Your kids have been bouncing for twenty minutes and they're already asking, "What else can we do?" That's the moment a trampoline goes from a backyard feature to a full activity hub. Whether they're five or fifteen, there's a whole world of games, challenges, and creative sessions waiting beyond the basic bounce. Here are ten of our favourites to get the crew started.
Quick Answer:
Bouncing is just the entry point. The best trampoline activities mix classic games for younger kids, skill-based challenges for older kids and teens, water fun for hot days, and calmer options like chalk art or stargazing for winding down. Pick based on age and energy level, and you can turn the same mat into a completely different activity every day of the week.
| Category | Activities | What You'll Need |
|---|---|---|
| Games for Younger Kids | Crack the Egg, Bounce Freeze, Popcorn Countdown | Nothing extra, just soft balls or rolled socks for Popcorn Countdown |
| Games for Older Kids and Teens | Trampoline Basketball, Bounce Dodge, Air Trick Challenges | AstroJam™ hoop for basketball, soft foam balls for Bounce Dodge |
| Water Activities | MeteorShower™ Sessions, Wet Slide Runs | MeteorShower™ mister and a garden hose, or the Rocket Slide™ for water slide runs |
| Creative and Relaxation | Chalk Art, Backyard Stargazing | Sidewalk chalk, or blankets and a star map app for stargazing |
Games for Younger Kids
Little ones thrive on imaginative, low-pressure games where the rules are simple and the giggles come easy. These three are tried-and-true crowd-pleasers for the under-eight set.
Crack the Egg
One child sits in the middle of the mat, wraps their arms around their knees, and tucks in tight like an egg. Everyone else bounces around them, trying to "crack" the egg by making the sitter lose their grip. The sitter holds on as long as they can, and when they finally pop open, they join the bouncers. It's a brilliant core-strength workout in disguise.
Bounce Freeze
Think musical statues, but bouncier. One person calls out "Freeze!" and everyone has to stop mid-bounce and hold their position. Anyone who wobbles or moves is out. It's surprisingly tricky, and watching kids strain to stay still while the mat still jiggles underneath them never gets old.
Popcorn Countdown
Scatter a handful of soft balls or rolled-up socks across the mat. When the countdown starts, every kid tries to bounce the "popcorn" off the mat before time runs out. You can flip the challenge: try to keep the balls on the mat instead. Either way, it's fast, chaotic, and brilliant for toddlers and younger kids who just want movement and noise.
Games for Older Kids and Teens
Older kids want a bit more competition and a bit more skill involved. These games give them exactly that.
Trampoline Basketball with the AstroJam™
The AstroJam™ basketball hoop attaches directly to the safety enclosure, turning your backyard into a mini arena. Players take turns shooting hoops from different spots on the mat, and you can layer in rules: trick shots only, one-handed attempts, or a full game of HORSE. It levels up the trampoline from a place to jump to a place to compete. Browse our full range of trampoline accessories to build out your setup.
Bounce Dodge
A trampoline version of dodgeball that's lower stakes than the playground version. One or two players stand in the middle while the others take turns lobbing soft foam balls from outside the enclosure. The middle players use their bouncing momentum to dodge, duck, and weave. You'd be amazed how much coordination this builds, and how much everyone laughs.
Air Trick Challenges
Set up a personal best leaderboard and challenge older kids to land specific tricks: seat drops, tuck jumps, pike jumps, or a full 360 spin. They score each other out of ten and try to beat their last attempt. It keeps them focused, gives them something to work toward, and every successful landing feels like a small liftoff moment of its own. The SpaceJump™ Lunar range of trampolines gives consistent, responsive lift across every size, from the Lunar 8ft up to the Lunar 16ft, so every attempt gets a fair landing.
Water Activities
When the temperature climbs, the trampoline becomes the best water park in the neighbourhood. Both of these ideas work on any warm day and require minimal setup.
MeteorShower™ Sessions
The MeteorShower™ sprinkler attaches to the top of the safety enclosure and sends a cooling spray up over the jumping surface. Kids bounce under and through the water, which keeps them cool. It's a gentle, controlled way to add water to the mix, and it runs off a standard garden hose with no fuss.
Wet Slide Runs with the Rocket Slide™
The Rocket Slide™ clips onto the side of the enclosure and gives kids a fast, smooth exit from the mat down to the grass. Add a little water and it becomes a proper backyard water slide. Let kids take turns going down headfirst, feet first, or sitting up. It's the kind of simple addition that makes the whole trampoline feel brand new mid-summer.
Creative and Relaxation Activities
Not everything on the trampoline has to be high-energy. These two activities are perfect for winding down, getting creative, or spending some slow time outside together.
Chalk Art on the Mat
Sidewalk chalk works beautifully on a trampoline mat for temporary, washable art. Kids can trace each other's outlines, draw target circles for landing games, or just go full gallery and cover the surface with illustrations. It washes off cleanly with water, and the canvas is enormous. Give them a theme and watch what they come up with.
Backyard Stargazing and Campouts
On a clear night, the trampoline makes a surprisingly perfect stargazing platform. Lay out a few blankets, bring out the hot chocolates, and let the kids lie back and watch the sky. You can download a free star map app and turn it into a proper constellation hunt. For older kids, it's a calm, phone-free activity that actually holds their attention. For younger ones, it might just send them to sleep, which is a win for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Game to Play on the Trampoline?
It depends on the age group. For younger kids, Crack the Egg and Bounce Freeze are consistent hits because the rules are simple and there's no equipment needed. For older kids and teens, AstroJam basketball and Air Trick Challenges tend to keep them occupied the longest because there's real skill progression involved.
What Trampoline Game Can You Play with Two People?
Bounce Dodge and AstroJam basketball both work well with just two players. You can also try a simple bouncing rhythm game where both players try to match each other's bounce timing exactly, which is harder than it sounds and surprisingly competitive once you get into it.
Final Thoughts
A trampoline is so much more than a place to jump. With the right games, accessories, and a little creativity, it becomes a year-round activity centre that keeps kids moving, laughing, and coming back outside. From mist sessions and water slides to stargazing nights and trick challenges, there's always something new to try.
If you're building out your backyard setup, explore our full trampoline collection or kit out your setup with SpaceJump™ accessories to add even more to your crew's favourite spot.