Living in the Pacific Northwest, there’s really only one ingredient you need to make your backyard the coolest one in the neighborhood: a trampoline. Maybe it’s our unpredictable weather or maybe it’s that we just like to get up and get moving, but whatever the reason, the ageless appeal of a trampoline beckons like no other.
Don’t believe me? Check out the fun that just arrived in our backyard and look at this happy face jumping on the new JumpSport Elite Trampoline.
As a parent, there are a few things I am adamant about, the first of which is that I will teach my kids that getting outside and staying active can be fun. Or, make that really, really fun. What better way to teach them that getting moving can be fun than with the coolest way to exercise ever?
I don't think my family has ever had more fun than when we are jumping on the JumpSport Trampoline together. Between fits of giggles, we play all sorts of creative games, get out excess energy, and bond in a way I never thought possible. And, I'm not just talking with my kids, I'm talking whole extended family - aunts, uncles, neices, nephews, and even grandparents. To hear grown adults laugh and play like children has been awesomely fun and I just keep wondering why we didn't buy a trampoline sooner.
But, not only is jumping on a trampoline a fun way to play around as a family, it’s also low impact, high aerobic exercise that improves balance, agility, and coordination. In the few weeks we’ve had our trampoline, we’ve all awoken long forgotten muscles and feel like we’re in better shape overall.
By far the biggest improvement we have seen has been in our 18 month old little guy’s balance and coordination. Seeing his first tentative steps change to running and bouncing with confidence has been amazing to watch, but what’s great is how it has translated to a better climbing, running, and jumping little guy off the trampoline as well.
With how much improvement we’ve seen over the past few weeks, we’re really excited about the weeks ahead when we can enjoy some sunshine and get outside even more. In an effort to keep the trampoline as fresh and new as possible and keep seeing these benefits, we’ve been brainstorming all the ways we can best utilize the trampoline.
I’ve compiled a list of all the activities I’m excited to try this summer on the JumpSport Trampoline and have included some all-time favorites, some new games we made up, and some ideas we think might be fun to try. Enjoy!
Fun Activities for the Whole Family
Just add water – put a sprinkler either under the surface of the trampoline or off to one side and let the kids jump in their bathing suits and sunscreen and enjoy a hot summer day. Be sure to exercise caution as the jumping surface can get slippery when wet. Want a finer mist as you jump? JumpSport makes a great trampoline mister that connects to the JumpSport safety enclosure and keeps you 25 degrees cooler while jumping, which is perfect for hot summer days!
Inflatable beach ball – have the entire family lay on the trampoline with their heads together in the center and try and keep the ball in the air using their hands and legs. Count how many times you are able to toss the ball up before you lose control of it and try and go for an all-time high record.
Hopper ball – pick up a fun hopper ball with a handle for the kids at any sports store or toy retailer and let the kids hop across the trampoline {one at a time for this one}.
Jump rope snake – have one person stand outside the trampoline and move a jump rope back and forth over the surface of the trampoline in an “s” formation. Then one child tries to jump over the rope {aka “snake”} without getting “bit”. If they touch it, the children switch places.
Dance party – just add music and you have everything you need for a rockin’ good time.
Water bombs – one of our favorite summer day activities are the Prime Time Toys Splash line that can soak up 10 times their weight in water and are great for tossing and splashing all day long. Add that fun to your trampoline and it’s hours and hours of soaking fun.
Picasso unleashed – did you know you can write on the jumping surface of your trampoline with sidewalk chalk? It’s true! Think of it like a giant canvas and see what you can create as a family!
Chinese jump ropes – lay Chinese jump ropes {stretchy elastic jump ropes} across the trampoline surface and chose one person as your player. Have one player at a time step in, out, side, side, in, out, side, side in a pattern and chant the steps in order as the player jumps. You can also have someone randomly call out a series that the player must follow.
Tag – using soft Velcro balls and Velcro vests with targets makes for a great game of tag. You can pick up cheap sets at any sporting goods store, or you can make your own with old sweaters and Velcro balls.
Basketball – did you know that JumpSport also sells an amazing trampoline basketball hoop that hooks to the side of the safety enclosure? Whether you are playing one-on-one, playing H.O.R.S.E. or a game of Around The World, a basketball hoop adds another dimension of fun to your backyard and your trampoline. This is definitely on my husband’s Father’s Day wish list and something I think will be years and years of fun, especially as the kids get older.
Hopscotch – using sidewalk chalk, draw a hopscotch board on the trampoline surface and take turns jumping across.
Twister – draw your own game board on the trampoline surface using sidewalk chalk and use the original game spinner or you can try out the newer Twister Hoopla version of the game that utilize Twister “hoops”.
Obstacle course – set up a course in your yard that ends at the trampoline and have them jump a specified number of bounces or bounce for a length of time to finish. This makes sure they are good and worn out at the end.
Crack the Egg – have one person sit in the center of the trampoline holding their knees to their chest with both arms. Other children jump around the “egg” and try to get the person to let go of their legs.
Simon says – just like regular Simon Says, but with extra bounce.
Memory – everyone sits around the perimeter of the trampoline along the pad and one person does a “trick” in the center of the jumping surface. The second person then does the first person’s trick and adds one of their own and this continues with each child doing the tricks before them and then adding their own. If someone forgets a trick or gets them out of order, they are out and the game continues until one child is left.
Play ball – position a lightweight ball in the center of the jumping surface and jump around, trying to keep the ball as close to center as possible.
Learning while moving – if you have a child who learns better when they are away from a desk, a trampoline is a great place to burn off energy while learning new things. You can write the answers in chalk on the trampoline and then have your child jump to the answer they think is correct, or you can do simple letter and number games with little kids.
For even more games, check out JumpSport's website to buy their JumpSport Trampoline game pack that contains many of the items needed for our favorite activities, as well as a whole book of ideas you can try at home. you can also buy tons of trampoline accessories direct from JumpSport as well.
For adults - Take your workout outside
There’s all sorts of JumpSport YouTube videos that show great ways to use their trampolines to get a good workout simply by playing and having a great time. While you can get a workout simply by jumping on a trampoline for even 15 minutes, here’s some suggestions on ways you can get a great aerobic workout on your trampoline.
Low impact cardio – some of your favorite moves at the gym can easily be modified for the trampoline including jumping jacks, lunges, high knees, squats, running in place or simply jogging around the perimeter of the jumping surface.
Kickboxing – think kickboxing is fun at the gym? Try it out on your trampoline at home for even more fun and higher jumps. For obvious reasons, this should be done solo, only.
Yoga – why not try some of your favorite yoga moves on the soft {and forgiving} surface of a trampoline? You may not be able to do all the poses, but you can certainly do some and have fun trying!
Cross country skiing – shift your feet forwards and backwards, alternating feet as if you are trekking through the snow
Downhill skiing – with feet together, jump side to side as if racing down a mountain.
Back to basics – sit-ups on a trampoline are much easier on the back. Whether you are doing a modified crunch or a full sit-up, the trampoline surface is a nice place to work out in comfort.
Warm ups – if you are training for a run, you probably spend a good deal of time warming up your muscles before taking off. Why not do some bouncing and then your calisthenics on the soft surface of a trampoline before your run?
Twist and jump – whether you are simply bouncing to face right and then bouncing back to face left or you are doing a full 360 degree spin in the air, this is a great exercise as it works your core, too.
Feet pulse – keeping your hips and upper body steady, push your feet up and down in the middle of the trampoline without having them leave the jumping surface. Trust me, it’s harder than it sounds, and a great leg workout!
Challenge yourself – find out how long you can bounce in one stretch or see how many more workout moves you can come up with. Almost any exercise can be modified for a trampoline, it just takes a little creativity! For more ideas, check out the JumpSport YouTube Channel or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest for inspiration for getting fit on a trampoline.
For preschoolers
Follow the leader – choose one child as the leader and everyone else has to copy what they do.
Duck, Duck, GOOSE! – this is a toddler favorite that is good for a small group. Make sure there are plenty of parents sitting in the jumping surface to supervise and only let the toddlers do the running.
Super Heroes – everyone knows super heroes can fly, so what better way to play pretend than on a surface that can really feel like flying? Make or buy capes that velcro on to the shoulders {make sure they do not wrap around the neck for safety reasons} and get ready to save the day.
Tumbling – Trampolines are a great place to teach basic tumbling like somersaults because the surface is so forgiving.
Ring around the Rosie – the kiddos love this anywhere, but I love the soft surface of the trampoline better than hard surfaces.
Play catch – anyone who has ever played catch with a toddler knows that more time is spent chasing the ball than is spent actually learning. An enclosed trampoline surface is a great, contained space to teach your little one to catch and throw since the ball naturally rolls back to you.
Secondhand scarves – dancing with trailing silk scarves is a favorite activity of my kids, but when you add the fun of the trampoline bounce, scarf play is even more fun.
Stir the soup – the kiddos sit in the center, each declared a vegetable or soup ingredient, and one person runs slowly around the outside of the jumping surface, picking up speed so eventually the “ingredients” bounce as if they are at a rolling “boil”.
For relaxing
Trampolines aren’t just for jumping, they are also a great surface for laying, hanging out, and for snuggling. Here’s our favorite anti-jump trampoline activities:
Backyard campout – JumpSport sells a great trampoline tent that can make your trampoline a sleepover haven, a daytime fort, or an enclosed bounce house. How incredibly cool is that?
Movie night – using an inexpensive projector and a white sheet or curtain or simply a large laptop, plan an outdoor movie night for the whole family. Bring out lots of blankets, pillows, and snacks and lay back and watch a favorite family movie under the stars.
Larger-than-life hammock – what could be better than an oversized hammock built for the whole family? Whether you are relaxing after a fun day of jumping or you are reading books together, a trampoline is an incredibly comfortable place to lay to unwind.
Star gazing – what better place to lay back and watch the night sky than the soft and snuggly trampoline surface. Add blankets, spill-proof cocoa, and even a telescope and you’re all set for the next meteor shower.
Cloud shapes – during the day, the trampoline is the perfect place to lay back and pick out cloud shapes with your little one. You’d be surprised at how early they can play this game and how fun it is to watch their imaginations blossom.
Enjoy your WiFi – have internet service that doesn’t require cables? Make the most of it by taking your netbook, laptop, or tablet outside and making an ultra comfy “office” for a day.
Family band – the surface of the trampoline is the perfect place to get a drum beat going. Add in a singer, a guitar, or a kid’s band set and you’re ready to perform.
Gazebo – we lost our gazebo this year during a huge snow fall and decided to replace it with the JumpSport Elite Trampoline instead. For our summertime backyard events, we are planning on throwing outdoor pillows onto the jumping surface and then a large, colorful sun shade over the top of the trampoline enclosure, tied back at the sides, to create a private place for the adults to sit around the perimeter of the trampoline to talk.
Why the JumpSport Elite Trampoline?
As much fun as trampolines are, they aren’t any fun if someone gets hurt, which is why safety is always our biggest concern. JumpSport Elite Trampolines have numerous safety features you just don’t find in lesser quality models and it’s why we wouldn’t consider anything else. In fact, JumpSport's founder invented trampoline safety as we know it with the release of the first affordable safety enclosure for trampolines in 1996. Of course, we always exercise caution when bouncing and always supervise our children, just as we do with every other high energy activity.
Here's some of the many {many} JumpSport Elite Features:
- Engineered for safety with a patented StagedBounce™ Technology
- Frame Pad is thick, dark blue 21-ounce reinforced UV and Water resistant PVC outer covering with a full width, 1 inch thick, gym-quality EPE foam core
- Sturdy frame rail is made of heavy-wall steel tubing for rugged durability
- 15 year Frame Warranty
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Internally mounted safety enclosure net – easier and faster to assemble than the standard 380 enclosure – features their patented overlapping entry
- Designed with safety in mind, the trampolines and safety enclosures work together and are only sold together as a unitized system
- Available in 10 foot, 12 foot and 14 foot diameters
- Frame is pre-galvanized and features a rich dark blue powder coated finish
- The trampoline jumping mat is 35 inches high, for better ground clearance than most other trampolines.
- All Elite trampolines use 8.5 inches long, tapered, high tensile steel springs which provide a great blend of performance and safety {10 foot has 72 springs, 12 foot has 88 springs, 14 foot has 96 springs and 14 foot PowerBounce has 128 total springs}
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Permatron® jumping mat is the industry leader in High-Tensile Strength, UV and Water Protection, and performance. Mat has 10 rows of stitching and a UV shield.
- High strength looped straps and steel V-rings for connecting the springs to the jumping mat.
- All of the Elite trampolines include the patent pending all steel "DD" Sure-Lok™ system to prevent the frame from twisting and deforming.
- Expanded Polyethylene closed-cell foam padding is used across the entire pad surface, not just at the edge. The foam is covered by a high-quality, 21-ounce, reinforced, PVC outer shell that is UV- and water-resistant.
To read more about the amazing JumpSport family of trampolines, check out this Rave Review from Xenia at Thanks, Mail Carrier and see her adorable children enjoying their 14' AlleyOop Variable Bounce JumpSport Trampoline.
A big HUGE thanks to JumpSport for providing the JumpSport 12' Elite for review. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review. NOTE: I am not a physician, do not work in healthcare and in no way should you take medical advice from me. As with all sports and exercise activities, you should consult a doctor before attempting anything from our list above. This is especially true when small children are playing, but goes for all ages. We supervise our children during every activity outdoors and this includes the use of the trampoline.
