Trampolines - Worth Having?

[gscrym]

I was going to get one for DS's birthday. He's 5 in August.
Are they worth getting?
Do you find yours gets used a lot?
Are they easy to pack up?

Focus have a 10ft one with enclosure for £99.99. I'd get it for less if I took my dad as he gets an over 60's discount.

I know it's early but I get a bonus this month and thought this was the best way to use it.

We don't have one, but it your garden is big enough and flat enough (ours isn't) then I would say yes, get one. DD loves going on the trampolines at her friends and would love her own. The hcildren who have them round here seem to use them all the time, so get loads of use.

If I take the washing line down, it should be okay. Also, we have chukkies instead of grass but could prob bolt it down to something. I'll get the measuring tape out and check.

If you went into our casualty dept, you would see BIG notices up warning of the horrors of trampolines, so I would say, no, spend your money on something safer, like a swing or slide.

• Enclosures don't prevent injuries- the kids just fall within the enclosure, rather than off the trampoline.

• The child should be the ONLY one on the trampoline- no other children, no adults (you'd be amazed how many broken limbs we've had from an ADULT falling onto a child they were supposed to be "helping" to bounce)

-The child should be supervised by an adult at all times to prevent larking about/ landing on their head/ neck

• no other child/ person should be allowed UNDER the trampoline when someone is bouncing (kids apparently lie on their backs under the trampoline, and push UP with their feet as someone is bouncing down. Very sensible. We had two simultaneous injuries from that scenario).

• NO balls or other toys on the trampoline- they get under your feet.

I would say that if you have to check if your garden is big enough with a measuring tape, then your garden isn't big enough. If the trampoline is up, will he have room to kick a ball about?

We have a big enough flat enough garden and dd is not getting one. She is not allowed to play on our neighbour's trampoline unless I or dh is there.

trampoline injuries

RoSPA advice

Sorry but am PMSL at the thought of an over 60's discount on a trampoline!

oops! That was for leisure facilities
this is the one for domestic use

I got the focus one and it's great - except I bought it for £150 before it was reduced

Torkshirelass, the oldest person we've had at our hospital with a trampoline injury so far, was 69! (Broken ankle).

Yorkshirelass

I'll have another think about it. He uses one at gymnastics and loves it. I hadn't thought about the injuries related with it so I'll have a good trawl through the ROSPA sheet.

Thanks for the advice.

I'd bet there were also lots of injuries from falling off bikes or swings, jumping into swimming pools, inappropriate/unsupervised use of lots of other outdoor play equipment.

I personally think it comes down to the fact that SUPERVISION IS REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES is advice completely ignored by some parents and at times just forgotten by other responsible adults.

From what I can see they are immense fun and have the added benefit that they do tire ds out

Dd2 has been pushing for one for years.Shes 10 and the sport centre wouldn't do lessons until they were over 7 ,as the kids just werent developed enough.So ive been very cautous and aware just how dangerous these trampolines can be.This thread is interesting because we might get one this year and im dithering between yes and no.