Toys and Games - Reviews and News

Trampolines have become the must have fun and fitness accessories owned by many UK households. But as trampoline ownership has soared so has the number of trampoline related injuries.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) figures tell us that, in 2002, 11,500 people went to hospital after suffering a trampoline accident. This figure was a 50% increase on the previous year. Approximately 75% of injuries occurred when there were 2 or more people on the trampoline and the least heavy person is five times more likely to be injured. A particularly worrying statistic for parents is that children under the age of six are particularly vulnerable to injury.

Injuries vary, from minor grazes, bruises, strains and whip lash, to broken bones and more serious injuries resulting in paralysis and even death.

The chartered institute of physiotherapy have published some common-sense safety guidelines that anyone owning a trampoline should be familiar with.

To avoid injuries they recommend:

• Stretching before and after trampolining
• Don’t push your body too far when trampolining to avoid muscle strain
• Control your bouncing and don’t go too high
• Never attempt somersaults or flips as awkward landings can have serious consequences.

Their twelve point safety advice for trampolines is:

1. If possible set the trampoline in a hole, with the mat at ground level, to reduce the distance the user could fall.
2. Keep trampoline clear of fences, trees and any other yard or play equipment. Erect netting around the sides of the trampoline to stop users falling off.
3. Ensure trampoline has a securely fastened frame pad to cover the entire spring system, hooks and frame
4. Place cushioning material (such as wood chips, sand or soft lawn) under and around the trampoline
5. Check the wear and tear on the trampoline mat and springs before use
6. Use the trampoline only when the mat is completely dry
7. Children should always be supervised by an adult. It is not advised that children under age six use large trampolines
8. Only one person should use the trampoline at a time
9. Users should always jump in the middle of the mat
10. Never exit the trampoline by bouncing off - climb on and off carefully
11. Users should remove all jewellery, buckles or anything that might catch and should not wear hard shoes; socks should be non-slip
12. Never sit or crawl under the trampoline

Another key point that should not be overlooked is the quality of the trampoline itself. The current trampolining popularity means that the market has been flooded with cheap trampolines that may not be as safe as those which have been fully tested and verified. Take a look at the detailed description of this 14ft trampoline: Alley Oop Power Double Bounce. You can see from the comparison table the details of the features that make this reputable trampoline the favoured option.

Having a mini trampoline in your garden is a great way for your children, and yourself, to get some exercise and maybe bounce away a few excess pounds.

Remember that bouncing on a trampoline for as little as 5 to 10 minutes can be equivalent to running a mile. And its a lot more fun.

Unfortunately most trampoline suppliers don’t give you the opportunity to ‘try before you buy’. But those lovely people over at Climbing Frames UK have kindly setup a few of their most popular models for you to check out before you purchase.

They are currently displaying two models at their busy Brentwood branch and another over at their Weighbridge branch so why not pop along and check them out. You can talk over your specific requirements with a salesperson who will advise you on the best choice to make.

This story from the BBC (No Outdoor Play Hurts Children) reports a worrying trend wherein parental anxiety coupled with increasingly popular sedentary activities, such as watching TV and playing computer games, are adversely affecting children’s health.

Play England is a project that has been established to promote play activities, to raise awareness of the importance of play and the provision of suitable play facilities and strategies. The fact that this project exists is indicative of how important this issue has become.

Outdoor play activities can make a significant contribution to a childs development. Children will begin to climb even before they can walk. Providing infants with safe outdoor play equipment which encourages them to climb and to discover their own physical capabilities aids the development of their psycho-motor and cognitive skills. When toddlers begin to walk they benefit from opportunities to develop their walking skills through balancing. Ladders, climbing frames, treehouses and other forms of outdoor play equipment can help them to develop their physical confidence.

As toddlers grow they need to encounter increasingly demanding challenges which will stretch their capabilities and help them to develop their physical skills. Slides, swings, ladders, trampolines and other garden and park play equipment can make a powerful contribution towards this development. Variety is crucial in ensuring that a child does not become bored by a challenge which is either too easy or too hard.

When children are very young they will need fairly close supervision from an adult. But as a child grows this requirement quickly diminishes and it becomes increasingly important that children are given the freedom to explore their capabilities in relation to the physical world around them. It is also important that they get the opportunity to interact with other youngsters of the same age. Appropriate outdoor play facilities can provide an ideal environment for children to learn through exploration and discovery and for them to share their experiences. It is up to the parent or guardian to facilitate their creative play by providing a safe environment for them to play in along with adequately stimulating and challenging props and outdoor play equipment.

This story from the BBC (No Outdoor Play Hurts Children) reports a worrying trend wherein parental anxiety coupled with increasingly popular sedentary activities, such as watching TV and playing computer games, are adversely affecting children’s health.

Play England is a project that has been established to promote play activities, to raise awareness of the importance of play and the provision of suitable play facilities and strategies. The fact that this project exists is indicative of how important this issue has become.

Outdoor play activities can make a significant contribution to a childs development. Children will begin to climb even before they can walk. Providing infants with safe outdoor play equipment which encourages them to climb and to discover their own physical capabilities aids the development of their psycho-motor and cognitive skills. When toddlers begin to walk they benefit from opportunities to develop their walking skills through balancing. Ladders, climbing frames, treehouses and other forms of outdoor play equipment can help them to develop their physical confidence.

As toddlers grow they need to encounter increasingly demanding challenges which will stretch their capabilities and help them to develop their physical skills. Slides, swings, ladders, trampolines and other garden and park play equipment can make a powerful contribution towards this development. Variety is crucial in ensuring that a child does not become bored by a challenge which is either too easy or too hard.

When children are very young they will need fairly close supervision from an adult. But as a child grows this requirement quickly diminishes and it becomes increasingly important that children are given the freedom to explore their capabilities in relation to the physical world around them. It is also important that they get the opportunity to interact with other youngsters of the same age. Appropriate outdoor play facilities can provide an ideal environment for children to learn through exploration and discovery and for them to share their experiences. It is up to the parent or guardian to facilitate their creative play by providing a safe environment for them to play in along with adequately stimulating and challenging props and outdoor play equipment.

This story from the BBC (No Outdoor Play Hurts Children) reports a worrying trend wherein parental anxiety coupled with increasingly popular sedentary activities, such as watching TV and playing computer games, are adversely affecting children’s health.

Play England is a project that has been established to promote play activities, to raise awareness of the importance of play and the provision of suitable play facilities and strategies. The fact that this project exists is indicative of how important this issue has become.

Outdoor play activities can make a significant contribution to a childs development. Children will begin to climb even before they can walk. Providing infants with safe outdoor play equipment which encourages them to climb and to discover their own physical capabilities aids the development of their psycho-motor and cognitive skills. When toddlers begin to walk they benefit from opportunities to develop their walking skills through balancing. Ladders, climbing frames, treehouses and other forms of outdoor play equipment can help them to develop their physical confidence.

As toddlers grow they need to encounter increasingly demanding challenges which will stretch their capabilities and help them to develop their physical skills. Slides, swings, ladders, trampolines and other garden and park play equipment can make a powerful contribution towards this development. Variety is crucial in ensuring that a child does not become bored by a challenge which is either too easy or too hard.

When children are very young they will need fairly close supervision from an adult. But as a child grows this requirement quickly diminishes and it becomes increasingly important that children are given the freedom to explore their capabilities in relation to the physical world around them. It is also important that they get the opportunity to interact with other youngsters of the same age. Appropriate outdoor play facilities can provide an ideal environment for children to learn through exploration and discovery and for them to share their experiences. It is up to the parent or guardian to facilitate their creative play by providing a safe environment for them to play in along with adequately stimulating and challenging props and outdoor play equipment.