Trampoline Safety for Kids: What Pediatricians Recommend, Backyard Rules and Trampoline Parks

Quick answer: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages recreational trampoline use at home. If your family uses one anyway, allow only one jumper at a time, ban flips and somersaults, keep an adult actively supervising, use padding and a net enclosure kept in good repair, place the trampoline on level ground away from hazards and check your homeowners insurance. Trampoline parks carry similar risks, so the same rules apply there.

Trampolines look like simple backyard fun, and children love them. They are also one of the more common sources of serious play injuries that pediatricians see, from sprained ankles and broken arms to rare but devastating head and neck injuries.

That does not mean every bounce ends badly. It means the setup, the rules and the supervision matter a great deal. This article is part of our family safety guide and walks through what pediatric and safety organizations actually recommend.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement on trampoline safety in childhood and adolescence and HealthyChildren.org guidance; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) trampoline safety information; ASTM International standards for home trampolines (F381), trampoline enclosures (F2225) and trampoline courts (F2970); Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) guidance on attractive nuisances and liability coverage. This is general safety information, not medical advice.

What Pediatricians Say About Home Trampolines

The AAP has published a policy statement on trampoline safety, most recently in 2012 and later reaffirmed. Its core message is direct: pediatricians should actively discourage recreational trampoline use.

The AAP’s reasoning rests on injury patterns:

• Injuries are common. The 2012 policy statement cited nearly 98,000 trampoline-related injuries in the United States in 2009, based on national emergency department data.
• Most injuries happen on home trampolines, not in organized training settings.
• Multiple jumpers raise the risk sharply. The AAP reports that up to 75 percent of injuries occur when more than one person is on the mat.
• Smaller children are hurt more severely. Children younger than 6 are at higher risk of fractures and dislocations.
• Safety equipment has limits. The AAP notes that nets and padding have not been shown to reduce injury rates overall.

The AAP does recognize that some families will keep a trampoline. For them, it lays out specific rules, covered below.

The Most Common Trampoline Injuries

Understanding how children get hurt explains why each safety rule exists.

Injury type	How it often happens
Sprains and strains	Awkward landings, collisions with other jumpers
Fractures	Falls onto the frame, springs or ground; being bounced unexpectedly by a bigger jumper
Head injuries and concussions	Collisions, falls off the trampoline, landing on the head during flips
Neck and spine injuries	Failed flips and somersaults that end with a landing on the head or neck
Cuts and bruises	Contact with springs, frame or net poles

Head and neck injuries are less common than sprains and fractures, but they are the most serious. The AAP warns that cervical spine injuries from failed somersaults can cause permanent paralysis.

Rule One: One Jumper at a Time

If you remember only one rule, make it this one. When two or more people jump together, they collide, they land on each other and they transfer energy unpredictably through the mat.

The smallest jumper usually gets the worst of it. A lighter child bounced by an adult or older sibling can be thrown higher than expected and land awkwardly. That pattern helps explain why the AAP flags children under 6 as especially vulnerable.

Practical ways to make the rule stick:

• Set up a visible turn system, such as a timer or counting bounces.
• Have waiting children sit or stand away from the trampoline, not on the edge.
• Apply the rule to adults too. Parents jumping with toddlers is one of the riskiest combinations.

Rule Two: No Flips or Somersaults

The AAP recommends against somersaults and flips on recreational trampolines. A miscalculated rotation can drive a child’s head and neck into the mat, which is how many of the most serious spinal injuries occur.

Children who want to learn flips should do so in a structured program, such as gymnastics or diving training, with a qualified coach, proper spotting and appropriate equipment. Backyard trampolines are not built for that kind of training.

Rule Three: Active Adult Supervision

Supervision means an adult is watching the trampoline, not glancing over from the kitchen window. The supervising adult should:

• Know and enforce the household rules every time.
• Stop play that becomes rough or crowded.
• Keep jumpers on the center of the mat, away from edges.
• End play if anyone is tired, dizzy or wearing anything that could catch.

The AAP also notes that supervision alone is not enough to prevent injuries, since many happen while adults are present. Supervision works best combined with the other rules.

Setup and Equipment Rules

How and where the trampoline sits makes a difference.

Placement

• Set the trampoline on level ground.
• Keep a clear zone around it, free of trees, fences, play sets, patio furniture and hard surfaces.
• Consider placing it over an energy-absorbing surface rather than concrete or packed dirt.
• Avoid placing it near power lines or anything a jumper could hit.

Equipment

• Choose a trampoline that meets the ASTM F381 consumer safety specification for home trampolines.
• Make sure frame pads fully cover the springs, hooks and frame.
• If you use a net enclosure, look for one that meets ASTM F2225, and check that poles are padded.
• Never place a ladder where young children can climb up unsupervised. Remove it after use.

Maintenance

• Inspect the mat, springs, frame, pads and net before each season and regularly during use.
• Replace torn mats, worn pads and broken springs promptly.
• Anchor the trampoline if you live in a windy area, and follow manufacturer guidance for storms.

Nets can keep jumpers from falling off the trampoline, but they do nothing about collisions or bad landings on the mat itself. Treat them as one layer, not a guarantee.

Clothing and Behavior Rules to Post

Many families find it helps to post the rules near the trampoline. A simple list might include:

1. One jumper at a time.
2. No flips, somersaults or wrestling.
3. Jump in the center of the mat.
4. No jumping off the trampoline.
5. No shoes, jewelry or clothing with drawstrings or hoods that can catch.
6. No toys, balls or pets on the mat.
7. Climb on and off carefully, never jump down.
8. An adult must be watching.
9. Stop when tired.
10. No jumping when the mat is wet.

Children are more likely to follow rules they helped write, so it can be worth going over the list together at the start of each season.

Trampolines and Homeowners Insurance

A backyard trampoline can affect your homeowners coverage. The Insurance Information Institute notes that pools and trampolines are considered attractive nuisances, meaning they may attract neighborhood children and raise liability risk.

Insurers handle trampolines differently:

• Some policies exclude trampoline-related injuries entirely.
• Some insurers require safety nets or fencing as a condition of coverage.
• Some may charge more or decline to cover homes with trampolines.

Before buying one, read your policy or call your insurer to ask how trampolines are treated. Many families also consider an umbrella liability policy for extra protection.

Trampoline Parks and Birthday Parties

Indoor trampoline parks have become popular for birthday parties and rainy days. They share many of the same injury risks as home trampolines, and the AAP’s concerns about multiple jumpers and flips apply there too.

Before a visit, consider:

• Ask about rules. Look for parks that separate jumpers by age or size and limit one person per mat section.
• Look for staff. Courts should have attentive court monitors who enforce rules.
• Check the waiver. Read what you are signing.
• Ask about standards. ASTM F2970 covers the design, manufacture and operation of trampoline courts. Some parks follow it voluntarily or under state rules.
• Skip the stunts. Foam pits, dodgeball courts and flip zones bring added risks.

Young children may do best in a separate toddler area with smaller, slower equipment.

Questions to Ask Before Buying a Trampoline

Taking time to think it through before a purchase can save a lot of worry later. Useful questions include:

• Who will use it? Ages and sizes matter. Mixing toddlers with teenagers is the riskiest pattern, so plan how you will keep them apart.
• Who will supervise? Be realistic about how often an adult can actively watch.
• Where will it go? Measure the yard and confirm you have a clear zone on every side, away from trees, fences and hard surfaces.
• Does it meet safety standards? Check the packaging or manual for ASTM F381 for the trampoline and ASTM F2225 for the enclosure.
• What does your insurer say? Ask before you buy, not after.
• How will you control access? Think about neighborhood children and whether a fence, gate or removable ladder makes sense.
• Who will maintain it? Pads, springs, nets and mats wear out, especially in sun and weather.

If the answers point to a lot of gaps, that is useful information too.

Visiting Friends, Neighbors and Relatives With Trampolines

Even families without a trampoline will likely run into one at a friend’s or relative’s house. A short, friendly conversation can go a long way:

• Ask whether an adult will be watching while children jump.
• Share your family’s rules, especially one jumper at a time and no flips.
• Teach your child to step off and wait if the mat gets crowded.
• Let your child know it is always fine to come find an adult if play gets rough.

Most hosts appreciate knowing a parent’s expectations, and children benefit from hearing the same rules everywhere they play.

Safer Ways to Get the Same Fun

If you decide against a trampoline, children still have plenty of active options outdoors:

• Bike riding with a properly fitted helmet. Our guide to bike helmet fit and safety rules covers the basics.
• Supervised swimming, using the steps in our water safety for kids guide.
• Running games, hopscotch, jump rope and obstacle courses.
• Climbing structures at well-maintained public playgrounds.

On hot days, pair any outdoor play with the sun protection steps in our summer sun safety guide.

What to Do After a Trampoline Injury

Most bumps and minor sprains can be handled at home with rest, ice and observation. Seek medical care promptly if a child:

• Hits their head and is confused, vomits, has a severe headache or seems unusually sleepy.
• Complains of neck or back pain after a fall. Do not move a child with a possible neck injury; call 911.
• Cannot put weight on a leg or move an arm normally.
• Has an obvious deformity, significant swelling or numbness.

Concussion symptoms can appear hours later, so keep watching a child who bumped their head even if they seemed fine at first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the AAP say trampolines are unsafe?

The AAP’s policy statement says pediatricians should actively discourage recreational trampoline use. For families who use one anyway, it recommends one jumper at a time, no flips or somersaults, adult supervision and well-maintained padding.

Do trampoline nets prevent injuries?

Nets can reduce falls off the trampoline, but the AAP notes that nets and padding have not been shown to reduce overall injury rates, since many injuries happen on the mat from collisions and bad landings.

What age is safe for a trampoline?

The AAP notes children younger than 6 face a higher risk of fractures and dislocations. Many trampoline manufacturers also set minimum ages. Younger children should be kept off full-size trampolines.

Are in-ground trampolines safer?

In-ground trampolines reduce the height of a fall off the edge, but they do not prevent collisions, flips or bad landings, which cause many injuries. The same rules still apply.

How long do trampoline parts last?

It varies by product and climate. Sun, rain and cold break down mats, nets and pads over time, so inspect them every season and replace worn parts following the manufacturer’s guidance.

Will my homeowners insurance cover trampoline injuries?

It depends on your policy. Some insurers exclude trampolines, some require nets or fencing and some charge more. Check your policy or ask your insurer before buying.

The Bottom Line

Pediatricians discourage home trampolines because injuries are common and some are severe. If your family has one, the rules that matter most are one jumper at a time, no flips and an adult actively watching, backed by good equipment and a clear landing zone. Apply the same thinking at trampoline parks, and check your insurance before you buy.