JOSEN
The dinosaur is the middle size in our hopper line and the one most families end up with. Big enough that a four or five year old is not cramped, small enough to clear a doorframe inflated, and shaped so the handles fall naturally under the hands of a child who is still learning the rhythm of bouncing.
The body is moulded thick through the base where the load concentrates, and the handles are part of the shell rather than welded on — which is the joint that gives way on cheaper hoppers. The surface is matte rather than glossy, so it grips hardwood instead of sliding across it.
A hand pump is included, and that is deliberate. An electric pump overfills a hopper in seconds and an overfilled hopper is hard and skittish rather than springy. Pump by hand until the back has a little give under a press and you will have it right. Available in more than one colour under the same listing.
Who it is for: an indoor winter and an outdoor summer. The hopper is the item parents buy expecting a week of interest and then report back about in March, which is the experience we aim for with every bouncer here. The dinosaur is the shape most often picked by children who have been given a free choice.
Keep it off gravel and away from anything with a corner and it will outlast the enthusiasm. A quick wipe is all the cleaning it needs. It is a reliable party gift because it works straight out of the box with the included hand pump, and our first inflation guide has the two-minute method if you would rather not be out of breath before the guests arrive.
