Trampolines

How about trying the small square ones with the bar, and see how the little ones get on?

From my observations of my neighbour's children, they can be rather dangerous. A little one doesn't have the physical control to deal with a trampoline. A little slide or climbing frame would be a better option until they are older.

Sorry pressed too soon!
This is what we tried first then got a big round garden trampoline with the safety net fitted. And DH fixed to the ground tomake it safe.

That's a good idea. I'll suggest it. I think they are too small for a big one anyway.
We didn't have garden swings but took our children to the play park so we could watch them. DD has no nearby park.

I know that my dgd (11) and dgs (8) have had many years of fun from their trampolines. They were large ones and were well maintained. Also placed on a grassy area for safety (though it doesn't do much for the grass underneath.)

Fun wise - they are a great investment. Shrieks of laughter and that included mummy and daddy, cousins, friends.

With regard to accidents, they need care when used as do swings and climbing frames etc.
It's up to the parents to supervise, maintain and properly dispose of them when they've had their day.

Not sure about the ages mine were about 4 years old with the small one and didn’t get a big one till they were about 9years

A climbing frame with a slide would be better. I think DD has made up her mind already though.

I bought a largish good quality one, with a net, for my grandsons from when the elder one was about seven or eight. It has been invaluable. He is a very active, high energy boy and it was great exercise for him. He went to classes so that he knew what to do and what not to do. He got amazingly good at it. He doesn't bother with it so much now he's seventeen.

The younger grandson never bothered with it quite so much.

Best to let no more than two children on at a time, and then only if it sufficiently big enough.

A net is a necessity.

I've watched too many clips on 'You've been framed' to trust a trampoline.

A 4 and 2 year old to me are very young. You do not want it to be a one minute wonder and as somebody else said, they should have training.

It must have a good safety net.

Who wants the trampoline- mum or the children?!

Some friends had neighbours that put a trampoline close to the house and dividing fence. Consequently there was constant thump, thump, thump, from the bouncing children.

They are quite young for a proper big one. Our older GC have had loads of fun on theirs and it releases some energy. Occasional bumped heads so need to be supervised if 2 on there.

We had a massive one for years. Didn't even have a net although I wouldn't recommend that. No accidents. I did used to tell parents that we wouldn't be liable if their offspring injured themselves though...

My daughter and son in law have dug beneath the trampoline and anchored it so it is at ground level,works really well.DGD can just step onto it,no danger of her falling or the trampoline blowing away.

My DGC had a very small one when they were young, but now they are a bit older they have a larger one with safety nets on the side and it is anchored down.
2 and 4 is quite young for a full-sized trampoline.

A terror of them seems a bit extreme! And surely your DD would not put her children at risk?

A friend has just got an enormous one for her 6 year old twins!

Thanks for all the advice. I'm glad I asked.

The one that my DGC had when they were toddlers was square (as far as I remember) like angelic mentioned, and had a bar which they could hold on to while they bounced.
It was similar to this one but I can't remember the make:
[[https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4120584?CMPID=BPLA01&_$ja=tsid:72553|acid:38002085|cid:273131717|agid:1202865758414156|tid:pla-4578778735080530:aud-805837300|crid:75179115375322|nw:search|dvc:c|st:little%20tikes%20toddlers%20trampoline%20with%20bar|mt:be|loc:&cmpid=BPLA01&msclkid=c27c1fea1bcc1b036e464360c3a41e5e&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Toys%7C%7CMed&utm_term=4578778735080530&utm_content=Toys%7C%7COutdoor%20Toys]

Other retailers and makes available. It would be more suitable for the 2 year old but perhaps the 4 year old may consider herself too grownup for one like that.

We bought a 6ft one for GS when he was 1. We were always watching him, taught him how to get in and out and use the thing safely. The only time when there were 2 people on it was when another adult or older child was on it with him and behaving in a responsible way.
He has loved it and very rarely doesn’t have a go whenever he visits, 1-2 times a week even in winter.
We need to get a bigger one now, it’s on the list for summer.
I suppose that life is a risk and I know that trampolines do pose a risk but then so does crossing a road, going on a car etc.
The biggest risk on ours was my bladder?

I bought this one for my GC who were the same age as yours are now www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/outdoor/trampolines/trampolines/8ft-trampoline-with-safety-net/p/162029
I can honestly say it has been their most played with toy, the are on it every day when the weather allows. It is great value.
They need supervising obviously, especially when both in together.
My Dil originally wanted one of the kind you dig into the lawn, but I refused to buy one as they don't have safety bets and I was worried about them bouncing high and landing on the ground. (Also knew DH would be the one asked to dig the hole!)

Ask any nurse doctor at A &E. They see so many accidents due to trampolines, heaD and neck injuries, broken bones etc,
Keeping it to one child at a time might help.

My grandson's (2.5 and 4.5 years old) have had a trampoline for a while now, the oldest was only 2.5 when they got it. The boys spend time on it everyday and have never had an accident. The base is secured into the ground so it cannot fly away in high winds and it has a safety net. IMO a climbing frame is potentially just as dangerous if not more so. There is no soft landing with a climbing frame fall.

I’ve just thrown our trampoline out as all the grandchildren are now at school and it’s taking up too much room. They are a bit upset by this because from being toddlers they loved it. It was a big one, with big sides, secured to the ground.

They knew the rules and kept to them.