Talk to me about trampolines.

[North_Of_60]

My daughter loves, loves, LOVES to jump and bounce. Ever since she could stand she has liked to bounce on the bed, the sofa, my knees, you name it. Our local gymboree also has a trampoline, the kind with the bar to hang onto, and she loves that as well.
Now that she can climb on and off the beds and sofas she worries me with the jumping. Mostly because now when she bounces, she lands on her butt (as you would do on a trampoline).

Her 2nd birthday is coming up in March, and I'm thinking of getting her one of the little indoor/outdoor trampolines. It's cumbersome as a permanent indoor fixture, but I'm hoping (key word: hope) that if she's allowed to bounce to till heart's content we'll avoid her falling over backward off the sofa. 8 inches off the floor, versus 2 and a half feet off the floor. And when the novelty wears off we'll put it out on the porch where her "bigger" toys are kept (it's covered and gated, and is a sort of outdoor play yard away from the dog's section in the backyard).

Does anyone have a trampoline? At what age did you get it? What kind did you get?

I saw this one and liked that it's folding. I could store it under a bed. But I have visions of her loosing her grip and her face hitting the bar.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2267485

And then I saw this one and love that it's enclosed, but it would go straight outside.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2526983

I don't think bouncing on a small trampoline with a handle, or with a net, is anymore dangerous then her bouncing on the sofa or the bed. I think they both have their pros and cons. And in 10 months of going to gymboree, I have yet to see or hear of any of the kids getting hurt from the trampoline there (almost identical to the trampoline in the first link).

My mother thinks I'm crazy to get an almost 2 year old a mini trampoline, and now has me doubting myself, like I'm living vicariously through my daughter (I ALWAYS wanted a trampoline as a kid and we were never allowed one - or to use our neighbor's - because it was dangerous). And yet, we regularly gave ourselves grass burns with the slip'n slide that she thought was just fine. :

Would/has anyone else do this?

[rambunctiouscurls]

yep. my dd is only 16 months old and she loves her cousin's outdoor, enclosed trampoline.
so we don't have one but every time we go over to the IL's which is often, she asks to go on the trampoline. it's pretty sweet.

[GuildJenn]

I wouldn't get one myself, but I had a traumatic neck injury as a teen and am very sensitive to that kind of thing. I think there is some difference between the couch and the trampoline because your daughter can probably get more "bounce" and momentum going. I'd point you to this article: http://www.ynhh.org/healthlink/pedia...rics_7_99.html

However I also think that if you supervise, chances are good she'll be ok.

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by GuildJenn

I wouldn't get one myself, but I had a traumatic neck injury as a teen and am very sensitive to that kind of thing. I think there is some difference between the couch and the trampoline because your daughter can probably get more "bounce" and momentum going. I'd point you to this article: http://www.ynhh.org/healthlink/pedia...rics_7_99.html

However I also think that if you supervise, chances are good she'll be ok.

Thanx for the link, that was an interesting read. I can't believe anyone would put a 3 month old on a trampoline. :

On average, children were seven years old. The youngest patient was just three months old.

I also wonder what kind of trampolines they were, and what safety equipment was used. I wish that kind of stuff was included in those studies, because it's pretty hard to fall off a trampoline with a net (unless it's faulty or is not secured properly).

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by GuildJenn

I'd point you to this article: http://www.ynhh.org/healthlink/pedia...rics_7_99.html

In doing a quick search, it seems that the statistics for trampoline injuries are much lower then many other common childhood activities, like biking riding and playgrounds.

For example, from the article you posted about trampolines:

According to CPSC surveys, about 83,000 people, mostly children, are injured every year on trampolines.
http://www.ynhh.org/healthlink/pedia...rics_7_99.html

And a few other interesting statistics:

In 2002, nearly 288,900 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries. Nearly half (47 percent) of children ages 14 and under hospitalized for bicycle-related injuries are diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.
http://www.usa.safekids.org/tier3_cd...t_item_id=1010

Each year in the United States, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries (Tinsworth 2001).
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/playgr.htm

In 2002, an estimated 165,200 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries. Children ages 4 and under accounted for 34 percent of these injuries.

The leading cause of toy-related death is riding toys. Among children ages 14 and under, riding toys (including unpowered scooters) are associated with more injuries than any other toy group. In 2002, more than 30 percent of toy-related child deaths involved riding toys. That year, an estimated 71,500 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for riding toy-related injuries.
http://www.usa.safekids.org/tier3_cd...t_item_id=1212

[Mama Poot]

Don't have one yet but I'm thinking about getting one. My 2 year old is using the couch as a trampoline right now, and also his bed. He needs somewhere to bounce! My 17 month old will be even worse, he really needs a trampoline, however I do worry about him jumping off of it...he's a daredevil. I say they're perfectly safe (the little ones that is) as long as you're watching them.

[Demeter9]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...se=&lang=en-US

I have one of these. It is very safe and the kids love it. I also makes the world's best and biggest play pen when doing gardening.

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by Demeter9

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...se=&lang=en-US

I have one of these. It is very safe and the kids love it. I also makes the world's best and biggest play pen when doing gardening.

Oh I LOVE that it's spring free!!

[alegna]

I am totally anti BIG trampolines outside of regulated situations. BUT, the mini trampolines for toddlers are a whole different creature.

We have one and it's been a huge hit. I've not yet seen any of the numerous kids (ages 12ish months to 6yrs) do anything dangerous on it.

It's similar to this one
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2267485

though ours doesn't fold.

-Angela

[WuWei]

I am totally pro BIG trampolines (with enclosure net). We couldn't live without it! Our sensory seeking son LOVES it. I really like the second one; but having something to use inside is a huge plus.


pat

[fiorio]

I got my almost 3 yo DS one of the little trampolines for Christmas because I was tired of him jumping on the couch and bed. He loves it! The handle is padded so even if he does hit his face it won't be too bad. I put it in the living room away from the coffee table and TV and let him go crazy.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by North_Of_60

Oh I LOVE that it's spring free!!

Ours doesn't have springs, it has elastic.

-Angela

[BellinghamCrunchie]

Originally Posted by WuWei

I am totally pro BIG trampolines (with enclosure net). We couldn't live without it! Our sensory seeking son LOVES it. I really like the second one; but having something to use inside is a huge plus.


pat

:

Our big, outdoor, springless trampoline is easily the most often used equipment/toy that we got for DD. And I like it, too! In the evenings you can lay and watch the stars - its a great place just to hang out even when you're not jumping.

[mumm]

This has been discussed here before.

I love our big tramp with no enclosure. 4.5 years we've had it, no injuries. I think the enclosure gives a false sense of security. My kids were taught to jump properly and are allowed to do flips. But we also use it to wrestle, read books and nap in the summer. My twins were on it this summer (they were less than 3 months) because it was an awesome place to lie and nurse them! But they don't jump yet!

I also have kids who are not risk takers and pretty coordinated.

[MomInFlux]

Originally Posted by Demeter9

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...se=&lang=en-US

I have one of these. It is very safe and the kids love it. I also makes the world's best and biggest play pen when doing gardening.

This completely rocks! I think I just found a spot in our forest for a trampoline, and the one that is 8 x 13 would be perfect And it would be right next to the garden

[MomInCalifornia]

We have this: http://www.bounce-round.com/61150.html

Both my kids (3 and 5) also LOVE to bounce!

We saw this small bounce house at a sporting good store last year marked down to $75 so we bought it. I can't tell you how great it has been.

When the kids want to bounce we push the couch to the side of our family room and plug it in. It inflates in about 30 seconds and they bouce for well over an hour.

We only use it inside so it doesn't get dirty, and it is a life saver on rainy days.

It folds up and stores in a duffle bag.

the kids each have a friend over this morning and the 4 kids have been bouncing all morning.

[theatermom]

Originally Posted by North_Of_60

In doing a quick search, it seems that the statistics for trampoline injuries are much lower then many other common childhood activities, like biking riding and playgrounds.

For example, from the article you posted about trampolines:



And a few other interesting statistics:

The thing this makes me think, though, is that it's FAR more common for the average child to be riding a bike or playing at the playground than it is for them to be on a trampoline -- thus, more children being injured because overall, there are more children to be injured? I need to look more closely at the links to see if they offered percentages in addition to raw numbers...

At any rate, I personally don't have a problem with trampolines, and have considered getting a small, indoor one for my 4 and 2 year old dynamos (who, like the OP's kiddo, use EVERYTHING as a trampoline anyway). My biggest concern is that they will want to use it at the same time, and I think that multiple children jumping at the same time increases the risk of a more serious injury.

[shooflymama]

I just ordered a jogging trampoline (for my 3 YO) with no springs on Amazon.com for $39.99 plus free shipping. It got pretty good reviews. I can't wait for it to arrive!

[MomInCalifornia]

Originally Posted by MomInCalifornia

We have this: http://www.bounce-round.com/61150.html

Both my kids (3 and 5) also LOVE to bounce!

We saw this small bounce house at a sporting good store last year marked down to $75 so we bought it. I can't tell you how great it has been.

When the kids want to bounce we push the couch to the side of our family room and plug it in. It inflates in about 30 seconds and they bouce for well over an hour.

We only use it inside so it doesn't get dirty, and it is a life saver on rainy days.

It folds up and stores in a duffle bag.

the kids each have a friend over this morning and the 4 kids have been bouncing all morning.

A day later and they are STILL bouncing We had it out most of yesterday and they probably jumped for almost 2 hours in the morning and then another 1-2 hours in the afternoon/evening.

Today is another poring rain day and we just turned it back on so they could play some more.

It's great because it goes up and down so quickly and easily that they can turn if off when they want a brake and then when they want to jump again they turn it on and in less than a minute it is inflated.

The main rule with it is no hard or sharp toys in it...don't want it to pop or them to fall on something hard.

They love to take blankets and pillows in and make beds, play slumber party etc.

I have no idea how much they cost when not on sale but I would have paid 3 times what we did now that I know how much we use it.

[Doodlebugsmom]

Originally Posted by Demeter9

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...se=&lang=en-US

I have one of these. It is very safe and the kids love it. I also makes the world's best and biggest play pen when doing gardening.

Oh, that is just sweet! If I had a flat spot in my yard, I'd be all over that. Our neighbors have a regular outside trampoline (enclosed), and they have always told us to use it whenever we want. So, we do. The kids love it, and are never on there unsupervised. When the neighbors go on vacation, I even go get on! Yeah, sometimes kids get hurt on trampolines. They can get hurt doing lots of things, so I don't worry about it too much.