I’ve had my eye on a few “therapeutic” devices for my son. (He has a sensory processing disorder, so we sometimes do things like make him balance on a big ball or wrap him up in a weighted blanket and sit on him. And it’s good for him! I swear!)
Anyway, I’ve now had two occupational therapists tell me that we ought to have a trampoline. And that’s great, except have you seen what trampolines cost?
Oh, wait. Let’s try that again. Have you seen what these trampolines cost? 60% off and free shipping starts making it feel feasible, but I’m not getting one without one of these safety enclosures
Besides, I’m pretty sure that’s not gonna fit under the Christmas tree….
I read up on sensory integration, because I believe my son has this as well. I play a game with him that he loves. It’s called “Pull off your body parts” I act like I want to see if his leg will come off, his arms, even his head. The gentle pull does wonders for him. No matter how active he is, he will happily lay still so I can grunt and groan while I gently tug. Thanks for all the deals you post!!
Get the enclosure. One of my daughters was a gymnast, and the enclosure kept her from bouncing off more than once when she kept trying things she shouldn’t…. My autistic daughter wasn’t taking those risks, but the enclosure helped her to place her body better and feel safer bouncing, so she spent more time on it. Her SI prevents her from being able to tell where in space her body is, so she’ll, say, start a handstand right in front of the coffee table. That was helped by investing in a gymnastics mat and making sure that she always started at one end.
Or get one that is small that fits in the house (the exercise type) you can usually put them under a bed or some thing (no more Monkeys Jumping on the bed…..!)
the small “exercise” ones; not as bouncy; our friends got one & definatley more for adults who are trying to “work out” not just bounce. We have a “kids” one, which comes w/handle bars and is very bouncy! It is also supposed to have a weight/age limit which I think is the size of your average 8YO. But man, best money every spent! The kids LURVE the thing and whenever they are driving me nuts I tell them to go bounce for a minute.
Have you checked (ew) Wal-Mart? They have trampolines with the enclosure for just $199. Hahaha…I’m so funny. HAVE YOU LOOKED AROUND. Ha. You are the queen best deal around shopper.
Not to be a spoil sport, but I avoid the large outdoor trampolines at all costs. My pediatrician says they are responsible for a huge number of injuries each year and he advises parents to keep their kids off them. Needless to say, I am often the “mean Mum” when we visit friends with trampolines.
I second the inside trampoline. We have one with a handle and both the 2yr-old and the 7-yr-old love love love it. And it’s on sale at eToys for about $50
My insurance company will cancel my insurance if they know I have a trampoline. They are not safe. My daughter’s gymnastics teacher (just a rec class) has told us not to get a trampoline – they are too dangerous.
Just for fun, to counter the last couple of posts, our gymnastics center (not just a rec class) has them posted on the wall as gift ideas for parents!
I have to say that the enclosures linked on Amazon – I would never buy. They keep you from falling off but not from getting your leg caught in the springs. I buy the type that attaches at the edge of the jumping surface rather than outside the springs.
First, a response to Beth, who said “My pediatrician says they are responsible for a huge number of injuries each year”:
If you have an autistic kid or one with sensory integration problems, a broken bone is a small price for a kid to pay to get the kind of comfort that a trampoline brings.
And Mir, another (cheap!) sensory integration technique is a rice box. Get a big plastic box and 25 pounds or so of uncooked rice – the cheapest kind you can find. Spread a sheet beneath the box to catch strays, fill the box with rice and bury things in it for him to find. Toy soldiers, legos, whatever you have.
My grandson goes from a full-out meltdown to calm peacefulness when he sticks his hands into his rice box.
Ok, “If you have an autistic kid or one with sensory integration problems, a broken bone is a small price for a kid to pay to get the kind of comfort that a trampoline brings.”
Really? A broken bone would be plenty traumatizing to my boys who are not autistic and do not have sensory issues. I have a close friend with a son with PDD, so I know it can be difficult to deal with. I just think safety is important, too. I personally won’t let my kids use backyard trampolines. I have several friends who own them, and their kids are fine. I don’t trust them, my pediatrician told me to avoid them, so I do and I am passing on my thoughts.
Happy holidays! Do what is right for your family.
Most of the injuries you hear of are from children bouncing off the trampoline (prevented by a good enclosure that — as mentioned above — is attached to the bed rather than past the springs) or from children bouncing into each other. That is avoided by strict rules about only one person bouncing at a time. We’ve gotten many injury-free years out of our tramp, and my children have benefited from using it.