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Best Outdoor Trampolines for Kids: Skybound Springless Trampoline

My kids have been wanting a trampoline for a while. They get to enjoy a water trampoline during the summers, but as soon as the weather cools, they’re always missing the chance to go out and jump on the trampoline. 

Since we live at my husband’s work, we have a bit of a complicated housing situation with very little space for a trampoline. Knowing that, we’d been putting off choosing a trampoline for our kids. But we finally gave in and got the perfect outdoor trampoline for kids. 

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What to Look for in a Kid’s Trampoline

There are a few things to consider when you’re looking for a backyard trampoline for your family. These include price range, available space, materials used, safety recommendations, and longevity. 

Price Ranges of Kids Trampolines

Quality trampolines that are designed for children will range in price from $300-$1,000, depending on size and design. 

We chose to go with Skybound, which has frequent sales, making this high-quality trampoline a great budget option. Other trampoline brands will have sales too, so be sure to look for those!

I’d avoid some of the no-name brands on Amazon, just because they may not be as long-lasting as a product from reputable brands.

If you’re looking for a lower-budget trampoline, consider checking your local Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Buy Nothing group. I would just use additional caution in what you’re buying. Avoid trampolines that are rusted, ripped, or show significant signs of weathering. A good deal isn’t worth risking your children’s safety. 

Choosing a trampoline to fit your backyard

Obviously, you’re going to want to choose a trampoline that is big enough for your kids to get years of usage, but also small enough that it fits your yard. We don’t have a lot of room, and we also have harsh winters. Choosing something that could be easily stored during the snowy months was also important. There are also many different trampoline shapes, but we focused on round trampolines. Neither of our young children are gymnasts, so the classic shape made the most sense for a backyard trampoline used for outdoor play. 

Ultimately, we chose a trampoline that has a 10 foot circumference. It’s big enough for both of our kids to bounce, but also not so huge that it takes up our entire yard. 

Some tips for deciding the size of the trampoline you need:

  • Measure the area you’d like to use first. Map out the space so you don’t have any surprises when you get your trampoline in. 
  • Choose a space that’s safely away from other hazards in case of a fall. Avoid close proximity to fences, other outdoor toys, and objects. 
  • Make sure you have a flat surface for your trampoline before buying one. You may need to do some dirt work to prepare the area. 

Safety Recommendations for Backyard Trampolines

Safety is always a big concern when choosing a trampoline. We all want to choose the safest trampoline for our kids. However, the #1 injury on trampolines has nothing to do with the structure of the trampoline, jumping surface, or the safety enclosures on the trampoline. It’s actually caused by children hitting their heads or running into each other while playing on the trampoline. To prevent this injury, be sure to limit the amount of people on the trampoline to the manufacturer’s suggestion. 

Other safety concerns include:

  • Falling from the trampoline. We chose a trampoline that’s lower to the ground, but also includes a durable net that secures the kids in the jumping space. The net on our trampoline zips into place, so there’s no gaps where kids can slide out. 
  • Pinching from metal springs. You’ll see more about trampolines with traditional springs vs. springless trampolines. Both can provide excellent bouncing, but springless trampolines reduce the risk of pinching from the metal springs. Metal springs can also rust over time from weathering, and if not properly covered, kids can fall between the springs. 
  • Weathering. If a trampoline is left out 365 days a year it will experience weathering much faster than one that is put up seasonally. Weathering will eventually reduce the life of your trampoline. However, there are trampolines made from high-quality materials that include UV protection.  

High-Quality Materials for Longevity

If you’re investing in a trampoline, be sure to choose a trampoline that utilizes high-quality materials. Look for UV protected mats with heavy-duty stitching as well as a durable metal base. You can also find one that has an integrated net that prevents falls. 

Spring Trampolines vs. Springless Trampolines

Traditionally, trampolines were made with metal springs to give them their bounce. However, over the years, there have been many injuries caused by trampolines using springs. 

An effort to reduce injuries resulted in springless trampoline designs. Many use flexible rods under the trampoline, but those can result in less bounce than traditional trampolines. Other designs include a more traditional style, but with innovative use of bungee cords. This creates a similar jumping experience to typical spring trampolines, but without the harsh pinch of those traditional trampolines. 

A springfree trampoline is an excellent choice for families with younger children, who may worry about trampoline safety. Today, springless trampolines are some of the best trampolines on the market, providing additional peace of mind for safety-conscious parents.

Skybound Springless Trampoline

We went with the 10 foot Skybound Springless Trampoline because it fit all the qualifications we were looking for. It’s made of durable materials, spring-free, includes a safety net, and fits comfortably our yard. 

The 10 ft trampoline is also a great size for younger kids through older kids, making it a trampoline that will last through the years. 

I also like that it’s relatively low to the ground, at only 2.5 feet, and includes a free ladder. 

view on skybound
view on amazon

Setting Up the Skybound Springless Trampoline

Setting up the Skybound Springless Trampoline was simple, thanks to the instruction manual and the intuitive design. 

Skybound includes all the tools and hardware you need to install the trampoline, including some very helpful tools to attach the bungee cords when the tension gets tight. On that note: I couldn’t attach the bungee cords when it was tight. Be sure to bring the muscle to the setup party! 

The part that we definitely messed up on was attaching the bungee cords. We had a team of four working on the bungee cords all at once, and we didn’t count the spaces evenly. There were a few times where we had to backtrack and reattach the bungee cords to the correct area. 

I loved how the net was pre-attached, making installation a breeze after we had all the bungee cords in place. The net is attached with a zipper, so there are no gaps between the mat and net, preventing injuries from falling. 

Overall, the assembly was easy and relatively fast. 

view on skybound
view on amazon

Skybound Springless Trampoline Features

Skybound Springless Trampolines have some features that make them unique from other trampolines on the market. This includes: 

  • Double buckle bungee system, ensuring stronger and more durable bounces. 
  • Galvanized powder-coating on all metal
  • An intuitive zipper system for the net enclosure ensures there’s no way children can fall out of the safety enclosure net. This also makes it one of the easiest trampoline nets to install. 
  • An intuitive zipper system for the net enclosure ensures there’s no way children can fall out of the safety enclosure net. This also makes it one of the easiest trampoline nets to install. 
  • Fiberglass poles on the safety net prevent breakage and potential injury. They also have good flexibility, making them withstand high winds without breaking. (Like a camping tent!)
  • Additional trampoline accessories are included for free, such as a ladder and shoe storage. 
  • An intuitive zipper system for the net enclosure ensures there’s no way children can fall out of the safety enclosure net. This also makes it one of the easiest trampoline nets to install. 
  • UV-resistant mat and net for longer durability. They also have waterproofing, but I’m not sure how much. 
  • Spring covers. Despite being a spring-free trampoline, our trampoline included a cover for the bungee cords. 
view on skybound
view on amazon
Bungee Cord Tool

Testing the Skybound Springless Trampoline

The 10-foot Skybound Springless Trampoline has a single user weight of 286 lbs. On the net enclosure it states that there should only be one bouncer at a time. Having more than one bouncer has a greater risk of injury than any other safety concerns with trampolines. 

I allowed our kids to bounce with siblings vs. bouncing one at a time. This is ultimately your decision, but know that this goes against the manufacturer’s recommendation. Ultimately, you are responsible for how you choose to let your children play on the trampoline. 

With that being said, our kids had plenty of jumping area between them, but I think when they are older kids the 10 ft trampoline may need to be a one at a time activity. They had a great level of bounce and were both laughing with joy!

The first thing I noticed was the easy access provided by the ladder adn the high-quality zipper on the safety net. My kids also loved putting their shoes into the shoe storage. Once they were in, I zipped them closed and watched as they had a great time jumping. 

Over the time we’ve had our trampoline up, the kids have enjoyed jumping and playing outside on it as much as possible. My husband and I have kept an eye on them while jumping to mitigate injuries, and I’d suggest doing the same.

view on skybound
view on amazon

Anchor Kits for Outdoor Trampolines

We’ve all seen videos of trampolines taking flight in high winds or ripped to shreds after inclement weather. To ensure the life of your trampoline, be sure to purchase an anchor kit to stake your trampoline down. I’d especially recommend this for the Skybound Springless Trampoline. Because it’s not made of heavy steel materials, it’s lighter weight than other options. Nobody wants to see that their trampoline has blow away!

We chose this anchor kit from Amazon. It has great reviews and is made of galvanized steel. They’re perfect for our hard ground!

If you need something to secure into softer soil, choose this design.

Skybound also sells anchor kits directly from their website. They are similar in style to the ones we chose, and look like excellent quality!

Other Skybound Trampolines

Skybound offers a variety of trampolines, including larger trampolines than our 10 ft. trampoline, and even a mini trampoline designed for exercise. You can choose from different shapes and different sizes for your family.

view all skybound trampolines

Skybound Springless Trampoline: A Great Backyard Trampoline

The Skybound Springless Trampoline is a great option for a family trampoline at an affordable price. It’s a great quality full-size trampoline for kids of all ages. With a variety of sizes, your family can find the ideal trampoline to meet your needs. 

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