Whether a boy or a girl, a trampoline is always included in a child’s wish list. However, because they are generally considered expensive and require a big amount of open space to put up, parents are hesitant in buying one. A trampoline is an investment, it’s going to eat space in your backyard and even your quiet time sunbathing on the lawn, but when you give in to the urge of buying one, remember to be an intelligent consumer.
Choosing the perfect trampoline
When a family yields to the urge and pleas of their children, we should be cautious in choosing what brand and kind of trampoline you would want their family to play with. There are factors you should consider prior to buying a trampoline- it’s safety features, durability, and ease of installation. These are some of the things you should look into that can be accessed online. Parents who bought their trampolines from online shopping sites post reviews and you can analyze each one for you to weigh which product you’ll invest in. The perfect trampoline differs in every household because they may be utilized differently, so be sure to look at all the factors before compromising savings over your child’s safety.
Let’s get jumpy!
Once you’ve set up your new toy, here are some games you can introduce to the kids so they’ll love you more and appreciate the trouble you’ve gone through for providing the trampoline:
Poison Balls
One of the few classic games that is still addictive in the trampoline arena is poison balls. This is achieved by putting some balls inside the trampoline and getting the kids to bounce around without the balls touching them. Once a player is touched by a ball, he is considered poisoned and must therefore sit his way through the game. It’s also a lot more fun if you toss in other smaller items such as plush toys.
Bum Wars
From the word itself, bum wars is played using nothing but a player’s bum. The rule is that the last player standing wins the round. The participants jump around the trampoline and upon agreement, must drop down to the mat with their bums first and bounce back in the air and land on their feet. There’s no extra bounce and extra landing allowed, meaning the player with the best balance capability wins!
Tag, You’re It
This game is as simple as it gets. The usual tag you’re it requires a player to be the ‘it’ and chase down all its prey. With this trampoline version, the players are required to bounce around instead of run around the arena. The game ends when the ‘it’ player has tagged everyone in the trampoline and another ‘it’ is chosen. This is better played in a bigger trampoline, but be sure to watch them so they don’t stick their foot in between the springs.
Camp Trampoline
Instead of pitching a tent in the grass lawn, why not place it inside the trampoline? The mat will act as the bedding itself and provide your kids with a cushioned-type sleeping mattress. The wonders of the outside world is a constant adventure for kids, you can satisfy their cravings outdoors by simply letting them camp on your backyard where you can keep constant watch and attend to their needs such as food and blankets. To make it a little more interesting, you can provide additional bed covers outside their tents, atop the mat of the trampoline itself. When they feel like it, they can simply lie down under the sheets and gaze at the stars. This game is your best friend in providing that outside adventure!
Having a trampoline in the household makes for a fun summer activity not only for kids but even for adults too. It is important however to understand that playing with the equipment requires adult supervision and that you are sure the parts are properly installed. Over time, your kids will be able to create new games using their trampoline, it’s worth the investment because it fuels the imagination of the child while developing his muscles. Just remember to choose the right trampoline and always brief your kids on how to use it safely!
Featured photo credit: Turn Your Trampoline Into A Storytelling Space via springfreetrampoline.co.uk
