Dallas Moms Blog has partnered with Springfree Trampoline to bring you this post. All opinions are 100% my own.
I have a confession. I kind of dread summers. Does that make me a terrible mom??
I love spending time with my kids, the lazy mornings, and all the fun possibilities. But what I don’t look forward to is the never ending battle of “what to do”.
Summer’s fun at first. The swim suits go on and sprinklers are blasting at full force. We can spend hours going between baby pools and splash pads; stopping for a brief Popsicle as fuel. But then the Texas temperature kicks in and even venturing outside with a water supply can be brutal. After a week or so, we accept defeat and head back inside for more fun to avoid the never-ending heat. While inside, I always try to find unique ways of adding learning into our days to help extend the fun (and make me feel like a good mom). I do my best to avoid technology and fill our time with trips to the library instead.
In the beginning, we may “plug in” a short time here or there. But after the endless rotation of Lego building, play-dough making, and coloring, even I find myself getting tired of the same ‘ol, same ‘ol….so I cannot blame my boys when the first “I’m bored” comes out of their mouth a few weeks into summertime, and the Tablet comes out and the TV goes on.
While I try to justify the time spent on the screen, let’s face it, by the end of July I’ve just simply lost the battle. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I didn’t 100% appreciate the silence come July, each time I walk by a darkened living room and hear the sound of a game being played it makes me sink a little lower. Nothing they’re playing is in appropriate, and more times than not, they’re education games…but the sun is shining outside and their imagination could be running wild instead of playing independently in front of a screen.
Looking ahead to summer, my husband and I made the decision to add a trampoline to our backyard with the help of Springfree Trampoline. Hands down, one of the better decisions we’ve made.
Springfree Trampoline isn’t an ordinary trampoline. They have eliminated the impact areas that cause 90% of all product-related trampoline injuries which is extremely important as a mom of 3 boys. They’re built to last and use only the highest quality materials and have proven to stand up to some intense storms.
For the last 3 months, my boys have spent a large portion of their day (by their choosing) playing outside — together. They bounce, roll around, and have even come up with creative uses for the trampoline pad (like a drawing board)!
The trampoline has been a huge help in releasing a little pent-up energy after preschool and become a pillar in our family time. My husband and I aren’t afraid to get in ourselves and have a little fun with our boys!
Then this past May, something unexpected happened. . .
Meet tgoma
Springfree Trampoline launched the “first outdoor interactive digital gaming system.”
tgoma is a system that attaches to any current Springfree Trampoline and works with any Android tablet or iPad. Through a simple install and app download, tgoma uses sensors on the trampoline pad to allow you to play games by jumping around your trampoline and get “fit while having fun.”
The tgoma system isn’t just another way to plug kids in. While it does use a tablet, the tgoma transforms the entire trampoline into an interactive gaming system. Think the fun of Dance Dance Revolution, but outside!
tgoma has games and apps for everyone. There are high energy games like Whatzat? and Alien Stomp. Then there are educational games like 2048 and Math Hopper. Plus, a little something special for the parents with tgoma Fit.
But the best part of all these games is that gives us one more thing to do this summer as a family. While it doesn’t avoid the tablet all together, it takes the allure of “screen time” and brings it outdoors for a fun, active experience the whole family can enjoy.
This summer, I’m actually looking forward to adding not just the good ‘ol fashioned fun of a trampoline, but the additional thrill of an interactive gaming pad and avoiding that mommy guilt of turning on the tablet indoors.
If you’re looking to add some summer entertainment to your backyard, stop by one of Springfree Trampoline’s interactive demonstration stores in Frisco, Plano, or Southlake and give the tgoma a try! The tgoma can be added on to your existing Springfree OR the tgoma now comes with any Springfree Trampoline purchase.
Visit Springfree Trampoline’s website for more details!