Trampolining with toddlers

This week as the weather took a turn for the worse, we decided to try out a new trampolining centre that has opened nearby and was offering a toddler or ‘rascals’ session for 1-6yr olds. Even though it’s not the cheapest way to spend a morning or afternoon, the girls thoroughly enjoyed it.

Trampolining

 

We prebooked online and paid for the compulsory trampoline socks. However, I’m sure on off peak week days you could just rock up and pay. When we arrived, we checked in, put on our wristbands and socks and filled a free locker with all our stuff before letting the girls loose in the soft play area.

I hadn’t realised you have to remove all jewellery and so opened the locker about six times every time I remember some other contraband item. It’s also worth noting that long hair must be tied up. I’d put Jess’ hair in pigtails but not thought about my own. Luckily one of supervisors had a spare bobble.

Before you are allowed to bounce, you have to watch a safety video. Amusingly, watching this with toddlers is like watching itchy and scratchy from the Simpsons. They all just howled with laughter every time one of the stick men broke a bone. I’m not quite sure that’s the reaction the video is intended to have.

On the trampolines had been placed a variety of age appropriate soft toys, crawl tunnels and balls for the children to play with. There were flat and curved trampolines but the more dangerous areas had been roped off.

About half way through the hour session, a parachute was pulled out and there was an optional led activity. Unfortunately my girls were a bit young for this and weren’t quite up to following the instructions. They just wanted to run under so we just abandoned ship and headed for the foam pit.

Foam pit

 

At either end, there were two foam pits. One with a balance beam and jousting poles and the other simply for leaping into. We tried balancing but thought catapulting the girls into the soft cubes was much more fun.

Just before our time was up, a minion made an appearance and came round to all the children. This was a lovely touch which the girls really enjoyed. You can take photos but only when you are off the trampolines so I did dash back and forth from the lockers to grab my phone.

Family fun

 

Adults beware, this session is not designed to practise your skills or test out somersaulting. Stu gets all enthusiastic with anything physical and was reminded on three occasions to ‘take it down’. He was trying to slam dunk into the basketball hoop but there were no children nearby. This particular centre has a three strikes and you’re out rule. Even though we were reminded gently to be careful, no strikes were added to our wristband.

Wristband

 

There is a loyalty scheme but we only got one stamp for all four of us so it’s unlikely we’ll redeem our free session anytime soon. Overall we had a fun time and tired the girls out nicely. The bonus of free softplay before and after the session was great and the cafe looked lovely for coffee and cake.

A great gift idea

We have bought a gift voucher for my nephew’s 8th birthday (and some trampolining socks to wrap up) so it will be interesting to see how the junior or open jump sessions differ from the one we attended. I just know he’s going to love it. This would be perfect for a birthday party too.

Trampolining vouchers

 

Have you been trampolining. Trust me it’s a work out, even if you just chase around after toddlers. I poorly planned our trip for the same day I do Zumba….I slept well that night I can tell you that.

PIN FOR LATER

 

6 thoughts on “Trampolining with toddlers

  1. OH MY GOLLY! This looks so fun. I must take my toddler here, she’ll lose her mind! Thanks for sharing! #Blogstravaganza

  2. We went to our local trampoline park a few weeks ago and loved it! The girls had a great time too, haha! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx

  3. Thanks – we’d been waiting for a day when it wasn’t sunny. We didn’t have to wait too long

  4. I was just thinking “I bet hey slept well after all that” and then you said it about you! Haha! Hope the girls did too 🙂

    I love the idea that trampolining doesn’t burn off enough energy and they’ve provided soft play! What a busy day out.

    Thanks for joining #daysoutwithatoddler! See you again soon 🙂

    And yes, you’re totally right about the reminder as to when the linky opens – I’ll try to be better!!

  5. We went to a toddler session at our local trampoline park and it was great fun, lots of foam shapes and plastic balls on the trampolines to play with too. #Daysoutwithatoddler

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