50+ fun activities to do on a trampoline for kids and adults

Looking for our boredom buster guide to all things trampoline fun? You’re in the right place! Print out the 50+ fun activities to do on a trampoline to try them all, or pin it on Pinterest so you can reference it over and over again. 

In my opinion, there’s really only one ingredient you need to make your backyard the coolest one in the neighborhood: a trampoline. The ageless appeal of a trampoline beckons like no other, and kids {and adults} of all ages and abilities can bounce for hours. Don’t believe me? Check out the fun in our backyard with our beloved JumpSport Elite Trampoline we reviewed a few years ago. As a parent, there are a few things I am adamant about, the first of which is that I will teach my kids that getting outside and staying active can be fun. Or, make that really, really fun. What better way to teach them that getting moving can be fun than with the coolest way to exercise ever? Between fits of giggles, we play all sorts of creative games, get out excess energy, and bond in a way I never thought possible.

And, I’m not just talking kids, I’m talking whole extended family – aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and even grandparents. To hear grown adults laugh and play like children has been awesomely fun and I just keep wondering why we didn’t buy a trampoline sooner.

But, not only is jumping on a trampoline a fun way to play around as a family, it’s also low impact, high aerobic exercise that improves balance, agility, and coordination. In the first few weeks we had our trampoline, we awoken long forgotten muscles, and in the months and years we’ve been bouncing I feel like we’re in better shape overall.

By far the biggest improvement we saw right away was in our kids’ balance and coordination. Seeing their first tentative steps on the trampoline change to running and bouncing with confidence was amazing to watch, but what’s great is how it has translated to a better climbing, running, and jumping off the trampoline as well over the time we’ve owned the trampoline.

With how much good comes of using the trampoline, I have made it a point to keep the trampoline as fresh and exciting as possible. I figure by giving them fun ideas every few days, it allows them to get out energy, work on coordination and balance, and continue to best utilize the trampoline well after the initial newness wears off.

50+ fun activities to do on a trampoline

I’ve compiled a list of 50+ fun activities to do on a trampoline that we have tried and loved in the past few years for your enjoyment below. I have included some all-time favorites, some new games we made up, and some ideas that are really fun to try as a family. 

Just add water –

Put a sprinkler either under the surface of the trampoline or off to one side and let the kids jump in their bathing suits and sunscreen and enjoy a hot summer day. I also like to rig a hose right into the enclosure and let the kids spray it as they want. Are you looking for a finer mist as you jump? JumpSport makes a great trampoline mister that connects to the JumpSport safety enclosure and keeps you 25 degrees cooler while jumping, which is perfect for hot summer days. Just be sure to exercise caution as the jumping surface can get slippery when wet.

Inflatable beach ball –

Have the entire family lay on the trampoline with their heads together in the center and try and keep the ball in the air using their hands and legs.  Count how many times you are able to toss the ball up before you lose control of it and try and go for an all-time high record.

Hopper ball –

Pick up a fun hopper ball with a handle for the kids at any sports store or toy retailer and let the kids hop across the trampoline {one at a time for this one}.

Jump rope snake –

Have one person stand outside the trampoline and move a jump rope back and forth over the surface of the trampoline in an “s” formation.  Then one child tries to jump over the rope {aka “snake”} without getting “bit”.  If they touch it, the children switch places.

Dance party –

Just add music via a Bluetooth speaker and you have everything you need for a rockin’ good time. Pro tip: use a waterproof speaker in case the kids leave it out overnight. 

Water bombs –

One of our favorite summer day activities is changing into swimwear and then playing catch with water toys that soak up water, like Water Bombs. Add that fun to your trampoline and it’s hours and hours of soaking fun.

Picasso unleashed –

Did you know you can write on the jumping surface of your trampoline with sidewalk chalk? It’s true! Think of it like a giant canvas and see what you can create as a family! Once you start jumping the chalk will come off slowly or it will disappear completely with a slight rain.

Chinese jump rope –

Lay Chinese jump ropes {stretchy elastic jump ropes} across the trampoline surface and chose one person as your player.  Have one player at a time step in, out, side, side, in, out, side, side in a pattern and chant the steps in order as the player jumps.  You can also have someone randomly call out a series that the player must follow.

Velcro Tag –

Using soft Velcro balls and Velcro vests with targets makes for a great game of tag.  You can pick up cheap sets at any sporting goods store, or you can make your own with old sweaters and Velcro balls.

Cleaning for fun –

When is cleaning up as much fun as playing? When cleaning involves a hose, a brush, and a whole lot of water on a super fun trampoline. Each spring, I dress the kids in swimsuits, make up a bucket of soapy water, hand them a soft scrubbing brush {we use a car wash brush} and then let them use the hose. The result is a nice, clean trampoline and a whole lot of fun!

Basketball –

Did you know that JumpSport also sells an amazing trampoline basketball hoop that hooks to the side of the safety enclosure? Whether you are playing one-on-one, playing H.O.R.S.E. or a game of Around The World, a basketball hoop adds another dimension of fun to your backyard and your trampoline. We reviewed the JumpSport basketball hoop and loved it. You can read our review here.

Hopscotch –

Using sidewalk chalk, draw a hopscotch board on the trampoline surface and take turns jumping across. It’s even more fun than the original, and it leads to all sorts of creative additions to the game – like jumping backwards or spin jumping. 

Twister –

No Twister board? No problem! Draw your own game board on the trampoline surface using sidewalk chalk and use the original game spinner or you can try out the newer Twister Hoopla version of the game that utilize Twister “hoops”.

Obstacle course –

Set up a course in your yard that ends at the trampoline and have them jump a specified number of bounces or bounce for a length of time to finish, spin bounce, or do knee-ups  This makes sure they are good and worn out at the end.

Crack the Egg –

Have one person sit in the center of the trampoline holding their knees to their chest with both arms.  Other children jump around the “egg” gently and try to get the person to let go of their legs.

Simon says –

Just like regular Simon Says, but with extra bounce.

Memory –

Everyone sits around the perimeter of the trampoline along the pad and one person does a “trick” in the center of the jumping surface.  The second person then does the first person’s trick and adds one of their own and this continues with each child doing the tricks before them and then adding their own.  If someone forgets a trick or gets them out of order, they are out and the game continues until one child is left.

Ball in the center –

Position a lightweight {think beach ball or small air-filled} ball in the center of the jumping surface and draw a chalk circle around it. Jump around the trampoline, trying to keep the ball as close to center circle as possible.

Learning while moving –

If you have a child who learns better when they are away from a desk, a trampoline is a great place to burn off energy while learning new things. You can write the answers in chalk on the trampoline and then have your child jump to the answer they think is correct, or you can do simple letter and number games with little kids.

Science everything –

We all know that learning about science while doing helps you retain what you’ve learned, but trampolines make that about a thousand times more fun. Teach the principles of gravity, weights, friction and static electricity while laughing and getting some great exercise.

For even more games, check out JumpSport’s website to buy their JumpSport Trampoline game pack that contains many of the items needed for our favorite activities, as well as a whole book of ideas you can try at home.  you can also buy tons of trampoline accessories direct from JumpSport as well.

There are all sorts of JumpSport YouTube videos that show great ways to use their trampolines to get a good workout simply by playing and having a great time. While you can get a workout simply by jumping on a trampoline for even 15 minutes, here are some suggestions on ways you can get a great aerobic workout on your trampoline.

Low impact cardio –

Some of your favorite moves at the gym can easily be modified for the trampoline including jumping jacks, burpees, lunges, high knees, squats, running in place or simply jogging around the perimeter of the jumping surface.

Kickboxing –

Think kickboxing is fun at the gym? Try it out on your trampoline at home for even more fun and higher jumps. For obvious reasons, this should only be done solo.

Yoga –

Why not try some of your favorite yoga moves on the soft {and forgiving} surface of a trampoline? You may not be able to do all the poses, but you can certainly do some and have fun trying!

Cross country skiing –

Shift your feet forwards and backwards, alternating feet as if you are trekking through the snow

Downhill skiing –

With feet together, jump side to side as if racing down a mountain.

Back to basics –

Sit-ups on a trampoline are much easier on the back, and burpees are easier with a little spring in the step. Whether you are doing a modified crunch, full sit-up, or you are doing jumping jacks,the trampoline surface is a nice place to work out in comfort.

Warm ups –

If you are training for a run, you probably spend a good deal of time warming up your muscles before taking off. Why not do some bouncing and then your calisthenics on the soft surface of a trampoline before your run?

Twist and jump –

Whether you are simply bouncing to face right and then bouncing back to face left or you are doing a full 360 degree spin in the air, this is a great exercise as it works your core, too.

Feet pulse –

Keeping your hips and upper body steady, push your feet up and down in the middle of the trampoline without having them leave the jumping surface.  Trust me, it’s harder than it sounds, and a great leg workout!

Challenge yourself –

Find out how long you can bounce in one stretch or see how many more workout moves you can come up with. Almost any exercise can be modified for a trampoline, it just takes a little creativity! For more ideas, check out the JumpSport YouTube Channel or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest for inspiration for getting fit on a trampoline.

Trampolines are such great exercise for little ones and perfect for those just learning how to tumble, jump, and run. The trampoline adds a little bit of bounce to any potential falls and the net safely contains them so they don’t run off. This should be a given, but please exercise caution with little ones on the trampoline and make sure you are stationed at the net entrance to keep them inside, and make sure only one kid is bouncing at any given time.

Follow the leader –

Choose one child as the leader and everyone else has to copy what they do. Your little ones will be waving their arms, clapping their hands, spinning, skipping, crawling, and dancing along with your leader.

Duck, Duck, GOOSE! –

This is a toddler favorite that is good for a small group. Make sure there are plenty of parents sitting in the jumping surface to supervise and only let the toddlers do the running.

Super Heroes –

Everyone knows super heroes can fly, so what better way to play pretend than on a surface that can really feel like flying? Make or buy capes that Velcro on to the shoulders {make sure they do not wrap around the neck for safety reasons} and get ready to save the day.

Tumbling –

Trampolines are a great place to teach basic tumbling like somersaults and cartwheels because the surface is so forgiving.

Ring around the Rosie –

The kiddos love this anywhere, but I love the soft surface of the trampoline even better than hard surfaces.

Play catch –

Anyone who has ever played catch with a toddler knows that more time is spent chasing the ball than is spent actually learning. An enclosed trampoline surface is a great, contained space to teach your little one to catch and throw since the ball naturally rolls back to you.

Secondhand scarves –

Dancing with trailing silk scarves is a favorite activity of my kids, but when you add the fun of the trampoline bounce, scarf play is even more fun.

Stir the soup –

The kiddos sit in the center, each declared a vegetable or soup ingredient, and one person runs slowly around the outside of the jumping surface, picking up speed so eventually the “ingredients” bounce as if they are at a rolling “boil”. This is one my daughter made up and we love that it’s easy and quick to play.

Trampolines aren’t just for jumping, they are also a great surface for laying, hanging out, and for snuggling. Here’s our favorite anti-jump trampoline activities:

Add a roof – 

A simple play parachute becomes an awesome ready-made roof with a few simple elastic ties. See our DIY trampoline parachute roof here.

Backyard campout –

JumpSport sells a great trampoline tent that can make your trampoline a sleepover haven, a daytime fort, or an enclosed bounce house. Check out how much my kiddos loves the AlleyOOP Outback tent we added to our trampoline just recently. How incredibly cool is that?

Movie night –

Using an inexpensive projector and a white sheet or curtain or simply a large laptop, plan an outdoor movie night for the whole family. Bring out lots of blankets, pillows, and snacks and lay back and watch a favorite family movie under the stars.

Larger-than-life hammock –

What could be better than an oversized hammock built for the whole family? Whether you are relaxing after a fun day of jumping or you are reading books together, a trampoline is an incredibly comfortable place to lay to unwind.

Star gazing – 

I can’t think of a better place to lay back and watch the night sky than the soft and snuggly trampoline surface. Add blankets, spill-proof cocoa, and even a telescope and you’re all set for the next meteor shower.

Cloud shapes –

During the day, the trampoline is the perfect place to lay back and pick out cloud shapes with your little one.  You’d be surprised at how early they can play this game and how fun it is to watch their imaginations blossom.

Enjoy your WiFi –

Have internet service that doesn’t require cables? Make the most of it by taking your netbook, laptop, or tablet outside and making an ultra comfy “office” for a day.

Family band –

The surface of the trampoline is the perfect place to get a drum beat going. Add in a singer, a guitar, or a kid’s band set and you’re ready to perform.

Gazebo –

We lost our gazebo this year during a huge snow fall and decided to replace it with the JumpSport Elite Trampoline instead. For our summertime backyard events, we are planning on throwing outdoor pillows onto the jumping surface, putting up our parachute “roof” over the top of the trampoline enclosure, and then adding colorful curtains tied back at the sides to create a private place for the adults to sit around the perimeter of the trampoline to talk.

A note about safety:

As much fun as trampolines are, these 50+ fun activities to do on a trampoline aren’t any fun if someone gets hurt. This is why safety is always our biggest concern, and why we modify these activities based on ages of people playing, and we encourage you to do the same. Our trampoline, the JumpSport Elite Trampolines happens to have numerous safety features you just don’t find in lesser quality models, and it’s why we wouldn’t consider anything else. In fact, JumpSport’s founder invented trampoline safety as we know it with the release of the first affordable safety enclosure for trampolines in 1996. Of course, we always exercise caution when bouncing and always supervise our children, just as we do with every other high energy activity.

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