Child Sleeping on a Trampoline.

Can You Sleep On a Trampoline? (Full Safety Guide)

by
Stephanie-Abi-Zeid.

This article has been researched and reviewed by Stephanie Abi Zeid (Embryologist, Andrologist, B.S, MSc) for factual accuracy.

Trampoline sleep-overs are trending on social media platforms and other places like Pinterest as a fun activity for both adults and children, but can you sleep safely on a trampoline or not?

Children over the age of 6 and adults can sleep safely on a trampoline occasionally if it’s set up correctly, is low to the ground, has a safety net, and has pads over the poles and springs. However, sleeping on a trampoline regularly is NOT safe because the lack of support can cause back pain.

The rest of this article explains how to sleep on a trampoline safely and discusses the pros, cons, and essential sleepover items for sleeping on a trampoline.

Related: can you sleep on an acupressure mat?

How to Sleep On a Trampoline Safely and Have Fun

So how do you sleep on a trampoline safely and make it fun?

To sleep on a trampoline safely and make it a fun experience, clean the sleeping surface, provide blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags, install safety enclosures, set up a tent, decorate the surface, grab some snacks and fun items, and finally play some music before laying down on the mat. 

More details below:

1: Clean the Sleeping Surface

Remove all debris from your trampoline and clean the mat with a damp piece of cloth. 

Then, wipe the damp area with a dry piece of cloth to prevent mildew from growing on the moist surface. 

2: Provide Blankets and Pillows or Sleeping Bags

A sleeping bag is the best option for keeping you warm and dry during chilly and rainy nights when sleeping on a trampoline. 

Use picnic rugs, foam mats, a mattress topper, or a thin mattress as a base to sleep on, and then gather different types of bedding such as duvets, blankets, pillows, and cushions to keep you warm and comfortable throughout the night.

3: Install Safety Enclosures 

A safety enclosure – known as a safety net – prevents you from rolling and falling off the trampoline and therefore protects you from unnecessary injuries.

If your trampoline does not come with a safety enclosure, then it is time to consider installing one because it also allows you to sleep under the open sky without blocking the view that surrounds you whilst protecting you from harm. 

4: Set Up a Tent 

If you’d like a more enclosed and sheltered trampoline sleeping experience, then set up a trampoline tent over your trampoline mat to create a refuge against both rain and sunlight.

Trampoline tents also protect you from rolling on to the ground – useful if you’re a restless sleeper.

However, a tent will block the view outside and prevent you from stargazing. 

5: Decorate the Trampoline

Decorate the trampoline to make it more inviting and cozier.

Put up curtains, fairy lights, or a canopy to create an exclusive space where you can bond and make memories with people of all ages.

You can also fill the trampoline with colorful plastic balls or balloons to add to the fun and cozy ambiance for younger children.

6: Grab Some Snacks and Fun Items

Grab some snacks, books, and games to make the most of your night.

Treats like popcorn, candy, chocolates, and biscuits help improve your mood and can make you calm and happy.        

Reading books while resting on a trampoline mat is a great idea and adds to your memorable experience.

Games like playing cards create a fun and peaceful atmosphere and help you bond with people without physical activity.    

7: Play Some Music

Play music from your phone or from a small speaker to help you unwind before sleeping on your trampoline – some symphonies are also designed to make you fall asleep easier.

The 3 Pros of Sleeping On a Trampoline

The potential benefits of sleeping on a trampoline include fun and excitement, relaxation, and the opportunity to bond with the people you care about.

1: Sleeping On a Trampoline is Fun

A trampoline provides a bouncy platform, which helps unwind your body the moment you lay down on it.

The bouncy effect makes you feel like sleeping on a cloud – offering a fun and unique sleeping experience.  

2: Sleeping on a Trampoline Helps You Meditate

Sleeping on a trampoline and contemplating the open sky allow you to meditate, to reconnect with nature, and to take a breath of fresh air – which is especially refreshing after a stressful day at work.

Sleeping on a trampoline helps reduce tension and gives you a break from your daily life problems or to ponder upon them.

3: Sleeping on a Trampoline Lets You Bond With Loved-Ones

Sleeping on a trampoline increases the bond between people of all ages.

It’s a great way to enhance face-to-face interactions between family members, and to reignite the spark in a relationship. 

The 3 Cons of Sleeping On a Trampoline

The risks associated with sleeping on a trampoline include the danger of falling off, exposure to inclement weather, and the possibility of back pain.

1: Falling Off the Trampoline

Sleeping on a trampoline is not a good idea for people who move a lot during their sleep as there’s a chance that you will roll out on to the ground – potentially causing serious injuries such as soft tissue injuries, bone fractures, and concussions [1]. 

One solution is to install a safety net.

2: Risk of Rain and Cold

Sleeping on a trampoline can expose you to bad weather conditions like rain, wind, high humidity, and low temperature.

When the weather is nice, there could still be mosquitoes and insects in the air, which may disrupt your sleep. 

Setting up a tent on the trampoline can solve these problems by providing extra shelter.

3: Back Pain and Discomfort

A trampoline lacks adequate support to keep your spine well aligned for long periods of time.

Therefore, long-term use is not favorable as a trampoline can exacerbate back problems and ruin your sleeping experience.  

In the short term, sleeping on a firm mattress or mattress topper can potentially allow you to spend the occasional night sleeping on your trampoline comfortably.

7 Critical Trampoline Sleep Over Safety Precautions

So what precautions do you need to take to make your trampoline safe to sleep on?

To make your trampoline safe to sleep on, first read the instruction manual, place the trampoline close to the ground, perform regular safety checks, add protective padding over the poles and springs, install a safety net, cover the trampoline with heavy blankets, and have a light source (torch) to hand.

More details below:

1: Read the Manual

Read the manufacturer’s instructions to learn how to install and use the trampoline correctly.

The trampoline may have a weight limit capacity or a particular way to assemble the frame and the safety net if available. 

2: Place the Trampoline Low to the Ground

Secure the trampoline poles and frames to an even ground and place it low to the floor to minimize the risk of injuries from falling off the trampoline. 

3: Perform Regular Inspections On Your Trampoline

Check your trampoline for any defects before using it.

Make sure the frame is sturdy enough and the mat is clean and clutter-free to avoid any risk of accidents such as stumbling, colliding, and falling. 

4: Add Safety Pads Over the Poles and Springs

A trampoline must have protective pads and cushions around the frame and over the springs to protect the children from accidental falls and injuries. 

5: Install a Safety Net

If your mattress doesn’t come with a safety net, purchase one and install it so that you don’t seriously injure yourself in case of accidental falls. 

However, despite the padding and enclosures, children under the age of 6 years old should never be allowed to use trampolines as they aren’t as coordinated as older individuals and their bones are too fragile [2]. 

6: Cover the Mat With Heavy Blankets

Make sure you warm the mat by adding layers of bedding like heavy blankets and duvets.

This will make you fall asleep more easily while keeping you warm and cozy. 

7: Carry a Light Source With You

Sleeping outside at night might be scary for young children – so always carry a light source with you such as a rechargeable lamp or a torchlight to be alerted and see better. 

6 Essential Trampoline Sleepover Items 

Before you sleep on a trampoline, you should make sure you have all of the following necessary items to make your sleepover comfortable:

  • Bed sheets – can be used to cover the trampoline mat because resting on a bare trampoline may be uncomfortable. 
  • Heavy blankets – can keep you warm during cold weather especially at night when the temperature drops. 
  • Waterproof sleeping bags, raincoats, and umbrellas – can protect you from rain.
  • Insect repellents – to keep mosquitoes and bugs away.
  • Snacks, books, and games – to lift your mood up and to enjoy your time whether alone or with other people. 
  • Trampoline tents – are used over the trampoline to create an enclosed environment that protects you from extreme weather conditions. 

Sleeping on a Trampoline FAQs

Below are the answers to the most common questions related to sleeping on a trampoline:

Is Sleeping On a Trampoline Good or Bad for Your Back?

Sleeping on a trampoline is not good for your back in the long run because the trampoline surface doesn’t provide enough support for your spine or allow for an even distribution of your body weight – potentially resulting in uncomfortable pressure points and poor posture.

Can You Put a Tent on a Trampoline?

You can put a tent on a trampoline to help protect you from the elements and create a more secure and cozy sleeping experience that may be better for younger children – however, a trampoline tent blocks the open view so you cannot stare at the stars at night.

A camping style tent can sit on top of a trampoline mat and ties to the trampoline frame and is available in different shapes and sizes and can be easily installed and taken down whenever needed. 

How Do You Camp On a Trampoline?

To camp on a trampoline, spread your blankets and pillows over the trampoline mat and set up your tent on top of them – bring your favorite camping food (like hot dogs and marshmallows) and light up a fire pit next to the trampoline for some added camping atmosphere. 

Bring in some sleepover games such as playing cards, or sing while playing some instruments to strengthen bonds between families and friends. 

Don’t forget to grab all essential items to ensure you have everything you need to make your camping experience pleasant and memorable.   

Conclusion: Sleep On a Trampoline Sparingly

In the long run, sleeping on a trampoline can harm your spine and lead to back issues as the bouncy mat does not support your body properly so you should only sleep on a trampoline occasionally as a fun activity.

To sleep on a trampoline safely, you should place a supportive sleeping surface like a mattress or mattress topper on the trampoline, and you should take safety measures to avoid accidental falls and injuries – especially if you tend to roll over a lot during your sleep. 

Related: can you sleep on a futon every night?

Sources and References

[1] Lincoln Orthopedic Center. “Common Trampoline Injuries.” Lincoln Orthopedic Center Dedicated Surgical Expertise, 2020, https://www.ortholinc.com/newsevents/307-common-trampoline-injuries  Accessed 9 December 2020.

[2] Alexander, Keith. “Effectiveness of pads and enclosures as safety interventions on consumer trampolines.” BMJ Journals, vol. 16, no. 3, 2010, pp. 185-189. Injury Prevention, https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/16/3/185.short. Accessed 9 December 2020.

Image Attribution and Licencing

Main image: ‘Portrait of a Smiling Little Girl’ by Zurijeta – used with permission under the terms of Canva’s One Design Use License Agreement.