Do you have an active toddler? He certainly deserves to have this Little Tikes 3’ Trampoline. It will help him burn away excess energy while improving his balance and coordination at the same time.
But is this toddler trampoline safe? Can it withstand all the crazy play that small children do?
In this review, you’ll find out not only the specifics on each of this product’s features but also the limitations you and your child will have to deal with. By the end of this review, you’ll be able to confidently decide if this is actually worth buying.
Little Tikes 3’ Trampoline Review
The Little Tikes 3’ Trampoline has always been an easy choice when looking for toys suited for active kids. It could be because it’s made by a well-known brand, but I believe it’s more because of the features that this model has.
This compact indoor trampoline is both lightweight and sturdy. It is easy to move to where your child wants to play and is very stable as well.
It comes with a foam-padded handlebar and has elastic bands in replacement for springs, which makes this Little Tikes 3′ trampoline safe.
In the next section, I will be discussing the weight limit and dimension, the frame and design, and will give you an overview of how it is set up. If you want to get the lowdown quickly, you can scroll down and head to the verdict section where I will give you my honest opinion if this is a good buy or not.
Weight Limit
The weight limit for Little Tikes 3’ Trampoline is 55 lbs. This means kids up to about 7 years of age should be able to use this safely. Going beyond the weight limit will cause the mat to get ripped at the very least.
The manufacturer also states that only 1 child can use Little Tikes 3’ trampoline safely. Actually, my 2 nephews, 3 and 2 years old, are able to use theirs at the same time. There are no injuries or damages reported on this product so far.
I’m not actually encouraging into using it with more than 1 child, but if it comes down to it you will need to make sure that their combined weights do not exceed the limit. They should also comfortably fit the surface area of the mat. The dimensions are discussed in the next section.
However, if more than one children are going to use this regularly, you will need to get a larger version. The Little Tikes 7’ Trampoline would be a great choice.
Dimension
Little Tikes 3’ Trampoline has a dimension of 36 x 36 x 33.5 inches. It translates to a surface area which is 3 feet in diameter. The actual mat surface has a diameter of 2 feet.
Your child can safely jump on the blue edge cover since it’s well padded.
Its compact size makes it easy to allocate a space in the bedroom or even the living room play area. It is quite light and weighs around 15 lbs only. This makes the trampoline easy to move around and relocate, depending on where your energetic toddler wants to play.
Aside from the weight capacity, you will also need to consider the height of the handlebar before making a purchase. This is because the handlebar is not adjustable. The bar is angled to the side with the highest point at the center which is around 28 inches.
The recommended age for Little Tikes 3’ trampoline is 3 to 6 years of age. This makes sure that the child can easily hold on to the bar.
Frame
The frame, legs, and the handlebar are all made of lightweight metal which is very durable. As a matter of fact, a small kid can even hang onto the bar with no problem at all. It is able to support the child’s weight without the structure getting compromised.
Each of the legs is capped are capped with a rubber foot to prevent it from slipping and from damaging your hardwood floor. It has 5 legs instead of 4 which helps maintain stability, making this kiddie trampoline hard to tip over.
The foam on the handlebar is another matter, though. This is perhaps the only thing that I don’t like about this trampoline. It is not well-made and can be easily bitten or pulled off. Of course, removing it entirely is not an option as you don’t want your child to accidentally knock a tooth out.
Most people who have kids that are too much for the foam to take usually end up wrapping it with a protective material like Coban or tennis racket grip tapes.
Design
Little Tikes 3’ Trampoline is one of the safest for kids. Aside from the sturdy structure, it also makes use of elastic bands instead of springs. This clearly eliminates the risks of pinch injuries.
Additionally, these thick bands help keep the bounce firm, which works well for toddlers.
You don’t want your child to end up jumping too high yet.
Compared to the bigger models, Little Tikes 3’ trampoline does not come with an enclosure net. You won’t also need any ladder since the jumping surface is only as high as 6 inches from the ground.
Setting Up
Little Tikes 3’ Trampoline comes in a flat box almost the same size as the diameter of the entire unit. If you’re planning to have this shipped as a gift, you need to know that the pictures on the box are not discreet at all. You will need to gift wrap it first or lose the element of surprise.
It comes with an easy-to-follow instruction manual. The jumping mat, together with the bands and the safety cover, are already attached to the frame so there’s no need to set up these parts.
Basically, all you need to do is unfold the frame and screw the legs. Then attach the foam-padded crossbar with screws. The entire trampoline can be assembled by a single person in 15 to 30 minutes only.
Little Tikes 3’ trampoline is for indoor use only. The parts, particularly the fabric, are not designed to endure the elements.
If you’re living in an apartment, you do not need to worry about disturbing your neighbors downstairs. The elastic bands make it very quiet. Noise usually comes from placing the trampoline on an uneven surface.
Consumer Ratings
Almost 3K customers from Amazon have purchased and reviewed Little Tikes 3’ trampoline. Its average rating is very high with most of them exceptionally happy on how easy it is to assemble and how their kids loved it.
There are also customers who were dissatisfied with the product, mainly because the handlebar foam breaks down easily. As mentioned earlier, some of them did some effective DIYs while others used the one-year limited warranty and had the foam replaced.
Pros
- Easy to assemble which can be done by a single person
- Very durable for its affordable price
- Makes use of tough elastic bands instead of springs which is safer
- A stable design which makes it less likely to tip over
Cons
- Padded foam on the handlebar deteriorates easily
- Not built for outdoor use
Verdict
If you’re looking for a toy for an active toddler, which not only helps burn off their abundance of energy but also improves their balance and coordination, then you should go with this toddler trampoline.
Little Tikes 3’ Trampoline is designed to be both stable and safe. It’s one of our most recommended trampolines for kids. You’ll have your toddler literally jumping for joy with this one. He’ll have more focus when he’s awake and a night of more restful sleep.
This is the kind of review I was looking for. Thanks for sharing!