Two accessories are worth buying at the same time as your trampoline. The rest are optional, some more useful than others. This is the honest breakdown: what actually makes a practical difference, what is genuinely optional, and what you are unlikely to regret buying.
Weather covers: yes, get one
A weather cover sits over the trampoline mat and protects it when the trampoline is not in use. It keeps leaves and debris off the mat surface, prevents standing water from pooling in the centre, and reduces UV exposure during the months when the trampoline sees lighter use.
The practical argument for a weather cover comes down to mat lifespan. A trampoline mat that has been left exposed to leaf debris over three or four winters will show staining and surface degradation that a covered mat will not. Leaves decompose and the acids in decomposing plant matter affect the polypropylene fabric over time. Standing water that freezes on the mat in cold temperatures stresses the fabric at low temperatures. None of these processes destroy a mat quickly, but they collectively shorten its useful life.
A replacement mat costs considerably more than a weather cover. Buying the cover with the trampoline — rather than thinking about it later, when the mat is already showing wear — is the straightforward approach. Our accessories range includes weather covers sized for each round trampoline diameter we stock. They strap or clip around the frame and can be fitted or removed in a few minutes.
Anchor kits: yes, if your garden is exposed
An anchor kit secures the trampoline frame to the ground, preventing wind lift in storms. The kit typically consists of straps that run from the frame legs to corkscrewing metal pegs driven into the ground. The straps hold the frame down under upward wind force; the pegs resist pull-out from the soil.
Whether you need one depends on your garden. A trampoline in a well-sheltered garden — surrounded by solid fencing, close to the house, with neighbouring buildings providing windbreak — has low wind-lift risk. A trampoline in an exposed garden, on a rise, or in a location that regularly experiences strong winds needs an anchor kit.
The consequences of not having one in a windy location are real. An unanchored round trampoline in high winds acts like a sail — the enclosure net catches the wind, the frame lifts, and the whole structure can flip or travel across the garden. A flipped 14ft trampoline damages whatever it lands on and almost always sustains its own frame damage. Anchor kits from our accessories range are available for all standard round trampoline sizes. Buying one with the trampoline avoids having to deal with the alternative.
If you are unsure whether your garden qualifies as "exposed," the practical test is: has your garden furniture moved or blown over in a storm in the last two or three years? If yes, anchor the trampoline.
Ladders
A trampoline ladder attaches to the frame and gives children a step up onto the mat. For younger children — particularly those under six using a 6ft or 8ft trampoline — the step up onto the mat is high enough that a ladder makes getting on and off much easier. For older children and for smaller trampolines where the frame is closer to the ground, a ladder is usually unnecessary.
The trampoline frame height varies by size. Larger trampolines — 14ft and 16ft models — have higher frames to accommodate longer spring lengths, and the step up to the mat is more significant. A ladder on a 16ft trampoline is useful for adults who find the step-up awkward as well as for children.
Ladders are an optional add-on rather than a safety essential. If you are buying for a young child or a larger trampoline model, it is worth considering at the same time as the main purchase. Fitting one later is straightforward, but buying it upfront avoids the search.
Replacement springs and mats
Springs and mats are not accessories you buy upfront — they are the main wear components that need replacing after a few years of use. Worth knowing about now, because when the time comes, most people are pleasantly surprised to find that replacement parts cost a fraction of a new trampoline.
Springs typically last 3-5 years on a regularly used outdoor trampoline. When they start to stretch unevenly or show rust at the hooks, replacing them all at once produces more consistent bounce than replacing individual springs as they fail. Replacement springs are measured by length and hook type — both of which should match the original specification of your trampoline.
Mats last a similar period — 3-5 years under full outdoor exposure and regular use. The mat is the component most visible to UV, which degrades polypropylene over time. A mat showing significant fading, surface brittleness, or thinning at the centre should be replaced before it fails under load. Replacement mats are sized by trampoline diameter and ring count (number of spring attachment points), both of which need to match the original.
Knowing that these parts exist and are available means a trampoline with a worn mat does not automatically become a trampoline that needs full replacement. The frame and legs on a well-built trampoline can last ten or more years — far longer than the mat or springs. Replacing parts rather than the whole trampoline is almost always the better-value approach.
What about tent covers, basketball hoops, and other add-ons?
These are optional in the true sense: fun additions that some families love, with no effect on safety or longevity.
Tent covers convert the trampoline enclosure into a covered space — useful for keeping light rain out while children still want to be on the trampoline, or for camping-out experiences that children find exciting. They fit over the existing enclosure poles and net and can be removed when not in use. The practical limitation is ventilation — a tent cover on a warm day can make the enclosure noticeably warmer inside.
Basketball hoops attach to the enclosure poles and give a target for bouncing. They add variety to the experience and are particularly popular with children who want more than straight bouncing. The hoop folds down when not in use so it does not interfere with regular jumping. These are a relatively inexpensive way to extend the range of what the trampoline does.
Neither tent covers nor basketball hoops affect safety or the condition of the trampoline itself. They are optional enhancements — worth considering if you know your child will use them, not worth worrying about if not.
For all accessories including weather covers, anchor kits, ladders, and replacement parts, see our accessories range. For guidance on choosing the right size trampoline, our trampoline size guide has a full size comparison with garden space and weight limit information. The full range of trampolines is at all trampolines.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a weather cover for my trampoline?
Not strictly necessary, but strongly worth buying. A weather cover extends the lifespan of the mat by preventing leaf debris buildup, standing water, and UV exposure during non-use periods. It costs considerably less than a mat replacement and is most effective when bought with the trampoline rather than after the mat has already been exposed for a few seasons.
Do I need an anchor kit for my trampoline?
If your garden is exposed or has experienced strong enough winds to move garden furniture, yes. An unanchored trampoline in high winds can flip or travel across the garden, causing damage to the trampoline and anything nearby. In a well-sheltered garden with solid surrounding fencing, the risk is lower but still worth considering for large trampolines.
Can you buy replacement mats and springs for a trampoline?
Yes. Replacement mats are sized by diameter and spring count; replacement springs by length and hook type. Replacing a worn mat or worn springs is significantly cheaper than replacing the whole trampoline. A well-built frame can last ten or more years — replacing the components that wear out extends the life of a trampoline considerably beyond what a one-part failure might suggest.