from collisions and landing on someones leg or foot.

Vinorosso74 · 18/03/2019 14:56

There are a lot of clips on "You've Been Framed" of people coming a cropper on trampolines in back gardens! Disclaimer: DD keeps putting it on.

morningstress · 18/03/2019 15:06

I wouldn't tbh, too risky if they don't know what they're doing/attempt tricks etc. If they're interested in that kind of thing enrol them in gymnastics as they can do more fun stuff there. That's what my mum did to meGrin

BoneyBackJefferson · 18/03/2019 15:20

The risks of having a trampoline in the garden are well known. Mostly its just about how lucky the children are when they are playing.

But I will add another voice to

Think of your neighbours don't be one of those that shoves it down the bottom of the garden so that you don't have to deal with it.

smallchair · 18/03/2019 15:44

Trampoline has without question been the best thing I have ever bought for my children (5&7, had one since 2&4). They spend at least an hour every day on it and it really helps keep them fit and active. They are SO LOUD when they're on it though but fortunately we have no neighbours for half a mile.
No injuries (yet, touch wood) except for DH who thought he was some kind of athlete showing off / messing about and landed on his head badly resulting in pulled muscles all down the neck.

Don't entertain the notion of one without a safety net and invest in some tie downs to stop it overturning and breaking in windy weather.

bigbluebus · 18/03/2019 16:20

We used to have a friend who had been a PE teacher in his early career. He said that there was no way he would ever buy a trampoline for his children as they are too dangerous.

My garden is now surrounded on 3 sides by gardens containing trampolines (new one arrived on one side last week and the other 2 appeared last summer). As you can imagine, I'm not looking forward to the summer holidays! Previous neighbours at the back had one and their children were teenagers when they moved. The times I had to tolerate teenage girls squeeling and screaming and their dog barking constantly as they bounced (why not shut the poor thing indoors when you are on the trampoline FGS) was enough to drive anyone to distraction.

So if you want to annoy your neighbours (assuming you've got some) and risk your children ending up in plaster then go ahead and buy one!

AliMonkey · 18/03/2019 16:29

A&E doctors do generally seem to say "no way I'd have one for my kids given all the injuries I see" which put me off. I resisted for a long time but eventually we got them an oval spring-free one (with nets) as have much better safety record - but are very expensive! DC tend to have phases of using it then not but probably use it more than any other bit of active kit we've bought them so on balance am pleased we bought it.

JellyBellies · 18/03/2019 17:04

Springfree trampoline. We have one of them and they are brilliant! Best buy ever.

Original poster
Thatisme · 18/03/2019 17:08

Thank you very much for your views and advice. It will all help towards making a decision.

OP posts:
Myimaginarycathasfleas · 18/03/2019 18:19

Please don't get one, they are very intrusive for your neighbours. But if you do, bear in mind how noisy the bouncing is and use it at considerate times. Also try and encourage your DD to face your house when bouncing and not over other people's gardens.

ittakes2 · 18/03/2019 18:27

There is only one in the world I believe which is approved by some sort of child safety council - its called a spring-free - the springs are under the base and the sides are so sturdy and adult can thrown themselves at the sides and they bounce back. Its slightly less springy then a regular trampoline but built to last - so much so they don't even sell trampoline covers for them. Pricey though.

TipseyTorvey · 18/03/2019 19:30

I love ours. Our garden is stupid and useless as on a slope but DH toiled to create a flat space for the trampoline and it's brilliant for the 2 DSs on dull Weekends. We have strict rules. No dads was a quick learn!! Full sized adults bouncing on 3 yo is a stupid idea (yes DH I'm talking about you!) no shoes and no more than 3 kids a time. We chuck loads of balloons on and they spend all their energy boinging about.

bliminy · 18/03/2019 19:43

We had one for years - no injuries.

The PP who recommended gymnastics instead made me chuckle. DD broke her arm at gymnastics.

DS broke his arm skiing.

DH broke his toe (badly enough to need surgery) while walking out of a hotel door.

Safest just to sit inside and not do anything.

Brakebackcyclebot · 18/03/2019 19:55

Endless and years of fun on ours. My youngest did break his leg (hairline fracture in his shin) once but still loved it after. I take the view that they coukd fall out of a tree/off a bike etc too.