A trampoline can cause sprains and fractures even when a child does not fall outside the net. The Royal Children’s Hospital advises against trampoline use for children under 6. A net and an adult’s presence do not remove the risk. Outdoor play safety
The American Academy of Pediatrics takes a more restrictive position: it discourages recreational use for older children too, distinguishing this from sporting activities with trained instructors and specialised equipment. Turning 6 does not automatically make trampolining safe. AAP information for families
Why sharing the mat changes the risk
When two people jump on the same mat, one person’s bounce changes the other person’s landing. A smaller child may receive a sudden upward push from the mat while coming down. A collision is not necessary, and this can happen with a parent who joins the child to help. Mechanism described by Jeong and colleagues
One injury described in younger children is a fracture at the upper end of the shin bone, just below the knee. The X-ray findings can be subtle. A Finnish study of 101 children with this injury describes the mechanism and the frequent presence of several jumpers; it does not measure the risk of an individual trampoline session. Study by Jääskelä and colleagues
A net helps, but cannot prevent every injury
A net can reduce falls off the trampoline. It does not prevent twisting injuries, awkward landings or collisions between people sharing the mat. Placing a trampoline close to the ground does not remove these risks either. OrthoKids, POSNA
If a family decides to let an older child use a trampoline, precautions include:
- only one person on the mat, even if the other person would be an adult;
- no flips or somersaults during recreational play;
- an adult watching directly and enforcing the rules;
- checking the net, padding and frame, and stopping use if they are damaged.
These measures aim to reduce risk; they cannot guarantee safety. AAOS guidance also calls for padding over springs and rigid parts. Injury prevention
What about trampoline parks?
A crowded park creates more opportunities for collisions. A separate area for younger children does not remove the caution for those under 6, and park staff are not equivalent to a dedicated instructor. AAP
Limping or refusing to put weight on a leg afterwards
Stop the jumping. A child who suddenly cannot walk or bear weight needs urgent assessment. Royal Children’s Hospital
Explain how the landing happened and whether anyone else was on the mat. If pain or limping persists after an initial assessment, contact the doctor again: the early signs of some trampoline fractures are subtle. The article on a child limping despite a normal X-ray explains this further.
After a head injury, loss of consciousness, difficulty waking the child or repeated vomiting require emergency help. If a neck or spinal injury is suspected, do not move the child and call the emergency services. Warning signs after a head injury
Can an injury happen without a fall?
Yes. Sharing the bounce can cause an injury without anyone falling off the trampoline. If pain develops, this mechanism matters during the assessment, as well as any collision.
Daniele Priano — paediatric orthopaedic surgeon.
This is general information. It does not replace an examination, diagnosis or the advice given for an individual child.
