The Best Kids Trampoline

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If you are looking for a way to hit two birds with one stone, then you need to consider a kid’s trampoline. It’s a great way to entertain your little ones while providing them with the opportunity to exercise. It might not seem like it, but there is a difference between a kid’s trampoline and a regular one. A kid’s trampoline is smaller, has more safety features and versatility options than a standard trampoline.

Top Pick
Skywalker Kids Trampoline

The Skywalker Trampoline makes the ideal gift for a junior family member. While your child is jumping, there is a series of space sounds run by 3 AA batteries that sync in with their jumps.

A Word on Safety

We feel obligated to warn you that trampolines can cause injuries. Someone should always supervise a young child while jumping and act as a spotter in case the child falls. Some trampolines come with added safety features, such as padded handlebars for your children to hold on to. The manufacturers recommend you use these features for added protection and injury prevention.

Safety Tips for Trampolines

A trampoline could have a thousand protective measures, but it still requires specific actions to be taken. Accidents are always a possibility when owning a trampoline. However, taking these extra measures keeps injuries to a minimum. When using a trampoline, make sure you’re keeping these safety tips in mind!     

  • If a child is under 5, please ensure the manufacturers created the trampoline for toddlers. Toddler trampolines have more safety features in place to prevent your angel from falling.  
  • Adult supervision is an absolute must for kids. Having adult spotters and supervision can help prevent any injuries or reduce the severity of the injuries.   
  • Whatever a kid’s trampoline may say, do not allow more than one child to jump at a time. Regardless of a trampoline’s ability to hold the weight, children are pretty energetic and excitable, leading to accidents.  
  • Kids are enthusiastic and have very low-risk analyses. While they might not see the issues with stunts and gymnastic exercises, you as a parent or guardian do. Don’t let your child perform these stunts for their safety and your peace of mind.   
  • If you’re scared that your child will attempt to get on the trampoline when there is no adult supervision, make sure not to leave a chair or ladder near the trampoline. Children are smart enough to use what they see around them to get to where they want to be!   
  • Wet trampolines are a huge safety hazard.    
  • If you are placing your trampoline outdoors, make sure it is in a fenced area. You might become liable for any injuries that occur if there is easy access for outsiders.  

Features to Keep in Mind When Considering a Trampoline for Your Child

Kids and toddlers are at significantly different stages of development. So requirements for a kids trampoline and a toddler’s trampoline will vary as well. Here are our criteria for selecting toddlers and kids trampoline that is the most suitable for your child.

Toddlers Trampoline (1 to 5 Years)

  • Enclosed Trampolines   

Almost all the trampolines on the list come with a safety net. But because toddlers are still wobbly on their feet, the netting ensures that your kid can have fun without bouncing so high that they fall off the trampoline. When connected properly, there’s very little chance of it coming loose. The net allows you to monitor your tiny kiddos while having safe fun.

  • Multifunctional Potential

Our definition of a multifunctional toy is that it has multiple uses. The multifunctional kids trampolines on this list come with added accessories, such as a swing, ball pit, a small basketball hoop, and plastic balls. It provides the child with more ways to have stimulating fun and more ways to save money.

Kids Trampoline (6 to 12 Years)

  • Removable and Adjustable Handlebars

As our energetic children grow, they develop an interest in trying new and riskier things. Therefore, we believe trampolines should come with removable and adjustable handlebars. The removable aspect is important because your children are constantly developing their skills and growing. They will reach a point where they no longer need the extra support. But it is an important feature for a developing child who is new to jumping on a trampoline.

The adjustable aspect is helpful for those pesky growth spurts. You don’t want to replace your trampoline as you do with your child’s clothes. Trampolines are not as easy to replace, so purchasing one that will last for a few years is the ideal way to go. The best way to ensure this is to find a kids trampoline with an adjustable handlebar that can grow with your child.

Benefits of Trampolines for Your Kids

Believe it or not, mini trampolines are more than just a way for a kid to hop and jump! From digital cleanse to physical fitness, they can do a lot for your kiddos’ development.     

Our list will pinpoint some of the amazing ways in which your kids can benefit from regular trampolining.    

Leisurely Stress-Relief Activity

After they have finished their homework, are your kids spending a lot of time in front of screens playing games or watching TV? This does not help their brain and body truly destress. So what’s the solution?   

Jumping on a trampoline is the perfect solution. It requires little concentration as your kids move around, which helps reduce their stress levels as they find something else to focus on other than studies. Physical exercise helps the body to release the feel-good hormones, endorphins, that boost your mood. And they’ll get a good night’s sleep.

Trampolining is a no-brainer. It is a simple bounce exercise that requires no training, rules, or time restrictions. So the simplicity of this activity is why kids can enjoy it. 

Improves Motor Skills 

Jumping on a trampoline develops and improves your child’s gross motor skills because there is a constant change in the center of gravity. 

In the beginning, they will struggle to maintain their balance the first few jumps, but don’t worry. They’ll get the hang of it. During this process, they learn to control the movements of multiple muscles simultaneously and constantly. This balance, agility, and rhythm between mind and body assist in developing new motor skills.

Gives Kids Toned Muscles And A Better Posture

There is a list of physical benefits of jumping on a trampoline. It works with almost every muscle in your body, encouraging good musculature and core strength. When working your muscles, your need for oxygen increases, leading to a sped-up heart rate and breathing, promoting good heart and lung function.

To remain balanced in the air, the muscles around your spine and joints are put to work, which results in them being strengthened and improving your posture. Staying balanced requires developing your motor skills, which encourages the development of the child’s nervous system. Your brain is a part of your nervous system, and with its promoted development, your concentration and learning capabilities will improve. Jumping a trampoline increases your appetite, which supports your gastrointestinal digestion.

If you place your kid’s trampoline outdoors, the exposure to sunlight increases the Vitamin D levels needed for good bone structure and immune system! In the future, this will prevent health issues like osteoporosis and keep your kiddos healthy.

Early Development Of Sensory System 

Trampolines provide a focused exercise that targets your brain. It gives repeated stimulation of the vestibular system. This system gets activated through the fast movements of jumping on a trampoline.

The vestibular system coordinates all the information coming from the peripheral nervous system and controls our movements accordingly. The vestibular system governs your kids’ auditory and visual functions. So trampolining can aid the development of vision, hearing, auditory-motor, and visual-motor skills.    

Higher Degree Of Learning Abilities  

We know how important academics are in a kid’s life. Several areas of development are being worked on while jumping on a trampoline that plays a pivotal role in improving your child’s academic success. For example, developing motor skills in your child results in better academic results due to increased concentration spans.

The neural networks used during motor skill development are the same neural networks used by the brain. In simple words, when you exercise your body, you are exercising your mind as well, specifically for learning and memory!

Buyers Guide for a Kids Trampoline

Before you get into the specifics, you need to understand all the features to look for; this might be confusing because of the sheer volume of trampolines available in the market. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of important considerations that will guide your trampoline buying decision. 

01

Foldable Trampoline

If you have a small living space, consider a trampoline that can fold or collapse. An indoor collapsable trampoline for your kids is perfect for the apartment lifestyle. You can provide your child with the jumping experience and not compromise your living space. When you need more space, just fold up your trampoline and store it away. As easy as that.

02

Size  

Consider the space you have available before purchasing a trampoline to understand the maximum size you can go for. Most toddlers and kids’ trampolines will have a diameter anywhere between 55 and 157 inches. Keep in mind the size of the trampoline determines the age and weight restrictions. A guiding factor when looking at size should be whether the trampoline is for a toddler or child.  

03

Spring Quality  

The quality of the springs, steel or elastic, determines the amount of bounce you will get out of the trampoline. The quality of the spring is crucial because poor quality can lead to accidents. Although the manufacturers make sure that the shock absorbers and safety precautions are in place, most toddler trampolines don’t have much bounce to prevent any grievous injury from taking place.   

We find that the higher the spring count and size, the better the quality of the trampoline. The same rule applies to the thickness of the mat. To understand if the spring count is good, use the general spring-to-diameter ratio of 72 springs for a 157-inch trampoline.  

04

Protective Pads  

Spring or springless, it is crucial to know that the frame and springs of the trampoline are well-covered and protected, affecting both the safety of the child and the trampoline. You want a cover over the trampoline structure and springs to prevent the child from falling on them or getting stuck in them. The level of protection for the child and trampoline depends on the quality and thickness of the pads.   

If you are considering a non-padded cover for good protection, look for one that is approximately 0.8 inches thick. If you are looking for ultimate protection, look for padded covers that are 1.2 inches thick.    

04

Ease Of Assembly  

The best trampoline is one that you can assemble in minutes and is just as easy to disassemble or is collapsible for storage. Although even with the easiest assembly methods, sometimes guidance is still needed. Always make sure that the trampoline comes with the manufacturer’s set of instructions. A tip will be to check if the trampoline comes with an anchor kit. An anchor kit helps in stabilizing the equipment as you put the trampoline together.     

05

Aesthetics  

Our children can be very concerned with the color or pattern of the trampoline. Try to go for a trampoline in their favorite color or with cheerful colored cover paddings around the jumping mat. Your kiddo will jump with glee, and you get a kids trampoline that goes well with your house, or at least the children’s bedroom.     

06

Accessories   

You should consider a trampoline equipped with various accessories that make life easier for you, such as an anchor kit, replacement kit, and mesh storage net for shoes. The most important addition to look for is a protective cover or bag, which will help with the storage and protection of the mini trampoline from dust and weather.    

Types of Trampolines

Finding the right trampoline for your child means considering a few factors, such as size, shame, indoor or outdoor, the kind of springs used, and so forth. 

Let’s look at some of the most common types and shapes of mini-trampolines.

Indoor vs Outdoor Trampolines 

The crucial difference between indoor and outdoor trampolines is that outdoor trampolines are made to last in the sun. Unlike indoor trampolines, they are made with UV-protected fabrics throughout their design to withstand the damaging sun rays. Although, the kids’ trampoline is small enough to fit anywhere. So parents can use an outdoor trampoline inside. However, manufacturers do not recommend using an indoor trampoline outdoors. 

Spring-Based vs Springless Trampolines   

The spring-based trampolines are the traditional kids’ trampoline that you will see most often. These are the trampolines that have a stainless steel spring connecting the jumping mat to the trampoline frame. A padded or non-padded protection cover usually covers the springs. Spring-based trampolines are more for children who have had trampolining experience.

Because of the high bounce of the springs, it is natural for parents to worry about their kids getting too hyperactive on trampolines. The market is now coming up with a safer alternative for that with springless trampolines.      

Instead of using springs, manufacturers use alternative materials to create the same level of bounce. They made most springless trampolines with some type of stretch band, like a bungee elastic band. Your kid can enjoy trampolining to the fullest without the danger of springing up too high and injuring themselves. Parents tend to use springless trampolines for younger kids and toddlers.

Shape of Trampoline

Round Trampoline

This is the most common shape used in the design of a toddler or kid’s trampoline. The circular spring design directs the children to stay in the center of the mat, lowering the risk of them falling off the trampoline and getting injured.

Rectangular Trampoline 

The rectangular design is easy for maneuvering. Rectangular trampolines also come with what manufacturers call the “sweet spot.” Older kids use this kind of trampoline because it allows kids to perform tricks safely because of the sweet spot and trampoline shape.

Square Trampoline   

Square trampolines provide the best of both round and rectangular trampolines. They replicate the extra safe jump of a round trampoline with the bounce quality and trick ability of a rectangular one. Now that’s what we call an all-rounder.     

Oval Trampoline

The oval trampoline has the benefits of both the rectangular and circular trampoline. Unlike the round trampoline, the oval trampoline provides a larger jumping area with more bounce around the entire jumping surface.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where do I place a kid’s trampoline?

To avoid accidents, ensure there is a lot of space around and above your kid’s trampoline. You should set it up on a leveled ground to ensure no unneeded strain is placed on the trampoline’s frame; this will ensure its lifespan and your child’s safety because it will be less likely to fall over.

How long do mini trampolines for kids and toddlers last?

The life cycle of a kid’s trampoline varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, you don’t need to worry about replacing it soon because most reputable trampoline brands design them to last anywhere from 3 to 8 years. 

How long should your kids bounce on the trampoline?  

You can let your kids jump for 10-30 minutes every day. We suggest letting kids bounce for 10 minutes. Even in just 10 minutes, the low-impact exercise for your kids can increase their heart rate to the optimal level for maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. Make sure the kids are not pushing themselves too hard. Long bouncing periods with no breaks can put stress on their muscles and joints. 

Can trampolines be dangerous?

It can be dangerous in terms of causing injuries. But there are ways to minimize and prevent the risk. If you are concerned about the larger trampolines, consider mini-trampolines. Mini trampolines have less bounce than the larger trampolines, meaning there isn’t enough bounce and space for your child to attempt tricks. And the rounded edges mean they are less likely to fall and hit sharp edges.  

Endnotes

With trampolines for your kids, you can’t buy anything, but what you feel is the best for your child and their safety. And now that you have all the tips and tricks, you can make an informed and confident decision about which trampoline to buy. Remember to pay close attention to your kids’ needs and skill level before deciding which trampoline to purchase.

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