Trampoline parks are exhilarating — and inherently risky. Jumping, flipping, and aerial movements carry a real possibility of injury, from sprained ankles to serious spinal damage. For trampoline park owners, a comprehensive liability waiver is not just good practice — it is essential to operating legally and safely.
This guide covers every aspect of trampoline park waivers, from what to include to how digital waivers can transform your check-in process.
Why Trampoline Parks Face High Legal Exposure
Studies have shown that trampoline parks generate significantly more injuries per visitor hour than many other recreational activities. Common injuries include:
- Sprained and fractured ankles from awkward landings
- Knee and shoulder injuries from collisions
- Spinal injuries from failed flips or aerial maneuvers
- Head and neck injuries in foam pits
- Minor cuts and bruises from contact with equipment edges
What to Include in a Trampoline Park Waiver
1. Participant and Emergency Contact Details
Full name, age, date of birth, and emergency contact information.
2. Detailed Risk Disclosure
Specifically name the risks: collision injuries, falls, landing injuries, neck and spinal damage, and the possibility of severe injury or death. Courts give more weight to specific risk disclosures.
3. Rules Acknowledgment
Participant agrees to follow all park rules including no double bouncing, no flipping in open areas, and staff instructions.
4. Fitness Declaration
Participant confirms they do not have conditions that make participation unsafe, such as spinal conditions, heart problems, or recent surgeries.
5. Assumption of Risk
Explicit acknowledgment that the participant understands and voluntarily accepts all named risks.
6. Release of Liability
Releases the trampoline park, owners, and staff from liability for injuries arising from normal use of the park facility.
7. Parental Consent for Minors
Critical: minors cannot legally sign binding contracts. A parent or legal guardian must sign on their behalf. The minor's name and date of birth must be clearly recorded.
8. Photo and Marketing Release
Obtain consent for using images or video of participants in marketing materials.
Managing Waivers for Child Participants
The majority of trampoline park customers are children. This creates specific waiver requirements:
- A parent or guardian must sign for every child under 18
- The waiver must list the child's name and date of birth, not just the adult's
- Group birthday party waivers need individual consent for each child — one parent signing for a group is not sufficient
- Annual renewals are recommended for regular visitors
Digital Waivers for Trampoline Parks
Trampoline parks that rely on paper waivers at the door face long queues, illegible forms, and lost records. Digital waivers allow:
- Parents to sign online before arriving with their children
- Walk-in visitors to scan a QR code and sign in under 2 minutes
- Returning visitors to renew their waiver without re-entering all details
- Group birthday party organizers to send waiver links to all parents in advance
- All records to be stored securely and searchable by name or date
Final Thoughts
A trampoline park waiver is one of your most important business documents. Given the high injury risk environment, courts will scrutinize waivers carefully. Ensure yours is comprehensive, clearly written, and professionally reviewed.
CleverWaiver supports trampoline parks with group waivers, minor consent management, and digital storage — making the process fast, legal, and seamless.
FAQs
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Can one parent sign a waiver for a group of children at a birthday party? |
No. Each child's waiver must be individually signed by their own parent or legal guardian. A single adult cannot sign on behalf of other people's children. |
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How often should trampoline park waivers be renewed? |
Annual renewal is recommended for regular visitors. One-time visitors should sign each visit if your policy requires it. |
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Can waivers protect against serious spinal injury claims? |
A properly drafted waiver that specifically names spinal injury as a risk provides significant legal protection. However, waivers cannot cover injuries caused by operator negligence. |
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Should the waiver mention specific equipment like foam pits? |
Yes. If foam pits, dodgeball trampolines, or other specific equipment are available, mention them specifically in the risk disclosure. |
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What is the minimum age for trampoline park participation? |
This varies by park and jurisdiction. Age limits and supervision requirements should be clearly stated in both your waiver and park signage. |
