Trampoline Sizes: Will a Trampoline Fit in My Yard?

When it comes to trampoline sizes, bigger is not always better. Here’s how to choose the best size for your family!

Trampolines come in many different sizes, and picking the right one for your outdoor space is crucial to having a good time. Although it can be tempting to buy the largest trampoline you can fit into your backyard, there are a few things to consider to ensure that your kids enjoy their trampoline time while also following safety and related guidelines.

General Recommendations 

For starters, here are some general recommendations to keep in mind when choosing your trampoline size:

• If you have a smaller yard, then naturally you’ll need to choose a smaller trampoline size. You can also go with a rectangular trampoline if you have a narrower yard.
• For those with medium-sized yards, we recommend a 10ft to 12ft trampoline
• For those with large yards or adults and teens, a 14ft to 16ft trampoline size is best. Rectangle and oval shapes are also recommended.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Trampoline Size

Yard Size and Space

Firstly, you’ll need to take a good look at your backyard to understand what your options are. Start off by measuring your backyard, since you’ll need to meet some clearance requirements (which we’ll cover next). Take a look at the space and see if there’s a clear area free of any branches, fences or other obstructions.

To find the best space in your yard, consider:

• an area of your yard with grass or another imbact-absorbing material,
• a flat and even surface, and
• the general living space. Do you have pets that spend time outside and need room to run and play? Or maybe you have other outdoor play equipment. Then you may want to get a smaller trampoline.

If you have a smaller yard, then naturally you’ll need to choose a smaller trampoline size. You can also go with a rectangular trampoline if you have a narrower yard.

However, if you have a large backyard, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a large trampoline. You’ll also need to consider your family’s lifestyle and what the ideal backyard arrangement is before making a decision.

Clearance

Now that you know your backyard measurements and what your ideal layout is, you’ll need to make sure you meet clearance guidelines. Unfortunately, you cannot simply purchase the largest trampoline that will fit in your backyard.

The rule of thumb is to have two meters of lateral clearance and 8 meters of vertical overhead clearance for safety. This provides protection in case your kids accidentally jump too high or fall to the side.

Primary Users

For safety reasons, we recommend having only one jumper on the trampoline at a time. This will prevent collisions and other preventable injuries.

Next, consider the ages of the children who will be jumping on the trampoline. If you have younger kids, you’ll want to choose a smaller size (up to 8ft) since larger trampolines won’t be as bouncy for them.

If you have older kids or teens that will be bouncing, then a larger size would provide the right support and bounce. Keep in mind the weight of the bouncers as well, as each trampoline has its own weight limitations.

Weight Limit

It can be tempting to use your trampoline as a hangout spot on those beautiful summer days, although you want to consider the weight limitations of your trampoline before doing so. It makes sense to get a larger trampoline size for these hangouts, although you must make sure that you follow the ‘one bouncer at a time’ recommendation for jumping.

If you plan on purchasing a trampoline just for jumping and not as a place where the kids can sit and enjoy themselves, then you’ll simply need to consider the weight of the bouncers and buy a trampoline that can handle their weights. For example, if you have a kid who’s 20kg and another who’s 40kg, go with a trampoline that can handle the highest weight to accommodate both kids, which means a larger size.

How You Will Be Using the Trampoline

Are you looking for a ‘fitness’ trampoline that your kids can use to practice gymnastics? Then you might want to go for a larger rectangular trampoline so that they have enough bouncing area. Otherwise, you can choose your trampoline size by taking into account the above factors.

Still Undecided?

Picking the right trampoline size for your backyard and family can be a tough decision to make. We’re proud to offer support for those who need help choosing which trampoline size or shape, so contact us to see how we can help you today!

Choosing a trampoline size is not as easy as measuring your yard. Learn how to pick the right size for safe bouncing at home with this guide from Kahuna!