Our trampoline is easily the coolest thing we own, so naturally we spend a ton of time jumping on it, relaxing on it, and playing all sorts of games that include it. But, I'm always looking for ways to make it even more awesome, and I think I found the ultimate trampoline DIY. It's quick, it's easy, and it's really inexpensive to do.
Introducing the trampoline playhouse: 
Just look at that smile. That's the look of a child in their own bouncy playhouse.
Want to make your own? You're in luck, because this is quite possibly the easiest DIY, ever.
I came up with the idea for a trampoline playhouse after a session at the Gymboree Play and Music class when they pulled out the Gymboree play parachute. I remember eyeballing the 
surface area of the parachute thinking it was just about the right size for our 12 foot trampoline and then trying my hardest to remember how many poles supported the safety enclosure on top.
After some debating I was fairly certain that the Gymboree play parachute was not only the correct size for our trampoline, but that it also had the same number of handles as our trampoline had poles. And, I was correct: 8 poles and 8 handles.
It was meant to be.
Once I got it home and laid the parachute out on the trampoline, we realized it was absolutely perfect sized for slipping the nylon handles right over the JumpSport Elite trampoline safety enclosure supports. But, not wanting to ruin either the trampoline enclosure or the play parachute, we needed a solution that wasn't so rigid and would allow for some flex.
My solution? Elastic bands. I had a spool of thick elastic band and simply cut it into 8 pieces, tied them through the handles, and slipped them over the trampoline enclosure supports. Easy, peasy. 
The result is a bouncy roof that has quite a bit of give to it so that even adults can bounce with it attached, which makes it fun for all sorts of games. It wouldn't offer much in the way of shelter from pounding rain, but it's a nice quasi-umbrella should it start sprinkling while we are jumping, and it's especially nice for blocking the sun from shining on us when we're jumping or relaxing on the trampoline. 
We don't leave the parachute on year-round, and instead choose to pull it out every few days or so in the spring, summer, and fall. It's so easy to put up and take down that I don't mind taking the time to bring it inside multiple times throughout the week, and the kids get excited every single time I pull it out. You can't beat a DIY project that takes mere minutes and makes something you already have seem like new again. 
Want more trampoline ideas and activities? Check out our 50+ insanely fun things to do on a trampoline post below:
Oh Mah Gah. We have been SO missing our trampoline since it has been down for the winter, so we’re pretty much counting the days until the snow is gone so that we can have it back up. But I am SOOOOO doing this! You’re genius! Now my kids will stay out there playing even longerrrrrr!
We are lucky that we can leave ours up year round because we almost never get snow, but man, this RAIN! I’m so happy that they can at least go out when it’s sprinkling because otherwise I’d go crazy with them asking to go on the “Jumpoline”!
No way – what a brilliant idea! I’m looking on amazon for parachutes NOW
What a cool idea! I remember in elementary school we would play with a parachute and it was my all time favorite thing to do in gym!!! (Secretly I think it still is!!!)
This? Is genius!! Love it. Now if only we could find a house in our price range with a big enough yard for a trampoline. It’s totally on our wishlist!
wow I didn’t know they had such a thing, this is really cool, and nice for shading out the sun! Very colorful, reminds me of a pinwheel.
Awesome idea! It reminds me of a circus tent!
This would be so fun for the kids, we’re going to have to try it. I can’t wait for it to get warm so we can use the tramp we got last year. It will be good for the kids to get outside and it’s a good from of exercise.
What a great idea! This “roof” will also help keep those leaves off our trampoline this fall! I love the idea of having shade too! Thanks for sharing!
This is agr8 idea! Sure beats buying a $2-300 canopy from the trampoline stores.
Love this, need it to keep the leaves out. We have to sweep it out every week!!!
I love this!
Love this! What a great idea 🙂 Just wondering what size the parachute is? Or are they all one size?….
Awesome idea! Just wondering though, how would you suggest attaching this to a trampoline that has only six poles? We really need to have a cover because of a tree we have in our backyard, but the trampoline we are getting only has six poles. Any tips would be appreciated!
I also thort this was a great idea but in less then a month due to it raining it torn everywhere
Yes, it definitely shouldn’t be kept up all the time! We rarely leave the parachute attached longer than a day or two and take it down at night most often. The Gymboree parachute is actually really sturdy, but we have another parachute that would definitely have fallen apart right away. Hopefully you can try it again with a sturdier parachute or just take it down more often.
Kristy,
There are parachutes with 6 handles that we found on Amazon, but if you can’t find one in the right size, I would just run an elastic band around the perimeter through the handles and then wrap them around your poles. It wouldn’t be as sturdy that way, and you would need more elastic, but I’m guessing it would work as well. If anyone else has tips, feel free to post ideas for Kristy!
Kristy, I have a 12′ trampoline with 6 poles and just found a 12 ‘ parachute with 12 handles on Amazon. Attached every other handle, worked perfectly! Good luck! Tracy
Wow this is a stupendous idea! Problem is I’ve looked everywhere for a parachute that is 15′
That is the size of our trampoline but can’t find that size anywhere
Any one knows where I could find one? Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Thanks! 🙂
My trampoline has 6 enclosure poles. Do you think it will still work?
Thanks for this excellent idea!!! I’ve been searching the net high and low for a cheap trampoline roof (cheapest around $200!!) then stumbled upon your page! Will give this a whirl! ?
Wonderful Idea!! I just bought a 12 ft parachute from Amazon for $15. Also- I’m going to use zip ties to attach it. Thanks for the idea.. this will be great in the hot Texas summers.
This sounds like a great idea! It would certainly keep the sun off of my 6 year old’s head. What I don’t get is how a child is not going to bang their head into it every time they jump. Can you please help me to understand?
It’s much taller than it looks in the pictures and doesn’t interfere with kids jumping at all. When my husband and I jump with it op, we can either jump into the parachute (it flexes because of the elastic)or we can push it with our hands. It’s another level of fun 🙂
Just curious – how long does it last ? Does it tear and perish under the sun after a couple of seasons?
Thanks !
Renee, I take ours down when it’s not needed. It’s usually only up for a few days at a time and I just quickly put it up before they play. If you were to leave it up all the time, you would want to weatherproof it in some way or it definitely will fall apart.
Thank you for this idea – now to figure out how to protect the big playhouse
This is brilliant
Love the idea but wonder if it rained if it would weigh it down and tear it
We don’t leave it on all the time – it just goes up for the day then comes back down as the kids come in. I think rain and over sun exposure would ruin it by the end of a summer
I am loving this ! We just put up a 14′ round trampoline. I only see 15’16’ or 20′ parachutes… What do you suggest ? Thinking of going with the 16′
I’m glad you enjoyed the idea! I would do the 15′, so that way it doesn’t sag too much in the middle. Ours is a bit smaller than our trampoline, but with the elastic bands, it’s perfect.