Trampoline Tips So What Happened Added

Updated on May 23, 2015
L.M. asks from Nampa, ID
15 answers

Hi, everyone!

So, we've decided the kids are old enough for a trampoline. We're going to get one this evening and it will have the enclosure/net for safety. What I'm wondering is how difficult are they to put together and do you have any tips on how to do the springs in a way that it won't take hours and hours to do? :) I helped an old friend like 25 years ago to put one together and it was a beast! I don't know how different they are now than they were way back then. I'm sure it will have instructions and perhaps a video but I'm sure first-hand experience can provide more information.

Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thank you for your responses! My kids are 7, 12 and almost 15. They have played on them before and follow rules very well. We will not allow more than one at a time and to be honest, they have a limited number of friends in this neighborhood. The waiver idea sounds good. :) Yes, the gate is locked and we have a 7 foot solid fence around the back yard, so it would be quite difficult for kids to get in and use it without permission. It's basically just for the family's use with the occasional friend. We also have a pretty large backyard, so there's nothing in the way.

Thanks again, everyone.

More Answers

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Have you checked out the American Academy of Pediatrics' statement on trampolines?
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pa...

6 moms found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

We got one about 4 or 5 years ago and I'd say it took about 2 hours to put together with two of us working on it. The directions will spell it out pretty easily. Not aware of any quick tricks for attaching those springs.

You'll be glad you bought one! It's been a real hit and has had a ton of use. No injuries on this, although our kids get injured all the time on their bikes. Everything has risks.

5 moms found this helpful

V.S.

answers from Reading on

Couldn't pay me enough to have one on my property. Good luck!

5 moms found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

Hope you checked with your homeowners insurance. If they find out you have one, they will make you take it down. If you don't, your insurance is cancelled. Way too many accidents.

5 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

My husband and I put one together on a Christmas eve .It took the 2 of us about 2 hours. We both read the instructions days before.

We had all of the tools gathered and of course no child around to interrupt or distract us.

Just follow the directions. Lay out all of the items in order of the directions and put your phones on silent..
Without interruptions, you can do this..

4 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

My hubby put ours together and it didn't take very long after he laid everything out.

We had ours about 5 years before we sold it to another family. It was loads of fun for our daughter and friends.

We have locked iron gates and 7' iron fence. If someone did not follow the rules, they lost the opportunity to enjoy the trampoline. I always checked with parents to make sure it was ok by them for their children to jump. If not, I respected their wishes and the trampoline was not used.

I grew up with a trampoline and jumped daily. Never any accidents, and no insurance issues. Almost every home with children in our upscale neighborhood has an enclosed trampoline. I've not seen 1 injured child and we've been at this home since we built it in 2000. Our insurance agent was aware that we had a trampoline.

I hope your children enjoy it and just enforce your rules and be consistent.

4 moms found this helpful
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E.B.

answers from Austin on

Be prepared to either have it in your locked, fenced-in, yard, or else establish rules for any neighborhood drop-in children.

My neighbors had one. The mom said that no neighbor kids could just come over and use it. Before being allowed to use it, she had neighboring families sign a waiver of liability, and an agreement. Basically it had insurance info on it, stating that any injuries were the responsibility of the injured child's family and not the trampoline owner, and by signing it we understood that we just couldn't let our kids over there "whenever". If the mom was supervising, she'd tell her kids that they could have a few kids over (who had signed waivers and agreed to the rules). There were never any problems, because it was a pretty small, friendly neighborhood. We all talked with our kids and made sure they understood that it wasn't a neighborhood trampoline. It was like a swimming pool in a neighbor's home, or like their playroom in their house. It was by invitation only. And by making that clear, it eliminated a lot of issues.

3 moms found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

Ease of assembly depends entirely on the brand and the clarity of the instructions, as well as your patience and general handiness.

Be sure to inform your insurance agent that you have added this equipment- you absolutely need additional liability coverage. Injuries and problems are much greater if you assemble it yourself - you absolutely cannot take any shortcuts or both the warranty and the liability coverage can be affected.

Inform your pediatrician as well. Certain types of injuries really crop up and the doctor needs to know the kids' activities to help diagnose.

And I agree about the extremely strict rules of use involving neighborhood kids, supervision, etc.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I think it is hilarious that only like two posters actually answered your question regarding the assembly of a trampoline. The other 9 took the time to tell you what an idiot you are for purchasing a trampoline. Too bad that the mom's on his site spend more time judging and offering unwanted advice rather than simply answering the question (or ignoring if they don't have an answer).

I agree with the other posters who actually answered your question: a couple of hours should do the trick and I don't remember ours being that difficult to put together. You can also google youtube videos for assembling a trampoline and see if someone has thought of some good shortcuts.

Good luck and happy jumping!

3 moms found this helpful

O.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I am just putting up pics today to have someone come and take mine away for free. My kids are 12 and 15 and don't use it anymore. It was HELL to put together! My husband had 2 men from church come over and help him. On a side note, contact your insurance agent and bump up your liability to a million on your homeowners policy. You think your family and friends won't sue you but they will. Good luck.

2 moms found this helpful
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D..

answers from Miami on

You HAVE called your home insurance company and asked them about coverage, right? You probably have to have a rider and pay extra to have a trampoline. Don't let this go. Even if you get waivers from neighbor kids, if a kid gets on your trampoline while you aren't home, and breaks their neck, you will proably get sued and will be very unhappy if your insurance company says they aren't involved because you didn't pay for a rider.

2 moms found this helpful
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N.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Trampolines are THE most deadly thing you can put on your property. Over a hundred thousand kids per year get hurt on them. Broken bones and ripped out teeth are not the worst.

Also, children die on trampolines. They are dangerous. Please reconsider or google accidents on home trampolines. One story that I always remember is a mom who's son was older and he was bouncing on the trampoline, she was standing right there. He fell oddly and she can still hear his neck snap and his last breath. It's just not worth it.

2 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

our insurance company told us they'd drop us if we got one.
so, no practical suggestions here.
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Boston on

We have a 14 foot diameter one and it is simple to put together. It consists of interlocking tubes that make a circle. We then attach the jumping surface with the many springs. There is a special tool/hook that helps you slip the end of the spring into the holes in the metal circle. There is also a pad that covers all the springs. After that we lift it and put it on top of 6 U-shaped legs previously bolted together from more interlocking metal tubes. It takes 2 people to do this. We had netting on more (smaller) tubes but the kids hated it so we took the net off. We put the trampoline away every winter and put it back out every spring. The hardest part is carrying all the parts from the basement to the yard!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Portland on

I think the big thing I would suggest (we have a pool and a rink) is to have parents observe their kids at least the first time they use your trampoline. I know it's mostly for your family's use - but I always have parents watch their kids on our ice or pool before leaving - or say "Why don't you stay the first hour when they're on it" - that way, they are more comfortable, if the kids' aren't following your rules, it's nipped in bud right away.

With younger kids, I save the rink and pool for the last hour and have them show up early so they help supervise. I just don't want that responsibility. I get that you're still potentially liable - this isn't so much a legal concern, as just what my comfort level is - where it's an activity that kids could get hurt on. (and have coverage also).

I looked into getting a trampoline and asked my friends' input - and my ER nurse friend said "you're kidding right?". We have a pool and a rink ... she still said they saw far more broken bones and sprains with the trampolines. I'm sure there are ways to minimize this - and sounds like you have taken precautions so hope you have a lot of fun on it this summer :) I know people who have them and love them.

1 mom found this helpful
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