Trampolines: Not Just for Christmas!
Christmas trampolines make wonderful family gifts, especially for our sunny Australian Christmases. As parents, we know that they’re a brilliant excuse to get the kids out of the house (and out of our hair)!
With great weather and kids on their summer holidays, it makes perfect sense why we all know someone who has received a trampoline for Christmas. However, trampolines aren’t just for Christmas! They often make fabulous birthday presents or housewarming gifts. The possibilities are endless - just think out of the box. Whatever the occasion, we're sure your fun loving recipient will be delighted.
The pandemic has presented its own reasons for families to seek a trampoline. Parents don’t need any other occasion to get one than the need to distract our kids while they’re on a Zoom meeting. Kids need something physical to do while homeschooling, and it doesn’t help that your local sports amenities are probably closed. Many sports clubs have taken to online coaching and have recommended that kids use a trampoline.
Why a Trampoline?
Growing up, many of us remember how much joy our childhood trampolines brought. Trampolines are beneficial for kids’ health and wellbeing from so many different perspectives. While it would be possible to write an article about each, we’ll keep it simple with a list:
Combat Boredom – Often, it just isn’t safe to allow our kids to go out and play on the street as we used to. This just isn’t the norm anymore and there are kids that do get bored. They don’t read books; they don’t care much for screen time. Backyards are getting smaller and there often isn’t much to do in them. How can a trampoline entertain your child in the limited backyard space you have available?
- Trampolines don’t often take up more than 8ft or 10ft plots of grass. Get a trampoline that suits the shape and size of your available space, so you still have room for that patio you were planning to put in.
- Trampolines are versatile! They add a thrilling, bouncy element to ball games such as football and basketball.
- Your kids can unleash their creativity and invent all sorts of creative jumping games, as well.
- Get the kids together and interacting through good old-fashioned backyard fun!
- Let your kids release all their pent-up energy through play! You’ll get a calmer child who’s easier to put to bed after a long, tiring day.
Training for Sports – so many sports these days recommend that kids perform training routines at home on a trampoline, which is seen as a safe space. Here are some ways your child can train on their trampoline:
- You may not have thought of this one, but trampolines can be useful for aspiring divers! Kids can perform so many more moves in a shorter time on a trampoline than they can when at the pool. Get your child comfortable with flips, tucks and rolls, all with the comfort of bouncy shock absorption.
- If your child is into competitive trampolining, we have the perfect range of trampolines for them.
- The same applies to more obvious sports such as parkour, free running, cheerleading, and dancing. Get your kids in tip-top shape, practicing their twists, twirls, flips, and jumps for when it’s safe to be back in the gym.
Eliminate Excess Screen Time – We hear this a lot, and we’re all guilty of this, too! Screen time often produces aggression from losing a game, or just simply pent-up restlessness with nowhere to go. It's also detrimental for your child's eyesight in the long term.
- With a trampoline, your kids can have a fun excuse to rest their eyes.
- They’ll also come back inside hungry and exhausted, but calmer.
Combating Obesity -we all know by walking down the street, going to the beach, or walking through a typical schoolyard that childhood obesity is on the rise. We need to be helping these kids have a fun reason to get outside and move around. Here are some reasons why trampolines are perfect for this:
- Often, these kids aren’t interested in traditional sports. Playing on a trampoline certainly differs from football training-and it’s a lot easier, too!
- Some children develop low self-esteem when they become aware of their size. The fear of peer judgement while exercising in public only exacerbates the problem. Your child can now get some exercise in the comfort of their own backyard, where they feel safe enough to bounce away for hours!
- Your kids will be having so much fun that it won’t even feel like exercising! A trampoline really is exercise in disguise.
Improving Fitness – Your child may not be obese, but they could still be unfit. Low muscle tone and poor cardio may be reflected when your child shows signs of lethargy, reduced coordination, or poor posture. These seemingly minor faults may lead to bigger health issues later in life.
- Jumping can be invigorating and give kids an energy boost. Who needs sugary drinks when you have a much healthier alternative - natural endorphins? Cut the calories your kids consume while ensuring they still have their energy.
- All it takes is a trampoline of the right size and shape for inactive kids to become avid jumpers. Their PE teachers at school will be surprised to find that their fitness has improved by leaps and bounds!
Helping Kids with Autism / Spectrum conditions – Trampolines have been proven to be amazing for your special needs child. Help them find a new and thrilling hobby and get them outdoors with a child-friendly trampoline!
- Often, a trampoline is the only space in which these kids interact positively with their siblings.
- This allows the family to have enjoyable “normal” moments and is great for bonding, too.
Clearer thinking – Trampolines can boost cognitive function. Being fitter physically stimulates the brain to function better, and your child will find themselves thinking clearer.
- This could mean better performance at school, more innovative thinking, and easier learning! Absorbing information at school has never been easier.
Mental health –you can’t jump on a trampoline for long without smiling. Even the most reluctant child will crack a smile within moments of starting to bounce! The feeling of weightlessness is exhilarating, and the increased oxygen intake releases endorphins which have a positive effect on your child’s mood. It’s a far cry from being stuck indoors in lockdown, whihc has taken a toll on all our children's mental health. Kids can go out to the trampoline in a huff but they tend to come back inside happy refreshed and rebalanced. No more trantrums and screaming, trampolines create joy and a harmonious household.
We think we’ve given you enough reasons to get a trampoline. It’s a worthwhile investment that will bring greater quality of life to you and your family for years to come. Who knows - if you get the right trampoline, you could even join in the fun! What are you waiting for?
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