Trampoline Games: Trampoline Horse & Add-On

Add these two trampoline games to your list of things to keep your children busy this summer. Not only are the games a fun way to exercise outdoors, but they are educational as well.

Trampoline Horse
This game is for two to four older players. You will need a ball that can be easily caught, preferably a beach ball, foam rubber ball or balled up socks. Start the game by having the players sit in a circle or across from each other if there only two players. The players being a rhythm of jump, sit, jump, sit.

Each time the players jump, the ball is thrown to the person who is seated next in the circle (or across the circle for a harder version.) Each player sits down, then bounces to a standing position and throws the ball. The other player must catch the ball and then sit down. If the rhythm is lost or the ball not caught, the game begins again and the person who messed up gets the first letter in the word Horse.

If the “thrower” made it impossible for the next person to catch the ball, then s/he gets a letter. The first person to spell the word Horse steps out of the game. The game continues until there is only one person left. That person starts the next game.

This trampoline activity is good for teaching rhythm, eye-hand coordination, and synchronization skills.

Add-on
All of the children sit on the pad in a row. The first child does a trick on the trampoline. This could be as simple as jumping three times, splitting their legs in the air, or more difficult such as a flip. You wouldn’t want to allow flips, if all those participating cannot do them.

The second child does the first child’s trick, and then adds one of his or her own. The third child does the first and second trick and then adds his or her own. This continues down the line with each child adding a trick. If a child forgets a trick or the order, they are out. The game continues until all but one child is out. The remaining child starts the next round.

This game is great for teaching memory, concentration, and sequence.

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Don’t forget to pick up a few trampoline-champion trophies & keepsakes to remind you of the good times you had on the trampoline.