Don’t Waste Your Money on a Cheap Trampoline

You look around your neighborhood, and it seems that every backyard is sprouting a large trampoline. Your children have noticed, too; “Everyone has one – why can’t we get one?” has become a popular refrain around your house these days. So, good parent that you are, you begin to look into purchasing a trampoline. After all, they promise to provide hours of high-energy fun, and heaven knows, your kids could use a little time away from all those video games!

But then you realize that there are a wide variety of trampolines on the market. Some are extremely high-priced, the equivalent to a nice family vacation! There are plenty of cheap trampolines, however, that look appealing to your budget. What should you do?

First of all, a trampoline does provide hours of fun, but it is definitely not to be treated as a toy. There have been many, many cases of serious injuries – to the point that some organizations warn against children using them at all. So, first and foremost, when you are comparing higher priced trampolines with their cheap trampoline counterparts, you’ll want to look at safety features and how well the trampoline is constructed. This doesn’t mean that all high-priced models are safe and well made – and it also doesn’t necessarily mean that all cheap trampolines are unsafe and poorly made. But it is generally true in this area, as with many other areas, you get what you pay for.

Here’s where the challenge really begins. There are many trampoline manufacturers on the market today, and all of them make promising claims, the cheap trampoline manufacturers just as much as the more reputable brands. You do not want to fall for any hype where your family’s safety is concerned. While the trampolines might all appear about the same, the real test comes after a fair amount of use: if the mat and springs are made from inferior materials, suddenly your “cheap trampoline” will become quite expensive as you deal with an unfortunate injury and then finding a replacement. Well-constructed trampolines are designed for many years of safe use.


The American Academy of Pediatrics has reaffirmed their previous findings about trampolines, which conclude that unless there is total supervision at all times, trampolines are not ideal for home use. They recommend that trampolines only be used in professional settings. If you do choose to purchase a trampoline for home use, they give the following recommendations:

• There should be a safety pad that covers all portions of the steel frame and the springs.


• The condition of the trampoline should be checked regularly for rust, tears, and broken springs.


• It’s also a safety precaution to purchase an enclosure made for the model of trampoline you choose.

The really cheap trampolines often do not come with the added safety and construction features that will give you the extra insurance against preventing injuries. You can’t put a price on your children’s safety and well being, so don’t skimp on this piece of backyard equipment!