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!

Thanks all!
I wont bother with the up and down net then and get the 10ft one.

Neighbours have a trampoline too (very old as DC is about 20!), my DC aren't allowed to scream outdoors (or indoors) so all good there.

Ive seen the funnel ones so might get one of those.

Thanks!

So we agree, the issue is not the trampoline.

Largely I agree. Mind you, the squeaky springs are enough to drive you to despair! 😁

Personally I wouldn't place on a patio as more likely to get injured if they fall off. Mind you I broke my leg on rock-hard grass back in the day so not immune even on the lawn. If you move it each time you mow the lawn it will not destroy the lawn. I do not know if it is just coincidence it when we replaced ours with a relatively cheap model it squeaked dreadfully which the neighbours must have hated even though I did impose stricter usage times. Our first one was no problem in this respect. Overall though it was the best children's outdoor equipment we had - got far more use & over a longer period than a climbing frame.

One thing I noticed when looking to buy a new one for Gdcs, some don’t automatically come with a little ladder/steps.

Yeah my best friend is a radiographer and she refused to buy a trampoline for her kids and the stories she told me over the years were enough to put me off getting one for DS!

We have one that you can easily take the net down but just undoing four screws but never have and had it over a year now. We have a 10ft one with only one child but will quite easily fit 3 when friends come over.

We have secured it to our garage wall (brackets screwed onto the wall then two straps around the legs) to avoid it being blown away over the winter.

My dd broke her ankle at a jumprush. I still got her one 🤷
She also broke her other ankle mountain biking. My ds broke his wrist mountain biking too. They still ride bikes.

And that's obviously your choice 🙄.

I prefer my children to avoid traumatic brain and spinal injuries. I do everything I can to reduce that risk.

I don't think your anecdata is the slam dunk you think it is here.

It’s risk vs benefit vs likelihood. Everything is inherently risky.

Make sure it's securely anchored, you are liable for any damage it causes if it takes off in the wind.

Strap them down properly using anchors. They can easily fly in the wind.
Hard work getting strings on ...get a tool to do this not fingers
Expect kids to bang into each other amd cry
Expect bird shit on it you'll have tk clean off
Theyre a total eyesore and much bigger than you realise
Probably wont be used in the cold wet weather
Getting rid of them is a pain in the bum

I'm not quite sure went you posted that comment. It's patently obvious 🙄

But I'm not here to convince anyone to share my view.

I'm commenting that for my family, the benefit of a fun afternoon is not worth a lifetime of brain damage and spinal injury.

Perceptions of risk are coloured by experience.

Each to their own.

You need to know the way to your nearest A and E. Two broken arms on our family as a result.

https://www.springfreetrampoline.co.uk/trampoline-faqs

If you're a bazillionaire, supposedly 'Springfree' are the safest option. You still need to impose rules like 'no more than one bouncer at a time' etc to minimise risks.

You only need to bear in mind that if you have neighbours, they will hate you.

I teach outdoor adventure in a school to young children. I have lots of experience in risk and management thank you.

I completely understand the risks. I am also aware that trampolining is a very popular kids activity. Therefore there is likely to be a higher percentage of injuries. I’m not here to convince you of my view… i am wondering why you bothered to post at all though, if you were going to become offended if someone replied to you… surely you expected a response?

Don't place it under trees if you can help it. We initially put ours under a large pine tree, and it needed brushing down for needles every single time it was used.

Maybe ask your neighbours if they want to flog you theirs, if the 20 year-old has outgrown it?

Where did I say I was offended?

You may do outdoor activities but I don't think you see the tragic outcomes that may and do recur. Our experiences are not comparable.

And that's okay. Different risk perception.

Anyway, this is bonkers and derailing the OP's thread.

Why, they aren't going to hurt anyone?

I don't know if there is any choice in height of net but by age 9 my DD was jumping higher than the net on our Plum brand trampoline. The DC also couldn't manage to take turns so would be on there at the same time, so I took it down and put them in gymnastics classes instead.

Stock up on Tena Lady if you plan to have a go yourself.

Check the times and scope of your local Minor Injuries unit.

It was the best toy our kids ever had.

(Way back 20+ years ago when side netting wasn't a thing and the bigger the better because you could get more people on at the same time).

How did you stop them in other people's houses?

I wondered that too. Whenever we have play dates or a party at home, inevitably the kids end up on the trampoline!