Trampolines

[ProudMommyof2]

We are thinking of getting one. Any tips/suggestions?

 

[2minnies]

Our carrier will not write a policy if you have a trampoline.

 

[dimimi]

We just moved into a new neighborhood. Turns out, kids just use anyone's trampoline! One neighbor's kid even broke his arm on the nieghbor's trampoline....that neighbor still doesn't mind kids using it...anytime!

 

[bas71873]

You are going to get A LOT of feedback on this one, a lot of it negative (there are a few trampoline threads on the DIS). I read them all before we finally got our DD one in April and IMO, best money ever spent. We got a 12 foot trampoline w/enclosure from Walmart and I paid around $280 for it. I did check with my homeowner's insurance and I'm covered.

We have rules, only 2 kids at a time are allowed on it and honestly, half they time they aren't even jumping. I've found them trading silly bandz, playing cards, eating their popsicles and snacks.

For us, it's been a GREAT investment. Others have had negative experiences. Just have to decide for yourself. Good luck!

 

[Madison'smommy]

You are going to get A LOT of feedback on this one, a lot of it negative (there are a few trampoline threads on the DIS). I read them all before we finally got our DD one in April and IMO, best money ever spent. We got a 12 foot trampoline w/enclosure from Walmart and I paid around $280 for it. I did check with my homeowner's insurance and I'm covered.

We have rules, only 2 kids at a time are allowed on it and honestly, half they time they aren't even jumping. I've found them trading silly bandz, playing cards, eating their popsicles and snacks.

For us, it's been a GREAT investment. Others have had negative experiences. Just have to decide for yourself. Good luck!

I agree! We have a fenced inyard, which is the only way I would get one. But, I love having it! My DD is often on it by herself, but she loves it! Several of our neighbors have one so we dont have alot of problems with random kids on it. But, I do agree, you will get lots of negatives!

 

[clj1410]

We just got one about a month ago. But you will need to make sure you are covered under your home owners insurance. We had to switch insurance compaines as the one we had been with for 11 years would not give me a straight answer about whether they would cover me, until after i purchased the trampoline!!!

We got ours from Dicks for just over $300

 

[StacyMarie]

Make sure it comes with an enclosure, only allow 2 kids on it at a time. My girls LOVE to put the sprinkler under it. They have so much fun!

 

[GinCar]

I will be another voice- check your insurance.
When we moved 5 years ago, that was one of the questions the agent asked.
We chose to give ours away, since the insurance would increase.

 

[Bell30012]

Craigslist in my area (Atlanta) seems to have trampolines free at least once a week. I picked up two a few years ago free and we are still using them. My neighbor's just love it when all the kids are taking turns on our two trampolines laughing and having a good time. (Okay, not really. They hate it and complain about the noise but the kids only jump during daytime so too bad.)

 

[sk!mom]

Too dangerous- don't do it! Or make sure you have plenty of medical and liability coverage.

 

[damren]

We got ours at sams club. It's square and has an attatched net all around it..thank god! I would have fell off by now for sure.

We didn't ask our insurance guy, I suppose if he comes over and says hey take it down we will. We don't let kids on it unless we have permission from the parents

 

[DisneyWhiz]

Make sure 5 kids don't run onto the trampoline all at once at a birthday party...
I was suddenly 4 feet closer to the ground!

But the trampoline was fun while it lasted Just be aware of collisions (I lost my first tooth on a trampoline)

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

Really a great thing IMHO. My boys love it. I would agree I wouldn't have it if our yard wasn't fenced in and it had a net. I wanted to add, since we didn't know, watch the type of net it has. We bought ours now knowing. The net is only attached to the poles by, I think two nylon hoops on each section. These pull away from the net very easily. After the fact I've seen ones that the entire section of net loops around the top of the pole section and these seem to hold up much better. I'm currently working on a way to rig ours up better. (Hope I explained that okay and it makes sense!) If I had know the difference I would not have bought the one we did, live and learn and pass on the knowledge!

 

[Bell30012]

When we were kids we climbed trees to heights that were insane. We jumped our bicycles off ramps that made Evel Knievel proud. Rope swings from trees over creeks... Trampolines? The things we did would make your insurance man rip up your policy right in front of your eyes.

Point is, in all those daredevil days how many serious injuries do you remember? Where was all the padding, helmets and other safety equipment? If I'd have went bike riding with a helmet, I might as well have painted my bike pink and added tassels.

 

[mommy2_3]

im thinking about getting one for my kids, at least my older kids, for Christmas. i had no idea that we would need to make sure we are covered under our homeowners insurance! nice to know! we do have 100% coverage though. i remember when me and my siblings had one! we had so much fun on it! we would put our hose on it which wasnt really a good idea lol, i ended up giving my sister a black eye with my knee! but we still had alots of fun!!

 

[Mama Steph]

We bought one yesterday and put it up today. So far it has been my kids, my neice and nephew and the next door neighbor kids. Obviously all had permission. That is going to be my biggest rule. I have also told the kids that no one is to use it unless an adult is home (we have kids old enough to stay home without us). I haven't checked with our insurance agent and probably won't, to be completely honest.

 

[Mama Steph]

Oh and in case you are interested, we bought ours from Dunhams. It was $299 for a 14ft with enclosure, Jumpking.

 

[SamSam]

We bought one yesterday and put it up today. So far it has been my kids, my neice and nephew and the next door neighbor kids. Obviously all had permission. That is going to be my biggest rule. I have also told the kids that no one is to use it unless an adult is home (we have kids old enough to stay home without us). I haven't checked with our insurance agent and probably won't, to be completely honest.

You might want to consider drawing up a small permission slip that a child's parents have to sign giving them permission to use your trampoline and releasing your from responsibility of injury.
We do that for our pool, and it works great.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

When we were kids we climbed trees to heights that were insane. We jumped our bicycles off ramps that made Evel Knievel proud. Rope swings from trees over creeks... Trampolines? The things we did would make your insurance man rip up your policy right in front of your eyes.

Point is, in all those daredevil days how many serious injuries do you remember? Where was all the padding, helmets and other safety equipment? If I'd have went bike riding with a helmet, I might as well have painted my bike pink and added tassels.

I totally agree. Add to your list: rode our bikes several miles to neighboring town by age 12 to eat at restaurant owned by bff's family. We knew how to navigate roads and knew our way around long before being able to drive.

We've had ours for around 5 yrs now. It's enclosed with net so no injuries so far. It was a big hit in the neighborhood at first and we stuck to the 2 kids at a time rule and only if their parents stayed there too. We had chairs out back to sit and relax. It's not such a big hit anymore and many of the families with kids have moved so overall fewer kids on our street.

Gives DSs fun that is not a video game. I think it's great exercise too.

 

[Mama Steph]

You might want to consider drawing up a small permission slip that a child's parents have to sign giving them permission to use your trampoline and releasing your from responsibility of injury.
We do that for our pool, and it works great.

Thanks for the great idea! Would you mind sharing your waiver with me?