Fractures, wounds, traumatic brain injury , damage to the spine … In the United States, the mother of little Colton wanted to make known the sad misfortune of his son to alert as many parents about the risks associated with the use of trampolines . At age 3, his son is plastered for 6 weeks after a fractured femur following a bad fall in a covered playground. And little Colton is far from alone: in pediatric emergency departments, trampoline accidents have become commonplace. In France, they would have even multiplied by 18 in the space of ten years. Some rules to observe to limit the risks:
Rule n ° 1: no trampoline before 6 years
Some parks allow younger children to use their trampolines. However, whether it’s a guarded playground or a garden trampoline, there is no question for children to play there before the age of 6 years. This is an official recommendation of American pediatricians and orthopedic surgeons. Before this age, the bones of children are too fragile to support such jumps, and their muscles do not allow them to ensure sufficient cladding to get well.
Rule # 2: Never use it more than once
To avoid sudden collisions and bad falls, which represent the majority of accidents, it is better to play them alone on a trampoline. In inflatable play areas, they are not allowed to play when larger children (and therefore heavier) play in the structure, at the risk of unbalancing them.
Rule # 3: nothing replaces vigilance
Even in monitored parks, accidents can happen. Promote trampolines with elastic harnesses that cushion At home, never leave your children playing unattended. While keeping an eye on them, brief them on the safety instructions.
Rule # 4: Trampoline at Home = Attention!
If you have chosen to buy a trampoline for your garden, choose a model that meets European standards (EC), has protections (cushioned foam, safety net, etc.) and corresponds to the weight and the template of your child. Install it on flat, stable ground and away from anything that could pose a risk in case of a fall (trees, barbecue …). Finally, take care of its regular maintenance.
Trampoline games and other fun ideas
Trampoline games
Before setting up any of these trampoline games, it would be a good idea to let the kids do some jumps freely to warm up and prepare the small muscles before the trampoline games.
War of the buttocks: a great classic of trampoline games! The players stand on the trampoline, then someone says “One, two, three, four, I declare a war of the buttocks”. Players must then jump on their buttocks, a jump on their feet, a jump on their buttocks, a jump on their feet, a jump on their buttocks, etc. Whoever is wrong in this order is eliminated and leaves the trampoline. The last player to stand on the trampoline is the king of the buttocks!
The target: draw a target on the trampoline with chalk. To do this, you draw a circle in the center and write 50 points, then draw a large circle around and write 20 points, then another until you have a target drawn on your trampoline that looks like a dart board. Place a wet sponge on the trampoline. Children should bounce the wet sponge on the trampoline 10 times each. Children should score their score (where the sponge falls) at each jump and add their score to each rebound. The bigger score chooses the next game.
Popcorn: another great classic game with the trampoline. A person is in the middle of the trampoline, holding his knees to his chest. Another person jumps up and tries to make it “popcorn”: by blowing it up and trying to make him open his arms.
Ball in the center: place a light ball (beach ball or balloon) in the center of the jump area and jump everywhere trying to keep the ball as close to the center as possible.
Poison balls: put a few balls on the trampoline. In this trampoline game, the children claim that the balls are poison and jump while trying to avoid the balls, which will of course roll in an unpredictable way. If someone is hit by a ball, he gets out of the trampoline. To add to the sensory experience, you can use other objects instead of balls, such as balloons, stuffed toys or other objects.
The virus: a game for trampoline in the same idea as poison balls but here it is a balloon that is infected by a virus. The kids bounce on the trampoline with the ball. Whoever gets hit by the ball gets the virus and then he has to take the ball in his hands and aim at the other children to try to pass the virus on to them. If a child without a virus is touched by the balloon, it is he who now has the virus and the other child (who was the source of the virus) no longer has the virus, etc.
Follow the guide (ideal for toddlers): choose a child to be the guide and everyone must copy what they are doing. Play as long as the kids have fun!
I have a trampoline and I can do that … (memory game): this game is a trampoline version of the memory game where you add a new element (here it will be an action) to remember for each player.
Each child, in turn, goes on the trampoline to perform an action after saying, “I have a trampoline and I can do that …”
Each player must do the action of the previous child and then add his own action.
Each turn, you add a new action and you must remember each action in the correct order.
For example 1st child – I have a trampoline and I can do that: the child makes a jump. Next child: I have a trampoline and I can do that: the child jumps (the action of the first child) and then adds his action: a rebound of buttocks for example. Third child: I have a trampoline and I can do it: the child makes a jump, a rebound on his buttocks, and then adds his action, etc.
Whoever is wrong is eliminated; the last player in the game wins the right to choose the next game.
Inflatable Beach Ball: Everyone gets on the trampoline and tries to keep the ball in the air with their hands, head, and legs. Count how many times you are able to raise the ball before losing control, try to beat the highest record of all time!
The ball does not touch the canvas: a nice game idea video HERE! Three children created their own game where the ball should not touch the canvas. So … do not hesitate to create your own trampoline games!
Trampoline games never forget that trampolines are responsible for many injuries and that the common sense and supervision of an adult should be used with all these trampoline games. As a parent, you know your child’s skill level and abilities, so you can determine if he or she is ready for these trampoline games. Do not forget to take into account the size and capacity of your trampoline compared to the number of players (see instructions).
Trampoline games
Other fun ideas for the trampoline
It’s not just trampoline games to have fun, here are some other ideas:
Pajama party: organize a pajama party on your trampoline. Put sleeping bags on them and organize a camping party using the trampoline as a double bed.
That’s it! Spread a large sheet of bubble paper on the trampoline and let the kids jump!
A big hammock: what could be better than an oversized hammock for the whole family? Whether relaxing after a day of jumping or reading books together, a trampoline is an incredibly comfortable place to sit and relax.
Dance party: just add some music and you have everything you need for good dance time.
Picasso unleashed: did you know that you can write on the jumping surface of your trampoline with chalk? Imagine it as a giant canvas and see what you can create with your family. Once you start to jump, the chalk will come off slowly or it will disappear with light rain.
Hopscotch: Use chalk to draw hopscotch on the surface of the trampoline and play hopscotch.
Learning by moving: If you have a child who learns better when he is away from his desk, a trampoline is a great way to spend energy while learning new things. You can write the chalk answers on the trampoline then ask your child to jump on the answer that he thinks is correct, or you can make letters and numbers games with little ones.
Stargazing: what better place to look at the night sky than the soft, comfortable surface of a trampoline. Add blankets, cushions, and even a telescope (if you have one) for a great family night out!
Shapes and clouds: during the day, the trampoline is the ideal place to land and watch the shape of clouds with your little one. A fun activity to develop their imagination.
Enjoy your Wi-Fi: Do you have a laptop and WIFI? Organize a film night on your trampoline by bringing cushions, blankets, and some treats.
