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Original poster

If you have more than one DC and a trampoline...

40 replies

ICantPretend · 04/05/2025 21:50

Do you enforce the one child at a time rule?

It's what puts me off getting a trampoline, surely this results in lots of fighting, and/or me having to stand out there constantly overseeing turns.

Or is there a better way for them to use it safely without constant squabbling?

OP posts:
ohfook · 04/05/2025 21:52

We enforced it for about seven minutes then gave up. It’s withstood five kids on it with absolutely no problems.

Original poster
ICantPretend · 04/05/2025 21:53

Interesting, I'm not too worried about weight limits but more about DC breaking limbs? I can't work out how likely this is with more than one on at a time.

OP posts:
doodleschnoodle · 04/05/2025 21:56

No, both go on it at the same time. I know it’s more of a risk for broken bones etc. but my kids are generally fairly good at being sensible and not bouncing into each other or on top of each other, so I’m comfortable with it. And they love being on it together.

ohfook · 04/05/2025 21:56

It is probably more likely to be honest but most fun things carry an element of risk. It’s more fun to bounce on a trampoline with someone than alone while someone waits their turn so that’s the risk you take - just learn to manage it. In our house I think I said no pile ons or wrestling while bouncing.

BrunchBarBandit · 04/05/2025 21:56

Mine go on it together, have done for years. It’s a 12 footer so plenty big enough. And like the OP there’s been times when there have been many more kids on it at once !

thecomedyofterrors · 04/05/2025 21:57

We have a large oval trampoline, and 4 kids under 10. Often on altogether and they make up so many games. Very early someone gets a minor bump. When friends are over, they join in. No one really gets hurt. They are sensible kids and I monitor their flips etc!

Original poster
ICantPretend · 04/05/2025 22:02

Maybe I'm being too cautious to worry about it. Thinking about it, there's a soft play which does garden stuff in the summer, and it has a trampoline outside which says maximum of 4 kids, and if that's in a soft play it must have been risk assessed and you'd think they'd get rid if they'd had any actual injuries!

OP posts:
user2848502016 · 04/05/2025 22:04

No! We had an 8ft one and 2 children. Only rule we enforced was the zip had to be closed when they were on it

Sonolanona · 04/05/2025 22:42

We had a 14 foot one for well over ten years, No surround either (they weren't a thing when we bought it) 4 kids...and friends!
In all that time we had one tooth through a lip and one cracked rib ( DS1 and his best friend)

Best thing we ever bought...they played on it, under it, they revised for their GCSEs on it! DS1 was an absolute daredevil, (caught him jumping off the shed roof onto it more than once!) so I think our injury score was pretty low considering.

Probably non pc to say so, but I think kids today are over protected and need to have fun even if there is (relative) risk!

Octavia64 · 04/05/2025 22:44

Nope.

we did buy the netting thing as we really didn’t want anyone falling off - that could be a nasty injury.

Aworldofmyown · 04/05/2025 22:46

No we didn't enforce that rule, the zip ALWAYS had to be done up. I also kept a reasonably close eye on them in case it got a bit rambunctious!

whatcanthematterbe81 · 04/05/2025 22:46

Never occurred to me

JanuarySnow · 04/05/2025 22:50

My little one did break a bone bouncing with his older sibling, as when they jumped he went flying and landed awkwardly! Not put him off and they still bounce together although more cautiously, really was just one of those things.

CalmDownCats · 04/05/2025 23:30

I basically enforced it and one of my DC still managed to break a bone. the eldest had gone to get the other one off so they were both on but not bouncing, youngest still managed to fall awkwardly and break their arm.

The trampoline wasn't used after that and I'd never have one again.

Sortofdontwantto · 04/05/2025 23:31

ohfook · 04/05/2025 21:52

We enforced it for about seven minutes then gave up. It’s withstood five kids on it with absolutely no problems.

You realise it’s not the trampoline that will be damaged - it’s the kids….

Sortofdontwantto · 04/05/2025 23:34

Trampolines are behind over half of childhood a&e admissions in the UK. It’s nuts anyone would have one

FluffletheMeow · 04/05/2025 23:39

Sortofdontwantto · 04/05/2025 23:34

Trampolines are behind over half of childhood a&e admissions in the UK. It’s nuts anyone would have one

Source? (I'm interested)

For injuries surely? Otherwise I'd think respiratory infections?

Odras · 04/05/2025 23:58

I bought one with the full intention that we would have one child on it at a time. Simply not realistic!

They are apparently lethal but thank god ours has been fine. You have to weigh up all that benefit from the movement against the risk of them hurting themselves.

Making sure the zip is closed on the net and there are no holes in it is very important

tearsforfears72 · 05/05/2025 00:28

When my 3 were younger and we bought them a trampoline, I started out with the best intentions of enforcing stringent safety rules and having only 1DC on at a time. In practice, that rapidly fell apart! But we had it for 10 years with up to 5/6 kids on it at once, and no major injuries.
The main things I’d look out for are:

  • know the trampoline’s maximum weight limit and never exceed it
  • have you or DH/DP test the trampoline before you let any kids on it
  • have a trampoline with a net and make sure the kids know they can’t start bouncing until the zipper is closed
  • always have an adult supervising/in the garden whilst younger kids are on the trampoline
  • no shoving each other/jumping on top of each other (I tried to enforce no flips as well, but the DDs have since confessed to doing flips once they got to be teenagers and we stopped having an adult supervising….)
I generally think bouncing on the trampoline together helps kids learn better spacial awareness and confidence in their physical abilities. Just try to manage the risk as best you can.
ZZTopGuitarSolo · 05/05/2025 00:43

Three kids and we had a trampoline for years.

One broke her elbow at gymnastics.

One broke his shoulder snowboarding.

We also visited the ER for injuries caused by tobogganing, closing a hand in a car door, falling down the bottom two stairs at home, and skiing.

No injuries from trampolining.

MidoriNoRingo · 05/05/2025 00:47

Our trampoline is like a wwe wrestling ring. Husband included.

Goinggold · 05/05/2025 00:52

My DC couldn't stick to the one at a time rule so we got rid of it. Not worth the risk for me.

Eenameenadeeka · 05/05/2025 01:00

Looks like it's just me, but I do stick to the one at a time rule. I've known children who've been injured though, so for me I prefer being cautious.

coxesorangepippin · 05/05/2025 02:30

Nope, both kids on at once

Great fun if you put a garden hose sprinkler in it in summer 👍

Secretsquirels · 05/05/2025 05:40

Both mine go on at once, and with various friends etc. We’ve never had an injury although I’m aware that the stats say that the risk is higher when you let them share.