Buying a trampoline - advice needed

the_cows_udders

I'm going round in circles looking at trampolines and wondering what is the best deal. It's a present for a 5 year old, but want something that will last a few years until it's outgrown, and would like a package that included the safety net and a ladder.

We only have a tiny garden so I've been looking at oval and rectangular ones, that would fit in a 12ft x 9ft space.

Has anyone got an oval or rectangular trampoline and which brands would you recommend? If anyone knows of any good deals, I would appreciate it :money:

Caroline_a

Sorry can't help you with where to buy, but hopefully in such a tiny space you've got very tolerant neighbours! I lived briefly next to a family with one of these, and summer evenings were totally spoilt with kids screaming and bouncing whilst looking over the fence (which was 6 foot). Then followed by father and his slightly inebriated mates. Privacy was zero...

**Juice**

Oh god I was going to say the same as the poster above - our neighbours have one and I hate it, all I can hear is the creaking springs and shrieking from when I get home in the summer followed by heads popping over the fence. I'm very much a tolerant neighbour but this drives me absolutely mental as I feel like I can't relax. At one point they were going on it at like 7am before school and also on weekends - we kind of had to say something then, working all week to be woken up by that was a bit much.

the_cows_udders

Neighbours either side don't use their gardens. Both are overgrown messes (but that's a whole new rant!) He's a timid little thing so I don't think he would scream on it and he won't be on it at anti-social times.

Thought it would do him good getting him out in the fresh air and doing exercise to be honest as he likes playing on the ones in the soft play.

jungle_jane

We have one next door and it goes really mouldy and nasty over winter. as a result the little girls won't play on it...

i have to say i also really hate it - its a major eyesore:-)

the_cows_udders

Thanks but I was after buying information and not a discussion on why people hate neighbours trampolines

jess1974

We had one for a few years, it broke and fell apart so hubby took it to the tip, the kids were'nt bothered and we no longer have a big ugly eyesore in the garden.....

cte1111

I think with a small garde, you'd be better off with a small trampoline like this one:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3676008/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CToys+and+games%7C14417629/c_2/2%7C14417629%7CTrampolines+and+enclosures%7C14419479/Trail/searchtext%3ETRAMPOLINE.htm

We've had a couple of these (first one was worn out by my daughter playing with it over a few years). Bit of a nightmare to put together - my OH put the first one together in the lounge then discovered he couldn't get it out of the doorway LOL! Well not at the time but maybe now.

If you get anything bigger, then you can't really use the garden for anything else. They can get lots of exercise on the little ones I found, also good counting practice to see how many jumps you can do in one go.

Bean_Counter

Must admit we use our a lot and are on our second one as the first fell apart after too much use. My only advice would be to make sure that the blue bit that covers the springs is on the outside of the safety net so that it can not be jumped on. This was the first bit to fall apart for our first one and is also probably safer, if that all makes sense.

peaceandfreedom

the_cows_udders wrote: »

I'm going round in circles looking at trampolines and wondering what is the best deal. It's a present for a 5 year old, but want something that will last a few years until it's outgrown, and would like a package that included the safety net and a ladder.

We only have a tiny garden so I've been looking at oval and rectangular ones, that would fit in a 12ft x 9ft space.

Has anyone got an oval or rectangular trampoline and which brands would you recommend? If anyone knows of any good deals, I would appreciate it :money:

It's going to be tricky to find a decent trampoline to fit into such a tiny garden space. The biggest you can squeeze in would be a 6ft round trampoline. I can't imagine an oval one fitting in - oval trampolines tend to be quite large. Remember also that even a small trampoline can be quite tall, so it will dominate your garden completely. It will also kill off any grass underneath after a while.

We have a large (12ft) trampoline in our garden, but the garden is fairly big and surrounded by hedges. The children have knocked great fun out of it over the years and have put it to all kinds of uses. Ours is a Supertramp, it's a good brand and is in very good condition despite a great deal of use.

There is a buying guide here - it's quite long-winded but useful information:
http://www.eurocosm.com/application/products/super-tramp/trampoline-tipsgb.asp

What I would advise is:
a) Choose the best brand you can afford - I have seen so many trashed trampolines because they were cheap and only lasted one summer. You are wasting your money if you buy a cheap one.

b) When looking at enclosures, choose one that is kind of 'sewn in' at the bottom and attached in one place at the top - like this one
not one that slots over the tube with a plastic casing like this. With the latter type, the net just gets ripped off the casing in no time at all. Also the child can end up bouncing onto the pad which can jolt them.

c) A 6ft trampoline is really quite small - it'd be a good idea to find somewhere that has trampolines set up (or visit friends who have one) so you can judge the size. Also measure your garden to make sure it'll fit in, and that there aren't any overhanging branches in the way.

There are a number of good brands - Supertramp, Jumpking being the better ones. Atlantic also look good. The range on offer at 6ft is rather small though and I'm not sure if these brands do 6ft ones.

Good luck with finding one. Our trampoline has been fab for the kids and has come in useful in all kinds of ways. It makes a great spot for reading the Sunday papers in the summer.

Gloomendoom

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Parents ignore trampoline safety