Aug. 1, 2024—Most kids would leap at the chance to have a trampoline in their backyard. And if you're looking for a way to encourage your kids to jump, play and be physically active, you might be considering hopping on board.
Kids do benefit from daily activity, and trampolines are fun—but they're not without risks.
Look before you leap
Every year, thousands of trampoline mishaps result in injuries such as sprains, broken bones, and even serious head and neck injuries, reports the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). And 9 out of 10 of those injuries affect kids between the ages of 5 and 14.
Many injuries are caused by:
- Colliding with other jumpers.
- Falling on the trampoline or its frame.
- Falling off a trampoline onto the ground.
- Trying tricky stunts like somersaults or flips.
That's why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says kids should not play on a trampoline unless it's part of a supervised training program for gymnastics or other sports. If you do choose to have a home trampoline, set clear rules for how it will be used, and adjust your setup to reduce the risk of serious injury.
Get a jump start on safety
To help keep your kids jumping for joy—and help them avoid injury—consider this advice from the AAP, the AAOS and other experts:
- Have an adult supervise at all times.
- Only allow one person on the trampoline at a time. Most trampoline accidents occur when two or more kids are jumping.
- Never allow somersaults or other stunts.
- Choose a trampoline with protective padding and a safety net that surrounds the trampoline.
- Place the trampoline away from trees, buildings or other structures in case of a fall.
- Inspect the trampoline, padding and netting often. If any part is damaged or missing, have it repaired or replaced.
Other ways for kids to have fun
If you decide a trampoline isn't right for your family, you'll still want to encourage fun, physical activity for your kids. Riding a bike, kicking a ball and skipping rope are just a few of the many fun exercises for kids.
For more ideas to keep kids moving that are appropriate for their age, check out our infographic. You'll also see how much activity kids need every day.
Sources
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "Trampoline Injury Prevention." https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/staying-healthy/trampoline-injury-prevention.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. "Playing Outside in the Yard: 8 Tips to Keep It Fun & Safe for Kids." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Backyard-Safety.aspx.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. "Trampolines: What You Need to Know." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Trampolines-What-You-Need-to-Know.aspx.
- Consumer Product Safety Commission. "Jumping With Safety. Trampoline Safety Tips." https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Trampoline%20Safety_Eng01.pdf.