Tablet or Trampoline for 7 year old??

[Ci19]

My LO is turning 7 and trying to decide between a tablet or a trampoline!! She has one already, its one of our old ones about 10 years old and shares with her 3 year old sister. I want to get a trampoline for rhem but OH says it's too dangerous for our 3 year old and we would be on edge or constantly watching them. Giving her the tablet would mean one each for when we are travelling but I'm worried she would then use it a lot more than at present. Looking for advice really on whether trampoline is too much for 3 year old or advice on types of trampoline good for them!!

Why would a trampoline be too dangerous for a 3 year old? Lots of small children use them. As long as it’s got a safety net and you teach them it has to always be zipped up, they will be fine.

trampoline definitely. Maybe tablet for Christmas.

I am extra cautious after my child broke their leg (not on a trampoline but since heard how common it is to on them and bouncy castles etc.) Personally I wouldn’t choose either though…I would avoid a tablet but that’s just my preference and get something else entirely… not sure what though!

Neither.

By all means get a second tablet for travel if that makes sense for you but I would never give it as a present. Then it becomes ‘theirs’ and you become the bad guy taking away their birthday present when you enforce perfectly reasonable boundaries around it. Far better that you ‘own’ it and decide when they should have it.

Unfortunately your DH is right about the youngest and the trampoline- under 6s shouldn’t use them because their bones aren’t fully developed and they’re at even greater risk of injury.

Neither

Trampoline. My kids used these from aged 2.

Trampoline every time! Small children shouldn't have tablets.

Kids don't need screens.

Get as big a trampoline as you can fit in the garden if you're worried about them colliding. The three year old will have a great time as well.

Neither.

Trampolines are too often the cause of broken bones, and a tablet is not good for a 7yo.

Trampoline for over 6yo only - definitely not 3yo. Tablet at 7? Absolutely no way!

We were warned off trampolines by HCP, but they've then all gone on to get them. It's all a bit weird.

Trampoline with net,they are amazing

Trampoline. My DDs used ours loads. Get a net around it and it’s not dangerous for a 3 year old

Don't give your kid a tablet that's theirs.
7 is far too young.
We got ourselves one that was ours and the kids could occasionally use it for school games or something.

Please don't them that they need a screen of their own - you'll likely end up getting frustrated when they don't understand why they can't go on it all the time if it's "theirs".

Neither. Why not wait until both kids are 6+ to get a trampoline.
I don't think kids need a tablet that is theirs. A family tablet that can be used on long journeys or occasionally for times tables apps if school set homework that way as well as for mum to read mumsnet or dad to check the weather is fine.

So many alternatives for 7 year olds. What about a bike or a go-kart if you want something active?

Definitely not a tablet! Let them have a childhood. Our trampoline gets used most days.

Trampoline

Trampoline with net. Can use them from walking - trampoline parks even do toddler sessions, totally fine. Just make sure your kids take turns and don't jump together as your 3 year old could be really hurt if your 7 year old landed on her. Seriously, I have been to a club run by trained trampoline coaches and they were running sessions for 2-3 year olds.

Absolutely do not buy a tablet for a 7 year old. 😳 Only time we ever used a tablet has been for travel (flights, long train rides) and you just dig out one of your old devices to download some things onto for the journey.

If you have the space, a trampoline definitely. We got one during COVID when my eldest was 7 (youngest was 2) and she is 13 now and she and her friends still use it several times a week. Ugly as shit though. 😂 Thankfully, we have a lot of outdoor space and have been able to hide it in a way that we don’t really have to look at it.

Also trampolines, when done right and supervised, are no less safe than all the other stuff kids do, like riding bikes or horses or going swimming or climbing trees. My dd actually does trampolining competitively (and we also have a trampoline at home). She competes nationally now. They do sessions from 4 years and they don’t have nets on the proper ones. They are simply supervised and taught to be sensible. My dd has broken her arm and it wasn’t on the trampoline. It was trying to show her friend how she could do a backflip in the friend’s garden. She probably wouldn’t have broken it if she’d been on the trampoline when she did it! 😂

This was exactly my fear and you worded it perfectly! Defo not getting the tablet, thanks!

Thanks all, definitely not getting the tablet (so many of our friends kids all have their "own tablets" so I thought it was more normal) but was always reluctant so this has made up my mind!! Might do a small trampoline though, would definitely get used daily!!

I think both of these are not great gifts.
Tablet for obvious reasons
Trampoline due to bone breakage.

I'd go back to the drawing board tbh.

U6 shouldn't be on trampolines? How it different to them jumping around, skipping ropes, jumping from climbing frames, walls etc?

How about a scooter or new bike?

Trampolines are very high risk for breakages as they encourage sustained and uncontrolled bouncing. Absolutely nothing like skipping or jumping from the ground, obviously that's entirely naturally propelled, involves lower bounces and is not sustained for long periods due to it being much more tiring.
Most kids are naturally cautious jumping from height, but even where they do it doesn't involve the extra bounce/height given by the trampoline or the sustained repetition.

They are really not advised, especially for the young.