Indoor trampoline for 3 y.o.?

[MAMom]

I'm looking at getting this trampoline for DS for inside in our playroom. He has a boat-load of energy (has his best days with 6 hours of exercise) and I simply can't keep up. I have an 8 months old DD also. I need something that's going to help him burn some of his energy, especially now that days are getting shorter here & colder weather is coming.

So, would you get it? Do you have one? Do your DC use it? Is it safe? DH is a little concerned about the safety of it, but I feel like if we teach him the rules of using it, he'll be fine (is it really any more dangerous than him jumping up & down on the couch...it's closer to the floor than that

TIA!

[mamabohl]

I'm getting this one for my boys, it's cheaper and has free shipping. The reviews are great, and knowing how much loder ds loves to jump on the couch : I think it will be a big hit!

http://www.etoys.com/genProduct.html...7/INstock/Y/D/

[mata]

we have one, and it's great for them getting exercise on days when they can't play outside. I also recently got this bouncer-it's great. I justify the plastic purchase by planning to pass it on to friends when we've outgrown it:

http://www.tinkertots.com/caju.html

[TripMom]

Love it

been thinking about getting it for my trio - thanks for reminding me - their bday is in December

[Tine]

My 3yo DS has that exact model at Grandma and Grandpa's (a bday gift) and a similar but older one (found at a garage sale) at home. He digs it. So do we. We live in MN, and there are many days per year that going outside just isn't an option. We also have a baby (7mo) so that's a factor, too.

Anyhoo.... I'm all for energy-burning playthings like this.

[mightymoo]

We have one that is a lot like the one you posted but we bought at target for $40 - its in the exercise aisle (not with the toys) in a green box, very hidden - I've never seen it listed on their website. Has a frog design on the trampoline part. My DD loved it. We had it when she was 2 and she never had any problems with it - the only problem I had was our cat chewed on the foam part that covered the bars, stupid cat.

Definitely a great way for a kid to work out some energy in the winter.

[Zach'smom]

I bought one from the exercise aisle too. It is actually a small round jogging/exercise trampoline for adults. It is really sturdy with a detachable bar. the springs are covered just like the child ones. It was about $20 less then the kids only one and can hold up to 200 pounds. My Dh and I can also jump on it! We love it! It is parked in our family room. I cannot tell you how many hours ds has logged jumping on that thing! We crank up the music and jump away!

[QDB]

My ds loves his and our kitten does flips on the handle too!!

Definately a good idea!

[JBaxter]

We got ours from Target 39.99 < in the exercise section> and LOVE IT>

[mamabohl]

wow, thanks for the tip of looking at Target!

[lisac77]

I bought a more expensive model for my own use way before DS was born. Now he uses it more than I do. It's fabulous for burning off excess energy and exercising the lymphatic system. My only safety rules are that he uses it in a clear area, and that he has to step (not jump) off the trampoline. We've never had any negative issues with it at all.

[ameliabedelia]

We have the one that mamabohl linked too. It is definitely safe and sturdy and well-made. I feel totally comfortable with my girls jumping on it. I really like the handles to hold onto..I don't know if I would feel comfortable with them jumping on an adult one w/o the handles. Although, truthfully it doesn't get THAT much use. It might just be my kids, who are more laid-back and happy to sit and look at books or play pretend games for hours. They jump on it at times..but it isn't THAT well used. I wish they jumped on it more, but I really think it is their personalities. They just don't have the active, constant energy type,

[AuntNi]

So, you'all feel that these types made for preschoolers are safe? I loved the idea, and brought it up to my DH, but he absolutely flipped (and not in a fun, trampoline way.) What I love about the idea of a trampoline is that DD, being highly sensitive, could really use the joint-compression exercise. Plus, she's so physically cautious that I can't imagine her doing anything risky to hurt herself on it.

I'm sure I can convince DH if I put my mind to it. I obviously just don't want to buy something for DD that will get her hurt.

Thanks!

[Tine]

Originally Posted by AuntNi

So, you'all feel that these types made for preschoolers are safe?

Yes. I mean, of course kids can get hurt on ANYTHING if they try hard enough, but in general I think the benefits of this trampoline outweigh the risks. The handle helps a lot, as does the padding. You'd want to place it in an area as free of hard/sharp/bonk-able objects as possible. And set some rules, too, like: no flying leaps off the trampoline, bouncing on feet only, one person at a time, etc.

[lisac77]

Originally Posted by AuntNi

So, you'all feel that these types made for preschoolers are safe?

Absolutely. We don't even have one with a handle. DS learned to jump and keep his balance easily when he was 2 (we would stand there and hold his hands while he jumped) and now he is an old pro.

This type of exercise is really good for kids. I used one when I was a kid, and it's been a lifesaver with DS who is very active and stuck inside a lot.

[chel]

today we had our first snow flurries of the year, ugh! it's going to be a long winter. dd's school has one in the cafeteria (put in a corner and just for a "special needs class" but everytime I take dd to a meeting in there, she likes to sneak a jump or two.
The max weight on many of the children's model is 60lb. I'm so going with the cheaper adult version.

[neptunemama]

We have an exercise type one too, it's four feet in diameter, got it at a sports store last winter for my then just four year old b/c she's always leaping off everything. She loves it, I don't think it's particularly dangerous, we just keep it in the middle of the room so she can't fly off into any sharp corners. Both my girls love it (older one is 7), but the younger one is on it constantly. Great for any day, but especially those days where we don't/can't get out of the house my non-stop kid can get some energy out. I wish we'd gotten it sooner.

[lisac77]

As a lifetime rebounder (one who uses a mini-trampoline or "rebounder" for exercise) I would encourage everyone interested in this for their kids might be interested in one for their whole family.

I recommend the ReboundAir. I used to break cheap rebounders on a regular basis (the springs would snap and the mat would start unraveling) so I was constantly buying rebounders. I eventually decided to invest in one with a warranty and that had replacement parts. I bought my standard (non-folding) ReboundAir about 5 years ago and have had no issues with it. They sell extra springs, so I just keep some on hand and if they break, I simply replace them. Easy-peasy. My total cost was around $200.

The standard model is warrantied for people up to 300 lbs, and the more expensive Ultimate Quarter Fold Rebounder can hold up to 400 lbs.

I know this post reads like ad copy, but I'm not affiliated with this company in any way, except in that I bought a fantastic rebounder from them several years ago and I'm a satisfied customer.

[kennedy444]

Originally Posted by mata

I also recently got this bouncer-it's great. I justify the plastic purchase by planning to pass it on to friends when we've outgrown it:

http://www.tinkertots.com/caju.html

This one looks like SO MUCH fun. Better than just jumping on a time platform.

[l_olive]

Originally Posted by MAMom

I'm looking at getting this trampoline for DS for inside in our playroom. He has a boat-load of energy (has his best days with 6 hours of exercise) and I simply can't keep up. I have an 8 months old DD also. I need something that's going to help him burn some of his energy, especially now that days are getting shorter here & colder weather is coming.

So, would you get it? Do you have one? Do your DC use it? Is it safe? DH is a little concerned about the safety of it, but I feel like if we teach him the rules of using it, he'll be fine (is it really any more dangerous than him jumping up & down on the couch...it's closer to the floor than that

TIA!

We have one almost exactly like that one that I got at a consignment sale last spring. It's barely bouncy at all and not really all that much fun for my 3.5 year old. The canvas that the child actually bounces on is not at all stretchy -- it's only bouncy at all because the canvas is attached to the frame with a bungy cord that is wrapped so tightly around the frame that it barely stretches, too.

My son loves, loves, loves to bounce, but he's never lasted on this more than a couple of minutes. Basically, it just takes up space.

I would really look at some of the other suggestions before buying this one

--Olive