8 Truly Creative Ways To Turn An Old Trampoline Into Backyard Features

Any parent knows that for their kids, there's nothing better than doing somersaults, backflips, and other crazy maneuvers while flying through the air on a backyard trampoline. But eventually, kids do outgrow the trampoline phase and that unreserved, daredevil energy, and what was once a regular outdoor diversion just becomes a giant heap of metal and mesh taking up space in our backyards. But instead of throwing away your child's broken or neglected trampoline, you can actually upcycle it into some very cool backyard features. Yes, it's possible to just reuse the old trampoline springs, but why not try to repurpose the whole thing?

We're all for refurbishing old items to give them new life, and an old trampoline is a perfect example of a backyard item that can be transformed into something beautiful and even useful in your yard. Some options, like creating a swimming pool or soccer goal out of your trampoline, allow you to keep the fun going even when your kid's somersault days are done; while other crafty ideas, like moongates or trellises, are gorgeous decorative options that bring a touch of whimsy and magic to your garden space. Whatever your backyard goals are, you're sure to find something useful to make from your trampoline. 

Sure, jumping on a trampoline can work up a sweat, but when you're finished doing backflips, you can repurpose that trampoline into a little backyard oasis for cooling off and relaxing. Simply remove the trampoline frame and secure a large tarp in and around the outside of the frame. Then fill it up with water and enjoy your DIY trampoline pool. You can even attach a pool surface skimmer to keep the water cleaner.

For a beautiful trellis that can fill your yard with vertical color and greenery, repurpose your trampoline into a DIY support for climbing trellis plants. Remove the metal frame and legs and rework the frame into a half moon shape for an enclosed area on the ground. Then, use some of the upright poles and mesh that would otherwise support the trampoline's enclosure, and use them to support plants as a large open trellis.

Just because you're finished with your trampoline doesn't mean the fun and activity needs to end. Instead, you can replace the jumping and acrobatics with some running, kicking, and soccer practice by transforming your trampoline into a soccer goal. Use some of the poles that make up the legs of the trampoline to form the frame of your soccer goal, then use the trampoline's netting for the soccer goal net.

Turn your trampoline into a home for some feathered friends by crafting it into a chicken coop. For a super-simple animal enclosure, start by removing the net and poles from the top of the trampoline, then wrap some fencing material around the legs. You can then cut a flap in the top of the enclosure (the trampoline mat) and use that as a makeshift door for feeding and cleaning.

If you love picnics and eating outdoors but don't enjoy sitting in the grass amongst the ants and bugs, try repurposing your trampoline into an elevated lounge area. Unlike some of our other DIY suggestions, this one doesn't take much work or skill to accomplish. Just throw some blankets, pillows, or rugs on the trampoline and enjoy your new outdoor relaxation spot. If you want to make it ultra-chic, try fastening some curtains and string lights to the trampoline's upper poles.

For a dreamy, beautiful resting spot in the trees that also has plenty of space to stretch out, try upcycling a hammock from your old trampoline frame. For this large-scale craft, you'll need some paracord or some rope to weave a spider-like web in the center of the trampoline frame. It might take some time, but when you're through, you'll have the perfect place to settle in for an afternoon nap. For a little more fun with trampolines in the trees, you can also upcycle a smaller exercise trampoline by flipping it and turning into a fun tree swing.

To add a touch of whimsy and magic to your yard, transform your trampoline into a garden moongate that gives serious fairy vibes. Detach the trampoline frame, remove one of the two trampoline legs, then stand it upright on the remaining leg. Bury the leg in a hole in the ground, covering and securing it there with cement so that it's extra-sturdy. For a look that's even more magical, decorate your new moongate with some vines or fairy lights.

For a beautiful enclosed garden, try crafting this garden bed fence from an old trampoline frame and PVC pipe. Not only is it a pretty way to use your old trampoline – you can never tell it was once one of your kid's toys! — it's also incredibly practical. You'll be saving your trampoline from the landfill and keeping pesky critters away from your precious garden vegetables, flowers, and other plants.