What do I need to bear in mind when buying a trampoline?

[MrsKateColumbo]

I have 2 x DC (7 and 8) and want to get them a trampoline.

I think I want an above ground one as might need to juggle things around in our new garden as we kit it out.

Do i need a 8 or 10ft one?
Ive seen one that you put thr net up and down with each use which seems like a good idea? For both keeping thr cover on and to stop it blowing away?
I assume I also need some stakes to hold it in the ground, we have a large patio so could I keep it there?

Which brands are sturdiest?

Tvm!

Get the biggest one, I didn’t know about the net going up and down ours is ancient but sounds good. Yes really important it can’t move.

We leave the netting up, unless it’s going to be really windy. Never put the cover on as dd uses it all year round.

She has a jump king. It came with stakes and anchor straps.

Yes. Go for biggest you can afford or will fit

Bear in mind your neighbours will probably hate it.

No I wouldn’t put the net up and down with use, at 7&8 they surely won’t be watched like a young child and asking permission to go on it? They will just be in the garden and want to go on the trampoline, safer to have the net permanently on.

I think 8ft would also be too small for this age.

Neighbours

Why?
It’s one of the quietest things children can do in their own garden, even kicking a ball around makes more noise than a trampoline.
If someone is miserable about a child jumping on a trampoline they would be miserable over anything and not worth pandering to.

Grandad gave our kids their trampoline and never thought about netting. We didn't bother getting any and the kids learned to jump safely. One of their friends who was used to netting did come right off once though (and was fortunately okay).

My nieces and nephews all use the same trampoline (many springs replaced now). Generally one of their parents hovers around when they do, which I don't think I ever did.

It can be a pain to move around for lawn care, especially when the "technician" refuses to help move it because of health and safety.

It's never blown out of the garden nor is it weighted down but we are in a valley..

Er, one of the children who used to live next door would do that very high pitched screaming whenever she was on the wretched thing. It honestly made me feel murderous.

Yes, I know, that’s the fault of the parent who allows it. My Gdcs have a trampoline and would NOT be allowed to scream like that.

Leave the netting up 24/7 and get the biggest one you can afford.

Not sure how much you need to consider really, we just bought one and put it up! Moved its position on the grass every time the lawn was mowed, because it had weird little patches that sprung up underneath it each time. Was one of the best things we bought for our garden, I think we had a 14ft one - was huge and they had so much fun on it with cousins and friends for a few years.

Oh god, I just watched the beginning of the very first episode on C4. It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen! I don’t know what was going on but how it ever became popular after that I don’t know.

They are a bitch to set up. Get help!
I did my son’s alone… stubborn cow that I am. Your arms will hurt doing the springs.
We have an anchor kit.
Get one with the net built in then buy a cover on top to stop stray leaves and bird poop. My neighbours are always getting a squeegee on theirs to clean it.
We have a 6 foot one- small garden but it’s loads of fun.

We have netting up always, kids are forever on and off it so it needs to be safe at all times. It’s one of our best purchases. It’s used loads, even for other stuff like small world play, sitting on it to chat, etc. I think ours is a TP one, and it has a kind of funnel entry thing that means no one can accidentally bounce outside of the net.

We are in north of Scotland and it has survived some
very extreme weather, gale force winds, all sorts.

position so child isnt seeing into any neighboring houses or patios when their head pops above the fence. Establish rules from outset re no bouncing before 9am or after 9pm etc.

Can you get them some trampoline lessons? My local leisure centre does them. Good to learn how to bounce safely and how to fall if a move goes wrong.

Echoing everyone else. Largest possible. My DC still used it as teenagers, sometimes just for lounging around with friends. (and once for a sleepover!)

Can't even imagine putting net up and down each time, sometimes they used to run out, bounce three times and come in again. They also used it all year round.

Not sure what you mean by store on the patio though, are you expecting to be putting it up and down a lot?

Keep it near your house and not your neighbours. Make sure they don’t scream and shout when using it. Set time limits. Make sure they can’t see into neighbours houses.
Make sure any squeaking issues are solved straight away.

The jumping on the trampoline might be quiet but if you have screaming feral children and parents who don’t actually parent their children in the garden yes I’m looking at you neighbours then they’re an absolute pain in the arse.
My children had a trampoline when they were young and I’d have never let them scream and screech like the kids next door are allowed to.
So my advice would be to consider your neighbours. Oh and if it’s up to their fence, make sure the children can’t look over into your garden.

The screaming and shrieking is a parenting issue not the trampoline itself.

I do not allow DD to squeal and shriek in the garden. A neighbour a few doors down allows hers to scream/ shriek and shout all day long. A good friend of DD squeals and shrieks in the garden - her mum sends them outside to squeal and shriek. I only allow that friend around to play rarely as it goes through me and even when told to stop it creeps in when she's playing.

Eldest DD didn't really squeal or shriek as a baby and doesn't like it. Youngest DD however is going to be a shrieker if it's not nipped in the bud as she does it consistently every day since she learnt to do it at 7 months old (currently 11 months old) so it's going to be fun parenting that out of her in the toddler years.

I wouldn't and didn't allow DSs on them anywhere else.

Lessons or no, I've seen some nasty accidents.

I would get a 10ft one if it's for two children. Then they'll have space to play together. 8ft isn't very big.

I agree with the net. You want something they can play on independently. Ours is up all the time.

My DH anchored our trampoline into the concrete underneath and it has so far stayed put!

So have I in my work as a nurse. But you can't live your life by 'what ifs'.

You make these things as safe as possible for your children.

My children have had hours of fun on the trampoline!

I don't disagree with you @supercalifragilistic123 .

But it wasn't a risk I was prepared to take when they were young.