Galt Folding Trampoline

We take Kira to a gymnastics class every week and she loves it. One of her favorite parts is going on the big trampoline, but she's not really able to jump yet. Jumping is a skill that typically emerges around age 2, but since it's great exercise and a good way to have fun on a rainy day, we decided to get her a trampoline for the house.

Since our townhouse is fairly small, we wanted to get something that wouldn't take up the whole living room. We've since sold our house and will be moving soon, but I'm still glad that I will be able to put this trampoline away when we don't need to use it. We ended up choosing the Galt Folding Trampoline. This model has folding spring legs and the handle is removable, meaning it can be slid under a high couch, under a bed or into any tight space.

The trampoline takes some assembly and I would certainly recommend a second person to help you. The hardest part is putting the bungee cord on, since this has to be very tight to give you the tension needed to bounce. Once you get the hang of it it's not too bad, but I would say it took my husband and I about 45 minutes to put this together. The instructions could definitely have been clearer. I have read this complaint about many trampolines.

Now that it's together, we love it. It's sturdy, folds just as it's supposed to, and Kira loves it. She bounces and counts, she makes her stuffed animals and other toys bounce with her, and she even wants baby sister to bounce! The fabric even wipes clean from milk spills and general toddler crumbs. The padded handle is nice, since she has bumped her chin a couple of times.

Since we've had this trampoline, Kira's jumping has improved a lot and she's getting much closer to being able to jump on the floor. This was certainly not the cheapest toy we've ever purchased, but I am sure that we will get our money's worth when it keeps both girls busy and gets them some much needed exercise on days when we can't get out of the house.

Step 2 Naturally Playful Sand and Water Center

When the warm weather started to roll in this Spring, I knew that I wanted to get Kira a sand box. After doing a ton of research, I decided that a combined sand and water table would be even better. I liked the fact that I could use it just for sand, just for water, or both if I was not going to worry about a muddy mess! We own a few other Step 2 products and, while they are typically a bit more expensive than other brands, we love their durability, design and functionality.

The Step2 Naturally Playful Sand & Water Center requires some minimal assembly. You need to screw on the four legs and attach the umbrella if you are going to be using it. The umbrella is easily removed so it doesn't have to stay on. Before purchasing, I read some reviews about water leaking through the legs of the table. Sure enough, when I put water in it after it was put together a small amount of water did leak down the legs. It certainly wasn't enough to make a real difference to the water level, but I just put some water sealant around the leg plugs and the problem was solved in a minute.

This table is the perfect height for toddlers and preschoolers. It's also a good size, about 46 inches long and 26 inches wide, so you need to take that into consideration when deciding where to put it. Ours fits perfectly along the side of our small deck, so Kira can play while I am inside cooking, taking care of her little sister etc.

One side of the table is intended for sand, while the other has channels and "roads" designed for water play. This side is also fine for sand too. The table comes with a few accessories such as bridges, molds for sand castles, cars etc., but we bought a few other cheap sand and water toys from the local big box store to add to the fun.

The large umbrella is excellent for shading Kira on those really hot summer days. It provides very good coverage and is easy to set up and take down. It's very light, however, so on a windy day it might not be a safe choice. The lid that comes with the table features roads that can be used on top, and is held down by two bungee cords. The table has been outside all summer with the lid on and has gone through strong storms and winds. Water and bugs have never gotten into the table and the lid has always stayed on tightly.

This table has been a great investment for hours of fun. It's create for imaginative and sensory play, and I can see my girls enjoying it for years to come.