Trampolines for 3 and 4 Year Olds
Best Trampolines for Preschoolers
Are you looking for a good trampoline for a 3 or 4 year old child? This article gives advice, tips and suggestions of trampolines for 3 year olds and 4 year olds based on the research I did when buying a trampoline for my son's 4th birthday.
Read on for advice on cost, size and safety of trampolines as well as some great suggestions of smaller jumping trampolines for 3 and 4 year olds.
Size
Firstly consider size. How big is the space for your trampoline? Will it fit in your backyard? Will it be big enough for your child to bounce on for the next few years. When choosing a trampoline for my son the perfect size was an 8ft trampoline. It wasn't too big for our outside space but it gave him lots of room to bounce on and I think it will last for quite a few years. I wouldn't really consider a trampoline bigger than this unless you have a very big backyard or older children. You can also get a trampoline at 7.5 feet which is perfect for 3 and 4 year olds too.
Weight limit - the weight limit can be important. If more than one child is bouncing on the trampoline at a time, it is important not to exceed the maximum weight so factor this in when choosing your trampoline.
Trampoline Frame
The trampoline frame should be made out of material that doesn't rust or is rust resistant if you are planning on having it outdoors. It should also be able to withstand the high levels of stress kids put on it when they are jumping.
Galvanised steel is a good material as it is rust free and is strong.
If possible choose a frames which is also made of a weld free construction which reduce the chances of weakness in the construction.
Bazoongi Kids 7.5 foot trampoline with enclosure
The Bazoongi Kids trampoline is a great first trampoline for 3 and 4 year olds. It is well made, sturdy, durable and most importantly safe. Its safety features include a galvanized steel frame with premium mesh and foam padded poles and W-shaped legs and reinforced sockets for stability. Its features include an under spring design to equalize frame torque and provide a softer bounce. There's also two different styles of tent; one simulating a circus atmosphere and the other a treehouse high in the sky.
The reviews on amazon.com are excellent too. Its a good choice if you want a trampoline that will last but not take up all the space you have outdoors.
Cost
How much do you want to pay for a trampoline? You could buy a second hand one. There are lots to be found on ebay some of which have hardly been used. If you do an advanced search, you can see the trampolines you can actually pick up in a location near to you. Some companies on ebay will also deliver new trampolines at competitive prices by courier.
Safety
For peace of mind and safety I would suggest that there are two things you should look for when buying a trampoline for a 3 or 4 year old child.
Firstly, a net enclosure is essential to stop any children falling off the trampoline. If the trampoline you want doesn't have an enclosure, you can quite often buy a separate enclosure and fit it to the trampoline.
Secondly, the trampoline should be padded around the edges.
Many trampolines only recommend one child to bounce on them at a time. So if you need a trampoline that accommodates more than one child, check to make sure the trampoline is safe to do this before buying.
Make sure you have a flat surface to place the trampoline on and that there is enough room for children to get on and off safely. It should be away from any objects so that kids don't hurt themselves as they get on and off.
Optional safety measures can include mats placed around the trampoline.
Smaller Trampolines
There is also the option of buying smaller trampolines for 3 and 4 year olds. Obviously these won't last as long as a bigger version but it can be quite a lot of fun in the short term.
A good choice of smaller trampoline is the Alex Little Jumpers Trampoline opposite. There are lots of reviews on amazon.com to show it is suitable for 3 year olds in particular but 4 year olds can enjoy it too.