Trampoline for Small or Sloping Yards Guide and Review

For the holidays, we wanted to surprise our kids with a trampoline. The problem was that the back yard at our new house sloped down after you got about 12 feet from the house. We began our search for a trampoline that was smaller than normal, but still big enough for our 5 kids to enjoy. It isn't your normal kid toy or gift, but ideally you only have to buy one and it will last for years.

We ended up going with the Skywalker Trampolines 10 Ft. Round Trampoline and Enclosure with Spring. I was worried at first at how long it would take us to put it together, but it actually wasn't that bad. The hardest part actually was doing it outside in freezing weather between snows because my wife and kids insisted that it go up as soon as possible (even though it wouldn't actually be warm enough to jump on the trampoline for a few months).

Now we have had this Skywalker trampoline for 5 months and the kids still absolutely enjoy it. I've listed the manufacturer's product description and some "pros" and "cons" below to help other parents become the heroes in their home.


Manufacturer's Product Details:

• Stay-put enclosure net interlocks to the jumping mat by using a patented button-hole feature attaching the enclosure netting to the jumping surface at each V-ring
• Reinforced welded T-sockets stabilize the upper enclosure frame to the trampoline frame and prevents structural twisting
• 64, heavy gauged 5.5 inch springs provide superior bounce and are rust resistant
• Assembled Dimensions: 10 ft. X 10 ft. X 8 ft
• Recommended for ages 6 and above with a 175 lb. weight capacity

Pros:

• Small size gave us the feeling that we had a normal sized trampoline, while also fitting in our yard
• Fairly easy to put together, especially with two people
• Netting around the outside of the trampoline keeps kids (and adults) from accidentally falling off and injuring themselves
• The cost for this trampoline was lower than many other models out there
• Since we ordered from Amazon, the shipping was fast and reliable

Cons:

• This trampoline has springs, which several manufacturers are getting away from
• The kids sometimes have a problem with the zipper on the net, but they always figure it out

Overall:

For the price, this trampoline was exactly what we were looking for. It fits our yard and even though it has springs, the padding around the edges and the net keeps that from being an issue. We were worried about some of the weather we received after putting it up, but this trampoline has survived a few snow and rain storms without any noticeable wear. Just make sure the kids don't leave their toys on it while they are jumping. If you are looking for a smaller trampoline at a good cost point, this one is the way to go.