Thursday, January 29, 2009

Fun With Rebounding Trampolines

By Jane Bracken

A rebounding trampoline, also known as a mini-trampoline, is a great way to get in shape for adults, but it can also be great fun for kids. Although most kids would rather have one of those giant enclosed trampolines in their backyards, itas much easier for parents to fit a rebounding trampoline into their budgets. Here are some fun games for your trampoline kid and his or her friends to enjoy.

In the game of Snake, two children stand on opposite sides of the trampoline and wiggle a jump rope over the surface of the trampoline, like a snake. A third child then tries to jump on to the trampoline without getting abita by the snake. The object of the game is to jump as many times as possible without touching the jump rope. If the child touches the jump rope, he then changes places with one of the other children. The child who makes the most jumps before being 'bitten' by the snake wins!

Follow the Leader is a game that is equal parts trampoline mixed with the traditional Follow the Leader game. The child who is the leader starts out by doing a series of jumps or tricks on the trampoline, which each child in the line must repeat in turn. A child who misses something in the series is out. There are two ways to determine who will be the next leader. The first option is for the game to continue with the same leader until only one child is left to be the next leader. Or, once every child has had one turn, the leader could pick a new leader from among the children who werenat called out.

Another game you can play is called Add On. In this game, the first child chooses a trick or a jump and does it on the trampoline. The next child does the same jump as the first, and then adds on another jump or trick of his own. The children keep taking turns, each adding one thing to the sequence. If a child misses a jump or does something out of order, he is out. The last child remaining in the game is the winner!

Your kids can also have contests on the trampoline to see who can do a certain move the most times in a row without messing up. Whichever child does the best is the winner. The winning child can then choose the next move to use for the game.

A different way to play this game is to have the children take turns doing each move. Any child who messes up is out, and the rest of the children continue taking turns until only one child remains. That child then selects the next move.

Another possibility is to set a time limit and have the kids do as many of a certain move as they can before the timer goes off. The kid with the highest count gets to decide what kind of jump or trick is used for the next round.

These games can be fun for children and adults alike. Adults will find that a miniature trampoline can be used for more than just a workout. Children will learn fun ways to get exercise. A trampoline is a great tool which can be used for fun, family bonding, and exercise at the same time! - 15438

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