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Are trampolines safe for young children 10 and up?

Canadian and American pediatric groups both say recreational trampolines, whether at home or at a trampoline park, are not truly safe for children of any age, including 10 and up, because of the ongoing risk of serious injury.

Kids aged 5 to 14 have the highest rate of trampoline injuries, so a 10-year-old is still in the highest-risk group, not past it.

Strength of evidence

Good

Based on formal position statements from the Canadian Paediatric Society and American Academy of Pediatrics, supported by national injury-surveillance data (CHIRPP, NEISS) and observational hospital studies rather than randomized trials.

What the evidence says

Trampolines are fun, but doctors' groups in Canada and the US agree they are risky for kids of every age, not just little ones. The Canadian Paediatric Society says using a trampoline at home is not a safe way for children and youth to play, and this applies to trampoline parks too, not just backyard trampolines.

A 10-year-old is not past the danger zone. Most trampoline injuries happen in kids aged 5 to 14, so being 10 does not make it safer. Injuries include broken bones, sprains, head injuries, and in rare but serious cases, injuries to the neck or back that can cause lasting harm.

Safety nets, padding, and adult supervision help a little but do not stop most injuries, because most happen from bouncing and landing wrong on the mat itself, not from falling off. One study found many injuries even happen while an adult is watching.

Health Canada does not ban trampolines outright, but it does say children under six should never use one, only one person should jump at a time, and no somersaults or flips, since these cause the most severe neck and back injuries. If your family decides to use a trampoline despite the risks, following those rules, plus using shock-absorbing pads over any springs, lowers some risks but does not remove them.

Bottom line: age 10 alone does not make trampoline use safe. If you already have one, following Health Canada's safety steps reduces some risks, but the official medical advice from Canadian and American pediatric groups is that avoiding recreational trampolines altogether is the safest choice.

Sources

✓Reviewed by CH, MD, FRCPC

Reviewed by a specialist physician certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, who has read this answer against the sources listed above and confirmed it reflects them. That is not medical advice about your child. How we review

Answer checked August 13, 2026

Educational information only. Not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and no doctor-patient relationship is created by using this. Founded Parent has not examined your child and does not know their history, so this may not apply to you. In an emergency, call your local emergency number. What Founded Parent cannot do

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