Setting up a safe trampoline area in your garden

Pick the Right Patch of Grass Before Anything Else

Half the safety work is done before you even open the box. A trampoline needs level grass, and it needs space around it. Aim for at least two metres of clear ground on every side, and more if you can manage it. That gap is what stops a child bouncing into a fence, a wall, a shed, a washing line post or the corner of a patio.

Walk the garden with a tape measure and be honest about what is there. Overhanging branches are a common culprit — a child can reach a surprising height on even a modest 8ft trampoline. Look up as well as sideways. Keep clear of greenhouses, glass panels, rotary dryers, bike racks and anything with a sharp edge.

Flat really does mean flat. A gentle slope might look harmless, but the frame will twist over time and the bounce will pull to one side. If your only option is a slope, dig out a level patch or look at a sunken trampoline, which sits flush with the lawn and removes the fall-height problem altogether.

• Choose a spot that gets some shade during the hottest part of the day — mats and nets last longer out of constant direct sun.
• Avoid placing it directly over a manhole cover, tree roots or a soakaway.
• Think about sightlines from the kitchen or living room, so you can keep an eye on things without standing outside the whole time.

Preparing the Ground and Anchoring the Frame

Once you have your spot, clear it properly. Remove stones, toys, fallen fruit and anything else that could work its way under the mat or catch a bare foot. If the grass is uneven, lift the turf, add a thin layer of sand, and relay it. A little effort now saves a lot of wobble later.

Assembly is a two-person job, and it is worth reading the instructions twice rather than once. Springs go on in a pattern — usually opposite pairs — and rushing this is how frames get bent. Tighten everything at the end, not as you go.

Anchoring matters more in the UK than most people realise. A trampoline is a giant sail in a gust, and storms have lifted plenty of them over fences. Use proper ground anchors or a sandbag kit on each leg, and check them after windy weather. If a strong gale is forecast, some families tilt the trampoline on its side or take the net down.

Safety Nets, Padding and the Kit That Actually Matters

A good enclosure is not optional, especially with younger children. Look for a net that sits inside the springs rather than outside the frame, so nobody can land on the metalwork. The entrance should have a proper overlap or zip that a small child cannot open from the inside.

Padding covers the springs, the frame and the poles. Check it every few weeks — British sun and rain make foam brittle, and cracked foam over a spring is exactly where a toddler will put a hand. Replace any pad that has split or lost its velcro grip.

• One jumper at a time. This is the single most important rule, and it should be non-negotiable regardless of age or confidence.
• No shoes, no buckles, no jewellery. Bare feet or grip socks only, and empty pockets before anyone climbs on.
• No somersaults, flips or tricks unless you have proper coaching and a specialist setup — garden trampolines are not built for it.
• No pushing, no wrestling, no bouncing off the net. The net is a safety barrier, not a toy.
• Supervision from an adult for anyone under about six, and a sensible older child checking in on the rest.
• Respect the weight limit. If you have a big teenage group and a small trampoline, that is a recipe for a bent frame.

Setting Rules Children Will Actually Follow

Children follow rules best when they have helped make them. Sit down together before the first bounce and agree three or four simple ones. Write them on a small board or laminate a sheet and pin it near the back door. Anything more than five rules gets forgotten.

If you are hosting a party, be realistic. A trampoline with ten excited children around it is not a safe combination without an adult standing right there. Many families simply lock the net for the duration of the party and bring out other entertainment instead — a bouncy castle or inflatable obstacle course keeps everyone moving without the height risk, and it is easier to supervise a group on one of those than on a trampoline.

Also think about who is coming round. A seven-year-old and a fourteen-year-old on the same mat is a serious mismatch. Set age bands for sessions, and do not be shy about saying no.

Regular Checks and Weather-Proofing

Give the trampoline a quick once-over every couple of weeks and a thorough check at the start of each season. It takes five minutes and it catches most problems early.

• Run a hand over the mat stitching and look for tears, worn patches or sagging.
• Check every spring is attached and not stretched out of shape.
• Look at the net for holes, frayed seams or a zip that no longer closes.
• Wipe the mat dry before use — a wet mat is slippery and dangerous.
• Clear fallen leaves out of the frame, as they trap damp and rot the padding.
• Tighten bolts and check the anchors have not lifted.

In winter, most families either take the trampoline down and store it somewhere dry, or invest in a fitted cover. Do not leave it up through a storm just because it is cold. When spring arrives, reassemble it carefully, check the padding again, and walk the whole setup before letting anyone near it.

Done properly, a garden trampoline is one of the best things you can put outside for children — hours of fresh air, exercise and happy shouting. Get the spot right, keep the kit in good order, hold the one-at-a-time rule, and it will serve your family safely for years.