The Science Behind Trampoline Jumping

Visiting Sky Zone for a power-packed day of jumping, climbing, and exploring isn’t just fun for your kids — it’s a science and STEM lesson at work! Something as simple as bouncing up and down on the trampoline is a great example of how physics impacts our day-to-day lives, and it’s something even the smallest kids can understand and have fun experimenting with.

But if it’s been a while since you last paged through a physics textbook or revisited the concepts of potential and kinetic energy, don’t stress out. We’re here to help explain the science behind trampoline jumping, how does a trampoline work, and how you can bring these big ideas to life for your little ones during your next trip to Sky Zone.

The Science Behind Trampoline Jumping

How does a trampoline work, anyway? A traditional trampoline is an elastic, springy surface that is attached to a base and springs on all sides, whether it’s round, square, rectangular, or something in between. If you’re jumping at Sky Zone, trampolines are stretched out across an entire floor, but the principle is the same regardless of the trampoline shape and size. The springy surface reacts to your body, putting force on it, sending you into the air. That’s a simple answer for when your child inevitably asks, “How does a trampoline work?”

Trampoline jumping is constant physics at play. When you’re trampoline jumping, your body is putting out tons of energy and exerting force on the trampoline, then getting a reaction from the springs and the elastic.

Energy is generally defined as “the ability to do work.” Trampolines are a wonderful explanation of both kinetic and potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion; if something is moving, it’s exhibiting kinetic energy. When you’re bouncing and jumping around, your kinetic energy changes second by second with your speed and jump power.

Potential energy is stored energy; when you push down on the trampoline, the springs move downward, which is potential energy. When you jump, that’s kinetic energy. Your total energy is your kinetic plus potential energy; that’s like when the trampoline, the springs, and your jump force all combine to make you fly super high and stay airborne longer. If this is a concept your child is currently learning in school, there’s really no better place to see it in action than at Sky Zone.

Trampoline Physics in the Real World

Two important principles in trampoline physics are Newton’s Laws of Motion, specifically the first and the third. The first one states that “An object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by an outside force.” This means that though you’re moving through the air when trampoline jumping, both gravity and the trampoline’s springs and surface are acting against you to keep you from flying into the sky or crashing through the fabric. That’s definitely a good thing!

Newton’s third law of motion states that “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” When you’re jumping on the trampoline, the springs are moving one way, and when you’re in the air, they’re moving another way.

Have your kids compare how a trampoline reacts when they jump versus when you do, given you’re bigger and heavier; your body mass makes a big difference For a kid-friendly analogy, have them imagine what it would look like if an elephant were to sit on the trampoline. It would stretch allllll the way down to touch the ground, right? Then, have them imagine what happens when a fly or a small bird sits on it. Those lighter-weight creatures are no big deal, and the trampoline itself may not even move.

Another trampoline physics lesson you can share with your kids is Hooke’s Law, which was introduced by physicist Robert Hooke all the way back in the 17th century. The law states that “The force needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance scales linearly with respect to that distance.” In short, this means that the harder you jump, the higher you’ll fly because the trampoline springs are reacting to the pressure of your body and your jump power. Hooke primarily studied the reactions of elasticated objects, so he would have loved hanging out at Sky Zone.

There are so many ways to play at Sky Zone, but playtime is even more fun and beneficial when it comes with an educational aspect. If your kids are interested in science, let them experiment with the concepts of energy and motion at your next visit. (Just make sure you’re following the rules as you experiment.) Those mind-blowing jumps may feel even cooler, and they may just decide to pursue a career in physics!