But, as with any toy, not all trampolines are created equal, so we tested this Skywalker model to see how it stands up to the competition. We had several kids of varying ages jump on the trampoline, both in groups and alone, to see how the Skywalker held up to the stress of the flips and occasional collisions. The huge jump surface means there’s plenty of room to jump, tumble, and ‘crack the egg,’ even when the neighborhood kids hear the laughter skywalker trampolines and head over to join in the fun. For the most part, the instructions were clear and concise, and the entire process took about three hours from start to finish. We probably could have finished sooner if we’d avoided one major issue, which forced us to remove all of the springs and the netting and start over. Would you like to shake up your exercise routine at home, or give the kids a fun activity they can enjoy with their friends?
Even with several kids jumping at once, they were able to get a good bounce from the jump surface, enough to throw layouts or back tucks with no issue. As we unboxed each piece of the Skywalker, it became clear that this trampoline, while on the lower end of the price scale, is still constructed with durability in mind. The metal legs of the frame are made with rust-resistant galvanized steel and feel simultaneously lightweight and hefty. Some of that sturdiness is due to the design, which incorporates reinforced T-sockets. This means that the structure of the frame can withstand heavy use and won’t twist or warp with repeated jumping by excited kids—a must when it comes to trampolines.
We found that this was easily a two- or three-person job, as someone needs to hold the bulky parts in place while another person bolts them together. It was great to see the kids jumping, laughing, and playing together—no matter that their ages ranged from 7 to 16. The springs for the jump surface of the trampoline are clearly heavy-duty; it’s nearly impossible to stretch them from arm strength alone. The netting is soft and malleable—important for those times when kids get bounced into it. Once the netting was erected, though, there were some questions as to the durability of the material.
It’s soft and malleable, but if you live in a climate with rain and snow, we could see it getting worn out down the road. It likely wouldn’t stand up to too much roughhousing with older, heavier kids, but we still felt comfortable with the younger, lighter kids bouncing each other into the netting repeatedly. Trampolines come in many sizes and shapes, and some have special features, including an enclosure net for added safety. Popular brands of kids trampolines include ActivPlay and the 7 ft My First Trampoline. Propel and Skywalker trampolines are popular with kids of all ages. Overall, we felt like this trampoline was a very safe option.
Another good add-on is a trampoline ladder, which provides a safe entrance and exit from the trampoline surface. Sam’s Club has an excellent selection of playsets, inflatables and other outdoor play equipment. Our testers spent yorin trampoline many afternoons tumbling, flipping, and jumping for hours on end. Even with several kids jumping at once, they were able to get a good bounce from the jumping surface, enough to throw layouts or back tucks with no issue.