Thinking of buying a trampoline

[Napmum]

My son turns 5 soon and has commented that he'd like a trampoline. We've got a biggish garden but it's slopped so we'll probably have to put it near the house which is less sloppy which isn't ideal.

Also, I've heard of trampolines flying off during storms. Could we get one that can be taken down? From experience, do kids use these enough to make them worth buying?

You definitely do need to anchor it, I've seen several trampolines that have blown into other people gardens during some of the really windy storm in the last couple of years, we even had one in our city blow onto the train tracks which caused havoc with the train timetables.

They are great until something goes wrong. As someone who has had spinal surgery, the only thing my surgeon banned me from doing for life was go on a trampoline. And I loved trampolining when my spine was strong. But very little in life is without risk.

There was a ground one in the lvosl park with no safety nets because falling over on that is like tripping over. If they are not at ground level, I think they do have to have sides under health and safety

Thanks, everyone. Looks like we'll get one, but after a bit more research. I'm thinking a sunken one might be easier as we'll I need to level the ground anyway. But it depends on expense.

I'll definitely be looking out for a quality one and enforcing some basic safety rules.

I really wouldn't bother. They're a passing fad for a lot of children, and a nightmare when you have other kids around and end up having to 'police' them with little kids getting hurt.

Two friends' children both have broken arms as a result of trampolines - one never healed correctly and as a result she can no longer play her favourite sport 🙁

My BIL, who is a pediatrician, hates them with a vengeance and constantly quotes the statistic that HALF of the admissions to A&E in children under 14 are related to trampolines. In the US they actively discourage getting them for home use.

And that's before you even consider the noise and the strain they cause on neighbourly relations! There is something about trampolines which makes small children scream like banshees...😩

I can't speak from personal experience as my kids are still too small for a trampoline, but I got a cousin with three sons aged 7-11 and they all love it. Just get one with safety enclosures, take no chances there.

Yep, my DD absolutely loves it. Used every day. Has a safety net. Never blown away or even moved in a storm, although we have a sheltered garden.
If you policed every activity where a child might get injured they'd never do anything.

Agree - better to just seriously consider the ones that cause over half of all admissions to A&E in children...

And by the way, OP, having safety nets isn't the main solution to the problem - most of the accidents are caused by collision with other bouncers and the metal frame!

We've had a trampoline, with side nets, for about 8 years. Our 4 year old uses it (big age gap as was bought for older sibling) and is supervised, and we've never had any injuries or the trampoline blowing away.

Our only issue was a neighbour's 6 year old trying to bring their cat on it but again, adult supervision picked up on that and it's never appened again. Our DC love theirs, through into a now-teenager.

Yes

Definitely anchor it in some way.

Next doors' blew with the wind, smashed down 3 6ft fence panels and cracked the kitchen window of the house next door (ie the other side to me)

@Napmum I paid a man £150 to dig the hole for mine, then the tramp was £600 on top of that. They are expensive but seriously so much easier than an above ground one, safer imo, and less to replace because no net needed. I will have to replace the padded spring cover this year, after 6 years. It's much cheaper than going to a trampoline park, and is the only play equipment in the garden that my generally inside dwelling 15yo still uses.

My neighbour is a radiographer and says the most common injuries she sees in children are from trampolines.

Had various sizes over 25 plus years, last 15 on the very windy NW coast. Never had any issues. All very well used.

We have a 12ft one, kids used it loads. It's anchored down and I would drop the safety net if gale force winds were forecast. Only looking to get rid of it now as they are both teenagers.

I bought a 10ft one from Smyths right at the start of lockdown. It was brilliant. He's had loads of fun on it, our neighbours children have enjoyed it. I just got rid of it a few weeks ago to a family who finally had a garden and have much younger kids. Son had outgrown it. It weathered very well, didn't blow away. I just made sure it was over a thick layer of woodchip at the back of the garden so I didn't ruin the grass. Well worth it in my view!

We got one in lockdown, the kids were on it non stop. They're not quite so interested now They're older, but we've had 3 years of use. It did blow off down the garden a couple of times in very high winds, so we've now got a few bags of aggregate draped over the metal bits between the legs. It hasn't budged since we did that.

We've had a trampoline for around 7 years - DD is 11 and still uses it. DH takes it apart and stores it winter as it gets used less, so no risk of it blowing away in winter weather. Have a look on Facebook marketplace and other local selling sites - there always seem to be trampolines for sale.

I'm more worried about the broken ankles, necks, spines and bumped heads- mostly from jumping and landing wrong.

These risks cant be fixed by having a spring free or grounded trampoline.

Nets are still recommended for sunken trampolines, the only difference between falling off a raised trampoline and a sunken one is about 3 feet.

Assuming the sunken trampoline is installed correctly (with enough air flow for a decent bounce), with a good bounce kids are jumping high on trampolines, could be up to 6ft. There is little difference falling from a height of 6 foot and 9 foot onto hard ground. You won't be in control in both cases and in both cases can fall poorly and have a significant injury.

We have an in ground one. DH had to put a drainage pipe and dig out a huge hole for it but it's sturdy, safe and a child is on the ground level so if they fall it's not from a height. I wouldn't have an above ground one as I know someone's whose grandchild died falling from a trampoline and dc2 best friend broke her leg falling of hers.

Used constantly by all 3 kids including the eldest (12) still. Has a big safety net and touch wood no accidents in 10 years of owning one.

best money ever.