Trampoline Bounce Games for Kids

A mini indoor trampoline (ideally with a handlebar for safety)

Set up the mini trampoline in an open area with at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides. Away from walls, furniture, and anything sharp.

Help your child step onto the trampoline. Hold their hands for the first few bounces if they're nervous. Most kids take to it immediately.

Start counting bounces together: "One! Two! Three!" Set a target: "Can you do 10 jumps?" Counting while bouncing is harder than it sounds.

Play Freeze Bounce: bounce freely, then yell "Freeze!" Your child has to stop bouncing and hold completely still. The trampoline keeps pushing them up, so freezing takes real body control.

Try speed variations: "Jump really fast like a rabbit!" then "Jump really slow like an astronaut on the moon!" Each speed engages muscles differently.

Add coordination challenges: bounce while clapping, bounce while spinning, bounce while touching their nose. Multi-tasking while bouncing is advanced motor planning.

Play Bounce the Color: call out a color and your child jumps while pointing to something in the room that's that color. This adds a cognitive layer.

Finish with a countdown: bounce from 10 down to 1, getting bigger with each jump, then a HUGE final bounce and step off.

A mini trampoline with a handlebar is the safest option for this age group. The bar gives them something to hold while they build confidence.

Bouncing provides vestibular input — the kind of sensory stimulation that helps regulate the nervous system. Many occupational therapists recommend trampolines for this reason.

Limit bouncing sessions to 10-15 minutes. It's more tiring than it looks, and tired legs lead to accidents.

If you don't have a trampoline, an old mattress on the floor or a couch cushion on the ground provides a similar bouncing surface.

One child at a time on the trampoline. No exceptions. Collisions are the most common trampoline injury for young kids.