Hi, we have both and my daughter plays with the trampoline more, alot more! We do not have shade either in our back yard and I don't know why but the trampoline material itself never gets hot but the metal parts do.
I use her trampoline to lay out and sun bath, ha ha!
My children are grown and gone and you didn't mention the age of your daughters. Regarding a trampoline, you need to check with your homeowners insurance before buying one, some companies will not write your insurance if there is one on the property. Some will write if the yard is fenced and others want a safety net around it. As for the "no shade", put a sprinkler under it! We use to love that for summer fun!
Well, we have both. We just got the trampoline a week ago and the 6 and 8 year old love it. I get on it too. Yes, you do have to be careful on it. Ours came with a net and it does not get hot on the trampoline in the midst of the summer day. it is in the shade in the morning, that's when they go out to play. Then again in the evening. The trampoline instructions say not to use a waterhose or jump on it when it is wet. States you could slip and injury yourself. Just taking precautions with it as with anything you play on. One could get hurt with a swingset too. So just peek on her from time to time or go out there and enjoy the sunshine. It is medicine to our soul!
Play set, if you don't know how to use a trampoline properly it is the most dangerous thing you can possibly own for your children.
Dear Aimee:
I've worked in the legal field, so I would NOT recommend a trampoline. You have to plan to be outside with the kids each and every time they are out using it to supervise. I can't tell you how many bad injuries I've seen from trampoline accidents.
I'd go with the wooden play set. You can get different sized awnings to go with your play set that would help with the shade. The plastic slides get hot, but not nearly as bad as anything metal, as in my youth!
Lynn F., mom of a 14-year-old daughter
we have had both and the kids love both. The trampoline is extremely hot in the summer unless you spray with water and that is fun. However when we attempted to change homeowners insurance no one would insure us due to having a trampline. Also in a trampoline it is really really important to only let two kids on it at a time because the mat has less give to it. The more kids the harder the mat and this is actually where kids get the most injuries, not from falling off.
Hope this helps! Both can be fun and the kids will love either one.