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We're thinking of getting a trampoline for the kids next spring. My parents have one, and my kids spend hours on it. My irrational fear of kids falling off and breaking necks is eased with those netted cage things. With the weather turning cooler, a trampoline can be really inviting. To get children outdoors and jumping, suggest these popular trampoline games.

• Seat Drop Battle: This is when two people have a contest against each other to see who can perform a series of seat drops in a set order without messing up. For example, the sequence might be seat drop, stand, seat drop, seat drop, stand. Whoever makes the first mistake loses. Sequences can be as complex or as simple as a child's age allows.
• Star Jumps: Similar to Seat Drop Battle above except jumpers must do straddle jumps (with legs out to the side and touching toes). Jumpers must touch their toes every time. The first one to miss their toes loses.
• Sharks and Seals: Two children stand on opposite ends of the tramp. One is the shark and one is the seal. The shark must chase the seal around the trampoline but can only go on their hands and knees. The seal is allowed to stand and run/walk. When the shark catches the seal, they switch and start over.
• Follow Me: One child is the leader and faces the other child. The leader begins to do a series of tricks (bounces, straddle jumps, seat drops, spins, clapping under the leg, etc.). The follower copies the leader. Game goes on until children get tired, and then switch.
• Add-on: The first child performs a trick on the trampoline, and then gets off. The next child climbs on and performs the first trick, then adds one of their own. The third child gets on, repeats the first two and adds another. The game goes on until someone messes up the sequence.
• Dodgeball: This one needs at least three children. One is on the trampoline and the other two are standing on the ground on opposite ends. Using a softer type of ball (beach ball, sponge ball, etc.) the two children must try to hit the child on the tramp to get them out. Whoever makes the hit is the next one on the tramp.
• Keep Away: Exactly the opposite of dodgeball. This time, the child on the tramp is trying to catch the ball as the two children on the ground throw it to each other. When the child catches the ball, whoever threw it is now up.
• Weeble-wobble: One person sits in the middle with their legs folded in and arms hugging the knees. Other children must bounce around and try to get the seated child to tip over and come "undone." Children switch places when that happens.

15 Minute Moment
Check out a book from the library on origami for children. Spend some time learning how to make one of the projects inside.